Arshavin – My goals target for new season

Andrey Arshavin has set himself a 15-goal target for the new season. The Russian playmaker showed glimpses of his best form last term and he is determined to scale the heights that made him an instant hit with the Arsenal fans following his arrival in 2009.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Emirates Cup, Arshavin predicted an improvement from the whole squad in 2011/12. “I think we will get stronger and stronger,” he told the Official Souvenir Programme.  “In

NASRI’S ONE YEAR TO STAY

SAMIR NASRI has told Arsenal he is staying at the club for this season. And Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas’ future it set to be decided by Monday, with his chances of remaining at the club boosted by Barcelona’s attitude towards his signing.

Nasri, who has been a £20m target for Manchester City this summer and also courted by Manchester United and Chelsea, has accepted Arsenal’s stance that they will not be selling him. Boss Arsene Wenger said earlier this month Arsenal did not deserve to call themselves a big club if they let star players like Nasri and Fabregas leave.

Arsenal to step up interest in Brazil Under-20 star

Brazil starlet Bruno Uvini

Arsenal are interested in São Paulo defender Bruno Uvini, and hope their good relationship with the Brazilian outfit will give them an advantage in the race for his signature.

The Gunners agreed to let wantaway midfielder Denílson return to São Paulo over the weekend, despite reportedly being offered a higher loan fee from Fluminense. The club are now hoping to use that deal to their advantage in the hunt for Uvini.

Harper Seven name inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird author – David Beckham

The Beckhams recently welcomed their fourth child into the world (Allstar)

David Beckham has revealed the inspiration behind his newborn daughter’s name Harper Seven – it’s a tribute to the author of high-brow literary work To Kill A Mockingbird, of course. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid footballer published a video on Facebook in which he explained how his wife Victoria’s love of literature helped inspire their choice – even after she admitted in 2005 that she ‘hadn’t read a book in [her] life’.

‘One reason is Harper’s an old English name which we loved,’ David revealed. One of the other reasons was Victoria’s favourite book is To Kill A Mockingbird and the author was Harper Lee. ‘It’s a very strong, passionate book. That’s where Harper came from.’

Man City OTT kit launch features Liam Gallagher and tacky ‘soundwave’ shirt

Umbro's new Man City home shirt

Stand aside all other Premier League candidates – Manchester City have already scooped the prize for most over-the-top and tacky kit launch of 2011, featuring celeb fan Liam Gallagher and a tacky ‘soundwave’ graphic on the shirt itself. The launch video, which has been made available through YouTube, begins by showing Liam approaching the FA Cup holders’ shirt and planting a long, lingering smacker on the badge.

After that it’s a classic Liam pose as he sidles up to the camera lens, gawking like any ‘proper football fan’ does. The former Oasis frontman then joins his new band Beady Eye in belting out a slightly off-key version of club anthem Blue Moon – complete with slightly weird over-sized divers’ helmets…

Women’s World Cup: North Korea players fail dope tests

Jong Pok-Sim is one of five players who tested positive for a banned steroid

Five North Korean players have now tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid at the World Cup in Germany. Two players from Korea DPR, Jong Sun Song and Sim Pok Jong, were provisionally suspended prior to their team’s match against Colombia in Bochum yesterday (6 July 2011) in view of adverse analytical findings in the “A” samples collected during two anti-doping tests conducted after the team’s previous matches in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™. The final results of the tests were received yesterday morning. 

Malaysia XI 0 Arsenal 4: match report

Aaron Ramsey celebrates with team-mate Carl Jenkinson after scoring for Arsenal in Kuala Lumpur

Amid the seemingly interminable saga that surrounds the future of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, one very plausible potential replacement has often been forgotten. Aaron Ramsey might have missed large chunks of the past two seasons following the double leg fracture he suffered against Stoke City, but has long been regarded by Arsène Wenger as a player with the quality to become one of the best central midfielders in Europe.

Fergie is the people’s champion

MANCHESTER UNITED will run away with the title this season – if their fans are anything to go by. More than 75 per cent of the United faithful believe Alex Ferguson will deliver a 20th title. But supporters of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are nowhere near as confident.

Fergie has been the big player in this summer’s transfer market with around £50million spent already. And with the arrival of Ashley Young, David De Gea and Phil Jones, 76 per cent of Red Devils are sure they will be top dogs again this term.

Chelsea target Andre Villas-Boas resigns from Porto job

Villas-Boas looks likely to join Chelsea

Chelsea target Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation as Porto coach, the Portuguese club have said. They made the announcement in a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.

Villas-Boas, 33, has been linked with Chelsea in recent days following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti in May. Porto insisted on Monday that Villas-Boas could leave if a rival club paid £13.2m to activate a release clause in his contract.

“FC Porto was today notified of the intention of Andre Villas-Boas to resign from his contract with the club by triggering the release

Premier League fixtures: West Brom first up for Man Utd

Manchester United won their 19th league title last season, surpassing Liverpool

Manchester United will start the defence of their Premier League title with a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, 13 August. Arsenal begin with a match at Newcastle, while Chelsea, last season’s runners-up, travel to Stoke and Liverpool host Sunderland.