07/03/2009 - London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arsenal's England Under-21 international Kieran Gibbs has pledged his long-term future to the club by putting pen to paper on a new contract.
The 19-year-old made his debut for the Gunners almost two years ago but became a first-team regular in the second half of last season.
He started 10 matches in April and May including the Champions League semifinal games against Manchester United and the FA Cup semifinal encounter with Chelsea.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told the club's official website: "Kieran made such a great impact last season and the progress he made throughout the year was fantastic.
"Kieran's an intelligent player with huge quality and he proved last season with his performances that he has great potential."
Gibbs joins Theo Walcott, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in signing new long-term deals with the club this summer.
(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)
<< O's Reimold selected as AL's top rookie for June
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nolan
Reimold has been selected as the American League Rookie of the Month for June.
The 25-year-old hit .320 for the month, leading all Junior Circuit rookies
with
<< Pujols honored as NL Player of the Month
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert
Pujols has been named the National League Player of the Month for June.
A seven-time All-Star, Pujols batted .320 with a league-leading 14 homers and
35 RBI duri
<< Braves P Hanson named NL Rookie of the Month
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson was named
National League Rookie of the Month for June on Friday.
The right-hander was a perfect 4-0 to go along with a 2.48 earned run average
in five starts during the m
<< Lincecum voted NL Pitcher of the Month for June
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum
was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for June, the league
announced on Friday.
Lincecum posted a 4-1 mark with a 1.48 ERA during the month,
Owen agrees to join United >>
Manchester, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Owen is determined to repay the
faith Sir Alex Ferguson has shown in him after penning a two-year contract
with Manchester United.
The 29-year-old moves to Old Trafford on a free transfer
Sturridge secures Chelsea switch >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Highly-rated Manchester City striker Daniel
Sturridge has completed his transfer to FA Cup winners Chelsea.
The 19-year-old, who has penned a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, will
join up the rest
New York hopes to snap losing skid at Dallas >>
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York ends a tough seven-match streak
Saturday night at FC Dallas, hoping to snap a nine-game winless skid and a road
losing stretch that dates back to last season.
New York (2-12-4) contests its six
Reds activate 3B Encarnacion from DL >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati third baseman Edwin Encarnacion
was activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to Friday's game against the
St. Louis Cardinals.
Encarnacion had been on the DL since late April due to a chip
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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