FOOTBALL

Arsenal host Sunderland on the opening weekend of the 2012/13 Premier League season, with both clubs looking for a positive start after a patchy pre-season.

In what will be the biggest game of the opening weekend, Newcastle United will host Tottenham at the Sports Direct Arena

The highs and lows of the 2011/12 Premier League will all be forgotten as the teams and players prepare for the first game of the new season

Supporters will be waiting to see new signings in action and clubs their fortunes with new managers, as in the case of Liverpool and West Brom

Clint Dempsey is attempting to force through a move to Liverpool after being fined for refusing to play for Fulham against Norwich city this weekend.

IBTimes UK sports team favour Manchester City taking Premier League crown in new season.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of SC Heerenveen winger Oussama Assaidi on a long-term contract.

Stoke will continue their Premier League journey, with predictable transfers and style of play

On the same day that Robin van Persie officially left Arsenal for Manchester United, it seems another Gunner could soon be on his way out of the club in midfielder Alex Song.

English champions Manchester City have been linked to Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi

IBTimes UK attempts to predict the goings on in the 2012/13 Premier League season

Rodney Marsh has claimed that Manchester United are showing a sense of desperation in signing Robin van Persie, with the former City man predicting Premier League and Champions League success for his old club.

Tottenham have reportedly given up hope of signing FC Porto's midfielder Joao Moutinho, after the Portuguese club slapped an excessively large price tag on the player's services

Queens Park Rangers have reportedly completed the transfer of former Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa

Manchester City midfielder Adam Johnson has admitted to considering leaving the Etihad in search of more playing time

David Moyes will be relying on Nikica Jelavic continuing his decent form since his move from Rangers

Roberto Martinez has lost Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodallega this summer but he has secured replacements in Arouna Koné and Fraser Fyvie. Add to that the addition of Ryo Miyaichi on-loan from Arsenal and Ivan Ramis from Mallorca and it has been a good summer of spending for Wigan.

Robin van Persie has revealed he's honoured to be signing a contract with Manchester United, as the club confirmed on Friday morning that the striker had passed a medical and agreed personal terms.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has given his verdict on Arsenal's signings this summer, with the youngster claiming that Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski will be top strikers for the club if their pre-season form is anything to go by.

Arsene Wenger on Alex Song's move to Barcelona, signing Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin as a replacement and moving on after selling Robin van Persie to Manchester United

Arsenal have reportedly succeeded in convincing Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin to stall on his proposed loan move to Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard believes that he still has the ability to lead by example at Liverpool next season after revealing that new manager Brendan Rodgers wants to use him as an attacking midfielder.

Tottenham have lost Italian club Bologna's Uruguayan playmaker Gaston Ramirez to Southampton in what must rank as one of the more surprising transfers of the season so far

Some shrewd summer signings and an array of mercurial forwards should bring confidence to Hoops fans

After losing the architect of their success last season - Brendan Rodgers - it has been vitally important for new boss Michael Laurdrup to bring in his own players and introduce his style of football. An elegant footballer, the former Denmark international has so far signed Miquel Perez Cuesta or Michu as he is better known, and Jonathon de Guzman.

Danny Welbeck says he couldn't be happier with the prospect of playing alongside Robin van Persie, with the striker looking forward to the increased competition at Manchester United for an up-front spot.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Moroccan winger Oussama Assaidi from Dutch side Heerenveen, subject to the player passing his medical

Dimitar Berbatov may finally have a route out of Manchester United after it was reported that Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg are ready to begin talks over a potential deal.

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas speaks out on mistakes made during his time at Stamford Bridge and vows to be perfect in his time with Tottenham