Zidan in Premier link, Arsenal and Barcelona want Egyptian, says player's father

The father of Borussia Dortmund forward Mohamed Zidan claims his son has been targeted by a number of top European sides.

The Egypt international impressed again at this year's African Cup of Nations as his country won the competition for the third consecutive time last month.

The 28-year-old's form has put him in the spotlight once more, with his father Abdullah adamant a deal with a top European club may be struck this summer.

"There are clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United that have asked his agent about Mohamed," said Abdullah Zidan told Egyptian station Dream TV.

"Mohamed has a contract at Dortmund until 2012, but he has a clause allowing him to leave the club at the end of the season for a certain amount of money."

Dortmund are Zidan's fourth German club and the playmaker has grabbed two Bundesliga goals in 16 appearances this season.

Zidan, who has 33 international caps, netted seven times in 29 games in the previous season - his first at Signal Iduna Park.

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Arsenal Attempted To Buy Stoke City Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen In January - Report

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Gunners boss has already admitted he tried to sign a player just before the window slammed shut, which the paper “understands to be [Thomas] Sorensen”.

The Danish international has come under pressure for his number one berth at the Britannia Stadium following the arrival of goalkeeper Asimir Begovic from Portsmouth. While Wenger might have considered replacing gloveman Manuel Almunia at the Emirates because of his recent dip in form.

Wenger has also admitted that he thinks the role of goalkeeper is a “terrible job", particularly in English football.

“Goalkeeper is maybe the most difficult job in the world because everything is so quick," explained the Frenchman.

"In England it is even harder because people stand on your feet at crosses. It is a terrible job.

"The goalkeeper always gets negative publicity. If a striker misses two chances but scores two goals he is a hero, but if a keeper has a fantastic game and makes one mistake, he is a villain. It is the most pressurised job in football."

The 60-year-old Frenchman also added that he felt Almunia was suffering by putting too much pressure on himself, saying: “I think he [Manuel Almunia] puts a lot of pressure on his own shoulders, perhaps too much.”

The Spaniard is certainly set for a testing afternoon as Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Wenger is confident his team can prevail, despite being thumped 3-1 by Manchester United last weekend.

"I believe we will respond on Sunday [against Chelsea]. Last year we turned up in a similar situation and won the game,” he added.

"We are six points behind them [Chelsea] with 14 games left to play. We are still a very young team, and it is a miracle to be where we are today, if you listen to what people were saying at the start of the season.

"So why should we suddenly feel we are useless? We have surprised everybody, so we should really go for it.

"We have top quality, and we want to add that fraction of self-belief we have to find within our group.”

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Chamakh wants Arsenal move

Marouane Chamakh has revealed that he wants to move to England this summer when he becomes a free agent, and has stated Arsenal are the club he wants to sign for.

A host of teams have been chasing the highly-rated Moroccan international, who is out of contract at Bordeaux in the summer, but he has now revealed he wants to sign for the Gunners.

Arsenal tried to sign the 26-year-old last summer but could not agree terms, but Arsene Wenger has retained his interest.

However, in recent times Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Everton and Sunderland have all made contact with Chamakh's representatives as he is now free to talk terms with any interested clubs.

Inter Milan, Juventus and Sevilla have also been in touch, but Chamakh has now confirmed that he wants to move to the Emirates.

"My future? Well, I hold all the cards, I have no reason to be under pressure but everyday passing by, I am a little less a Bordeaux player," he revealed.
Arsenal

"My choice is to join Premier League and if I could choose, I will go to Arsenal.

"Bordeaux has brought me so much. I will soon clearly state things so the club can prepare to find my replacement peacefully."

Chamakh is full of praise for Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc.

"Laurent Blanc has brought us a winning state of mind, he has taught us how to hate defeat," he told L'Equipe.

"Both on mental and physical levels, I am at my best. Three years ago, I was still a little crazy. Now I can manage my efforts, which allows me to be more clear-sighted at the end of the match.

"I have improved, but I can still improve. I am not only happy to play anymore. I have become someone who wants to win. I am more a scorer, but not enough yet. There are too many situations where I still do a pass for a player in a better position."

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Lucky for Gunners' Tigers dent Blues' title charge

battling performance from relegation contenders Hull City saw them claim a well-deserved point from a 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea at the KC Stadium.

Phil Brown's men took the lead on 30 minutes thanks to a thumping header from defender Stephen Mouyokolo, only for Didier Drogba to grab the equaliser with a pin-point free-kick just before half time.

The visitors came closest in the second half through Drogba and Daniel Sturridge, but Hull fought hard to ensure the points were shared.

Frank Lampard came close for Chelsea early on with a rasping shot from 30 yards, stinging the hands of keeper Boaz Myhill. The rebound fell to the in-form Nicolas Anelka, but he failed to control the ball; sending it spinning out for a goal-kick.

Carlo Ancelotti's men then had a great chance to take the lead as a cross from Branislav Ivanovic found the head of an unmarked Michael Ballack, but the Germany international directed his diving effort straight at Myhill, who was able to make a comfortable save.

Moments later Hull broke the deadlock when a curling corner from Hunt was met by a towering Mouyokolo, whose powering header from close range left keeper Petr Cech with no chance.

However, the visitors were back level just minutes before half-time as George Boateng scythed down Anelka on the edge of the box allowing Drogba to step up and fire a free-kick into bottom corner of the net to register his eighth goal in nine games for the Blues.

Moyokuolo could have scored a second for Hull in first-half injury time as Tom Cairney floated in a dangerous ball towards the French defender, however, Anthony Gardner powered his way in front of his colleague and sent the ball looping over the bar.

Chelsea came close to taking the lead early in the second half as a corner from Florent Malouda was met with a thumping header from Drogba, but keeper Myhill managed to make a tremendous save down to his right.

However, this result give Arsenal relief and maybe will be easier for Gunners to bounce back against Chelsea this sunday.

John Terry powered in a header in the following melee, but again Myhill was equal to it; palming the ball to safety.

Drogba had another chance on the 75-minute mark, but his header from an Ivanovic cross looped just over the bar.

Substitute Sturridge nearly stole all three points for the visitors in injury time, but his long-range half-volley was well brilliantly turned away by Myhill.

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Savic claims Gunners deal

Claims: Defender Stefan Savic (left) is capped at youth level for Montenegro

Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic claims he has agreed a deal to join Arsenal in the summer after snubbing interest from other Premier League clubs.

Savic has recently been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium and says he will sign a pre-contract with Arsene Wenger's side later this week to join from BSK Borca.

The 19-year-old also claims Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur were keen on a deal, but he is looking forward to the opportunity to play for Wenger.

He told Serbian newspaper Blic: "There were offers from Tottenham and Birmingham, but once a call came from Arsenal, I had no more doubts.

"Wenger made sure my papers were arranged for me and my work permit extended so I can be at more training sessions.

"He is the man. He has incredible authority at the club, everyone listens to him, assistants lead training sessions and he just supervises. Nothing can escape him."

Savic added: "A pre-contract will be signed on Thursday and then I will return to Belgrade and join BSK for their preparations.

"I will be staying with BSK until May."

The centre-half has five Under 21 caps and, if the deal goes through, his arrival will go some way to softening the blow of missing out on Chris Smalling, who opted to instead join Manchester United.

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