Arsenal’s defence suffers the same old misfortune. Andres Villas-Boas picks up some silverware. Louis Saha grabs a goal on his return from injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips scored for Man City but still seems to be leaving and Bolton’s promising pre-season is overshadowed by an injury to Chung Yong-Lee that looks like sidelining the South Korean for up to nine months. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:

Arsenal’s back-four once again demonstrated just why so many Gunners fans are keen for defensive reinforcements. Two-nil up and coasting, Johan Djourou was particularly culpable as the side conceded two very avoidable goals and ended up drawing 2-2 with Boca Juniors. Arsene Wenger fielded more questions on the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in yesterday’s post-match press conference:

If Fabregas is committed to this Club and wants to stay, no money will get him out of here. We are not in a position where we need to sell our players. We want to keep our players. We are not looking after money. We want the players to stay here, from our side that is clear.

It’s not ideal for us (Nasri leaving for free) on the financial side but, on the sporting side, he is an important player. We have to deal with the situation one way or another. In the next ten days we have to be clear on that front.

Alex McLeish was upbeat in spite of Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in Hong Kong. One down within a minute, Villa had to chase the game and squad fitness, according to Big Eck, was a fundamental factor in the outcome:

One of the things is fitness and we were clearly behind Chelsea in terms of match fitness. They have played six games now and that’s our third. I thought our players looked a bit weary if I’m honest but we still managed to dig in right until the end. It was pleasing to see the guys fighting until the very end, despite the fact a lot of them were running on empty.

Blackburn grabbed third place in the Barclays Asia Trophy with a 3-0 win over hosts Kitchee. Chris Samba missed the game with a groin strain, but Rovers boss Steve Kean is confident his skipper’s absence is merely short-term :

Chris had a groin strain. He had a scan this morning and the doctor told us there was a little bit of fluid so it would have been a risk if he’d have played, he might have overstretched it. I’m sure he’ll be fit to play against Kilmarnock next Saturday in Scotland.

Bolton’s 3-1 friendly win at Newport was marred by a serious injury to Chung-Yong Lee. A horrendous, lunging tackle from an opposition player saw the South Korean stretchered off with a double fracture of his lower right leg and the player has already been operated on, Owen Coyle said last night :

“We will make sure Chung-Yong gets all the support he needs, as now it is all about his recovery and well-being. That is the most important thing. The operation went well and we would like to pass on our thanks to the medical staff involved.”

Lee is expected to be sidelined for around nine months and the injury means Trotters boy Chris Eagles, priced 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), may well prove a decent Fantasy alternative. Eagles played “in the hole” playing off striker Ivan Klasnic against Newport.

Chelsea picked up their first silverware under Andres Villas-Boas, with the 2-0 win over Aston Villa clinching the Barclays Asian Trophy. The Chelsea boss has yet to see his side concede a goal, and with six wins from his opening six games, has had an ideal pre-season thus far. Rather than single out individuals, Villas-Boas instead focused on his side’s work ethic as the most impressive aspect of his tenure:

Our defensive work is an offensive weapon, that’s what we have been telling the players. We want to attack more so for us to do that we have to get it back as soon as possible. These players have an excellent acceptance of these principles and are able to apply it.

Thanks to them and their commitment we are able to put these ideas across and I think they are enjoying it. Commitment-wise, motivationally, and the professionalism of the players has been something I haven’t seen before.

David Moyes will be pleased with Everton’s 2-1 win at Birmingham. Louis Saha, playing his first game since March, made an immediate impact by scoring just two minutes after coming on as a sub on the hour-mark at St Andrews. Leighton Baines fired home the Toffees first from a free-kick and reminded Fantasy managers just why FPL have priced him so highly, at 8.0, this season.

Shaun Wright-Phillips continued his impressive pre-season in Man City’s 3-0 win over an Airtricity XI. The player picked up his third goal in four game but despite Roberto Mancini recently admitting the club need another right winger, it’s clear Wright-Phiilips doesn’t rank highly in his manager’s thinking and a move from City seems imminent. Mancini said after the game:

For me, it’s difficult to put him on the bench. A player like Shaun deserves to play every game because he’s a strong player. But now, we have so many players it’s not easy for him. I need to speak with him in the next days. It’s difficult because Shaun is a good guy.

Wright-Phillips is just 6.5 in FPL and a move away from City could see him re-emerge as a potential Fantasy target, providing he gets the game time.

Norwich recorded a comfortable 3-0 win at Coventry yesterday but Paul Lambert’s post-match comments indicate plenty rotation can be expected round Carrow Road way next season, saying:

“It’s a 25-man squad and you’re going to need everybody at certain times. It is going to be a really hard season for us, but we’ve earned the right to be here.”

Fantasy managers will be awaiting the injury news on 10.0 FPL-rated Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutchman was subbed off limping after a strong challenge in the first half of the club’s 3-2 over Brighton yesterday. Last year, the latter part of Van der Vaart’s season was bothered by a calf injury and Harry Redknapp made a habit of taking him off before the end of games, with the Spurs boss admitting concerns over his star player’s long-fitness back in April. In light of this latest incident, more of the same caution may be expected next term.

West Brom’s 1-0 win over Bristol City saw Roy Hodgson once again field Somen Tchoyi as a forward. The Cameroonian played up front alongside Peter Odemwingie and although he limped off in the 68th minute to be replaced by Simon Cox, Hodgson confirmed it was no more than a precautionary measure.

Hodgson confirmed the player is likely to be utilised mainly as a forward in the upcoming campaign, meaning Tchoyi -rated 5.5 in FPL and classified as a midfielder- will be one of this season’s out-of-position Fantasy players:

We don’t have many forwards we think are going to start.Odemwingie got his first full game today. He’s hardly taken any part in the pre-season matches up to now. We also have Simon Cox and Somen – and at the moment they are our main men.

Sir Alex Ferguson moved to dismiss a report attributing quotes to him on the future of Wesley Sneijder. Speaking in a post-match press conference following United’s 2-1 win over Barelona, Fergie described the story as absolute nonsense and chose to talk up the merits of Tom Cleverley instead:

Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game. He is a good footballer and was our best player today. His discipline was terrific. He is a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes. It was a big night for him. He is a big, strong possibility for us to start the season.

Fergie also confirmed in this morning’s press conference that despite being taken off after only 17 minutes following a challenge with Sergio Busquets, Rafael should be okay.