FOOTBALL

Per Mertesacker is relishing the opportunity to face Robin van Persie in the 2012 Euro football championships next year, with the defender set to feature for Germany as the side take on Holland in the group stages of the tournament.

Arsenal forward Park Chu-Young is unconcerned about his peripheral role at the Emirates thus far and is instead remaining focused on improving in training each day.

Vincent Kompany has praised Arsene Wenger's side ahead of their encounter at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, by lauding Arsenal's superb revival this season.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes his squad is strong enough to cope with the demands of a busy festive period and has backed his strikers to overcome their recent goal drought.

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie deserves to be considered in the pantheon of the Premier League's greatest ever strikers according to Alan Shearer.

David Villa has injured his left tibia in Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup match-up with Al Sadd, putting an end to speculation that the striker is set for a move to Liverpool.

Kenny Dalglish has admitted that Liverpool have the option to add players to their squad in January, but the Reds manager won't speculate on any names as the transfer window edges closer.

Chelsea's chase of Luka Modric looks to have been ended by both the Blues and Tottenham, with Harry Redknapp insisting that the playmaker will not leave White Hart Lane under any circumstances in the next transfer window.

Gary McAllister admits he would have dearly loved to have played a Liverpool during the peak of his powers rather than in the twilight of his career.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas remains adamant Fernando Torres will not be sold in January, insisting the forward is not available "at any price."

Liverpool legend Gary McAllister has praised the clubs new signings despite some of their less than impressive starts to life at Anfield.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be discussed as a possible successor to Sir Alex Ferguson because he understands the ethos and tradition of Manchester United, according to former Norway boss Age Hareide.

Arsenal are confident that Robin van Persie will stay with the club beyond next season, with Peter Hill-Wood insisting that the Gunners are happy to wait on the striker to discuss a new deal.

Jack Rodwell has emerged as Manchester United's top transfer target in the January window, after Darren Fletcher announced he would miss the rest of the season through illness.

Manchester United will inevitably discuss the managerial credentials of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when Sir Alex Ferguson decides to retire, according to the Norwegian's former Molde manager Age Hareide

Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes Arsenal talisman Robin Van Persie deserves to be considered as one of the finest strikers the competition has ever seen.

Manchester United midfield Ryan Giggs is the natural candidate to follow Gary Speed as Wales boss, according to former international Malcolm Allen.

Manchester United have confirmed to Federico Macheda's agent that the striker is likely to be sent on loan in January, in order to build up game time and be able to compete with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez for a starting spot on the squad.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been commended by Alan Shearer for the way he has handled Emirates talisman Robin Van Persie.

Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal talisman Robin Van Persie to beat his record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year.

Scotland international Steven Naismith has admitted the loss of Manchester United midfielder is a cruel blow for the national side but concedes the 27-year-old's health is far more important than football.

Patrice Evra claims that Suarez racially abused him several times.

Injured Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has highlighted the importance of the upcoming festive period, even though he acknowledges he made a less than convincing start to his Old Trafford career when he first arrived in January six years ago.

Any lasting bonds with Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy will be put on hold when Arsenal travel to the Etihad Stadium this weekend, according to Gunners star Theo Walcott.

Alan Hansen believes Jordan Henderson will excel in central midfield this season and has urged Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish to give the midfielder an extended run in the side.

Ola John has revealed he would like a switch to the Premier League, after the winger claimed that as a junior he had turned down offers from Arsenal and Manchester United to join FC Twente.

Manchester United are stuck with an injury list that just seems to keep on growing as the January window fast approaches.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has urged his critics to judge his Premier League credentials at the end of the season and not before.

Arsene Wenger has revealed he will be in the market for a striker in the New Year, after the Arsenal manager confirmed he hoped to bolster his squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.