Dog's Football Thread Part 2.

[Trapper John]

Arsene Wenger has spoken to Jack Wilshere in regard to the 'incident' he was said to be involved in at the weekend and says he is confident that Jack had nothing to do with it and that the entire thing was blown up out of all proportion [by the media.]

He said the only thing that will stand in the way of Jack reaching his potential is his injury problems, his personal life and activities outside football have no bearing on his playing career.

Wenger said Jack is an intelligent man, he knows what he can and can't do in both areas of his life, unfortunately for someone like Jack, it is hard for others to separate the two worlds.

I totally agree, Jack is a target for all these paparazzi arseholes, I wouldn't put it past some of these pricks to actually pay people to 'get involved' with Jack, so they can get their stories and pictures.

It wasn't a coincidence that this incident happened, just as people are talking about the final squad for England's Euro challenge - and the fact that Wilshere will go if he's fit enough.

Fortunately, wise old heads like Wenger and Hodgson have been around a long time and know exactly how things work in this game between football and the media, neither would have given much truck with this latest sensationalist tripe.

[Trapper John]

Getting back to Rangers and their promotion to the SPL.

They only lost 12 games in four years.

Yeah - it's a bit like title holding boxer - wins all his fights because he only fights mugs.

Aye whatever son!!

Rangers are Champions, are Arsenal!!

Champions of what? .... a mediocre league in a third world footballing nation.

[Vicky]

Getting back to Rangers and their promotion to the SPL.

They only lost 12 games in four years.

Yeah - it's a bit like title holding boxer - wins all his fights because he only fights mugs.

Aye whatever son!!

Rangers are Champions, are Arsenal!!

Champions of what? .... a mediocre league in a third world footballing nation.

Oh and for the record!!

The highest scoreline in an Arsenal v Rangers game is 4-2 and it wasn't the Londoners, who scored the four goals.

[Vicky]

Oh and remember!!

This "Third world footballing country" boasts a team, who's won the European Cup!!

Have Arsenal ever won it??

[Vicky]

It's Alloa, who'll give Rangers a guard of honour this season.

I must admit i feel a wee bit bad for them, seeing as it's them who's been relegated.

[Vicky]

I mentioned this yesterday and here's an article about Rangers planned boycott of away games, written on a Celtic website.

Needless to say it's full of lies and complete fantasy by the author.

"These people" will be quite happy to stay away from the Piggery, we won't hear songs, praising atrocities committed by the IRA.

As for Pittordrie, we won't hear songs like "The Ibrox Disaster was magic" and I could give plenty of other examples.

http://thecelticblog.com/2016/04/blogs/overwhelming-number-of-celtic-fans-dont-want-sevco-supporters-allowed-at-parkhead

[Trapper John]

More big Premier League games at the weekend affecting the top and bottom of the league and ones that could have great significance in all areas.

West Ham v Arsenal starts the weekend at 12:45pm Saturday and could set the pace for the rest of the weekend. Arsenal need to win if they have any chance of a title 'smash and grab' and will want to put pressure on those teams around them, who play later. West Ham will obviously want to do the same, as they still have top four ambitions.

After the 3:00pm kick off's Manchester City entertain WBA at 5:30pm. City, currently in fourth will still want to cement their top four position after a tough CL game and will be mindful of the return match next week, so nothing is certain with this one.

Then we move to Sunday. First up is Sunderland v Leicester at 1:30pm. On paper a certain win for Leicester against relegation threatened Sunderland. In recent weeks though, Sunderland have become a tough nut to crack and are battling for their Premier League existence. So, this one could come down to a simple 'who wants the win most' ... also the refereeing will be crucial, as we know Leicester have been the beneficiaries of dodgy decisions all season.

Last games of the weekend are Liverpool v Stoke and Spurs v Manchester United both 4:00pm kick offs.

Depending on how their game goes at Dortmund tonight, Liverpool might still harbour thoughts of a top four finish, though unlikely - they might also hold back players for the return game with Dortmund, so the result here is very much up in the air.

Then we have the big one of the day. Spurs will want a home victory because that's what's expected of them. They will want to keep the pressure on Leicester and also Arsenal who are snapping at their heels.

Manchester United know that a fourth place finish is their only chance of Champions League football next season - and LVG, that his job depends on it. Although they've had a poor season again, they have pulled performances and results out of the bag when right up against it - they will see a positive result from this game as a boost to their confidence for the remaining games and a chance of meeting their aspirations.

It's all go again, in the most exciting and competitive football league on the planet, no wonder the football world is enthralled by it.

[Vicky]

The most exciting football Derby in world football takes place later this month and you won't find it happening in England.

It will take place in Scotland.

Rangers v Celtic, leaves all derbies in England in the shade.

[Trapper John]

The most exciting football Derby in world football takes place later this month and you won't find it happening in England.

It will take place in Scotland.

Rangers v Celtic, leaves all derbies in England in the shade.

Yep, Scotland will be bouncing! ..... and some little enclaves around the world too.........other than that, it will largely go unnoticed.

[Vicky]

I watched a Spurs v Arsenal documentary once.

The most exciting part, was when someone said "I ate Arsenal"

[Vicky]

TJ.

Why can't you pronounce words properly?

[Frank39]

Relax Robs, it's Harry Winks.

Young Harry, has seen how well Dominic Ball and Nathan Oduwa have done at Rangers and wants to join us in the Summer.

Remind us again Victoria, when is it summer in Scotland this year, is it June 21st., or the Fourth of July?

It's June the 21st this year Frank!!

That's my wife's birthday!
I think I'll spring for a long weekend for her and her sister at the Homestay b/b, Petershill Park, Springburn, you'll recognise her, she'll be the only one with genuine Christian Louboutin shoes on in that area, unless she gets mugged for them.

[Trapper John]

Liverpool dealt with Borussia Dortmund last night to make up for the embarrassing defeat Spurs left the competition in the previous round.

Dortmund didn't know how to handle the Premier League side and by midway through the second half, were puffing and gasping, much the same as PSG did last night against Manchester City.

A 1-1 draw at the Westfalen Stadium puts Liverpool in the driving seat for the return leg next week, with a valuable away goal to take into it.

What is clear is that, these clubs may be top dogs in their own poor leagues - they can't handle determined, competitive opposition when they get it.

There isn't one club in Europe which could handle a season in the Premier League.

[Trapper John]

At the beginning of the last summer's transfer window, Arsenal were said to be keen to bring Dortmund's Pierre Aubamyang to the the Emirates.

Whether that is true or not, I don't know - if it was, it was a short lived wish because the rumours cooled as quickly as they started, with the player coming out before the start of the new season saying he wanted to stay at Dortmund.

Personally, I think there might have been some interest in the player, but it quickly waned when Wenger realised he wouldn't cut the mustard in the Premier League - as was proved last night - against determined opposition, the 36 goal striker was largely ineffectual and was substituted in the second half.

There are very few European players who can mirror their success in Europe and transfer it to the Premier League.

[Trapper John]

According to the Daily Mirror's John Cross, a journalist close to Arsenal's inner circle, Arsene Wenger's main summer target is Juventus forward Alvaro Morata.

There might be a problem though, Morata is still a Real Madrid player and is on loan at Juve, and the talk is they want him back next season, or rather Zinedine Zidane does.

As with everything Real do, they make things complicated so it won't be an easy move, though it could be helped by rumours that Zidane might not be manager much further than the end of the season - which could pave the way for a £30million bid from the Gunners being readied for the striker.