- -Arsène Wenger believes his Arsenal side have found success this season partly by curbing their "cavalier" nature.
The Frenchman's 15-year reign has been characterised by carefree, flowing football. His new side still play the 'beautiful game' but, once the points are assured, they are content to 'close-out' matches.
"I would say we are a bit more controlled and less cavalier," Wenger said.
"We are less adventurous when the job is done, I must say. You can feel that there is some reserve there if needed. In the second half against West Brom we just kept it serious without going overboard. Overall I would say it is a more mature attitude.
"We were more functional. We did the job properly, with quality and, I must say, with seriousness."
The policy is working; in their last 11 games Arsenal have scooped nine wins and a draw. It has silenced most of their early critics. Not that the manager is concerned.
"At the moment I feel we are more focused," he said. "Saying 'look I am right' is less important for me than trying to continue the quality of our team and our results.
"There is still room for improvement so we are focused on that. I am convinced we have been right but what you want is that people who love Arsenal are happy and I think at the moment to do that we still have a job to do."
- -Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski admits he may move out on-loan.
He has played just twice this season — in the Carling Cup — and has staged showdown talks with boss Arsene Wenger.
Fabianski, 26, said: "I had a chat with the boss a few days ago and it was quite an intensive one.
"It was me who asked to speak although we will have a few more chats. I want my situation to be resolved in the nearest future because I want to play at Euro 2012.
"I hope Wenger will understand me and we find a solution.
"I want to play for Arsenal but if not, I will have to go somewhere else, even if it is on loan."
- -Schalke are attempting to set up a swap deal for Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin.
Schalke are battling Anzhi for the unsettled Russia international.
And they are now are ready to offer Arsenal the chance to swap Arshavin for Jefferson Farfan.
According to reports in Germany, the Bundesliga side are desperate not to lose Farfan for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the season - and he is unlikely to sign a new deal.
But Schalke will not sell the Peruvian forward, 27, in January unless they can secure a replacement.
- -Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will try to get his own back on Barcelona this summer by nabbing FOUR of their young stars.
But Wenger will have to do battle with Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas to land Sergio Roberto, 19, Martin Montoya, 20, Marc Bartra, 20, and Rafa Alcantara, 18..
Villas-Boas has identified his new targets with the help of Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo, who set up a Spanish network.
But Wenger has had scouts watching Brazilian-born midfielder Alcantara and right-back Montoya for the past 18 months – and is ready to snap the pair up in January, or at the close of the current campaign.
Montoya’s contract with the Catalan side ends in the summer and his agent Jose Maria Orobitg says the player is keen to discuss a move to England.
Orobitg said: “In January we could talk with other teams – and I say could because we are still talking about renewing a deal with Barca.”
- -Arsenal are ready to sell striker Marouane Chamakh.
Chamakh, 27, has been told he can leave the club in the new year after failing to recapture his early season form.
A return to France is likely for the former Bordeaux striker.
- -Arsenal are ready to send two of their goalkeepers out on-loan in January.
Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Vito Mannone, after Arsène Wenger made the fringe duo available for loan.
The decision comes as Wojciech Szczesny and compatriot Lukasz Fabianski continue to cement their places as the Frenchman's first and second choices, while Argentine prospect Emi Martínez is also in his thinking, after some star displays for the reserves this season.
- -Arsenal are ready to sell defender Sebastien Squillaci.
Arsenal will listen to offers for flop Squillaci in January as manager Arsene Wenger forges ahead with his squad clear out.
The summer signing of Per Mertesacker has seen the France defender drop to fifth choice centre half.
Arsenal will let Squillaci, 31, leave the Emirates on loan, or in a permanent deal in the region of £2million.
- -Arsenal fullback Nico Yennaris says teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's promotion to the England U21s gives him extra motivation.
Yennaris featured for England’s Under-19s last night in their 1-0 victory over Denmark, making his sixth appearance for Noel Blake’s young side.
“I was only playing against Alex last year with the Under-18s so it just goes to show what can happen in a short space of time,” Yennaris said . “He's doing well for himself and he's just showing everybody else what's possible.
“I think for me to get some first-team football would give me a better chance of breaking into that England Under-21 team.
“There aren't too many players in Reserve team football that are playing for the Under-21s and most of them do play first-team.
“I think for me playing that kind of football, whether it's with Arsenal or on loan, will help me a lot.”
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