Arsenal Team and Transfer News – 31st August 2011

• Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made an apology to the clubs fans in the wake of Sunday’s humiliating 8-2 loss to Manchester United.

The French tactician wrote to Gunners supporters in a newsletter, apologizing for the debacle at Old Trafford, and saying the club was only looking forward after such a horrendous result.
"Our fans were great at Old Trafford on Sunday and I feel sorry for them. They do not want to see their team like that," he said.
"I can only apologise for the scoreline. Now we must respond by showing strength and desire in our next game. The players go away for two weeks and when they come back we'll have to prepare.
"We have played three games in the Premier League and two Champions League games. It is not a time to make a balance of the whole season but of course an 8-2 defeat is humiliating.
"You could see that we had not recovered physically from Wednesday night's game at Udinese and we were short in some areas, that is for sure.
"Manchester United have class and they punished us with some great finishing. We missed a penalty and we had a chance to get back to 3-2 but after that we opened ourselves up.
"I have been criticised and I have to accept that because I am in a public job. I try to make the right decisions for the club and I will continue to do that.
"If you look at the 15 years I have been at the club, I have brought in some good players. The transfer window closes on Wednesday and we have the money to sign more players.
"If we find someone who can strengthen our team then we will do it."

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no doubts new signing Park Chu-young will prove himself Premier League class.

The Gunners completed Park's signing from AS Monaco yesterday and handed him the No9 shirt.
Wenger, whose personal intervention reportedly convinced Park to pull out of his move to Lille, said: "We are delighted to have signed Chu.
"He will add true quality to our attacking forces and will be a valuable addition to the squad."

• Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has assured manager Arsene Wenger his job is safe.

Wenger has been reassured that he retains the full support of the Arsenal owner, Kroenke, and the board of directors as he fights to complete new signings before Wednesday's transfer deadline and lift the club from its crisis.
Kroenke has said nothing in public since he became Arsenal's majority shareholder and he did not want to go on the record with a vote of confidence for Wenger in case it might be misconstrued. The same was true of Ivan Gazidis, the club's chief executive, who is in daily contact with Wenger as they work towards making the signings that would serve as a tonic.
But an Arsenal source said: "The club is very much behind Arsène Wenger from Stan Kroenke to the board, downwards and sideways. There is absolutely no suggestion of any conversations about his future. We are right behind the manager who has led us to such great success for 15 years."

• Park Chu-young has left French club AS Monaco to join Arsenal with a deal being finalised this afternoon.

The 26-year old South Korea captain has agreed personal terms with the Gunners after completing a medical with the deal being confirmed by Arsene Wenger.
"We are delighted to have signed Chu. He will add true quality to our attacking forces and will be a valuable addition to the squad,” the under-fire Frenchman said.
Park, who was set to join Lille before the Gunners swooped, said he is excited about the next phase in his football career.
“I am very honoured and I feel very happy to be at Arsenal. It is a dream to be here and I am really proud to be an Arsenal player. Now I just want to show how good I am and prove myself,” he said.
"In my opinion this is a great club, now I have to show what I can do on the pitch. I will do my best, I will never give up, I will show heart, I will give everything and I hope [the fans] will support me."

• The father of Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner expects his son to get a move away.

The 23-year-old striker has made no secret of his desire to leave Emirates Stadium this summer, prompting Arsene Wenger to confirm the Dane will leave if he 'finds the right club'.
"I have nothing to say about anything right now. Just let me say that it is a very, very good day today", Bendtner Snr said.
Stoke City, Sunderland and Schalke have been linked with the striker.

• Germany coach Joachim Low has confirmed Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker is set to sign for Arsenal.

He will cost around £8million because of Bremen's financial problems.
Wenger has long been linked with Mertesacker, who is currently on international duty.
Germany boss Low said on Tuesday: "Per contacted me last night and informed me (about Arsenal's interest).
"I told the player that I would release him for the day."

• Arsenal are set to end their pursuit of Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

Arsenal have grown tired of Bolton's stance over Cahill. The 25-year-old's contract expires next summer and he has a £17m release clause written into that deal.
Last week, Bolton boss Owen Coyle dismissed Arsenal's opening bid for the England international of £6m plus £4m in add-ons as "derisory" and is holding out for fee of around £15m.
Arsenal are thought to be considering an improved offer of £10m, rising to £13m including performance-related bonuses.

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reviving his interest in Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The Holland international has been a long-term target for Wenger, the Gunners manager is now ready to bring the striker to London.
Schalke would entertain a swap involving Nicklas Bendtner.
Asked about his situation last night, Huntelaar admitted: "Anything is possible."

• Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Italian club Fiorentina in regards to Peruvian star Juan Manuel Vargas.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger looks like he is finally bowing to pressure to bring in new faces at the Emirates and has made an enquiry about the 27-year old winger.
Vargas has previously attracted interest from the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool and now it is Arsenal who are keen but they will have to spend around £12million for the Viola to sell.