Wenger: No distractions please!

Manager Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must stay focused on securing a "formidable" end to the current season.

All the talk this week has been about captain Cesc Fabregas leaving the club.

The Gunners captain is set to return after three months out with a serious knee injury for the visit of Manchester City on Saturday.

Even though the Spain international has been out of action, that has not stopped Barcelona president Joan Laporta once again declaring his wish to one day see the 21-year-old back at the Nou Camp, sparking speculation of a big-money summer transfer swoop for the central midfielder.

Leading scorer Robin van Persie - out on Saturday with a groin problem - and England forward Theo Walcott, who returns from a minor knee injury, have yet to have agree new deals with the Emirates Stadium club.

Much has been made of whether Arsenal are able to meet the expectation levels of their top men with silverware.

But as the Gunners, currently fourth in the Premier League, enter the defining period of the campaign - which includes a Champions League quarter-final with Villarreal and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley - Wenger has called for the players to keep their attentions firmly fixed on the job in hand.

"Our success depends on how well we focus on short-term and how intelligent we are to rule out all the long-term speculation," the Arsenal manager said.

"We have answered that question [on Fabregas] for five years now.

"What is important is that a player like Cesc can come back into the squad and help us be successful."

Wenger maintained: "What is important for us is not who stays in July or who goes, it is how much we focus on the next game.

"It is how well we deal with that kind of thing inside the club; that is more important than what people say.

"Any distraction would be a weakness from our side and a wrong excuse. We do not want that.

"We cannot influence what people say, or write or think.

"We can influence how much success we can achieve together.

"The period which is in front of us can be a formidable human experience for our players, and that is what I want it to be."

Emmanuel Adebayor is also back in contention following a successful return to action with Togo following a hamstring injury during the international break.

Although Eduardo (groin), Abou Diaby (thigh) and Samir Nasri (virus) are all set to miss out tomorrow, Nicklas Bendtner (knee) is expected to be fit.

Despite the mixed news in terms of selection, Wenger maintained: "There is only a key team. There are no key players.

"What I expect is a performance from the team and not of just one given player.

"We know the players will come back and need some time."

Wenger added: "We have eight games in 24 days and that means our success will be determined by the squad and not by any given player.

"We just focus to win any game with the players who are playing and not any individuals."

Arsenal have not lost in over 16 Premier League matches since they went down 3-0 at Eastlands in late November - and Wenger does not want all that effort thrown away.

"We have put ourselves in a very strong position because of the hard work we have done now," he said, "but it is the final part of the season where every single game becomes massively important, nearly a decider.

"We have to do as well as we can, and after you can accept every verdict."

Even though the Gunners have now clawed themselves back into the Champions League places as Aston Villa falter, Wenger's men remain 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester United - who have a game in hand - and six behind third-placed Chelsea.

Wenger accepted: "Unless Manchester United collapse completely, it would be a bit pretentious at the moment to say we are in it - but you never know.

"What is high in our mind is to get as close as possible to the teams who are at the top and then if something happens, not to have any regrets."


Fabregas cannot wait for his return to action.

Speaking in the official Arsenal programme for Saturday's clash with Manchester City, the Gunners captain said: "I feel good and I am available for selection, although I do not know what the extent of my involvement will be yet.

"During the past week I have felt really sharp - I do not know if I can cope with 90 minutes in my first game because I have not played competitively yet - but whether I start or am on the bench the good thing is that we cannot say I am injured anymore.

"I will be very happy because I will feel like a footballer again."

Hiddink: Please let me go

Guus Hiddink is adamant that even a Champions League and FA Cup double would make him extend his stay at Chelsea.

Hiddink is in temporary charge at Stamford Bridge and, despite reports claiming otherwise, has continually stressed he intends to resume sole charge of Russia in the summer.

The Dutchman has impressed at the helm since taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari in February, and has booked an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Arsenal and a UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool.

With Chelsea's Premier League title hopes fading of late, it seems the two cup competitions are their most realistic paths to glory this campaign - in what would be a memorable double.

But while Hiddink would savour such a feat, he insists the glory would make no difference to his allegiance to Russia.

Hiddink said in the Evening Standard: "It would be a beautiful scenario to win both cups.

"In that case I will not walk away from Stamford Bridge in my mind, but I will have to literally walk away because I have my full-hearted obligations in Russia and that is not going to change if we win those two cups.

"There is an emotional attachment with the Russian Federation and the people I work with - it would not be a good thing to leave them."

He added: "I look at the upcoming games this month and I'm excited. I won the European Cup in 1988 with PSV as a young manager, but it would be a dream fulfilled to win it again near the end of my career with Chelsea.

"Everyone knows that going to Anfield is like a hurricane. The atmosphere doesn't worry me, it excites me."

Gerrard: Now for the title

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's string of new contracts will help in their bid for the coveted league title.

Skipper Gerrard agreed a two-year extension to his contract today, believed to be worth around £130,000 a week, which means he will be at the club until 2013.

Forward Dirk Kuyt also signed a two-year extension today, and he will stay at Anfield until 2012.

And with more deals to come for the Liverpool players, Gerrard claims it can only boost their challenge for honours.

He said: "This news has given me a boost and hopefully it will help us in our remaining games.

"We have got big matches to play, all of them cup finals as we have to win them all to stay in the title race and go all the way to Rome for the Champions League final."

He added: "It is a fantastic feeling to have agreed the deal. This is what I wanted, to see out the rest of my career with Liverpool.

"I have said all along that as long as the club wanted me then I would stay at Liverpool.

"I have been a fan all my life and it will be fantastic at the end of my career to look back and say I have been with Liverpool all the way through.

"The main priority is to be successful and I want to achieve success at the club I love. If we can win more trophies together then I will be really happy."

The King is ready for battle

Tottenham skipper Ledley King has put his England spat aside and is now focused on a push for European qualification.

The 28-year-old's recall to the England squad angered Spurs boss Harry Redknapp as his club captain suffers from a chronic knee condition that prevents him playing matches in quick succession.

His recall lasted approximately 40 hours before he was sent back to Spurs to prepare for the Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn on Saturday, with Redknapp's men in the hunt for a seventh-placed finish that should see them reach next season's Europa League.

"Things are looking up, we're in good form and these are the games you have to go and win when you are in that form," said King.

"We've been in good form in the past and notoriously we'd go and slip up in a game like this. It's a big test for us now.

"It's always a tough place to go, they are a physical side and over the last few seasons most of the games have been very close. You know that you are in for a difficult game up there and I'd expect nothing different.

"Their fans will get behind them and it's up to us to keep them quiet and play our game.

"We've been better away from home of late, we've found a formula that works for us and we'll be looking to that again."

Redknapp has been encouraged by his side's recent form but is still expected to alter his squad in the summer.

Spurs are still looking for a solution on the left side of midfield - they are admirers of Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, with Manchester City's Martin Petrov also emerging as a possible target.

Jamie O'Hara has staked his claim for a place on the left, and he is determined to prove himself after returning from injury.

"I just want to get back into the first team and keep progressing as a player and hopefully I can get a few more games under my belt," O'Hara said on Setanta.

BPL Team News & Predictions

We bring you the latest team news and preview for all eight crucial Barclays Premier League matches for Saturday.

Another exciting weekend of top flight football. Will Liverpool defeat Fulham and move to the top of the table? 

West Brom vs Stoke City

A game between two relegation candidates. 

Man-to-watch: James Beattie

Shebby: 2-1
PJ Roberts: 3-2
Jamie Reeves: 1-0
Steve McMahon: 1-0
Paul Masefield: 2-1

Hull vs Portsmouth

Will we see Peter Crouch repeating his England goalscoring celebrations at the KC Stadium?

Man-to-watch: Peter Crouch

Shebby: 1-1
PJ Roberts: 2-1
Jamie Reeves: 1-1
Steve McMahon: 1-1
Paul Masefield: 0-0 

Bolton vs Middlesbrough

One more defeat and it could be end of the road for Gareth Southgate.

Man-to-watch: Kevin Davies

Shebby: 1-0
PJ Roberts: 1-1
Jamie Reeves: 1-0
Steve McMahon: 2-0
Paul Masefield: 1-0 

Blackburn vs Tottenham

Sam Allardyce knows his team needs to start taking three points before it is too late.

Man-to-watch: Luka Modric

Shebby: 2-1
PJ Roberts: 1-1
Jamie Reeves: 1-1
Steve McMahon: 1-0
Paul Masefield: 2-1 

West Ham vs Sunderland

Ricky Sbragia and Gianfranco Zola go heads-up at Upton Park.

Man-to-watch: Steed Malbranque

Shebby: 1-0
PJ Roberts: 2-1
Jamie Reeves: 2-0
Steve McMahon: 1-1
Paul Masefield: 2-0 

Arsenal vs Manchester City

All eyes will be on Cesc Fabregas who makes his return to Arsene Wenger's side.

Man-to-watch: Andriy Arshavin

Shebby: 2-2
PJ Roberts: 2-0
Jamie Reeves: 2-0
Steve McMahon: 2-0
Paul Masefield: 3-0 

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Geordie hero Alan Shearer's debut as manager. Can he mastermind a eight-game undefeated run?

Man-to-watch: Obafemi Martins

Shebby: 1-1
PJ Roberts: 1-1
Jamie Reeves: 1-2
Steve McMahon: 1-3
Paul Masefield: 1-2 

Fulham vs Liverpool 

Will it be Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard who will take Liverpool to the top of the table?

Man-to-watch: Steven Gerrard

Shebby: 0-2
PJ Roberts: 1-1
Jamie Reeves: 0-2
Steve McMahon: 1-2
Paul Masefield: 0-1 

Laporta: Valdes is world's best

Barcelona’s Joan Laporta has claimed that Victor Valdes is the best goalkeeper on the globe, bar none at this point.

Valdes has been linked with a move out of Barcelona due to contractual problems, mainly due to salary issues. 

However, Laporta has told the Spanish press that he has the "the best goalkeeper in the world" and will get "what he deserves" as far as his salary goes.

"I believe that he wants to continue and we will be fair with the amount we say so that we can arrive at an agreement," Laporta said in an interview.

Laporta went on to claim that being a Blaugrana goalkeeper is "more difficult than at any other team" as "he saves few shots but always has to be on form".

The president also commented about the possibility of signing Cesc Fabregas, and revealed that it is something he would look forward to.

"I would very much like to have Fabregas in a Barcelona shirt but the opinions of the coach is what makes the decisions. We know that he is a big player and that he would fit our style perfectly," added Laporta.

When queried if Fabregas' ‘arrival' would give La Blaugrana the best midfield in the world, Laporta declared that they already "have the best". 

"Everything can improve, but the coach decides on things like this. I am sure that he would adapt to the system," he said.

In a rather contradictory statement, when asked about the rumoured interest of Real Madrid in Fabregas, the president said that he sees him at his current club, and "not" another.

"He is a player who is at home and is comfortable with Arsenal, it would show a lack of respect towards Arsenal to speak about this," he concluded.

Grp 5: Turkey 1-2 Spain

European champions Spain bounced back from a half-time deficit to defeat Turkey in Istanbul to dominate Group Five.

Spain, who had beaten the same opponents 1-0 in Madrid on Saturday, had to do it the hard way after falling behind to Semih Senturk's 26th-minute tap-in but second-half goals from Liverpool duo Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera earned Vicente del Bosque's side the spoils.

The victory means Spain, who have a 100% record after six matches in qualifying, are now a massive 10 points above Turkey - who many felt would be their biggest challenger in the pool - and six clear of second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina, who were 2-1 winners over Belgium tonight.

Aside from that, the win also extended Spain's current unbeaten run to 31 matches - equalling the national record set under Javier Clemente in the 1990s.

Turkey enjoyed the better start at the Bernabeu on Saturday but this time it was Spain who threatened first through Riera's dipping 25-yard thunderbolt in the 13th minute.

It looked destined for the back of the net but Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel produced a brilliant save to keep it out, sticking out his right hand and somehow managing to divert the ball over the crossbar.

Demirel was then called into action again seven minutes later, although this time he had a much easier job of saving Fernando Torres' low shot.

Six minutes after that, though, Spain found themselves a goal down.

Tuncay Sanli got in behind the visitors' defence to collect a dinked Arda Turan pass, and although the Turkey number 10 was unable to get a shot in himself, he poked the ball away from Iker Casillas and gave team-mate Senturk an open goal in which to slot home.

That was the only the second goal Spain had conceded since the group stages of Euro 2008 last summer, and on the previous occasion they managed to fight back from an early deficit against Belgium in October to record a 2-1 win.

A similar feat looked unlikely tonight though as hosts Turkey created two decent openings to increase their advantage either side of half-time.

Both were created by good work by Senturk and both were wasted by Nihat Kahveci, who opted to go for power over precision on each occasion and succeeded only in smashing his shots well off-target.

Turkey were made to play for the Villarreal hitman's profligacy as Spain drew level on the hour mark through Alonso's penalty.

Demirel made a hash of dealing with Xavi's corner and Torres, standing at the far post, sent a header goalward that was blocked at point-blank range by Ibrahim Uzulmez's arm.

The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Alonso coolly sent Demirel the wrong way to level the scores up.

With their tails up, Spain continued to press forward in search of second goal and Torres almost broke clean through only to lose the ball due to a heavy touch.

The Liverpool man had looked out of sorts up front on his own but he almost put the Spanish ahead in the 73rd minute when he latched onto a Santi Cazorla pass before sending a rising shot towards the top corner, only to see Demirel tip the ball over.

Turkey were not without an attacking threat of their own though, and Tuncay brought a good save out of Casillas diving away to his right with 10 minutes remaining.

Then came the knockout punch from the visitors as Riera slotted home his side's winner a minute into stoppage time.

Substitute Dani Guiza, who plies his trade for Fenerbahce in Turkey, collected a long punt forward and eased past his marker before feeding a low ball across the face of goal where Riera, in acres of space, had the fairly simple task of side-footing past Demirel.