With the Premier League season well underway, the time has come for critics to speak out and managers to face challenges. In today’s “Daily Ticker” Arsene Wenger takes a bit of stick from George Graham, Harry Redknapp tries to keep Modric at Spurs for the umpteenth time, and Brian Marwood explains why Garry Cook’s departure “rocked” Manchester City.

Premier League News:

The legendary George Graham, whom built one of the greatest Arsenal back fours in the club’s history thinks Arsene Wenger, “left it a bit late to bring in all these players.” The former boss of the North London club told BBC Radio Five Live, “Defensively, they’ve not had enough time to work with the back four. It’s been generally known they had to shore up the defense. The old problems defensively cropped up in the lost.”

Graham claims this is, “the toughest period,” of Wenger’s career at Arsenal. “Some of the players he’s brought in, the fans don’t even know who they are,” said Graham. “In the past, he’s brought in players, good players, and he’s turned into world-class players. Now the jury’s out.”

Ivan Gazidis, the chief executive of Arsenal, has said the Wenger’s job is safe, despite the club being off to its worst start 58 years.

Robin van Persie told the press, “Every time we start positively we just keep making the same mistakes and that is surprising. There is lots of time, but at some point you need to pick yourself up and prove what you are capable of. We are not doing that at the moment and are not consistent enough. It just frustrates me, and it is happening too often.”

Van Persie highlighted the importance of stringing together wins in the upcoming fixtures.

Jack Wilshere could return soon. The starlet is feeling good, after posting on his Twitter account, “Good day at football today! In the gym again! Ankle feeling a lot better hope to be back playing soon.”

The club believe them midfielder will be back in November.

According to Harry Redknapp, “Luka is fine now,” after a transfer window, in which the playmaker did not know whether he was coming or going. “He’s just getting on with it,” said the Spurs boss, “I think that the chairman will sit down with him and discuss his contract. The chairman has said he would give it six or seven weeks, sit down and have a chat with him.”

Redknapp respects that a player worth £40 million should not be paid the same amount as one worth less. “We have to convince him that his future is here and make it right for the boy, that’s only fair as well, and I’m sure the chairman will be fair and make sure he does that,” said the Tottenham manager.

Brian Marwood, the football administrator at Manchester City, said Garry Cook’s resignation “was a massive shame.”

“The club was rocked by what happened,” said Marwood.

The City administrator continued, “He will always be welcome at this club. It will take as long as it needs to get the right person. That search will be worldwide and we will have somebody that will take forward the great work that has been carried out.”

In other City news, Patrick Vieira said, “I think it [United v City] is now one of the biggest derbies around the world,” comparing the match to the Milanese derby and El Classico.

Manchester United supporters will be relieved to hear that Javier Hernandez has only suffered a bruised shin, after Ashley Cole’s nasty challenge on the striker at the weekend.

Karl Henry and Joey Barton’s war of words is keeping the QPR midfielder in the spotlight. “Kelvin Henry is always trying to stick his foot in and hurt people,” said Barton, “He let himself down by not showing up on Saturday. I really don’t like him. I’m going to go on the record and say that. Judging from his tackles on me, he doesn’t like me either.”

Henry’s boss, Mick McCarthy, is backing up his player, calling him, “one of the best pros I’ve ever worked with.”

Manchester United have been perfect so far this term, but Patrice Evra is demanding more out of his side. “Maybe for the first time, we didn’t control all the game. I hope that in the next league game, against Stoke, we create more and not try to rush things,” said Evra.

The defender said, “Maybe God was with us,” when referring to Fernando Torres’ dramatic miss at the weekend.

According to Steve Kean, Blackburn are nearing a deal with Junior Hoilett. The concussed defender will extend his contract with the club in the coming days.

Misc:

After reports surfaced (once again) that Neymar will sign for Real Madrid, the Brazilian has denied these reports joking, “I have been sold around 30 times already.”

On a serious note, Neymar said, “There is no truth to those rumors. I am a Santos player and I will stay here for the club’s centenary. The final word was always been for me and my father.”