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Arsène Wenger: the blinkered visionary | Observer profile

As the pressure on Arsenal's talismanic manager grows, even his supporters fear his famed singleness of purpose has turned into intransigence Ten days ago, after his team had successfully negotiated the qualifying round of the Champions League, the tall, austerely angular Arsenal manager,...

Six foot six, eyes of blue, an über central defender's after you

Professor Alan Nevill of the University of Wolverhampton had a quiet smile last week when his favourite club, Arsenal, emulated Liverpool by signing a lanky new defender; and not just because he was as desperate as any supporter for Arsène Wenger to strengthen in that area.

Ian Holloway: We must get rid of this window that only the big boys can see through

Swansea have a problem. So have QPR and Norwich. It is called the transfer window and it's why so many promoted clubs struggle.

Arsenal offer Arteta the chance to arrest decline

Amanda Holden and Derek Hatton got on Twitter to express their dismay, while Coleen Rooney complained that she would have to change her son Kai's Everton shirt. Mikel Arteta set tongues wagging from Liverpool to London with his £10m deadline-day move, a last-minute transfer that completed...

The Last Word: Land of hype and inglory

Those whom the gods would destroy, they first call promising. Cyril Connolly's observation has been trotted out many times over the years, and we must start to polish his words again after England thrashed the Bulgars on Friday night. Three goals, three points, and trebles all round for the mighty,...

Touré: I'll prove I never needed drugs

Kolo Touré is determined to prove he did not take drugs to become a better footballer after completing a six-month ban for taking a banned substance. The Manchester City defender failed a drugs test in March having taken bendroflumethiazide which was found to be in water tablets. Touré,...

Ginger Messi powers Wilson revolution

After a season in football's heartbreak hotel, Unitedites have Bramall Lane echoing to the old anthem 'Can't help falling in love' once again.

European giants flex muscles in battle with Fifa

Europe's most powerful clubs will this week mount their biggest ever challenge to Fifa as they seek more power in the way football is run and greater control over their own players. In the latest club-versus-country showdown, the European Club Association – led by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge...

Brian Barwick: Transfer window is football gone mad

HIS head is spinning as the last hours of football's lunatic supermarket sweep unfurl all around him.