Arsenal are hoping to prise Mikel Arteta away from Goodison Park.

Arsene Wenger has earmarked Mike Arteta as the man to fill in for injured Cesc Fabregas and his versatility means that he could play with Fabregas when he returns.

Arteta, 26-years old, was bought by Everton for £2million from Real Sociedad in 2005, and has a proven pedigree in the Premier League. Arteta’s Premier League experience suits Arsene Wenger who is insisting on a player that can have immediate impact on his squad.

Arteta recently signed a new contract with Everton that runs until 2012, so it will take a strong bid form Arsenal, thought to be in the £12 million region.

Arsenal are being linked with several players in the run up to the January transfer window. Other names being mentioned include Newcastle’s Shay Given and Steven Taylor, Zenit St Petersburg’s Andre Arshavin, Barcelona’s Yaya Toure and Dynamo Kiev’s Pape Diakhate.

Liverpool have offered Steven Gerrard “all the support he needs” after his arrest in a Southport night club in the early hours of Monday morning.

Gerrard was arrested with 5 other men after an altercation at The Lounge Inn and the Liverpool and England star along with 2 of the men have subsequently been charged with assault and affray.

A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after the alleged incident.

A statement released by the club read:

Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time.

Meanwhile, the Football Assocation said it would not be making any comment on the Steven Gerrard case other than to stress that his position with England was not under question.

Gerrard, along with John Doran and Ian Smith, will appear at North Sefton Magistrates’ Court on 23 January, accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

Three other men have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Pardon Steven?

“I think it’s important for us to remain humble, keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard.” The words of Steven Gerrard after his Liverpool side had beaten Newcastle United 5 – 1 to cement their place at the top of the Premier League. Twelve hours later, Gerrard and a bunch of his mates are arrested following an incident in a night club. He’s later charged with affray and assault. Gerrard is of course innocent until proven guilty but from the outside looking in, it doesn’t look like he’s following his own advice now does it? A huge shame for a player who has been, up until now, a model professional.

The colour of money

In these desperate economic times with people facing redundancy, repossession and staggering levels of debt, I found it particularly strange to come across a football web site glorying in the fact that Nike has released no less than 10 colourways of the Mercurial Vapor IV since its release on the market a little under a year ago. You’ll be aware of previous debates on the subject of club’s bringing out more than one kit over the course of a season and all the wailing and gnashing of teeth that has caused but 10 versions of essentially the same product in a year! That means that on average, each boot is out of date every 36 days or so. Not particularly a long life span for a product that costs in excess of £100. Indeed, anyone who has felt compelled to stay at the forefront of the Vapor fashion parade will have forked out about £1200 since January. Is that fair? Nike will doubtless maintain that the constant drip feeding of colourways isn’t designed to fleece as much out of us, the customers, as is possible. But if that’s the case, why can’t they reveal 2 or 3 designs every 3 months or so and let us choose which ones to go for.

Beware United

Liverpool may have a clear lead at the top of the Premier League as we head in to 2009 but Manchester United are just 7 points adrift with 2 games in hand. And don’t be surprised if United pick up 6 points from those two games by scraping over the line. The Old Trafford outfit have won an astonishing 8 of their competitive games this season by the scoreline of 1 – 0. A good team always does just enough to win. Liverpool better watch out.

Lancashire rules

The Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, San Nicolas Church, Botanic Gardens and Teleferico cable car. Just some of the sights that Jermaine Pennant won’t be visiting next year after missing out on a move to Real Madrid after failing to agree personal terms. Pennant was also concerned that he wouldn’t feature regularly in Madrid’s first team. This from a man who’s appeared in just three top flight games for Liverpool this term.  Talk about not wanting to better yourself, failing to meet a challenge and settling instead for the mediocre. Instead, Pennant looks like he’ll be ending up at Wigan. So he can therefore look forward to the A49, the Camelot Theme Park and Wigan Pier.

One of Arsenal’s top youngsters has pledged his future to the club.

20 year old Jay Simpson, a star of the Gunners early round successes in this season’s Carling Cup, has signed a new long term deal despite not yet appearing for the first team in the Premier League this term.

Instead Simpson’s activity has been restricted to the reserve side and 3 starts in the Carling Cup, a run during which he scored twice for Arsenal’s team of fringe players in the 3 – 0 win over a full strength Wigan side.

Having spent last season on loan at Millwall, Simpson will be part of a similar arrangement next year when he joins West Brom in the January transfer window.

Many of you will have seen the new black, white and comet red colourway of the Nike Total 90 Laser II and last night Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney was kitted out in the second of three new colourways of the football boot, in white, black and blue sapphire.

The football boots got a winning appearance as United beat Middlesbrough 1 – 0 in the Premier League to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to 7 points with 2 games in hand.

The third Total 90 Laser II football boot in the new colourway triumvirate comes in obsidian, white and metallic silver.

For those of you not too familiar with the word obsidian, the dictionary definition is: a volcanic glass similar in composition to granite, usually dark but transparent in thin pieces, and having a good conchoidal fracture.

Dressing rooms around the country will all soon doubtless hum with the sound of players discussing the conchoidal fracture qualities of their football boots. Or maybe not!

Tech Spec:

Integrated offset lacing system provides increased football boot to ball contact surface, minimizing uneven ball strike and allowing greater ball control, accuracy and swerve.

Revolutionary V-Twin lacing system maximizes strike zone and optimizes fit allowing the true fit of a traditional boot, without compromising the contact zone for ball strike.

Improved Shotshield technology on front of foot provides cleaner ball contact and superior control to allow the athletes to place the ball more accurately. The technology continues to utilize the precision ring technology used in its predecessor, providing increased accuracy through refined placement and design.

Teijin synthetic leather and engineered mesh work together to help protect the foot and maintain a constant temperature environment throughout a full 90 minutes.

Water resistant eVENT membrane enhances breathability and keeps the foot dry.

New high density outsole component supports and stabilises the planted foot when striking the ball.

Individually engineered hybrid studs are positioned for optimal traction and comfort, e distributing pressure evenly across the foot.

An engineered sockliner provides improved arch and heel support whilst it’s unique anatomical design leverage’s multiple material densities to help distribute pressure and provide a tailored fit and feel from heel to toe.

Improved external heel counter cup provides added stability and works in combination with a moulded foam package to create a superior feet and heel lockdown.

Price: Approx £120 / $190

Steven Gerrard is backing his Liverpool side to win a first ever Premier League title and finish at the head of the top flight for the first time in 19 years.

Liverpool went in to Christmas on top of the table and cemented their position with a 5 – 1 demolition of Newcastle in the North East on Sunday.

The Liverpool captain maintains that the current side is the best he has ever played in saying:

We have big players here and we will have a lot of tests and challenges to come.

But if we keep playing like this then we will be there. This is the best team I have played with.

You look around the dressing room and, from the keeper to the forwards, we have some fantastic players. There is a confidence that we can get over the big hurdles.

We have given ourselves a great chance. If we want to stay at the top and be involved in this title race, we have got to deal with the pressure.

Everything about the adiPURE II says elegance and class. The adiPURE II is expected in the shops next month, so we thought we’d share a new colourway with you….

Featuring the finest materials allowing a natural ball feeling, an embroidered logo on the collar, asymmetrical lacing for a cleaner kicking surface and an adiPURE II sign-off on the outsole plate. This finely crafted football boot is built for the beautiful play of the football purist and provides him with pure comfort.

The adiPure II player knows the game because he loves the game. They are footballers like Kaka, Van Persie, Benzema, and Lampard who inspire their teams with their natural elegance. They are graceful playing in any style, ensuring that it leads to a victory. The authentic style relies on all the timeless, handmade details and elegant design that make a boot pure.

 Specs

• Hand crafted for comfort, quality and performance. A pure and sleek design that is all football. Features superb fit, supersoft leader upper and firm ground TRAXION outsole.
• Upper: Welded 3-Stripes. Asymmetrical loop lacing for better ball contact. K-Leather for durability, lightness and glove-like fit.
• Lining: Synthetic.
• Inlay: Pre-molded sockliner with EVA patch in the heel for additional comfort.
• Outsole: TRAXION FG for grip and comfort on firm natural surfaces. TPU Plate for lightweight performance and durability.

Players: Kaka, Van Persie (also uses Predator), Benzema, and Lampard

Price: £99

Colourways: Black | Running White | Metallic Gold, Running White | Black | Metallic Gold, Running White | Sport Red

Release Date: January 2009

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Reviews Counted: 4

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The adiPure II football boots.

Rookie Portsmouth boss Tony Adams might be waving good bye to star striker Jermain Defoe after leaving the England hitman on the bench against Arsenal on Sunday.

Adams chose to partner Peter Crouch with misfit David Nugent at The Emirates due to tactical reasons, but Adams’ master plan did not pay off as William Gallas headed home a late winner for Arsenal.

Former Spurs striker Defoe was fuming at the decision and with Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on the look-out for a striker the football odds on a return to White Hart Lane for Defoe are shortening.

Aston Villa are also searching for a frontman and Pompey, who are believed to be deep in financial trouble, will be expecting a rush of interest in Defoe when the transfer window reopens.

Adams, who insisted he had received no bids for Defoe, said:

Jermain was really annoyed with me for leaving him out and he is still angry with me now - and I wouldn’t want it any other way to be honest.

 It was tactical. He might have got a point. He could easily turn round to me and say ‘Look, you got it wrong boss because you lost.’ But it’s not easy being a manager and you have to make difficult decisions.

He’s a fantastic player, scores great goals but at the moment we are struggling with balance. Away at Liverpool and away at Arsenal I chose to keep him on the bench. Those are my reasons and speculate all you want but I have had no offers for Jermain Defoe, not one.

Adams, who has made it clear he will not have players who don’t want to be at Fratton Park, insists he does not want to sell in the window which opens on Thursday.

I am determined to hold on to all of them but I want people who want to play for Portsmouth. We’re in a scrap with 14 other clubs and if they don’t want to play for Portsmouth then they’re no good to me.

It’s not reading the riot act, it’s fact. If your head has been turned, if you’re not trying everything to win games for the club then I don’t want you around.

No-one’s come to see me, no-one wants away.

By Phil Tomlinson

From the streets of Rosario, Argentina to the world stage at the Camp Nou, Messi has always demonstrated his own unique style playing with flair and skill. Now Adidas have recognised this with a signature football boot for the Argentine wizard - the Messi F50.9.

The Messi F50.9  features Lionel Messi’s signature on the football boot upper in this Night Sky/White colourway.

As with all the f50.9 football boot range, the Messi F50.9 allows you to customise  your football boots to suit the game, surface, or your mood.

A modular football boot, the Adidas F50 TUNIT lets you change the upper, the sockliner, the chassis and the studs, so you can have your football boots just how you like them!

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Tell us what you think of the Messi F50.9 football boots.

Spurs have apparently ended their pursuit of former striker Jermain Defoe.

The Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who was in charge of Portsmouth when they bought the England striker in 2007, is looking to add some depth to the London club’s striking resources which includes Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko who is cup tied in the Uefa Cup.

However Redknapp has revealed his belief that Portsmouth are considering an offer from another club, possibly Manchester City or Aston Villa, that he’s not prepared to match.

Redknapp said:

I think they’ve a massive offer from somebody for him, so good luck to them - I paid about £9m.

He is a good player but we’re not going to pay over the top for anyone.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has had a first bid rejected by West Ham for Craig Bellamy.

Harry Redknapp’s  Tottenham side are lacking in striker options following the sale of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov in the summer. It leaves Spurs light, with just Darren Bent, Roman Pavlyuchenko and the on-loan Fraizer Campbell as the only recognised strikers at the club.

Redknapp now has his attention fixed on the bad boy of football, Craig Bellamy. With West Ham facing financial strain - they may face a £50 million bill from Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair, and their chairman Bjorgulfor Gudmundsson suffering from Iceland’s economic issues, Redknapp has tested their nerve with a bid thought to be around the £6 million mark. A figure West Ham are said to have rejected.

But Redknapp has warned he will not pay over the odds in the transfer silly season;

One or two players that we mentioned, people were talking crazy prices, if we can’t get the players to improve the squad, I won’t bring in anybody.

Meanwhile Redknapp’s opposite at West Ham, Gianfranco Zola, insists that he only wants to strengthen his squad, not reduce it;

I’m not interested in selling my best players because I want to try and improve the team if I can - that’s our target for the January window.

Have I been told I have to sell them? Absolutely not. The club have told me they are not going to sell them, so of course I would be very annoyed if they were sold, and they would have to give me a very good reason.

I don’t want to talk about what may happen because in football you never know what is around the corner. I will not be pleased (by player sales) because I wnat to improve the team, but I have faith and the club remains positive.

As it’s Christmas, it’s time to dig out all the usual festive favourites. The Wizard of Oz, the Great Escape, Baileys Irish Cream for your mum, the paramedics for Gran after she starts choking on a brussel sprout and of course, the Top Ten lists of the year.

So, true to form, here our our Top Ten list of football quotes from 2008.

Lee Peacock

“We have to take it on the chin. It is a kick in the nuts.”

Lee Peacock of Swindon Town who might well have failed his Biology exams at school.

Joe Kinnear

“You are out of order. Absolutely f****ing out of order. If you do it again, I am telling you you can f*** off and go to another ground. I will not come and stand for that f****ing crap. No f****ing way, lies. F***, you’re saying I turned up and they [Newcastle’s players] f****ed off.”

Joe Kinnear meets the North East press for the first time and teaches them some new words. 

Ramon Calderon

“We have agreed to sell Robinho for human and footballing reasons, and for a substantial amount of money.”

President of Real Madrid Ramon Calderon comes over all caring and then PC and then blows it.

Jeff Stelling

“And Hamilton have come out on top, well I guess that was just academical really.”

The peerless Jeff Stelling on Sky’s Soccer Saturday after a Hamilton Academicals victory.

 Reebok Stadium Announcer

“Half-time and it’s currently 0-0. Get ready to take out a loan for your pie and pint!”

Stadium announcer at the Reebok makes reference to the credit crunch.

Harry Redknapp

“If you can’t pass the ball properly, a bowl of pasta’s not going to make that much difference!”

Harry Redknapp doesn’t think that all these new fangled diets contributed much to Tottenham’s 4-4 draw at Arsenal.

Mick McCarthy

“It doesn’t matter how late he was. If you’re getting on a plane and you miss it by one minute, you don’t go on holiday.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy gives his reasons for dropping Richard Stearman after the player arrives  late for a team meeting.

Man City Fan

“I’m impressed with his work rate. He works as hard as Dwight Yorke’s toothbrush.”

Manchester City fan pays tribute to Robinho on a Radio Manchester football phone in.

Steve Bruce

“This will probably be the last game on Match of the Day tonight!”

Wigan manager Steve Bruce prepares for a late night after a scintillating 0-0 draw with Stoke.

 Roy Keane

“I wouldn’t trust some of these people to walk my dog.”

Roy Keane puts paid to a career in the media after spouting forth on TV pundits.

Do you have a particular favourite quote, stadium announcement or chant from the past 12 months? If so, let us know by using the comments facility below.

Over the past couple of days, Footy Boots has shown you a clutch of unique videos that were made recently for sports-memorabilia.eu But, we’ve saved the best till last.

The final film in the collection is an all Arsenal affair starring Ray Parlour, Alan Smith and Paul Merson.

Parlour and Smith are on hand to recall the good old days while Paul’s memories seem to be somewhat cloudy.

The video will also get it’s UK national TV debut today as it features on Sky Sports ‘Soccer AM’ Christmas Day show (Sky Sports 1, 10.00am to 12.30pm).

The 3 ex players put in a great performance alongside auctioneer Russ Williams and a strangely familiar looking bloke who’s assisting on stage.