Daniel Levy decision to ignore the approaches of Chelsea and keep hold of Luka Modric has received a huge amount of praise by many within the game as the Tottenham chairman refused to be bullied and bow down to the ever growing trend in football that is ‘Player Power’. I have to confess I thought he would eventually cave in, but I wouldn’t be the first person to underestimate his strength. Lord Sugar once commented that Levy was one of the hardest businessmen to strike a deal with; something that the Chelsea board can certainly concur, given the last few weeks.
Whether the decision proves correct and in the club’s best interest remains to be seen, but the bottom line is that it is important a football chairman made a stand. Players have far too much influence these days and like the interested club use the media too freely as a tool in order to get what they want. Of course ambition is always cited as the real reason for a player’s desire to move, but I suppose they will never admit that the chance to double or treble their money is their only motivation. If Modric for example was so concerned by the club’s ambition then why did he sign a six year contract, or not look to insert a clause giving him the freedom to move should the club fail to make the Champions League. It is all pretty transparent why and Levy deserves credit to standing up to this culture of tapping up players.
While Levy comes out of this the hero, a one man stand against player uprisings the real challenge is seeing other chairmen following suit and joining the stand against them. Football clubs have lost far too much control in the last few years, largely down to the ridiculous Bosman and Webster rulings, but it is time to make a stand against those players who have the years on their contract, as failure to do so will see players continue to make a mockery of contracts and the game in general. Whether club Chairman will have the minerals to do so remains to be seen, but it would certainly be refreshing to see some semblance of order returning the game – I for one won’t be holding my breath, as I do wonder how many of them actually have the game’s best interest at heart.
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Frank Lampard made it four goals in a week at the Reebok Stadium scoring a hat trick as Chelsea thrashed hapless Bolton to reclaim third spot in the Premier League table.
Fresh from his strike against Valencia in Wednesday’s Champions League draw the Blues midfielder silenced his growing set of critics once more with a masterclass in finishing with teammate Daniel Sturridge also scoring twice against his former club. A first half double from the deadly duo meant the visitors led 4-0 after half an hour before Dedryck Boyata pulled one back for the Trotters a minute after the restart. Lampard then completed his hat trick compounding a miserable afternoon for Owen Coyle and in particular goalkeeper Adam Bogdan who was at fault for two of the Chelsea goals. Coyle will now be looking over his shoulder after his side lost their sixth consecutive team and remain rooted to the bottom.
It was Sturridge, in for the suspended Fernando Torres, who got Andre Villas-Boas side off and running heading home Juan Mata’s corner from close range with just 90 seconds on the clock to mark his return to the club where he spent six months on loan last season in style. He respectfully declined to celebrate but thats the only time Chelsea were courteous during the first period as they barely gave the home side a sniff. The industry of Ramires and Mata in midfield combined with Sturridge’s movement was too much for the Trotters and it was no surprise when Lampard made it 2-0 after just 15 minutes sweeping home the strikers cutback from 10 yards out. By now the visitors had settled into the rhythm with the Trotters unable to get the ball up to strikers David N’Gog and Kevin Davies who were well shackled by John Terry and David Luiz. Davies picked up his customary booking midway through the first half after a rash tackle on Luiz.
Two minutes of madness then saw Bogdan’s afternoon turn sour with the Hungarian keeper making two glaring errors allowing Sturridge and Lampard to double their tallies. It was the former who scored first seeing his speculative effort on from 20 yards pushed into the roof of the net by Bogdan after trying to tip the ball away at the near post. Lampard then capitalised on another mistake pouncing to tap the ball home from inside the six yard box after the 24-year-old allowed Luiz’s shot to bounce off his chest to make it 4-0 after 27 minutes. Chelsea took their foot off gas after that and they were punished just a minute into the second period when Boyata powered a header past Petr Cech after some good work from Martin Petrov down the left.
Lampard had the last laugh though completing his treble on the hour mark playing a neat give and go with Didier Droga before cooly slotting past Bogdan to restore the away sides four goal advantage. Bolton should have had a second goal after Davies toe poke appeared to cross the line despite Branislav Ivanovic’s attempts to keep it out only for referee Peter Walton to rule it out. Sturridge then had the chance to score his own hat trick dragging his shot wide from Drogba’s pullback. It didn’t matter though as they finished the game comfortable winners and made it 16 without loss against the beleaguered Trotters
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England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has failed in an attempt to take Danny Welbeck and Kyle Walker from the senior side, as he prepares for the crucial Euro 2013 qualifier against Norway on Monday night.
The under-21 team have won both of their opening fixtures in their bid to make the tournament in Israel, but with injury concerns Pearce was keen to bolster his squad.
With Welbeck only playing for 14 minutes as a late sub and Walker not featuring in The Three Lions’ 2-2 draw with Montenegro on Friday, Pearce had hoped the duo could help his cause.
However after speaking to the players’ club bosses, this will not happen.
“I spoke to [Sir] Alex [Ferguson] straight after the game,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I think it was important that we got the game out of the way, the senior game, to find out who contributed within the game.
“I spoke with Alex and he had concerns about travelling from Montenegro and then getting on planes and coming to Oslo and I quite understood that, to be fair.
“I had to make the call because we have only got one striker in the squad so we had a decent chat. I thanked him for his help and consideration and we moved on from there and I quite understood his position.
“I spoke with Harry Redknapp on the same evening as well and he gave us his consent to take Kyle.
“But Kyle’s girlfriend is due to have a baby very, very shortly in the next, I think, week or so and he had concerns about being away from home having been away for a week and that didn’t happen,” he concluded.
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Ferguson’s decision to refuse Welbeck’s inclusion in the youth grade fixture will have been made with Manchester United’s trip to take on Liverpool at Anfield this weekend in mind.
Manchester United beat Aldershot 3-0 on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup, as the Premier League champions look to put their 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City behind them.
Goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s men a comfortable win, which sees them progress to the next round of the competition.
Owen has been predominantly used in the cup, with Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck preferred in the league, but the former Newcastle striker has admitted that the club are focussed after their derby defeat.
“The laughs and the jokes have quietened down a little bit,” Owen told Sky Sports after the victory.
“It focused the mind and sometimes you need a kick in the teeth to get going again and concentrate on the basics again. It was a big kick in the teeth, as everyone knows, and we are eager to bounce back.
“We were a little bit under pressure with the result at the weekend, and as much as you say no-one here started at the weekend, we still have Man United’s reputation to look after in many ways.
“No matter what side we put out today, we wanted to bounce back and thankfully we got the win and roll on Everton now,” he stated.
Owen also stated his contentment with the team’s performance, and admitted anything other than a win would have been disastrous.
“It could have been a tough tie and we needed to be at it for the first half. As it happened, it was quite similar to the last tie (against Leeds) in that we got 3-0 up and took our foot off the gas a little bit.
“It was a decent game. We played some good stuff in the first half and they played with credit as well,” he concluded.
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With United expected to win the game on Tuesday, all eyes will now be on the Premier League champions on Saturday, as they face a tougher test in the form of Everton at Goodison Park.
When writing an article on why I felt Ronaldo was the best player in the world, just a shade ahead of Messi, it got me to thinking – exactly how had I come to this conclusion – yes I know many of you felt the only way I had come to this conclusion was wrongly, but how did you decide that? In fact, Ronaldo and Messi aside, exactly how do we define a top player? Is it one who can do it across the major leagues in Europe, or one who has been at a club for their entire career and has become a legend? Or do you measure a player by how many trophies they have won – either as an individual or as a team?
Obviously the first requirement for a world class player is talent. No amount of work ethic will make up for a complete lack of ability, and to be really special a player must be able to pull something out of the bag when their team needs it most. This might come during a Classico at the Camp Nou or on a tough night away at the Britannia – either way a top player can change tight games through that little bit of magic and that is what makes them just that little bit better than run of the mill players.
Take a Casillas or a Messi – when their team is struggling to find the break through, they are able to produce just that extra spark to inspire their team and either dig in for that result through a brilliant save or break down a tough defence through a little bit of magic that then wins the game.
All that being said, a top player must be willing to put the effort in, not just during the run up to big games, but everyday on the training ground. A lazy player does not make a top player, and it is the work ethic that can separate very good players from great players. Take someone like Frank Lampard- whilst a talented player, he is no Xavi, and would be the first to admit that, but Lamps has managed to build a career at the very top of the game over a sustained period of time and has done this through working hard on the training pitch day in day out, practicing free kicks, penalties and timing his runs into the box with precision. Beckham is much the same – yes there was ability, but it was work ethic and all those practice sessions that made his right foot such a game changer.
It is said work ethic that can win over a manager and fans alike, and especially in the Premier League, we appreciate players who try hard and wear their heart on their sleeves. A player does not have to be the creative spark or even the defensive rock to be a special player. Take Claude Makelele – a more understated player you could not find, yet without him both Real and then Chelsea realised what a huge gap the little French man left. It is players such as this, or a Scott Parker, who you may not notice at the time, but are the ones who can make all the difference. Just because they are not getting nominated for the golden boot or Ballon d’or, does not mean someone is not a top player.
Individual plaudits are not the be all and end all – it is easy for certain types of players to get overlooked if they are not that galactico in the team, or are around in an era of so many greats – most midfielders will pale in comparison to Kaka or Iniesta, and will not make individual award shortlists, but it does not mean that they are not what we should consider to be a top player. For years Cesc Fabregas has been over looked in both the Spanish national side and also when it comes to midfielder of the year awards because Xavi and Iniesta were ahead of him. Does this mean he is not a top player and you would not have him in your team – as Arsenal fans will testify, of course not.
Much the same, do we judge if someone is a top player on collective trophies they have amassed through their career – whilst some will say that a player is only remembered by the amount of major trophies they won, I suggest Alan Shearer and Newcastle fans would beg to differ. After a Premiership title at Blackburn and a subsequent move, Shearer did not win another major trophy at the magpies, yet is both remembered as a prolific goal scorer and a legend in Geordie land – a more loved player you will struggle to find.
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There are some players who just through sheer luck and timing can win a surprising amount of trophies – more than they really deserved to win, and all because they were at the right club during the right time. Look at Wes Brown and O’Shea – they were at United for years, and won more league titles than most, but does it mean that either of them are better than say a player like Stevie G or Carragher – who have never won a Premier League title? Does this mean they are not top players – of course not. You find me a person who would not have Gerrard at his peak in their dream team and I will show you a liar – or, like myself, a very biased Frank Lampard fan.
Many people believe that what can distinguish a player from the rest is their ability to perform at the highest level in the top leagues around Europe, and be able to not only handle say the physicality of the Premier League, but the technical level in La Liga and the tactical requirements in Serie A. Look at someone like Larsson, Rudd Van Nistelrooy or Henry – they can do it not just in one top league, but across Europe.
How often does a player come from Holland, or even Spain, and fail to acclimatise to the pace of the Premier League? People underestimate how hard it is going to a foreign country, to a different style of club and a different way of life – hell Fernando Torres couldn’t navigate a move from Liverpool to London.
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Certain players have a versatility about them, and can adapt to any league and any team and still perform at the highest level – look at Ronaldo. Other players simply can’t cope with the pace and physicality of the Premier League compared to say in Italy – look at Shevchenko. Of course you also have players who can’t cope in either England or Spain – take Mateja Kezman, who may have seemed to be a prolific goal scorer in native Holland, but anywhere else in Europe made him look like a one legged donkey on a bad day.
That being said, you will always get players who are more faithful to their clubs than their wives throughout their career, and as Ryan Giggs will testify, staying at one club for your entire career does not mean you are not a top player. In fact it can mean you are a very, very good player.
Giggs has won more throughout his career than anyone could dream of when starting out in the youth team, and more than deserves every trophy he has collected. To stay at the top of your game at such a big club and still manage to play every week despite the talent that is bought in means that you are indeed a very special player. Sometimes a dynasty at a club can mean more than a big money move or the chance of more titles, and certainly does not mean you cannot cut it in other leagues across Europe.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to tell you that because someone has been loyal to Rotherham their entire career and have stayed in the first team all that time that they could cut it at the San Siro, I think they might struggle, but I am trying to enforce the point that being at one club for a life time does not mean someone is less of a player than those who have experience in other major leagues.
Finally, to be a top player, more than a one season wonder is required, and when you look at players like Gary Neville or Zanetti, who remained at the very top of their game for so long, how can you say these players are not both consummate professionals and someone that you would give your right arm for in any first team? In an age filled with Carlos Tevez’ it speaks volumes that there are still professionals like Lampard around, and without a doubt, this more than makes someone a top class player.
So there you have it – all the requirements I think are needed to become a top player. Of course to be a top player it helps to have a special manager, and this is something that cannot be underestimated when looking at how far a player has come in their career. There are many factors that make a top player, and I’m sure you will have a couple more for me. Who do you think is a top player – and why? Comment below or follow me on twitter @RebeccaKnight01
After the latest round of games in the Champions League, one thing is evident. Madrid and Barcelona have squads that are heads and shoulders above anyone else. Say what you like about City and their promise this season, but the fact remains that in Europe they simply have not done the business. United are also struggling, and lets not even go there with soon to be manageress Chelsea. The thing that is striking about these sides, and even Arsenal to a lesser extent is the money that has been spent on their squads over the last few years, and the question of if it has really meant success.
Don’t get me wrong, all the fore mentioned teams have frightening quality, and in the Premier League, it looks like being a two horse race between United and City, but with regards to the rest of the top four, does money really mean a great squad and an automatic place in the Champions League?
Look at the squad that has been complied by Harry Redknapp at Spurs – call him what you like, a wheeler dealer – it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Harry and Levy have managed to put together a squad of players who are more than capable of a top four finish – in fact a top three finish – and all on much less of a budget than London rivals Chelsea or even Arsenal down the years. Shrewd buys like Friedel and Parker have been much more successful than big money names like Torres or Mikel.
It even goes down to the amount spent on wages – when Spurs qualified for 4th place, they spent £56 million less on their wage bill than Liverpool – who did not even finish 5th that season – and have an all-round better structure in terms of finances – something that seems to be more attributable to Daniel Levy than anyone else.
Chelsea and Liverpool especially have spent big money on players who have not delivered of late – Torres and Carroll – and cannot claim to have a better squad than Spurs. In fact, they have less solidity at the back, less quality up front and both have less creativity in the middle of the park.
Any team in the Premier League would be hard pressed to claim a better midfield than Spurs, who have flare players in abundance and can change a game in a split second. Their streak of 8 wins in 9 games is no coincidence, and after the purchase of Parker, a steel was added to the heart of their team, and they have looked miles better for it.
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Likewise with Newcastle, who are serious contenders for a top 6 spot this season, a squad has been built without spending tens of millions – now don’t misunderstand I am not under the impression that Spurs or Newcastle get their players from poundland or the park across the way, I am merely making the comparison between their spending and clubs such as Chelsea, who cannot claim to have a much better squad.
Even United, who spent big in the summer are not that far away from Spurs now, and whilst City admittedly have the best squad in the league, they have spent hundreds of millions doing this, and are still struggling in Europe.
Yes, money is needed to an extent – the reason for Everton’s lack of progress is not a poor manager or bad players, it is simply a lack of funds to do anything at all – whilst hundreds of millions are not always needed for success, some amount of money clearly is, and Spurs have not been without this over the last few years – hence their progress.
It is the ability to do a lot with not that much that it commendable, and I read somewhere that if Arsenal were Barca lite, then Spurs are becoming a lesser version of Real Madrid – here I would differ. Both Real and Barca – although I am sure Rosell would attempt to state otherwise – have spend big in recent times, I would actually compare Spurs with Valencia.
The widely acknowledged ‘best of the rest’ in Spain for a number of years now, even winning the title under Benitiez and making strides in the Champions League. Valencia have a savvy manager in Unai Emery, and a good structure upstairs. They know that financially they cannot compete with the big two, and have sold Mata, Silva and Villa in recent years, yet still manage to somehow manage to remain competitive and challenge for, if not the title, everything else.
One thing that Spurs have managed to do this summer that Valencia could not – for financial reasons more than anything – was keep hold of their top and want away players. Levy stood firm over Modric and will repeat the process with Bale should Barca (who never spend a penny) come calling.
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It is this that could well see Spurs surpass Valencia’s achievements and challenge for the title in the near future, not to mention that the top two in England are much less daunting than the top two in Spain, and the quality in their squad, not to mention the potential plans for a new stadium could well keep Harry’s heart ticking for a long time to come – the investigation into his finances however not so much!
After having a rather interesting conversation about football pundits, it got me to thinking – just how good / bad are the pundits we watch every match day? From the BBC to sky sports, programs such as Soccer Saturday have become a national institution, making the presenters and pundits either loved or hated by the public with a passion, yet after the shall we say ‘enforced by mutual consent’ change on Super Sunday and other match day coverage with the departure of Keys and Grey, is it time for a refresh of other panels to boot?
Now before outrage and shock is expressed, I would never advocate getting rid of host Jeff Stelling – since the world’s most excitable host produced a Hartlepool monkey in his joy at their result, Jeff will forever hold a place in my and the rest of the nation’s heart. Likewise Kammy – a better reporter for inside the stadium I have never seen – despite getting so excited he has to be reminded to use his words on occasion, Kammy along with Jeff should be here to stay for all of eternity.
That is not to say a shake up is a bad thing – look at how fresh Sky Sports coverage now is with pundits such as Gary Neville – love him or hate him, Gary is unashamedly biased and at least has an opinion that can spark debate, unlike Mr Magnolia himself, Ray Wilkins, who at most offers ‘John and Frank, I know them well, they’re good boys.’
Even Jamie my trousers are shockingly tight Redknapp doesn’t hold a candle to Jeff or Neville. Whilst Neville’s bias to United is slightly humorous, Redknapp’s unfailing ability to refer to ‘Frank being a quality player’ is getting more than a little tiresome – and I am a big fan of Lamps! Perhaps it is time to go back to the Thomas Cook adverts for Jamie!
Neville, for me, is the signing of the season for his face after the Manchester Derby alone – add to this the comments about David Luiz being controlled by a 10 year old on a play station – which sorry AVB but the only disservice I felt Gary did with that was to a 10 year old, they have some skill these days – he is worth his weight in gold to Sky Sports.
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Fans like and appreciate pundits with an opinion – look at the success of wind up merchant Robbie Savage – or the sheer amount of followers bad boy turned philosopher Joey Barton has on twitter. Opinions such as these are the ones that get people talking, not the monotone voice and ridiculous statements by commentators such as David Pleat and Graham Taylor, for whom stating the obvious must be the way he gets his bonus he does it so often ‘the thing Arsenal need to do here is score a goal’ Well someone’s earning their money Graham!
Likewise this season’s La Liga anchor, Scott Minto, who is either like watching paint dry or so biased they may as well rename Revista de la Liga to Me Gusta Barcelona, it is only Guillem Balague that keeps me watching the show. With Mark Bolton alluding to the fact he was let go after ahchoring for 6 years due to being anti-authoritarian and having an opinion, if sky want beige, they certainly got it with Scott ‘three bags full Minto’! None of this was as bad a decision as axing the Guapa feature however – a worse mistake I have not seen since the purchase of Veron.
Even though Paul Merson gets some flack, you have to admit it is amusing when he constantly pronounces player’s names wrong and gets teased by the rest of the panel. One of the things I genuinely enjoy when watching a soccer Saturday is the bond between the presenters and the banter they have – football focus is the Thursday night Channel 5 equivalent of Soccer Saturday, with a stale format and the moronic Garth Crooks taking a starring role. Much like offering the choice between Casillas or Roy Carroll, I know which one I would chose.
In the same vein that journalists with an opinion such as Martin Samuel or Henry Winter are becoming more and more popular with readers, the same can be said of pundits. We need more than the run of the mill stating the obvious ‘goals change games’ type pundit – we want enthusiasm, passion and heart, not to mention the occasional controversial comment to discuss in the pub or with friends.
That is why in my eyes, Neville and Savage are on their way to becoming national treasures as pundits, and I expect many more ex players who divide opinion to follow in their footsteps – and that can only be a good thing.
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Over the years there have been many great players who’ve graced the Premier League, making it the most enjoyable entertaining and exciting domestic competition in the world. Players such as Cantona, Shearer, Henry, Ronaldo, Fabregas and Franny Jeffers have given even the non-football lovers a reason to tune in to Match of the Day on a Saturday night as they show us how the beautiful game can be truly just that. There have also been another set of players though, throughout the years, men who may have footballing ability but also have the knack of causing most of us to scream in anger whenever they touch the ball. I’m talking about the sort of players who if your daughter brought them home, you’d wish she was a lesbian. Players we love to hate.
Now, not many of us actually know Premier League players on a personal level, but we can pretty much garner all we need to know about someone from their attitude on the pitch. Some players such as Paul Scholes for example, will never be truly hated, which is somewhat surprising considering he’s fouled every single Premier League player at least twice, because they just get on with the game in a quiet manner. However for every Paul Scholes, there’s a Robbie Savage, the sort of player that even some of his own fans struggle to find a fondness for. Here’s my own personal Premier League XI made up of players you’d rather glass, than have a pint with.
Click on William Gallas below to see the Most Hated Premier League XI of all time
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Compiled by Justin Mottershead
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Tottenham defender Ledley King has stated that his team are keeping their feet on the ground, despite challenging for the Premier League title.
The White Hart Lane outfit have surpassed all expectations this season, and are in third place in the standings.
Despite the excellent form that Harry Redknapp’s men are showing, King feels that it is important his side do not get carried away.
“We are in a great position at the moment and have probably surprised a few people,” the centre-back told talkSPORT.
“At this stage of the season, to be talked about as still capable of winning the title is great for us.
“We are not getting too carried away at the moment, though. We are just getting our heads down and grinding out results.
“We look at the league table and we can see we are in amongst it.
“That is new to us and maybe people would expect us to fall away in the second half of the season but, as players, we believe in our ability and we believe we can keep getting results.
“We have lost just one in the last 19 and that is great form. If we keep it up then we are in with a chance,” he concluded.
Spurs take on leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in what will be a real test to their title aspirations.
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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has stated that he believes that key striker Robin van Persie will not leave the club in the summer.
The Netherlands international has been in blistering form, and has almost single-handedly at times salvaged The Gunners’ season with excellent displays and prolific goalscoring.
With the marksman’s contract due to expire in the summer of 2013, Van Persie is being linked with a move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, and has not yet shown a willingness to extend his deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite this, Arteta feels that Arsenal fans have little to worry about.
“I do not see Van Persie leaving Arsenal,” Arteta told COM Radio, translated to English by Sky Sports.
“He is completely unaffected by interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona and not thinking about his contract renewal either.
“Now he is very calm and is not nervous about anything.
“I know he has said that in the summer he will consider things, talk it over and take the decision that he will take,” he stated.
Arteta was brought in by Arsene Wenger in the summer following the departure of Cesc Fabregas, but the playmaker has once again admitted that he does not want to be compared to the now Barcelona midfielder.
“I do not want to be Cesc’s substitute and I have no thoughts like that.
“My dream and aim is to win a big trophy for the club and to play for Spain. I would have loved to have had the chance to play for Spain, but I have not yet and I hope that some day that will change,” he concluded.
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Arteta and Van Persie will be in action for the north London club against Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.