Theo Walcott seems to have got the message after Arsene Wenger’s F-word outburst when asked about our players turning out for England before they have performed to any level for the Gunners. AW came out with the expletive ahead of the 2-0 win over Standard Liege to secure qualification to the next stage of the Champions League at the Emirates.
And in today’s Sun, Theo has his say on AW’s classic “For f***’s sake, the World Cup is not until June.” Walcott, 20, said: “It is very surprising to hear that but the boss is very passionate and just wants to show everyone he is not so quiet.
“He loves his job and is showing his passion for the game and how well he wants us to do this year. He shows tremendous respect for all the players and we respect him. He is always behind us and looking after us. “He has brought us some brilliant players over the years and we have a great bunch here. He is trying to stick us all together. You want to play well for your country and the World Cup will come if you have a great season. “The best way is just to take every game as it comes because you never know what will happen. “You could have a great season, get injured at the end of it and miss out. So I am just going to concentrate on every single game and see where it takes me.”
The Daily Mail carries a report on how Denilson has expressed his delight after marking his return to the Arsenal following injury with a stunning Champions League goal against Standard Liege.
The Brazilian was making his first start for two months since injuring his back against Manchester City in September and he celebrated his recall with a 30-yard screamer in a 2-0 win.
The midfielder’s appearance was also the 100th he has made in Gunners’ colours and after the match the 21-year-old made it clear what the game meant to him, says the paper.
‘I’m very proud of this night,’ he told Arsenal’s official website. ‘It’s a dream for me. Two months out was very difficult but I am back now so I have to play well in all the matches.’
‘I am very happy at the moment. Not only me but also all the group is very happy. On Sunday we have a hard game against Chelsea, a big team, so every game we have to focus.
Here’s one that’ll have you searching for a replacement rib – Ruud van Nistelrooy is ready reject a move to Arsenal to rescue Liverpool’s season, claims some crank in today’s Daily Mirror.
The Real Madrid striker needs to play regular football to secure his place in Holland’s World Cup squad and is expected to be allowed to leave the Bernebau at Christmas, says the paper.
Rafa Benitez will not be allowed to spend his way out of Liverpool’s current crisis, so must raise any funds he wants to splash in the January transfer window – or make loan signings.
He has been told that former Manchester United star Van Nistelrooy is ready to turn down interest from the Gunners in a bid to secure a move to Liverpool.
Hmmm. Surely this is the other way round. AW tells Horse Face to do one and the bin-dippers get second dibs.