SPORTS UPDATE WITH EMMAH ATAI: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claims that the prestige of playing in the Champions League is more important than the financial rewards it brings. The Gunners, who have reached the group stage for the last 16 seasons, meet Besiktas in tonight’s play-off first leg in Turkey. Wenger said: Financially its a big game, but we want to compete at the top and want to fight with Europes best. The Gunners could be without defender Kieran Gibbs for the trip as he was forced off with an apparent hamstring injury in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the opening day of the new Premier League season. Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that German internationals Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski will not return before the teams trip to Everton next weekend as they continue their post-World Cup breaks. Meanwhile, the home side will have former Chelsea striker Demba Ba available to face the club that had previously been linked with a move for the Senegal international, following his move to Turkey last month. Slaven Bilic will also look to Kerim Frei to cause problems for the Premier League side after he played a big role in their victory over Feyenoord in the previous round. Jose Mourinho wants goalkeeper Petr Cech to remain at the club, despite the Chelsea boss picking Thibaut Courtois in goal for the 3-1 win over Burnley. Belgian Courtois, 22, has returned to Chelsea after a three-year loan spell with Atletico Madrid. I hope Chech doesnt want to go and I hope he doesnt have offers to go and, if he does have offers, he refuses to go, said Mourinho. Mourinho is, however, angry over Diego Costas yellow card. The 25-year-old was cautioned by referee, Michael Oliver for diving in the first half even though he appeared to be brought down by Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Uruguay striker, Luis Suarez made his Barcelona debut as a late substitute in their 6-0 victory over Mexican side Club Leon in a friendly on Monday. Suarezs four-month ban for biting was upheld last week but has been relaxed to allow the 27-year-old to train and play in friendly matches.Neymar scored twice and Lionel Messi also netted in an easy Barca win. Restless Manchester United fans are planning protests against their lack of transfer activity. The Daily Mail says supporters are furious that the most important season in recent times has begun with United thrashing around for new players when they were led to believe all key business would be concluded shortly after the World Cup finished at the start of July. TRANSFERS: Manchester United are prepared to offer winger Nani, 27, to Sporting Lisbon in a bid for Argentina World Cup defender Marcos Rojo, 24. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus, 25, could yet join Manchester United next summer, according to Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer. Liverpool remain keen on a deal for Monacos Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, 28, but face competition from Juventus. Arsenal are targeting a £6m deal to buy Greece defender Kostas Manolas, 23, from Olympiakos. Tottenham are willing to let Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 30, leave for nothing because he has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane. OTHER NEWS: Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) competitions committee department has postponed the kick off of the national premier league and the lower tier division, FUFA Big league. Earlier , SC Villa was to host SC Victoria University on Friday, 22nd August but that fixture has been postponed to 2nd September 2014. The match day venue remains to be confirmed although the fixture remains unchanged. The FUFA Big league will commence on 11th September 2014. National amateur team golf stars Phillip Kasozi and Peter Ssendawula have embraced the green light to make their professionals debuts at the 72nd edition of the Tusker Malt-sponsored Uganda Open. The country’s premier golfing event is scheduled for September 1-6 at the re-modelled par-71 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Kitante course.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:25:33 +0000
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