I want to prove you wrong this season, Arsenal star warns critics

Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has revealed criticism he has received over the last year is inspiring him to make a huge impact at the Emirates this season.

England midfielder Wilshere has struggled for form following a string of injury problems at the Emirates and ex-Man United star Paul Scholes claimed he had not developed since the age of 17.

The duo have since held a clear-the-air conversation, but now the 22-year-old wants to do his talking on the football pitch for the Gunners after returning to pre-season training early.

Wilshere said: "It [criticism] does motivate me to try harder in training and not just in training; it motivates me to improve because a lot of people have started to talk [about me] - people who don't know me but want to have an opinion. Now it is down to me.

"This is a big season for me. I came back early to pre-season to show people my commitment. I am fully committed to the club and to my job and I want to show everyone that.

"Over the past few seasons I've had a few injuries. This season I'm looking to have a really great pre-season and get a really good base of fitness and take that into the season."

Transfer rumours and paper review – Sunday, July 27

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Sunday's newspapers...

West Ham have made a bid to sign Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, who was released by Chelsea at the end of last season. (Sun on Sunday)

Inter Milan are considering offering Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin, 28, to Manchester United in a swap deal for 26-year-old Mexico striker Javier Hernandez. (Daily Star Sunday)

Sunderland will consider taking Fabio Borini on a season's loan as the Liverpool striker, 23, stalls over making a permanent move away from Anfield. (Sunday Express)

Atletico Madrid have reached a £24m deal to sign France winger Antoine Griezmann, 23, from Real Sociedad. (AS)

Real Madrid are lining up a £10m loan move for Monaco's Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, 28, with a view to a £26m permanent move in 2015. (AS)

Stoke City's bid to sign Oussama Assaidi, 25, from Liverpool for £7m is in danger of collapse over the winger's wage demands. (Daily Express)

Lille striker Divock Origi, 19, is set to complete a £12.5m move to Liverpool in the next few days after choosing the Reds ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid. (Sunday Mirror)

Manager Harry Redknapp has told QPR chairman Tony Fernandes to sign him some new strikers, with Watford's Troy Deeney, 26, on his wishlist. (Mail on Sunday)

Hull City face competition for the signature of Carl Jenkinson from three other Premier League clubs - West Ham, Swansea, and Sunderland. (Metro)

Van Gaal: Possession is key

Louis van Gaal hit out at his players for almost allowing Roma to break his 100 per cent record as Manchester United manager. Van Gaal made it two wins from two as United boss thanks to a 3-2 win over the Italian giants in the Colorado heat.

Unlike in their 7-0 thrashing of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Van Gaal's men were slow off the mark and Roma wasted numerous opportunities to go ahead. Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata also got on the score sheet with a stunning goal, but Roma fought back in the second half with two strikes - the first of which came from 60 yards.

Van Gaal was annoyed with the way his team failed to close the game out after going 3-0 up, but he thinks the fact that the game took place in 30 degree heat, some 5280 feet above sea level, did not help his players. "I think we don't play a good match," Van Gaal said. "All my good passers failed today. I think it was because of the height and the air.

"Mata, (Ander) Herrera and (Shinji) Kagawa these are the best passers (at the club), and everything went wrong. In the second half we forgot to keep the ball. When you are 3-0 ahead the only thing you have to do is keep the ball in possession and the opponent has to run and run and run. We forgot to do that. We brought Roma by ourselves back into the match so I am pleased we have won, but it was not good."

Rooney collected the ball from Mata and curled a stunning shot over Lukasz Skorupski from 25 yards to put United ahead. The England striker then returned the favour, firing a 45-yard ball over the Roma defence to Mata, who killed the ball with his first touch before superbly lifting it over Skorupski.

A clumsy foul by Mehdi Benatia on Danny Welbeck allowed Rooney to add his second from the penalty spot. Van Gaal was reluctant to single anyone out for praise, but he could not hide his admiration for Rooney's performance. "The pass of Rooney to Mata was unbelievable," said Van Gaal, who withdrew the England striker, along with eight others at half-time.

Van Gaal was not so happy with Amos for letting in Pjanic's 60-yard shot. Pjanic spotted Amos well off his line in the second half and punted a looping shot over the 24-year-old goalkeeper. When asked whether he regarded the goal as a wonder strike by Pjanic or an error on the part of his substitute, Van Gaal said with a smile: "What do you think? I am nearly 63. When the ball is flying in the air for four seconds, I think I run 50 metres."

Roma coach Rudi Garcia was stunned by the 60-yard effort. "It was a world-class goal," he said. "I am sure we will see it throughout (the) world. He probably had a training session yesterday with the Denver Broncos."

Van Gaal, meanwhile, played down suggestions that he does not see Wilfried Zaha as part of his first-team plans. Zaha is the only player in Van Gaal's 26-man squad not to feature in this tour of the USA. But the former Netherlands boss says he has no issues with the forward, who was loaned to Cardiff last January, just six months after joining United from Crystal Palace in a £15m transfer.

"I have a lot of players in (his) position," Van Gaal added. "Our squad is not balanced. "Maybe Zaha will be picked because he is working good and hard, and is doing all I require and demand. There is no problem (with him)."

Van Gaal and his squad fly to Washington DC on Sunday ahead of their next match in the International Champions Cup against Inter Milan, which takes place on Tuesday.

Arsenal seal Ospina signing

Arsenal have announced the signing of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina from Nice on a long-term contract. The 25-year-old, who impressed as Colombia reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, has moved to the Emirates Stadium for an undisclosed fee.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper, with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia. He will add strength to our squad and we are very pleased that he will be joining us."

The keeper is expected to make his first appearance for Arsenal during the Emirates Cup friendly tournament, which takes place in north London next weekend. Ospina made 189 Ligue 1 appearances over six years with Nice having joined the south coast club from Colombian club Atletico Nacional in 2008.

He made his senior debut for Atletico aged just 17 and has been a full Colombia international since 2007, making his first start for Los Cafeteros in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Bolivia. At Arsenal he will provide competition for first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny while helping to fill the gap left by the departed Lukasz Fabianski, who has joined Swansea.

Nice coach Claude Puel on Saturday night confirmed Ospina's move to London had been ratified and told Gunners fans they could expect some "quality" displays from the new signing. Speaking to Sky Sports News after Nice's friendly defeat to Brentford, Puel said: "It's confirmed, yes.

"It's a good affair for Arsenal because he's a very good player. You will see next season the quality of this player. It's fantastic for him. It's important for him to try another league, another club and Arsenal is a fantastic club for him.

"David Ospina can take the goalkeeping position at Arsenal because his qualities are very strong and... 'magnifique'. You saw in the World Cup how important a goalkeeper he is. For me, David can impose his quality, he's a goalkeeper who is very good with the feet, with his arms, he knows football and he's a very, very good player."

Crystal Palace beat Leicester to Campbell capture

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell.

Cardiff accepted two bids from the Premier League for the 26-year-old, with Palace and newly promoted side Leicester City both triggering his release clause - thought to be around £900,000.

And the frontman decided to pen a three-year deal with the London-based Eagles, bringing his 18-month stay in Wales to a close.

Campbell came through the youth ranks at Manchester United at the start of his career, but made his professional debut with Belgian side Royal Antwerp while on loan from Old Trafford during the 2006/07 season.

That stint was a success, as was a spell with Hull the following term, and he subsequently spent time on loan with Tottenham before departing United - for whom he had made a total of just four appearances - to join Sunderland in 2009.

In January 2013 he switched to Cardiff and helped them win the Championship title that season - one in which Palace were also promoted, via the play-offs.

But he could not prevent the Welsh outfit from making a swift return to the second tier, with them finishing bottom of the Barclays Premier League in 2013/14.

He arrives at Palace, who came 11th last term, having netted 16 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Bluebirds.

Man United transfer blow! Roma boss rules out Strootman exit

Manchester have received a blow in their pursuit of Holland international Kevin Strootman, with Roma manager Rudi Garcia ruling out an exit for the Dutchman this summer.

The Red Devils are understood to retain an interest in Strootman and reports in Italy claim the 20-time English champions have bid at least £30million for the highly-rated Netherlands international

New United manager Louis van Gaal knows Strootman well from his time as Holland coach.

However, Van Gaal had to do without the midfielder at the World Cup as he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in March.

United would need to see the player, who moved to Roma from PSV Eindhoven last summer, had made a full recovery before launching any bid.

But Garcia insists the 24-year-old is going nowhere during the transfer window.

"Strootman is a Roma player. He will be a Roma player this year. There is no doubt about that," Garcia said on the eve of Roma's friendly against United in Denver, USA.

"Only he can say whether he wants to stay but it was never an issue for him to go to another club. There is no question of it.

Strootman is currently training in Boston, where Roma played Liverpool earlier this week, and will therefore not turn out against United on Saturday in Colorado.

"Strootman is following a normal recovery programme, he has stayed in Boston to work with our physios," Garcia added. "He will start running any time soon."

Drogba will have bit-part role for Chelsea this season, claims Walker

Former Chelsea winger Clive Walker believes returning Blues legend Didier Drogba will have to settle for the role of ‘super-sub’ at Stamford Bridge this season.

Drogba sealed a dramatic south west London homecoming on Friday, signing a one-year deal for the side he fired to Champions League glory in 2012.

The 36-year-old netted 157 goals in 341 appearances during his eight-year initial stay at Stamford Bridge, and the frontman was named Chelsea’s greatest ever player in a poll of fans following his exit.

And while Walker admits Drogba may find his playing time reduced, with £32million summer signing Diego Costa likely to be Jose Mourinho’s favoured sole striker, the ex-Blues man believes he could still have a big impact at the club this term.

“Drogba was a fantastic scorer and a great talisman for the club for eight years, but I don’t think you can look back on that now, it’s a new period in his career,” he told Kick Off.

“It will remain to be seen if he starts many games next season, it will all depend on the fitness of Diego Costa, Fernando Torres and possibly Romelu Lukaku as well.

“But his own fitness will be a big factor. At 36, can he still produce at that level for 90 minutes?

"I think we can all agree that Drogba won’t be a starting player for Chelsea this season, but my initial feeling is, what a man to bring on with 20 minutes to go!

“He will give a huge boost to the team and the fans, he’ll lift the whole of Stamford Bridge when he enters the field.

“He’ll certainly still be a danger, there’s no doubt about that. If he’s in the penalty area and you put the balls in the box he will score goals. He’s still a gamechanger.

“He’s got that love for the football club, which will give him a huge lift and I’m sure he can raise his game to the necessary level to play for a club like Chelsea again.”

Liverpool injury blow! Lallana to miss start of season with knee problem

Liverpool have confirmed summer signing Adam Lallana is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season after limping out of training on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who secured a £26million to Anfield earlier this month, suffered knee ligament damage during a session at the club’s training base in Boston, as the Reds continue their pre-season tour of the United States.

The Merseyside outfit have offered no timeframe on the midfielder’s likely return to fitness, though such injuries can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.

Liverpool did at least confirm Lallana’s injury does not require surgery, following an assessment carried out by club medical staff.

However, the news is clearly a setback for the England international, who will undergo further assessment in America and on his return to Liverpool.

The injury means the former Southampton captain will almost certainly miss Liverpool’s opening game of the campaign against his old club at Anfield.

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Thursday, July 24

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Thursday's newspapers...

Liverpool are ready to revive their interest in Ryan Bertrand as they continue their quest to find a new left-back. Chelsea are reluctant to do business with a side they now regard as credible title rivals and they would be looking for a fee in excess of £8million. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool are hoping to hijack Manchester United’s move for Juventus star Arturo Vidal by matching their £42.5million bid for the player. (Metro)

Atletico Madrid believe they can persuade Arsenal to part with Santi Cazorla this summer. The Spain midfielder is a long-term target of Diego Simeone and the Argentine hopes this could be the year he lands the 29-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have snapped up highly-rated Barcelona youth product Georgios Spanoudakis, who previously rejected a number of offers to sign with Arsene Wenger's side. The 15-year-old central midfielder joined the Catalan club's La Masia academy from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2009, but will now join Arsenal's Under-18 set-up for the coming season. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have also taken Serbian wonderkid Mladen Micanovic on trial. The 17-year-old will train with the Gunners with a view to a transfer to the Emirates this summer. (Daily Mail)

Harry Redknapp ‎wants to strike a deal to bring former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o to Queens Park Rangers. The 34-year-old's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, is flying to London to try to thrash ‎out an agreement. (Daily Mirror)

Frank Lampard is set to be confirmed as a New York City FC player at 3.30pm on Thursday. A press conference has been called in New York to unveil the MLS franchise's latest new signing, expected to be the ex-Chelsea man. (Daily Mail)

Ronald Koeman will swoop for the ‘Dutch Xavi’ - his old Feyenoord captain Jordy Clasie – if he fails to persuade Arsenal and Tottenham target Morgan Schneiderlin to stay at Southampton. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are ready to grab Aston Villa’s Dutch destroyer Ron Vlaar with a cash-plus-players bid. Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is determined to beat Southampton to the Holland World Cup centre-half and will offer money plus the chance to take German midfielder Lewis Holtby in exchange. (Daily Mirror)

Everton boss Roberto Martinez will make Bosnia World Cup star Muhamed Besic his next signing – after thrashing out a £4million deal. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley have made an £8million bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney. The 26-year-old has been made captain for the new season but Watford will sell if they get a bid closer to £10m. (Daily Mail

Van Gaal Vows To Stick With 3-5-2 System After Man United Reign Gets Off To Stunning Start

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hailed his players as ‘fantastic’ after they demolished MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in their opening pre-season friendly.

United thrashed the Galaxy 7-0 in the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, with summer signing Ander Herrera producing a sparkling performance in his first appearance in a Red Devils shirt, to get Van Gaal's reign off to a flyer.

It was a result which took Van Gaal by surprise, and he believes it will give his squad a big confidence boost ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"The result always matters. With such a result you get confidence," the new United boss said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed today. When you see us train, you can expect something but not 7-0. It was a surprise, but they were beautiful goals and beautiful attacks."

Van Gaal sent United out in the 3-5-2 system which he used to great effect with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

And the Dutchman has vowed to stick with that attacking formation.

"We introduced a new system that we have only played two times on the training pitch 11 v 11. But the boys are willing to pick up the information," he said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed. Last week, 10 players who played tonight were not even in our training complex.

"When you want to change a system, you must start at once. We don't have time to prepare for other things. The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it for many years.

"I can change back if the system doesn't work. With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers.

Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes usually played 4-2-3-1 as his squad was awash with players who like to play just behind a main striker.

Van Gaal believes the Scot left him with an "unbalanced" squad.

He said: "We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes.

"I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players. But if we lose, I can change back to another system."

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena thinks Van Gaal's introduction has sharpened the United squad up following their seventh-place finish last year.

"I have nothing but the greatest respect for the show that Manchester United put on," he said.

"A bunch of guys out there fighting for jobs and it looked that way. It was a real lesson for a lot of our players."