EPL Circus - 11 September

What Burnley missed out on

Aside from an Arsenal v Stoke rematch, The Circus could think of few things more boring than sitting down to read the autobiography of Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher.

Fortunately, someone braver and with more time on their hands has taken on the task, only to discover that the Clarets seriously considered appointing the impeccably-dressed Andre Villas-Boas to replace Owen Coyle in January 2010 before the Portuguese had made a name for himself.

According to Fletcher, Villas-Boas impressed with not just his stunning designer suit and suave good looks, but also an impressive Powerpoint presentation, which went far beyond the likes of anything ever seen in Burnley.

Unfortunately, administrators at the club were so concerned about what the local milkman would think of Villas-Boas's approach to football and his plan to 'solidificate' the team that they overlooked the prospect. History shows he went on to enjoy huge success with Porto and then successive disappointments with Chelsea and Tottenham (yes, we're calling it early).

Villas-Boas showed his special genius again this week by forking out £12 million for French goalkeeper Hugo Llodris (making him the highest paid goalkeeper in Tottenham's history), only to then say that Brad Friedel was still the club's No.1 stopper.

Of course, we are also talking about the man who refused to start Frank Lampard on the park for most of last season - a decision that ultimately resulted in a Champions League title* - so who are we to question his methods?

*The Circus may have omitted a few steps along the way here, like AVB getting the sack and Lampard playing an important role in getting the gaffer dismissed.

First Europe, then the world

Speaking of Frank Lampard senior's son, the Chelsea man showed he's still got plenty of life left as part of England's aging midfield setup with two goals in the Three Lions' 5-0 hammering of Moldova. Lampard struck twice before half time against the eastern European minnow, which is yet to score an international goal in 2012.

While the red-top papers back home were convinced by the sparkling showing against a team ranked 141st in the world, the expats in Singapore weren't quite as convinced, headlining their report 'Moldova make England look good'. What was that about being damned by faint praise?

Why Arsene Wenger doesn't talk to the Daily Mail anymore

The football gods can be cruel, capricious beasts. Exhibit A: Three newspaper reports on injury-prone Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby.

Friday: It's now or never for my Arsenal career, admits Diaby after years wasted through injury

Saturday: Deschamps lauds 'complete' Diaby as Arsenal midfielder stars in Finland win

Monday: Arsenal on edge as Deschamps rules Diaby out of France action with muscle injury

Optimism, pizza and everything in between

There is a fine line between optimism and delusion and Wenger is sailing dangerously close to it. After a trophy drought that has cost Arsenal most of its star players - including the summer sale of Robin van Persie to bitter rival Manchester United - and brought Wenger's legacy at the Emirates into question, the Gunners' boss is still looking on the bright side.

Asked about Nicklas Bendtner's future at the Emirates after a second successive year on loan, this time to Juventus, Wenger told Italian media he hadn't given up on the Denmark forward.

"Don't forget, he is a boy of 24 years. The right age to prove who he is. The talent is not missing, otherwise I would not have bought him from Copenhagen when he was just 16 years old," he said.

"We believe in him and that is why we only gave him to Juventus on loan. We have not sold him, only loaned him, and next year we will bring him home. I think he can resolve his problems with us and prove himself."

This comes as news to Bendtner, who as far as the Circus knows, has not changed his mind about Arsenal in the past year.

Regardless, it seems Bendtner needs to resolve his problems with Juventus before he considers a move to anywhere other than the bench. Perhaps a move to Italy, with all its tempting pizzerias, wasn't the best idea?

The spoken word

My wife said: "Richard, I love you not because of your money, so don’t get tempted by this offer to lose your dignity and credibility".

- Former Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingson reveals the plea from his wife that stopped him from accepting a $300,000 bribe to throw a World Cup finals group-stage match against the Czech Republic in 2006. Ghana won the game 2-0. Kingson's match fee was $3000.