Source: London_Paper
Roy Hodgson says Arsenal have not made an approach for Hangeland
ROY HODGSON admits his Fulham side could be hampered by their lack of preparation time in Thursday evening?s Europa League third qualifying round first-leg tie against FK Vetra in Vilnius.[LNB]Fulham will become the first Premier League side to play a competitive game this season when they take on a side second in the Lithuanian league.[LNB]It is reward for their outstanding season last term, when they finished seventh, but having returned to pre-season training less than a month ago, Hodgson feels his side have not had time to gel.[LNB]?If you?re talking about team preparation, we haven?t had all the guys together,? said Hodgson, ahead of the game in the 5,000-capacity Vetra Stadium, with the return leg next Thursday.[LNB]?We?ve had very few games where the first 11 have played together.[LNB] ?We?ve had maybe a couple of halves or 60 minutes here and there but this will be the first time for 90 minutes I choose a team to win the match ? but I?m very hopeful we?ll get through it.?[LNB]And Hodgson has moved to reassure the club?s fans that much-coveted centre-back Brede Hangeland is not on the verge of a £14m move to Arsenal.[LNB]Reports have suggested Arsene Wenger sees the Norwegian as the perfect replacement for Manchester City-bound Kolo Toure.[LNB]But Hangeland will be cup-tied for the Group Stages of the Champions League if he plays tonight, and Hodgson says he hasn?t been contacted by anyone from the Emirates.[LNB]He added: ?We read the speculation about Brede, but you only get concerned when a club contacts you.[LNB]?I?m not bothered about it. If Arsenal wanted one of our players and could afford to entice him away, like Manchester City are, we would have to deal with that situation.[LNB]?But it?s only speculation brought about by people seeing that Arsenal are losing a centre-back and saying ?if I were the Arsenal manager I?d go for him?.?[LNB]Simon Davies is injured for tonight?s game, while Dickson Etuhu may join the squad at the eleventh hour if his partner gives birth, having not joined the squad for the flight to Lithuania.[LNB]Should Fulham consider selling Hangeland if Arsenal make a big offer for the powerful centre-half? Let us know what you think...[LNB]
