Cesc Fabregas of The Arsenal Football Club and Andres Iniesta of Barcelona Football Club
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Sources close to the club insist the partnership is not the first step towards another American takeover but just involves a technical link-up between Arsenal and the Major League Soccer team.
The Gunners will send coaches over to Colorado while promising players from the US side will be given the chance to train with the Arsenal team.
Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein is understood to be in the USA at the moment and a news conference has been called by the American club.
The Rapids will also be using Arsenal's London Colney training ground as their base for a pre-season tour of England from March 8 to 13.
The MLS club are owned by billionaire American Stan Kroenke but there is no suggestion that Arsenal's shareholders are looking to sell their stake to him.
Arsenal already have a similar tie-up with Belgian side Beveren, from whom they signed Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue. A number of Arsenal players have gone on loan to Beveren too.
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has been named Czech Republic Player of the Year. It is the third time the 26-year-old, known as 'Little Mozart' in his homeland, has captured the honour.
Rosicky previously won the award in 2001 and 2002 and modestly suggested that Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech should have pipped him to the prize after battling back from a serious head injury.
"Cech deserved to win for all he has had to overcome," said Rosicky.
The Czech star believes he has improved since completing his move from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal last summer.
"I did not play badly at Dortmund but I needed the transfer to get better," said Rosicky. "I settled quickly in the Arsenal line-up and that is a mental boost for every player.
"I am a completely different man to when I first won this award in 2001. I have grown up, although I probably still look like a child because of my baby face."
Arsenal FC striker Robin van Persie is a major doubt for both legs of the Gunners' UEFA Champions League second round tie against PSV Eindhoven after breaking a metatarsal bone in his right foot.
'Partial fracture'
The Netherlands international sustained the "partial fracture" while scoring the equaliser for Arsenal in their 2-1 comeback win against Manchester United FC in the Premiership on Sunday. An x-ray after the game confirmed his fifth metatarsal had been damaged and he is likely to be out of action for at least six weeks.
"In our mind it's a game that we want absolutely to win, I tell you," said Arsène Wenger with a steely stare at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"We love to win, we want to reduce the gap to Manchester United as quickly as possible and we want to continue our run because we're in good form. We're still involved in nearly every competition, even the championship, and you never know what can happen."
If Premiership fixtures between Arsenal and Manchester United have lost some of their intensity in recent years then it appears that no one as told this particular Frenchman.
It is now two-and-a-half seasons since either of these two pillars of the Premiership have taken the title. In the intervening years Chelsea have dominated domestic honours and even Liverpool have scooped Europe’s top prize.
Despite his opening salvo, Wenger did admit this particular fixture is not quite the be-all and end-all it used to be.
"I feel the fact that Chelsea came in took a little bit of the focus off Arsenal and Manchester United," said Wenger. "Before the last two years a game between Manchester United and Arsenal was a game nobody could afford to lose.
"Now even if you lose one there is still Chelsea there and then Liverpool joined in so there is less focus only on Manchester United and Arsenal."
You only have to look back to the first game between these sides this season for an illustration. Arsenal went to Old Trafford in September without Thierry Henry, any decent form and, it would seem, much chance of victory.
They pulled off a wonderful 1-0 win but it was Manchester United who kicked-on after that. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side flourished despite losing a must-win game and Wenger's men have had to play catch-up.
Arsenal’s ankle injuries are likely to have healed by Sunday — Emmanuel Eboue is certainly back, Robin van Persie should follow suit after a test on Saturday. However Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) and William Gallas (thigh) are still out while Gilberto is suspended.
Throughout his media work on Friday, Wenger skirted the issue of the title race. It was like he wanted to suggest a victory on Sunday could open a fissure in the rockface of United’s lead but, ever the economist, the Arsenal manager knew the figure of 15 points was set in stone.
Twice he was asked who would win the title, each time he replied: "I have an idea in my head but if I give you my idea you won’t believe me."
"I cannot say we will," he added later, "because we are 15 points behind Manchester United. But I think we have the ingredients and potential to become the best team.
"At the moment we are not because we cannot deny we lost at Sheffield United, Bolton, Manchester City. Even if they are games we could and should have won.
"But this is a good opportunity for us to close the gap a little bit. They've had the advantage of having stability and players in form at the right moment, but it's still not over. Don't forget they must go to Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Portsmouth. They have a difficult schedule."
On Sunday we’ll find out if those traditionally tough trips to Arsenal are still the most arduous for Manchester United.
Text from Arsenal.com
The Cameroon international, who turns 30 on Friday, has joined for an undisclosed fee, ending his six-and-a-half-year stay with the Gunners.
Pompey boss Redknapp told the club's official website: "Lauren is an outstanding player.
"He is a great athlete and professional, very strong and quick, too.
"He will be a tremendous asset to us, is extremely versatile and can play in a number of different positions at the back and in midfield."
Redknapp revealed he was not the only manager interested in a player who won two Premiership titles and three FA Cups at Arsenal.
"I'm delighted he's decided to join Portsmouth above a whole host of clubs that were after him. It shows how far we have come in a short space of time."
Lauren, who will go straight into the squad for Saturday's home game with Charlton, added: "This is a great move for me.
"Portsmouth are having a great season and are pushing for a place in Europe and I aim to be playing my part in that challenge.
"I have been very impressed with the club's plans for the future, both on and off the pitch, and this was why I chose to come to Fratton Park.
"It will also be good to once again team up with [former Arsenal team-mates] Sol Campbell and Kanu."
Lauren also spoke of his sadness to leave the Gunners.
"I have made many great friends and have many wonderful memories from the years I have spent at Arsenal. I have enjoyed great success with the club and I am very grateful to Arsene Wenger, my team-mates and all the fantastic Arsenal fans for their support. The fans have been brilliant," he said.
"Of course I am sad to be leaving Arsenal, but I am very much looking forward to a new challenge at Portsmouth."
Wenger paid tribute to the full-back and said: "Lauren's contribution to Arsenal since he joined the club in 2000 has been absolutely outstanding.
"He has been a central figure in the club winning the Premiership twice and the FA Cup three times and his high level of performances have made sure that he will always have a place in Arsenal history.
"On behalf of the players and staff we wish Lauren the best of luck at Portsmouth."
While accepting his decision was something of a "paradox" given he often suggests the current squad lacks some experience, Wenger felt it served to protect the future of the club.
The Arsenal manager said: "I lost a fantastic player. I would like to pay tribute to him because he was amazing for the club.
"Lauren was not only a player with quality and experience, but also a fantastic guy who was mentally very strong.
"But he was out for nine months. Eboue and Hoyte played.
"Do I stop their development and play Lauren? Or do I let him go somewhere else? I had to make that kind of decision.
"If I played him I would have to lose either Hoyte or Eboue, which I did not want to do."
Wenger maintains his emerging squad have the "ingredients and potential" to consistently challenge for top honours.
He said: "We have the ingredients and potential to become the best team.
"At the moment we are not because we lost at places like Sheffield United, Bolton and Manchester City - even though they are games we could and should have won. But we are getting there."
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