ARSENALS Dutch striker Robin van Persie believes the club are about to embark on a crucial phase of the season. The Gunners extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a resounding 4-1 demolition of AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday night to all but secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. With leaders Chelsea and Manchester United on whom Arsenal have a match in hand clashing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the trip to Wolves tomorrow represents a real opportunity for Arsene Wengers young side to lay down a marker ahead of the international break. It is a very crucial time for us now, said Van Persie (pictured), who made it eight goals for the season with a brace in the north London derby against Tottenham last week. Against Wolves, it is a must-win game for us, given that Chelsea and Man United are playing each other. After the break we have Sunderland away and then Chelsea, so it will be a tough month. Victory over Wolves would see them, temporarily at least, move into second place and Van Persie added: One of the top two will lose points this weekend, so if we want to challenge for the title we must win. 22 METROSPORT Friday, November 6, 2009 D Roos the daddy but Giggs is father figure for United Life of Ryan... Giggs United appearances: 815 League titles: 11 European Cups: 2 FA Cups: 4 League Cups: 3 Club World Cup: 1 Rooney has some catching up to do but he does already have three Premeir League medals and a Champions League win in the bag Respect due: Rooney and his team-mates looks up to United legend Giggs Picture: AFP/Getty By kEvin AitkEn SOCCER pREmiER LEAGUE NEW dad Wayne Rooney says Ryan Giggs is the man everyone looks up to at Manchester United, admitting he would love to be just like him. And ahead of Sundays title show- down with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the England striker who became father to Kai this week in- sists he wants to be a good role mod- el for children. Rooney is now in his sixth season at Old Trafford following his 27mil- lion move from Everton and is loving life more than ever now he has the central attacking berth he craves. And if the England striker gets his way, he will remain with United until the end of his career, even if he ac- cepts matching Giggs trophy haul may prove beyond him. I have al- ways said I would love to end my career at this club, Rooney said. If I can get anywhere near what Ryans done itd be an amazing achievement. I regard him as the per- fect role model. You must have great respect for the way his life is and the way he handles himself. The things hes done throughout his career and the things he has won are unbelievable. Everyone looks up to him and if I even get close to the number of games he has played I would be delighted. Rooney, 24, accepts hes no longer the same person who burst on to the Premier League scene as a 16-year- old at Goodison Park and added: From when I first got into the Eng- land team until I was 20 or 21, I was a bit naive. I used to go out and do different things. Obviously, in the end, you realise you cant because there are young kids watching. You have to try and set an example. todAy SoCCER (7.45 unless stated) Coca-Cola Championship Derby v Coventry.............................. League of ireland premier division Bray v Bohemians ............................ Dundalk v Derry City......................... Galway Utd v Cork ........................... Sligo v Drogheda Utd....................... St Patricks v Shamrock Rovers........ CRiCkEt Second one day international: Pakistan v New Zealand (Abu Dhabi) HoRSE RACinG Fontwell, Hexham, Wolverhampton, Southwell, Down Royal SAtURdAy SoCCER (3.00 unless stated) Barclays premier League Aston Villa v Bolton .......................... Blackburn v Portsmouth................... Man City v Burnley ........................... Tottenham v Sunderland .................. Wolverhampton v Arsenal.......... 5.30 Coca-Cola League Championship Blackpool v Scunthorpe................... Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough....... Leicester v West Brom ..................... Newcastle v Peterborough............... Nottm Forest v Bristol City............... Plymouth v Doncaster...................... Reading v Ipswich ............................ Sheff Wed v QPR.............................. Swansea v Cardiff ................... 12.45 Watford v Preston............................. Clydesdale Bank premier League Aberdeen v St Johnstone................. Hamilton v Motherwell...................... Hearts v Hibernian................... 12.30 Kilmarnock v Dundee Utd ................ Rangers v St Mirren.......................... League of ireland First division Finn Harps v Monaghan Utd ..... 7.45 Kildare County v Shelbourne.... 7.45 Longford Town v Limerick FC.... 7.45 Sporting Fingal v Athlone Town. 7.45 UCD v Waterford Utd ................ 7.45 Wexford Youths v Mervue Utd... 7.45 HoRSE RACinG Doncaster, Kelso, Sandown Park, Wincanton, Down Royal, Dundalk RUGBy Union international matches: England v Australia (2.30), Wales v New Zealand (5.15) tEnniS (until Sunday) Fed Cup World Group Final: Italy v United States (Reggio Calabria, Italy) SUndAy SoCCER (3.00 unless stated) Barclays premier League Chelsea v Man Utd.................... 4.00 Hull v Stoke ............................... 1.30 West Ham v Everton......................... Wigan v Fulham................................ Clydesdale Bank premier League Falkirk v Celtic......................... 12.45 HoRSE RACinG Hereford, Market Rasen, Ffos Las, Limerick, Navan motoR CyCLinG motoGp (Ricardo Tormo Valencia) wEEkEnd fixtuRES Reds play down talk of surgery for Torres FERNANdO TORRES has had tests on the serious groin injury which is threatening to ruin his and Liverpools season. Spain striker Torres played 87 minutes of the 1-1 Champions League draw with Lyon on Wednesday, a result which virtually ends their hopes of making the knockout stages. The 25-year-old played with pain throughout the match in France and flew back to Merseyside yesterday for tests on his ongoing groin problem. If Torres has an operation he could be out until after Christmas and any further problems could even affect his participation at the World Cup for Spain. A Reds spokesman said: Fernando attended a Liverpool hospital today for further tests. It is nothing more dramatic than that, it is just further tests as part of his rehab. Under-fire manager Rafael Benitez has admitted both Torres and Steven Gerrard may need surgery to solve the injury problems which have plagued their season. Gerrard missed the game with a similar injury but surgery will be a last resort. Benitez knows only too well Torres and Gerrard are key to any chance Liverpool have of turning around their season, which has seen them win just once in their last eight games. We must see how they can improve and by how much. Then we will decide about any possible operation, he added. playing through the pain: torres Kroenke close to Arsenal bid AMERICAN billionaire Stan Kroenke has moved nearer to launching a formal takeover of Arsenal by acquiring another 200 shares in the clubs parent holding company. Kroenke, 62, now controls 29.9 per cent of the company, just short of the 29.99 per cent threshold beyond which he would be forced to make an offer for the remaining shares. RAnGERS have been charged with the improper conduct of their fans after disturbances during the Champions League match against Unirea Urziceni. the case will be dealt with by Uefas control and disciplinary body next week. Uefa had been awaiting their official delegates report before deciding what action to take over the unrest which marred Wednesdays Group G clash in Bucharest. Gers supporters are in the dock FOOTBALLDigest Chelsea begin Cole deal talks CHELSEA have opened talks with England midfielder Joe Cole over a contract extension. The league leaders chief executive Ron Gourlay said: Joe is looking to negotiate his new contract for the next four to five years. That process has started. Joe has made it very, very clear he wants to stay with the club. I am sure over the coming months well be able to work something out. 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