Walcott claims victory for Arsenal

Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the game for Arsenal as they rounded off the Emirates Cup with a 1-0 win over Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Arsenal ensured they topped the table in the pre-season competition as Walcott - reportedly close to agreeing a new deal at the club - proved the match-winner at the Emirates Stadium.

On his first Arsenal start, youngster Jeff Reine-Adelaide marked an impressive display with an expert assist for Walcott's opener shortly after the interval.

Arsene Wenger's side hammered Ligue 1 opponents Lyon 6-0 on Saturday but there was to be no such rout against Dieter Hecking's well-drilled DFB-Pokal champions.

Making his home debut, Petr Cech was made to work for a clean sheet as Arsenal made it two wins from two ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Kevin De Bruyne - named German player of the year on Sunday - threatened down the left early on but Cech was on hand to collect the Belgian's delivery.

Close-season signing Cech will have been concerned as former Arsenal man Nicklas Bendtner just failed to make contact with a dangerous De Bruyne delivery from the right.

The Czech's opposite number Diego Benaglio was called on to deny Walcott soon after but it was the Bundesliga side who continued to threaten more frequently - De Bruyne showing why he is a reported target for Manchester City.

With chances largely at a premium in a goalless first half, Timm Klose shanked an effort over the crossbar for the visitors while Mesut Ozil's side-footed effort rolled wide of the far post following a slick passing move.

Arsenal had their breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Reine-Adelaide offered a glimpse of his potential - threading a ball for Walcott to calmly finish past Benaglio.

The largely impressive De Bruyne then ballooned an effort over, having skipped inside Mikel Arteta, before Ricardo Rodriguez saw a long-range strike easily saved by Cech.

The former Chelsea man was tested again by a fierce drive from midfielder Josuha Guilavogui as Wolfsburg piled on the pressure.

It was to no avail, however, Wenger's men topping the standings by three points from Villarreal ahead of the all-London curtain-raiser at Wembley in a week's time.

Mourinho tells Ronaldo: Team honours come first

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo's standing as the world's best player, while praising Stamford Bridge star Eden Hazard.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or in January but ended the season trophyless from a team perspective as Real Madrid fell short on all fronts.

And Mourinho, who coached Ronaldo during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, believes individual honours should come after success with club or country.

Asked if he believed Ronaldo should not be considered alongside Barcelona's Lionel Messi as one of the world's best two players, Mourinho said: "I think so. I don't like players or managers to win individual trophies without the team. Obviously depending on the season they have.

"They have to win some titles, no? Football without titles is nothing.

"Messi won the treble. He won three competitions last year, he reached the Copa America final [with Argentina]. He had a fantastic season for him and for his team.

"I am not saying he [Ronaldo] is not fantastic. I am just saying that, in my personal view, every football player in the world should understand that a team has to be in front."

Hazard's qualities have seen him become the most fouled player in the Premier League and Mourinho is worried the attacker could pick up a serious injury.

"Eden was very lucky not to break a leg last season," he added. "He's getting stronger and stronger, not just in his body but in his attitude. He's mentally tough. He's not the kind of boy who overreacts.

"After a bad tackle he never rolls and rolls like other players do.

"But the reality is that last season he was lucky - let's see what happens next season. He could have been injured many times. He suffered more than a couple of nasty tackles and could have been in trouble. I saw lots of players breaking legs and ankles with less than that.

"I would like more protection for him but it's beyond my control. I don't want to change his mentality or personality. I don't want him to start crying or overreacting. I want Eden to be what he is - absolutely fantastic."

Mourinho: Rivals trying to buy the title

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was accused of 'buying' the Premier League title during Jose Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, but the Portuguese believes the boot is now on the other foot.

Reigning champions Chelsea have had a relatively quiet transfer window so far - bringing in Asmir Begovic from Stoke City and Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco as their only major signings so far.

Meanwhile, a number of their rivals have indulged in eye-catching close-season activity, with Manchester City recruiting England internationals Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, and both Manchester United and Liverpool moving to strengthen their squads with a raft of new signings.

Mourinho said of Chelsea: "Basically you cannot say we have a lot of new players. We just made some adaptations in our squad to replace [Didier] Drogba and Petr Cech - we have Falcao and Begovic. The squad is the same, other squads are not the same.

"They are buying some of the best players in the country. They are buying some of the best players in Europe. So other squads will be very strong.

"So as people told me many many times in the beginning of Mr Abramovich coming to Chelsea, Chelsea was buying the title.

"Now, all of them, they are buying the title, and it's up to us to be strong and to fight them and obviously try to win the title again, even without the big investments.

Benitez refutes Ronaldo rift rumours

Rafael Benitez has reiterated there is no problem between himself and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the pair have traded heated exchanges during pre-season, and tension erupted between them after Benitez disallowed a Ronaldo goal during training.

Despite talk of a rift within the Madrid camp, Ronaldo has started both friendlies at the International Champions Cup in Melbourne against Roma and Manchester City.

With Benitez set to lead his new charges against former club Inter in Guangzhou on Monday, he again insisted he had no issues with the Portugal international.

"My relationship with him is good," said Benitez. "When someone gets angry during a training session, but then does their job, there's no problem, it's fine."

Sunday soccer banker

Time	Match	Tip	odd	Result
18.00	dundalk VScork	2	5.50