Tuesday 30 June 2009

4 in and 8 out


This morning Arsenal announced that four youngsters put pen to paper on professional deals at the Club while eight Gunners are departing this summer.

IN's:

Luke Ayling (Pictured above)
Craig Eastmond
James Shea
Cedric Evina

Out's:

Amaury Bischoff
James Dunne
Rui Fonte
Abu Ogogo
Paul Rodgers
Rene Steer
Vincent van den berg
Anton Blackwood

For a detailed list of each of the players coming and going click the link to view their stats on the arsenal webpage:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/four-youngsters-turn-pro-while-eight-depart

Monday 29 June 2009

Wenger factor could lure Madrid favourite Benzema



Arsene Wenger hopes the French influence at Arsenal will lure Karim Benzema to the Emirates Stadium but he will have to move soon after Real Madrid offered £27 million for the striker.

Mega-rich Real have moved to add Lyon's Benzema to their other stellar summer signings, Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Kaka from AC Milan.

United also want the France striker but Wenger trusts the presence of Benzema's international team-mates William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Mikael Silvestre could tempt the 21-year-old to join the Gunners.

Any bid from Arsenal is likely to depend on Wenger selling Emmanuel Adebayor, who is wanted by Milan.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Tasci deal key for Kolo Man city move?


Manchester City will reportedly make an offer for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure after learning of Arsene Wenger’s pending move for Serdar Tasci, and having been rebuffed in their move for Chelsea captain John Terry.

Reports this morning suggest Mark Hughes has been told Terry is not for sale, particularly as Chelsea are likely to lose Ricardo Carvalho in the next few days. As a result the former Blackburn manager will step up his efforts to sign Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, although he has not given up signing Everton’s Jolean Lescott.

Arsene Wenger is closing in on Stuggart’s highly rated 22-year-old defender, who is stalling over a contract extension at the Bundesliga club.

Having signed Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, Wenger continues to readdress his defence and should Manchester City offer in an excess of £10 million for Kolo Toure, the Ivorian will be allowed to leave the club making way for German international Tasci who can play at either centre-back or right-back.

Tasci recently said: “I have the ambition to move clubs one day, but the time and circumstances have to be right for me.”

“I have to admit I'm flattered that clubs like Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus have had their eye on me in the past.”

Manchester City are expected to complete deals for Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o and former Manchester United and West Ham striker Carlos Tevez, and Mark Hughes wants to then concentrate on shoring up his defence.

Hughes has been a long-time admirer of Toure and believes the Arsenal star is a more viable option then Everton’s Lescott who would cost significantly more than Toure due to David Moyes’ reluctance to sell.

Source: sport.co.uk

Bayern rule out ribery move


Apparent arsenal target Franck Ribery looks even more likely to stay in Germany this summer according to his manager.
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness is insistent the club will not budge on their refusal to sell Franck Ribery.

France playmaker Ribery is a target for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona but Hoeness is determined to keep the former Marseille man in Bavaria.

"Did you ever think that we would give in?" he asked. "Have we ever shown signs of weakening?

"Franck will be on our training field on July 1."

Melo the missing link?

Melo has been linked with a move from the Serie A club to Emirates Stadium this summer, but last week his spokesman told the player is settled in Italy.

However, rumours of interest from Arsenal continue to linger, with the powerful midfielder capping off a fine domestic campaign with success at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Brazil international Gilberto, who left the Gunners for Panathinaikos last summer, has spoken with his compatriot Melo and suggested he should sign for Arsenal.

"We heard rumours and he asked me. I said it's a fantastic club and if he's interested he should go without thinking," said Gilberto.

"He is exactly what they need - a powerful player with quality.

"If they got him it would be great because he is a player they need at the moment.

"I'm sure if they got him it would be a good signing. I have told him Arsenal is a great club and I am sure next season they will improve."


Source: Foxsports

Saturday 27 June 2009

No Toure combination for Arsenal


The Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, has extended his contract with the Spanish league and European champions by a year until June 2012, the club said.

Barcelona have also increased the value of the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international's buyout clause to €100m (£85m) from €60m, the club said on their website .

The European champions have also made a €15m offer for Palmeiras striker 20-year-old striker Keirrison.

"The player won't be considered for Sunday's match against Santos ... and will remain out of the team until the situation is resolved," the Sao Paulo-based club said on their official website.

Keirrison, who was playing for Coritiba when he finished as top scorer in the 2008 Brazilian championship, joined the former Real Madrid and Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Palmeiras in January.

source: guardian.co.uk

Friday 26 June 2009

Arshavin dumps his agent


Andrey Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter has been sensationally dumped by his client.

The 28-year-old intends to iron out problems with his deal and is also concerned by the rising tax rate in the UK, which will jump from 40 per cent to 50 per cent for high-earners next April.


'Recently I sent a formal letter to Dennis Lachter, which said that I do not want him to continue to represent me and that I will act on my own behalf,' Arshavin told the Daily Mail.

'This is no way associated with my Arsenal contract. On the contrary, I want to express my deep gratitude for Lachter's help in moving to the English club.

'But now I am having operational problems and Dennis, who has a newborn son, lives in Israel and cannot always be close to me, so it is easier to solve all these problems myself.'

Thursday 25 June 2009

Vela and Dos santos combine for mexico win VIDEO


Arsenal's young striker Carlos Vela was on target for his country last night with a superb partnership with his fellow countryman Giovanni dos Santos against fellow south american side venezuela.

Spurs forward dos Santos set-up reported Portsmouth target Vela for the opener while Dos Santos struck twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Omar Arellano assured the win with his 73rd minute strike.

Check vela's goal here:

Technorati test page

vmcwaqh3et

New arsenal away kit released


The new Arsenal Away kit is available to buy from today! The new kit, with a design that celebrates the sartorial excellence of the Club’s London birthplace, embraces design features including a pinstripe in the shirt and a polo collar inspired by the shirts worn by the all conquering side of the 1930s.

Gilardino DIDN'T hint at Melo Arsenal Move


Felipe Melo's Fiorentina team mate Alberto Gilardino has moved quickly to deny reports he commented that Melo was on his way out of the viola this season and arsenal was a likely destination. After the reports surfaced no longer than an hour Gilardino made this statement.

“I didn’t issue any statement about Felipe [Melo]. From my part, this is totally wrong.”

Despite the denial Melo could yet still move to the emirates as Arsene Wenger has watched him for over three years and obviously knows what he is capable of.
The 25 year old Brazilian is hotly tipped as a perfect addition to the current team and would add the much needed steel to Arsenal's midfield backbone. An addition of Melo's type would send a very positive message for gooner fans next season.

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Adebayor Rival sale is way off mark



Reports of Emmanuel Adebayor's expected move away from the emirates stadium this summer have now fuelled rumors of the possibility of the Togolese striker joining two of arsenal's fiercest title rivals. Adebayor's agent Stephane Courbis recently had to comment on recent speculation regarding his client's current situation.


"As of today, I have not even got evidence to speak of presumed interest from Chelsea and Manchester United," Stephane Courbis told calciomercato.it.

"It's a given fact that Carlo Ancelotti likes the player seeing that last year he tried to sign him for Milan, although Chelsea have not contacted us.

"We have not received any calls, not from Milan or Ancelotti. Another team has contacted us, but I cannot say anything, it's a very important team."

Arsenal TV still going despite Setanta collapse


It seems that some good news has come from the recent Setanta tv administration that Arsenal Tv, previously provided as part of the Setanta sports package is still on the air. The recent confusion resolving the channels potential closure has at least for the mean time been unaffected. The official Arsenal website released this statement.


"The Club can confirm that Arsenal TV, which was provided as part of the Setanta Sports package, is still currently broadcasting as normal on the Sky platform and will continue to do so until further notice.

However, as a consequence of Setanta Sports going into administration and ceasing to broadcast, the service is subject to change.

The Club is working to continue broadcasting the service in the short term and is evaluating the longer term viability of the channel.

Further announcements will be made if and when the situation regarding Arsenal TV changes."

Gooner Radar test post!!

This is the first ever gooner radar (test) post keep checking back for major blog updates in the near future!