Van Persie

Both clubs came through the last sixteen round impressively with Arsenal comprehensively defeating Porto and a Lionel Messi inspired Barca knocking out the German side Stuttgart. The big question for Arsenal fans will Arsene Wenger rush to bring back the likes of Fabregas, Gallas and Van Persie from injury. The Arsenal captain is set for action in the Premier League this weekend against West Ham but the other two may take a while longer.  

Some Premier League stars are just ever-present; they never seem to miss a game and when they do take a knock, it is just that—a knock. For some others, you would almost bet your mortgage on them getting seriously injured soon after a long layoff, even during their first matches back. You will be able to think of a few of these players offhand, but who are the Premier Leagues biggest culprits—or should I say—unluckiest professionals?  

Jesus Christ, Superstar. There are two days of Champions League on offer this week: The Day of Beckhamania and The Day Before Beckhamania . Arsenal, Porto, Fiorentina, Bayern, Real Madrid & Lyon will need to take a backseat to the sideshow known as David Beckham's The Rapture (The Real One) .  

Ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry believes the Gunners can lift the Premiership title, despite missing key players like Robin van Persie. Speaking to The Times and referring to his old club by using the words "we" and "us", the Frenchman declared it is admirable how Arsene Wenger's side twice cut the gap at the top, showing sheer determination. With the Gunners currently on level points with Chelsea, Henry, 32, added how Arsenal's easy set of fixtures compared to the rest will make sure that they will ke  

Maybe it's payback for all the injuries suffered this year. But perhaps, in a crazy season in which their main competitors stutter and limp towards the finish line, Arsenal can mount an improbable run at the Premier League crown. First, some numbers.  

Despite the 3-1 win at home to Burnley , and their club's lofty position in the league, Arsenal fans will find it hard to toast their side too merrily this evening. It was a stuttering performance at the Emirates and despite what the Premiership table says - the Gunners are level on points with Chelsea, who began the day as league leaders - they do not have the look of a side who could win the title this season. Cesc Fabregas, who is one of the few Arsenal players to exceed expectations so far this se  

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry insists Arsene Wenger's men cannot be ruled out of this year's Premier League title race. Although the Gunners have lost twice to rivals Manchester United and Chelsea this season they remain just three points adrift of the leaders. Henry was in Arsenal's side when they last won a trophy - the FA Cup - back in 2005 and he believes his former team-mates are determined to end their silverware drought.

I know it's coming up to five years since we won a trophy   -Thierry Henry

 

The Mill's all for pay rises. Especially when it comes into work at 7am, has its half-hour peruse of the papers in the third-floor toilets, has its 40 minute breakfast in the fourth-floor toilets, goes to the toilet in the canteen, is ejected from the building and then gets told at 8.48am that it has a football gossip round-up to write in minus 12 minutes' time. If only it had Ian " Yeah England will definitely win this one, 4-0 down at half-time is nothing " Wright to fight its corner because judging b  

Joe Cole could leave Chelsea in the summer after negotiations stalled on a new contract with the 28-year-old demanding in excess of £100,000 a week. Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in taking the England midfielder on a free transfer. Juventus are targeting Arsenal striker Robin van Persie in exchange for Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo. The Turin club are open to a deal, but would be looking to land either Van Persie, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna as part of the transfer.