Campbell clears way to Arsenal comeback

January 13, 2010

Sol Campbell is set to complete a surprise return to Arsenal by the end of the week after impressing the club’s backroom staff in a 45-minute runout for the Gunners second string.

Campbell, 35, played the first half of the Arsenal reserves match at West Ham on Tuesday evening and afterwards revealed that he was on the verge of signing until the end of the season for the club he played for between 2001 and 2006, winning two Premier League and three FA Cup trophies.

“I cannot tell you how much I’ve missed playing after being out for so long,” the former England centreback told reporters.

“There are still a few technicalities to iron out but I’m signing for Arsenal until the end of the season and it is fantastic, marvellous.”

Campbell, who has been training at Arsenal for nearly two months, has barely played since the end of last season following his departure from Portsmouth and a subsequent, ill-fated brief stint with fourth tier outfit Notts County.

But he appeared sharp as he made a series of important interventions and his performance earned him an enthusiastic review from Arsenal reserve-team manager Neil Banfield.

“Sol is a fantastic professional,” Banfield said. “He came in and said it was great to be out there playing.

“He’s played with these youngsters before and I’ve got to say he is a first-class professional.”

Banfield said he had never expected Campbell to last longer than 45 minutes. “That was planned to give him a run-out as he hasn’t played in five months,” he said. “We may try and get another fixture for him in the coming weeks so he can get another game.”

With William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen performing well this season, Campbell is being brought back essentially as cover for Arsene Wenger’s first-choice centrebacks.

But his former team-mate, Martin Keown, believes the veteran could play a much more central role in Arsenal’s push to land their first trophy since 2004.

“Without a doubt if he had not shown the right signs, that he was fit and sharp enough, there is no way that Arsenal would have considered it,” Keown said.

“What would have been a concern for them is whether Sol still has the hunger to get back into top level football and he has obviously proved that.”

Keown admitted he was surprised that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had decided to resign a player who left the club under something of a cloud in the wake of his half-time substitution and subsequent walkout in a match against West Ham in February 2006.

The Gunners boss has passed on opportunities to re-sign the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira in the past but Keown believes Campbell can have a significant influence on an Arsenal squad that is short on the experience of winning things.

“I think it is as much to do with what he wants in the dressing room,” Keown added.

“As a young player you need those senior players to help drag you over the line. When you have not won something for a number of years, as is the case for most of that group, you just need to be nurtured. Sol is very good at that.

“And he is very strong and powerful in the air which is maybe something that is missing from the two current central defenders.

“Gallas and Vermaelen are playing very well but without a doubt if you are going to win a championship you need three or four good, top central defenders.

“Sol is a bit like a train: once you start him up and fire him in the right direction he takes a hell of a lot of stopping. They will have a job to get him out of the team if he gets into it.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal reserves, arsene wenger, backroom staff, banfield, class professional, England, five months, former team, martin keown, marvellous, Neil Banfield, Nicolas Anelka, Notts County, Portsmouth, premier league, runout, second string, sol campbell, stint, surprise return, team mate, technicalities, Thomas Vermaelen, tuesday evening, west ham, William Gallas

Top two lose in Argentina

December 14, 2009

Both leaders Banfield and second-placed Newell’s Old Boys crashed to defeats in Sunday’s Argentinian Primera Division action.

Banfield always faced a tough task in an away match with Boca Juniors, who despite their poor recent form managed to deliver a solid performance in this game.

It was former Villarreal player Martin Palermo to inspire Boca’s 2-0 victory, with a penalty goal in the seventh minute followed by a second goal near the hour mark.

Newell’s failed to take advantage and conquer the top spot, losing 0-2 to San Lorenzo themselves.

Both goals in this match were scored by Fabian Bordagaray, who first found the target in the 11th minute and did so again in the 67th.

Tags: advantage, Argentina, argentinian primera division, banfield, boca juniors, fabian, Fabian Bordagaray, game, Juniors, martin palermo, match, newell, old boys, penalty goal, performance, San, san lorenzo, target, victory

Newell’s beat River Plate to defend lead

November 8, 2009

Newell’s Old Boys successfully defended their Argentinian league lead with a 2-1 win over troubled River Plate on Saturday.

Joaquin Boghossian put Newell’s ahead after 4 minutes, but had his goal cancelled out by Diego Buonanotte in the 63rd.

However, Boghossian had the final say as he netted again in the 79th minute. This time, his goal was enough for three points.

Newell’s shared the lead with Banfield ahead of this game, but now leave the pressure on Banfield to beat San Lorenzo on Sunday.

River Plate meanwhile, are in 17th place with just ten points from 13 games.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: banfield, boghossian, buonanotte, Diego Buonanotte, game, games, Joaquin Boghossian, Lorenzo, newell, old boys, pressure, River, river plate, San, san lorenzo, sunday river

Argentinian classic ends undecided

October 26, 2009

The Argentinian classic between River Plate and Boca Juniors ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that helps neither side at this point.

At only a few spots from the relegation zone, most of the pressure was on River to deliver a good performance in this match. Boca on the other hand, needed a win to limit the gap with the top of the Argentinian Primera Division.

River Plate were first to find the net at their own Estadio Monumental, with Marcelo Gallardo beating Boca keeper Abbondanzieri after 39 minutes.

Both teams had a player sent off in the first minutes of the second half. River’s Cristian Villagra conceded a second yellow card in minute 46, and Julio Caceres of Boca followed with a direct red card four minutes later.

Three minutes after the hour mark, it was former Villarreal player Martin Palermo to level the score for Boca.

The draw leaves Boca in tenth place at five points from joint leaders Estudiantes, Banfield and Newell’s Old Boys, while River Plate are in 16th place with just seven points from ten games.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: abbondanzieri, argentinian primera division, banfield, boca juniors, cristian, Cristian Villagra, Estadio, Estudiantes, first minutes, five points, four minutes, gallardo, julio caceres, marcelo, martin palermo, newell, old boys, pressure, relegation zone, river plate, roorda, seven points, three minutes, villagra, yellow card

Estudiantes suffer first defeat at Argentinos

October 4, 2009

Estudiantes suffer first defeat at Argentinos. Banfield were held to a goalless draw at Colon and dropped to third place.Argentinos Juniors closed the gap with Estudiantes, beating the current Primera Division leaders 1-0 on Saturday. Banfield were held to a goalless draw at Colon and dropped to third place.

Estudiantes could have extended their lead in the Argentinian league, but instead crashed to their first defeat of the season. The only goal in the match, played at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, was scored by Matias Caruzzo in the 27th minute.

Although Estudiantes remain in first place, the gap with Argentinos is now only one point. Velez Sarsfield could reconquer the top spot after their top clash with Boca Juniors on Sunday.

Banfield failed to take advantage of Estudiantes’ slip-up and only managed a 0-0 draw with Colon. As a result, Banfield are surpassed by Argentinos based on the amount of goals scored.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: argentinos juniors, banfield, boca juniors, BUENOS AIRES, clash, colon, diego armando maradona, division leaders, gap, jonathan, match, Primera Division

San Lorenzo lead after Argentinian opening day

August 23, 2009

The Argentinian Apertura season has opened with wins to San Lorenzo, Estudiantes and Godoy Cruz, while the big guns get ready to start their campaigns on Sunday.

San Lorenzo are the first leaders of the season following a 3-1 win over Atletico Tucuman. Gonzalo Bergessio put the hosts ahead after less than two minutes, followed by a ninth-minute equaliser from Deivis Barone. Second-half goals from Juan Carlos Menseguez and Pablo Pintos eventually handed the hosts their first three points of the season.

Estudiantes beat Arsenal 0-2 with goals from Mauro Boselli and Christian Cellay, while Matias Jara and Federico Higuain helped Godoy Cruz to a 0-2 win at Gimnasia La Plata.

Defending champions Velez Sarsfield face Colon late on Sunday, while Boca Juniors host Argentinos Juniors at the Bombonera. River Plate open their season at Banfield.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: argentinian apertura, arsenal, banfield, big guns, boca juniors, campaigns, Christian Cellay, colon, equaliser, face colon, federico higuain, godoy cruz, Gonzalo, Jonathan Roorda, Juan Carlos, Juan Carlos Menseguez, La Plata, matias, mauro boselli, opening day, Pablo Pintos, pintos, roorda, San, san lorenzo, two minutes

Julio Cruz leaves Internazionale for Lazio

August 1, 2009

Argentinian forward Julio Cruz leaves Internationale to join Serie A rivals Lazio.

The 34-year-old, who played 22 games for the Argentinian national team, has been playing for Italian sides since 2000. After a three-year stint at Bologna, the forward made a move to Inter. At the ‘Nerazzurri’, Cruz scored 49 goals in 129 games.

Cruz began his career at Banfield in 1993 and after a shot spell with River Plate, he joined Dutch outfit Feyenoord Rotterdam where he soon became one of the team’s key players.

The South American reportedly signed a contract for one year, with the option to extend by another.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: banfield, Bologna, games, italian sides, jonathan, Julio, julio cruz, lazio, rivals, river plate, ROTTERDAM, South American, stint

Palacio set to join Genoa

July 16, 2009

Argentina international Rodrigo Palacio is set to join Genoa. The Italian club and his current side Boca Juniors reportedly agreed terms.

Italian media claim that both clubs came to an agreement concerning a transfer of the 27-year-old, who is expected to sign a contract for four years.

The striker, born in Bahia Blanca, began his career at Huracan de Tres Arroyos in 2002 and since played for Banfield and Boca Juniors, spending for years at the latter. At the Buenos Aires outfit, he scored 153 goals in 126 appearances.

Palacio earned his first cap in 2005 and formed part of the Argentinian team that reached the quarter finals at the 2006 World Cup.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Argentina, Bahia, bahia blanca, banfield, Blanca, Boca, boca juniors, BUENOS AIRES, first cap, huracan, huracan de tres arroyos, italian club, italian media, Jonathan Roorda, Juniors, latter, outfit, part, quarter finals, Rodrigo Palacio, roorda, Serie A, spending, striker, World, World Cup

Boca lose again, River back on track

February 23, 2009

Argentinian giants Boca Juniors suffered their second defeat in three Primera Division games, losing 1-0 to CA Lanus in a Buenos Aires derby.

The only goal of the match was scored after only three minutes, and came from youngster Eduardo Salvio who recently demonstrated his skills at the South American Sub-20 Championships.

River Plate, who finished last in this season’s Apertura, seem to be back on track and beat CA Banfield 2-0 at the Monumental stadium. Matias Abelairas scored the opener on 36 minutes and Colombian Radamel Falco added a second eight minutes from the end.

River are currently one of four leaders, together with Newell’s Old Boys, Colon and Godoy Cruz. Boca Juniors are in 15th position.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda