Wenger sees Chelsea AFCON gain in lifted Kakuta ban

The Gunners boss is weaving threads of conspiracy that are sure to raise the heat ahead of today's Arsenal-Chelsea game. He says the African Nations Cup has everything to do with the temporary lifting of Chelsea's transfer ban.

In September, the Chelsea half of London was banned from signing players until January 2011 after Fifa found them guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007. Fifa has since cleared the Blues to add to their squad in January's transfer window, pending an appeal.

That move, according to Arsene Wenger was designed to allow his opposite number at Chelsea to sign more players and lessen the brunt of losing 4 key players to the Angola 2010 Nations Cup.

"It is no punishment," he is quoted by the Times as saying. "Until the appeal court comes forward, they [Chelsea] can buy. That suits them well."

"They used a loophole in the rules. You can't blame them for that. If it's legal, it's legal.

"I think they used the loophole because of the African Cup of Nations."

Chelsea are 8 points clear of Arsenal and if the Blues win, it would give further credence to the belief that Arsenal cannot survive the month of November, which has been their bogey month in recent years.

Didier Drogba seems to be unable to do any wrong at all. He has scored goal number 6 for the Blues and he's keeping his tally intact. He's also provided 3 assists in the last 7 games, too.

Yet, some lazy play meant that Drog's equalizer counted for nothing as a spirited Wigan beat them convincingly 3-1.

Wigan 3 - Chelsea 1 (MOTD)

Eboue's agent isn't ruling out an Italian job.

The agent of Emmanuel Eboue has declared that the Arsenal player would be tempted by a move to one of Italy’s biggest clubs, but signing a new contract at Emirates Stadium also appears a distinct possibility.

Eboue’s future is in some doubt after a disappointing season for the Ivory Coast international in which he was targeted for abuse by some sections of the club’s support.

The 26-year-old muddied the water further on Tuesday when announcing that he may consider leaving if he is not promised regular football by Arsene Wenger, but only to a club outside England and not one of Arsenal’s Premier League rivals.

Now the versatile player’s agent has encouraged interest from Inter, Milan and Juventus, even if he is open to Arsenal securing Eboue's future on a long-term basis.

"Arsenal offered us a contract extension, proposing to us a four-year deal," Franjo Vranjkovic told Calciomercato.it.

"Emmanuel could free himself soon as at zero cost, but Wenger's offer is very good.

"The player likes the way Arsenal plays.

"I honestly think that Fiorentina and Roma aren't at Eboue's level. The two clubs are not among the top ones in Italy, that's the reality of it. But if any of the Milan clubs or Juventus come after him, that could change things.

"Inter have never contacted us but if they should call us we would be in Italy without any problems. But no one has called me.

"I repeat that the player has a great relationship with Wenger, he's one of his fans.

"There's no problems with the fans either. It's normal that people create great stories about great players but there is absolutely no friction with the Gunners supporters."
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101 great goals of 2008/09: Amr Zaki

As promised, I'm starting the series on the Africans involved in the esteemed 101 Great Goals of the just ended season.

First is the Egyptian Amr Zaki who placed 12th in the countdown. He scored a wonderful goal against at the beginning of the Premiership season when he had the Midas Touch. Sadly, the goals dried up and he became a benched item for Wigan. This was one of two he scored against Liverpool in that game.

Here's that goal again.



101gg

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