Pro Eleven Headlines

Adebayor - We've nothing to fear

Despite Arsenal's struggles of late Adebayor remains a model of optimism and has even gone as far as to suggest none of United's players would make Arsene Wenger's first XI.

Arsenal head into one of the football calendar's hottest fixtures on the back of a now infamous defeat at Stoke in their last Premier League outing, which was followed up with a goalless draw against Fenerbahce in midweek.

It has been suggested a United victory in North London would go a long way to ending Arsenal's title challenge, despite the season being just 11 games old, but Adebayor is refusing to be browbeaten by the doom-mongers.

On the contrary, the powerful striker is convinced there is nothing to fear from the champions, claiming: "I don't think I would like any of the United players in our team.

"We already have a great team and everyone is playing quite well so we are happy with our squad.

"If we play our football, we've got a chance to win the game."

Captain's call

Adebayor will miss the game through injury, but his rallying call has been echoed by captain William Gallas, who has demanded his team-mates show a united front on Saturday and fight for one another.

"I don't think it's over at all," Gallas added. "It's only six points, which is not much at this early stage.

"We have to keep believing and react well for the next game.

"We know we can play nice football but where we have to work and improve is to be focused for 90 minutes, or 94 minutes, and not think the game is over before the referee blows the final whistle.

"It down to the whole team to work, it's not about individuals."


Ronaldo Ready To Gun Down Arsenal

United leapfrogged the Gunners in the Premier League table last Saturday, as they claimed victory over Hull City while Arsene Wenger's men slumped to defeat against Stoke City.

Both teams sit just inside the top four. The Red Devils - who have a game in hand - lie five points adrift of pace-setters Chelsea and Liverpool.

The feeling around Ashburton Grove is that a loss this weekend would effectively dash their title hopes. Ronaldo is hoping to heap more misery upon Arsenal - although he is by no means expecting an easy encounter.

"We want to win the title, so we have to get three points there," the Portuguese superstar said in The Sun.

"I don’t know if it is tough for them at the moment, but they will still have 11 players, the same as us, and I know it will be difficult because it always is," said the Portuguese winger.

"But we have a great spirit and we are a great team, so our aim is to pick up three points."


Zola issues invitation to Obama

Gianfranco Zola has urged American president elect Barack Obama to come back to Upton Park and watch a match whenever he likes.

Obama attended a West Ham game while on a London visit five years ago and his half-sister Auma is married to an Englishman who is a Hammers fan.

Zola said: "It would be marvellous if he wants to come one day, although I think he's going to be very busy doing other things."

The Italian said he hoped that West Ham's attacking principles would appeal to the new man in the White House and that he would never change his philosophy, holding Arsenal up as the style to follow.

"Arsenal's style is something I like," he said. "That's my personal opinion although other clubs like to go more direct.

"I believe that playing the Arsenal way will make the players better and that's what I am doing at West Ham - trying to improve them as players because the results will follow.

"I might be right, I could be wrong but I will stick to my method. We have to make sure football is still an entertainment. It is not a war, it's not win at all costs.

"We have to protect the spirit of the game and make sure that other interests don't get on top of the game."

"Every morning, when I wake up, I focus on how I want my team to play. I keep my principles."

Zola has confirmed that midfielder Scott Parker will be fit for tomorrow's visit of Everton.

Valon Behrami and Mark Noble are still ruled out and there is also still a doubt about Spanish striker Diego Tristan, who has yet to make his debut.