Robin van Persie blasts ‘big mouth’ Chelsea & Manchester City for thinking Arsenal would not play part in Premier League title race

Robin van Persie has hit out at Arsenal’s rivals for thinking they would not have a say at the top of the Premier League this season.

The Gunners currently sit second in the table, five points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

And the Netherlands striker has now mocked Chelsea and Manchester City for spending big in the transfer window and still being behind Arsene Wenger’s side in the table.

"I still strongly believe in my club's philosophy," Van Persie was quoted as saying by The Guardian. "A club like Manchester City change their philosophy every year and Chelsea spent about €80 million [£70m] this season ... two clubs who had a big mouth before the season, thinking that Arsenal wouldn't play a role in the title race but we are still ahead of them. And just by playing our own game, through our own philosophy."

Van Persie also conceded that Arsenal have not been good enough to win major honours this season.

The Gunners faltered in the final of the League Cup against Birmingham City and were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona despite going into the second leg with the lead. And to make matters worse, they also bowed out of the FA Cup to Manchester United.

With the exits all coming in the span of a fortnight, the Dutchman says that the north London outfit were just not up to it.

However, the former Feyenoord man insists that the team wants to "change all that" by sustaining their Premier League title challenge to eventually win top honours.

"We always do our best and of course we always want to win," Van Persie said, according to The Mirror.

"On a number of times we were very close, but at the last moment it's often not good enough and that's the reality.

"It's very frustrating when you lose, especially when we're so close, but we have to look forward and now it's up to us to change all that.

"I firmly believe in the team, Arsenal and myself, and I'm positive we will win prizes."

It has been over half a decade since the Gunners won any silverware, but Van Persie maintained that he has no intention of leaving to join another club.

When quizzed as to whether he could move away from the Emirates, the striker said: "Absolutely not. I'm happy here, I have a contract with Arsenal and I fully respect that."

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi turned down Tottenham and will join a club that can win trophies – agent

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi is ready to move but will join only a club that will win trophies in the immediate future, claims his agent.
The 24-year-old has been the subject of transfer speculation for a long time with Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan both said to be keen for his signature. In January, English club Tottenham Hotspur came with a €30 million (£26.4m) offer but their bid was rejected.
Rossi’s agent, Federico Pastorello, has now explained the reasons why Spurs’ offer was turned down and has opened the door to a Juventus move.
“It is true, Juventus have asked for the player as is usual for a big club to do,” said Pastorello, according to Goal.com Italy. “Last year they made an offer to Villarreal for a loan deal with the right to sign on a permanent contract, but the Spanish club rejected it.
“Tottenham came in January and in economic terms, it was a great opportunity but a player like Rossi at this point in his career can move ahead and join a club that guarantees that he can win something important.
"There are few such clubs and one of them is Juventus despite their recent years of difficulty. Rossi is, of course, sensitive to the idea of returning to Italy.”
Rossi joined Villarreal from Manchester United in 2007 and has established himself as one of the best strikers in the Spanish Primera Division. La Liga champions Barcelona are also reportedly interested in him.

Arsene Wenger made a 'big bid' for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina last summer - Arsenal legend Bob Wilson

Arsenal made a "big bid" for Liverpool's Pepe Reina last summer, according to former goalkeeper Bob Wilson.
It was reported last year that Arsene Wenger tried to sign the Spaniard but neither club has ever confirmed that any bid was lodged.
However, Wilson told talkSPORT: "Arsene tried like mad to buy not only a goalkeeper but what he considered to be the most consistent in the country, so he made a big bid for Pepe Reina.
"That didn't come out because that's not Arsene Wenger's way of doing it and it's not Arsenal's way of doing it, but he did attempt to do that."
The performances of Wojciech Szczesny this season have eased Arsenal’s goalkeeping worries somewhat, although his injury has forced Wenger to bring Jens Lehmann out of retirement to provide cover for the rest of the season.
But Wilson, who coached the club's goalkeepers for almost 30 years after playing for the Gunners, believes that Wenger would have let the promising Pole leave had he managed to capture Reina last year.
"I think he would have lost, without any doubt, the young kid Szczesny, who I believe is going to be the future," Wilson added.
"It's most unfortunate he has had this injury and in the game that he had it, but I happen to think Szczesny is going to be a great goalkeeper. The boy is ready now - you ask Arsenal fans."
And Wilson believes Lehmann will be a useful addition to the Gunners squad, even if he doesn't play that much.
"Jens would be incredible in the dressing room and I do believe he is fit enough to play," he added.
"For Jens to be within the Arsenal set-up at this crucial run-in time I think it could be terrific. I think he would very quickly get into his shot-stopping, you just do not lose that. You only have to look at Edwin van der Sar.

"He looked no different from when he played with us and we know he's a conscientious animal. And my goodness me what an input he would have in the dressing room, having been part of the Invincibles team."

England manager Fabio Capello admits he does not know if he will continue with 4-3-3 formation

England manager Fabio Capello has admitted he does not know whether he will continue with the 4-3-3 formation the Three Lions successfully adopted in Saturday's 2-0 win over Wales.
Capello’s men were impressive in the first half at the Millennium Stadium with the midfield trio of Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker particularly excelling but the Italian said that his team will not always play with three in midfield.
Despite being impressed with the team’s performance, he suggested that each opponent’s style will dictate whether they play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.
“I don’t know if in the next game I will play the same style. Sometimes it depends what style the opponents play,” he told Sky Sports.
“I decided to play this formation for this game because I studied Wales. We can play 4-4-2. It all depends on the style of the other team.
“This formation [4-3-3] is very good because players like Ashley Young are improving a lot, he played very well in Denmark and played very well this afternoon.
“I decided for a new position for [Wayne] Rooney and Ashley Young. When we are defending they are staying wide but when we had the ball they caused Wales problems.”
England’s performance resembled that of their second half performance in Denmark in February and Capello was pleased with how well the team gelled together as a squad.
He said: “The first 20 minutes we played really well, we passed the ball really quickly, we created chances to score goals and we made sure there were no chances for Wales.
“It is really good I'm happy with the spirit, we worked together to win back the ball, each player helping the others which is really important for the team.”
The England coach also confirmed that he would be seeking talks with Rio Ferdinand in order to clear the air after replacing him as the team’s captain with John Terry rerturning in his place.
He added: “I hope that I will meet him [Ferdinand] to speak about what really happened and about my decision.”