Mark Schwarzer Keeps His January Move to Arsenal Open

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger generally does not do business in January transfer window, but the upcoming January transfer window could be different as he could again try to sign Fulham’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The 37-year-old keeper has also indicated that he would explore any opportunity of joining Arsenal in January. Wenger offered him a player-coach role this summer and had two bids rejected by Fulham who were then short of keeper due to injury problems.

Mark Schwarzer told to the media, “If there's an opportunity in January, then we'll explore it. It was probably one of my hardest periods ever. This is the only time in my career I have ever tried to force an issue. I don't have time on my side. If you were a 30-year-old you would walk away and say 'fair enough, I understand. But I'm almost 38 and I want to fulfil an ambition. The sheer opportunity that was there...”

Wenger was on the lookout for an experienced goalkeeper throughout the summer following some horrendous display by Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski last season. However, the Arsenal boss could not bring in any new keeper in the summer, leaving many Arsenal fans frustrated.

Most importantly, the recent performances of Arsenal number 1 Almunia might force Wenger to attempt to sign a new keeper in January uncharacteristically.

The Australian did not have a good start to the season but, he bounced back in the recent games. However, the question about whether Wenger’s interest in Schwarzer would remain same remains to be answered.

Mark Hughes Appointed New Fulham Manager

Mark Hughes has been appointed as the new manager of Premier League club Fulham for two years. The 46-year-old has previous experience of managing Wales national team and two Premier League clubs: Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City.

Fulham has been on the lookout for a new manager to replace Roy Hodgson who last month joined Liverpool. The West London club failed to sign Ajax manager Martin Jol. Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, USA coach Bob Bradley and former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann were also in Fulham’s shortlist, but Hughes has been picked up as the new manager.

Mark Hughes had been out of job since losing the Manchester City job last December. The former Manchester United player would start his job very soon and his first assignment would be a friendly affair against German side Werder Bremen on 7 August.

Mark Hughes is delighted to have appointed in his new job. He said to the media, “I have discussed my aspirations with both the chairman and (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here.

I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition. I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction. I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that.”

Fulham has had two highly successful seasons recently under the guidance of Hodgson. So, expectations from the new manager would be very high. Fulham became runners up of UEFA Europa League last season, even though finished 12^th in the Premier League.

Arsenal to Miss Robin van Persie for Few Weeks

Arsenal will not get their winger Robin van Persie for the upcoming match against Fulham. The Dutch has been sidelined with a thigh injury during Arsenal’s league cup semi final clash with Tottenham Hotspur on 9 January. For the third time, the youngster has been out of action with injury in a year. Arsenal will travel to Craven Cottage with the hope of three points which would at least confirm their run along with Manchester United with equal points, but currently stands second in goal difference.

Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, has declared that Robin van Persie is out for a few weeks. Least but not last, Johan Djourou has also been out for two weeks with a groin problems.

Goal.com reported:

The 24-year-old Dutchman suffered a thigh injury during the League Cup semi-final first leg and was withdrawn during the interval. At the time Wenger thought that it was nothing serious and later said that van Persie missed Saturday’s Premiership clash to Birmingham City (which also ended in a 1-1 draw at the “Emirates”) suffering from the flu.

I think, this is a crucial time for Arsenal as they are going head to head with Manchester Untied. Any further slip up would cost them heavily in the point table. Added to that, some of the key players like Kolo Touré, Alexandre Song and Emmanuel Eboué are away on international duty in the African Nations Cup 2008 competition.

Fulham is not in good form as they are struggling to avoid relegation this season. So, Arsenal may not have any problem against Fulham, but in the long run, if the injury woes continue in the absence of the African stars, then it would definitely be difficult for Arsenal to keep their hopes to win the premier league title alive.

Fulham vs Arsenal: Preview and Live Score

To get live score and updates of Fulham vs Arsenal match, visit this link:

Fulham vs Arsenal: Live Score and Live Updates

http://techblogbiz.blogspot.com/2008/01/fulham-vs-arsenal-live-score-and-live.html

After the frustrating draw against Birmingham City last week, Arsenal is going to face second-bottom club Fulham away on Saturday. Arsenal started the week at the top of table. However, the 1-1 stalemate forced the Gunners to leave the ground for Manchester United, the defending champion, who did not mistake to take the chance, making a thrashing 6-0 victory over Newcastle United. So, Arsenal now stands second with similar 51 points of Manchester Untied. However, Manchester United leads the point table with goal difference.

Arsenal had an impressive form throughout the season with no star players in the squad. Manager Arsene Wenger led a young squad to play with sheer unity and dominance. The way Arsenal played so far was something unimaginable to even a die-hard fan o Arsenal before the season started. Arsenal lost their long time striker Thierry Henry in the summer transfer. Arsenal lost only once in the season so far. With six matches ended in draw, they looked balanced so far. The upcoming match against Fulham will be held at the Fulham home ground Craven Cottage.

Contrast to Arsenal, Fulham is struggling this season. The club is also facing the relegation with only 15 points, five points behind the third-bottom club Sunderland. So, they have already found their back on the wall and they need a miracle to avoid relegation this season, though the window is not yet closed at all. Fulham won only two matches against nine draws and eleven defeats. Fulham lost to West Ham United in their recent league match. With this defeat, they have made the road difficult to survive in the premier league next season.

Goal.com reported:

Fulham, on the other hand, continued their frustrating habit of relinquishing the lead and lost 2-1 to West Ham, Simon Davies’ free-kick on seven minutes cancelled out by goals from Dean Ashton and Anton Ferdinand for Alan Curbishley’s men.

For anybody keen on statistics, if the league table were to be compiled on the scores at half time, Fulham would be in the top-six, but such is their inability to close off the games in which they score first, they sit in nineteenth-place in the league.

Fulham has good news for the fans. Captain Brian McBride is likely come back in action soon. He has joined the practice session with the teams. Though it is not yet confirmed if he will be in the match against Arsenal, he has the possibility to play against Arsenal.

Sports Network reported:

According to Fulham, McBride participated in a first-team practice last week. The 35-year-old forward has been at Fulham since 2004. He has also played at Everton and Preston in England, and Wolfsburg in Germany.

Fulham did not speculate when McBride would return to Premier League matches. He will likely play with Fulham's reserves before joining the first team.

Arsenal is currently missing some of their key players who are out to represent their countries in the upcoming African Nations Cup 2008 tournament. Kolo Touré, Alexandre Song and Emmanuel Eboué have already left the club to join the Ghana bound national squad. All these three played a big part behind the success of Arsenal so far. However, Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo can continue with Arsenal as his country failed to qualify for the continental tournament. Arsenal manager is now reportedly looking for some new faces in the squad, though there is hardly any possibility to see any new faces in the Arsenal squad this season. Russian striker is reportedly one of the choices of Arsene Wenger. Reports have it that Ghana international, Andre "Dede" Ayew is most likely to join Arsenal.

Fulham vs Arsenal: Online Live Score and Updates

There will be many who will not be able to watch the match on television because of their personal and professional work. However, you can get the online live score and updates of the match. Here are some links of sites from where you can get online live score and updates:

Live Score

Goalzz

Footie Scorez

Sportpress

Goal.com

Well, there is no doubt, wining the match is really very important for Arsenal, if they want to go along with Manchester United in the point table. Fulham will also try their best to achieve at least one point from the match. They are now under the blade and if they want to survive in English premier league then they have to win points regularly.