Anderson determined to stay and prove his worth at Manchester United

The midfielder says he loves life at Old Trafford and has vowed to get back into David Moyes' first team, while he is also targeting a place in Brazil's World Cup squad



Anderson insists he is happy to stay at Manchester United and fight for a starting place at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old has struggled for
game time this season under Red
Devils boss David Moyes, and has not
featured since the defeat to West
Brom in September. However, the midfielder, who arrived
at Old Trafford in 2007, says he is
determined to prove his worth to
Moyes. “I have played only two games this
season and I tried to do my very best
for the team. But it is very hard when
you only play a small part now and
then,” he told Manchester Evening
News. “But I am not unhappy. I am enjoying it
and I know I will be ready whenever the
manager picks me. “I haven’t spoken to David Moyes
about my situation because I think I
have a good situation at the moment. I
love this club and I have been here for
over six years. “I am only 25 years old and I have
about seven years football left in me.
So I have time on my side and I am
happy at Old Trafford. “I had a lot of injuries last season. I
have come back now to help United. I
came back in pre-season and felt good
and I have been fit now all season. “I just have to wait for the moment and
when it comes for me then I have to
take that opportunity.” With Anderson having found himself
deemed surplus to requirements for
the majority of the season so far, he
has been linked with a move elsewhere,
with Fulham reportedly showing an
interest. The Brazilian, though, says he is not
paying attention to the speculation
and is instead concentrating on his
football. “I cannot say anything about other
clubs showing an interest. I am at
Manchester United and am a
Manchester United player. I have to do
my job here and work hard every day
to make it work because that’s what I want,” Anderson added. “I am not thinking about moving on. All
I am thinking about is helping my
team, my team-mates and doing the
best for myself. I am a Manchester
United player, I love the fans, I love the
club. I love the way everyone supports the club – it is amazing. It is the best
club in the world.” With his homeland set to host next
summer’s World Cup, Anderson, who
has won eight caps for Brazil, is still
targeting a spot in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s
final squad. “Every player wants to be in the World
Cup. It will be so nice to play in it in
Brazil obviously,” he said. “I have a chance. If I get opportunities
to play for United then I think I could
have an opportunity to play for Brazil
in the World Cup."

Mourinho furious at 'soft' Chelsea away performances

Jose Mourinho was frustrated after his Chelsea side produced another lacklustre away performance in defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Blues have won only one of five Premier League away games so far this season and missed out on the opportunity to top the table due to the surprise 2-0 loss, having previously gone nine games unbeaten and winning each of their last six games.

And Mourinho was pulling no punches after the game, accusing his players of being too soft and lacking in any kind of aggressive intent.

"Of course I am worried," he said at his press conference. "This season we have played five matches away – all difficult places to go – but we only have one victory and two defeats from those games so of course that concerns me.

"We were lacking everything – it was a really bad performance from us. We were not even thinking aggressively. 

"We had the space to play the ball forward and between the lines behind Yohan Cabaye and Cheikh Tiote. We could have hurt the opponent and all we were doing is playing the ball from side to side – always horizontal, never vertical. We were slow and not sharp enough to attack spaces. 

"In previous years the same performances have happened - Chelsea have been successful in cups but not in the Premier League. 

"They have been finishing 15 to 20 points behind and one year they qualified for Champions League because they won it but finished outside the top four. Last year in December they were not in the title race."

Mourinho likened his side’s first-half performance to a friendly match, and says he will take some time to analyse what went wrong before looking ahead to future matches.

He continued: "The result is a consequence of one team not being there. When that is the case, they normally lose – so that is my explanation for the result.

"I think the first half was very easy to play – lots of space, no real pressure from the opposition. But we were not aggressive with the ball and often lost it straight away. We were not pressing. We were too soft, not aggressive nor intense enough. We gave them 45 minutes of a friendly.

"We deserved to lose. Maybe they did not deserve to win but we definitely deserved to lose."

The Portuguese boss admitted before the game he had been finding it tough to pick a team given the strength of squad at his disposal and was asked afterwards if he felt he made the right choices at St James' Park.

Mourinho joked: "I made eleven mistakes. I should have picked the other eleven rather than this one! That is the feeling I have when my team has played so badly. 

"Of course I am exaggerating and some players had some normal or good performances but my feeling after a defeat is that I made eleven wrong choices. Before I think about how we will react I have to try to understand why we performed this way in this match."

Fabregas: 'Spectacular' Ozil will bring out the best in Arsenal

The Barcelona midfielder has lauded his one-time La Liga rival, saying he can elevate the ability of his new Gunners team-mates and hinted at a return to the Emirates Stadium
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised the club's capture of Mesut Ozil and believes the Germany international can take the Gunners to another level.

Arsene Wenger already had a wealth of playmakers to choose from, with many suggesting Arsenal did not really need Ozil, but Fabregas has quashed those notions and is convinced the 25-year-old will galvanise the north London outfit.


“If you have the chance to sign Mesut Ozil then you can’t let it pass you by,” the Barcelona man told The Daily Mail.

“He wanted to play for Arsenal. Wenger won him over and when you have the chance with a player like that it doesn’t matter if you already have seven or eight who are similar, you have to take it.

“Ozil is the man who makes the difference in the final third. He will find so much space in the Premier League and he’s a player who with space kills you. His final pass is brilliant. And he will score more goals in England than he did in Spain. He is a spectacular signing.

“Ozil will bring the best out in [Aaron] Ramsey and [Jack] Wilshere. They understand football the same way.

“The only player who maybe is a bit different is Theo Walcott but you also need that type of player because it’s true that at the end of pass, pass, pass you need a Pedro — someone who will get behind the opposition. Someone who gives depth and hits space.”

Fabregas was linked with a move back to the Emirates Stadium during the summer, though remained at Camp Nou, but says he would welcome a return in a coaching capacity.

“I’m sure they would give me the option to help out there,” the Spaniard added.

“Sol Campbell is there at the moment. Dennis Bergkamp also went there two or three times a week to train when he was doing his coaching badges. It’s a great club in that sense.
”

Flamini to miss Borussia Dortmund clash

The Arsenal midfielder suffered a concussion following a clash with Alexander Tettey on Saturday so Arsene Wenger has decided to leave the player out of the Champions League game



Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini for the visit of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French midfielder was substituted after 37 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 Premier League victory over Norwich City following a clash of heads with Alexander Tettey.

And, despite the 29-year-old training on Monday, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he will not feature for the visit of Jurgen Klopp's men.

"Flamini is doing well," he told reporters. "He's practiced normally, but we won't play him [on Tuesday]. There is a five-day rule [with concussion] that we will respect."

Wenger also claimed that the clash with last season's runners-up would not be the deciding factor in who wins Group F and insisted his side will go into the game without fear after an impressive start to the season.

"It is not a decider but it's an important one," he added. "It's an 80 per cent game."

"The feel-good factor is down to the quality of the spirit of the team, the solidarity of the players, and their desire to do well.

"We know we are a team that looks for being of course successful, for that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.

"What is important is that we go into the game and focus on our quality, on our performance. For me that is more important than focusing on Dortmund.

"[We want to] come out of the game tomorrow and feel that we have played at our best. If we do we will be difficult to handle for everybody."

And on the subject of his own German contingent, which includes record-signing Mesut Ozil, the French manager said: "Germans have a reputation for being 100 per cent professional and we have not been disappointed."

The loss of Flamini will come as an added blow to Arsenal, with Theo Walcott having been ruled out for a further three matches following a setback in his recovery from abdominal surgery
.

Rooney rejects Manchester United contract advances

The England striker's current deal expires at the end of next season and his camp have recently rebuffed efforts from the Premier League champions to tie him down

Wayne Rooney is refusing to open talks on a new Manchester United contract.

Despite describing himself this week as “happy” and “settled” at Old Trafford, the striker still wants to explore the possibility of leaving the club.

It is understood that Rooney’s camp have rejected a recent approach from United chiefs to start talks on extending his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

The forward, who turns 28 later in October, has begun the new season in outstanding form but is ready to renew his attempts to leave the Premier League champions, possibly even as early as January.

Rooney is believed to be keen to seek a fresh challenge at an established Champions League club, where his status as the team’s principal centre-forward would be unquestioned.

His disillusionment at occasionally being played out of position by Sir Alex Ferguson last season has only partly been rectified by being consistently handed the No.10 role under new manager David Moyes.

Speaking on Wednesday, ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on Friday night, Rooney offered only a flicker of public encouragement to United that he would sign a new deal.

Asked directly if he would like to stay at United, Rooney said: "You can see I'm playing and I'm happy in my football. I'll have more discussions with the club and we'll see what happens from there."

Privately, Rooney has provided no assurances to his employers and there is a sense among senior United officials that the forward’s agent, Paul Stretford, will use the uncertainty as leverage to engineer a transfer.

Chelsea made two bids for Rooney in the summer after being told that the 27-year-old wanted to move to Stamford Bridge, and there was also strong interest from Arsenal up until the final week of the window.

United refused to sell Rooney to Chelsea, a club they regard as a principal title rival, but the league champions could be hemmed into a corner if the player pushes hard for a transfer either in January or next summer while refusing to extend his €295,000-a-week contract.

Speaking in July, new United chief executive Ed Woodward claimed there were no immediate plans to hold fresh contract talks with any United player, adding that there was “no trigger day” for discussions with Rooney about a new deal. Six weeks later, Nani signed a new, five-year contract.

Rooney spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday about his reasons for wanting to leave United, blaming his disillusionment on Ferguson playing him out of position following the signing of Robin van Persie.

He said: "Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play and I think that's why I was disappointed. I got told to play in midfield and I didn't want to. I just think there had to come a point when, for my own career, I had to be a bit selfish really."

Rooney claimed he was happy with his role in the team under Moyes, which has yielded five goals in eight United matches this seasons.

"David Moyes has come in, he's playing me up front and I'm enjoying it," explained the striker. “I've scored a few goals and I'm playing every week. I feel as fit as I ever have done.

"I had a couple of injuries pre-season but I feel great and in good shape. It's a mixture of things, but I am happy and I am enjoying my football."

Fabio considers Manchester United exit

The Brazilian full-back has hinted his future may lie away from Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order since his return from a lacklustre loan spell at QPR
Fabio has given his clearest indication yet that he will leave Manchester United in search of regular football.

The 23-year-old Brazilian defender has seen his twin brother Rafael make the right-back position his own at Old Trafford, but has fallen behind Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner in the pecking order at left-back.

And Fabio admits a potential return to Fluminense, the club he and his brother left to join Manchester United five years ago, could be on the cards.

"I don't know. I think the time has come and maybe in the next window or even next season, I think I might leave. There are good possibilities."

"I'm looking for other clubs. There's nothing certain, we'll leave it for later.

"I want to be happy. I want to play, I want to be close to my family. I may go back to Brazil, or maybe not, I'm checking with my manager to see what is the best for me.

"The affection I have for Fluminense is very big, for sure. I played there for seven years, and certainly if I have to go back to Fluminense I'm going with great pride because I have a special affection for them."

'I deserved to play up front' - Rooney reignites Fergie feud

The striker wanted to leave Manchester United this summer and, although he claims he is now "settled", he once again dodged contract questions

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has revealed his frustration at being asked to play out of position by Sir Alex Ferguson last season, and once again refused to commit his future to the club.

Rooney was desperate to leave Old Trafford this summer only to be thwarted by the club's refusal to sell him to a Premier League rival, with Arsenal and Chelsea the two clubs to show firm interest.

The England striker has started the season in fine form, scoring five goals in eight games, but although he says he has felt "happy" and "settled" for months he also told of his irritation at not being played up front alongside Robin van Persie.

"Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play and I think that's why I was disappointed," he told reporters. "I got told to play in midfield and I didn't want to. I just think there had to come a point when, for my own career, I had to be a bit selfish really.

"I actually felt when I played in midfield I did okay, but I didn't want to play there. I've had no problem in the past playing out of position, but I felt I deserved the right to play in my position and that wasn't happening.

"I think, naturally, I was a bit disappointed and maybe that affected some of the games I played. I know myself that last year wasn't my best season but there were times when I was playing in different positions.

"I didn't feel I got a consistent run of games up front. Sometimes when you're not playing in one position all the time it's difficult to adapt."

Yet despite talking publicly about some of the reasons for his unhappiness at United over the last few months, the 27-year-old also claimed that he never, in fact, had any problems during the transfer window.

"To be honest, I've been settled all summer," he added. "I really have been happy all summer. From the outside looking in, it might not have seemed like it, but I have been settled.

"My wife had a new child and I'm just delighted to be back playing and injury-free. I've got my head down and worked hard. I've been focused and I've been wanting to prove to people that I am a top player. That's what I've really tried to do."

Manchester United rejected two bids for Rooney from Chelsea during pre-season, before Jose Mourinho urged the striker to make his intentions known during the final week of the transfer window.

Rooney decided to remain silent, publicly at least, as he quickly realised that the Red Devils were not interested in a sale: "I'm sure the club made that clear," he said. "Obviously there's been a lot of stuff happening and everyone has been waiting for me to say something, but I've spoken to the people who matter at the club and we've known ourselves what was going on.

"I didn't want to come out saying anything. I just wanted to concentrate on my football. That's what I've done and that's what I'll continue to do. I'm not going to go around saying: 'I wanted to stay' or 'I wanted to leave'. I'll concentrate on my football and see what happens after that."

It is not the first time Rooney, whose contract expires at the end of next season, has used that line to divert awkward questions about his current situation. When asked by ITV if he would be signing a new contract at Old Trafford following a Champions League match in September, the striker flatly stated that he is concentrating on his football. He employed a similar tactic again in Wednesday's press conference.

"You can see I'm playing and I'm happy in my football. I'll have more discussions with the club and we'll see what happens from there."

Reports at the beginning of the season suggested that Van Persie was unhappy with the playing tactics and high-intensity training implemened by Ferguson's replacement, David Moyes, but Rooney, for one, says he is enjoying life under his former Everton mentor, including the extra workload.

"It's a bit different in terms of David Moyes and his staff coming in," he continued. "The training is different, there's a different style, a different way of thinking about how he wants us to play.

"Honestly, the training has been so hard. We've done a lot more running. Long running, quicker running, sharper running.

"I feel that's really benefited me. I feel as fit as I ever have done. I had a couple of injuries pre-season but I feel great and in good shape. It's a mixture of things, but I am happy and I am enjoying my football."

Man Utd: Fellaini will play for Belgium despite injury

The midfielder missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Sunderland and the Premier League side have insisted no surgery is needed despite claims on the contrary

Manchester United have confirmed that Marouane Fellaini is set to play through the pain of a wrist injury inBelgium's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 25-year-old missed his club's 2-1 Premier League win over Sunderland at the weekend and subsequently underwent scans on his injured wrist with Belgium head coach, Marc Wilmots, claiming the midfeilder will require surgery at some stage.

Regardless, Fellaini is set to feature in his country's crucial World Cup qualifying double-header with Croatia on Friday and Wales on Tuesday.

"Marouane Fellaini has trained with Belgium wearing a protective cast on his injured wrist," an official club statement read.

"Although some reports suggest the midfielder faces an operation and a spell on the sidelines, the deadline-day arrival is due to play in a splint against Croatia and Wales in the World Cup qualifiers."

Belgium will travel to Zagreb to face Croatia and a point will be enough to seal a first World Cup berth since 2002.

Bale must stand up to Ronaldo to succeed at Madrid - Redknapp

The QPR boss insists the Welshman needs to work with the Portuguese superstar while not being intimidated by him if he is to justify his world-record price tag

Gareth Bale will have to stand up to Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to survive and thrive at Real Madrid, according to former manager Harry Redknapp.

Bale, who first broke into the Tottenham team under the current QPR boss, eclipsed Ronaldo's transfer record by making an €100 million move to Real Madrid this summer.

And Redknapp believes Santiago Bernabeu's biggest superstar presents the biggest obstacle to the Welshman making a success of his time in Spain.

"His biggest test will be to step out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo with confidence. That won’t be easy," the QPR boss wrote in his new autobiography, serialised in the Daily Mail.

"Ronaldo is a huge star at Madrid and will probably want to take nine out of 10 free-kicks - at least. Gareth will have to assert himself and that will require a strong mind.

"He has to think ‘I’m an £86million player’ and act like it, taking responsibility, claiming the ball when he fancies his chances. 

"And yet at the same time he cannot dwell on his fee and what it means too much because that would put him under immense pressure. It is a tricky balancing act. 

"He will have to be ready for the matches when he goes it alone, has a shot, misses and Ronaldo starts throwing his arms up in the air.

"He cannot, at that point, go into his shell and become this timid little creature. But it is not natural for Gareth to behave in an assertive way. Don’t get me wrong, he knows he is good. 

"The fee is crazy, amazing money, but he wouldn’t have fought so hard to get the deal done if he didn’t fancy his chances of living up to expectations in Madrid.

"Yet, equally, Gareth is a quiet lad, who spends time with his girlfriend and family, and I’m not sure being in the same bracket as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will suit him.

"If Ronaldo feels threatened by Gareth’s arrival, Madrid could be a lonely place so he will need to lean a lot on Ancelotti, who speaks good English, and Paul Clement, Carlo’s assistant, who is English.

"Luka Modric is another old friend who could help him settle in.

"The one thing the club cannot provide for Gareth and Cristiano is a ball each — so they will need to work hard on that partnership because they are such similar players."

Redknapp insists he recognised Bale's potential very early on - even if the Welshman did seem a little too preoccupied with his hairstyle.

"He drove me mad in training," the QPR boss added. "Technically, he was outstanding but he always seemed to be playing with his hair. It was never right. 

"He’d be flicking the fringe or wiping it out of his eyes and I would be going quietly mad, just watching. ‘Gareth, leave your barnet alone! Gareth! Stop touching your hair!’"

Real Madrid sign Bale for world record fee

Los Blancos have finally announced the arrival
of the Wales international, who has usurped
new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the
game's most expensive player Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported €100 million.
More to follow ...

Chelsea swoop for Liverpool target Atsu

Jose Mourinho is set to beat Brendan Rodgers
to the €4 million signing of the 21-year-old
Porto winger but may be prepared to let the
Ghana international leave on loan




Chelsea are set to beat Liverpool to the signature of Porto winger Christian Atsu. Jose Mourinho, who has already stolen Brazil
international playmaker Willian from under the
noses of Tottenham this summer, will now look
to finalise a move for the highly-rated Ghana
international. Liverpool were in pole position to sign the 21-
year-old before displaying a reluctance to meet the
Portuguese club’s €4 million asking price for a
player who has just a year left to run on his
current contract.
Espanyol had also been in the running to sign
Atsu and were willing to match the Portuguese club’s valuation but were unable to better the
contract offers on the table from the Premier
League giants - though they may yet get their
hands on the player on a temporary basis this
season.
Competition for places is intense at Stamford Bridge, particularly in the wide and attacking
midfield positions, even ahead of Atsu’s
imminent arrival.
Already this season the likes of Victor Moses
and Juan Mata, two players who were crucial to
Chelsea’s Europa League success last season, have struggled to force their way into
Mourinho’s plans this term.
Mourinho, whose side have begun the season
by claiming seven points from a possible nine
available and face Bayern Munich in Friday’s
European Super Cup, may well be willing to allow Atsu to leave on loan with Espanyol a
potential destination.

Yaya Toure: Barcelona were the club of my heart

The Manchester City midfielder tells of the affection he had towards his former club and the difficulty of leaving, though stresses he remains happy at the Etihad Stadium

Yaya Toure says Barcelona were the club of his heart, admitting he never thought he would leave the Catalan giants for Manchester City.

The Cote d'Ivoire midfielder has become an integral part of City's side since arriving from Camp Nou for €30 million in July 2010, scoring 29 goals in 135 games for the club.

However in an interview with Sport, the 30-year-old revealed he had intended to see out his career with the Catalans and only a lack of first-team opportunities convinced him to leave.

"Barca were the club of my heart," the two-time African Player of the Year said.

"I had planned to retire there, to stay for many years. I've a lot of love for many people: [Andres] Iniesta, [Victor] Valdes, Xavi, [Sergio] Busquets... we were like a little family. [Gerard] Pique and [Carles] Puyol, too.

"I was 27 when I left, with enormous competition for places. I wanted to play more and not be on the bench. Leaving was the most difficult decision of my life, I loved that club and the fans. But now I am happy, at City I'm part of something very nice."

Toure has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield since moving to England and was amongst the scorers as City opened the season with a 4-0 win over Newcastle United last week.

Benzema will not go to Arsenal, says Real Madrid striker's agent

Karim Benzema's agent insists the striker will not leave Real Madrid for Arsenal this summer. Goal exclusively revealed on Friday that Arsene Wenger is considering a move for the France
international, although any potential deal hinges on whether Madrid will launch an offer
for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez before the
close of the transfer window .
But the 25-year-old's agent claims the player
does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu
this summer despite the speculation
surrounding his future.
"We can not fight against the rumours, but I assure you Karim will not go to Arsenal," Karim
Djaziri told French newspaper Le Journal du
Dimanche.
"There has never been any discussions and no
contact has been established."
The Gunners, yet to make a major summer signing, have also been in talks with Real Madrid over Benzema's team-mate Angel Di
Maria. The Argentine will be allowed to leave the club
as they prepare to announce the world-record
transfer of Tottenham's Gareth Bale to the
Spanish capital.

Arsenal in Valencia for talks over €20m Guaita

The north London club sent a representative to Spain on Tuesday night with a view to signing the talented 26-year-old goalkeeper, who was recently on the radar of Barcelona
Arsenal sent a representative to Valencia on Tuesday to discuss the signing of goalkeeper Vicente Guaitafor a fee of around €20 million.

Valencia had planned to keep Guaita, but the shot-stopper was furious at being left on the bench for the weekend win over Malaga (when coach Miroslav Djukic picked Brazilian Diego Alves instead) despiteclaiming only last week that he would fight for his first-team future at Mestalla. 

Guaita, who has previously been linked with Barcelona as a replacement for Victor Valdes next summer, has a release clause of €30 million but is likely to be available for around €20m.

The 26-year-old met with his representatives after he was left out by Djukic on Saturday, when Valencia beat Malaga 1-0, and Arsenal appear to have moved quickly for the highly-rated goalkeeper.

Chief negotiator Richard Law travelled to Spain on Tuesday evening to discuss terms with Valencia president Amadeo Salva and, although an agreement has not yet been reached, further talks are expected on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Salva claimed Guaita would only be allowed to leave if he requested a transfer. 

"It will have to be he who says he doesn't want to stay at Valencia [because] we don't want to sell him and we will protect the interests of our club," he said.

"If he wants to leave, he will have to say so. We want him to renew his contract, but it is up to him whether he accepts or rejects our offer. Nobody has told me anything about Arsenal, but if anyone wants to sign him his clause is €30m."

However, it is believed Valencia will sell for considerably less than that figure, with the Costa Blanca club also now having retracted their offer of a new contract.

Meanwhile, Spanish station Cadena Ser reported on Tuesday that the goalkeeper has already said goodbye to his team-mates.

If the move goes through, Guaita will be the second star to leave his local club this summer for north London after Roberto Soldado joined Tottenham earlier in August.

Oxlade-Chamberlain ruled out for three months with knee injury

The England midfielder picked up the knock during the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the weekend and Goal understands he will now be out until mid-to-late November
Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for three months with medial knee ligament damage, Goal can reveal.

The club's medical team have received the results of the scan the England international had on his injured left knee on Monday.

Goal understands it showed that Oxlade-Chamberlain has strained his medial ligaments and the doctors expect he will be out until mid-to-late November.

The news represents a further blow to manager Arsene Wenger, who has already lost skipper Thomas Vermaelen (back), vice-captain Mikel Arteta (thigh) and Abou Diaby (knee) to lengthy absences.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was carried off at Emirates Stadium last Saturday following a collision with Aston Villa's Antonio Luna during the 3-1 defeat.

Wenger admitted afterwards that it looked to be a "bad injury" but the extent of the damage could not be fully assessed until the swelling on the midfielder's knee had diminished.

It is a shattering blow for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had got the nod over Lukas Podolski to start for Arsenal last weekend and had been earmarked for more playing time this season, his third at the club.

It is also a setback for England manager Roy Hodgson, who would have been expected to select the 20-year-old for the crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October.

Wenger has been forced to step up his efforts in the transfer market following the injuries to Arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain, and on the back of a summer in which he has failed to make a single senior signing.

Arsenal had a £10m bid rejected by Newcastle for Yohan Cabaye on Monday, and as revealed by Goal,also enquired about Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and made a €7m bid for Schalke right-back Atsuto Uchida.

Wenger is also weighing up whether to offer a one-year contract to Mathieu Flamini, who is training with Arsenal after being released by AC Milan at the end of last season.

Paulinho eager for Bale to stay at Tottenham

The Brazil international insists he would relish the chance to play alongside the Welshman this season, but admits he has no idea whether he will get the opportunity

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho wants Gareth Bale to remain at the club, but admits that he is unsure over the Welshman's plans.

Real Madrid have been chasing the 24-year-old throughout the close-season, while Bale has been absent from first-team duties with a foot injury.

Paulinho, who arrived from Corinthians in July, is eager for the Wales international to commit himself to the London side - but does not know if he will.

"I sincerely don't know [if Bale will stay], but I think this is something more private for Bale, he doesn't tell me anything," the Brazilian told Fox Sports Brazil.

"But I hope he continues with us, so that he can help us. He is a great player and achieved great stats last season, so I hope he stays with us."

Paulinho, a club-record signing prior to the arrival of Roberto Soldado, made his Tottenham debut in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Welbeck deserves the headlines, says Moyes

The 22-year-old forward netted a double as
well as Robin van Persie to ensure the Premier
League champions got off to a perfect start
under their new manager David Moyes believes Danny Welbeck "deserves the headlines" after scoring twice in Manchester United's 4-1 victory over Swansea City. The 22-year-old's double, along with two goals
from Robin van Persie, secured three points
for United in David Moyes' first Premier League
game in charge since taking over from Sir Alex
Ferguson.
"I think Danny Welbeck might deserve those headlines. He scored one goal last year and
now he's got two right away, it'll do his
confidence a lot of good. He got in a great
position for the first one," Moyes told
talkSPORT.
"The goal for England in midweek, unfortunately against Scotland, did help him.
Overall his second goal was a brilliant finish."
Moyes has played down the impact of an
opening-day victory against Michael Laudrup's
side, insisting his inherited players have
maintained their winning mentality. "It was another day at the office and I just had
to get on and do the job and try make sure we
got a result. It's one game gone. If we had lost
today there might have been people talking,"
Moyes continued.
"I'm not shouting about the position we're in. The players are not singing and dancing in the
changing rooms because they win here and
that's what they have done today."

Bale not in Tottenham squad for Espanyol friendly

The winger has made it known to Spurs that he wants to join Real Madrid, and despite attending training this week he will sit out yet another pre-season friendly with injury

Gareth Bale will not feature in Tottenham's friendly with Espanyol on Saturday.

The Welshman was back in training with Spurs this week after making it clear that he wants to move to Real Madrid.

Reports in Spain have maintained that the 24-year-old has not been injured all summer, but he did receive treatment for a knock on Monday.

He has also been named in Chris Coleman's Wales squad for Wednesday's friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

Daniel Levy and Florentino Perez held further talks over a €115 million transfer in Florida this week, though Perez has claimed that the fee is "a lot of money".

Meanwhile, Roberto Soldado makes his Spurs debut after sealing his €30m transfer from Valencia. Nacer Chadli and Paulinho also start.

Tottenham starting XI v Espanyol: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Fryers, Rose; Dembele, Chadli, Paulinho; Lennon, Soldado, Sigurdsson.
Subs: Friedel, Kaboul, Naughton, Stewart, Huddlestone, Sandro, Townsend, Defoe.