SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 Ozil primed for Sunderland baptism Matches on TV SUNDERLAND: Mesut Ozil is expected to be ready to take on the challenge after moving pressure on Arsenal because they’ve got this (Local Timings) handed an immediate introduction to life in from the less physical Spanish league. “I look new player who they’ve spent a lot on,” said the when his new club forward to playing in this league. I watched the Italian forward. “There’ll be a lot of hype ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Arsenal tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of so many Premier League games,” he said. “Of around him, but maybe that will be good Light today. The Germany star became the course, it’s very physical, it’s a man’s sport, because no-one will focus on us.” Man United v Crystal 14:45 Gunners’ record signing when he completed and I want to prove myself in England. I also Borini hopes to ease the mounting pres- Aljazeera Sport 1 HD a £42.4 million ($66 million, 50 million euros) played in the Bundesliga and Spain and sure on compatriot , the head Aljazeera Sport +9 move from Real on transfer deadline proved myself.” coach, who has seen Sunderland take just Aston Villav Newcastle 17:00 day and his arrival provided an immediate lift Ozil and his team-mates can expect a test- one point from their first three games. Di Aljazeera Sport +5 after a frustrating close season for the ing challenge at the Stadium of Light, despite Canio risked a changing-room rebellion after London club. Prior to Ozil’s capture, manager Sunderland’s disappointing start to the cam- singling out players for public criticism fol- Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Arsene Wenger had added only free agents paign. But after responding impressively to lowing the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. Fulham v West Brom 17:00 Mathieu Flamini and to his the opening day home defeat by Aston Villa Undaunted, he is set to make changes, with Aljazeera Sport +8 squad, as well as on-loan goalkeeper with league victories over Fulham and skipper John O’Shea suspended and forward Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Emiliano Viviano. The playmaker is expected Tottenham Hotspur-as well as progressing to duo Ji Dong-Won and likely Hull City v 17:00 to be thrust into action at the first opportuni- the group stage of the Champions League- to be dropped after failing to impress at Stoke v Manchester 17:00 ty after finally joining up with his new team- confidence is high within Wenger’s squad. Selhurst Park. mates following the international break. And they received a further boost after Ki Sung-yeung hopes to be involved for the Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Wenger says he has not yet taken a final deci- England duo and first time after the midfield player’s loan arrival Aljazeera Sport +9 sion on Ozil’s involvement, but any plans the reported back fit following Tuesday’s goalless from City, United States forward Jozy Sunderland v Arsenal 17:00 manager may have had to ease the player draw in Ukraine. Altidore is fit after hamstring trouble, and Aljazeera Sport +10 into his new surroundings are likely to have With all eyes on Ozil, Sunderland hope a Steven Fletcher is pushing for a first Premier Aljazeera Sport 6 HD been ended by the mid-week injury to Tomas debutant with a rather lower profile can help League start in six months after a serious ankle Rosicky. wrestle the limelight from the German. Fabio injury. The Scotland international could part- Tottenham v Norwich 17:00 Rosicky picked up a thigh injury while Borini is set to figure for the hosts for the first ner Borini, who added: “It’s a big game against Aljazeera Sport +6 away with the Czech Republic and with Lukas time after sealing a season-long loan move a top team, but for us, it’s a chance to get that Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Podolski (hamstring) and Alex Oxlade- from Liverpool shortly before the transfer first league win. Arsenal have got a very good Everton v Chelsea 19:30 Chamberlain (knee) already sidelined, deadline passed. “The headlines are going to team technically and we’ve got to try to be Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Wenger’s options are limited. Ozil insists he is be around Ozil, but that puts a little bit of physical against them.” —AFP Aljazeera Sport +9

ITALIAN LEAGUE Spurs begin Rodwell ready to Internazionale v Juventus 19:00 Aljazeera Sport +7 post-Bale era Aljazeera Sport 3 HD LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur will start the bide time at City Napoli v Atalanta 21:45 post- era at home to Norwich City Aljazeera Sport +7 today in search of a performance that suggests STOKE-ON-TRENT: Manchester City mid- style or be quite as physical as they have Aljazeera Sport 3 HD they are on course for Champions League quali- fielder Jack Rodwell says he is happy to wait been in the past, but I think we’ll still have to Torino v AC Milan 21:45 fication. The sale of Bale to Real Madrid for a for his opportunity to impress manager be at our best to come away with a result. Aljazeera Sport +5 reported fee of £86 million ($132.5 million, 100 . Rodwell has yet to fea- “It’s a tough place to go and as Cardiff Aljazeera Sport 4 HD million euros) dominated Spurs’ close season ture under the Chilean, having been an proved against us (by winning 3-2), every but also provided the bulk of the funding for a unused substitute in two of City’s three away game in the Premier league is going to SPANISH LEAGUE £110 million spending spree that saw seven new Premier League games so far this season. be a challenge because everyone wants to faces arrive at . The 22-year-old endured an injury-hit first beat City these days.” Atletico de Madrid v Almeria 17:00 In 2012-13, Bale was named player of the campaign at the Etihad Stadium following Pellegrini will check on the fitness of mid- Aljazeera Sport +2 season by both his fellow professionals and foot- ball writers in England, but Tottenham could his transfer from Everton in August 2012, field playmaker after he missed Levante v 19:00 only finish fifth and missed out on the but after a full pre-season is feeling back to Spain’s international friendly against Chile Aljazeera Sport +5 Champions League. Now manager Andre Villas- his best. with a thigh injury. Defender Micah Richards Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Boas is hoping his new recruits can blend Rodwell could feature in today’s match should be available again after a hamstring Barcelona v Sevilla 21:00 together quickly as he knows a top-four finish is against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium injury, but captain (groin) and is keen to make an impact if he gets his is not expected back before next month and Aljazeera Sport +8 expected of him after he broke the club’s trans- Aljazeera Sport 2 HD fer record three times in the close season. “Our chance. “I’ve been training hard and I’m feel- new signing Martin Demichelis (knee) is also objective is the same: it’s Champions League ing great,” Rodwell said. “But I’ll just have to unavailable. Stoke are hoping an interna- Villarreal v Real Madrid 23:00 qualification,” he said. be patient and wait for my chance, which tional suspension for Geoff Cameron will Aljazeera Sport +8 “It never crossed our mind to do anything I’m sure will come along soon. “With the work in their favour after the United States Aljazeera Sport 2 HD different, bearing in mind the changes we have players we’ve got at this club, you have to international returned to the club four days made. This is the minimum requirement expect to miss some games, and even if I get earlier than expected. GERMAN LEAGUE towards what we want to achieve. “Our level of a run of games and play really well, I’d still The utility player was booked while play- expenditure in the transfer market raises expec- expect to be rested from time to time ing for his country against Costa Rica on Bayern v Hannover 96 16:30 tations, but they have to be real, not false expec- because you can’t expect every player to Friday, missing a match with Mexico as a Dubai Sports tations. “We don’t have the experience to deal play every minute. result. “There were times last season when I Bayer 04 v VfL Wolfsburg 16:30 with the pressure of a team that plays for a title. “Over the next four weeks we have eight would get back from international games on Dubai Sports We have never done it in recent years. “We will games to play and I’m sure the manager will a Thursday and grab a taxi to get straight Werder Bremen v E Frankfurt 16:30 compete, as usual, for the Champions League be using everyone at some point.” into training,” Cameron said. “Luckily, the Dubai Sports places, providing we assume the responsibility Manchester City’s midfield department is adrenaline and anticipation would get you FSV Mainz 05 v Schalke 04 16:30 of having failed that objective the season before, lighter after Gareth Barry’s recent move to through a match for Stoke because it is a big and we want to do better this season.” Everton on a season-long loan, but Rodwell game whoever you are playing and you just Dubai Sports is in line for a first appearance at does not believe that will make any differ- have to deal with it. Augsburg v Freiburg 16:30 White Hart Lane following his arrival from Roma ence to his first-team prospects. “I don’t “Towards the end of last season I was Dubai Sports and , recruited from Ajax, is hop- think Gareth moving on will have any imme- fatigued, mentally and physically, because Dortmund v Hamburger 19:30 ing to make his debut, but a third newcomer, diate effect,” Rodwell said. “He wasn’t I’d played three-quarters of the MLS season, Dubai Sports Romania defender Vlad Chiriches, cannot play as involved in our opening matches, but there then a whole Premier League season and he has yet to be granted a work permit. Lamela are a lot of games to play and as the season travelled to play for America, and then there FRENCH LEAGUE is unlikely to start as he only returned from inter- goes on and the squad rotation kicks in, I’m were five internationals to play at the end of national duty with Argentina on Thursday morn- sure I’ll see plenty of minutes.” the season. “I had just three weeks off, but Toulouse v Marseille 18:00 ing. “He is going to suffer problems of adapta- Rodwell believes Stoke will prove a tough I’m feeling fresh now, better than I have for a Aljazeera Sport +9 tion because he doesn’t speak a word of prospect under former Manchester City long time in fact.” Stoke manager Hughes Montpellier v Stade Reims 21:00 English,” Villas-Boas said. “He has to adapt to a manager , even though the will have to assess (back), completely different culture and mentality, Aljazeera Sport HD 5 which we are sure he will, but we’re unsure of Welshman has tried to make them a more Glenn Whelan (hamstring) and Kenwyne Valenciennes v Saint Etienne 21:00 how much time it will take.” —AFP attractive team to watch. He added: “Under Jones (ankle), after the trio picked up knocks Aljazeera Sport +9 Mark Hughes they may not play in the same on international duty. —AFP