Arsenal are poised to open new contract talks with Alexander Hleb. The Belarusian has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal but Arsenal are keen for him to commit his long-term future to the club. Hleb says he wants to commit to Arsenal until the end of his career, so says the Standard. So there shouldn’t be a problem.
On Sunday George Graham said he’s got the quickest feet in the Premiership. While Arsene Wenger said there is no better player to give the ball to hang on to.
Rivals are running scared, says William Gallas in The Daily Express and others, arguing the way Liverpool lined up, proves it.
Key rival central midfielders have been put out of operation for three months. Man U’s Paul Scholes has a knee problem and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso is also out for three months followimg a metatarsal break on Sunday. Fernando Torres is out for three weeks.
The Daily Mail, says Rio Ferdinand is touch-and-go for Saturday’s game.
Howard Webb has been controversially awarded Saturday’s fixture. Webb took charge of Arsenal’s draw at Liverpool on Sunday and looked like a bit of a ‘homer’.
The Mirror goes big on Gilberto and Lehmann not being picked for tomorrow’s tie at Bramhall Lane – even suggesting Gilberto turned down the centre back role – which is hard to believe.
A couple of articles in the Daily Telegraph, from Bob Wilson and Don Howe empahasing the ‘greatness’ of Cesc Fabregas.
Bob Wilson: “I’d say Cesc has Dennis’s brain, the combativeness and touch of Patrick Vieira, the marauding spirit of Rocastle and Thomas, and the magic wand of Liam Brady’s left foot, only in his right boot. I can’t praise him enough; he’s up there with the best of them.”
Don Howe says Fabregas is like Paul Scholes, while Hleb is like Lionel Messi.