It was a simply sensational weekend in the Barclays Premier League as Manchester United stunned the Gunners, Liverpool gelled against Bolton, and Manchester City outclassed Tottenham Hotspur. In today’s daily ticker, read all about the injury updates, managerial comments, transfer rumors, and a fantastic opportunity for you, the reader.

Injury Updates:

  • Rafael van der Vaart will be out for a few weeks after tearing his left hamstring in Sunday’s match against Manchester City. The 28 year old midfielder had to exit the tie late, leaving Spurs with just ten men. Clearly frustrated with his play and the squad’s result, the Dutchman slammed a ball down the tunnel while exiting the pitch. Van der Vaart has pulled out of his international duties for the Netherlands, who will miss him in their Euro 2012 qualifiers versus Finland and San Marino.
  • Didier Drogba’s collision with Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, in the 65th minute of Chelsea’s match with the Canaries, will go down as one of the scariest moments for Premier League viewers ever. The striker is said to be recovering and undergoing tests after being rushed to the hospital proceeding the incident. Blues’ boss Andre Villas-Boas told the press that Drogba was unconsciousness for a few moments on the pitch and the severity of the concussion he suffered is now being decided upon. Some have tipped the Stamford Bridge man to return to action when Chelsea play Manchester United on the 18th of September, at Old Trafford.
  • Danny Welbeck was a key part of United’s sensational start against Arsenal on Sunday, but the England u-21 player pulled up with a hamstring injury. Sir Alex has set a four to five week timetable for the return of the up and coming striker, and has acknowledged that he wanted to get Welbeck off the pitch as soon as possible, when he noticed the forward struggling. Welbeck joins a long list of stars injured at United, as Rio Ferdinand is due out for a month (hamstring), Nemanja Vidic has a calf injury, and Rafael da Silva is dealing with a injured shoulder. However, United are clearly as strong as they have ever been after pasting the Gunners at the weekend.
  • Swansea City defender Alan Tate has suffered a broken left leg (tibia) after a golf cart incident. According to Swansea, the cart, “…lost control.” The Swan’s captain is in his 10th year at the club and has played 300+ matches for the Welsh side.
  • Martin Kelly was removed from Liverpool’s match with Bolton on Saturday, but the Englishman is fit and the substitution was for precautionary measures.

Transfer News:

  • Scott Parker appears to be headed to Tottenham, while Wilson Palacios will be sacrificed to Stoke City. QPR and Stoke have made bids for the midfielder, but West Ham United have brushed them off. Look for more drama over Parker to come in the next few days.
  • Luka Modric told Harry Redknapp not to play him in Spurs’ match against Manchester City. Redknapp said the Croatian approached him before kick-off saying, “I don‘t feel my head is right today.” Harry told the midfielder that he needed him to play due to injuries and that he [Modric] is his, “main man.” Tottenham believe they will keep the playmaker away from Chelsea, despite lucrative offers from the Blues. In other Spurs transfer news, Craig Bellamy and Lassana Diarra are both candidates to be signed by the North London club in the coming days.
  • Arsenal are attempting to sign Park Chu-Yong and Gary Cahill.

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal… The Fallout:

  • Arsene Wenger has declared that he will not quit his job at the Emirates despite being at the helm during Arsenal’s worst defeat in over a hundred years. The manager’s tactics were very questionable, as the Gunners played a high offside trap throughout the match. The trap was easily exploited by United, leading to many chances and some of the Red Devil’s goals. Despite the club’s poor form, Wenger said it is too early to judge his side, whom have lost both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the last few weeks.
  • Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels that Wenger should not be criticized (though Gunners supporters will be calling for the “Nutty Professor’s” head in the next week), due to a weakened Arsenal side. Fergie was shocked at his team’s margin of victory and applauded his squad for keeping up a high level of intensity during the game.

England Squad for Euro 2012 Qualifiers:

The 25-man England side was announced last night and the team is listed below.

  • GK: Robert Green, Joe Hart, David Stockdale
  • FB: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Chris Smalling, John Terry
  • MF: Gareth Barry, Tom Cleverley, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
  • ST: Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney

Notes:

Manchester City has 6 in the squad, while United has 5 (I think the FA is treating City a little worse Sir Alex).

Surprise of the Weekend:

Manchester United putting up eight on Arsenal.

Disappointment of the Weekend:

Aston Villa and Wolves canceling each other out with a 0-0 draw.

What to look forward to in the next round:

Can Swansea translate their ability to possess in the back, to the attacking third through Sinclair to get their first EPL goal against a struggling Arsenal side?

Article of the Day:

Alexander Netherton penned a emotional piece on supporting Manchester United.

Video of the Day:

Sorry Arsenal supporters, but this was a historical match with many fantastic goals, and a confidence building save for De Gea.

Tom Werner Interview:

EPL Talk has landed an interview with Liverpool chairman Tom Werner. Feel free to drop any questions you have for the LFC owner in the comments section below.

Question of the Day:

Should Arsene Wenger leave Arsenal and are Arsenal in a crisis?

Have your say below, post your questions for Werner, and comment on the day’s news.