FOOTBALL CLUB WORLD

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has compared international managers to joy-riding car thieves. Wenger has often expressed his frustration at seeing his players return tired or injured after international duty.

"Gerard (Houllier's) thoughts on the matter echo mine," Wenger said. "He thinks that what the national coaches are doing is like taking the car from his garage without even asking permission. "They will then use the car for 10 days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank.

"We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. Then a month later they will come to take your car again, and for good measure you're expected to be nice about it."

Wenger also complained that international managers fail to contact their club counterparts, with one notable exception. "Sven-Goran Eriksson was the only one who used to come and talk to me regularly," Wenger added.

[Source from; football365.com]

Arsenal midfield player Freddie Ljungberg will have tests on Monday to determine the extent of the calf injury he picked up during Sweden's 2-0 win over Spain.

Sweden skipper Ljungberg, 29, was forced off in the second half of his side's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.

He is "highly doubtful" to face Iceland on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Swedish Football Association.

If the tests show Ljungberg cannot play, he will return to England to be treated by Arsenal's medical team.

The Gunners Club will be hoping he recovers in time to feature in their next Premiership game, which is against Watford at home on Saturday.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal Football Club were forced to come from behind again at their new Emirates Stadium to rescue a point against Middlesbrough Football Club.

James Morrison curled in on 21 minutes after a one-two with Jason Euell - and keeper Mark Schwarzer kept Boro ahead with a number of fine saves.

But Boro had skipper George Boateng sent off on 64 minutes for two cautions and then Thierry Henry scored from the spot after Emanuel Eboue was fouled.

Arsenal Club poured forward after that but Boro withstood the intense pressure.

William Gallas made his Arsenal debut and was employed at left-back - a position he was supposedly reluctant to play at with former club Chelsea.

And he was caught napping for Boro's goal, admittedly along with the rest of the Arsenal defence, when Boro took an unexpected lead.

Schwarzer was easily equal to efforts from Henry and Robin van Persie - and made one outstanding reflex save to tip over a fierce shot from Alexander Hleb.

Boro's doggedness in defence was typified by Jonathan Woodgate, making his debut following his loan move from Real Madrid.

Tough in the tackle and bossing his team-mates with authority, Woodgate led Boro's backline with a genuinely classy performance.

And in midfield, Boateng performed similarly, until he got himself sent off.

His first yellow card was unnecessary as he argued with the referee following a quick free-kick taken by Henry, which clipped the outside of the post.

Moments later Boateng clipped Freddie Ljungberg, appeared to hurt himself in the process and his misery was compounded when he was booked again.

And then it got even worse for Boro, as they conceded a penalty after Stewart Downing was judged to have tripped Eboue.

Henry converted with ease to bring his side level - and immediately Arsenal made three changes to their line-up.

Among those to come on was new signing Julio Baptista, the muscled Brazilian seemingly introduced to add steel to Arsenal's silk.

But he could not help Arsenal find a way through, and their usually measured approach play became increasingly frantic.

Boro will be delighted to have come away with a point, while Arsenal continue to misfire and the concerns must be growing in north London with the side fourth bottom of the Premiership table.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]