WENGER SACKED! please log in to view this image BBC NEWS Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has been relieved of his duties after a series of poor performances at the start of this season. The manager, who spent 15 years at Arsenal, watched his side slump to an 8-2 defeat at rivals Manchester United yesterday. Stan Kroenke, majority stakeholder at Arsenal, wished Arsene all the best but said "The time was right for a change. I have offered Arsene sizable funds to strengthen his squad, but he has refused, and did not sign deals I had arranged for players that could potentially win trophies for our club, saying that they did not fit in with his style of play. Unfortunately, despite the great achievements that he has accomplished at Arsenal, this is not the way that we wish to progress, and regrettably, we have chosen to terminate his contract with immediate effect." The process of appointing a replacement will not be an easy one. Any manager walking in now will surely want a huge war chest in the transfer market, and with that closing in 2 days time, an appointment must be made quickly in order to appease the fans with new signings. Odds on favourite Carlo Ancelotti has been out of work since his removal as Chelsea manager at the end of last season, but has won praises for winning the double at Chelsea and many trophies at other clubs. Other leading candidates include Everton Manager David Moyes, who has 'achieved so much with so little', in the words of Arsenal legend Patrick Viera. "I would pick Moyes. What he has done at Everton is just astounding. Just imagine what he could do with financial backing." Asked if he himself considered the position, he said, "We shall see. Maybe someday." A few other high profile managers have been linked with the job. Pep Guardiola has always stated his desire to lead a premier league team, but many have raised doubts over whether he would leave Barcelona this early in a season. Other candiates include Martin O Neil, Louis Van Gaal and Bolton Manager Owen Coyle. A decision is expected to be made shortly. Contenders Ancelotti 2/1 Moyes 3/1 Van Gaal 6/1 O Neil 6/1 Coyle 8/1 Guardiola 19/2
Moyes odds Slashed! please log in to view this image David Moyes has reportedly been seen outside the Emirates Stadium today ahead of a possible move to Arsenal from Everton, to replace Arsene Wenger. Carlo Ancelotti remains the Bookie's outside bet, after Pep Guardiola and Louis Van Gaal publicly stated their lack of interest of taking the job at this time. Contenders Moyes 1/2 Ancelotti 3/1 Coyle 10/1 Hiddink 14/1 Rijkaard 17/1
please log in to view this image Ancelotti Takes the Reigns In contrary to Previous reports, Carlo Ancelotti has taken the vacant manager's post at Arsenal. "I am delighted to be here at this great club. I look forward to ending this club's trophy drought in the forseeable future. I will give my 100% and begin this by hopefully pursuing with a few transfer targets, which I hope to wrap up quickly." When asked what he is targeting this season, Ancelotti responded, "I want to win at least one trophy this season. That is the priority. Staying in the top four is the second main objective." Manager David Moyes was reportedly about to take over but talks stalled after a disagreement over transfer funds. He will continue as Everton Manager. Meanwhile, a host of top clubs are set to be chasing Arsene Wenger. He will surely be the first appointment to a top European club this season, with rumours linking him to Roma and 'Mini-Man City' Malaga. Park Chu Young has completed his move to Arsenal, but Arsenal are expected to sign a few more players.
I thought a fantasy article would involve us signing Sweinsteigger, sneijder and cavani. Disapointted now.
please log in to view this image Not one, but Two! Carlo Ancelotti stunned fans and pundits alike by pulling off a huge coup and signing Brazillian midfielder Kaka from Real Madrid for £20m. The fee is £36m lower than Madrid paid for the playmaker in 2009. "Top signing," says Alan Hansen, the pundit who has better knowledge regarding football than God himself, "Will easily fill the hole that Fabregas left open, and not the one in Mr Wenger's arse, the one in midfield." Gary Cahill has also completed a £15m move from Bolton, with Ancelotti commenting, "His experience will be invaluable to our challenge this season." Rumours abound that Arsenal are planning one more signing, and that it will be a good one. When asked if he could confirm this, Ancelotti said, "Just you wait."
Transfer Deadline day Major moves are expected today from Chelsea and Arsenal Carlo ancelotti promised an eventful day today, with at least one more signing expected. The question is... who will it be? With all positions seemingly covered, speculation rests on a left back to remove fears some arsenal fans hold over the strength of Kieran Gibbs. Meanwhile, Ancelotti's old club Chelsea are expected to seal a move for Tottenham's Luka Modric. 0900: Chelsea have bid £45m for Luka Modric, and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted 'It doesn't look good." 1115: Arsenal Manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed his interest to sign a left back before the window closes. However, he will not reveal who this is. All signs point to Everton's Leighton Baines. 1300: Tottenham have completed the signing of Scott Parker for £9m. This surely signals the green light for Modric to leave for Chelsea. 1420: It does! Modric signs for Chelsea, completing his move for a reported £47m, higher than initially thought. 1600: No signs on the left back front for Arsenal. A couple of other moves to report though. Liverpool have signed striker Craig Bellamy from Manchester City on a free transfer. Another striker is on the move, with Nicklas Bendtner signing for Everton. No details on the fee yet. 1620: And that's because it's not really a fee. LEIGHTON BAINES has signed for Arsenal, with Nicklas Bendtner moving the other way, plus 10 million pounds of hard cash for David Moyes to spend. Rumours suggest he will quickly spend it on another striker before the day is out. 1845: Nicklas Anelka has completed an £8m move to Everton. The striker says, "This may be my last chance to play for a top flight first team. At chelsea I was behind Torres, Drogba, Lukaku and Sturridge. I had to switch clubs." 1900: The window shuts soon. Who's going to be moving clubs? 1940: Shock at Arsenal, as Yann M'vila completes a £21m move to the club. The defensive midfielder will certainly add steel to the team, but will surely face tough competition from other players such as Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong. 2000: It's all Arsenal today, isn't it? Two more moves, Almunia completes his move to Spanish side Athletic Bilbao for £2m, whilst Abou Diaby has signed for FC Lorient for £4m. Interesting developments. 2040: We have a shocker here. Blackburn have finally signed a high calibre player, and his name is... you guessed right... Tranquilo Barnetta. I'm sure we've all heard of him. All jokes aside, this is a very good signing for Steve Kean's men. Dunno how much his wages will be in relation to other players, though. 2200: 2 hours left. Someone, please pull a rabbit out of a hat. 2225: I said Rabbit, not Elephant. Arsenal have completed the signing of Eden Hazard on a 3 year deal, for a fee reported to be £27m. Yeah, it is all Arsenal today. 2350: 10 minutes left. We're waiting, because apparently Manchester City are making one signing. 2352: And believe me, it's one hell of a signing. Manchester City have signed Gareth Bale for a reported £30m. Tottenham's relegation odds have shortened, with many fearing 'A typical 'arry collapse', the words of a portsmouth fan. 2400: CLOSED! And could Arsenal fans have asked for better? Today they've signed Baines, M'vila and Hazard, together costing a reported £58m, whilst removing fringe players, totalling a net spend of around £50m. That 8-2 defeat at Manchester United seems like a distant memory now.
Ladbrokes Title odds Arsenal's odds have been shortened dramatically after five stunning signings in two days, leapfrogging Chelsea and Liverpool, despite each of those clubs strengthening yesterday as well. Man Utd 4/11 Man City 8/11 Arsenal 2/1 Chelsea 5/1 Liverpool 9/1 Tottenham 169/1
RESERVED FOR TOMMOROW'S POSTS, WHERE ANCELOTTI COMES FACE TO FACE WITH HIS GREATEST ENEMY... Swansea...
Team to face Swansea: ----------------------------Szczesny----------------------------------- Jenkinson----------Vermaelen--------Cahill-------------Baines ---------------------M'vila-------Frimpong----------------- Walcott----------------------Kaka--------------------Hazard ---------------------Robin Van Persie--------------------- Bench: Fabianski, Gibbs, Arshavin, Chu Young, Koscienly, Oxlade Chamberlain. All change at Arsenal, as a title winning squad looks set to be emerging Question is, can they gel in time to make up for the horror show at Old Trafford? They face a resillient Swansea side, however all eyes are on the new signings, especially Kaka, who the Arsenal fans have a new song for. "He's 6ft 2, He's 6ft 2, **** Fabregas, we've got jesus part two."
Think you are living this fantasy a little too much son. Buy yourself a power ballads CD and get over it.
graham turner, dynamic 64 year old manager of shrewsbury town has turned down the arsenal job, as he wants to continue with his successful club in shropshire who he will be bringing to the emirates shortly to show you how good football is played. i know you will be saddened but get over the disapointment now. floria salopia
