“It is interesting that the Castrol Predictor shows that Brazil is most likely to win – I see why, because it is based on historical games and on that basis, Brazil deserve to be the top – but personally I think that England, Argentina, Spain and the Netherlands are more likely to win the World Cup,” said the canny Frenchman when asked who he thought would lift the trophy in 2010.

Further questioned by Castrol regarding his thoughts on what players are likely to feature at thetop of the Castrol Index in this tournament, Wenger had only one player in his thoughts. Having seen Arsenal tormented by the young South American in the Champions League recently, Wenger said;

“Lionel Messi is an exceptional talent, but his game relies on his ability to run with the ball and change direction and for him to be able to do that, he needs to be playing on a perfect pitch. The pitches in South America are bobbly but hopefully the pitches in South Africa will suit him.”

Wenger also praised the Castrol Index as a tool to help identify talent, saying; “The Castrol Index is designed to measure the performance of the players and it is the best possible help you can get as a manager, that in a very positive way because it takes into account the defensive and offensive moves and it will be very interesting to see this for the first time in the World Cup.
It gives the fans the opportunity to get new insight and helps them to see the players in a new light – so they can agree or disagree with opinions. It is an objective way to see the game – giving facts. You can’t argue with it.
The Castrol Index can reinforce your opinion – it’s very important. The Castrol Index helps to any technical person because sometimes we’re isolated so it helps to give us the full picture. I am a great believer in the Castrol Index and think that no great technician would dismiss this level of objective insight.”

In a series of groundbreaking initiatives designed to deliver unique and objective ways of analysing player and team performances both on and off the pitch at the FIFA World Cup, Castrol will be fuelling the debate for football fans around the world. Check how your favourite players are shaping up on the Castrol Index.

By half time the Lionel Messi show was in full swing, and the best player in the world had scored another two goals to put the tie well and truly out of Arsenal’s reach, and in the process scoring his third hat-trick of 2010.

Messi’s fourth goal in the 88th minute was nothing more than icing on the cake.  By then everyone watching the game had surely agreed that this was one of the most amazing performances by any one individual footballer, possibly on par with Maradonna’s single-handed (forgive the pun) defeat of England in the 1986 World Cup Quarter-final.

And for those of you who listen to cricket legend and football pundit muppet, Darren Gough, on Talk Sport, I wonder if he will still be comparing Lionel Messi to Aaron Lennon tomorrow – a good player but not a great player, is his usually comment when asked about Lionel Messi.

I can’t imagine Messi ever leaving Barcelona while he is still in his prime because of the debt he owes Barcelona.  But how I would love to see him perform weekend in and week out in the Premier League.

After tonight’s match Arsene Wenger, Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Alumina all  said they were simply beaten by the better team, and praised Lionel Messi’s amazing performance.  Wenger added he was the best player in the world “by a long way”.

Wenger knows his onions and tonight I am in total agreement with him.

Barcelona beat Arsenal 6-3 on aggreagate and will play Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the semi-finals after the Italian champions beat CSK Moscow tonight 1-0 away from home, 2-0 on aggreagate.

I don’t rate Manuel Almunia as a goalkeeper.  But tonight he alone probably stopped Barcelona sucking on their half-time oranges leading by three or four goals. With Barca having an alarming 70% of the possession in the first 45 minutes, and playing some of the most attractive ‘pass and move’ football I have seen since watching Brazil as a young boy. But for all their flare and skills, it was still 0-0 until twenty seconds after the restart.

A simple through ball left the Arsenal back four stranded and Almunia in no-man’s land, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had not scored against English opposition in his previous 10 attempts, scored the first of his two goals.  The second was a similar through ball that caught the Arsenal defence ball-watching as Ibrahimovic thumped the ball into the roof of the net.  2-0 surely it was all over for another season, as far as Arsene Wenger’s Champions League aspirations were concerned.

At that stage I imagine anyone watching the game thought Arsenal was going to fall apart.  But it was then the young guns decided with a true musketeer cry ‘all for one, and one for all!’

With no fear left in their heads and fire in the belly, Arsenal decided to ‘have a go’ at ‘the best team in Europe’.

The introduction of Theo Walcott appeared to stun the Barcelona defence and spur Arsenal and the Emirates Stadium into life.  And even when Walcott scored to make it 2-1 I still felt it wasn’t going to be enough to save Arsenal their first defeat by a foreign team at the Emirates Stadium.  But then a great game turned into an amazing one as Puyol appeared to tangle with Cesc Fabregas in the penalty area, just as Fabregas had swung his leg back to shoot.  The resulting penalty seemed harsh, let alone the red card that means the Barcelona captain will miss the second leg along with his centre-back and former Manchester United team-mate Pique, who received a yellow card earlier in the game.

Fabregas scored the resulting penalty, and as if by magic Arsenal were now looking to win the game as they continued to attack,  wave on wave of attack spearheaded by Theo Walcott who, as the only Englishman on the pitch was being closely watched by Fabio Capello.

Thierry Henry received a very warm reception as he replaced Zlatan Ibrahimovic when Barcelona were 2-0 up, only to receive a chorus of ‘boos’ every time he touched the ball thereafter.

On the final whistle Fabregas, who had injured himself scoring from the penalty but had stayed on as Arsenal had already used all three substitutes, limped off.  But he was already going to miss the second leg in the Nou Camp by receiving a yellow card early in the game along with four other Arsenal players.

I cannot belief Barcelona didn’t win this game.  But fair play to Arsenal for their never say die attitude.  That said, it was a pleasure to watch Barcelona completely outplay a very good Arsenal team in the first half, and I feel they will do so again in the second leg.

“We are one of the ten best clubs in Europe and players who strengthen our team at that period of the season are not available, or at a price we cannot afford.” Arséne stated.

I nearly spat out my coffee. Not to offend fans of Arséne himself, but that’s truly a poor excuse for his lack of involvement in the recent transfer season.

He claims that the amount of money he is allowed to allocate his players is simply too low to attract any good footballers. But surely a £90k a week wage is enough to buy at least a decent striker?

Instead of trying to reason with his board, he’s been trying desperately to gain players like Maraouane Chamkh, and I have no doubt that he was heartbroken when, just hours ago, Chamakh himself said he was not prepared to move, at least not yet.

Many Arsenal fans, alongside non-supporters, are sceptical whether or not Arséne has performed well as manager this season.

Among these are many that also believe that Arsenal are in dire need of fresh new additions to their line-up, especially after Michael Ballack criticized Arsenal’s style of play, describing them as ‘predictable’.

At least Arsenal fans can rest assured that key player Cesc Fábregas, will not be transferring to Barcelona any time soon, despite recent rumours of his leave before the World Cup as Wenger has repeated stated that he still has ‘four years left on his contract’, and he is not prepared to sell him.

Although I deeply respect Arséne for the amount he’s done for Arsenal with so little money, I can’t help but think he’s only looking to buy stars, instead of looking for raw talent.

Arsenal have to adhere to their strict £90,000 a week rule, regardless of whoever the player may be. This means even their top players (Gallas, Arshavin), are on this.
Yet I think, although he might not be able to purchase a top-end player like Lionel Messi, he could definitely reel in some talent with that budget.

And besides, I think another small Arshavin-like player is not what Arsenal needs. What Arsenal needs is a large, powerful striker, to provide Arsenal with that muscle that the team sometimes lacks.

Even if his eyes are only on big names, surely he could sell some players that, frankly, just aren’t up to Arsenal standard (Walcott, Vela), and make an exception to bring in some world-class talent.

However, Arséne is adamant that his budget limit is necessary for the club to function healthily, and I think many people (including myself) respect the fact that he is cautious with his money, as we’ve all seen the effects of excessive spending with Portsmouth’s near-bankruptcy.

Anthony Duong
Guest Writer from GenXXL.com

angry arsene

Liverpool’s season goes from bad to worse, after insisting that they would focus on the Premier League following their disastrous Champions League campaign, Rafael Benitez’s team lost that focus in the second half against Arsenal at Anfield, and they paid dearly for it.

For the first forty five minutes it was all Liverpool, they could barely put a foot wrong. Steven Gerrard’s dramatic dive after William Gallas had caught him probably cost him the penalty that Liverpool should have been given, but both Gerrard and Torres created plenty of chances against an Arsenal team that really was poor.

Mascherano was monumental for the Reds and Dirk Kuyt was busy as ever, deservedly giving them the lead just before half time. Something strange happened at half time and the teams switched characteristics, suddenly Liverpool couldn’t string a couple of passes together and Arsenal finally looked something like resembling the wonderful young team that Arsene Wenger keeps promising to deliver.

Arsenal equalised when Glen Johnson claimed an own goal and from then on they were the tormentors, terrifying what has become a fragile Liverpool defence. The old adversary Arshavin scored the winner but as in the first half there were many chances not taken.

Wenger allegedly lost his temper at half time and it worked a treat with the Gunners showing great belief and composure in their comeback. Wenger says his team are ready to fight for the title ‘mentally’ now and on this evidence he is right.

I’m amazed at Liverpool’s fortunes this season or should I say misfortunes! Following this defeat Liverpool are actually talking about attempting to make the top four come the end of season, something I would not have considered a few months back.

Both Wenger and Hughes were involved in a verbal confrontation throughout most of the game, bending the ear of the fourth official, with the Arsenal boss at one time moaning that Hughes had left his technical area.

Wenger was particularly animated, often literally dancing in anger on the touchline at every refereeing decision that went against his team, as Manchester City finally took control of the game in the second half.

The much lauded young Gunners were, in the end, no match against the experience of Manchester City and despite the obvious qualities of the Arsenal squad, how long can they continue without a trophy to show for their efforts.

It has become the norm for the bigger teams to field their less experienced players in the Carling Cup competition and Chelsea followed the example of the Gunners by changing eight players from the team that had beaten Arsenal on Sunday for their game at Blackburn Rovers.

Inevitably they too paid the price of inexperience, losing out on penalties to Rovers, with Paul Robinson the goalkeeping hero with a brilliant save save from Ballack’s penalty and also denying the youngster Kakuta.

The game should never have reached that stage as Blackburn really deserved to win in normal time, only to see Ferreira equalise in the final moments of extra time. At 3-3, Blackburn kept their cool to run out 4-3 winners on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti said after the game that he was disappointed with the result after a triple half time substitution gamble put Chelsea back into the game. The loss of Kalou with 20 minutes of normal time remaining meant that Chelsea had to play the remainder of the game with only ten men. But he did have the grace to shake the hand of Blackburn’s victorious caretaker manager Neil McDonald after the defeat.

Manchester City will face local rivals United in the semi final, a classic in the making surely, while Blackburn Rovers will play Aston Villa in the other two legged game.

Arsene Wenger

Free scoring Arsenal, who have demolished lesser teams with their mesmeric football this season, drew a blank against Chelsea on Sunday, while their London rivals produced an emphatic three nil victory to consolidate their position at top of the Premier League.

Three nil may have been harsh and Arsenal will feel hard done by, particularly after having a ‘goal’ disallowed for a foul on Petr Cech with the score at 2-0. But realistically Chelsea showed the commitment and resilience that is required to lead the championship race and frankly never looked like losing the game at the Emirates.

Despite the obvious quality of the young Arsenal team they were easily matched and too often beaten in the midfield battle in the pouring rain at the Emirates and when they did find a way through the resistance of Chelsea’s defence kept them at arms length.

Arsene Wenger said after the game that Arsenal are not out of the title fight yet and that he was convinced that Chelsea would drop points throughout the season, something that it is difficult to argue with.

He also accused Chelsea of being too defensive and playing on the counter attack, which doesn’t quite make the same sense, although he may still have been angry at such an emphatic scoreline in his post match interview.

For me Chelsea looked a much stronger team throughout the contest, not just in defence where they generally looked solid, but all over the pitch and particularly in midfield.

There were many mistakes by both teams but Chelsea were able to rectify theirs more often on the day and looked to attack Arsenal at every chance. I seem to recall Chelsea had five shots on goal to Arsenals two.

Rather than bemoan the loss Wenger should focus himself and Arsenal on the job in hand and if the team are genuine title contenders the talking needs to be done on the pitch.

There was little sign of the flamboyant Arsenal on Sunday, Chelsea and the weather made sure of that and now it is time for the young Gunners to stand up and be counted if they are to be taken seriously.

There is still plenty of time in the title race and league leaders Chelsea will be one of the clubs hardest hit by players leaving for the Africa Nations Cup in the new year, so now is the time to respond.

sol campbell

Notts County’s director of football and the man who bought Sol Campbell to the club, Sven Goran Eriksson says he feels personally let down by the defenders sudden change of heart in making his decision to quit the club.

Campbell had been at Notts County just five weeks but allegedly made his decision to leave after his first game in League Two where County lost to Morecambe 2-1.

The usually unflappable Eriksson seemed as shocked as everyone else by Campbell’s decision to leave when he said on Sky Sports News:

“I am very disappointed, very much so because we signed him and we thought we should have him for longer, but I think everyone has the same feeling, the players, the staff, the directors, the fans, because he’s a big name and a very important player. We are all sorry that he has gone but the project goes on without Sol Campbell, nothing has changed.”

Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, a one time employer of Campbell, believes that the player quit because he knows he can still cut it in the top division. Wenger said:

“He knew straight away that’s not where the challenge is. It is always a cultural shock when you go down a level. I know from talking to players who have had to do that. They experienced it badly in the first six months and you can understand why they decided to quit. I believe Sol still has enough in the locker to play in the Premier League.

Wenger said he had not been surprised by Campbell’s sudden change of heart, “I knew it would be difficult for him there,” he said.

It is believed that Campbell will now have to wait until the January transfer window if he is considering playing for another club and there will be many Premier league club’s monitoring the situation carefully.

One club that will not be interested in signing the player is his former club Spurs, where Harry Redknapp has said that if he was in charge at any other club he would make a move for Campbell, but as there is still plenty of bad feeling amongst the fans from when the player defected to North London rivals Arsenal, it would be out of the question.

So where will he turn up, would you like to see him at your team in January?

Bizarrely Wenger’s Arsenal team picked up six of the nine yellow cards handed out during the match, with habitual United offenders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher escaping punishment.

Wenger has a good point and it really is time to call a halt to dirty play, whether it is shirt pulling, flailing arms, or leg breaking slide tackles and United are not the only team guilty,every team in the Premier League have players who are getting away with more than they should, including Arsenal.

It is something that has become more prevalent as the pace of the English game has grown and players do really need to be punished to stop it from becoming even more widespread.

Wenger is right when he says that fans do not want to go to a game  and see a series of free kicks, but they want to watch football.

Sad to see then that a few days after Eduardo was found guilty of diving to win a penalty in the Champions League knock out game against Celtic, Emmanuel Eboue was cautioned for the same offence at Old Trafford.

The Premiership has started well regarding the lack of players diving, so let’s hope that Arsenal can also cut it out of their game.

Arsenal

The incident occurred half way through the first half of the game when there appeared to be no contact between Eduardo and the Celtic keeper Artur Boruc, but the referee gave a penalty which the Arsenal player converted.

Even Arsene Wenger saw the incident as dubious, he said after the game; “I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived.  He went down, for what reason I do not know.  Having seen it again on television, it doesn’t look a penalty.  I do not think he (Eduardo) would have complained if the penalty was not given.”

While Celtic can argue that the penalty gave Arsenal an unfair advantage, the Gunners already had a two goal advantage from the first leg and it appeared unlikely that Celtic would have clawed their way back into the tie.

Nonetheless it is something that needs to be addressed in football today, I believe that many players have made an effort to curtail their diving activities over the past season and it is sad to see a young player as gifted as Eduardo cheating the referee and opposition.

Gordon Smith has called upon UEFA to stop paying lip service and actually make an example of the Arsenal player by giving him a retrospective punishment of a two game ban.The  SFA chief executive said:

“Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic. We have shown the courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation and I would urge UEFA to do so in this instance. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now.”

“Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters. We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere.”