football rumours: arsenal news

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Arsenal news: 2 CB to sign for the club, one in Jan, one in Summer. Senderos to leave in Jan (5m), Djourou long term injured, Silvestre to leave for free in summer. Mamadou Sakho almost certain to come in for around 12m, other defender to be either Subotic, Upson or Puyol. Traore may also leave for 4m in summer. he is premier league standard, but will not displace Clichy or Gibbs. Gallas to leave for free back to France. Rosicky has not yet been offered a new contract. if he leaves, expect young Eden Hazard to come in for 7m. Need for competition for Song is important, as Denilson and Diaby are not defensive enough. Expect Arsene to come back for Matuidi, as contract talks with St Ettiene will break down for sure. Alternative is Gokhan Inler of Udinese. Up front, talk of Vela being sacrificed for an incoming striker are rubbish. He is class. we have the best set of offensive players in the league in RVP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Walcott, Nasri, Fabregas, Rosicky, Diaby and Arshavin. Out of these, only Diaby may leave. if so, he will not be replaced as it will give Wilshere and Ramsey a chance to grow. Merida will leave for Atletico for 4m in summer. Chamakh will not be coming unless a striker leaves. no point buying s/b just because they r free. 1 GK to arrive in the summer. its a straight choice between Green, Neuer and Akinfeev in my opinion. Fabianksi does not have it, Mannone needs time (tho has great potential) and Almunia is not getting any younger. players being looked at by Wenger: Akinfeev, Neuer, Green, Subotic, Upson, Sakho, Zapata, Cahill, Matuidi, Inler, de Rossi, vdVaart, Hazard, Chamakh, Arteta, Agbonlahor, A Young, Gago and Yaya Toure. Arsenal for the top

arsenal fc rumours

Arsenal news:Arsenal boss Wenger happy with Mannone despite error

Arsenal boss Wenger happy with Mannone despite error

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger isn't concerned after a gaffe from Vito Mannone against Birmingham City.

The young Italian goalkeeper was at fault for Lee Bowyer's goal in the 3-1 win, but Wenger told the club's website: "He's a young goalkeeper. You have to accept that no matter the age of a goalkeeper that can happen.

"In the Premier League you are always challenged and he should have certainly fisted the ball out.

"The good sign was in the second half it didn't affect him. He came out for crosses, he saved a good cross and that could have been an equaliser, so it didn't affect him mentally. That's very good."

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world: Arsenal vs Birmingham Evil

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world: Arsenal vs Birmingham Evil

I can’t tell you how brilliant the correspondents of this site are. The other night “LRV” summed up the forthcoming Arsenal/Evil Empire game from this saturday with a perfect quote from Yeats: “Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.” How good is that?

And would you know it, while we were discussing the appalling nature of Birmingham City and their vile attack on Eduardo, and the disgraceful defence of this action by the Birmingham City management, not to mention the terrifying beauty of Yeats poetry, the FA were announcing that Karen Brady, who at the time of the criminal assault of Eduardo was MD of the Evil Empire, is to be made a director of the England World Cup bid.

Birmingham City must surely represent the ultimate depth of football in England. And now we learn that not satisfied with being eternally known as the club that assaulted Eduardo, we also find they have joined Leeds and Notts C as being a club with an unknown owner.

I remember the last time they “played” (I use the word lightly) at the Ems, we watched their “manager” waving at players to go down and stay down to break up play and get the game stopped. So daft (or so corrupt) was the ref that he fell for it every time.

Then we had those arrests of Birmingham City directors, one after another after another, for financial and other matters. No charges of course. Just arrests.

Now the Evil Empire has a new owner – although we have no idea who he is or where he resides. The front man (Yeung) who only owns around 12% has given £40m to make the empire grow and grow by endlessly exporting its evil. Where he got the money, we don’t know.

The FA has done nothing – just as they have done nothing to force Notts County or Leeds U into revealing ownership. Just as they have done nothing about Ken Bates stating that when he said he owned Leeds it was “a mistake”. The contempt with which the FA treats Eduardo, Arsenal and all football fans is there for all to see.

It is of course not just the sheer horror of the tackle that crippled Eduardo, nor the way that the Birmingham City club tossed aside any responsibility, it was also the way that immediately the three match ban was over they brought the offending player back into their reserve team.

I have heard Birmingham City supporters say, “what else did you expect us to do?” The answer clearly is “show some morality”. Paul Davis was suspended for 9 matches for a punch thrown in a football match. The player he hit was back playing long before he was.

Even though the bent and corrupt FA and EPL would take no action, Birmingham, had the club had a single ounce of decency, it would have “rested” the player for a longer period.

As it was the most disgraceful team in the EPL, fell from their midtable position under the Curse of Arsenal, and were relegated. The directors were charged with an ever increasing number of offences. But then none of these matters were ever brought to trial, and charges were dropped, and Brady was invited onto the London World Cup bid committee.

Seemingly, it is now possible to buy the Evil Empire without anyone knowing who you are, while David Sullivan and David Gold and Karen Brady, the group who made the Evil Empire, have gone.

“I crave blood, I eat flesh, I am Anarchy personified. I am the Devil, I am Evil, I am the Destroyer of Souls,” said the spokesbeing for new owner. “We need new players for this club to devour, to turn into monsters, to embody the entire and total spirit of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.” Actually I may have lost something in translation from the Chinese, but you know what I mean.

The Guardian said, “McLeish has been dogged by many injury problems with his squad since taking Birmingham back into the Prem League, but has been adept at destroying the career of others through their disgraceful tactics.” (Again I may have got a part of this slightly wrong.)

“I will be eating the manager,” Yeung said (ditto about translation). “Our aim is to kill, destroy, maim and secure our position in the Premier League, not only for this year but for many years to come.” (possible error caused by Google auto translation programming).

“Birmingham can become as big as possible. We are competitors for Aston Villa,” (that’s the club that invented the “Hold Your Head” technique for players who are tackled. You go down, see if the opposition are attacking, and if so hold your head. The ref stops the game, and then you go off and have treatment for an ankle injury”). ” We can eat and devour and spit out the entire world. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.” (Actually that last bit was some poet fella.)

Yeung also said: “I will be here three or four times a month and I will try and kill every living creature. The EPL is soft – in no other league in the world can you walk in without revealing who owns the club. I am here to laugh at you all.” (Actually I am sure he didn’t say that. I must get this computer fixed).

Anyway, it is Arsenal vs The Evil Empire at the Ems on saturday. And as the Saxons used to say when fighting the Danes under the leadership of the good, pious, refined and revered not to say godly King Alfred the Great, “Kill them all.”

Next week: West Iceland United vs Arsenal in the style of William Wordsworth

Meanwhile, back on planet earth…

100 years ago we played Sunderland. For details of that game (which involved very little slaughter) take a look at MAKING THE ARSENAL. www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk The book will be out in a another couple of weeks. Birmingham City and the heart of all evil do not figure in it.

(c) Tony Attwood 2009

Arsenal transfer news:Arsenal star Arshavin back on Barcelona radar

Barcelona have considered reviving their interest in Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin.

Barca made a move to Arshavin last January before he agreed a transfer to the Gunners and remain keen on the Russia international.

Sport says Arshavin is on Barca's agenda should they fail to prise Robinho away from Manchester City in the New Year.

Arsenal:ARSENAL PLAYERS IN THE BEST PREMIERSHIP TEAM

A few years ago (circa 1998-99), you would have taken a select Premiership team, and it probably would have consisted of Arsenal and Manchester United players. The players and team being the likes of Vieira, Petit, Anelka, Beckham, Keane, Stam, etc..

Those were the good old days.

Nowadays, the likes of money-bags Chelsea and Manchester City have appeared on the scene, and Liverpool have become stronger and stronger over the past 10 years or so.

With this in mind, how many Arsenal players would walk into a Premiership XI, and what would the team be? I would say Arshavin and Fabregas would walk into the team, and possibly Nasri at a push. With that in mind, this is my Premiership XI:

Petr Cech

G. Johnson Vidic Ferdidnand Evra

Essien

Fabregas Gerrard Arshavin

Drogba Torres

3 from Liverpool, 3 from Man United, 3 from Chelsea, and 2 from Arsenal. Does that sound reasonable?

Please send in your comments, and your thoughts about your top Premiership team.

Take care now, bye-bye then.

arsenal:Arsenal immortal

I closed yesterday's blog talking about how anyone paying a visit to the Grove of late will have seen that Mr Gazidis is most definitely not all mouth and no trousers. The more astute amongst you may have noticed that I couldn't quite work out how to finish yesterday's blog and it just kind of ended, but that's not important right now.

When you go to the Grove on Saturday- I'm not, but I will be there for the Carling Cup game in two weeks- you will see a brand new mural embracing the stadium.

As you can see, Dennis Bergkamp, Bob Wilson, Eddie Hapgood and Charlie George have joined Adams, Brady, Bastin and Henry in footballing, well Arsenal Stadium, immortality.

It's curious, I don't think anyone can dispute Bob Wilson's commitment to the Arsenal cause, having had the pleasure of meeting Bob I can personally say that not only would he bleed the proverbial red and white, but he is also a top man. But should he be on that wall instead of David Seaman, who served Arsenal for so long and with such success? There again, Dennis didn't feature on the first mural, did he? So perhaps there's time for old "Safe Hands" to take his place in the pantheon.

Elsewhere, not to dwell on it, but perhaps I was a bit harsh on Barcelona yesterday. Reading what their club and those associated with it went through under Franco, it certainly seems to me that if they are indeed "mes que un club", it's only because the Spanish authorities treated them so. Us Gooners have a bit of a persecution complex when it comes to referees, right? Well Barcelona once lost a match to Real Madrid 11-1. It was a game they went into for fear of their very existences, harshly treated by referees, constantly barracked by a partisan crowd and so they gave up trying when Benito was sent off for nothing more than being a bit of a star.

Reading further, it pleased to me to note that they lost out on Alfredo Di Stefano by trying to "lowball" his club. Though the fact that they lost out to Real Madrid I like less. Negotiations went on for ages until Madrid stepped in and well... the rest is history. So, despite continued pressure, Barça were unable to land their man. This didn't, however, stop the local press jumping the gun in announcing Di Stefano as a done deal. Old habits die hard... So, where yesterday, I was quite accepting of Arsenal and indeed Cesc Fabregas' fate, it now seems to me that when he goes, it will be under the best possible circumstances for this football club.

And I wonder too, if Cesc might not fancy doing something to render himself an Arsenal immortal before he leaves? The man himself is doing his utmost to render such talk premature, as it undoubtedly is, whether that's through his actions on the football pitch or in his public declarations. In celebrating his great mate Rosicky's return to the first team, he- consciously or not- echoes his manager in talking up the team spirit and saying this,

"It's great to have him in the team; he's like a new signing."

Is that an early bid to be the man who replaces the boss when he eventually departs? Not likely, I think. I also think the boss has it spot on by saying he will not be the one to name his successor, but it's a measure of the influence Arsène has had at the club that such a story could even be considered as news. As he says himself, it's not his job - so why would he do it? There are those out there, no doubt, who feel the boss has had too much influence as it is. It seems to me that, as sad as the day will be when it comes, the best thing for everyone will be a clean break and a new start.

But we shouldn't have to think about that for a while yet and yes, I am assuming it's just a coincidence that this story, which prepares the psychological landscape for his eventual departure , comes justa day or two after Gazidis' "Second place is not good enough" rallying cry...

Hasta mañana (with apologies for the Barcelona diversion).

source arsenal mania

arsenal news:Wenger: Good Arsenal players make good international players

Arsene Wenger believes consistency at club level will enable his international contingent to perform well at the World Cup.

The vast majority of the Gunners squad have been away with their respective countries around the globe during the international break.

"I am keen for them to qualify, hopefully as quickly as possible as group winners, because that would preclude them from having to play a decisive play-off game in November," Wenger said.

"I am convinced it is important for the players to go to the World Cup, but as well I know that those who have a good World Cup are those who win with their clubs during the season.

"We have seen that before here [with France], and so the most important thing is that they do well with the club and it puts you in a strong position confidence-wise for what follows."

arsenal news:Arsenal board make January cash available to Wenger

The Arsenal board will make cash available for the January market.

The Daily Mail says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been assured that he will have the funds if he wants to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.

Wenger, who celebrated 13 years in charge of the club last week, will have been largely encouraged by Arsenal's start to the season, and will be expecting victory against Birmingham on Saturday.

arsenal news:sene Wenger, “The partnership between Gallas and Vermaelen has gelled more quickly than I expected”

Arsenal defender William Gallas is enjoying a very solid season with the Gunners despite having to quickly adapt to a new partner at the back, after the departure of Kolo Toure.

Speaking of the Frenchman, manager Arsene Wenger highlighted how well the 32-year old is performing and also revealed he never expected the former captain to click so quickly with his new colleague.

Wenger said:

William Gallas has had a fine start to the season, which is down to both his attitude and the quality of the player.

it can happen that any player has highs and lows in his career, but I must say his form now is a consequence of the way he behaves every day.

He behaves 100 per cent as a professional and is highly focused in training.

The partnership between William and Thomas Vermaelen has gelled more quickly than I expected. This is for two reasons, first of all, Vermaelen adapted faster, and secondly William fits more comfortably on the right side of a central defence than on the left.

source arsenal mania

arsenal news:Arsenal legend likens Song to Storey

Arsenal Double-winning captain Frank McLintock has likened Alex Song to former teammate Peter Storey.

Song is now perceived as a vital member of Arsène Wenger's first-team, especially now the manager has adopted a 4-3-3 formation.

"When they have three in the centre of midfield and they leave Van Persie up front, it's making us stronger in midfield," McLintock told Arsenal.com.

"We always played 4-4-2 with Peter Storey as the anchor man in midfield and he was very protective of the back four. Song is one of those players who can do the same kind of job as Peter Storey. Peter ended up with about 20 caps."

Arsenal:How do we replace Song

Only at Arsenal would you be wondering one season whether a kid of Alex Song's age should be on the pitch at all in such an important position, just to find yourself the next season wondering about who is going to replace a vital 22-year-old when he goes away for 6 weeks. So we look towards an even younger bench. Crazy isn't it?

Song has really grown so much. The little things have really made the difference with him. He knows on which side of a player to be in a defensive situation. That way he doesn't have to give away free-kicks and he will slow down the player even if he doesn't win the ball.

Small, but vital to killing the opposition fluency. 4-3-3 also gives Alex more options to pass the ball and space to recover in. In a crowded 4-4-2, he would run into his midfield partner. I remember we conceded a costly goal last season as Song and Abou Diaby ran into each other. Alex has his space and he has mastered that space.

The next improvement for Alex is to win and release in one move. Right now, he wins the ball, protects it and then looks to release. The improvement I have seen in him assures me that I only have to be patient and that too will come. Diaby, by the way, has the same problem. He needs to release quicker.

We have seen that Song can pass surprisingly accurate long and short. The importance of having Rosicky is that Arsenal now have Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky, Francesc Fabregas and sometimes Robin van Persie who can take the ball in a crowded place and still find an exit pass. That has improved Song's options and you can now see how he can make telling passes. However, it is also a HUGE shame that Song has no left foot because he cannot pass to Arshavin. That is a huge loss but you can't have everything.

So how will Arsenal replace Song when he goes to Africa?

Patrick Vieira has been mentioned. Vieira was a defensive midfielder when he played with Petit. Then Emmanuel Petit was sold and Vieira had a torrid time trying to hold midfield by himself. The blessing in that painful year was that Vieira learned how to play offensively. When Gilberto arrived, Vieira was an experienced offensive midfielder with massive defensive capabilities. Vieira cannot really be classed as a defensive midfielder so he is not ideal to replace Alex Song.

We also have to consider the mileage and the recovery speed that Song has to execute to cater for Arsenal playing in 4-3-3. That's no job for a 33-year-old. If Vieira comes in January, Wenger will have to use him on the bench and risk one of his kids or Diaby on 4-3-3. Afterall, Arsenal need to place their bets on their attack so there is more sense in keeping the system that is delivering goals.

If Arsenal are away from him or go into a second half needing to tighten up and nick a goal or protect a lead then Vieira can come in with a switch to 4-4-2. Vieira can contribute in 4-4-2. With Arshavin, Rosicky, Samir Nasri, van Persie, Eduardo, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenal has limitless possibilities on how to balance the strike force in 4-4-2 for half a game.

Last season I would have been opposed to Vieira's return but now the team has its own life and its own structure and feeling so a big player like Vieira will not be able to upset it as easily. He will not be a leader – the team has their leaders and they have results that show they are good enough by themselves. But what he can do is contribute experience. In delicate games, he can help the talented squad do the right things at the right time. If Arsenal miss anything, it is the experience to do the right thing at the right time.

So I would welcome Vieira and he might be lucky enough to be the one Wenger player from the past that wins the Champions League with Arsenal. Thierry Henry would be jealous because I am sure Titi would have liked to win it at Arsenal instead of or in addition to winning it at Barcelona.

Written by Joel Che on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

source arsenal mania

Arsenal transfer news:Bayer Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiebling being watched by Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiebling is being watched by Arsenal.

Kiebling has been in superb form so far this season, and is the leading scorer in the Bundesliga.

His agent Ali Bulut said: "Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Milan are the clubs that have shown an interest.

"He wants to move to a big club."

Arsenal News:Why Arsenal should be lauded, not criticised

Why Arsenal should be lauded, not criticised

As the world's financial markets finally begin to bottom out, what can be learned from the experience of football?

Before that question can be answered it is worth looking at the financial climate in football first. With this brings the question; has football at the top level known there's been a recession at all?

Aston Villa have found new wealth and been keen to spend it, not often a sign of a recession, nor is the spending of Manchester City; Mark Hughes is rapidly resembling a child let loose on Football Manager with the unlimited money cheat.

His work is put in the shade by Real Madrid, whose £200 million plus spending goes strangely unmentioned by Sepp Blatter. Interestingly, but hardly surprisingly their total debt has risen to £200 million in the last year alone.

The selling of Ronaldo apart, Manchester United continue to add to their squad, with 2 new Serbians, Antonio Valencia and Berbatov amongst the recent, expensively assembled additions.

Everton are a club that plead poverty, and their fans regularly ask for greater investment. Their spending over the last 18 months has climbed to over £30 million. Similarly their neighbours Liverpool have a manager who is keen to point to how well he is doing with such 'limited' resources. These limited resources have seen him spend an average net outlay of £11 million a season. Second only to Chelsea in the Abramovich era, and higher that Manchester United.

The £7 million spent for what was essentially a 6 month, 19 game loan for Robbie Keane was a highlight, and indeed Tottenham could take credit for such business, were it not conducted at the same time as they bought back Jermaine Defoe for a 300% mark up on what they sold him to Portsmouth for a year earlier.

Newcastle United, so routinely hammered by the media for their fiscal frivolities, seem too easy a target to point out. In short football at the top level acts as if the world is in a golden age, all whilst clubs at the bottom level are crippled by debt from lower attendances.

All this happens yet Arsenal are routinely chastised for not spending beyond their means. The world's crisis was caused by, amongst other things, short selling and people taking on credit they couldn't afford, something Arsenal have refused to do.

With footballer's as today's heroes and the clubs as modern churches is it not fair to expect them to deal as though they have some influence on those that follow them? Young people increasingly use football, not simply as an escape, but as something to look up to.

The message from football is clear; the only way to make it to the top and stay there is to gamble everything you've already achieved and earned and hope a few results go your way. The kind of thinking that got the world into this mess in the first place.

During all the chaos Arsenal continue to operate in a way that shows success is achievable through developing your resources, investing wisely and not spending beyond means, all whilst living an exciting and entertaining life.

Let's hope young people, and more importantly the banks, take note

Written by Lewis Wright on Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Arsenal transfer news:Arsenal can beat Chelsea for Anderlecht superkid Lukaka

Arsenal can beat Chelsea for Anderlecht superkid Lukaka

13.10.09 tribalfootball.com

Arsenal are planning a move for Anderlecht's teenage sensation Romelu Lukaka.

Lukaka has been a long-term target for Chelsea and actually turned down a move to Stamford Bridge before turning pro with Anderlecht last year.

The People says with Chelsea now facing a FIFA transfer ban, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to steal a march on their London rivals for the exciting teenager.

Arsena transfer news:Wenger keen on keeping Merida at Arsenal

Wenger keen on keeping Merida at Arsenal

13/10/2009 tribalfootball

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to keep young midfielder Fran Merida at the club.

The 19-year old Spaniard has been linked with a return to his homeland to join either Atletico Madrid or Sevilla but Wenger wants to sign him on a five-year deal.

Merida was sent out on loan to Real Sociedad in 2008 and has featured just three times in the Gunners’ first team since 2007 but Wenger sees him as a good long-term prospect.

Arsenal Transfer News:Arsenal kicked Chelsea into action over Kalou deal

Arsenal kicked Chelsea into action over Kalou deal

13/10/2009

Chelsea chief Ron Gourlay oversaw Salomon Kalou's new contract yesterday.

The Independent says Kalou's contract was set to expire at the end of the season. This was the first deal renegotiation conducted by new chief executive Gourlay.

Chelsea are prevented from signing any new players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of inducing teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.

The fact that Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger has been interested in taking the player in the past suggests that others might covet his services.

source Tribalfootball

Arsenal Football News:Juventus on Arsenal Defender Bacary Sagna

Juventus on Arsenal Defender Bacary Sagna

Oct 13, 2009 9:22:18 AM

Juventus have laid eyes on Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna as they draw up plans for the right side of their defence.

According to Tuttosport, Sagna is on top of the hit-list at Vinovo and director Alessio Secco is reportedly very keen to land him.

The Gunners man has all the qualities Secco is looking for in Turin with his experience and defensive prowess, but he is unlikely to be cheap.

It is said that Arsene Wenger could consider a sale, but the price is likely to scare off the Bianconeri. With that in mind, Juve are also looking at alternatives.

Hamburg's Jerome Boateng, who is wanted by Jose Mourinho, and Hoffenheim's Andreas Beck have also been mooted in Turin.

Despite the report, Juventus have not confirmed their interest in any of the players.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Arsenal Football News

Clichy Focused On Arsenal Not Real Madrid

Talk of move to Bernabeu at back of defender's mind.

Oct 11, 2009 7:40:01 AM

Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has insisted that he is fully focused on maintaining his form for club and country as rumours continue to link him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Frenchman inked a four-year contract in 2008, but reports surfaced again last week claiming that the Spanish giants were considering making a move for the 24-year-old at the end of the season.

Clichy though claims that he has not thought about the move and is concentrating instead on playing well for club and country.

"At the moment I am focused on Arsenal and France," he told the News of the World.

"This season could be very important to me and I desire to be focused in my work. The summer of 2010 is still very far away."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com