Arsenal Team and Transfer News – 27th August 2011

• Arsene Wenger is convinced the clouds have lifted over Arsenal as he prepares for Sunday's clash with champions Manchester United.

The Frenchman has endured arguably the most difficult summer of his career, with the departures of midfield schemers Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri played out against a backdrop of supporter unrest over his spending policy.
An assured display in Europe in midweek against Udinese alleviated a pervading sense of unease in North London, with qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stages of paramount importance.
Wenger, who has overseen a trophyless run that stretches to six years, accepts his club have gone through a fallow period but is adamant brighter times lie ahead.
A trip to Old Trafford is perhaps not the ideal scenario as Wenger looks to get Arsenal's Premier League campaign up and running after taking just a solitary point from their opening two games, however, his mood remains optimistic.
"It feels a little bit like our season starts here," he said.
"We had that cloud over our heads with the Champions League and it was a difficult summer for us because transfer negotiations lasted longer than expected.
"Those decisions were very difficult to take and the club was questioned by everybody about what we were doing.
"I can tell you it is much easier when you are winning championships and cups and being unbeaten than when you are being questioned.
"But it is part of my job and I find it very challenging.
"We have already reached our first target for the season by playing in the Champions League for the 14th consecutive year.
"Now I'm confident we will have a good season, even though some people will tell you I've no reason to be."
Wenger has been criticised for what many perceive to be an over-cautious approach in the transfer market, with his critics of the opinion he needs to invest heavily if Arsenal are to have any say in the title race. Again, though, Wenger is keen to defend his record in this area.
"I am trying to strengthen the depth of the squad because we are short number-wise," he added.
"If we get two or three players in we will have the quality to challenge United.
"The financial resources of some clubs have become much bigger and it has become more difficult for us to keep our best players
"I am a bit anxious about getting more players in but I am trying to make it happen.
"I am also confident that we have some good young players who can make a big step forward very quickly."

• Following Wednesday night’s vital 2-1 victory over Udinese away from home, Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has urged the team to perform under pressure more often.

The Gunners faced their first season in 14 without Champions League football when Antonio Di Natale scored for the Italians in Udine but the North Londoners rallied to secure a 3-1 aggregate win and qualify for the group stage of the prestigious competition.
But van Persie wants that to be just the start for Arsenal who have lost two key players in quick succession this summer.
“Of course it’s been a hard week, with Cesc [Fabregas] leaving, Samir [Nasri] leaving. We’ve been in the papers for the wrong reasons,” he said.
“But I think we played well at Udinese under immense pressure, so that’s a positive sign. And now it’s up to us to show that every three or four days, because that’s football.
“It’s not that we can live on this night for the rest of the month or the rest the year. We have to do it every single time.
“I think that we surprised a few people. Hopefully, we can do it more often.”

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is furious over an X-RATED TWEET coming from inside Bolton Wanderers HQ.

Wenger was furious after Bolton chairman Phil Gartside used Twitter to pour scorn on the Gunners' opening £6million bid for defender Gary Cahill.
Gartside retweeted a fan's message: "Are you taking the p***? £6m for Gary Cahill — f*** right off!"
Gartside — a prominent member of the FA board — later deleted the post but it had already left Wenger fuming.
The Gunners boss stormed: "He can endorse what he wants, that's his problem.
"But that figure is completely wrong. I can tell you it's not true.

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he needs to buy a replacement for striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Wenger reveals he is still looking to bring in one more striker to replace Bendtner and hopes a deal can be finalised in the next few days.
Wenger said: “We are looking for one more striker because we know he [Bendtner] will leave.
"We will be short because we also have [Marouane] Chamakh leaving for the African Cup of Nations this season.”

• England boss Fabio Capello has held talks with Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.

Walcott was critical of Capello in his new book.
A top FA source said: "Theo has been told in no uncertain terms what the coach expects from his players.
"He says he totally accepts that, so we can now draw a line under the whole thing and concentrate all our energy of the forthcoming qualifiers."

• Arsenal has just formulated a proposal of 30 million euros for Belgian international attacker Eden Hazard (20), whose contract expires in June 2015, but without success. A new offer of 35 million euros is set to be made.

According to our information, the Lille player has already made an agreement with the Gunners over a future transfer. Concern is very much on the side of the club of president Michel Seydoux.

• Arsenal are believed to be showing considerable interest in Hamburg winger Eljero Elia.

The Gunners are desperate to sign an attacking playmaker following the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in recent times and have identified the 24-year old Dutchman as a potential replacement.
It is believed that Arsene Wenger has contacted Hamburg about Elia’s availability despite the German club rejecting an offer from Juventus earlier in the transfer window.

• Arsenal are lining up a shock raid on Chelsea for defender Alex.

The Gunners will drop their pursuit of Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill over a row regarding their offer yesterday.
Relations between the two clubs are not good, Arsenal are set to abandon their interest in Cahill, 25, and move instead for Chelsea's want-away centre-back Alex.