The downfall of Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane will join West Ham on laon until the end of the season with an option for a permanent move. The Ireland international is trying to save his career. (Courtesy Oliver Mallich)

By Ryan Fleming

The downfall of Robbie Keane shouldn’t be a topic to write about, discuss or even mention in any pub, street or avenue. It never should have happened. Plain and simple. For such a talent to end up with almost zero playing time while being threatened to lose its place in the national team is disgraceful.

The story of Robbie Keane is one that has gone terribly wrong.

It is hard to exactly pinpoint the downfall of such a skilled and entertaining player and see where the wheels stopped turning. Currently, Keane is moving from one part of London to another for the rest of the season and maybe  more if he can help them stave off relegation. If Keane can’t save the Hammers, he will have to move back to Tottenham, a club he truly doesn’t belong to anymore.

Loss to Manchester United Doesn't Mean the End of Arsenal's Title Hopes, But It Sure Doesn't Help

Samir Nasri has been on top form in the last few weeks for Arsenal. The Frenchman will need to keep up his current form if Arsenal wants to beat Manchester United tomorrow. (Courtesy Ronnie Macdonlad)

By Jonathan Gold

Arsenal may not win the league, but the United game won’t tell us either way

I’ll admit it, it still makes me grin a little bit each time I think about the fact that Arsenal lead the English Premier League. That happiness is tarnished only a little, however, to know that by the time most of you read this, they might not be any more.

There’s a certain sense of fatalism among Arsenal fans when Manchester United comes to London. While Fergie’s mob haven’t had it all their own way, there haven’t been too many occasions in recent seasons for wild celebrating among the Gooner faithful.

Given how evenly matched the teams are on paper, it’s difficult not to come away with the impression there’s just a little bit more steel and composure about Ferguson’s teams, which frequently shades the fact that Arsenal is a bit more talented most of the time. It’s still awfully close, of course. Age probably has something to do with it.

Serie A Preview – Juve to unseat Inter

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero are hoping to overtake Inter Milan, the five-time defending champions of Italy (Photo Courtesy James Adams)

By Kevin Koczwara

Inter Milan dominated the world of top-flight soccer last season. The club won its domestic title in Italy, Coppa Italia and the one trophy the club’s fans and ownership had been dreaming of for 60 years, the Champions League. Inter was on top of the world, and when that happens in the world of soccer, people take notice and try to build off of your success.

Inter Milan needs to find a way to handle this season without manager Jose Mourinho – the “Special One” – who bolted for Real Madrid at just days after winning the Champions League title with Milan.

Inter’s league title didn’t come without tough competition. Roma made a valiant run for the title in the later months as they strung together win after win, but it was unable to knock down the reigning and eventual champions.

What The Soccer Guys Are Reading – August 25, 2010

Claudio Pizzaro (center) celebrates with teammates after he scored in the 105th minute against Sampdoria on Tuesday to send Werder Bremen through to the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League. (Photo Courtesy Deutsche Welle)

Deutsche Well – Werder Bremen completes massive comeback to qualify for Champions League Group Stage

Werder Bremen completed massive come back against Sampdoria on Tuesday to earn a bid to the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. After defeating the Italian club 3-1 in the first leg last week, Bremen fell behind 3-0 on Tuesday, which put them behind 4-3 on aggregate. However, a strike in the 93rd minute from Markus Rosenberg tied the clubs 4-4 and sent the match to extra time. In the 105th minute, Claudio Pizzaro scored for Bremen to seal the its place the 32-team group stage.

The Guardian – Robinho refuses to play in Turkey

Brazilian Robinho has turned down contracts Turkish sides Fenerbahce and Besiktas after deciding life in the country was not for him. The forward spent most of the summer embroiled in a struggle to remain with Brazilian side Santos before Manchester City demanded he return from extended loan spell. However, City’s summer spending spree deemed him expendable. After refusing to sign in Turkey, Robinho claimed he prefers to sign with an Italian or Spanish side, as many of his countrymen have succeeded in both nations.

Derby Highlights Courtesy of FootyTube

I search the internet for match highlights every weekend, and each weekend I come to the same conclusion: FootyTube is the best highlight Web page on the internet.

Here are the highlights from the Manchester United v Liverpool match at Anfield from Sunday.