Arsenal need fresh vigour for United trip

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is concerned his flying team may lose some of their intensity as their "big month" continues with a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders face champions Manchester United hot on the heels of beating Liverpool 2-0 at the Emirates and overcoming Borussia Dortmund 1-0 away in the Champions League, with midfielder Aaron Ramsey especially on fire.

Arsenal's victory over Liverpool last weekend put them five points clear at the top for their biggest lead since February 2008. The Gunners have lost only once in the league this season, a 3-1 opening day home defeat by Aston Villa.

"We passed (the test against Liverpool) in a convincing way," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"The focus of the team and the togetherness you could feel from the outside, they refused to lose this game and you could feel that from the start.

"You could not have predicted that after the first game (Villa) so let's enjoy it, take a lot of encouragement from it and continue to develop as a team," Wenger added.

"And as well be cautious and be on our toes, because we changed it in an emphatic way so let's make sure we continue to grow and not think 'OK let's have a little breather'."

The tables have turned since a beleaguered Arsenal were humiliated 8-2 by United, which included a Wayne Rooney hat-trick, in August 2011 in a low point for Wenger.

Arsenal, who have not won silverware since 2005, are now eight points ahead of a United side still adapting to manager David Moyes' methods following Alex Ferguson's retirement after winning his 13th Premier League title last season.

"At the moment, with 10 games played, you can say 25 percent of the season (has gone). You see the first tendencies and trends but it's still not settled," Wenger said.

"By the end of November you will have a clearer idea."

Robin van Persie was on the scoresheet for Arsenal that day in 2011 but will lead the line in the red of United on Sunday having come on as a substitute and missed a penalty in the midweek 0-0 Champions League draw at Real Sociedad.

HIGH-FLYING SOUTHAMPTON

Strike partner Rooney feels Arsenal are peaking too early.

"We've seen before that they've been in the top two until February or March and then faded away," the England man said.

Moyes's side are beginning to find their feet, even if winger Ashley Young is often hitting the deck.

His latest fall to win the spot-kick in Spain has been slammed by pundits, although his manager said he was fouled having criticised him for a dive earlier this season.

Second-placed Chelsea host West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool, in third, play struggling Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.

On Sunday, fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur welcome a Newcastle United side buoyed by a 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho lambasted his players for last weekend's Newcastle defeat but a 3-0 Champions League win over Schalke 04 cheered his mood, with Samuel Eto'o scoring twice as he looks to replace the injured Fernando Torres domestically.

Everton and Manchester City have trips to lowly Crystal Palace and Sunderland on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Swansea City host Stoke City on Sunday.

High-flying Southampton entertain Hull City on Saturday having conceded two rare goals in Wednesday's 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat and Aston Villa host Cardiff City.

Under pressure Norwich City boss Chris Hughton seeks a quick recovery against West Ham United in Saturday's late game having shipped seven goals at Manchester City last weekend.

Michu out for 'up to four weeks'

Swansea City forward Michu could be out of action for four weeks after injuring his ankle during the 1-0 defeat by Cardiff City, manager Michael Laudrup revealed on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old, Swansea's top scorer last season in his first campaign at the club, had to be substituted in the 65th minute of Sunday's oss at Cardiff in the Premier League.

He had already been ruled out of Swansea's Europa League tie with Kuban Krasnodar on Thursday but, speaking ahead of the game in Russia, Laudrup said that the injury was more serious than he had feared.

"Michu, our top scorer last season, has been struggling for a few weeks and is not 100 percent and unfortunately he is out again for maybe three to four weeks," Michu told a press conference, in comments reported in the British media.

Laudrup said that Michu, who made his international debut for Spain last month, would use the enforced break to get treatment on some longstanding knee problems.

"When I say he has not been at his best, it is because he has been struggling with both his knees for many weeks, but he wanted to play anyway and he is one of our most important players," said the Dane.

"So with this ankle injury, hopefully he can get both his knees sorted as well. He will be away in Spain for a few days for some injections.

AVB defends Tottenham medics

Andre Villas-Boas has defended Tottenham Hotspur's medical staff after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was given the all-clear to resume playing despite losing consciousness against Everton on Sunday.

Lloris, who returned to training on Wednesday, collided with Everton's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in the latter stages of the Premier League stalemate and played on after pitchside medical checks.

The former Olympique Lyon keeper is expected to play for Tottenham against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday.

"I stand absolutely by the decision I took and I stand by the decision that the medical department took following the checks they made on the player, all according to the book," Villas-Boas told a news conference on Wednesday.

"I stand by the decision that gave us the green light for the player to continue."

The former Chelsea boss added that club doctor Shabaaz Mughal and physio Geoff Scott had helped to save the life of Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba when he suffered a cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane in March 2012.

"Two people in the medical department that two years ago saved the life of a footballer on the pitch have been completely forgotten, poorly treated, badly respected by lots of opinion makers," he said.

Villas-Boas, who managed Lukaku when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge, questioned whether the striker could have done more to avoid hurting Lloris.

"I want to believe that Lukaku's leg was not left to clash into Hugo's head," he said.

"I find it remarkable that nobody has dedicated themselves to find out if the player could have avoided the goalkeeper and I'm disappointed that Lukaku hasn't contacted Hugo.

"I don't want to question Lukaku. He's a young player and is wonderfully gifted but I think he could have jumped over Lloris.

AVB sticks to his guns on Lloris

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas on Wednesday said that he had no regrets about allowing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after he was briefly knocked unconscious during a game.

The France international, 26, momentarily lost consciousness following a collision with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku towards the end of Sunday's 0-0 Premier League draw at Goodison Park, but he insisted on playing on.

Spurs' decision not to substitute him was criticised by Britain's Professional Footballers' Association and the chief medical officer of world governing body FIFA, both of whom voiced fears about the risk of concussion.

However, Villas-Boas said he felt that Lloris's safety was not at risk and expressed anger that his medical staff, who had helped to save the life of former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba after he collapsed at White Hart Lane two years ago, had been called into question.

"I stand absolutely by the decision I took and I stand by the decision that the medical department took following the checks that they made on the player," Villas-Boas said during an occasionally ill-tempered press conference.

"All the checks were according to the book. I have registered the fact that a couple of people have taken this opportunity to find the chance to get themselves publicised who have no experience in the pitch whatever in these type of situations.

"And I find it extremely disappointing that two people -- a great doctor and a great physio, who saved the life of Muamba -- were heavily put into question by lots of incompetent people, with absolutely no experience on the pitch, no experience in the action, no experience in the moment.

"That is extremely serious and disappointing."

The incident occurred after Lloris slid out to claim a ball in front of Lukaku, whose left knee caught the Frenchman on the head.

Lukaku was subsequently booked and Villas-Boas said on Wednesday that the Belgian striker could have done more to avoid a collision.

"I don't want to question Lukaku because he is a good young player," said the Spurs coach. "But I think he could have jumped over Hugo."

Lloris was given the all-clear after a precautionary CT scan on Sunday and trained normally with his team-mates on Wednesday morning.

However, Villas-Boas says he has not yet decided whether to start with Lloris or his deputy, Brad Friedel, in Spurs' Europa League game at home to Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday

Madam Nwakali tips Eaglets

The mother of Golden Eaglets defender, Chidiebere Nwakali, is confident that her son and his teammates will win the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets will go head-to-head against their Mexican counterparts, El Tri, in the final of the tournament in Abu Dhabi this Friday.

Madam Francisca Nwakali, who hails from Eziokele and Eziobodo Autonomous Communities in Owerri West, has now backed her son and his Nigerian teammates to go ahead and win a fourth title.

"There is nothing that is impossible before the Almighty God. They have come this far and they will conquer by His grace. I am confident that my son will do well (against Mexico) and Nigeria will win the trophy by the grace of God," said Francisca Nwakali, who is a trader.

She was also full of joy that her son has finally lived up to his dream of becoming a footballer.

"I am joyful and happy that Chidiebere's dream has come true. I have watched all of his matches for Nigeria and I am happy with my son. Now I'm praying that they will win this (next) match (against Mexico)," she said.

"He has been playing football all the time. Now I'm watching him play on TV (at the big stage). I'm so happy this is happening."

Nwakali started out as a football apprentice with unknown Jah-Rule Football Academy in Owerri but is now with Shuttle Spots Academy.

The 16-year-old defender, who has played mostly in midfield for Nigeria's under-17s at the tournament, has scored two goals so far in the UAE.

Big guns set for monster rematch

The Golden Eaglets as Nigeria’s U17 national team are affectionately known, look set to soar back to the continent with their fourth and Africa’s sixth U17 World Cup title.

The 2013 edition of the U17 World Cup concludes on Friday and the Eaglets are in the showpiece match against defending champions Mexico, a side they ruthlessly picked off, 6-1 in the group stages.

The World Cup finale, including the 3rd/4th playoff match is live on SuperSport 3 and 3HD from (2.45pm CAT).

SuperSport analyst, Victor Ikpeba who played for the Eaglets in the 1989 edition of the tournament, is brimming with pride in the boys’ achievements and believes that the future is bright for Nigeria in international football.

“We’re proud of the Golden Eaglets. Their performance shows the coaches have done a great job. I’m confident of victory.”

“This tournament has unearthed future international stars in Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Ihenacho, Dele Alampasu, Musa Mohammed, Chidiebere Nwakali and Chidera Ezeh,” he added.

Ikpeba is in the UAE as a member of the Eaglets technical committee.

Broadcast Details:

Friday, November 8

Sweden vs. Argentina

SS3HD, SS3, Select 2 (2.45pm CAT)

Mexico v Nigeria

SS3HD, SS3, Select 2 (5.40pm CAT)

Yusuf pleased with Eaglets progress

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board member, Ahmed Yusuf, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Golden Eaglets at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Yusuf, who is head of the NFF’s Youth Development Committee and member of Caf’s Technical and Development Committee, expressed confidence that the youngsters will excel in Friday’s final against Mexico.

“The coaches have worked hard to showcase young talents and it’s good to see how the team has progressed to the final,” Yusuf told supersport.com.

Yusuf reiterated NFF’s commitment to the development of youth football in the country.

“NFF’s decision to focus on the Under-13 and Under-15 teams is another way to ensure the development of players for the Golden Eaglets.

“We have a large pool of players who can graduate to the Under-17 team again,” Yusuf said to supersport.com.