Since Man City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi investment group, headed by Sheikh Mansour, they have been continually linked with the World’s top players and have already signed several players once thought beyond their means, players such as Robinho and Carlos Tevez have joined the club and they continue to be linked with the World’s top talent.

This summer has been no different and City have been reported to be interested in players such as Serbia and CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic, Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko and midfielder Fernando Gago from Real Madrid.

One link that refuses to go a way is the one though is the one that links city to former Sweden international Ibrahimovic as the forward used to play under Mancini at Inter Milan, where the striker was somewhat of a hero.

The situation at Barcelona also makes a move for Ibrahimovic look likely as the Catalan giants have already signed Spain international David Villa and with a new President in office at the Camp Nou, new signings will be extremely likely and selling Ibra may be a way to free up some transfer funds.

This has led to the continued rumour that the Swede and the Italian manager could be reunited at Eastlands and the latest quotes from Mancini have done nothing to douse the flames of rumour surrounding the player.

“Many players are linked with City, often for convenience,” he told Tuttosport.

“We are used to raised prices, but in reality we cannot buy dozens of players.

“Of course we aim to strengthen. Krasic or Dzeko? One really interests us, the other doesn’t. Who? I cannot say.

“Ibrahimovic? In my opinion, Ibra is the best striker in Europe. It makes me laugh when people say he misses crucial chances.”

Man City are 7/1 with Betfred to win the Premier League next season, skybet and 888sport are offering 5/1 and 6/1 respectively.

The midfielder was sent of for a challenge on the Czech playmaker and feels that a combination of Rosicky diving and Arsenal players putting pressure on the referee Andre Mariner was to blame for his dismissal.

I thought they were lucky getting a goal and lucky the referee sent me off, which was an absolute joke,” Henry declared.

“I have gone in to win it, Rosicky has gone across me to shield the ball. By that time, I have already gone to ground.

“One of their players has come in, (Thomas) Vermaelen flying in and whoever else, trying to get me sent off.

“I certainly wouldn’t be running over, trying to get a player sent off.

“I have seen it again and I have nicked the ball. It was never a red card, it is an absolute disgrace.”

Controversy has surrounded the Arsenal side for most of this season, with manager Arsene Wenger reacting to midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s horrific leg break by claiming that teams deliberately go into tackles heavier against his side.

Henry, though, feels that Arsenal are the guilty party in many instances, heading to ground even when a tackle is fairly made.

He is up and running around two minutes later, absolutely fine,” the 27-year-old said.

“That is what they do here, I don’t think it’s pretty.

“Their players moan when they get tackled when they get hit hard and so does Arsene Wenger.

“Here in particular, Arsenal moan a lot, their players go down like a sack of spuds.

“They get hit hard like any other clubs do and we are hearing about it for weeks and weeks.

“They play good football here, and are a great side, but it is not nice to see.

“We love Arsenal’s great football, but when they are rolling around getting people sent off, it makes you not want to see them do so well.”

Wolves take on Stoke at home next weekend and are currently 11/8 favourites with Stan James to win.

The midfielder limped off the field following his penalty saying: “I fear the worst, which is that I have broken something,”

“It is the fibula. I think I put my leg between [Carles] Puyol’s when I was fouled, and kicked it.”

What Arsenal received in terms of an excellent comeback result, they more than paid for in injury costs – with defender William Gallas picking up a suspected calf injury, and Andrey Arshavin also facing an absent spell.

Gallas was stretchered off before half-time and is likely to miss the rest of the Gunners title campaign, while Arshavin’s injury seems less serious as he told his website he expects to be back in only two to three weeks.

Arsene Wenger admitted he had taken a risk playing Gallas.

“Gallas has a calf strain and will be out for a while now,” said Wenger. “I took a gamble that didn’t pay off. Yes I regret that now. Arshavin has also done his calf.”

Fabregas was visibly in pain after scoring his spot-kick, leaving the Emirates on crutches only after helping his side pick up a draw against his boyhood club.

“When I took the penalty, I was quite strong, but after when I went to get the ball, I could not walk any more,” he added.

The Spaniard will miss the return leg in Barcelona regardless after picking up a second booking during the competition, however, he will be hoping the injury will not affect his World Cup prospects.

“We have to wait, but I hope I can wear the Arsenal shirt again this season,” he added.

“I do not think it is going to be good news, but still I hope there will be.”

Victor Chandler have Barcelona at 2/5 to win when the two sides meet in the return leg.

You can find more World Cup Betting markets at Party Bets’ new micro site.

Rooney came off the bench to replace the injured Michael Owen, who had scored United’s opener, and popped up to head the winner home in the 74th minute despite playing with a slight knee problem himself.

Rooney stated after the game:

“It’s a great feeling to play a final at Wembley and to score the winning goal is unbelievable. Obviously I wanted to play but I had a bit of a sore knee. Fortunately for me I came on and I’m delighted with the winning goal.”

Rooney has been on fire of late and the press have made much of the fact that he is chasing the 42 goal target set by Crisitano Ronaldo two seasons ago, Rooney’s goal against Aston Villa left him on 28 so far.

“I am enjoying playing at the minute and enjoying scoring goals, hopefully that will continue. Cristiano got 42 but I am just looking to contribute to us winning medals. If that happens it would be great but as long as we win medals it would be even better.”

Despite the victory and Rooney’s marvellous display, the news that Michael Owen has suffered a hamstring injury will not go down well with a side that is still chasing glory in two other tournaments.

United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on the matter:

“He (Owen) did really well for us and it was a good performance from him. It’s maybe our fault too. He’s not had a lot of minutes recently and that soft pitch didn’t help him. It’s a bad blow for us.”

With the Premier League and Champions League titles still very much within United’s grasp Ferguson will be hoping no more injuries effect his sides quest for more glory.

United are still slightly behind Chelsea in the league and the odds with Ladbrokes reflect this with the Manchester side at 6/4 to Chelsea’s 5/4 to become Premier League champions.

Though there are dangers of whomever finds themselves playing Premiership football next season being immediately slumped back into the Championship, it is no doubt a very exciting time for fans of a few teams right now with the carrot of Premiership football being dangled just in front of them and their players but just how far will some teams need to leap? Just who are certain to find themselves playing against the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas next season?

Will, a given seems to be Newcastle United whose remarkable fall from grace last season looks to have been remedied at the first attempt. So expectant are the bookies that the boys in black and white will be back in the top flight next season that the best odds to be found on their promotion attempt is a measly 1/6 at Coral. The surprise package this season have been Nottingham Forest who, after a rather glorious history have found themselves lurking in the lower leagues for many years now. Well, the best odds to be found for Forest finally making a return to the Premier League are at Sportingbet.com who are offering 17/20.

However, in this writers opinion, perhaps the most interesting team are Blackpool who, hiding just outside of the play-off positions right now could well pull off what Burnley achieved last season and at 16/1 at Tote-Sport, there is clearly a chance to earn some money from the chaps in tangerine.

Nottingham Forest to win promotion – 17/20 at Sportingbet.com.

Blackpool to win promotion – 16/1 at Tote-Sport.

So, what exactly are the kind of bets being taken by some of the big bookies with regard to these two gentlemen being reunited on the field of play? Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, there is little money to be won by betting on these two not swapping shirts at the end of the game. In fact, so unlikely is this that the odds at Sky Bet are only 16/1.

Okay, so we have established that the chances of seeing Terry and Bridge touching tongues is rather slim, but what scenario is currently offering the best odds? Well, according to Paddy Power Bingo, there is little chance of Wayne Bridge being booked for a foul on John Terry but as we all know, at 40/1, it might just be worth having a flutter because passions may well get the better of the Manchester City left-back. Chelsea will play Manchester City at Stamford Bridge this Saturday.

Returning hero Campbell will surely have pleased bot his manager and fans with the manner of his performance, the highlight of which was his leap above the Porto defence to head home a Cesc Fabregas corner.

Campbell’s good work was, however, undone by two mistakes by young goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski who was playing in place of the injured Manuel Almunia.

Spanish Goalkeeper Almunia was not the only regular first team player out from Arsenal, leaving manager Arsenal manager to pick a rather unfamiliar starting eleven for this vital Champions League clash.

Despite missing these key players, Arsenal will have every right to be pleased with the effort on show as they created many chances and, of course, achieved the possibly vital away goal with Campbell’s first goal for the club since his return.

Wenger was, in the end, lead to criticise the referee Martin Hansson for his impact on the game.

Wenger felt that Porto’s second goal, scored from an indirect free kick after Fabianski had picked up Campbell’s back-pass, should never have stood.

The free kick was taken quickly by Porto’s Ruben Micael, allowing Colombian forward Falcao to roll the ball into a virtually unguarded net.

Wenger, speaking after the match, told reporters: “I thought that what the referee has given as a back-pass was completely accidental because it was a toe-kick which you never do as a defender,”

Adding: “I think the referee also has to give us time to build a wall or else you will never have a chance to defend an indirect free-kick in the box”.

Arsenal will be hoping no such questionable refereeing takes place in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on March 9th and will also hope to welcome back their injured players, including Almunia, before the second game.

Arsenal, despite the setbacks encountered before and during this game, remain many peoples dark horses for the Champions League title and odds of 10-1 with Ladbrokes reflect this.

The trotters, who comfortably beat Premier League newboys Stoke City in their opener at the Reebok Stadium, travel up to St. James’ Park this weekend knowing that they will be facing a Newcastle United side brimming with confidence.

Which is why we find the Magpies an absolute must bet at the 8/11 being offered by Ladbrokes.

OB365 TIP: Back Newcastle to Win vs. Bolton 8/11 – Bet £20

PROFIT TO DATE: £0