Sunday 5 February 2012

AW "Today we got the performance & result! We were mature & played together until the end! RVP is an exceptional player; his skills should be shown at every football school! The Ox has made a big step in the last months he’s a fighter!” RVP ”Arteta made a real difference in terms of our solidity!” AW Henry’s made a massive impact! Let’s see if we can keep him a bit longer” Theo talks! Steve Bould to take over from Pat Rice!



  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to get carried away after their 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Captain Robin van Persie fired a hat-trick and England youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain grabbed a brace.

"I do not give much importance to the seven goals, it is just we won and played well," said the Arsenal manager. "I felt that recently we had quite good performances but did not get the results.

"Today we got the performance and the result, which is ideally what you want."

Wenger added: "We remained serious and were guided by the way we want to play football and not by any extravagant individualism.

"We were mature and serious, we played together until the end."
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with skipper Robin van Persie's hat-trick in victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Wenger was effusive in his praise for Van Persie.

He said: “He is an exceptional player.

“His skills should be shown at every football school. His ­movement is fantastic.”
  • Arsenal attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck twice in their 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, produced another all-action display, which will again fire up calls for his fast track into the senior England squad.

Arsene Wenger said: "Chamberlain has made a big step in the last months. He produces team play, he is not only going forwards, he is contributing to the defending and has improved very quickly.

"He is a fighter as well, with personality, and is much more mature now."
  • Arsenal captain Robin van Persie says Mikel Arteta has been a "massive" signing this season.
Arteta joined the Gunners from Everton in August.

RVP said: "Mikel Arteta made a real difference in terms of our solidity – he keeps the ball well, knows when to tackle and how to kill a counter-attack, showing his experience and demonstrating that he is a massive player for us."
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Thierry Henry has made a huge impact since his arrival.
The on-loan New York Red Bulls striker has been a big influence on the young players at the club, says Wenger.

"Only positive. How much, you can never give a percentage, but he was very positive and everyone takes his advice on board because he has delivered here and they want to deliver too. He is respected and he was very positive. He is not going away yet, normally he stays until after the Milan game. So we go to Sunderland now and then we go to Milan - that is two massive games."
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hopes of keeping Thierry Henry for their clash with Tottenham.
Henry is on loan from New York Red Bulls, and looks set to have played his final game back at Emirates Stadium.

However, Wenger indicated that could yet be extended to take in the visit of Tottenham on February 26.

"I haven't looked at it, maybe the maximum possibility we have is two more weeks. Normally no [he would not be here for the Tottenham game]," the Arsenal manager said.
  • Theo Walcott was delighted for Arsenal teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after his two goal haul in victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Walcott reckons his young teammate could have a big future in the game if he continues to take his chances like he did against Blackburn.

“He’s very direct, he likes to get at players and that’s what any Arsenal fan or player likes to see,” Walcott said. “He has plenty of confidence and he is young and he is a player that no one else in the Premier League has faced before so he is totally new to the game.

“He is learning every day in training and you can see he is getting game time, which is important, and the way he is playing at the moment he will keep that position.”
  • Arsenal captain Robin van Persie says they're better for having Bacary Sagna fully fit.
Sagna has featured in the last two games for the Gunners.

“Bac’s return was a huge boost for us too. I didn’t know he was going to start, but he looked so fit and strong throughout the game. He’s been out for four months but came back in with only a few minutes’ football behind him and played unbelievably - and, I can tell you from my own experience, that’s really difficult to do," Van Persie said.

"He was rock solid at the back and good going forward, so it’s great for all of us. He’s a good friend and an amazing player, and we’re all really happy to see him back.”
  • Steve Bould is being tipped to succeed Pat Rice as Arsene Wenger's assistant manager at Arsenal.
Bould is the hot ­favourite to take over as Arsene Wenger’s new right hand man next season.

The 49-year- old former Gunners defender has been coaching the Arsenal youth and reserve teams for the last 11 years.
And he is set to replace Pat Rice, due to retire, as ­assistant manager.

Under Bould’s guidance, stars such as Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere have come through the ranks.
  • Theo Walcott will reject interest from Liverpool to pen a new deal with Arsenal.
Liverpool are among the clubs said to be monitoring the situation of the England player who will be 23 next month.

Arsenal will not let his contract run into its final season because they then run the risk of losing him on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

Talks with Walcott and his advisers have gone well and it is thought that ­agreement is close.

On the table is the offer of a four-year extension to his present deal and that would take Walcott close to the £80,000-a-week bracket.
  • Bacary Sagna has hailed Arsenal youngsters Nico Yennaris and Francis Coquelin.
Both players featured at right-back as Sagna recovered from injury.

“They’re amazing,” Sagna said. “They just play and don’t worry about anything.

"I was happily surprised with Nico’s performance against Bolton back in October - he closed down really well and imposed himself well. He did an equally good job when he came on against Manchester United, and I’m very pleased for him – he’s a hard worker and deserves a lot of credit.

"It’s the same with Francis, he’s a midfield player first of all but he’s given his best at right-back and we know that he’s very good technically too.”
  • Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin could be on his way to Anzhi this week.
Arsenal are ready to listen to offers because 30-year-old Arshavin has fallen so far out of favour.

They are tempted to cash in now because his contract only has 18 months left.

Wenger did not rule out a permanent deal and admitted the final decision could be down to Arshavin .

It is understood the player would prefer to return to Zenit St Petersburg, the club Arsenal bought him from, but that might not be possible until the summer.

Asked whether Arshavin could go this month, Wenger said: "For me, no."

Then, asked who else it depends on, the Frenchman added: "Andrey Arshavin."
  • Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud is on Arsenal's radar.
Arsenal will put Montpellier striker Giroud high on their summer hitlist.

Giroud, 25, heads the French League goal charts with 15.
  • Benfica star Rodrigo Moreno is being tracked by Arsenal.
Arsenal are monitoring Rodrigo, who had a loan spell at Bolton.

Rodrigo is also wanted by former club Real Madrid.

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