August 2008 Archives

A DEBUT goal for Samir Nasri proved enough to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over new boys West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season at Emirates Stadium.

The £12million Frenchman netted after only four minutes as the Gunners dominated the first half.

However, it was a different story following the restart as last season's Coca-Cola Championship winners fought back and were unfortunate not to get something from the match.

ALBION were today closing in on the record signing of Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero, with the Spanish club claiming he was Hawthorns-bound.

The Baggies have effectively matched Valero's get-out clause of around £5million, with the Iberian club revealing on their website that he was set to complete the move to Albion.

That has not yet been confirmed by Albion and is likely to be subject to personal terms being rubber-stamped, although that is expected to be pushed through to ensure no other clubs hi-jack the deal. He will also need to complete the medical formalities.

ALBION manager Tony Mowbray will tell his players to shed the club's 'little old Albion' image when they take on Arsenal in Saturday's lunchtime curtain-raiser.

The Baggies will return for their fourth Premier League campaign desperate to shed their yo-yo status.

In previous top-flight campaigns Albion were perceived as being on an 'adventure', often portrayed in a somewhat patronising manner.

One newspaper even sent a photographer down to The Hawthorns to take a picture of the team bus leaving for Manchester United at the start of their maiden Premiership season in 2002 - only for the snapper to be sent packing by then boss Gary Megson, who considered it as an insult to his team.

Tony Mowbray is desperate for Albion to leave that image behind, insisting that his players will not be in north London to enjoy the day.

ALBION will step up their pursuit of Zheng Zhi after China were eliminated from the Olympics.

The Charlton man is one of Albion's more pressing transfer targets as they approach the final fortnight of the transfer window.

The host nation were knocked out of the tournament after losing to Brazil yesterday, which should pave the way for the Baggies to complete the move sometime next week, if all goes to plan.

Zheng, who turns 28 next Wednesday, is expected to be primed for the defensive midfield role although he can fill-in elsewhere. He is likely to fetch in the region of £2million, with Albion and Charlton maintaining dialogue during his time in Beijing.

JONATHAN Greening believes Albion's tried and tested methods will give them a great chance of Premier League survival.

The Baggies kick-off their top flight campaign at the Emirates on Saturday.

Tony Mowbray's side earned themselves a reputation for free-flowing football and were noted for their excellent team spirit last season, mainly thanks to the previous summer's cull.

Greening feels those traits will be imperative again.