Arsenal's hopes of signing Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh are in doubt and Arsene Wenger is lining up Carlton Cole as his next best option, according to the News of The World.

It had been assumed that Bordeaux striker Chamakh had a pre-contract agreement with the Gunners to join this summer. The 26 year-old had recently told a French newspaper, "my choice is to join Premier League and if I could choose, I will go to Arsenal."

However, according to the News of The World, the deal is now in jeopardy and the Arsenal boss is turning his attentions to West Ham striker Cole, another forward previously linked to the Gunners. Cole has suffered from injuries this season, but has still managed 9 goals in 18 games so far and has a chance of making England's World Cup squad.

26 year-old Cole would probably cost Arsenal around £12million, although should West Ham suffer relegation from the Premier League, that price could fall. Arsenal boss Wenger has been widely assumed to be looking to strengthen his attack with the likes of Eduardo and NIcklas Bendtner only impressing in spells this season.

Arsenal v Barcelona: Arsene Wenger plans a warm welcome for Thierry Henry
So here comes the last of the Champions League reunions, completing a nostalgic hat-trick. We've had David Beckham back at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge and now Thierry Henry returns to face Arsenal.


North London was the site of the best football of Henry's remarkably successful career, his Highbury heroics marking him as arguably the greatest player in the history of Arsenal. Yet he returns on Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with his reputation stained, accused of being a cheat for handling the ball in the build-up to the goal that meant the French won their World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland in November.

On the occasion of Henry's return, Wenger insists on the integrity of a player to whom he has remained close since he left for Barcelona in 2007. "He was upset, of course," Wenger said. "I have had so many players in my career but he was one of the fairest players that I had.

He was in danger sometimes when he lost it, but apart from that he was never violent.

"How he was treated after the handball was unfair. It was unfair because he did not get any support from anybody. Which striker has not made that kind of reaction? The whole thing was not handled well after. I think the French Football Federation should have offered to replay the game.

"If France, on the night, was over-dominant in the game I don't think people would have had the same reaction. What was worse for France was that Ireland were the better team and everybody felt it was a complete injustice." Wenger certainly does not expect the Arsenal fans to hold anything against Henry over the incident.

"I think he will get the great reception that he deserves as one of the historical players of the club. Then when the game starts – and don't forget we are playing the quarter-final of the Champions League, they will forget that he played for us.

"It's a long time I haven't spoken to him. I think it will be very emotional for him to come back to the Emirates, but certainly even more Highbury because Thierry has lived his emotional career more at Highbury than the Emirates. I would think even geographically Highbury means more to him than the Emirates."

Like Beckham, Henry risks having the gloss taken off his homecoming by being left on the substitutes' bench. At 32 he does not lope with the same menacing grace down the left flank and his place in the side has been taken by Pedro, a decade younger and a small, scurrying winger of exhilarating talent. In a Barcelona team who have scored 97 goals in all competitions this season, Henry has managed just three. Pedro has 18.

Wenger, though, will not take Henry lightly. Henry was always a player galvanised by the big occasion and, even if restricted to a late cameo, he will be determined to show the fans that idolised him a last glimpse of his fading genius. "I know how to handle him but at the end of the day an intelligent player always finds the way to do something special," Wenger said. "That's why they are special."

Ben do you think anyone will read the stories?

I think people will read the first 2 lines..

I think i should go back to that..

Post the headline and the first couple of lines and the link..

Because this is too much.

Maybe merge a few posts together too so it does not look so cluttered.

I read all the stories:blush:.

Mourinho to stay at Inter?.


Jose Mourinho has no plans to make a summer switch to the Premier League and is set to stay with Inter Milan.

The former Chelsea boss returned to England recently to mastermind a UEFA Champions League success against his old employers at Stamford Bridge.

Portuguese tactician Mourinho has made no secret of a desire to manage in the top-flight of English football again in the future and has been linked with a number of leading clubs.

Liverpool and Manchester City have been mooted as possible suitors, while a move to Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson eventually decides to step away form the dugout has also been mentioned.

But Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, claims his client is set to remain in Italy as he looks to defend the Serie A crown and guide the Nerazzurri to Champions League glory.


Mendes told The People: "Jose is going nowhere just yet.

"I think Jose will stay at Inter Milan for now. He still has three years left on his contract and he is OK in Italy and doing a good job for them.

"He enjoyed the result at Chelsea last week, he was happy with his tactics and he handled himself very well in both matches.

"I think people enjoyed having him back again for a few days and you saw his humour.

"You know Jose loves English football and I think English football loves him - but for now he has no thoughts about leaving Serie A."

Gutted we couldn't get the win yesterday, we had so many chances!

One of those games though I guess, and other results went our way (sorry about Villa Nath) so we still in the fight for a place in Europe. I still say we can finish 5th.

I don't like Wolves but i'm relieved they got another point, want them to stay up so they can play WBA next season:D.

I predicted right Everton would be in the mix for the European places come towards end of season:shocked:.

Keep the faith:), you're still in it all you would need is a draw in the United, Chelsea match (i'm hoping for a home win obviously:p), this season is getting more unpredictable and competitive.

We're the in form team Reggie! If only the season had started in January lol.

If Moysey can keep the team together and pick up a couple of clever signings in the summer (we need an out and out striker still I think of real class) then we'll be the ones to watch next season without a doubt ;)

I'm always hoping Everton do well;)... coupled with the fact you have a couple of ex United players in your squad.

Definetly need a striker or two but depends on cash Moyesy will have available?:p.

Not a lot I don't think Reg, but Moyes is the master of buying relatively cheap players and getting the best out of them ;)

I think Rodwell will really shine for us next season, he's coming on leaps and bounds, the next Stephen Gerrard imo. We just need to keep hold of him and not let another Rooney scenario happen again, though we are in a much better place now than we were back then.

He's been linked with United but I doubt that will happen.. Rodwell himself seems happy at the Toffees although it must be very tempting.

Definetly Moyesy is a bargain hunter:p.

He gets the ball, and scores again, Liverpool's-number-9!

1-0 Torres.

500/1 odds on a beach ball goal today from some betting sites.

Liverpool making sunderland look like kids right now.
Completely dominant and in conrtol.

They could have had 5 in that half. Totally destroying Sunderland.

Yeah they dominated!

No other word..

Southampton win the league cup :)

Well deserved:).

Thought it would have been easy enough for United after that early goal but Munich are causing them a few problems. Still think they'll score another in the second half and finish them off.

get in there bayern!!! :dance::dance::dance::dance:

utd fans will be crying all the way back to london

Well played Bayern. Have no idea what Ferguson was doing throwing on Berbatov and playing two upfront with 20 to go. Very strange.

oh dear rooney :(

United deserved to lose, as Fergie says that was an average performance.. Bayern had lots of chances and are a very tricky side. Concerned about Rooney limping off at the end but still all to play for at OT yet:).

that looks nasty

oh ****