Ecclestone linked to Arsenal bid

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone could be part of a £700m Arsenal takeover, it was reported today. He may join forces with the American tycoon Stan Kroenke, who has built up a 12% stake in the club, according to the News of the World. Meanwhile, Keith Edelman, the managing director of Arsenal, has moved to reassure fans that the Gunners can still compete at the top level. He says Arsenal have money for transfers and a 'very cordial' relationship with Kroenke. Edelman adds: 'It's very difficult for me to imagine how someone buying Arsenal could improve the business.'

Henry limbers up for Barca challenge

A sorry sight for Arsenal fans - Thierry Henry started training at Barcelona yesterday in the elevated company of Ronaldinho. This week Barca travel to play friendlies against Dundee United on Thursday and Hearts on Saturday.

Fowler joins Cardiff

Striker Robbie Fowler, released by Liverpool at the end of last season, has agreed a two-year contract with Cardiff.

David Preece dies

The former Luton midfield David Preece has died after a short illness aged 44. He made 395 appearances for the Hatters. Preece joined Derby in 1995 before spells at Birmingham, Swindon, Cambridge and Torquay.

New fears for Owen

Prepare for fireworks if anything untoward happens to Michael Owen when England play Russia on an artificial playing surface at Torpedo Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium on October 17. The fixture was already tricky enough before it was revealed it was being played on a plastic pitch, and Owen has expressed fears about whether his knee will stand up to it. If he should suffer another injury while on England duty, Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce will not be a happy man - Owen missed almost all of last season after being injured on World Cup duty. Owen missed yesterday’s friendly against Carlisle after picking up a thigh injury in training

Palace and Barnet not so friendly

Crystal Palace beat Barnet 3-2 in a so-called friendly that featured a mini-pitch invasion and a bust-up involving 16 players. Peter Taylor's side led 3-0 but in the end were left holding on after a fightback by Barnet. The match was 14 minutes old when Ashley Carew sparked the clash that involved players diving in to prevent further problems. The Barnet midfielder was taken off by his manager Paul Fairclough. When the match resumed after the interval, Carew was back on, and in the 69th minute he started and finished the move that put Barnet back in the game. Within seconds, he was taken off again. Four minutes before the interval a handful of Palace supporters walked onto the pitch on the far side from the main stand and wandered across to the far side, picking up the corner flag on their way.

Three die in Iraqi celebrations

Three people were killed and about 50 wounded in Baghdad when Iraqis fired weapons into the air to celebrate their team's quarter-final victory over Vietnam in the Asian Cup. Bursts of automatic fire echoed around Baghdad after Iraq's national team won the match 2-0 in Bangkok. In another quarter-final, Japan defeated Australia 4-3 on penalties in Hanoi. After the game finished 1-1, goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saved from Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill in the shootout before Yuji Nakazawa hit the winner from the spot.

Berbatov on target

Dimitar Berbatov scored the winner as Tottenham started their South African tour with a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs watched by 50,000 fans in Durban. The BUlgaria international scored after being set up by new signing Darren Bent in the 61st minute. Spurs took a 40th-minute lead through captain Robbie Keane but the Chiefs equalised five minutes into the second half with a header from Shaun Bartlett, previously with Charlton. Spurs lost defender Younes Kaboul, recently signed from Auxerre, in the opening minute after a clash with Bartlett. West Ham were beaten 2-0 by Lazio in Austria, with Craig Bellamy missing a penalty.

Premier League friendly results:

Lyon 1 Bolton 0; Kaizer Chiefs 1 Tottenham 2; Burnley 1 Middlesbrough 1; Scunthorpe 1 Sunderland 0; Carlisle 1 Newcastle United 1; Lazio 2 West Ham 0

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