Chinese security agents launched a wide-ranging clampdown on dissidents today, hours before the award Nobel Peace Prize award to imprisoned democracy activist Liu Xiaobo.

ARSENAL midfielder Abou Diaby has compared himself to Zinedine Zidane and insisted he is ready to become one of the best players in the world thanks to surviving a boot-camp organised by French fitness guru Renaud Longuevre that has transformed his game.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unable to celebrate his side’s vital 3-1 win at Stoke after teenager Aaron Ramsey suffered an horrific injury.

NICKLAS BENDTNER is ready to grab the chance to finally establish himself as an Arsenal first team regular – and sustain their title hopes – ahead of a trio of crunch Barclays Premier League games.

AARON RAMSEY is ready for a big start to 2010 – and has every confidence he can prove himself worthy of a regular place in the Arsenal team.

France international midfielder Abou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Barclays Premier League club confirmed today.

IN LIGHT of our relatively poor recent form and the ridiculous rash of injuries, I reckon that much like myself, most Gooners will be pleasantly surprised to be sitting down to our turkey with only a two-point deficit on Man Utd and six behind the league leaders, with a game in hand on both.

Robin van Persie's surgery on his right ankle was successful, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed.

SIX yellow cards in a game which didn’t include a single malicious tackle; United back on terms from the award of a penalty at the Stretford End, after Shava’s far more blatant penalty shout had been ignored; then our much-maligned manager suffering the ultimate ignominy of being sent to the stands, for the last few seconds, after harmlessly venting his frustration on a water bottle. All in all, a fairly typical, fruitless afternoon at Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger admits his major failing this campaign has been underestimating the effect of missing out on last season’s Premier League title was going to have on his players.

West Brom have confirmed the signing of AZ Alkmaar defender Ryan Donk on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger had seen enough by half-time of Chelsea’s opening-day romp over Portsmouth to tell him everything he already knew about the campaign ahead.

Eduardo Da Silva struck twice to help Arsenal book their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a routine victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

ARSENAL’S Robin van Persie has described former team-mate Freddie Ljungberg’s recent criticism of the Gunners as “a bit weak”.

Three players were sent off as Chelsea came from behind to win the Carling Cup for the second time in three years – but skipper John Terry was not around to lift the trophy after being taken to hospital following a sickening kick in the head.

Arsene Wenger hopes he will soon have a full-strength squad with which to attack the second half of the season.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims the Academy system is failing English football.

ARSENAL’S anger over Abou Diaby’s fractured ankle shows no sign of abating after defender Kolo Toure accused Sunderland’s Dan Smith of deliberately attempting to hurt the French midfielder.

Ivory Coast 0 Egypt 0 (Egypt win 4-2 on penalties)

Iraqi and Syrian officials met today to discuss restoring full diplomatic relations and reopening their embassies after a 23-year break in full diplomatic relations, said a senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official.