Edin Dzeko is excited by the prospect of striking a formidable partnership with Manchester City's record signing Sergio Aguero.
Sergio Aguero becomes an instant hero for Man City
Argentine marks his debut by coming off the bench to score two and create another in Man City's 4-0 win over Swansea.
In pictures: Premier League week 1. Read article
Mancini has an abundance of riches at Man City. Read article
Mancini:Plenty more to come from Sergio Aguero. Read article
Aguero, the £38 million (Dh229m) summer signing from Atletico Madrid, came off the bench to score twice and set up another goal in a sensational debut appearance on Monday.
The Argentina forward's heroics turned what might have been a laboured season-opening Premier League win over promoted Swansea into a 4-0 rout at the Etihad Stadium.
Dzeko, a costly acquisition himself at £27m last season, is yet to make a major impact at the club but is convinced of the merits of Aguero's arrival despite increased competition.
"It's amazing for a new player to come on for the last 30 minutes and score two goals," Dzeko said. "I am very happy for him, but I am also happy for City in getting a player like him — he can only help us in the future.
"And he is not even 100 per cent fit yet. In the next games he can only get better and better. He scored twice when not fit, so we can't wait to see what he is like at 100 per cent.
"Every good player is welcome to our team as we want to win titles."
With Carlos Tevez looking increasingly likely to stay at City — beyond one more transfer deadline day at least — and Mario Balotelli to return if side issues are addressed, Dzeko is under pressure for his place.
The 25-year-old struggled for goals last season after his arrival from Wolfsburg in January but has been lifted by a fine strike in last week's Community Shield and the opener against Swansea.
"The beginnings have always been slow for me, and that was the case at City, but this year I feel fit and I feel very good. I feel much better than last season," Dzeko said.
"For every player it is important to be fit and have a good pre-season behind him. This summer I have done everything with the team and that makes you feel better."
"I want to improve in every game, but I have started the season well. I try to do my best in every game to help the team."
Balotelli, who had run-ins with manager Roberto Mancini during the club's pre-season tour of North America, was an unused substitute on Monday.
The £24m Italian had also been criticised for heading straight down the Wembley tunnel after being taken off during the Community Shield against Manchester United.
Despite those apparent problems, Mancini insists there are no major issues.
"Mario has his position," Mancini said. "For me Mario is an important player but I have always said he needs to improve. He is an important player for us, like Edin, like Aguero, like Carlos."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogsÂ
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
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More on Quran memorisation:
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission:Â Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
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SPECS
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.Â
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
