Arsenal injury news:Arsenal's Nasri declares himself fit

Samir Nasri has declared himself fit for Arsenal after returning to full-scale training this week.

The midfielder has been out since breaking his leg in pre-season but could be back in action this month.

He said: "I'm due to rejoin the Arsenal team this weekend, or at the start of next week.

"I think I will be back in action against West Ham on the 25th.

"The new style of play suits us. Cesc Fabregas has a bit more freedom in midfield, and the rest of us link up well with him."

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