- Robin van Persie says he's ready to take on the Arsenal captaincy.
"As captain you are an ambassador for the Club and I’m ready for that," Van Persie said. "I’ve been in the game now for more than ten years, so I know how this world works.
"When I was 18 I didn’t have a clue! Every day I was always surprised by something, when I went to training or when I had a game, every day was just one big surprise for me. How people reacted after the game – the fans, players, media – it was all a surprise to me, I was just thinking about playing football.
"But now I know how things work and I understand that certain actions have consequences. I know that quite well, I feel experienced, so I feel ready for this. I know that every single player represents their club anyway, everywhere you are, 24/7. I’ve been dealing with it for a few years now, so I know what my part is.
"You should always try to show respect, and this is just basic stuff that all human beings should have in their life – just being nice to people. It’s the little things, like giving people a minute of your time in the street, you show them respect, and live with your principles on life."
- Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott was happy to prove the matchwinner in victory over Udinese.
"It was nice to get the goal. I want to get more goals this season," he said. "It was a great ball from Aaron (Ramsey).
"Hopefully the boss will play me up front now, I don't know. I could have had a couple more but the keeper made some spectacular saves.
"We're going to find it difficult over there but we're very happy with the result.
"That's the most important thing."
- Arsenal winger Theo Walcott says they just have to "move on" from Cesc Fabregas' sale after victory over Udinese.
Wenger had called for a response from his young squad following the sale of their captain back to Barcelona and it seemed he would get just that when Walcott swept the home side in front after only four minutes.
However, from then on, Arsenal never really got into any sort of rhythm as Udinese grew into the game.
Goalscorer Walcott is happy with the narrow lead heading into next week's second leg and is keen to move on from the sale of Fabregas.
"We've just got to carry on," he said. "It's time to move on. He was a great player for the club but he's gone.
"We still have some very talented players in the squad here and we believe we can achieve something this year.
"We're in a great position but it's far from over. We didn't finish it off.
"But we dug in and gave absolutely everything. That's two clean sheets in a row now, and we're capable of winning over there."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger blanked the post-match media conference for their Champions League win over Udinese.
Wenger's post-match criticism saw him banished to the stands for Tuesday evening's match, although he could find himself in further trouble for communicating with the bench.
Arsenal on Monday checked with UEFA that Wenger could send messages to the coaching staff via a third party.
As a result, first-team coach Boro Primorac passed instructions from Wenger to assistant manager Pat Rice on the touchline throughout the first period.
However, UEFA warned Wenger at the break he was contravening the rules and as a result he withdrew from communication.
After the match, the Gunners boss felt that as he had not been involved in the match in the usual way he would not attend the post-match press conference.
- Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri denies hitting out at fans on his Facebook site.
The Frenchman appeared to have left a message for Facebook followers to reinforce his feelings.
But he has since said he doesn't even have a Facebook account, although he is expected to complete a £23million move to Manchester City.
A message claiming to be from Nasri said of the transfer: "It's nearly done.
"I will leave with bitterness and anger in my heart. I am proud for having played with the Gunners.
"I have been very disappointed by the supporters last weekend. I am still an Arsenal player but I will leave very soon."
But Nasri has since taken to Twitter to say: "Just to make things clear i dont have a facebook so i never said i was leaving with bitterness the guy who said that use a fake account."
- Arsenal have first refusal on Cesc Fabregas as part of his transfer to Barcelona.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis insisted on the clause as the Gunners drove a hard bargain with the European champions.
And if they do not buy him back, the North London side will get 50 per cent of any fee if Barcelona sell Fabregas elsewhere.
It leaves Arsenal believing that months of haggling have paid off - and that it is a better deal than Barca are suggesting.
- Arsenal will be in the money should Barcelona ever sell Cesc Fabregas.
Arsenal have been given first option to buy Fabregas back - but the buy-out clause is an astonishing £175million. And should he move on elsewhere, the Gunners will get 50 per cent of any future fee.
The sale is said to be worth £40m with a £14.5m down payment and another £14.5m in October at the latest. There are also add-ons, which could come to £6m, plus £5m from the player's earnings.
- Arsenal are stepping up their quest to replace Cesc Fabregas with a move for Lille playmaker Eden Hazard.
The 20-year-old would command a transfer fee of roughly £27euro, and although that would usually be enough to scare off the north Londoners, Wenger knows he’s under pressure to deliver a top class replacement for his departed skipper.
The Frenchman has constantly stated that he will only buy if he can find a player that improves on what he’s already got in his squad, and Hazard would appear to fit that bill.
With superb technique, and speedy footballing brain, the Belgian international perfectly fits the mold of an Arsenal signing.
His age would also play an important factor in any board decision to bid for him, as pragmatically, he would have a good sell-on value.
With fan unrest at an all-time high, and the Gunners armed with a pile of cash from Fabregas' sale, Wenger may well be forced into breaking his transfer record to finally land one of his long term targets.
- Lazio striker Mauro Zarate is eager to move to Arsenal.
Zarate has an offer from Spartak Moscow, but has no interest in moving to Russia.
The striker has previous experience in England with Birmingham City and knows Lazio president Claudio Lotito is prepared to listen to offers for him this month.
- PSG are eyeing Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Arsenal want £11m for the 23-year-old forward, and his representatives have held talks with Stoke City, Newcastle United and Sunderland over a potential deal but below the asking price.
PSG have cash from Qatari Investment.
- Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel is a target for Crewe Alexandra.
Miquel has also been linked with a loan move to Bolton Wanderers.
The youngster is captain of Arsenal's reserves team.
- Arsenal striker Carlos Vela is set to join Spanish club Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.
Vela’s move will be sealed once he passes a medical and he will join Brazilian winger Pedro Botelho as players to go on loan with the 21-year old set for Rayo Vallecano.
"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wish Carlos and Pedro the best of luck with their respective clubs for the season ahead," read a statement.
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