Arsenal don’t need a billionaire backer – Hill-Wood

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists suggestions the club need a billionaire backer are ‘lunacy’.

There has been much speculation the Gunners are ripe for a takeover, with the likes of Alisher Usmanov and Stan Kroenke having already taken a considerable stakeholding in Arsenal’s parent company.

Former Gunners vice-chairman David Dein – who controversially left the club in April – long held the opinion that the Gunners needed major foreign investment in order to compete with their Premier League rivals like Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, who all have international backing.

But Hill-Wood insists Arsenal’s sensible financial policy will work in their favour.

He said: ‘We have always run Arsenal as a business and kept within reasonable bounds.

Euro 2008 qualifiers preview

A look ahead to Wednesday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifying matches involving Barclays Premier League players.

England impressed in their 3-0 win over Israel on Saturday but face an altogether sterner challenge against Guus Hiddink’s Russia at Wembley. The Dutchman has claimed that all the pressure is on Steve McClaren’s men. And not without reason. England trail Russia by a point and must still travel to Moscow next month knowing that they also face a home match against group leaders Croatia. The likes of Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Shaun-Wright Phillips and Joe Cole all caught the eye against Israel and there are reports that McClaren may opt for an unchanged team on Wednesday evening. Russia have conceded just one goal in eight games and are unbeaten.

Reds welcome back Aurelio

Fabio Aurelio is closing in on a first-team return after playing for the club’s reserves.

 The Brazilian left-back has been out of action since rupturing his Achilles tendon in a Champions League match with PSV Eindhoven in April. The club predicted that Aurelio would be out for around six months, but he has made a quicker than expected recovery.

Aurelio played in a behind closed doors reserve team friendly against Crewe on Tuesday.

“He’s been training well and now we think he is ready. It’s positive news to have him back,” manager Rafa Benitez told Liverpool’s official website.

The news is another boost to Liverpool. Captain Steven Gerrard appears to have recovered from a broken toe, while Jamie Carragher is closing on a first-team return after breaking a rib against Sunderland last month.

source:premierleague

England 2-2 Japan

England were denied an opening Women’s World Cup win as Japan stole a 2-2 draw with the last kick of the game. Aya Miyama put Japan ahead with a free-kick before Kelly Smith turned the game on its head with two goals.

Smith held off two defenders to level, and England looked on course for victory in Shanghai as the Arsenal striker struck from close range.

But England were thwarted as Miyama struck with a second free-kick from an identical position deep in injury time.