Ahead of TheGame: Wenger welcomes investigation into club debt

The news in 60 seconds

WENGER WELCOMES INVESTIGATION INTO CLUB DEBT
The Arsenal manager (right) has welcomed Uefa's decision to look into the finances of European football - and called for those clubs who run at a loss to be "kicked out" of the Champions League. "Who is a club in Europe who can pay £30m cash [for a player]? I know one, but only one," he said, alluding to Chelsea. But surely it's two teams, Arsene. Just ask Danny Fiszman.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article4634487.ece

PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEWS: MASCHERANO TO REPLACE GERRARD
The Argentina midfielder is expected to fill the Liverpool captain's boots for the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. Elsewhere, Valon Behrami is out of West Ham's match with Blackburn after breaking a tooth. The length of his absence will depend on how long it takes him to find a NHS dentist.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4631846.ece

MILNER MAKES VILLA MOVE
The midfielder has joined Aston Villa on a £12million deal from Newcastle after completing a medical this morning. The 23-year-old, who spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Villa Park, has signed a four-year-deal. Kevin Keegan is getting Dennis Wise in a headlock just about now.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4632365.ece

SAHA JOINS EVERTON
David Moyes has agreed an undisclosed fee for the Manchester United striker, who has been offered a two-year contract with the option of a one-year extension. Why did he sell Andrew Johnson? The Fulham striker is the bionic man compared to the injury-prone Frenchman.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4632582.ece

TRANSFER WINDOW COUNTDOWN: MANCHESTER CITY IN FOR ZABALETA
Follow all the moves and market rumours as they occur with our rolling update. All activity has to be completed by midnight Monday.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/transfer-window.html

EVERTON DRAW STANDARD LIEGE
The Belgians, who were unlucky to lose to Liverpool in Champions League qualifying, will return to Merseyside in the first round of the Uefa Cup. Manchester City take on Omonia, Tottenham play Wisla Krakow and Portsmouth earn a trip to Portugal.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article4633625.ece

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FANTASY FOOTBALL - TWO GREAT GAMES
The game you love is back, and this year it's double the fun. We've got two top games for you to play - the classic Times Fantasy Football with £100,000 in prizes, and the more advanced management experience of PlayTheGame. So who are you: Adrian Boothroyd or Tony Mowbray? Click on the url below to find out more.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/fantasy_football/

FREE MOBILE SERVICE TRIAL
Try our football alerts service free of charge for 14 days and get match-day team sheet, goal alerts, half-time updates, full-time results and league position for your team.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/mobile_times/article4541324.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes

Putting the cart before the horse
Chelsea were left embarrassed yesterday after replica Robinho shirts were available to purchase on the club's website. A day later and the Brazilian has still not put pen to paper. Have your club ever been a little bit previous? E-mail: sport@timesonline.co.uk

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
Transfer window is simply a pane! - Daily Mail
1) Tyrone Mears had to sneak past Paul Jewell's office to collect his boots after defying the Derby manager over accepting a loan move to Marseilles. 2) Jewell denied the defender the chance to move to France, despite permission from the club chairman, but the former West Ham player climbed through a window at the training ground to gather his things before leaving the country. 3) It is reassuring to read that the club is in such a harmonious state.
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>>>>>OUR RIVALS: THE TOP FIVE<<<<<

Bilic stands by as Curbishley fights for future at Upton Park - The Independent
The Croatia manager could be in line for the West Ham job if the club's board lose patience with the current boss.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bilic-stands-by-as-curbishley-fights-for-future-at-upton-park-912130.html

Curbishley in the firing line - The Daily Telegraph
Matthew Upson believes West Ham fans were entitled to vent their frustrations at the manager after their Carling Cup win over Macclesfield.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/westham/2641264/Matthew-Upson-backs-fans-putting-West-Ham-manager-Alan-Curbishley-in-the-firing-line--Football.html

War & P**ce! - Daily Mirror
Gary Megson has revealed his dislike for Jeremy Peace, his former chairman at West Bromwich Albion, and refuses to say his name.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/08/29/bolton-boss-gary-megson-reveals-hatred-for-west-brom-chairman-jeremy-peace-115875-20715917/

Fergie: We'll make history - The Sun
The Manchester United manager is satisfied that his players have the hunger to defend the European Cup.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1621040.ece

Chelsea warned of Roma threat - The Guardian
Michel Platini warns the Italian club that the Champions League final will be moved from the Olympic Stadium if their fans misbehave.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/29/championsleague.chelsea1

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145
Years that Stoke City have been in existence, making them the oldest club in the Premier League by eleven years.
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In TheGame

Tony Cascarino column: Robbie Keane struggling to make impact
Our football analyst is concerned at the new Liverpool striker's start to the season: "He seems more like a £2m signing than a £20m buy." But thinks he knows why: "I played with Robbie for Ireland and he can be tricky to play with because he likes to do the unexpected. But the same goes for Torres. Another reason they're not quite gelling."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/robbie-keane-se.html

Bill Edgar's weekend quiz
Don't talk shop in the pub after work tonight. Instead, print out our football boffin's teasers and rack your mates' brains for the answers. Here's a cracker to whet your appetite: How many countries in Uefa are not represented in this season's Champions League proper (ie the group stage)? Good luck.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/bill-edgars-fri.html

Friday's transfer gossip: Calderon delays Robinho move
A round-up of today's rumours, including Real Madrid's attempt to ruin Peter Kenyon's day and Chelsea's chances of signing Robinho, Harry Redknapp's desire to resurrect Freddie Ljungberg's Premier League career and Stoke's bid to add to their African contingent.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/08/fridays-trans-3.html

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

"'He is a big sulker. He goes in silent sulks - he is quite a loner in that way. It is not easy to communicate with him ... wherever he goes, the manager will have a tough job with him.' Isn't that what they said about Eric Cantona?"
Hans Segers' words on Dimitar Berbatov's behaviour around the Spurs camp have reminded Bernard Hawkes of another enigmatic striker.

"Sounds familiar to a certain French player signed from Leeds in 1992, and look what happened then."
Greg in Truro agrees.

"Thank god Danny Fiszman nails the lie of the 'Arsene Knows' brigade that there's no money to spend. The club declared a £30m profit last year - Wenger should've spent £25m on a centre-half and a winger. The club's decline is down to his weird obsession in trying to run it as a creche - and his stubbornness in refusing to change."
Buddy Jones reacts to the Arsenal director's admission that there is a large amount of money available for transfers.

"We heard exactly the same criticisms last season and then went on to have a very strong season. Arsenal's model of not chasing short-term success through expensive purchases is proven and if anyone is stupid enough to argue against Wenger's approach, they will end up with egg all over their face."
Russ from Benfleet is clearly a paid-up member of the 'Arsene Knows' brigade.

"Cech, goalkeeper of the year? Terry, defender of the year? Lampard, midfielder of the year? Do Uefa know who won the Premier League and Champions League double last season?"
Bill in Doncaster questions the European governing body's decision to pick three Chelsea players as the recipients of their yearly awards at the Champions League draw. He doesn't mention seeing Ronaldo receive his forward of the year trophy. We imagine he'd turned the TV off in disgust before then.

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And expect...

The Derby squad to delay work on their escape tunnel after being alerted to an easier exit route from Moor Farm.