Constantini to step down as Austrian soccer coach

Dietmar Constantini will step down as coach of Austria when his contract expires at the end of the year after his team failed to qualify for Euro 2012.

The 56-year-old Constantini will not be offered a new contract, president Leo Windtner of the Austrian football federation said on Wednesday, a day after a goalless draw with Turkey ended Austria's final hopes of reaching Euro 2012.

Serie A strike nears end

A strike by Serie A players was expected to end Monday with the players' association and the league due to sign a temporary collective contract that will last through the end of this season.

The strike postponed the scheduled start of Serie A the weekend of Aug. 27-28, and both sides want to reach an agreement before the second round begins Friday with defending champion AC Milan facing Lazio at the San Siro.

"All the elements are in place to sign today. Experts are working out the last details," players' association president Damiano Tommasi told RAI state radio.

After the contract is signed, both sides were slated to meet with the government to discuss new stadiums, brand protections and other issues.

Would Arsenal's Retained Eleven Really Win The League?

An almost accepted opinion that seems to be doing the rounds currently (which the only Arsenal fan in the office shouts very loud to make it extra true) is that, if only Arsenal could keep all of the brilliant players they produce, they would be champions elect.

Now while it is undoubtably true they would be a better side, the only players I can think of that would automatically get into a current starting 11 would be Fabregas (who has only been gone for a few weeks) and Ashley Cole. Strong arguments could be made for Toure (although I think Koscielny looks decent when partnered with Vermaelen) and Adebayor (obviously not at the expense of RVP).

But, the majority of others, at least those I can think of, would be bench warmers, eg: Hleb. This greater strength in depth would allow for more tactical options, although Wenger rarely deviates from his default formation, insisting his team can win playing their own game. The added mental toughness of experienced pro's would possibly help, but if they had spent years at Arsenal failing to win anything (as I believe they would) then they would not be the answer to Arsene's woes. Potentially it could reduce injuries, and would probably improve the team when injuries or suspensions arise, but I honestly do not think it would be enough.

I am ignoring players such as Henry and Pires, who are nowhere near the level the used to be at (although they would undoubtedly add mental toughness / winning attitude), but for my mind Arsene simply hasn't bought or produced enough quality in recent years, regardless of what his staunch defenders will claim.
Jack (Expecting to be corrected/shouted at) Manchester

Same Old Arsenal

We have witnessed it for several seasons now, the tendency to focus on circumstances beyond their control and simply “feel sorry for themselves.” Earlier in this blog, I wrote the following will be a critical success factor for Arsenal’s season:

We may find it frustrating, but the mental strength remains the big question mark for this team. If Arsenal wants to win the League the team must be able to handle blows the current players in the squad have a tendency to feel sorry for themselves.

As I see it, there is no real leader in today’s Arsenal squad, Van Persie as a captain? I am Wenger biggest fan, but it could be that we all are (Gunners fans) and that we are being blinded by our emotions for Arsene.

I simply don’t understand why for several years he has not yet got a real striker…it’s a big mystery for me. It feels like with the game Arsenal is playing he doesn’t even have to be that good.