Arsenal Team and Transfer News – 26th August 2011

• Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie admits their Champions League win at Udinese was "vital".

Van Persie praised his team-mates after Wednesday's 2-1 win over Udinese.
The Dutchman believes the future is bright for the club with the likes of Carl Jenkinson, Emmanuel Frimpong and Wojciech Szczesny, who saved a penalty, all performing with distinction.
"It's vital for Arsenal," he said. "Of course we did lose Samir and Cesc which is very hard for us because those are two great players.
"To come up with that performance in the second half is special. If you look at our team and people did question our mental strength. We've shown loads of that.
"Carl Jenkinson for example, I think it was his best game so far.
"We played really well. Szczesny is on fire. He saves almost everything.
"Frimpong is doing well. I'm just happy that we're in it and let's go from there."

• Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says after victory over Udinese they go to Manchester United on Sunday with confidence.

Szczesny is convinced Arsenal can use last night's victory as inspiration against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"The last couple of games before last night we had disappointing results but there was never a doubt in our heads that we are a very good side," he said.
"So we are going to put in a good performance on Sunday and see how it goes from there. The team believes we are capable of playing very well and winning games. It'll be tough for the rest of the season but I believe we have what it takes to come out on top."
The 21-year-old revealed he played mind games with Antonio di Natale as the veteran prepared to take his penalty.
He said: "I just tried to get in Di Natale's head. I gave him a little bit of stick and was probably not very nice to him but it worked so I'm delighted."

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to raid Ligue Une to boost his squad before next week's transfer deadline.

Having qualified for the Champions League group phase, Wenger is now set to launch a late market spending spree.
French media sources say Wenger intends to bid for Lille winger Eden Hazard, Sochaux midfielder Kevin Anin, Rennes' Yann M'Vila and Olympique Marseille winger Andre Ayew.
The Gunners boss is also in the market for a new centre-half signing.

• Owen Coyle has dismissed Arsenal's £7million bid for Gary Cahill out of hand.

Arsenal put in the bid in an effort to test Wanderers' resolve, and the Whites' hierarchy immediately turned it down.
Coyle said on Friday morning: "There was a conversation between Phil Gartside and a representative of Arsenal. I'm only passing this on as a third party, but the word "derisory" doesn't even cover it.
"When I make an offer for a player, I'd like to think in the right ball park, but this wasn't even close.
"I spoke to Gary Cahill about it before the Macclesfield game, and he knows everything that's going on."
Arsenal are long-time admirers of the 25-year-old England international who has one year remaining on his contract and is valued by Bolton at nearly three times the offer made by the Gunners.

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a bid for Lille star Eden Hazard.

Having qualified for the Champions League group phase last night, Wenger is now set to launch a bid to prise Hazard away from French champions Lille.
French media sources say Wenger is prepared to offer £30 million for the Belgium international, who has refused to rule out leaving Lille in the coming days.
Wenger confessed his admiration for Hazard last season and sees him as the ideal replacement for new Manchester City signing Samir Nasri.

• Arsenal are waiting on a response from Rennes over their £22 million offer for Yann M'Vila.

Arsene Wenger appears to have concluded that he must pay over the odds for the right player and M'Vila, who has established himself as a regular for France, fits the bill.
Wenger has already had a £15m bid rejected for the 21-year-old and his latest offer would shatter Arsenal's transfer record for an incoming player.
M'Vila is under contract until 2015.

• Lille president Michel Seydoux has warned Arsenal of their valuation for star winger Eden Hazard.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sees the Belgian as a replacement for new Manchester City signing Samir Nasri.
"When you see someone like Nasri switching clubs for £24m although he only had one year left on his contract, I'd say that Eden is worth at least twice that much," Seydoux said.
"We are not selling any players. The team is built around Eden and we count on him. Nobody has contacted me about him, so there's no reason to think that he will not be with us on September 1."

• AS Roma fear missing out on Xherdan Shaqiri to Arsenal.

The FC Basle wing-back is a target for both European giants.
Arsenal have already made a €10 million offer for Shaqiri.
The exciting Switzerland international attacker is regarded among the best young players on the continent.

• Olympique Marseille coach Didier Deschamps is waiting to hear from Arsenal over winger Andre Ayew.

The Ghana international is being linked with the Gunners in the French press.
Deschamps said: "If a club like Arsenal would like a player, they take certain steps. In this case, the first step is for them to contact us.
"They are yet to do so."

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is lining up a bid for Sochaux midfielder Kevin Anin.

Anin is aware of Arsenal's interest and French sources say he blanked Sunday's game with Nancy to leave him free for a move to London.
Interestingly, Anin had trials with Tottenham two years ago.
The 25 year-old would arrive at Arsenal as cover for defensive midfielder Alex Song.