World Cup Countdown

The World Cup is here and Football Planet will bring you all the action from this rivoting tournament. I will be based in South Africa reporting whats happening in the world cup. From previews to reviews - player profiles, match experiences and other wonderful content. Football Planet is the place to be for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview

Arsenal vs Manchester United - Emirates Stadium

Arsenal and Manchester United will go head to head on Sunday at the Emirates in what should be a humdinger of a game. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are vying for the title and a loss for either team could somewhat diminish that.

Arsenal Have just Come of a goaless draw with Aston Villa while United beat bitter rivals Manchester City in the Carling Cup. Certainly morale in the United camp will be high but both teams will be pumped up for the occasion. So far Arsenal's season has been an eventful one. Already scoring the top goals so far they have conceeded many cheap goals. They are still in the title race but with Chelsea and Liverpool coming up after Sunday, the title could be gone by then. Manchester on the other hand have been ravaged by injuiry and only recently have had their star players returning. Wayne Rooney has just come of his four goals against Hull City and will be looking to add more to that.

Team News

Arsenal

Arsenal have been dealt a blow with the news that Thomas Vermaelen will probably not be fit for the game against United. It was first though that he fractured his leg but xrays have proven otherwise. Arsene Wenger have said that the Medical Team will be doing their utmost best to get him ready. Sol Campbell is available to play for the Gunners. Another injuiry worry is Eduardo who has been ruled out of the game. Bustling Midfielder Abou Diaby is doubtful for the game. Fran Merida is 50-50 for the game.

Manchester United

Manchester United have been dealt a blow with Rio Ferdinand been given a 4 match ban for his incident with Craig Fagan. However Nemanja Vidic is fit for the game. Ryan Giggs is expected to play after having a break against Hull City. It is not known whether Anderson will feature in the United squad after an apparent bust up with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Last 5 Fixtures

Arsenal

Arsenal 2 - 2 Everton

Bolton 0 - 2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4 - 2 Bolton

Stoke 3 - 1 Arsenal

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal

Manchester United

Birmingham City 1- 1 Manchester United

Manchester United 3- 0 Burnley

Manchester City 2 - 1 Manchester United

Manchester United 4 - 0 Hull City

Manchester United 3 - 1 Manchester City

Expected Lineup

Arsenal - Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Gallas, Campbell, Denilson, Fabregas, Ramsey, Arshavin, Rosicky, Nasri

Manchester United - Van der sar, G Neville, Evra, Evans, Vidic, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney, Berbatov

Prediction

Arsenal 1 - 1 Manchester United

Samir Nasri To Answer Your Questions

Football Planet is proud to announce that Arsenal star Samir Nasri will be answering questions from you. We are delighted with this coup and welcome all your questions. Please leave your questions under the comments section

The deadline for this will be on the 9th of February. Although theres a posiibility of us extending the deadline. As Samir Nasri is going through a busy period with his soccer. We will only get the answers when he has a break from football.

We look forward to your answers.

Football Planet

Player of the Week

This weeks Player of the week is Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi. He was instrumental in his sides 4 nil drilling of Sevilla.

Barcelona have endured a tough time over the last few days after being knocked out by Sevilla in the Kings Cup. The Spanish invincibality was questioned after their loss but they bounced back in fine style.

Messi was sublime throughout the game making countless runs and his perserverance paid off with two fine goals. Lionel Messi brought up his 100th goal in the Barcelona shirt and it was a proud moment for both him and his club.

Congratulations to Lionel Messi on winning the FOOTBALL PLANET PLAYER OF THE WEEK.

Latest Transfer Buys

Lucas Neill has moved to Galatasary from Everton.

Maxi Rodriguez has moved to Liverpool on a free.

Adem Ljajic Has moved to Fiorentena from Partizan.

Middelsborough have completed the signing of Barry Robson from Celtic.

French club O. Lyon have secured the services of Dejan Lovren from Dynamo Zagreb.

Celtic have sold Gary Caldwell to Wigan Athletic.

Mateja Kezman has moved to PSV from Zenit,

Arsenal vs Bolton - Expected Lineup

Bolton entertain Arsenal today in a vital clash for both teams. Owen Coyle is in charge for Bolton for the first time and will be looking to get something out of the game. Arsene Wenger on the other hand will want only 3 points from the game.

Possible Team (Bolton)

Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Robinson, Cahill, Knight, Lee, Taylor, Cohen, Muamba, Klasnic, Davies

(Arsenal)

Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, Nasri, Eduardo

Prediction: Bolton 1 - 3 Arsenal

Mesut Ozil - The Next German Talent

Mesut Ozil is a turkish born german who plays for Werder Bremen and the German national side. Ozil , being a left footer, can play on the wings or as an attacking midfielder.

In his early years he played for Gelsenkirchen before moving to the Schalke o4 academy. On the 31st of January 2008 he moved to German giants Wereder Bremen for a reported €4, 3m

In 2006 Ozil was called up to the German u17 team. In 2007 he was called up to the German u21 side and in 2009 his team lifted the European u21 Championship beating England 4 - 0 in the final. Ozil was terrific throughout the tournament and played an important role in their cup victory.

On the 11th of February he made his International debut against Norway and scored his first goal for Germany against South Africa in a friendly.

Mesut Ozil has had a great season so far. This is why Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester United, Barcelona and other big clubs are scouting him and it is no surprise he is being compared to Zinedine Zidane.