- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave mixed signals over the prospect of late winter market signings.
Wenger was asked if he'd be signing anyone after their win over Aston Villa.
"Certainly not. But you never know!" he laughed.
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with the character shown for their FA Cup win overAston Villa.
Captain Robin van Persie netted twice from the penalty spot as the Gunners beat Aston Villa 3-2 to book their place in the fifth round.
Wenger said: "I was very impressed because I felt that when you come out of a bad period like we are, and you are 2-0 down, you can
feel sorry for yourself or you can show you have the mental qualities to play for this club.
"I was very proud the team came out playing on all cylinders and showed they are not ready to lie down."
The Gunners boss added: "That is was a good test to show that we had the mental qualities to come back. On the other hand it was important that we didn't panic.
"To concede a goal just on half-time for 2-0 was a difficult blow, but we responded very well against Manchester United here and we did it again on Sunday.
"Overall it was a classic FA Cup tie in England: 2-0 down and coming back, we had to fight to score three goals and we did it well."
- Arsenal hero Robin van Persie hailed their victory over Aston Villa last night.
The Gunners were up against it at half-time thanks to goals from Richard Dunne and Darren Bent at the Emirates Stadium.
But the same two players gave away penalties in the second half, both converted by Van Persie, sandwiching a fortuitous Theo Walcott strike, as the Gunners roared back for a 3-2 win.
"It was very important," Van Persie said. "At 2-0 down, it's always going to be a hard task to come back.
"But a crazy six minutes in the second half changed the game.
"Credit to the team. We all did it. Credit to all of them because we worked hard and we're still in it."
Van Persie said the team still believe they can win silverware this season.
"(It's) another chance, because we're still in the Champions League," he said. "We worked so hard. We are excited for the next round."
- Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was happy to be on the scoresheet in last night's FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
Walcott's equalising goal was a pure fluke as Alan Hutton's goal-line clearance bounced back into the goal off the England star's body.
Walcott, who celebrated with a bizarre table-tennis routine, said: "Maybe I would like to get a few more like that, off my backside or whatever.
"It just shows the determination of not just me but everyone getting in there. We need a bit of luck and hopefully our luck's changed for now."
- Theo Walcott admits Robin van Persie's halftime address inspired Arsenal to their FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The Dutchman was at the centre of everything. His goals drew him level with Dennis Bergkamp in the Arsenal scoring charts. And it seems a half-time speech also turned the outcome of the afternoon as Walcott hinted afterwards.
The England winger said: "This Cup means a lot to us because obviously we haven’t won anything in a long time.
"Robin was reflecting that in the dressing room. We always believe we can win, especially at home, and we just went at them."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is excited by what he sees from Nico Yennaris.
The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut against Manchester United last weekend, replacing Johan Djourou at half time in the 2-1 defeat.
“He did very well,” he said “I like Nico because he has 100 per cent focus, good physical qualities, good intelligence, good reading of the game and personality.
“He is a guy who, believe me, will make a big career. He has what it takes to be always better, his whole career will improve because he has the mental abilities of somebody who is suited to the top level.
“He is a midfielder. To come on as a right back against Nani, who is one of the top players in the league, and produce the kind of performance he produced is absolutely outstanding.”
- Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen hopes for multiple Wembley appearances this season.
The famous stadium will once again be hosting the FA Cup semi-finals this season, and with Belgium due to play England there in a friendly on June 2, he could even make it a hat-trick of outings under the arch.
“I want to play at Wembley because I haven’t done that yet,” Vermaelen said.
"It’s a really nice stadium, I was there at the Carling Cup final last season, so I got a chance to see it even if I didn’t play. The atmosphere was fantastic, so it would be amazing to play there.
"I’ve never played there either for my country, but Belgium have a game scheduled there in June I think, so hopefully I’ll get to play there this year.”
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was pleased with Lukasz Fabianski's performance for their FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The Pole was returning from long-term injury.
Wenger said: "He lacks a bit of match practice. Overall he did well. On the second goal he parried [Bent's shot] well, and it was unlucky because the ball came back to Bent, who is a great finisher."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Ryo Miyaichi will not be allowed to leave the country.
Wenger has hinted he intends to send the Japanese winger out on loan.
He said: "I will have a chat with him tomorrow and I have a little plan. Oxlade-Chamberlain plays on the flanks now too, so if I can find an opportunity for him to play somewhere I will decide whether to do that tomorrow. It will have to be in England because he will lose the home grown [status] if he leaves the country."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Abou Diaby will be back tomorrow.
Diaby has travelled the world to find a solution to his injury problems.
"He is coming back on Tuesday. He has been in a rehab centre and has worked very hard. We feel that when he comes back he will need three more weeks of training, so the earliest he will play will be the end of February," Wenger said.
- Arsenal are making a shock move for Watford captain Adrian Mariappa.
Despite initially insisting he would not make any transfer window signings, Arsenal's boss is now ready to reinforce his inconsistent defence.
Newcastle have been haggling over a price for 25-year-old Mariappa, who can play either at right-back or centre-back.
Toon chief Alan Pardew has offered £1.5million so far.
While Watford are demanding £4million, they will accept just over £2m.
Wenger had Mariappa watched in Watford's home FA Cup defeat by Tottenham last Friday.
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