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A recent Arsenal rumour gathering momentum seems to be a £24m move for Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak…

Aside from being a commentators nightmare, the Polish holder isn’t exactly a signing to get pulses racing, with the enforcer having only swapped French minnows Reims for the Spanish side over the summer in a deal worth around £3m. Hardly an established star.

Although he’s by no means a poor player – in fact he’s been excellent this term – there are better value options out there for the Gunners, and here are FIVE…

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CLICK ON ARSENE WENGER TO REVEAL THE FIVE

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Sami Khedira

Okay, this one’s been dragging along for so long now that it’s beginning to look highly unlikely. But, there’s little doubting that Khedira could be the exact player Arsenal have been missing for some time… and he is available at a bargain rate in January.

The 27-year-old has bags of energy, loads of experience and is a true box-to-box player, which are three characteristics missing from the Gunners’ engine room right now. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season a cut-price January sale is on the cards, even though the German has hinted that he could stay at Real Madrid to see out his deal.

Cheick Tiote

From actively pursuing a move away from Newcastle a matter of months ago, Tiote has been very quiet of late. The Ivorian suggested that he’s ready to leave the North East after just over four years in the black and white shirt, with European football now his aim. Although not the most fashionable of players, Tiote is a genuine midfield destroyer, with his willingness to do the thankless tasks vital to his team-mates.

Having Tiote in his midfield would mean that Arsene Wenger would need to sacrifice some of his creativity, but the Newcastle hard-man may be enough to provide the shield the Gunners have been missing. Around £12m could be enough for the player, but his fee could be reduced if he continues to chase a move.

William Carvalho

Cost effective doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, and due to that we’ve put William Carvalho among the names on this list. The Sporting CP man is valued at just above £20m and is currently thought of as one of the very best young holding midfielders around.

Given the ‘new Patrick Vieira’ moniker already, Carvalho certainly has the billing to be a great option for the Gunners, while his stature and pure physicality make him a fearsome opponent. Unlike many others in the same mould though, he has great attacking abilities and has shown in the past that he’s adept at getting forward to support his attackers.

Fabian Delph

It’s been a whirlwind few months for Delph, who has moved from being a solid Premier League midfielder to a full England international and a wanted man. The Aston Villa ace is believed to be looking at a January move as his contract enters its final six months, despite the Midlanders being desperate to tie him down.

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At 24, soon to be 25, Delph has plenty of scope to improve over the coming years and could become part of an English core – alongside Wilshere, Welbeck and Chambers – at the Emirates Stadium.

Calum Chambers

Now this one is a little left field, but there’s no reason it couldn’t work. Chambers has already shown himself to be adaptable – he’s played at centre-back this term on a few occasions – so converting to a holding midfield role could make some sense, right?

Technically adept and blessed with defensive awareness, Chambers could easily be used as an enforcer, with Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munich and Germany an example that Wenger may look to use as inspiration. Plus, it wouldn’t cost a penny to do so…

goalkeeper Tim Krul has distanced himself from rumours that he could leave the club in January.

The Dutch stopper has emerged as a top target for big spending French outfit Monaco of late, with the Mediterranean side desperate to land a top quality number one.

Krul has developed into one of the best stoppers in the Premier League over the course of the past few seasons, helping the Magpies to re-establish themselves in the top tier after returning from a brief hiatus in the Championship.

However, the club’s recent struggles have led to rumours that he may be keen to move on while his stock is high.

But, Krul says that talk of a St James’ Park exit are nonsense:

“I have got a four years contract at Newcastle, I’m really happy,” he is quoted by The Metro.

“I love playing for this club, so I just focus on myself and getting a good season this season and then hopefully going to the World Cup.

“It is my second home, I have been here eight years now, it’s a second home and second family. Playing in front of 52,000 Geordies is a fantastic feeling and I don’t think many clubs can beat that.”

Monaco were believed to be plotting a £9m move for Krul, but they may now opt to pursue other targets.

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Newcastle fans, does this come as a relief?

Have your say below!

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In October, Cardiff City visited Portman Road coming away with all three points, thanks to two goals from Heidar Helguson; however, Cardiff had not completed a league double over the Ipswich Town since 1947.

After a successful Christmas period, it was a meeting of two of the Championships in-form teams in what historically is an intriguing and often confounding and confused contest. The Tractor Boys started with their two new signings McGoldrick and Mclean  up front meaning former Cardiff City forward and Bluebird favourite Michael Chopra was consigned to a place on the bench.

The pattern of the match was set with long range efforts missing the target, mere flashes of play in a boring lacklustre encounter where The Bluebirds failed to get into top gear, playing for the most part without any fire and passion. Bellamy aside who undoubtedly once again was the star player for The Bluebirds, his work rate earned him many rounds of applause against Ipswich, but in the end he was reduced to trying too hard to make up for some poor performances around him.

Play was stopped whilst Town’s Aaron McLean received treatment and former Bluebird striker and fans favourite Michael Chopra received the nod to warm up, grinning as he did so his grin broadened when he received a very positive reception from the home support and he duly obliged The Bluebird supporters with a quick Ayatollah to a massive cheer from the Home fans, not much else got them excited.

After the restart Bellamy’s continued to hound the Ipswich players forcing them to go as far back as goalkeeper Scott Loach rather than conceding possession to him. City looked comfortable on the ball, without really posing any serious threats, an Aron Gunnarsson long throw was met by City captain Mark Hudson, but the centre back’s header sailed over the bar.

Out of the blue Guirane N’Daw unleashed a raking drive from thirty yards out that ricocheted off Marshall’s right post, giving the home team a warning, that Ipswich were starting to find their way in the game but they were unable to sustain any pressure.

Taylor and Conway combined excellently on the left, Taylor whipping, the ball in toward Gestede, who did well to direct his header toward goal. Loach collected under pressure from Noone, playing the ball directly up field. Ipswich then won a free kick in the centre of the pitch, thirty yards out, but N’Daw drilled it straight at the wall, Mark Hudson’s clearing header was miscued and went backwards, McGoldrick found himself with the ball one-on-one with Marshall, but the chance was at an awkward angle and the Town striker hit the chance wide.

Cardiff then created their best chance so far, Bellamy laid the ball off to Craig Conway who put a low cross in, before ghosting into the box. The ball bounced around as Ipswich failed to clear, it fell again to Conway, who drilled a first time shot over the bar.

Ipswich broke on the counter attack, Turner was penalised for a high foot, and the resulting Ipswich free kick was a well drilled set piece, three players exchanging passes before Lee Martin hit in an out-swinging shot that fell just wide of the Cardiff goal.

It was end to stuff but dull with it the final pass going astray far too often.

An Ipswich throw in deep in their own half was won by Matt Connolly, his hopeful punt forward resulted in the ball finding Conway, who was felled by N’Daw. Whittingham powered the long range free kick toward the near post, it whistled by the post the Ipswich ‘keeper beaten.

Cardiff made a half time substitution: Joe Mason coming on for Rudy Gestede, but it was Ipswich that had the first chance after the break, a free kick into the far post, but no one made contact with it resulting in Cardiff winning a goal kick. Noone got on the end of Marshall’s kick and played Bellamy through with an intelligent chipped ball, his shot at goal was hoofed away by an Ipswich boot for a throw.

Bellamy’s fantastic work rate again gained Cardiff an opportunity when he chased down a Hudson long ball, beating Ipswich for pace before his low cross was deflected by Ipswich’s Tommy Smith for a corner, but again the final touch was missing and it came to nothing.

Then Ipswich made the Substitution the Bluebird faithful didn’t want to see bringing on: Michael Chopra.

Chopra’s appearance coincided with Ipswich’s best spell of possession, but like City the final ball was missing.

Ipswich brought on Daryl Murphy, while Cardiff changed Tommy Smith on for Craig Noone. Meaning there was now a Tommy Smith on for each team.

Cardiff’s Tommy Smith was playing his first game for over three months, he received a warm round of applause from the home supporters, Bellamy was still all over the pitch racing back sixty yards to dispossess Chopra.

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Conway skipped past two players before driving the ball towards goal, but it was blocked by the Ipswich defence. Cardiff was failing to test Loach in the Tractor Boys’ goal.

Chopra then conceded a free kick twenty yards out for a foul on Conway, to Loach’s left, and Whittingham stood over the ball he let fly his free kick hit the wall, it fell kindly to Conway who crossed to Aron Gunnarsson, but the Icelandic international floated his header  just over the crossbar.

Carlos Edwards was allowed to run into the Cardiff box, but his shot was deflected by Turner, Ipswich were in no hurry to take the corner. The delivery was good, it caused Cardiff to flap and panic before Chopra hit it over the bar.

Bradley Orr was booked for a foul on Bellamy, who drilled the free kick in, winning a corner. Cardiff’s number was almost up, maybe this was the last throw of the dice The Cardiff City supporters could only hope, Bellamy took the corner and delivered a sweet ball in, but yet again Cardiff failed to get on the end an Ipswich defender getting the final touch, this time Whittingham took the corner. Loach palmed the ball away, a minute later Town nearly made Cardiff pay; Nouble’s quick feet beat Hudson, but his shot fell wide of the far post, much to the home crowd’s relief. As snow started to fall the referee blew up, for the first goalless encounter this season at Cardiff City Stadium. Boring, lacklustre and frustrating it may have been, but the point ensured that The Bluebirds would stay ten points clear of third placed Leicester.

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Roy Hodgson will effectively end Rio Ferdinand’s England career by not picking him for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, The Sun claim.

The Manchester United defender was omitted from the Three Lions’ Euro 2012 squad, with it being believed that Ferdinand was not included due to personal issues with John Terry.

However, after Terry’s retirement from international football it was rumoured that Ferdinand could well be part of the England set-up once more in their bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

With games against San Marino and Poland in October, it is believed that Ferdinand will not be included in Hodgson’s contingent for the fixtures, with the coach preferring to select younger players.

England coach Gary Neville has recently stated that Ferdinand should not be part of Hodgson plans due to his age, and as such any omission could well force the United centre-half to hang up his international boots.

Meanwhile, Mirror Football indicate that Hodgson told fellow travellers on a London underground train that Ferdinand would not be selected for the upcoming games.

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By Gareth McKnight

Liverpool are yet to confirm their capture of Loic Remy this summer from QPR, but Arsenal’s discontinued interest in the striker spells positive signs for Lukas Podolski for the season ahead.

Podolski’s future during the second half of last season was uncertain. The German forward was out of the side after returning from injury, with Arsene Wenger regularly overlooking the 29-year-old, even as an option from the bench. A move back to Germany was mooted, with Schalke said to be interested.

But off the back of a World Cup win, where, admittedly, Podolski was again a peripheral figure, and now a sharp upturn in positive feeling around Arsenal, Wenger may just be preparing to hang on to the forward, who has developed a notable cult following among supporters.

Podolski is good for the dressing room too, where his mood never seems to waver, even amid struggles for regular football. And make no mistake, the Polish-born German international isn’t just a lovable mascot, he’s the most clinical finisher at the club, even after the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona. He may not tick the boxes Wenger deems necessary to play as a lone striker at the Emirates, but Podolski nevertheless holds plenty of qualities worth hanging on to.

And had the club opted to move ahead with Remy’s signing, with the Frenchman heavily linked with a move to north London, it would surely have spelt the end of Podolski’s time with the club. Wenger is known for his preference of a streamlined squad, and both forwards would, more than likely, fill the same role in the squad.

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Arsenal’s halted interest in Remy also leaves an opening for Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell to stick around for the upcoming season. Podolski and Remy could have been switched, but the depth issue would have remained the same. Instead, Campbell is available to add further quality to a side in need of strengthening, not just in bodies but in quick, capable and versatile forwards.

Campbell’s exploits with his national side at the World Cup may have played an important part in Wenger’s rethinking and ultimate reluctance to move on Remy’s reported wage demands. Campbell is evidently good enough to stand up to high quality opposition and can be of great use over the next 12 months.

But snubbing a move for Remy also makes financial sense, regardless of the club’s healthy financial state at this time. He wouldn’t have offered anything greater than what Arsenal currently have on the books. His pace and finishing ability is on hand in either Campbell or Podolski, while funds can be focused on rebuilding in other areas of the team, namely the centre of midfield and defence.

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It would be ambitious to say Arsenal don’t need another striker. The addition of Alexis and the returning Theo Walcott will do much for what was an uninspiring and oft-misfiring forward line last season, but another major star wouldn’t go amiss, something Remy evidently isn’t.

With Wenger being far from the type to spend heavily on two players who can occupy the same position, his faith looks to be placed in players who could have found themselves elsewhere this season. For Podolski at the very least, Remy’s move to Liverpool will be a welcome sign for those who still wish to see the German international play his football in north London.

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Loic Remy is Newcastle’s preferred transfer target should Demba Ba leave Tyneside in January.

Having failed to agree a new contract with Ba, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is not willing to leave his squad short in attack, and Marseille striker Remy is now the frontrunner for a transfer to St James’ Park, The Northern Echo reports.

The French international’s earnings would fit in to the club’s strict wage structure and not cost beyond the sort of figures they are looking to spend.

Although the 25-year-old is valued in excess of £13m, Marseille are willing to lower their asking price if an agreement can be reached over a part-exchange deal.

Magpies winger and fellow Frenchman Gabriel Obertan has been touted as the player to form part of any player-plus-cash deal, meaning that Newcastle would have to pay around £10m for Marseille’s talisman.

Remy has won 17 caps for France and scored 27 times in his 68 appearances since moving from Nice two years ago, but he has fallen out of favour at the Stade Velodrome this season.

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In an ideal situation Pardew would successfully convince Ba to sign a new deal at St James’ Park and then focus on investing in other areas, as the Toon’s manager hopes to avoid a repeat of January 2011, when Andy Carroll was sold without being replaced:

“It is a difficult window, but I think we would like to get – definitely – one player in and not lose anybody. It could be that we lose a player, you never know.”

Brendan Rodgers is focusing purely on Liverpool FC’s Europa League clash ahead of the weekend’s Merseyside derby.

The Reds play Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala and must avoid defeat if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League alive.

Group A is currently lead by tonight’s visitors to Anfield and after a 3-2 defeat against Italian side Udinese, Liverpool are on the brink of elimination.

Rodgers is set to go all out and despite hosting Everton at the weekend, both Suarez and Gerrard are expected to play in the European competition for the first time this season.

“Everton V Liverpool is a massive game but it hasn’t been talked about. We are just purely talking about the game against Anzhi,” Liverpool Assistant Coach Colin Pascoe told the Liverpool Post.

“We are looking at a lot of factors. We have a lot of games coming up. Anzhi then Everton, then Swansea, Newcastle, Anzhi again and then Chelsea.

“We are trying to mix it up because we know everyone can’t play every game.”

The first choice centre-back pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are expected to play, with Brad Jones, who played against Reading at the weekend due to the injury of first choice keeper Pepe Reina, expected to be in goal once again.

Despite the importance of the match, Liverpool are also expected to field some youngsters and fringe players including the likes of Jack Robinson, Jordan Henderson, Ousamme Aissaidi and Samed Yesil.

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“The young kids play with freedom. Raheem (Sterling), Andre (Wisdom) and Suso probably wouldn’t have had a chance if we’d bought other players in, but that’s history now and they’ve come in and performed unbelievably.”

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Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Browett has insisted that talented youngster Wilfried Zaha is not for sale.

The skilful attacker has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, who are reported to have identified the prospect as a potential replacement for Theo Walcott, who may leave north London after his contract expires next summer.

With Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City all linked with a move for Zaha in the press of late also, it looked as though the Championship side could lose their prize asset.

However, Browett has eased fans’ worries by stating that the Eagles would not consider selling Zaha to one of the Premier League big boys.

“I can assure you that Wilfried is not ‘for sale’,” the chief commented on a fan’s forum, published in The Guardian.

“We hope that he’ll be playing Premier League football next season. For us. Even if that doesn’t happen, he’s only 19 and still learning his trade in surroundings where he is comfortable and happy. He’s on a five-year contract and we really don’t need the money.

“The four of us bought the club so that we could enjoy watching Palace play football, not to cash in as soon as the moneybags clubs come waving their cheque books. I hope that’s clear enough.

“PS – and if he [Zaha] keeps developing the way he has so far you’ll be reading plenty more rubbish in the Sunday papers,” he concluded.

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Zaha has scored four goals in his last two games, and has represented England at under-21 level four times.

By Gareth McKnight

Frank Lampard has stated that he is starting to think about his life after he retires from professional football, and would relish the opportunity to be Chelsea’s manager.

The ageing midfielder is coming to the end of a stellar career, and has confessed that he would love to coach the side he current plays for.

“I am thinking about my coaching badges now but there is only one club I want to manage,” the England international told The Sun.

“I know it might sound a bit big-headed or selfish but I wouldn’t want to go through ‘showing myself’ with a lower club.

“Although I would never expect to walk into a position such as the Chelsea manager, this is the only club I’d want to manage.

“I’d love to have a crack at it but I’d want to do it well.

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“I wouldn’t want the supporters to forget everything I’ve tried to do as a player because I can’t manage the team,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

West Ham are still waiting to find out the full damage done to three injured stars who had to pull out of yesterday’s win over Newcastle.

George McCartney seems to be the most serious case, after coming off with an injury to his groin. Matt Jarvis suffered a tight thigh and Yossi Benayoun injured his knee after him and Jonas Gutierrez got involved in a tackle which also sidelined him.

Sam Allardyce, following the match, said: “We don’t play until next Monday so we hope that’s enough time. George is probably the most serious because it looks like he has pulled a groin muscle.”

Ricardo Vaz Te, Alou Diarra and Jack Collyson are already out due to long-term injury, and he will surely be hoping he does not have to add three more players to the list of such serious injuries.

He said to West Ham’s official website: “The three injuries and three changes we had to make never detracted from the performance, which was even more pleasing. Obviously it’s disappointing when we get the injuries but to see three players come on and still perform was pleasing. It’s a good job we’ve got Guy Demel, Gary O’Neil and Modibo Maiga back as the bench has been lightweight recently. It shows how important substitutes are as you have to have a strong bench in this league. “

West Ham play Stoke in a Premier League clash next Monday.

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West Ham won yesterday’s game 1-0. Former Newcastle player Kevin Nolan scored the winner in the first half.

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