Arsenal Team and Transfer News – 19th August 2011

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is critical of the vague rules imposed by UEFA following his attempts to circumvent a one match touchline ban imposed by Europe’s governing body.

The Frenchman was caught passing messages to his team via a third party at the Emirates Stadium before being warned not to at half-time.
Wenger claimed UEFA had told him he was permitted to do this, but European football's governing body denied giving him permission and have been studying the report from their match officials before deciding whether to take further action.
"It was very difficult because you don't know really what the rules are," Wenger said.
"They told us first that, through my assistant, he can communicate.
"And after half-time, it was not like that."
He added: "It is a real concern because up to what level can you stop somebody doing his job?
"We tried to respect the rules and the rules are set by UEFA.
"But, of course, it is very difficult to see where you can stop a person having an influence.
"You cannot go to the dressing room - that's how I understand it and I didn't do it."

• Confusion reigns over the alleged Facebook account of Arsenal star Samir Nasri.

Nasri tweeted to fans that quotes attributed to him from his Facebook site were not his and that he never had an account with the social media website.
But in a statement today:
"Arsenal confirmed to reporter Matt Law on Tuesday night they believed the Facebook account was genuine and belonged to Nasri.
"Had any doubt been placed on the validity of the quotes, then the story would not have been published.
"Nasri has subsequently claimed the Facebook account is not his, but Arsenal are yet to back up this version of events."

• Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is confident manager Arsene Wenger will make new signings.

After an opening-day draw at Newcastle and a hard-fought home win over Udinese in their Champions League play-off and with injuries mounting ahead of a crunch period that involves games against Liverpool and Manchester United, Walcott has joined the calls for new recruits.
"This team has always been known for being young. But we can't use that as an excuse any more. We have to win something this season," he told a number of national newspapers, relating to the club's six-year trophy drought.
"It is important to have a mixture of experience and young players - but the boss knows what he is doing. He has picked up great players before. Only time will tell what he is going to do.
"Of course the players sometimes think, 'What's going on?' We've had a couple of injuries and we have to hope they are not too bad. We have got a fairly big squad but we don't want the squad to get lower and lower.
"The boss knows what he is doing and hopefully those players will be fit and ready to go anyway.
"I'm sure the boss has got players coming in. I don't know, but if you sell one of your best players... I'm sure he's got some options coming in."

• Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson is in line to start against Liverpool.

The Arsenal's resources have been left so stretched for Saturday's visit of Liverpool that Arsène Wenger is expected to hand the teenage defender Jenkinson, who has made only seven career starts, all in League One, a Premier League debut for the game at the Emirates.
Wenger lost both Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou to hamstring injuries during the 1-0 Champions League qualifying victory over Udinese on Tuesday night, following Armand Traoré limping out of a reserve-team victory over Manchester United after nine minutes on Monday.
None of the trio is likely to be available against Liverpool, leaving Jenkinson, a £1m signing from Charlton Athletic this summer, on the verge of a first top‑flight start.

• Arsenal football chiefs fear Arsene Wenger's current squad is lacking big name leadership.

There’s a feeling at Arsenal — particularly within the scouting team — that without a marquee signing the young players lack an experienced team-mate to learn from.
For example, the now departed Cesc Fabregas was thrown in at 17 but had the likes of Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp to lean on.

• Emmanuel Frimpong says he's keen to make up for lost time at Arsenal.

The midfielder spent virtually all of last season out injured.
He said: "I just want to be involved as much as possible.
"It is going to be hard because there are so many players at Arsenal but hopefully I can play as many games as I can.
"It is difficult because I am at a very big club and I have got to be patient."

• Arsenal youngster Ryo Miyaichi says it's too soon to compare him with Ronaldinho.

January signing Miyaichi was dubbed 'Ryodinho' by the Dutch media while on loan at Feyenoord last season.
"Yes, I believe they compare me to Ronaldinho," he said.
"But I can't hold a candle to him.
"There needs to be a lot of hard work in order to catch up with and overtake him!"

• Arsenal are willing to run down the clock for Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

Arsenal are also keen on Bolton defender Cahill, but it is believed they may wait until late in the transfer window before making a new approach.
Cahill has a £17m buy-out clause in his contract, which Arsenal believe is too much.
They could go in with a low, late offer in the hope Bolton will then decide to sell, as the England international has only one year left on his contract.

• Arsenal are closing in on Olympique Marseille pair Andre Ayew and Mathieu Valbuena.

Marseille sports chief Jose Anigo invited Arsenal to bid for midfielder Valbuena only yesterday.
And it's been revealed Gunners scout Gilles Grimandi was in the stands to see Valbuena and Ayew in action on Sunday against Auxerre.
The midfield duo are under consideration as Arsenal prepare for Samir Nasri to follow Cesc Fabregas out the exit door.

• Lazio striker Mauro Zarate is in talks with Arsenal.

Zarate’s agent and his brother Sergio are in London to discuss a possible switch.
Lazio are ready to sell the Argentine.
Arsenal are ready to sign Zarate, who can play as a striker and attacking midfielder.

• Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury is a target for Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers boss Steve Kean has approached Arsenal about taking Lansbury on-loan for the new season.
Lansbury is back at Arsenal after spending last term with Norwich City.

• Arsenal boast one of the best young players in the world in Kyle Ebecilio.

The exciting Dutch midfielder signed his first pro deal with the Gunners just a few weeks ago.
UEFA named Ebecilio the best player at this summer's U17 European Championships. The youngster follows in the steps of Wayne Rooney (2002), Cesc Fabregas (2004), Nuri Sahin (2005) and Bojan Krkic (2007).
"I know that big names have gone before me," said Ebecilio. "The youth program first with Feyenoord and now at Arsenal has taken me this far."