Arsenal F.C. News

Arsenal Midfield Set Scoring Bet
Arsenal’s
midfield trio of Aliaksandre Hleb, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas are
firing on all cylinders this season, and a bet is the driving force
behind the glut of goals.

Ever since Thierry Henry left Arsenal in favour of Barcelona, many critics
have been wondering where The Gunners would get goals from.
A fully fit Henry would guarantee 20 goals in the Premiership, a
shortfall that the remaining Arsenal stars would need to account for.
Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and new signing Eduardo will hit
the back of the net from up front, but what was not expected was that
Arsenal would find the net from the middle of the park.
Although Hleb, Rosicky and Fabregas are undoubtedly world-class players, they have never been known for their scoring prowess.
In the days of the Invincibles Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and
Patirck Viera would chip in with 20-30 goals a season, and now it seems
the new breed of midfield talent are ready to do the same.
Rosicky admits that the lads have had a wager on who will score the
most, and the bet seems to be helping, Fabregas bagging four, Hleb
three and Rosicky chipping in with one so far this season.
“We have talked about scoring goals in midfield — me, Cesc and Alex
Hleb,” the Czech international told Arsenal.com. “We talked about
preparing a bet between us.

“I hope I can win it. It includes
all competitions — Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. When
you look at those competitions last year I would have been the winner.

“It will be nice to win again but the most important thing is that we win the games. It doesn’t really matter who scores.”
Goal.comUK

His side reclaimed top spot in the Premiership
with victory at Reading on Monday night, but Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger
admits he's still debating whether to strengthen his side in January's
transfer window
Speaking ahead of Monday's clash at Reading - which his side won 3-1
- Arsène Wenger played his cards close to his chest when quizzed on any
impending transfer market activity.
"It is not impossible," he said regarding a January swoop.
"I don’t think I will get anybody in but if I get one opportunity in
one area then I will not neglect it," continued the Frenchman, who
nevertheless refused to name names or even highlight areas of the pitch
where the Gunners might need strengthening.
As per usual, the Gunners have been linked with a whole host of
players since the transfer window shut in August, while debate
continues to rage about the Emirates future of Jens Lehmann in
particular.

Wenger Hopeful On Injured Gunners Trio
Arsene
Wenger hasn't given up hope of injured trio Cesc Fabregas, Alexander
Hleb and Gael Clichy recovering in time to face Aston Villa


Arsene Wenger refuses to admit defeat in the race to get three of
his key players fit and ready for the Gunners trip to Villa Park this
Saturday.
Fabregas Hopes Fading?
Cesc Fabregas in particular looks a long shot for the weekend's
match - the Spaniard damaged his hamstring during Tuesday's encounter
with Sevilla.
“I don’t know how long it will be for Cesc,” Wenger told Arsenal TV
Online on Thursday afternoon. “We hope it will be very, very, very
short maybe he’ll even be OK for Saturday. But the medical staff are
not optimistic about that.
"The worst case for him realistically is 10 days," continued the
Frenchman, who added that Fabregas will undergo a fitness test on
Friday to see if he's able to travel to Villa with the rest of he
squad.
Flamini In, Van Persie Still Out
The chances of making the clash with Martin O'Neill's in-form Villa
side look slightly better for Gael Clichy (thigh) and Alexander Hleb
(hamstring), however.
“We have a slight chance to get Gael Clichy and Alexander Hleb
back," revealed Wenger. "Mathieu Flamini will be available. Of course
Van Persie is still out.”
Chris Williams

Arsenal midfield star Cesc Fabregas is confident that his side can
secure progression at the San Siro despite failing to get the better of
Milan on their own turf.



The Gunners simply couldn't find the key to unlock the European
champion's resilient defense last night, and now they have to go into
the lion's den without any protective cushion.

"Definitely we can go there and do it," he said as he looked ahead to the second leg in a fortnight's time.

"We
are young but having seen what we've seen tonight we can cope with
their pace and their experience and we can create chances. If we can
score a goal we have a good chance to go through.

"We are a
little bit disappointed because I think we played quite well. After a
big defeat against Manchester United we came back well, we came back
strong. I think we deserved a bit more than that.

Arsenal did
manage to unsettle the Rossoneri's highly experienced defense at times,
and with seconds on the clock they came desperately close to snatching
a famous victory only for Emmanuel Adebayor's close-range header to
come back off the crossbar.

"We had a lot of chances but in
football you have to take them, Fabregas continued. "Hopefully we won't
regret that. If we go there and play the same way, hopefully we can do
it. We were playing a top side but we had more opportunities than them,
more possession, we tackled well, we did everything right but in
football you have to put the ball in the net and we didn't tonight."

"They
are very difficult, they have a lot of experience, they know how to
play. They defend very well and are very intelligent. They never play
around – if they have to kick it out they will. I think we have to be
happy with the way we played tonight. It will be very difficult [at San
Siro] but we will see what happens. Milan are Milan but we all want to
be in the quarter-finals and we will fight for it.

"They are the
hardest team we could have drawn, especially so early, but in football
if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Hopefully we will
give our best again and we will do it. We missed a chance tonight but I
think 0-0 is not a bad result. If we score there, they have to score
two, so I think we have a lot of options if we play well."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Adebayor was presented with an open goal from just yards out in the
dying second’s of the 0-0 Champions League last first leg at the
Emirates Stadium.

However the Togolese star somehow headed against the crossbar when it seemed impossible to miss.

After the game Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac went over to Adebaor and joked to him, "You must improve, boy!”

Adebayor took the joke well, smiled and congratulated the Australian as they walked off the pitch.

Kalac
had been a major doubt for the game after dislocating his finger but he
has thanked the Milan medical staff for their work in getting him fit
to play.

"I did not think I would be able to take to the field,” ‘Spider’ told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I must thank our physiotherapists who worked brilliantly to put me in a position to play.

“Now
my finger is swollen, it is very inflated. However I could not forfeit
the game. Lippi also said that no goalkeeper would have missed a game
as important as this for a problem like mine, so I had no choice.”

Kalac put in a fine performance at the Emirates to earn yet another clean sheet since taking the gloves from Nelson Dida.

Roberto Rossi
------------------------------------------------

hahaha ... words that just might come back & haunt him

Wenger fury after Eduardo injury

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Martin Taylor
should "never play football again" after the Birmingham captain's
tackle broke Eduardo's leg.
Eduardo went down in the third minute of the Premier League encounter and Taylor was shown a straight red card.
"The tackle was horrendous and this guy should never play football again," Wenger told BBC Sport.
But Blues boss Alex McLeish responded: "Martin's not a dirty player. He's distraught over Eduardo's injury."
Eduardo, 24, remained lying on the pitch for seven
minutes as medical staff attended to him before he was stretchered off
and taken to Selly Oak Hospital.
Wenger hit out at the way he feels his team have been targeted by opponents.
"It goes with the idea that to stop Arsenal you have to kick Arsenal and that kind of thing was waiting to happen," he said.
"Many people have got away with too many bad tackles.
We've escaped a few times but it's just not acceptable. If that is
football it's better to stop it.
"The worst thing you hear after is that 'he's not the
kind of guy who usually does that', but you need to only kill one
person one time - it's enough."
McLeish, however, sprang to the defence of his player.

"I've seen the challenge and, yes, the studs land on
Eduardo's ankle. In slow motion these tackles always look bad but he's
not a malicious player - Eduardo was just too quick for him," he
explained.
"The referee's done his job, it's a sending off, but Taylor's not a malicious player."
Birmingham released a statement later on Saturday saying
the club were "saddened that such a fantastic game of football has been
marred by a serious injury"
It added: "Martin Taylor is adamant there was no
malicious intent in the tackle and he is deeply upset by the extent of
Eduardo's injury.
"Having reviewed the incident, this (no malicious intent) is clearly the case.
The club and Martin Taylor would like to send their very best wishes to the
player for a speedy recovery."

The seriousness of the injury was apparent as both
sets of players and medical staff looked shocked while Eduardo was
treated on the pitch.
The Brazilian-born striker now looks certain to miss out on Croatia's participation at Euro 2008 in June.
"It was a massive shock for the team. They've seen what kind of state he was in," Wenger added.
"He's a fantastic guy and to see him in such pain and the shape of his leg was very difficult for the players.
"We hope he comes back quickly but the minimum is his season is over and we are scared that it is much longer."
Wigan boss Steve Bruce, who signed Taylor from Blackburn
when he was Blues boss in February 2004, said his former player would
never intentionally hurt anyone.
"Martin Taylor is the biggest, gentlest man," said
Bruce. "There will be nobody more upset and sickened than him, there is
not a bad bone in his body.
"He would never, ever do anything malicious. He has
mis-timed the tackle, and I've seen it. Some would say it is not even a
yellow card."
--------------------------------------------------------
sad

Capello Hails 'Incredible' Walcott Cameo


England manager Fabio Capello has revealed he was highly impressed
with the performance of Arsenal's Theo Walcott against Liverpool in the
Champions League on Tuesday night...



The 19-year-old came off the substitutes' bench at Anfield to swing the
game back in the Gunners' favour as he beat four men in an 80-metre
dash from one end of the pitch to the other before calmly squaring the
ball to Emmanuel Adebayor, who obliged with a finish that drew his side
level, and ahead in the tie on away goals.

It was sensational -Arsene Wenger's men could see the finish line - but they once again proved to be so close, yet so far. A controversial penalty was awarded in the home side's favour minutes later and club captain Steven Gerrard - who himself admitted to having had a poor game - hit the back of the net with a nigh-on unstoppable penalty. Moments later, Liverpool substitute Ryan Babel netted a fourth goal to add insult to injury.

Amongst the spectators on Merseyside was England boss Fabio Capello, who praised both sides for their part in a captivating tie and singled out
the incredible ability exhibited by young Walcott, who many have been
tipping for an England call-up.


Delighted

Walcott of course was controversially included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad despite being incredibly inexperienced - indeed he did
not make an appearance, though he has since had a solitary cap and made
Capello's squad to face France. which was the Italian's second game in
charge.

"I was at Anfield to see Arsenal face Liverpool and the atmosphere was electric," said Capello. "It was a wonderful game and both teams played their part in creating such a spectacle.

"I was delighted with the impact that Theo Walcott made on the game - the run he made for Arsenal's second goal was incredible.

"To go past so many players with such speed and balance is one thing, but
to have the composure and awareness to pick a pass at the crucial
moment showed great skill and maturity.

"There can be no disputing Walcott's ability."

Flourishing

While Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester
United aren't exactly laden with English players in their starting
line-ups, Capello believes it is nevertheless a plus for English
football that they are prospering in Europe's elite club competition.

"I'm very pleased that England has three of the four semi-finalists for the Champions League," said Don Fabio.

"It is a tremendous situation for the supporters of those clubs and it shows the strength of the Premier League.

"For three sides with such contrasting styles, it is positive that English
players are proving their flexibility and tactical awareness.

"Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United each play with unique style and it is promising to see English players flourishing in different roles and
situations.

"It will be very interesting to watch the semi-finals and see who can reach Moscow.

"There is a real chance that it could be an all-English final, which would be
fantastic for the England players involved, and that could only be a
positive for the England team."

Chet Winter, Goal.com

Teary Senderos Turns To Parents



Arsenal defender
Philippe Senderos' father has revealed that the Swiss international is
still coming to terms with the Gunners' Champions League exit...



After taking the blame for Arsenal’s Champions League exit and the hands of Liverpool,
Philippe Senderos has been phoning his father on a regular basis as he
struggles to come to terms with his recent downturn in fortunes.

The Swiss stopper was widely regarded to be at fault for Liverpool’s first two goals as the Gunners were dramatically ousted 4-2 at Anfield, crashing out of Europe 5-3 on aggregate.

Senderos reportedly
burst into tears in the Arsenal dressing room following the loss and
was given time off by manager Arsene Wenger.

Now, his father admits that his son is struggling to come to terms with the defeat and has turned to his parents for support.

"Philippe has been on the phone to us every day for the last few days," father Julien told Le Matin newspaper.

"He was not feeling too good after Arsenal went out of the Champions League.

"Firstly, because he is a winner and his team had been knocked out, and then because he was angry with himself.

"Knowing his character as I do, I can fully imagine him bursting into tears in the dressing room.

"Arsene Wenger gave him Sunday and Monday off so he could clear his mind, and he has done that.

"But he is not in distress - it is not as tragic as that. It is not the case that he is suffering from depression."

Senderos was omitted from the team for the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
Duncan Robertson, Goal.com

French international Mathieu Flamini's current Arsenal contract is due
to expire in the summer, and the combative midfielder has not yet
signed a new deal - despite the fact that a reported £50,000 a week
offer has been on the table for him for more than a month.

Now
the Gunners fear that Flamini may already have given the nod to a
pre-contract agreement with Italian side Juventus, who have been
courting him for some time. The Arsenal chairman, Peter Hill-Wood,
admits that they may reluctantly be forced to part company soon with
their defensive midfield star, who made such an impact alongside Cesc
Fabregas in the centre of the park for Arsenal this season.

"We
have made what we think is a pretty generous offer and we are waiting
to hear whether he will accept or not," Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.

"You
just don't know nowadays. You think players have a pretty good life,
but, somehow, someone persuades them the grass might be greener
somewhere else.

"So I don't know the answer, all I know is we
think we have pushed the boat out," added Hill-Wood, confirming that
the Gunners had gone as far as they feel able to, money-wise, to keep
Flamini.

Juventus have been pursuing Flamini for some time
now, and have offered him a deal worth around £10,000 a week more than
the one the Gunners have put to him.

The Old Lady's director
Jean-Claude Blanc, confirmed yesterday that a deal for the player is
almost complete, and dismissed speculation that arch-rivals AC Milan
could be planning a last-minute hijack of the deal as they look to
replace Rino Gattuso.

"We have the advantage [over Milan]," said Blanc. "As a child Flamini was a supporter of Juve.

"We also have a sporting project in place and we will be in the Champions League. Milan will not."

Mark Hinton.Goal.com

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bad news for any arsenal fan! :(

Hleb: London Too Noisy For Me



Arsenal midfielder
Alexander Hleb has dubiously suggested that his reason for leaving the
club this summer is because London is too noisy...



Hleb, 27, has been linked with a move to Italian giants Internazionale
since late February, with Barcelona and even Real Madrid also being
named as potential suitors.

However, it is Inter who are said to
be leading the way, with the player even thought to have held an
illegal meeting with some of the club's representatives when his side
were in Italy facing Inter's city rivals Milan in the Champions League.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he knows what went on during that meeting and is threatening to report the Nerazzurri to FIFA for illegally approaching his player.

More
recently, Wenger has insisted that rumours the Belarus international
will be buying out his contract (as per the Webster ruling) are false,
and that as long as he is under contract he will remain at the club, as
they are unwilling to sell.

This merely seems like it will
ultimately be an exercise in futility, as the player's agent has voiced
his client's desire to leave the club and now Hleb himself is chiming
in, albeit with his excuse being somewhat flimsy.

“I’m not a big city man, I need my retreat, that’s why I’m often in Germany," he explained, according to The Sun.

“Stuttgart [where he played prior to Arsenal] is my second home, my friends are there and it is where I feel most comfortable.”

Agent
Nikolai Shpilevski added: “Alex is tired of the noisy and chaotic life
in London and feels like living in calmer surroundings.”

Chet Winter, Goal.com

talk about back stabbing

Nasri Almost A Gunner



Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri is on the verge of signing for Arsenal, according to reports out of France...





The French international, hailed by many as the new Zinedine Zidane,
has been linked with a move to the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus
over the past two years.

He has continued to impress during his
side's fleeting appearances in Europe but, despite signing a contract
extension just weeks ago, looks set to leave the club this summer.

The
signs were ominous on the final league day of the season, when the
midfielder himself said it could be his last game for the club.

Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger has time and time again insisted that big players
will be sought after ahead of big names. Nasri is somewhat a
combination of both.

Though he may not be a household name just yet, his association with Zidane in itself has sent his market value sky-rocketing. La Provence
contends that the Gunners, notoriously cautious in their transfer
dealings, will have to shell out €17 million (which comes to
approximately £13.5 million) to land the player.
Arsenal were prepared to pay £10m initially, and have since improved
their offer. Though it has not been accepted, an agreement is said to
be close.

Chet Winter, Goal.com

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i KNEW it was only a matter of time :( arsenal are getting stronger and stronger!

damn

Adebayor Agrees Milan Move



According to sources in
Italy, Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor has agreed to join AC Milan,
and all that is required to complete the deal is for the Rossoneri to
meet the Gunners’ €40m asking price.


Milan
are well known to be in the market for a top class centre forward, and a couple
of weeks ago Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that the club would be signing one
out of Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Adebayor or Amauri.

With the latter having since joined Juventus, only three of
these possibilities remain, and according to sources in Italy, it is
Adebayor who will be filling the gap in the Rossoneri frontline.

Adebayor has come to an agreement over personal terms to
join the Diavoli, and all that is required to complete the deal is for Milan to meet Arsenal’s
asking price, which is set at a cool €40m.

Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani would ideally like to
lower this price, but are prepared to break the bank having recently vowed to
spend big this summer.

Only a few days ago, Adebayor vowed to stay at Arsenal.

“I came to Arsenal with a mission to succeed," he
explained.

"I’ve
assured the gaffer Arsène Wenger I’ll stay because I
believe in the team and I want to assure the fans my concentration is
here. I have no reason to leave so I’ll stay to ensure that together
we’ll win
silverware."

Mathieu Flamini has already joined Milan on a free transfer this summer, while
Aliaksandr Hleb seems almost certain to follow him out of the exit door. If
Adebayor were to leave too, it would certainly be an almost irreparable blow to
Arsenal ahead of the 2008/09 season.

Roberto Rossi

£32million? YES PLEASE!

LoL

well.. the price is impossible... nobody would pay that kinda price..

ade isnt gonna leave you Alique ;p he'll be here next season

Wouldn't miss him. Hope he goes now for that kind of money.