January 2015 ~ InulPoker Studying

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Fans help Greene buy 2012 tickets

By James Pearce BBC Olympics Correspondent Dai Greene is one of several British Olympic athletes to receive extra London 2012 tickets for their families thanks to help from sports fans.

Competitors only get two tickets for each of their sessions, leading 400m hurdle world champion Greene, 25, to express his frustration on Twitter.

Fans who had become experts at finding tickets on official foreign websites got Greene eight more for his events.

Greene said: "This is exactly what the Olympic spirit embodies."

There were 1.9m applicants for 6.6m public tickets in the first round, with 1.2m missing out More than one million requested tickets for the men's 100m final - 62 for every ticket sold There were more than two million ticket request for the opening ceremony in the first round of sales. Nearly 1.5m tickets for Olympic football remain unsold. The next round of ticket sales by London 2012 organising committee, Locog, will take place in April With demand from the public so high, family members of British Olympic athletes have been faced with the prospect of having to watch their loved ones on television.

But as citizens of the European Union, British sports fans are entitled to buy Olympic tickets from any seller within the EU, as each country is given its own allocation.

Matt de Monte, of London, secured more than 20 tickets for himself from official foreign sellers to watch several different events at the Games. When he heard about Greene's struggle to get hold of tickets, he offered his assistance.

Greene's girlfriend responded to De Monte's message on Twitter, promising that, if he could secure tickets for the Welsh star's events, she and Greene would pay him back.

Within a week, De Monte had purchased eight tickets for Greene's semi-final and final, initially paying £1,500 of his own money to buy them.

A delighted Greene told BBC Sport he was overjoyed that someone he had never met before could help out his family in this way.

"You don't hear of many stories like this. It's usually just doom and gloom - this is somebody going out of their way to help others."

De Monte said: "It feels great. Anything which can help our athletes and Team GB achieve more at the Olympics is fantastic."

Since Greene's success in securing tickets, other sports fans have used Twitter in the same way to contact Olympians to offer their help.

A random group of five people have used their knowledge of official foreign ticket sellers to club together and purchase a total of 14 tickets for Olympic rowing gold medallist Zac Purchase.

Other British athletes have also now turned to Twitter in search of tickets for their families.

The good news for those who have still not been successful is that the next round of sales by the London 2012 Organising Committee (Locog) will take place in April.

Radcliffe backs 'Plastic Brits'

Long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe insists Great Britain should get behind their Olympic athletes, even if they were born abroad.

Selectors have been criticised for choosing athletes who have switched nationalities in order to represent Britain at this summer's Olympics.

US-born hurdler Tiffany Porter is among those critics call 'Plastic Brits'.

But Radcliffe said: "They are going out there giving their absolute best to represent Britain, so get behind them."

2008 - 23rd (marathon) 2004 - DNF (marathon & 10,000m) 2000 - 4th (10,000m) 1996 - 5th (5,000m) Porter, whose mother is from England, captained the Great Britain team at last month's World Indoor Championships, where Cuban-born Yamile Aldama won a surprise gold for Britain in the triple jump.

"I think you need to look at each individual case," said Radcliffe. "I don't think it's by any means a case of Britain going round and buying athletes in, as has been the case in other countries.

"I think these are people who actually do feel an affinity with Britain, they want that opportunity to compete in the British kit with the Union Jack on their vest."

Meanwhile, Radcliffe still believes she can claim gold for Britain this summer despite her struggle for fitness.

Paula Radcliffe launches British 10k run

The 38-year-old booked her place in the marathon after achieving the qualifying time with a third-placed finish in September's Berlin Marathon, her first full-distance event since November 2009 after she took a 19-month break to have her second child.

The marathon world record holder is desperate to arrive fully fit at an Olympic Games after she failed to finish the race in Athens in 2004, while four years later in Beijing she ended down in 23rd place.

"Most importantly I think is to be able to get to that start line 100% healthy and able to give it my best shot on the day," she said.

"That's what I feel I haven't been able to do in the last two [Olympics] and I really just want that chance.

"I hope that's good enough to win a medal, win the race - I think it can be on the right day."

She made her comeback in May last year at the London 10,000m race, where she came third, but she has had a series of health problems which have included a torn disc in her back, an overactive thyroid gland and tendonitis.

Since securing Olympic selection, she has raced just once in a 10km road race in December and her first race of 2012 will be a half marathon in Vienna next week.

Radcliffe beaten by Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie beat Paula Radcliffe in Sunday's head-to-head half marathon in Vienna.

The Briton had targeted a time below 70 minutes in the "Emperor versus the Queen" race.

However, she ended with a time of 1 hour 12 min 03sec, 11 minutes 11 seconds behind the Ethiopian.

"I am at a loss to explain why it was quite so bad. I still would have expected and hoped for a time in the 69s," she told BBC Radio 5 live .

Gebrselassie, who has not qualified for the men's marathon in London, finished in 1:00.52sec.

"Paula Radcliffe was passed at the three-quarter mark, which was far earlier than expected. Her time of 72 minutes and three seconds is more than two minutes slower than any of her previous half marathons. It is not the confidence booster she was looking for in the build up to the Olympic marathon."

Radcliffe had a head start of seven minutes 52 seconds in the 13.1 mile race, which is the difference between their respective personal bests.

Radcliffe, who viewed the race as an important part of her preparation ahead of the Olympic marathon on 5 August, set a good early tempo and passed the 5km point in 16:13.

After surprisingly running past his pacemaker, Kenyan Philemon Rono, Gebrselassie upped his pace and passed the 5km mark in 14:12.

Having reduced the gap to only 3:42 at the 9km mark, the Ethiopian was well on target to pass Radcliffe with ease.

He did so at 15.3km, waving an encouraging arm to her as he ran past. But the Briton's pace had slowed to a long way behind her personal best.

She eventually finished well behind the two-time Olympic 10,000 metre champion, and appeared to shed tears of frustration after posting her slowest ever time for the half marathon.

The women's marathon world-record holder has not been in the best of health in the last fortnight, tweeting on Friday that she was relieved to have made it to Vienna after a bout of bronchitis and pleurisy.

'I didn't feel myself' - Radcliffe

She said the illness had been a factor in her slow time, but feels she should still have run far quicker.

"I know that racing on antibiotics isn't the best idea, and that is why I did not expect fireworks coming in," she added.

"The format of the race meant that I could not stop, even though I felt really bad, so I tried to just keep going. I tried to zone out and just get through it. That it was I did, and I feel a bit shaky now.

"The thing that worries me is that I did not feel myself out there while running. The danger is that it affects my confidence [for the London Olympics]."

However, the 38-year-old insists that she is entirely focused on the Games, and will use the races between now and August to rebuild her morale.

"I am not giving up on it by any means," she said.

"I think I need to get out and race and feel like myself. The 10kms that I race, and if I do race a half marathon, are a build up for the [Olympic marathon].

"They are not races for running as fast as I can in their own right. But I still want to go out and feel strong and feel good."

I want 9.4secs at Olympics - Bolt

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt wants to "amaze" the world at London 2012 by running 9.4 seconds for the 100m and 19 seconds for the 200m.

Jamaican Bolt, 25, is the reigning Olympic champion and world-record holder over both distances, with times of 9.58secs and 19.19secs.

"People are looking forward to me running 9.4, 19 seconds, anything that's amazing," Bolt told BBC Sport.

Bolt's 9.58secs 100m World Record was set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. In that race he covered 10.43m a second in roughly 40 strides. If he hit the 9.4secs mark, Bolt would have to cover 10.63m a second. That would be the equivalent of 1.88m quicker over the distance - about three quarters of the lengths of one of his strides. "So I'm working as hard as possible so I can go as fast as possible."

Talking on the BBC1 programme 100 Days To Go, Bolt added that more performances, such as the ones that saw him take three gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, would make him "a living legend".

"They want to see my personality, me enjoying it and doing crazy stuff, but they also want to see that time," he said.

"If I dominate the Olympics, I'll be a living legend. A living legend walking around. Sounds good."

American swimmer Michael Phelps, a 14-time Olympic champion, said he hoped London would be the perfect ending to a stellar career.

"Being able to prepare myself to look back through my career and say I've done everything I've wanted and I've been successful is something I really want to do," said the 26-year-old.

Bolt and Phelps primed for Olympics

"This is the last chapter of my career as an athlete and I'm just hoping it goes the way I want. I'm trying to work as hard as I can to make sure it does."

Meanwhile, England footballer David Beckham, who hopes to be part of the GB side, expressed his pride at the possibility of competing in his home town.

"To see the transformation in east London, somewhere I was brought up as a kid, is really incredible.

"As a fan of the Olympics and as a dad, to be able to say that I am going to be able to take my sons and my daughter to an Olympic Games in the place where I grew up, I'm proud of that."

Greene announces Rome race date

Dai Greene has confirmed his Diamond League season will begin at the Golden Gala in Rome on 31 May.

The 400m hurdles world champion will continue his London Olympic preparations in Oslo on 7 June, in Paris on 6 July and at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 13-14 July.

"I had to be sure my calendar got me in the best shape for London," said Welshman Greene.

"We've decided to do all the European Diamond League competitions."

The 25-year-old, who is also the reigning European and Commonwealth champion, is viewed as one of Great Britain's best hopes for track gold in London this summer.

"It's so important to periodise the year ahead," added Greene. "Obviously during the winter months I was training at such a high volume, whereas now during the summer months the volume [of training] is far less to ensure my body recovers.

"But I train at a higher intensity and there's nothing more intense than Diamond League events."

GB draw on Petitclerc experience

By Elizabeth Hudson BBC Paralympic sports reporter The Great Britain Paralympic athletics team are hoping that the influence of one of the world's most successful Paralympians can help them star at London 2012.

The team struggled in Beijing, winning just two gold medals - both from wheelchair racer David Weir - in a total of 17 medals.

But the appointment of Swedish-born head coach Peter Eriksson in early 2009 has revitalised the team and the arrival of the squad's newest addition, 14-time Paralympic gold medallist Chantal Petitclerc as a coach and mentor, means the future is looking bright.

While Eriksson has brought in many new initiatives, including closer integration with the Olympic team, the appointment of his long-time charge is the most eye-catching.

Canadian wheelchair racer Petitclerc has been one of the most stellar stars in the sport, winning five gold medals in both the Athens and Beijing Games at distances from 100m up to 1500m.

And the long-time rival of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson wants to use all her expertise to help the GB squad.

"I retired four years ago with a lot of medals and a lot of experience, which I want to share, so when I was asked to consider the role I thought it would be a great opportunity for me," Petitclerc told BBC Sport.

Great Britain finished 18th in the athletics medal table in Beijing, behind the likes of Tunisia, Kenya, Cuba and Mexico. China topped the table, ahead of Australia, South Africa, Canada and the USA. GB were 12th in the athletics standings in Athens in 2004 with 17 medals including 6 golds. "I wanted to be in London so although it will be a little strange not to be competing, I will be there with the athletes.

"I'm happy to do it all - whether that is at the track helping with strategy and positioning and advice, having coffee with nervous athletes or holding water bottles at the track for athletes after they finish training or competing."

Eriksson has set a target for London of around 25 medals, including five to six golds.

The team finished in third place in the medals table at last year's World Championships in New Zealand with 12 golds in their 38-medal total and his tough stance has helped to revitalise the programme.

Now coaches like Dan Pfaff and Lloyd Cowan are working not only with the Olympic hopefuls but also the Paralympic squad and Eriksson's mantra of "everything the same" is clearly evident.

"It is tougher today to be on the Paralympic programme than on the Olympic programme, because if you don't medal, you won't be on podium funding year-to-year," explained Eriksson.

"Instead of having a rewards programme, where you stayed on the team forever, now it is about investing in medals and it has upped the standards quite a bit and we have a lot of new young athletes who are performing."

And if any of the GB team, including female wheelchair racers like Shelly Woods, Hannah Cockcroft and Jade Jones, need to find out about how a Paralympic gold medal can change your life, they will not need to go too far to get Petitclerc's insight.

Petitclerc competed in five Paralympic Games (Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing) She has won 21 Paralympic medals (including 14 golds) She still holds four world records (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m) She also holds five Paralympic records (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m) In 2004 she won an Olympic gold medal in the 800m when it was held as a demonstration event "I was always a very passionate and intense athlete and Beijing was so intense," she admits.

"I knew I was going there to win five gold medals for the second time in a row, which had never been done before, so it came with a lot of pressure and I had also decided it would be my last Paralympics. Looking back now, I just can't believe I made it happen.

"Working here with some of the younger members of the GB team it has brought me back many years. The energy is so high and positive and they have great potential.

"Many of these athletes will have the experience of having their first Games on home soil, which will never happen again, so I think they have to realise it is a unique privilege and as well as the performance, I want them to realise how great it is to have that experience and enjoy it.

"But winning a gold medal is certainly life-changing and you can't really prepare for it when you are at a Games. Then you land back home and you find your life has changed. People recognise you and even now there are people who remember me competing who want autographs and photos.

"It's great but it does come with pressure and time management and your life is completely different.

"I think as part of the GB team I will be happy if they make it to their goal in terms of medals but personally I will be very happy if I can come out of this games having made a difference and helped individuals make their dreams happen."

You can hear more from Chantal Petitclerc in Sportsworld this Sunday on BBC World Service from 1500-1800 GMT/1600-1900 BST

Mutai to defend title after fever

Date: Sunday, 22 AprilCoverage start time: 0830 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC One HD, Radio 5 live and online; live text on BBC Sport website; highlights on BBC Two at 1700 BST; watch again on iPlayer

Emmanuel Mutai is determined to defend his London Marathon title on Sunday, despite contracting typhoid last month.

The Kenyan missed some training after catching the fever a month ago, but he needs to set a good time to earn his place on his country's Olympic team.

Simon King 5 live weather forecaster

The weather looks ideal as the morning starts off mostly cloudy but dry and cool with a temperature of about 6C. Throughout the morning, the clouds thicken and the risk of showers increases, especially into the afternoon where some of them could be fairly heavy and significant. The maximum temperature will reach around 11C and there'll be a moderate westerly wind.

"I had a fever a few weeks ago, and was under medication, but I am feeling better now and my recovery has been good. I will try my best," he said.

The 27-year-old set a course record in winning the race last year.

However, he is one of six Kenyan athletes, including world record holder Patrick Makau and world champion Abel Kirui, who are on a provisional list competing for the three places on the team at the London Games. Kenyan selectors will name their final three for the Olympics at the end of April.

"The selection is challenging, but I think if I can finish in the top three here I will qualify," said Mutai, who won last year with a time of two hours, four minutes and 39 seconds.

"For me this will definitely be a tougher competition than last year because the field is so strong.

"Everyone has run a good time so I will have to perform at my best."

Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede is the only non-Kenyan to have won the men's title in the last eight years and the 2010 winner leads this year's challenge to them.

Ejegayehu Dibaba , the oldest of three Ethiopian sisters who have all made their mark on the track, steps up to the marathon for only the second time in London this Sunday.

Dibaba, 30, has been overshadowed by Tirunesh, a double Olympic champion in Beijing, while a second sister Genzebe emerged this year to win the world indoor 1,500 title in Istanbul.

Last year Ejegayehu, in her first race beyond 10kms, clocked two hours, 22 minutes and nine seconds while finishing second in the Chicago marathon, the third fastest debut ever.

Five women are competing for three places in the Kenyan women's Olympic team, including defending champion Mary Keitany.

"I will have to work extra hard on Sunday because I know it will be my last chance to impress the selectors," she said.

Germany's two-time champion Irina Mikitenko said the London race often contained stronger fields than the world or European championships which made it an ideal test for this year's London Olympics.

"Just as in a championship, you have to be self-reliant," she said. "Something completely unexpected can happen and you have to radically change your plans during the race. But I like that kind of challenge."

Keitany wins 2011 women's marathon

Jenkins second in World Triathlon

Britain's Helen Jenkins finished second in the opening round of the World Triathlon Series in Sydney.

The reigning world champion was beaten by Australia's Erin Densham, who won with a time of 2hr 1min 29sec.

Great Britain's triathlon world champion Alistair Brownlee and his brother Jonny did not participate in the men's event.

Alistair, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, and Jonny have already qualified for the Olympics.

1. Erin Densham (Aus) 2hr 1min 29sec

2. Helen Jenkins (GB) 2:01.38

3. Andrea Hewitt (NZ) 2:01.45

4. Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 2:02.12

5. Nicola Spirig (Swi) 2:02.19

Jenkins was pleased with a podium finish in the first race of the series, and is happy with her overall preparation ahead of the Olympic event, which takes place in Hyde Park on 4 August.

"Normally it takes me a few races to warm up, so to come out and get a podium performance is brilliant," she said.

"My winter training has gone well, and ahead of the next race in San Diego I'll get another block of training in.

"I will try to keep progressing from this race, looking forward towards the Olympics."

Densham, who had surgery two years ago to correct an accelerated heart rate, finished nine seconds ahead of Jenkins.

The 26-year-old outpaced the British athlete in the final kilometre of the run to record her second victory in three weeks on the international circuit, following her World Cup win on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on 25 March.

1. Steffen Justus (Ger) 1 hr 51min 4sec

2. Richard Murray (SA) 1:51.13

3. Laurent Vidal (Fra) 1:51.15

4. David Hauss (Fra) 1:51.30

5. Alexander Bryukhankov (Rus) 1:51.31

"There was more pressure today in knowing what I could do and coming to do it again," Densham said.

"I am sure there were probably a few people who thought it was a one-off, so I am just glad I have done it again and hopefully I can put some of those doubters to rest."

Germany's Steffen Justus won the opening round of the men's World Triathlon Series with a time of 1hr 51min 4sec.

Justus pulled away on the run leg to beat South African Richard Murray, who became the first African to record a podium finish in the event.

Frenchman Laurent Vidal finished third.

The second World Championship Series event is 10-12 May in San Diego, followed by Madrid from 26-27 May.

Jennings meets Olympics standard

Ireland's selectors have been handed a dilemma after Catriona Jennings became the fourth Irish woman to run inside the 'A' standard for the Olympics.

Only three can be included in the Irish athletics team for the London Games.

Jennings, from Donegal, ran a lifetime best of two hours, 36 minutes and 14 seconds in Rotterdam on Sunday.

It made her the second-fastest among the Irish runners who have met the qualifying requirement, behind Ava Hutchinson's 2:35.33.

The other Irish women to have run inside the 2:37.00 standard are Linda Byrne and Maria McCambridge.

Athletics Ireland will announce which runners are being nominated on 14 May, and then the final selection decision will be made by the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Three Irish male runners - Sean Connolly, Gary Thornton and Thomas Frazier - fell short of the 2:15.00 Oympic target time in Rotterdam.

Athletes get Olympic ticket boost

UK Athletics has said it will buy tickets to ensure British athletes' friends and families can watch them perform at the London 2012 Olympics.

Team GB competitors get two tickets for their first appearance from the British Olympic Association, and the option to buy two tickets for any other sessions.

But UK Athletics (UKA) has become the first national governing body to pay for those tickets through to the final.

The move comes exactly 100 days before the start of the Games.

There were 1.9m applicants for 6.6m public tickets in the first round, with 1.2m missing out More than one million requested tickets for the men's 100m final - 62 for every ticket sold There were more than two million ticket requests for the opening ceremony in the first round of sales Nearly 1.5m tickets for Olympic football remain unsold The next round of ticket sales by London 2012 organising committee, Locog, will take place later in April UKA chief executive Niels de Vos said: "This is essentially a performance decision - the last thing we want athletes to be worrying about is the cost or availability of tickets for their mum and dad, boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife.

"But it is also about recognising that, without the massive support and sacrifice of friends and family, over many years, most athletes would never have made it to elite level."

Pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale said: "For me, having people close to me there and supporting me is a big boost. I always compete to my best when I'm at my happiest, so to hear this is great."

It is not known whether other governing bodies will follow the lead of UK Athletics.

Earlier this month David Hoy, father of four-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris, criticised the London 2012 ticketing process , saying he is struggling to get hold of tickets to watch his son compete.

He said: "I don't think athletes' families have been taken into consideration. It's not rocket science."

Gebrselassie ends Olympic dream

Former marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie has given up on his dream of competing in London 2012.

The Ethiopian, who turns 39 on Wednesday, was a two-time Olympic 10,000m champion before switching to the 26-mile distance in 2004.

But he has been unable to win a place in Ethiopia's Olympic marathon team.

"Many Ethiopian athletes run 2:04 and Haile cannot run that any more. He has given up on the Olympics with pain in his heart," said manager Jos Hermans.

1993 World Championships: Gold (10,000m), Silver (5,000m)

1995 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

1996 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)

1997 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

1999 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

2000 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)

2001 World Championships: Bronze (10,000m)

2003 World Championships: Silver (10,000m)

The athlete suffered a setback in his bid to qualify for London 2012 by finishing fourth in February's Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:08.17.

Eighteen of his compatriots have clocked faster marathon times this year, which left the veteran with an uphill battle to earn his place.

Gebrselassie insists he will continue to run long distance and has confirmed his participation in May's 10k Great Manchester Run, which he has won in each of the last three years.

"Although I will not be taking part in the Olympic marathon I am still enjoying my athletics career and looking forward to coming to Manchester again and to a course which I love," he said.

London 2012 One extraordinary year graphic

But Gebrselassie, who also won four World 10,000m titles, admits he plans to run his final competitive track race over the middle distance in the Netherlands next month.

"This will be my last 10,000 metres race," he said. "But I still feel good. There is only a small difference compared to 2011. I am just a bit slower now."

Last weekend he beat Britain's Paula Radcliffe in a head-to-head half marathon, dubbed the "Emperor versus the Queen" race, in Vienna.

Gebrselassie, who gave a head start of seven minutes 52 seconds to Radcliffe in the 13.1 mile race, finished in 1:00.52.

GB team 'can hit medal target'

By Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer, BBC Sport UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee insists his squad can hit his ambitious target of eight medals at this summer's Olympic Games.

Four years ago in Beijing Britain won only four in athletics.

But with 100 days to go until the opening ceremony in London, Van Commenee believes that can be doubled.

"The statistics and the results over the last three years indicate that we should be able to be there or thereabouts," he told BBC Sport:

"99% of the work is done. We have to do much better than in the previous Olympics.

"It's been difficult at times, having hard conversations and decisions to make. The effort has left me feeling 12 years older, but at the same time it feels as though my first championships - which were the European Indoors in Turin - were last week.

“Van Commenee is that 21st century sporting curio, a head coach who doesn't actually coach any athletes. So what exactly does he do with his time?”

Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer, BBC Sport "I always say to the athletes, 'you'll wake up tomorrow and see the Olympic flame. So, are you ready?' I'm fully aware that the next three months will go like that."

Van Commenee once again hit back at those who have called members of his squad "plastic Brits".

He has been criticised by some commentators for selecting athletes like United States-born hurdler Tiffany Porter and Cuban-born triple-jumper Yamile Aldama for the British team.

But he told BBC Sport: "I work for the United Kingdom. That's the word - United. Shouldn't that mean something? Doesn't 'United Kingdom' stand for something, for anything?

"There is no such thing as 'plastic Brits', I think sport, and the Olympics in particular, is about bringing people together. It's about inclusion. It's not about separation or exclusion.

"So I expect our people to stand behind the team, and back the team, because that's the essence of sport."

When Van Commenee made Porter his team captain at last month's World Indoors in Istanbul, a reporter from the Daily Mail asked the hurdler to sing the national anthem. She refused, and as the affair escalated the newspaper was banned from team news conferences.

Porter was born in Michigan but has an English mother and has held British citizenship since birth. Aldama, who won gold in Turkey, has previously represented Cuba and Sudan, but has been married to a Scotsman for 11 years and first applied for British citizenship in 2001.

Christine Ohuruogu: 400m (gold) Germaine Mason: High jump (silver) Phillips Idowu: Triple jump (silver) Tasha Danvers: 400m hurdles (bronze) "In the end I was quite pleased," said Van Commenee of the row. "When some people have different agendas, that's not something I could help.

"In the end it worked out really well because it brought the team together. We had great team bonding, and that was maybe also a result of negative forces around us."

Van Commenee also insisted that his ongoing dispute with former world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu is "not a problem".

Last July he heavily criticised Idowu in a BBC interview, accusing him of using Twitter to announce his withdrawal from the European Team Championships.

A furious Idowu demanded a public apology that has never been forthcoming. When I talked to him earlier this year, Idowu admitted he could not remember the last time the pair had spoken.

"He's coached by his own coach, whom I speak to weekly, and meet very regularly," said Van Commenee.

"So the coach, and the medical team, are all directed by me, and they keep me updated, and we talk about progress and plans.

"The last time I spoke to him [Idowu] was around the Twitter affair, or just before actually. The lines of communication are open at this end. That remains.

"I offered my hand, and it's there. Most important is that he's got a good team around him, and that's the case, and they work under the guidance of UK Athletics."

Williams defends Team GB position

Sprinter Delano Williams has defended his decision to try out for Great Britain, because his native Turks and Caicos Islands are not eligible for London 2012.

As a British Overseas Territory, citizens can obtain a British passport and he plans to use his to compete.

"Turks & Caicos do not have an Olympic committee," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Population: 30,600 Area: 166 sq miles Currency: US dollar Notable sportsmen: Trevor Ariza, small forward for NBA side the New Orleans Hornets The 100m and 200m runner added he found London "pretty cool" on his only past trip to the United Kingdom.

Jamaica-based Williams received his passport on 31 January and his Olympic future will be decided next time he travels the 7,000 miles to Britain for the Olympic trials in June.

The 18-year-old will go up against the likes of James Ellington, Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm to seal a spot on the 200m team.

Olympic rules state a maximum of three 'A' standard athletes - a qualification Williams reached after he clocked a personal best 20.53 secs at a meeting in February - or one 'B' standard athlete can compete for each nation at a sprint event.

Selectors have been criticised for choosing athletes who have switched nationalities in order to represent Britain at this summer's Olympics, but Williams vowed to ignore these calls.

"Yes, there is a lot of criticism going round but I am not focusing on that. I block out the negativity and do not worry about what people say," he told 5 Live's London Calling programme which is to be broadcast at 2130 BST on Thursday.

"I just perform my best and do what I have to do."

Get behind 'plastic Brits' - Radcliffe

His personal best time is 0.01 secs behind Ellington, but a long way behind the decade-old benchmarks set by Devonish ( 20.19 ) and Malcolm ( 20.08 ).

His time is, however, faster than those set by the veteran pair in 2011 and would have been good enough to finish sixth at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Williams's potential was underlined when he claimed the 100m title at Jamaica's Inter-Secondary School Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the end of March, an event previously won by Asafa Powell and current Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt.

Athletics halted after Greek cuts

Greece's athletics federation (Segas) has suspended domestic events because of severe spending cuts in the country.

The governing board of Segas has stopped all track and field activity until cuts to funding are reviewed by the country's government.

The suspension will not affect Greece's representation in this summer's Olympic Games in London or the Olympic flame lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia.

Greece has faced the threat of bankruptcy since 2009.

In a statement the federation said it had decided to suspend events "until the decisions of the unfair and selective cuts" are reviewed by the government.

On Tuesday, Segas president Vassilis Secastis said coaching staff and suppliers had not been paid for months because of funding reductions.

All competition is now suspended until funding cuts are reconsidered including a meet planned for 12 May.

Although the suspension does not currently affect international competitions, the federation could toughen its stance if the government fails to respond.

Merrien in top form for Marathon

Guernsey runner Lee Merrien says he is in the best shape of his life as he prepares to try and qualify for the marathon at the Olympic Games.

The 32-year-old must finish in under two hours 12 minutes in Sunday's London Marathon to be considered for a place in the British team.

"I'm in as good a shape as I've ever been in," he told BBC Guernsey.

Merrien, who ran at the last World Championships, has been altitude training in Kenya ahead of the race.

"I've been going out to Kenya on a regular basis for the past couple of years.

"I find it's helped me massively, it's high altitude at 8,000ft, some challenging terrain and no shortage of inspiration in terms of the number of runners you see around the place, both Kenyan and from around the world," Merrien said.

In the preparation for the London Marathon Merrien has been running up to 120 miles-per-week as he aims to make the 'A' standard for Olympic qualification.

Great Britain only have two places left on their marathon team as Scott Overall has already run under 2:12, and Merrien expects the best two British finishers on Sunday to be selected for the Olympics.

"If more than two Brits finish ahead of me under 2:12, then the chances are they're more likely to be picked.

"If I'm the first or second Brit under 2:12 then that should pretty much guarantee me selection."

Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rescues point as Arsene Wenger's injury worries mount

Arsenal were left licking their wounds - and counting them - after a north London derby in which they lost three players to injury, claimed they should have had a penalty and after which manager Arsène Wenger accused Tottenham Hotspur of persistent time-wasting and effectively cheating the paying public.

Suffice to say Spurs did not see it that way, and with some justification.

And nor did their supporters who, despite their team losing a precious lead, sang long and hard at the final whistle. This fixture, which so often has become an annual endurance for Spurs fans, ended in a draw but will have felt like a victory.

Wenger lost Mikel Arteta (calf), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and he ruled both out of the vital midweek Champions League tie at home to Galatasaray and next week’s encounter away to Chelsea. Jack Wilshere may be absent also after rolling his ankle in a first-half tackle which, Wenger said, should have resulted in a penalty even if his players did not demand one.

“The penalties in the rule book are not decided on the intensity of the appeal,” was scoffed Wenger. “Suddenly we are short (of players). We have six players out. (Abou) Diaby is not ready, that’s seven.

Suddenly it’s a worry.” Arsenal are short of points also. They remain unbeaten in the Premier League, but there remains the sense that they are teetering on the verge of another bout of anxiety. The next two matches appear even more pivotal.

Referee Michael Oliver booked nine players - six from Spurs, three from Arsenal - but Wenger demanded that there should have been even more action from the official. “They (Spurs) took every second they could again to make the game last as little as possible,” Wenger claimed. “I would like to see one time a referee react against that in a proper way. They tried to gain time to slow the game down. It is normal. I understand it completely from Tottenham. But the referee is there to respect the game. People pay money to be in the stands to watch football.” Asked what he expected from the referee, he said: “Book straight away. When the keeper gets the ball and he walks from one side of the goal to the other (to waste time) and the next time (after he is booked) he takes it from where the ball is.” Wenger’s frustration was clear but should have been directed at the wastefulness of his players who eked out opportunities but failed to take them. Not that Spurs were overly taxed. As well as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and captain Younès Kaboul played, as much possession as Arsenal had, and as much pressure as they exerted, it was hardly a desperate siege. Sound familiar?

Spurs arrived with a clear game-plan and for manager Mauricio Pochettino it must have felt like this was a little more his team. They deliberately defended deep, they remained compact but they also chose their moments to attack aggressively and press Arsenal far up the pitch.

Tactically it was well thought through and well-executed. Pochettino deserves credit for that and he was evidently pleased. It felt, for Pochettino, like a game in which the “mentality” he wants to install starting to deliver.

Unsurprisingly he brushed aside Wenger’s time-wasting accusation. “It’s difficult to analyse this moment that we wasted time,” he said, not wanting to engage and perhaps also hiding behind his limited English. “I think no.

“We tried to play in our way and the way we planned the game. OK, this is football.” Pochettino showed a boldness in handing a league debut to Ryan Mason. The midfielder may be 23 but he has spent much of his Spurs career out on loan and while he eventually faded this was a performance of promise as he showed energy and an ability to use the ball positively. During a first-half in which chances were at a premium Mason created one opportunity by breaking into the area, only to cross straight into Wojciech Szczesny’s arms with Emmanuel Adebayor lurking.

For Arsenal, Danny Welbeck had a shot blocked by Kaboul. Lloris then excelled himself by stretching to turn away Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dangerous curling effort after he was set up by Ramsey. Wilshere worked his way into the area and went over under Danny Rose’s challenge. It was this incident that Wenger said was a penalty but maybe the distraction of Ramsey’s rolled ankle took over.

Half-chances fell to Adebayor, who was slow to react, before Per Mertesacker drew a fine save from his own goalkeeper as he inadvertently headed a corner towards the Arsenal net.

Spurs seized the lead. It came as Arsenal tried to play the ball out and Mathieu Flamini was dispossessed by Christian Eriksen who found Erik Lamela. He quickly moved it onto Nacer Chadli and suddenly he was in on goal and calmly swept it across Szczesny. Arsenal almost found an immediate response with a powerful header by Mertesacker which Lloris somehow managed to claw off the line.

Could Spurs hang on? Pochettino became increasingly animated and the pressure grew. Lamela sliced a clearance straight to Alexis Sanchez who teed up another substitute, Santi Cazorla. His shot turned into a pass for Welbeck but he took an air-shot. Nevertheless it distracted the Spurs defender and Oxlade-Chamberlain lofted the ball past Lloris to earn a deserved point.

Anderlecht 1 Arsenal 2: happy returns for Arsene Wenger as Lukas Podolski secures late victory in Brussels

The party took fully 88 minutes to get started but it can be safely assumed that Arsene Wenger has never experienced a birthday surprise quite like this.

Gift-wrapped by Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Podolski, Arsenal ended what had been one of the least convincing performances of Wenger’s entire reign as manager with two goals in two minutes to clinch what was a most improbable and fortuitous victory. Forget ‘Happy Birthday’, a rendition of ‘Boring Boring Arsenal’ would have been more appropriate for the majority of this match but Arsenal do again find themselves within touching distance of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Yet as Wenger acknowledged, the game actually hinged on Anderlecht’s profligacy in missing clear chances to go 2-0 ahead rather than any earlier quality from Arsenal. A massive improvement is needed if Arsenal are to realistically think about winning the Champions League in what is now their 17th campaign under Wenger.

“I know by experience that, in the last five minutes in the Champions League, the nerves play a part,” said Wenger. “We had to get into these five minutes without conceding the second goal. If they had scored the second goal, it was game over. We took all the risks and, in the end, it paid off. The quality of the players who came on and our experience made the difference unexpectedly.”

That specifically applied to Podolski who, despite being such a peripheral member of the squad this season, again underlined his status as the best finisher at the club. Podolski’s Arsenal future has appeared in serious doubt but Wenger is adamant that he remains firmly part of his plans.

“We know he can always score,” said Wenger. “He is frustrated and I understand that but he’s important. He showed that and he will be important in the coming months. It took him a while to get back to a good physical level after the World Cup and now he’s nearly there.

“He was never close to leaving in the summer. He has 115 caps for Germany. That is not a coincidence. It shows you the quality and he is a guy you want to have the ball in the box - his shot is fantastic and his accuracy is great.”

Wenger had spoken before the game of how Arsenal were searching for a moment of inspiration to kick-start their stuttering season and, while this may just have been provided by Podolski, it should not obscure another example of familiar failings.

Every team clearly now knows how to play Arsenal and, in describing Anderlecht’s performance as “perfect” until the 89th minute, it was hard not to agree with manager Besnik Hasi’s claim that the best team had lost. Anderlecht’s tactics were simple enough. They accepted that Arsenal would dominate possession but, with Steven Defour and Youri Tielemans diligently congesting the midfield, Arsenal were sucked forward while creating few clear chances.

When an Arsenal player did then inevitability misplace a pass, Anderlecht launched quick counter-attacks down the flanks. Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere had license to push forward in the 4-1-4-1 system that has produced few positive results this season and Arsenal’s passing was generally slow and predictable. The one exception was Alexis Sanchez who created their best first-half chance when his pace got him beyond Anderlecht left-back Frank Achaempong only for Santi Cazorla to miscue his finish into the crowd.

Ooyala:

It was a surprise that Wenger had asked Calum Chambers to play at right-back rather than in central defence and he was certainly targeted by Achaempong, with Nacho Monreal again also unconvincing alongside Per Mertesacker. Yet it was still not until late into the first-half that Arsenal’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was called into action on his Champions League when he blocked a shot from Dennis Praet.

The pattern of Arsenal’s persistent but plodding attacks continued after the interval and, while Sanchez, Ramsey and Cazorla all had chances, Anderlecht became increasingly incisive when they did break forward. Predictably, Arsenal also proved to be at their most vulnerable while in possession. Gibbs had galloped forward in the mistaken belief that Cazorla would not misplace his pass. He did.

Defour duly chipped the ball down the line to Andy Najar, who passed to Praet before sprinting into the penalty area to rise above Chambers and head the return cross beyond Martinez.

Wenger’s response was to belatedly bring on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and Podolski but his team initially became even more susceptible to the counter-attack. Anthony Vanden Borre broke from full-back into Arsenal’s penalty area and hit the post, with Najar then wastefully shooting into the side-netting. It proved to be the pivotal moment, with Arsenal punishing Anderlecht’s profligacy in a dramatic finale. First Chambers crossed for Gibbs to volley emphatically past Silvio Proto and then Podolski underlined his quality in front of goal with a match-winning finish.

In claiming that there had been a “huge foul” on Defour in the build up to the goal, Hasi also angrily suggested that “little” countries do not get the major refereeing decisions. The pensioner in the Arsenal dug-out was unmoved. The birthday smash and grab was also complete.

Mesut Ozil: The Arsenal and Germany fans believe in me. That is what really matters

“I saw all the messages for us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It was the main news. So many posts. It made me even more proud to see how many people were sending messages in. We saw it again when we went back to Berlin [for the victory parade]. The Brandenburg Gate was shut by 8am. There was so much excitement.

“The fans believed I played a good World Cup. The statistics show that as well. I was satisfied with my performance at the World Cup. I know I could have scored more goals and shot more but I was surprised the press was negative.”

To English eyes, criticism of Özil is slightly surprising given the memories of him ripping England’s Under-21s to pieces in winning the 2009 Uefa final in Malmo, and then inflicting the same punishment on Gareth Barry and the seniors in Bloemfontein at the World Cup the following year, ending up with joint most assists and being signed by Real Madrid where he won La Liga under Jose Mourinho. He scored five times as Germany qualified for Euro 2012 where he was voted into the team of the tournament.

When he then left Real for Arsenal for £42?million, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke ruefully about the loss of a player who would invariably find him with a pass. Some criticisms have been levelled at Özil at Arsenal, particularly after failures to protect his full-back or track runners during the defeats to Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. He still ended the season with five goals and nine assists in the league – and also an FA Cup.

Yet the most expensive German footballer has still been stalked by unflattering headlines. Perhaps it is Özil’s undemonstrative demeanour.

Perhaps it is his fragility in the tackle. Does he dominate games enough?

Last March, the respected Kicker magazine ran the front-page headline: “The Özil Debate: is he one for the big games?” Lothar Matthaus, Paul Breitner and Michael Ballack were among those German legends who questioned him. “The 'Özil debate’?’’ the man himself reflected. “It was strange. There I was, so close to the start of a massive tournament, and all their eyes are on me, criticising me. It was not just Kicker, but also TV and other publications. It surprised me. In my first season at Arsenal there were times when I was not at my best but in the qualifiers for the national team I did perform well. Look, I scored the most goals in qualifying [eight].

“The negative headlines were unfair. As a player it was hard to understand when I’d played such a big part in getting Germany to Brazil. But I’m not the sort of person who lets myself be pressured by the media. I am strong enough and confident enough in myself.

“People wrote so negatively about me but generally the people who are familiar with football know my strengths and abilities. I was voted three times Germany’s national player of the year and that is decided by the fans. That shows the fans are there for me and believe in me. I want to say how thankful I am that they’ve supported me in such a fantastic way.’’

Germany’s coach, Joachim Löw, started him in all the World Cup; Özil scored against Algeria in the round of 16 but the narrow win over France in the quarter-finals led to the barbs coming his way again. Was it his decision not to sing the German anthem? Was it anything to do with his Turkish roots?

“No, I don’t think that’s where the criticism comes from because I’ve played for the national team for so long,’’ replied Özil. “It’s so strange. The negative criticism came out of nowhere: it went from zero to 100. I went from being the darling of German football, the jewel in the crown, to being hammered in the media.

“I don’t think the criticism of my performances is to do with my background, with my parents being Turkish. I’m third generation. I was born in Germany, grew up in Germany and many of my friends are German. I love playing for Germany. I’m proud I can play for the national team.”

The problem was more positional. Often perceived as a No?10 – and there is so much emphasis on the No?10 in Germany – Özil was deployed on the left flank at the World Cup, rather than in his preferred playmaker role, because of Marco Reus’s injury. “I’m one of the best players in the world in that No?10 position,’’ said Özil. “Fans, coaches, players and everyone knows that my best position is playmaker.

“It’s different playing on the left. When I was in Madrid, I often played on the right. I enjoyed that because I’m left-footed and I was able to cut inside to give assists and get shots on target. On the left, it’s more difficult. If I do get past someone I’m still away from the danger zone, still on the flank, and it’s harder for me to find the final ball with my right foot than with my left.

“But Joachim Löw needed me on the left. It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team. It’s not my favourite position but I was willing to play there for the team. It was difficult just before the tournament started that I was suddenly playing on the left and had a different role. I needed to get my bearings, which I did. I think I did my job well there. The Boss saw me as being able to play on the right and we ended up as world champions.

“The opinions of fans are important to me and I’m happy they have such high expectations of me. I have high expectations of myself. I know what I can do and in the past few years I’ve shown that I belong to the select group of best players in the world as a No?10. What’s important is that the manager gives me his trust and in Joachim Löw and Arsène Wenger I have two managers who do exactly that. Both coaches know that my favourite position is the No? 10. I’ve played on the left in a World Cup and for Arsenal but my best performances come as a 10.”

With No?8 on his back and a place on the left, Özil delivered his best display of the World Cup, clocking up more than 6.8 miles in the annihilation of Brazil in the semi-final, creating a goal for Sami Khedira when he could have scored himself. In the Maracana final against Argentina, Özil’s contributions were quietly influential, always team-minded, chasing Enzo Perez back, conceding a throw-in but stopping a counter, while a couple of his threaded passes to Toni Kroos set up shooting chances.

It was almost a compliment when he was caught by Javier Mascherano. Before extra time, Özil required an extensive massage to his right calf. Yet he played on, staying on until the final was won, only being removed in the final minute after Mario Götze had scored. Low clearly values Özil highly.

It was hardly mentioned at the time but Ramadan started on June 28, two days before the Algeria game, an issue for a devout Muslim such as Özil. “Ramadan came during the World Cup and I had to work,’’ explained Özil. “When you are involved in high-level physical activity to fast would be difficult and can be dangerous to my health. So there is the understanding that when you work in such a physical environment you can’t fast, you can defer it.”

He attends a Mosque in London. “It is good for a Muslim here. I enjoy London. Before I came, I spoke to Luka Modric [Real’s ex-Spur] and he said: 'London! What a great city, it’s unique, beautiful, a place you have to experience.’ I thought to myself: ' Hold on, it can’t be so beautiful if people drive on the left!’ But it is beautiful. I look around and see the many cultures living here. I’ve met lots of people in London. In Madrid it was not really like that. I lived there for three years and didn’t get to know many people. Now I understand what Modric meant when he talked about life in London being unique. Whenever I come back here, I feel I’ve arrived back home. I feel comfortable here.”

He is “excited” by the new season. “I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges here, meeting the targets. Of course Arsenal can win the Premier League.

“We’ve strengthened our squad. We also want to show that we can play better in the Champions League. It’s a difficult group, and we know Borussia Dortmund well, but we don’t need to be scared of anyone. They know exactly how strong we are. We have the potential to reach the final. We should always believe everything is achievable. Not many people thought Atletico Madrid would get to the final. If you work hard anything is possible.

“We have a very united spirit; we don’t have to hide from any team, especially at the Emirates Stadium where we can impose our game on the opposition. It is important to remember that we won the FA Cup and that’s given us a lot of confidence. We have trust in each other as a team.” And trust in Wenger. “The Boss is so serene. The whole club can be proud to have such a fantastic manager with so much experience, playing with style and doing so many great things for 18 years here. When you look at Arsenal’s history, the Boss has always blooded youngsters, and helped make them into some of the best players in the world. That’s also why I came here. I wanted to develop myself further.”

He noted the talents around him such as Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey. “What Jack definitely has is big potential. If he stays fit, Jack has a big future because he has a lot of quality. Theo is a big player at this club. Theo is a player you can send clear because he is so quick and has a very good final product. Ramsey is really important for Arsenal, really impressive, great on the ball. We can achieve something big this season.”

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Arsenal v Galatasaray: Why the next five days are so important for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners

After losing 2-0 away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Matchday One, Arsenal are bottom of Group D. However, Wenger remains confident his side can now turn things around in Europe, starting against Galatasaray on Wednesday night, exactly 18 years to the date he first took over at Highbury.

The Gunners boss, who last season ended a nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup, has never won the Champions League, reaching the 2006 final only to watch his side beaten by Barcelona in Paris.

Unfortuntaely, he has been beset with injury problems. The prognosis on Aaron Ramsey is not good. He pulled up during Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham and, along with injured captain Mikel Arteta, will be out for at least four weeks, missing Saturday's trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he never considered dropping £42m midfielder Mesut Ozil

Özil had been criticised for two poor performances in succession but inspired Arsenal towards a comfortable victory at Villa Park, with a goal and an assist for Danny Welbeck.

However, Arsenal’s manager insisted taking Özil out the team could have severely damaged his confidence and his decision was vindicated with an inspired display.

“Özil was at the point where you have to show him the confidence was there and he showed he can respond well under scrutiny,” he said.

“You never know how people will respond. Did I ever consider dropping him? Not really, no.

“His best position is playing in the middle [as he did at Villa] but I can find you ten more players in the squad who want to play in that position.

“This was the response we needed after Tuesday night. We scored three goals in three minutes and in the second half it was a possession game because Villa didn’t come on to us much.”

Welbeck’s goal was his first since a £16m move from Manchester United and the England international also impressed.

Wenger added: “Knowing the media, it was good for him to score early! He scored a similar goal to the one in Switzerland [for England] and the timing of his runs and ball retention was very good.

“It was a good all-round game for a central striker.”

Arsenal’s other goal came from Villa defender Aly Cissokho to condemn Paul Lambert to his first Premier League defeat of the season.

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Arsenal Mesut Ozil tells critics he has nothing to prove after commanding performance against Aston Villa

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil accepts he will always be an easy target for the critics and says he has nothing to prove to anybody.

The German World Cup winner answered the growing doubters with a masterful display in the 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Saturday. He swept in the opening goal and created the second for Danny Welbeck at Villa Park when deployed in a more central role by Arsene Wenger.

The 25-year-old has continually found himself under scrutiny since becoming Arsenal's £42million club record signing from Real Madrid on deadline day in Sept 2013.

However, Özil is not about to let anyone else's opinion get in the way of his continued progress with Arsenal.

"I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal," Özil told German news agency DPA. "I have the feeling that I am criticised more (than other players). That happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

"We have only just started the season (at Arsenal), we have new players in key positions. The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, can't then just work well from one day to the next."

Özil added: "(Just) 10 weeks ago I was named in the English team of the season (via an internet poll on the Premier League website).

"I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games (of the new season) everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer."

Özil is likely to be one of several first-team players rested by Wenger for the Capital One Cup tie at home to Southampton on Tuesday night, but should again be the key man for Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

The cup tie could see a debut for Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who has yet to feature apart from on the bench after regaining fitness following a summer move from Nice.

Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell may be another deployed against the Saints, along with fit-again midfielder Abou Diaby.

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Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil insists he has nothing to prove after star performance against Aston Villa

Mesut Özil has claimed that Arsenal were better organised for returning to the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw him used as the main central playmaker against Aston Villa on Saturday and is adamant that he has nothing to prove to his detractors.

Having won the World Cup with Germany and been voted by fans into a Premier League team of last season, Özil described criticism of his recent performances as “strange” and believes that Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Villa Park was largely because Arsène Wenger went back to last season’s formation.

Alexis Sánchez had been dropped to the bench as Özil started in his preferred central No?10 role, with the German scoring Arsenal’s first and then providing an assist for Danny Welbeck.

“We played a bit differently, in our more usual system,” Özil said. “I think that we were a bit better, a bit more organised and in the end that led to our success.”

Özil was also blunt in response to his own critics. “I don’t play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal,” he told the German news agency DPA. “I have the feeling that I am criticised more [than other players]. That happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

“Ten weeks ago I was named in the English team of the season. I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer.”

Özil also believes that Arsenal will need time to adapt to their new signings, with Welbeck, Sánchez, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers having all played regularly so far this season.

“We have new players in key positions,” Özil said. “The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, can’t then just work well from one day to the next.”

Özil is likely to be one of several first-team players rested for Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup tie against Southampton – a club described on Monday by Wenger as “miracle workers” – with the midfielder Abou Diaby expected to make his first start since March 2013. Diaby has admitted that he considered retiring during his recovery and Wenger now hopes that the 28-year-old will finally be rewarded with a consistent injury-free run of matches.

“He’s a giant, mentally,” Wenger said. “To do what he has done, with the severe injuries he had, he comes back every time, is dedicated and he deserves a lot of respect. I’m a huge believer in his quality and I’m sad as well that he couldn’t show it more. If there is some justice, the future will be much better for him.”

It was also confirmed on Monday that Debuchy, Diaby’s France team-mate, had undergone surgery on the ankle ligament injury he sustained against Manchester City and would be out until around Christmas.

With Chambers now replacing Debuchy at right-back, Arsenal are without any experienced centre-back cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny as they approach a crucial series of matches against Tottenham Hotspur , Galatasaray and Chelsea.

Nacho Monreal, who could fill in at centre-back, is expected to return with Yaya Sanogo, Serge Gnabry and Theo Walcott after the October international break.

Wenger is expected to use the match on Tuesday to trial some of the young defenders emerging from the academy, notably Isaac Hayden, Hector Bellerin and Semi Ajayi.

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Everything Mesut Ozil does for Arsenal is absolutely perfect, says Arsene Wenger

Mesut Özil has been called many things during his glittering career but Arsène Wenger has his own views – a perfectionist on the pitch.

Wenger has no doubts that the 25-year-old German midfielder will quickly become one of the star performers in English football.

Despite returning to pre-season training just a week before the opening league game, the Arsenal manager says Özil will quickly regain full match fitness and will play a big part against Leicester on Sunday.

Wenger said: “People are very harsh with Özil because he’s a player who’s always very easy on his play but when you watch the game again after, the next day, you see what a player he is. Everything he does is intelligent. The timing of everything he does is absolutely perfect. You never catch him giving the ball too late.

“The timing, he’s like a guy who plays the music, the timing of what he does is perfect, you don’t get many players like that.”

Many critics felt Özil was too light-weight for the Premier League and would not be able to show his best form for Arsenal. But Wenger feels that is nonsense and says he should be getting more plaudits for the way he can change a game.

He added: “He is not getting enough praise. He came back as a World Cup winner. He played all seven games. He played some good games. He is not a tackler.”

Wenger says he expects to be active in the market on transfer deadline day but is adamant his team can still challenge for the title even if he fails to bring in another big-name signing after influential forward Olivier Giroud was ruled out until the new year with an ankle injury.

Wenger insists he will not be pressurised into making a panic signing and will be happy to continue with the forwards he has if a new arrival does not materialise.

He added: “I will be actively involved on the last day of the window. I will of course be on alert until the last minute of the transfer deadline. You [the media] have decided that I have to buy strikers - I have not necessarily decided that!

“If I give you the number of strikers I have at the moment it’s absolutely unbelievable. We have Sanogo, Sanchez, we have Walcott, we have Podolski, we have Giroud who will come back during the season and I forget maybe one or two. Campbell can play centre forward as well and of course we can be successful.

“When we won the championship in 1998 Ian Wright was injured and people asked, ‘When will you buy a striker?’ I played [Nicolas] Anelka and we won the title. All these people forgot they asked me this question and they had told me I am crazy not to buy a striker.”

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Mesut Ozil tells Arsenal fans he will be '100 per cent' match fit by end of January after returning to action

Mesut Ozil has warned that it will take until the end of January for him to return to his very best after making his comeback in the 3-0 win against Stoke City.

Arsenal’s £42-million record signing had been out for more than three months following ligament surgery but, to an enormous cheer, replaced Olivier Giroud in the 73rd minute to join Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in a front three.

Ozil missed one half chance and, ahead of a trip to Manchester City next Sunday, knows that he must now gain more match time to return to his peak.

“Of course I am not at 100 per cent [match fit], I only trained with the team once on Saturday, but I hope that I will be back at 100 per cent at the end of January,” he said. “I am thrilled to bits. It feels great to be back on the pitch after such a long time on the sidelines.

"I worked hard for this moment. As I watched the matches on TV I started to get nervous, because I really wanted to play again. I am just satisfied to be back on the pitch again and that I can kick the ball with my team-mates. I missed that so much.”

Wenger said after the game that Ozil still lacked match fitness but is hoping that he can now have a huge influence on the final period of the season.

“He is physically fit but, after, it’s getting used to contact again and we take two to three more weeks,” said Wenger. “It's a frustrating season for him as he has not contributed yet. It was not a convincing start. He played six games, scored one goal against Aston Villa. There is now an opportunity to come back into the team and contribute to the team.

“He is ready. He hungry. They come back from the World Cup and, when you come back having won the World Cup, even if I gave them the holiday, the hunger is a bit artificial. You have to be frustrated from competition and slowly get back to realise how much you miss it. I had that before with former players. Today he looks hungry – he worked extremely hard to come back. He really pushed himself to the limit of what you can absorb physically.”

Asked if it would be difficult for Ozil to get back in to the starting team, especially with the form of Santi Cazorla as well as Alexis Sanchez, Wenger added: “It is not easy for him because Santi is playing very well. It's a fight to get back to his best level.”

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Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil bulks up for his return to action against Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup

Arsène Wenger has warned a bulked-up Mesut Özil to expect some time in his unfavoured position out wide ahead of his first start on Sunday for more than three months.

Arsenal’s £42?million record signing has spent plenty of time in the gym since having ligament damage after the 2-0 defeat against Chelsea back in October, and has noticeably added greater muscle to his upper body during his rehabilitation. The other big change in his absence has been the emergence of Alexis Sánchez as the outstanding individual in an Arsenal team who have often played a modified system that does not include a specialist No?10 behind the main central striker.

Asked where he now saw Özil playing, Wenger said: “That is a good question. I see him behind the striker or on the flank, where he doesn’t like to play. In our team anyway it is very flexible when you play on the flank to move inside. Usually we have one player who is a raw winger and one player who is more a midfielder player out there. I personally prefer him central.”

Özil hopes that his added upper body strength can help him handle the physicality of the Premier League. “I think he has taken to the fact that he wants to be stronger,” said Wenger. “You have more time to focus on it. Every day he is in the gym and he can work on it – he hasn’t had the fatigue of the games – and it is better when you look in the mirror! But it is not only down to pure strength when you play football. I know players like Claude Makélélé for instance were not monsters, but when he went for a challenge he had the technique to use his strength in a very efficient way. It is a technique more than a power. A guy who spends a bit of time in the gym kills his co-ordination and becomes more rigid. Winning a challenge is down to flexibility and co-ordination.”

With Özil now back, as well as Theo Walcott, Wenger finally has the chance to play them with Sánchez behind Olivier Giroud in attack.

There are also the various options of Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey, Joel Campbell and Jack Wilshere. It all prompted Wenger to agree with Walcott that he now has more offensive options even than the days of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pirès.

“Özil is a fantastic player – he will come back very strong,” said Wenger. “We are in a position where we have the luxury to have him back now and where we have some players who are completely fresh and rested. It can be very interesting if you manage to use them well. I have to use them at the right moment.”

Arsenal 4 Galatasaray 1: Turkish side outclassed by Danny Welbeck's flair and pace

Arsenal fans will not care to be reminded that their last player to register a Champions League hat-trick was Nicklas Bendtner back in 2010.

Arsenal are more likely to erect statues to thank those clubs who took the unpopular Dane off on loan before he eventually departed on a free to Wolfsburg.

Welbeck is speeding more along the Henry highway rather than the Bendtner cul de sac. Arsene Wenger sounded almost surprised afterwards when discussing Welbeck’s pace, but this has always been one of his strengths. He troubled Bayern Munich, especially Javi Martinez, when facing them for Manchester United last April.

Welbeck has been talking privately and publicly for almost a year of his desire to be played through the middle; he spoke to David Moyes about it last season, he mentioned it to Louis van Gaal this season before realising swiftly that his future lay elsewhere, so moving to Arsenal on deadline day. That fee of £16m, a similar sum Liverpool spent on the mercurial Mario Balotelli, is looking a bargain.

Welbeck was enthused also by the prospect of playing alongside England team-mates like Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He has also particularly thrived in tandem with Mesut Özil, particularly with the German prospering in his best position, as a No?10. Surprise, surprise. Welbeck also dovetailed well with the Chilean Alexis Sánchez. Both Özil and Sánchez, who scored the other goal, shone last night.

When Arsenal needed to their Group D campaign back on track, having lost at Borussia Dortmund, Welbeck delivered goals. When they were under pressure, he kept running in attack, closing down defenders and also sprinting back to help out. It was the type of commanding, team-minded display that will have delighted and also concerned the watching England manager, Roy Hodgson. Welbeck could have pulled a muscle as the lactic acid built up late on but he never stopped running.

With Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge the centre of a club-versus-country wrangle, and not expected to be in the England squad that Hodgson announces today, Welbeck’s form is well-timed for Hodgson with Euro 2016 qualifying resuming next week. San Marino and Estonia defenders will not enjoy watching clips of Welbeck in action.

After 22 minutes, Welbeck began submitting his application to join the exclusive club of Englishmen to have scored a Champions League hat-trick: current members are Mike Newell, Andy Cole, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.

Kieran Gibbs started the move on the left, passing forward to Sánchez as Welbeck darted into the box. Sánchez’s ball was angled to wrongfoot Galatasaray’s defence, designed to cause maximum discomfort for Felipe Melo and aimed perfectly for Welbeck. The England striker sped behind Melo and slipped the ball between the legs of Muslera.

Welbeck doubled the lead on the half-hour. Melo was now in full liability mood, lucky still to be involved after a two-footed reducer on Sánchez. The Brazilian was caught out by Welbeck’s run after Aurelien Chedjou’s panicky header, left trailing by the young Englishman, watching him disappear into the box. Welbeck’s finish was superb, stroked from left to right past Muslera.

The red touch-paper had been well and truly lit. Galatasaray fans responded by lobbing six flares on the pitch. Muslera went over to plead for restraint. One Arsenal steward collected a bucket of sand and went round extinguishing the flames.

Mindful of painful experiences from the 2000 Uefa Cup final, Arsenal fans booed and goaded the visitors with “you’re just a ---- Fenerbahce”. Cesare Prandelli’s players seemed more interested in clattering Sánchez. Wenger’s men rode the storm and smoke. Just before the break, Blerim Dzemaili’s through pass was picked off by Per Mertesacker, who turned defence into attack immediately.

Mertesacker threaded the ball through the middle to his fellow World Cup-winner, Özil, who played it on elegantly to Sánchez. The Chilean, enjoying coming in off the left, beat Chedjou for pace and then Muslera with a calm finish. The hosts had scored three times in 19 minutes.

Galatasaray had the purple strip; Arsenal had the purple patch.

In the tunnel before the restart, Prandelli looked far from happy. His captain, Wesley Sneijder, stood alone, waiting for his team-mates, lost in his thoughts, a technical player far too good for this side. After the ground-staff completed their running repairs on the singed corner of the pitch, Arsenal came flying out of the tunnel, ready to inflict more legitimate damage.

Oxlade-Chamberlain played the ball down the inside-right channel and Welbeck dinked the ball over Muslera. He raised his arms to the Arsenal fans, basking in their adulation.

The game seemed over as a contest.

Yet Galatasaray were presented with a glimmer of hope after 63 minutes when Szczesny was deservedly dismissed for bringing down Burak Yilmaz. The felled striker climbed to his feet, placed the ball on the spot and beat David Ospina, who had replaced Sánchez. It was unfortunate for the Chilean, who had taken his goal well, who had been so creative, who had withstood some nasty challenges and who regularly tracked back to help out Gibbs.

Arsenal held firm. Welbeck was everywhere, heading wide, also racing back to help out his defence. Ospina made some decent saves, denying Umut Bulut, then Hamit Altintop and Sneijder. At the final whistle, Welbeck walked to the tunnel, taking the salute of the Arsenal fans and giving almost a self-conscious thumbs up in return. It was a great evening for Welbeck personally and Arsenal collectively as they got their Champions League campaign back on track in style.

– Babb: Observations from Arsenal v Galatasaray
– Wenger demands changes to halt Arsenal's injury crisis
– 18 things Wenger has done better than anyone else
– Wenger to rest Wilshere ahead of Chelsea game
– Arsenal forward Giroud signs new contract

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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