Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!

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Gunners bring in AC Milan defender
Young full back arrives at the Emirates
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Italy celebrating World Cup win
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By Alan Smith
10:13AM GMT 15 Aug 2014

Arsenal have managed to add some much-needed winning mentality by acquiring the services of AC Milan full back Matia De Sciglio (21) for 8.25 million pounds. The young Italian was a proud part of a team which just won the World Cup and his arrival will certainly galvanize the Gunners for the upcoming start of the season.
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​De Sciglio in action

De Sciglio has been on the international stage for quite some time having won 17 caps for Italy already. He can play on either flank but his versatility will provide Wenger with a backup option for central defense and even the wings. A minor worry is Matia had a poor last season with AC Milan which ultimately saw him reduced to a bench role - hence the Italians were willing to sell him. We will soon find out if their judgment was correct even if I hope for the opposite.​

Matia De Sciglio transfer verdict: 7.0/10 - this deal should be seen as a measured risk as the potential benefits definitely outweighing the negatives if Matia flops.
 
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Hugh Laurie

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson is back for the new season and will again be pitting his wits against a different guest each week.

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His first opponent of the new campaign is English actor, comedian, writer, musician, director and Arsenal fan Hugh Laurie.

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Lawro vs Laurie for the opening games this season

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A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Manchester City - Stoke
Hugh Laurie: Sorry but Stoke will have their pot knackered, 5-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I also believe the Citizens will win their first game of the season but it should be a bit closer, 3-1.

Chelsea - Hull
Hugh Laurie: Another big score coming at Stamford Bridge, 4-0.
Mark Lawrenson: Again I favor the Blues for this but would prefer a tighter margin, 2-0.

Q.P.R. - Manchester United
Hugh Laurie: I hate to say this but the Red Devils are cruising and there's no way they will be stopped right here. 0-2.
Mark Lawrenson: I feel Rangers will have positive energy as this is their first game back in the Premier League and they may be able to hold their own against the Red Devils, 1-1.

Newcastle - Fulham
Hugh Laurie: Can't see how Fulham will get anything there. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I am looking for another upset at Saint James' Park as the Magpies appeared lackluster in the Community Shield, 1-1.

Tottenham - Swansea
Hugh Laurie: Let's see, all big teams can't win and there's no way I'll bet against Arsenal when Spurs is the alternative. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: the Swans have bought well this summer but Tottenham will have too much for them, 2-0.

Crystal Palace - Arsenal
Hugh Laurie: We simply must win this game and can't see any other outcome but a juicy 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: The Gunners will need to improve this season but Palace were pretty solid in last campaign and won't roll over without a fight. 1-1.
 
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Premier League 2014/15 kicks off!

Saturday 16th August 2014:

Manchester City - Stoke 2-0
Ronaldo (pen 33), Aguero (36)
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Chelsea - Hull 0-0
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Q.P.R. - Manchester United 0-1
Rooney (pen 67)
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Newcastle - Fulham 4-1
Donovan (11, 21), Salvio (37), Cabaye (75); Krul o.g. (41)
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Sunday 17th August 2014:

Tottenham - Swansea 2-1
Soldado (14), Eriksen (16); Bony (66)
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Monday 18th August 2014:

Crystal Palace - Arsenal 0-2
Dragovic (10), Ozil (76)
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League Table:

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Gunners get rid of best striker in the world
And it was about time they did​
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Sol Campbell
The Guardian, Monday 18 August 2014
There were a lot of smiles when a striker from Denmark declared himself the best player in the world some years ago. Fast forward a few seasons and we finally see his bubble burst as Arsenal announced they have agreed a fee to sell this same player for 1.1 million pounds to the dominant force in European football... Rubin. Yes, you got that right, the Gunners have finally got rid of Nicklas Bendtner (26).

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Bye-bye Ronal... umh... Bendtner
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To put some facts to this case, Nicklas has actually been rather prolific for his national team, scoring some 23 goals in 58 caps, but he never reproduced this kind of form or anywhere near it at club level and Wenger's patience finally wore off, to the joy of the fans. Indeed, how could a club fighting for honors count on a striker who only scored one goal in the last two seasons, even if he's the best in the world?

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Nicklas Bendtner transfer verdict: 7.0/10 - just the mere fact of his departure has lifted the mood in supporters throughout the world.
 
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Winger flop leaves White Hart Lane
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Last Updated: 18th August 2014

8 GAMES enough to axe Nacer

Tottenham have announced the sale of Nacer Chadli (25) to Swansea for a cut-price 2.6 million pounds, therefore taking a 3.4 million loss on the player in the single year after his arrival. Nacer was brought in as a part of large contingent of players funded by the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid but found it difficult to hold a regular place in the first team and this summer's arrivals of Ayew and Mirallas sealed his fate.
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Nacer didn't exactly set the EPL on fire

Chadli started seven games for Spurs and added one more coming off the bench and even though he did create a couple goals, his performances fell short of the required standard.​

Nacer Chadli transfer verdict: 3.5/10 - this is sheer admission the very arrival of the player represented failure and fans will be in a hurry to forget he was even here.
 
Sergio joins Chelsea
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Tony Cascarino Commentary
Last updated at 10:52PM, August 18 2014

Jose Mourinho was untypically hesitant to spend last summer but that's not the case now with Chelsea continually flexing financial muscle of the Schwarzenegger mould. The latest acquisition is Real Madrid star defender Sergio Ramos (28) who arrives at Stamford Bridge for some 20.5 million pounds. The 123 times capped Spain international spent nearly a decade with the Madrid giants and had decided he would need a new challenge - Jose was quick to convince his ex player this challenge is the Premier League.

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​Sergio Ramos with the Blues
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Ramos is primarily a central defender but his versatility allows to employ him on the right flank and this will be a Godsend for Mourinho considering the comprehensive lack of squad depth in the area. There have been some initial suggestions Sergio might find it hard to adapt as he has only played in his native Spain and doesn't even speak English but the presence of international teammates like Juan Mata will undoubtedly help.

Sergio Ramos transfer verdict: 9.0/10 - excellent capture by Mourinho even though a natural full back would have been even more handy at this stage.
 
some great signings this season mate by all teams!! good luck for the season! great story....... keep up the good work
 
groats said:
some great signings this season mate by all teams!! good luck for the season! great story....... keep up the good work
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Thanks, mate - and they are not done yet, some big deals coming soon as well. It will be VERY hard to repeat last season! Who's your favourite?
 
What a great story, I am a silent follower but have read through every page. Great writing. Of course seeing NUFC win the title is pleasing too.
 
managermick said:
What a great story, I am a silent follower but have read through every page. Great writing. Of course seeing NUFC win the title is pleasing too.
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Glad you found it rewarding, mate, and thanks! It was easier than I thought it would be though, at least this season is promising to be more challenging.
 

Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2014/15 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Chelsea - Manchester United
3-0
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Gary Lineker: The Red Devils had a flying start of the campaign by claiming the Community Shield but they lost new signing Gareth Bale and it showed as they faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a fixture pulled early because of the European Super Cup. The Blues grabbed a comfortable two goal lead in four minute double salvo by new recruits Moreno and Sanchez in the first half and were in complete control ever after which allowed Eden Hazard to add a third as the game entered its final fifteen. Alan, do you think missing Bale hurt Manchester United so badly?
Alan Hansen: I wouldn't say that, Gary. I mean, it's not like they were a bad team before he arrived and he certainly hasn't become a key player in the twenty or so minutes he played before injuring himself in the Community Shield game. Man United did create chances, they just missed the clinical finishing as Chelsea contained them to a total of zero shots on target. Most of those came from a long distance as the Blues enjoyed a dominant cut of possession and the Red Devils were forced to commit way too many fouls, as suggested by picking up all the cards in the game. This in turn created tension in the visitors as the game progressed and they eventually lacked belief they could find a way back in it, Hazard's goal effectively killing it off.
Alan Shearer: I think it was the center of midfield which failed Man United in building their attacks. Hamsik, Carrick and Kagawa failed to give even a single key pass during the entire game and left Hernandez starve for chances up front. At the rear Coentrao and especially Rafael were culpable for the goals conceded. As far as Chelsea are concerned, Jose Mourinho will be very happy to see two of his new players impact the game so much. Moreno reduced club captain John Terry to a role from the bench and we could see why as he dominated the game, got a goal, played a key part in delivering a clean sheet and ultimately won the PoM award. Alexis Sanchez was on fire, by far the most dangerous player on the pitch and I thought he was even a little unlucky to finish the game with just one goal.
Gary Lineker: Of course it is too early to draw any conclusions but if this game is to serve us as pointer for where the wind blows to, we are up for a fierce race with a whole bunch of big clubs in with a claim for a slice of glory!
 
has to be ronaldo to city and bale to utd mate!! will be good to see there stats at the end of season
 
groats said:
has to be ronaldo to city and bale to utd mate!! will be good to see there stats at the end of season
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Bale started off with an injury even though it didn't help my cause sadly. If he is that injury prone maybe United threw their cash in the wind and should have gone for Alexis Sanchez instead... but we'll see.
 
I think Chelsea have possibly got rid of Torres? If its an incoming transfer its going to be Vidal?
 
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Porto star joins the Blues
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By Ray Wilkins | Last Updated: August 20, 2014 10:13pm
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Eliaquim becomes latest Mourinho transfer
Mourinho building his own team now, says Ray Wilkins.

Chelsea have announced the signing of FC Porto strong center back Eliaquim Mangala (23) for a 14.5 million pounds fee. Mangala has been in high demand recently and Mourinho faced a serious battle to secure his signature with a few other Premier League clubs also in the running. The defender has progressed a great deal during his three seasons with the Portuguese club and became a full France international.
It is likely there will be no more defensive signings as Mangala is adept at left back and should provide the required depth even for Mourinho's standards. Jose is clearly looking to build his own team this summer after getting to know the squad and whatever his arrangement with the club's Russian owner was, he has obviously received massive war-chest to fight off Manchester City in the transfer market.

Eliaquim Mangala transfer verdict: 8.5/10 - some will be left wondering why another big-money central defender was needed but truth is the Blues are now well-stocked with a variety of very different players in the position and can afford the luxury of tactical flexibility should there be any need to.
 
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Arsenal release Rosicky
Czech international leaves after 8 years
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Fans wish Rosicky well
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By Alan Smith
10:15PM GMT 20 Aug 2014

After eight long years with Arsenal, 98 times capped Czech legend Tomas Rosicky (33) has left the club on a free transfer. For one reason or another Tomas couldn't show the top of his game for the Gunners but will not be blamed for lack of effort. Sadly, numerous injuries hampered what would have been an extraordinary career. He still managed 139 league appearances for Arsenal and scored 16 goals. Three-times Czech champion with Sparta Prague and Bundesliga winner with Dortmund, Tomas spoke of his disappointment of failing to add to his trophy cabinet with the Gunners but emotionally wished the club to end their silverware drought this very season.​
 
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