25 Biggest Losers in World Football History

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(Bleacher Report)It is a hard thing to quantify, what makes one a loser that is. There is no real grounds for the label of a loser other than what your personal beliefs hold you to take as such.

In making the decisions for the inclusions in lists such as this some cases completely solve themselves for you. Other instances force you to sit back and think for a little bit before you can or cannot pass judgement.

What follows is literally the result of hours of research and mulling over of possible inclusions. Another interesting factor that came up is that in some cases you have to consider groups as losers as well if it was a collective effort in being labeled as such.

With that now on your mind, I challenge you to start pulling out your personal list of the biggest losers in the world of football because I want your lists in the comments so we can really makes this an interesting thread and discussion.

Now then, on to the first loser......CLICK HERE TO START THE SLIDESHOW.

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Seriously Wenger I Dont Know Who Is Worse, You or Your Captain and His Sidekick

I cant take it in London anymore, Just let me Fly Emirates right out of here.
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(Bleacher Report)Day by day the impending departures of both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from Arsenal get more and more tiring to read about and deal with. In most cases I just want to stop looking at anything with their names on it.

However, it has almost that factor or annoyance that it is just so ridiculous that it is still happening that we go ahead and look anyway.

Once again today it appears that despite some headway on either sides having been made, Arsene Wenger says that he does not expect anyone to leave. I mean really, just let it go already. Get your massive cash injection, fill your gaping defensive and goal keeping issues with quality and add another midfielder and striker and call it a day.

I would have taken the Fabregas deal last year, and it is a must to take it this season as you could tell he was only going at 90 percent all of last season because he wants to leave. It is not good for the team to have a captain begging to leave.

Anyway, the current figures still stand with the Gunners wanting at least £35 million for Fabregas and £22 million for Nasri. City Boss Roberto Mancini is becoming more frustrated with his pursuit of Nasri and if Wenger is not careful he could push the deal away and end up loosing out on any fee for the Frenchman if he moves for free next summer.

Likewise it appears that the Barcelona players expect the deal for Fabregas is already done as Goal.com reports that Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique have both extended welcome home messages via twitter.

Whatever the case I look forward to these deals being sorted and done with as soon as possible.

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Barcelona Continue to Warn Reds off of Ibrahim Afellay

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(Bleacher Report)The Reds have expressed interest to Barcelona over the services of former PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. Young Dutchman Afellay made 217 total appearances for the Dutch giants before taking his leave for Barcelona last season.

At the age of 25-years old he could be in position to take a prime spot in the Barcelona midfield by age 27 when he kicks into his prime years. He has already opened his goal account with Blaugrana with both a league goal and a Copa Del Rey strike.

Juventus also could be in the hunt to lure away the young midfielder, but in all honesty he seems settled for the moment enjoying the La Liga title and the Champions League title.

Afellay however could end up out of the mix if the deal for Cesc Fabregas goes through and that might seem him available next summer.

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Samir Nasri, and Cesc Fabregas Are Causing Transfer Holds Says Wenger

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(Bleacher Report)Arsene Wenger is accusing the transfer sagas of both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas as the reason for their not being more signings for the Gunners this summer. Two days ago he promised that a signing of "Super Quality," would be arriving next week.

Let us hope that he was not referring to the addition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain because I will be horse laughing and most Arsenal fans will be cringing at the thought as they start calling for the Frenchman's head.

The under pressure manager had these words published in a recent ESPNsoccernet.com article:

"Ideally I would have finished all [our business], but it doesn't work like that,"

"We work very hard, we are non-stop working throughout the summer. It's all kinds of things you meet during the transfer market, but I can understand the impatience of people."

"We want to add not quality, but super quality."

"We hope to give you some good news soon. Next week, something might happen."

In all honesty it seems his desire to hold on to player desperately wanting out is causing the real problems with the summers dealings. He has been offered over £50 million between both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas wants to go so bad he is willing to use his own £4 million in bonuses to get out of London. How much more convincing to you need Mr. Wenger?

That amount alone could purchase which ever combination of defenders from amongst his targeted Gary Cahill, Scott Dann, Chris Samba, Phil Jagielka and Jose Enrique.

The signing of there of them at the most would have been worth the £35 million offered by Barcelona for Fabregas that was rejected once again. That still leaves another £22 million that Manchester City have on offer for Samir Nasri.

Out of that he could purchase a new quality keeper, he could have bought Maarten Stekelenburg for only £4.6 million which is what Roma paid for the 28-year old Dutchman. Then that would leave another £17.4 million to add an additional attacker to cover for the Robin Van Persie who despite is amazing talents will probably get injured once or twice this year. Wait actually RVP is already injured and the season has yet to start.

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Cesc Fabregas Continues to Wait for Move to Be Agreed with Barca

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(Bleacher Report)As the transfer window winds down, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas win continue to wonder if he will finally get his move this summer. The last two years have seen the Spanish club try and reclaim their once youth player.

The most recent news surrounding the player draws some attention as Fabregas did not travel with the Gunners as they have headed out to Portugal for their final friendly of preseason against Benfica.

It is uncertain what this means for the player or for manager Arsene Wenger. When asked in his press conference yesterday about what it meant for the future of Fabregas at the London Club, this is what was replied by the French manager on the clubs official website:

"I do not want to speak about the transfer of Fabregas because I have done that three years now in every press conference so I don't think there is any more need to add something."

"I love Fabregas and I want him to stay, that is basically it."

"Everybody is free to think what they want. We cannot stop people raising questions."

"He is just coming back from injury and is not ready to play in a game. But he is not injured."

The latest bid for the player is believed to have been turned down according to ESPNsoccernet.com, and as the final weeks start coming to a close the pressure is on for Fabregas to be back in Spain within the next several days.

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World Football Special: The 14 Most Embarrassing Dives Ever

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(Bleacher Report)While some of these may not have been as embarrassing at first, in the time since they have become much more laughable as in most cases the replay footage does not lie.

The truth comes out when you get put into slow motion, and with so many to choose from it is hard to even stop at 14. However, at some point you have to just let it ride.

Diving is a pet peeve of pretty much any football fan, as it takes so much away from the game. Many fouls are genuine and no one has a problem with seeing a deserved penalty or card handed out.

However, it is the theatrical nonsense that results from players not being true to the game that causes the most frustration to any and all of us fans.

That being said, let's get on with the show as I present to you 14 of the most embarrassing dives ever......Click Here to Start the Slideshow.

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FA Cup Quarter Final Match Preview - Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Article first published as FA Cup Quarter Final Match Preview: Manchester United vs. Arsenal on Technorati.
United out to Avenge Liverpool defeat and take the Powder out of the Gunners FA Cup and Premiership Hopes.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
March 11, 2011

Manchester United vs Arsenal

Wenger Needs this to Steady His Ship

This match will be an interesting one to watch. The Red Devils are coming off of an outright bashing by Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal are limping after their most recent defeat against Barcelona, where they failed to get off a shot, and still are suffering from their Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham.

United will see their captain Nemanja Vidic return to the side, who will be much delighted for his presence, as well as Darren Fletcher to return to the midfield after being absent from injury until after halftime at Anfield. Wayne Rooney still is failing to get off the ground in attack, and despite my belief that it would be smarter to start Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov together, and the out of form Merseysider will be sure to get the nod from his boss.

RVP Can Dominate when Healthy

Arsene Wenger has a team that has been beaten and battered in the last few weeks. Robin Van Persie has finally been able to stay healthy for a few months now and he will be the spearhead of Arsenal's attack. Samir Nasri will again take the reigns of midfield as Cesc Fabregas has endured an injury laden season that has allowed the young frenchman to continue to shine in his absence. The injury to Fabregas also will give youngster Jack Wilshire yet another chance to continue to show his worth as a play maker and midfield engine.

Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen are still sidelined, and Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal's most used keeper of late, is now gone for six weeks. The thought of Manuel Almunia in net behind a weekend defense for the Gunners does little to settle the nerves. Sir Alex's side also has many injuries but I still look to them to be the better side at home.

The return of their Captain the loss of the opponents and all the various injury problems can only lead to a result for United if things go their way at home.
United to take it at home in a more open game than believed ending 3-2 United on top.