OCTOBER 5
Owen rated
50-50 for Turkey game
Ananova
Michael Owen has a 50-50 chance of playing in
England's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey after a scan
confirmed his leg injury was not as bad as first feared.
Owen landed awkwardly during Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by
Arsenal at Anfield and was forced to hobble off the
field, leaving the ground on crutches afterwards.
A scan has revealed no damage to his ankle or knee but a
split in the lining between the fibula and tibia bones
in his lower right leg.
That should not prevent him being called into Sven-Goran
Eriksson's squad, which will be announced at 2pm on
Monday.
The injury had looked much worse at the time, with Owen
landing heavily before rolling in agony on the turf.
Players from both sides rushed to his aid but he was
able to continue briefly after treatment before being
substituted.
The initial diagnosis was that no bones were broken but
Eriksson and Reds manager Gerard Houllier will have
breathed a sigh of relief with news of the scan results.
Houllier's only other fit first-team striker is Emile
Heskey after Milan Baros' broken ankle and Neil Mellor's
loan to West Ham.
Eriksson already relies heavily on Owen up front and any
absence would force the Swede's hand, with Wayne Rooney
the most likely replacement for a game England need to
avoid defeat in if they are to qualify automatically for
Euro 2004.
Owen will receive treatment from Liverpool's medical
staff with a view to joining up with the England squad
on Tuesday.
OCTOBER 5
Gerrard:
Carragher badly missed
TEAMtalk
Steven Gerrard says that Jamie Carragher's skills on
the pitch and presence in the dressing room are being
sorely missed by Liverpool.
The Reds failed to convert their superiority against
league leaders Arsenal on Saturday and defensive
failings again let the opposition in as they did last
week against Charlton.
Now the midfielder, whose concession of possession lead
to the Gunners' second goal, wants all his colleagues to
concentrate harder and raise their game defensively.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned, losing Jamie Carraher
is as big a blow as losing Michael Owen or Harry Kewell.
"Carra has been underrated by everybody for too long.
Because he doesn't score goals or hit 50-yard passes,
people have never given him the credit he deserves.
"We all know he has sweated blood for this team and
we're gutted not to have him. Players like that are not
only missed on the park, but around the dressing room
because he's such a good laugh to have around.
"It also make a bit of a difference because he's an
English player and a local lad. Although we all get on
with each other, it's always nice to have one of your
own to talk to in the dressing room."
OCTOBER 5
Wenger hails lucky victory
BBC Sport Online
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his side were
fortunate to claim all three points in Saturday's clash
with Liverpool at Anfield.
The home side took a 13th-minute lead through Harry
Kewell but wasted numerous chances to increase their
lead before the break as the Gunners hit back to win
2-1.
"They could have been two or three goals up," said
Wenger, whose team extended their lead at the top of the
Premiership table to four points.
"We had to show all the qualities we have in our squad.
In the first half, resilience and hanging on, and in the
second half it was about closing people down."
Arsenal equalised on the half hour when Edu's header
from a Robert Pires cross was deflected into the
Liverpool goal by Reds defender by Sami Hyypia.
Pries then grabbed the winner when he curled home from
the edge of the area midway through the second half.
"It was an outstanding goal," said Wenger, who described
the strike as "just Pires".
OCTOBER 4
England face Owen wait
BBC Sport Online
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson faces an anxious
wait to discover if striker Michael Owen will be fit for
the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.
 Owen
will undergo a scan on Sunday on the shin injury that
forced him to limp out of Liverpool's 2-1 defeat against
Arsenal at Anfield.
The picture we didn't wish to see - Owen
injured.
Liverpool's striker collapsed in agony charging down a
clearance from Ashley Cole - and even though X-rays
revealed no break, he is rated doubtful for Saturday's
clash in Istanbul.
Owen's absence would be a shattering blow for England,
who have relied heavily on his goals to keep their Euro
2004 hopes alive.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier said: "The X-ray is clear
- but he felt something, so we'll see on Sunday.
"It's too early to say how long he will be out for. It
could be minor or a more serious matter - but I can't
say."
Owen played on after lengthy treatment, but was clearly
in trouble and finally left the action after 71 minutes.
It compounded Liverpool's problems - with boss Houllier
regretting a host of missed chances after a second
successive defeat.
He said: "Arsenal hardly had a kick in the first half -
but the boys have got to keep their heads up. They can
be proud of their performance.
"We've just played a team who are top of the league and
undefeated in a while, who are very clinical."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "We have shown great
toughness and togetherness to get this result.
"I felt the 1-1 scoreline at half-time flattered us. but
we were much more in control after half-time and looked
like we could get the goal we needed."
OCTOBER 4
Boss: We didn't
deserve to lose
LFC Official Website
Gerard Houllier reflected on his side's 2-1 defeat to
Arsenal and insisted: "We didn't deserve to lose today."
Houllier's side were in complete control for two thirds
of the game before Arsenal clicked into gear and stole
the points thanks to a stunning strike from Robert
Pires.
"They were more clinical than us on the day," said the
manager. "We had more chances than them and their
goalkeeper had to make more saves than ours did, but we
didn't get what we deserved.
"We could have had the game finished off at half time
but then we had a 20 minute blip in the second half when
they played well and caused us problems. Of course, it
was a wonderful goal which won it for them.
"We have to keep going and keep believing in what we are
doing. I'm happy with the performance today but very
disappointed with the result.
OCTOBER 4
Owen injured
in Arsenal triumph
BBC Sport Online
Arsenal cemented their Premiership supremacy with a
vital victory at Liverpool - but an entertaining
encounter was over-shadowed by an injury to England
striker Michael Owen.
Owen limped off with a shin problem just seven days
before England's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.
It completed a miserable day for Liverpool - who
squandered the lead and a host of chances before being
caught by two Arsenal sucker punches.
Harry Kewell gave Liverpool an early lead., but Sami
Hyypia's own goal gave Arsenal an undeserved equaliser
and Robert Pires' brilliant second half strike kept them
top of the table.
But Owen's injury will claim the headlines as he
collapsed in agony charging down a clearance.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will be relieved that
x-rays showed no break, but Owen must already be rated a
doubt for Istanbul.
Arsenal were still without injured Patrick Vieira and
boss Arsene Wenger decided to rest Martin Keown to
accommodate the return of Sol Campbell.
He delivered a surprise selection in attack,with Jeremie
Aliadiere getting the nod ahead of Sylvain Wiltord.
It was a re-shaped Arsenal line-up - and Liverpool took
advantage by exerting almost total first half
domination.
Owen and Vladimir Smicer had already tested Jens Lehmann
before Kewell deservedly put Liverpool ahead after 13
minutes.
John-Arne Riise's cross was deflected to Kewell, who
showed perfect technique to flash a left foot volley
past Lehmann.
It was the signal for a sustained spell of flowing
attacking football from Liverpool, which contained
everything but the vital second goal.
Kewell struck a carbon copy of his goal chance over the
top, while Owen sent a lob over the top with Lehmann
stranded.
Owen had an even better opportunity after 28 minutes,
when he headed Steven Gerrard's free-kick over the top
from only eight yards.
And Arsenal made Liverpool pay for their generosity,
albeit in fortuitous fashion, two minutes later.
Pires' free-kicked was deflected on to Hyypia by Edu and
past a helpless Jerzy Dudek.
Liverpool suffered an injury blow after 41 minutes when
Smicer limped off to be replaced by French teenager
Anthony Le Tallec.
Gerard Houllier's side picked up the pace again after
the interval - but Arsenal had settled to their task and
posed a greater threat.
And they were rewarded after 67 minutes when Pires
curled a magnificent finish into the top corner to put
Arsenal ahead.
The most worrying moment for Liverpool and England came
four minutes later when Owen limped sadly away.
He had been struggling with an ankle injury after
charging down a clearance, and he was replaced by Emile
Heskey.
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