| Toni says Roma are only club for him • 'I won't consider any club apart from Roma'• 'It is in a very delicate phase,' admits Bayern strikerLuca Toni says it is Roma or bust for him as he attempts to put an end to a forgettable time with Bayern Munich. The 32-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Bundesliga club. They may even allow him to leave on a free transfer. Now Toni has claimed Roma are the only club he will sign for."These are fundamental hours to sort out my immediate future," he told Corriere dello Sport. "But let's immediately remove any doubts that have arisen these past few hours: I want Roma. Even clearer: I won't consider any club apart from Roma."I want to wear the Giallorossi shirt. Those who have to know already know that I have made my decision and I won't go back on it. Now it's up to the club, to my agent, to close this deal. It's in a very delicate phase, but I have chosen Roma."Toni has fallen out with the Bayern coach Louis van Gaal and is no longer wanted by the Dutchman. A return to Italy would boost his chances of forcing his way back into Marcello Lippi's plans for next summer's World Cup. But Toni, who has not played for Italy since the Azzurri's first-round exit at the Confederations Cup in June, insists he is not even thinking about that at the moment."The national team is a secondary discussion," he said. "In the sense that to get there you have to play regularly. I am only thinking about that. To play for a club which gives me the possibility to show, once again, what a player I am. I only want to play, I'm not thinking about anything else. And I want to do so at Roma."I hope my presentation with the Roma shirt happens soon but this is the most important moment in the whole deal. The only thing I can say is that I have chosen Roma and I can repeat that a thousand times."Toni played for Palermo and Fiorentina and was in the starting line up for Italy at the 2006 World Cup before his transfer to Bayern in 2007.Bayern MunichBundesligaRomaSerie ATransfer windowEuropean footballguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Song: Arsenal ready to fight for title • Midfielder says players have learned from mistakes• Abou Diaby commits to Arsenal with new long-term contractArsenal's players are confident they are in their strongest position for years to challenge for the Premier League title. Arsène Wenger's side, who took their last title in 2004, have won their last three games and are within four points of league leaders Chelsea, with a game in hand."In the past we dropped too many points over the Christmas period," said Alex Song, whose late header sealed a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth on Wednesday night. "Everyone is giving 100% not to make the same mistakes as we did last year. We have managed the Christmas period very well. We must give everything to make sure there are no regrets when the season finishes."Arsenal are undefeated in the league since losing to Chelsea at the end of November, something that Song sees as a sign of the club's process. "We lost against Chelsea, but in the next game we managed well. Last year maybe we missed something. Now when we make a mistake we learn from that mistake. Everyone is ready for the fight."We are in a strong position, we have one game in hand, we can get [Chelsea's lead] down to one point. We are stronger this season, we have a young squad, we have good players."I think Chelsea can drop points again, we know it is not easy to play every two or three days. We don't just need to look at Chelsea, we need to try and win every game. I'm confident we have a good squad, we still have a good position and we can do very good things this year."Injuries have plagued Arsenal's forwards, with Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott all out of action, but Song believes there is enough strength in the squad to provide cover. "We miss Robin, he is a very important player in the squad. It is difficult, if we had him we would be even more strong but what can we do? We still have the players in the squad, the boss trusts the players we have in the squad."Aaron Ramsey started in place of the injured Cesc Fábregas, who is set to be sidelined for around 10 days with a hamstring injury, on Wednesday night and is likely to get more first-team action when Song goes to the African Nations Cup later this month. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could [fill in for Fábregas and Song]. I want to establish myself as a first team player, hopefully with opportunities like this I can show that I am more than capable of playing in the Arsenal starting XI and that is what I want to do, that is my target."Abou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. The 23-year-old joined the club in January 2006 and has posed an attacking threat this season, scoring six goals. "This shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal and I am very happy here, which is why I am so pleased to extend my contract," he said.Women's footballArsenalTom Lutzguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Campbell close to Arsenal return after reserve outing • Campbell near agreement on deal until end of season• Defender turns out for Arsenal reserves at West HamSol Campbell reappeared in an Arsenal shirt this evening when he played 45 minutes for the club's reserves at West Ham. The defender is now close to a return to the first team, having nearly reached agreement on a contract until the end of the season.The 35-year-old, who left Arsenal for Portsmouth in the summer of 2006 after five successful seasons, has been without a club since he walked out on a lucrative deal at the League Two club Notts Country in September. He was prohibited from joining another club by football's transfer regulations. Campbell has since trained at Arsenal's London Colney headquarters in a bid to maintain his fitness but he is now to get his ticket back to the top flight. "It felt great to be out there tonight," said Campbell, who came through unscathed. "Forty-five minutes was probably enough for me after four months out."• Barney Ronay: Why does Campbell divide opinion?Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, who was among the 300 or so hardy souls at Upton Park, has problems in central defence, where he has lost faith in Philippe Senderos, while Johan Djourou has a long-term knee injury. Alex Song, the midfielder who can deputise in the position if necessary, is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon and, most alarmingly, there are fitness concerns over William Gallas. He has played with a back problem of late and, while Wenger has Thomas Vermaelen and MikaĂ«l Silvestre, it was the need to find cover for Gallas that prompted him to enter the transfer market.After careful consideration, he saw the solution on his doorstep. Campbell's age makes him an atypical Wenger signing. And the manager is generally sceptical about the January transfer window, viewing it as a time for panic buying, but he came to the conclusion that the defender, who won 73 England caps and played at two World Cups, would bring leadership to his side both on and off the pitch.It has long been suggested that Wenger's young team might benefit from the know-how of a vastly experienced professional who has won trophies. Wenger almost made a move last summer for Patrick Vieira, another of his Invincibles from 2003-04, only to decide against re-signing the 33-year-old, who last week joined Manchester City. But Wenger has taken the plunge on Campbell, and the player could not be happier."I cannot tell you how much I've missed playing after being out for so long since leaving Notts County," Campbell said. "I need a couple of reserve games at least before I can start looking any further ahead. I am signing for Arsenal until the end of the season. "There are still a few technicalities to iron out, but I have signed for Arsenal until the end of the season, and it's fantastic, great, marvellous. The old enthusiasm is back. I've got to tell you it seems as though I have never been away. I'm ecstatic really to be back at Arsenal, and I have worked bloody hard to get there."There was an element of irony to Campbell facing West Ham again in an Arsenal shirt. The last time he did so, in February 2006, he left Highbury at half-time, having suffered a severe crisis of confidence. Neither Campbell nor Wenger has ever properly explained what went on in the dressing room that night."Arsène Wenger has been an inspiration," Campbell said. "He has watched me closely after letting me train at Arsenal for nearly two months now. He's not stupid – he wouldn't have taken me back if he didn't like what he has seen, and I have worked and worked. I do believe I can contribute. I really have my confidence and fitness back and believe I can make a big, big contribution. There is fantastic quality all around the pitch within this Arsenal team and I want to be part of it, and I will make a big push to try to do that, but it's little steps at a time. First step is at Upton Park; the next step is more football."ArsenalTransfer windowPremier LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Olympic veterans Heath, Cheney picked 1-2 in WPS draft Olympic gold medalists Tobin Heath and Lauren Cheney were the top two selections in Friday's Women's Professional Soccer Draft ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
A-League round 24 preview Fox Sports football commentator Paul Trimboli offers his thoughts and predictions for round 24 of the 2009-2010 A-League season. foxsports.com.au |