Thierry Henry hangs boots, joins Sky Pundit crew

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football after leaving New York Red Bulls this month amidst speculations he might rejoin Arsenal, rather he chose to be a Sky Pundit.

Google Image: Thierry Henry

 

"It has been an incredible journey," he told Sky Sports.
 

He played for Juventus, Barcelona and Monaco, scored 175 Premier League goals and is fourth on the list of all-time scorers.
 

Henry won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners, where he played between 1999 and 2007.
 

He added the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009 and returned to Arsenal for four matches on loan from the Red Bulls in 2012, coming on as a substitute to score the winner against Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup.
 

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Thierry Henry may feature in France vs Brazil friendly

Thierry Henry has been in the new lately after he ended his four-years contact at New York Red Bull in the MLS. 

Google Image: Thierry Henry

Report  on Kickoff.com has it that the former Arsenal player is being considered by the coach of Les Blues, Didier Deschamps for next year's international friendly against Brazil, in March, 2015.

"It has become such a big media subject," Deschamps told RMC. "Thierry Henry is a great player. He has marked the history of the France team, as have some others.

"It is worth thinking about. I'll take the time to discuss it with the federation president.

"After people have ideas, they end up in the press. I won't close the door but I don't want to put pressure on this issue.

"We will take the time to discuss it. This is not for tomorrow. It will keep going. Thierry Henry is Thierry Henry."

Henry 37, made his debut for the national team in 2007 becoming the country's leading scorer with 51 goals in 123 appearances.


 

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud signs contract extension

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has signed a contract extension which keeps him at the London club until 2018.

Although the Gunners have not officially confirmed the news, the UK Mirror reports that the French striker will now earn around £80,000-a-week.

Giroud, who is out till next year following surgery on his broken left tibia, which he suffered against Everton last month. He has gotten rid of his crutches now and is wearing a protective boot, as he continues his recovery process.

However, Manager Arsene Wenger has brought on Danny Welbeck from Manchester United as a cover but still rates Giroud highly and has proved that by handing him a new contract.

Giroud joined Arsenal two years ago from Montpellier.

Arsenal defender Debuchy undergoes surgery, to be out for three months

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that defender Mathiue Debuchy will be out for about three months having had a surgery on his ankle.

The French international injured his ankle during 2-2 against Manchester City at the Emirates and has since then been sidelined.

Gunners manager told the club website on Monday, ''He has had surgery and will be out for three months,'' Wenger said ''A reasonable delay is three months.

''It all went well, but it can be a week or two earlier or a week or two later, but it will be around three months.

''It is a blow of course, how big it will be we will only know afterwards because it will be down to how well we replace him. We bought [Calum] Chambers for that.''

Michel Platini threatens to suspend retire Riberry if he fails to play for France

UEFA President Michel Platini has told fellow countryman Franck Riberry that he risks a three match ban if he refuse to heed to national team call up.

It could be recalled that Riberry retired from international football shortly after the FIFA World Cup which he missed due to back injury

''If Deschamps calls him up, then he has to come to come to the national, Platini told Bild am Sonntag. “That’s written in the FIFA statutes. If he doesn’t report for duty, then he would be banned for three matches for Bayern Munich.

''It is not the player’s decision whether he represents his country, it’s the decision of the coach. Ribery cannot simply decide for himself whether he wants to play for France or not.''

 

Platini also seemed to suggest that the winger can hang his boots up, after the Euros in 2016.

 

''He’s a Frenchman and the European Championship in 2016 is taking place in France, not in Poland,” Platini said.

Hala Madrid: Benzema signs contract extension to remain at Real Madrid for the next five Seasons

France forward Karim Benzema has committed his future to Real Madrid after he extended his contract which keeps him at the club untill 2019.

His signature however debunks every speculation of the player's potential move away from the club as suggested by many transfer rumours in recent times.

According to an official statement released on the club's website which reads: ''Real Madrid would like to announce the extension of Karim Benzema's contract with the club until 30, June 2019 to include the next five seasons.''

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham were reported to be among the English Premier League teams chasing the 26-year old striker who scored 24 goals in 51 appearances for Real Madrid last season.

Debuchy completes Arsenal move

Arsenal.com reports that France international Mathieu Debuchy has joined  the London Club on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old right back has just returned from the World Cup in Brazil, where he helped France reach the quarter-finals.

Debuchy joined from Newcastle United, where he made 46 appearances during an 18-month spell. He spent the first nine years of his senior career with French side Lille, where he made 233 Ligue 1 appearances for his boyhood club and a further 18 in the Uefa Champions League.

He will join up with his new team-mates soon for pre-season preparations and is expected to make his debut at the Emirates Cup in the first weekend of August.

World Cup 2014: Brazil escapes Colombia onslaught as Germany edge France to set up semi final clash

Host Brazil are though to the semi finals after beating fellow South Americans Colombia 2-1 in the Quarter final on Friday.

Captain Thiago Silva rose up early to put his side ahead while David Luiz doubled the lead with an astonishing free kick in the second half.

Colombia got a life line as James Rodriguez converted a penalty after Julio Cesar brought down Bacca in the box.

The host however set up a semi final clash billed for next Tuesday with Germany who saw off France by a lone in another thrilling encounter.

Mats Hummels did the job for the German side as he headed home earlier in the match.

Mikel Obi: A Distance From the No "10" Tradition

By Adetayo Odulaja

You remember Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, Kaka, the list goes on.... They all have one thing in common which is, their jersey No. 10.

Jersey No. 10 is meant for players who are "cult heroes" in their respective teams and this tradition is as old as football and the trends continue in this World Cup.

For football enthusiasts, it is only natural to expect much from any player wearing the NO. 10 for their country owing to the fact that they most times dictate the play for the rest of the team members in the attract line from the midfield. Simply put, the bulk of the team's creativity rest on their shoulders. They do the thinking, magical, unimaginable and sometimes "cheat".

We know the story of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr and the new kid on the block with 5goals, 4assists in 4games, James Rodriguez. However, the same cannot be said of Nigeria number 10 jersey which was made famous by the multi-talented magician, Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha Seeing the cute-looking Mikel Obi playing or acting as No. 10 completely negates the encomium and authority that comes with such a vital role.

Without undermining the effort of the Nigeria national team and it technical crew, one can say that after three matches, the team has been relatively lucky to have progressed to the round of 16 with below average performance from Mikel which has drawn criticism from the fans back home.

Many of the aforementioned names are winners of the Balon D'or and that goes to justify that the number attracted glory to their personalities.

Come to think of it, this same Mikel Obi was the cynosure of all eyes when he was second best to Messi at the World Youth championship in 2005 but today without mincing words we can tell who has evolved into a super character.

Interestingly, some believe that the player,  Mikel would have improved a whole lot if he hadn't been restricted and cultured into his new style. 

What influenced his or informs his style of play today is not the bone of contention now but to state the fact that he must step up his game to be ranked amongst the greats sooner or later because even the kids on he street would prefer a No 10 with dignity.

Bendtner, Sagna, nine other players depart Arsenal

Report from Arsenal website indicates that 11 players will be leaving the club when their contracts officially expire on June 30.

According to the statement on Arsenal.com "Nicklas Bendtner and Ju Young Park come to the end of their contracts, while Kim Kallstrom and Emiliano Viviano’s loan spells are set to conclude.

"As already communicated, Bacary Sagna, Lukasz Fabianski and
Zak Ansah have completed permanent moves to Manchester City, Swansea City and Charlton Athletic respectively.

"Meanwhile, academy players Chuks Aneke, Daniel Boateng, Zach Fagan and Leander Siemann also depart having reached the end of their current agreements.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to take this opportunity to thank all of these players for their contribution to the club, and to wish
them well for the future.

World Cup: Victor Moses may be sent packing for refusing to warm up against Argentina - Report

Following the reports making the rounds that Victor Moses is injured and that has been responsible for his not being fielded in matches against Bosnia Herzegovina and Argentina.

Google Image: Victor Moses

Brila FM Lagos, confirmed that the player is not actually suffering any form of injury. According to the report filed in from Brazil, ''Victor Moses was among those players called up by Coach Stephen Keshi to warm up but he refused, feeling disappointed of not getting a starting line up and may risk being axed from the team by the coach.''

Moses was fielded against Iran and was substituted before the end of the match.

The Nigeria super Eagles qualified for the Round of 16 despite losing to South American giants Argentina 2-3 on Wednesday and are set to play Group E winners France while Argentina confronts Switzerland.

Messi breaks Bosnia Herzegovina as France thrash Honduras

Bosnia Herzegovina lost 1-2 to Argentina in the opening Group F match of their World Cup campaign on Sunday.

Argentina benefited from an Own goal in the early minutes of the first half while Lionel Messi eventually showed the stuff he's made of as he extended the lead in the 65th minute.

With about 5 minutes to stoppage time, Ibisevic scored Bosnia's first ever World Cup goal to unsettle Argentina.

It was however no disgrace for Bosnia as expected by many, they sure will prove a threat to the others in the group, Nigeria and Iran.

In the early kick-off, Switzerland snatched a late victory from Ecuador in a match that ended 2-1 while France thrashed Honduras 3-0 in the Group E games.