Thursday, 3 November 2011

AW "It is not all perfect but we have now rebuilt the back four! In the final third we can do better!" Szczesny “We kept a clean sheet, which is all you can ask for from a back four, we looked solid!” AW makes short list for Jan possible IN’s – Podolski, M’Vila, Gotze, Hazard, Montolivo, Vertonghen & Farfan! OUT’s – Bendtner, Vela, Chamakh, Almunia, Squillaci, & Arshavin!



  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels his back four is now coming together after their 0-0 draw with Champions League opponents Marseille.
The Arsenal back four has been chopped and changed but their shut-out of Didier Deschamps' side in the Champions League pleased Wenger.

He said: "It is not all perfect but we have rebuilt the back four.

"(Thomas) Vermaelen had a good game and (Per) Mertesacker was solid, (Andre) Santos as well and (Carl) Jenkinson has just come back 
- he lacks experience in some situations but overall he did all right.

"The positives are that we didn't concede a goal and Marseille had one shot on target and we know in the final third we can do better."
  • Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny felt secure behind defensive pair Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker for the draw with Marseille.
Szczesny was confident they would be fine together.

“We kept a clean sheet, which is all you can ask for from a back four,” said the Arsenal goalkeeper.

“I think they did well together but I have been training with them for a long time and I see their qualities.

“We looked really solid today, so as I said I just hope we can keep it going.”
  • Arsenal winger Theo Walcott says they're capable of winning ugly when needed.
The Gunners kept themselves at the top of Group F with a goalless draw against Marseille at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

"In the Group Stages you just want to get through, it doesn't matter how you play," Walcott said. "I think it's the same in any competition, it doesn't matter how you win the game so long as you get a positive result.

"Nobody remembers the dirty 1-0s and 0-0s, it's all about the finalists and it doesn't matter how you get there. That's all we can think about.

"Obviously we want to finish on top and we still have a lot to do. But now we will be focusing on the weekend and not the Champions League - that is what we do at this club, we focus on the next game.

"They come around thick and fast and we need to be physically fit and mentally strong as well. Bring on the games, we enjoy playing our football."
  • Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson was happy with the cleansheet against Marseille this week.
Jenkinson was full of praise for centre-half pair Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker.

"They were very solid," said Jenkinson.

"At the end of the day we kept a clean sheet and they look like they've already got a good understanding with each other. Obviously they are two world-class players, so it's not going to take long to click. They both look very good together."
  • Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says they fear no-one.
The Pole says confidence is sky high after last week's win at Chelsea.

"The spirit within the team is very positive and we are very confident going into every single game," Szczesny said. "We feel like we have what it takes to win every game and I am sure we can keep it going.

"I would have preferred a 1-0 win. But if you told me beforehand that we would get four points from the two games against Marseille and not concede I would have taken it. I'm pleased with the result.

"It's always difficult in the Champions League because you have to play against top, top opponents but I am confident we can keep our form going and get the results to qualify for the next stage."
  • Arsenal are watching FC Cologne striker Lukas Podolski.
Arsenal scouts have been following the left-sided Germany international this season.

Podolski could arrive as a replacement for Marouane Chamakh, who was linked with a return toBordeaux earlier this week.
  • Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila knows a big performance against Europa League opponents Celtic can earn him a move to the Premier League.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will do battle with AC Milan in January for M'Vila — after failing with a £22million bid in August.

M'Vila said: "People talk about me making a big move in the future but I don't play for the future — I play for the here and now.

"The future is in the distance. I can't influence it but if I am to get anywhere I have to perform at places like Celtic Park.

"I'm very happy to be here and to have the chance to play in such an amazing stadium.

"I've heard so many great things about it and it's time to find out if they are true."
  • Mario Gotze has refused to pledge his future to Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea and Arsenal are chasing the young attacking midfielder.

Gotze said: "I designed a plan with my agent, Volker Struth which stipulates that I will always play in the [Champions League]. That's my goal and that is important to me. But no-one can predict what will happen in the coming months and years.

"It is an honour, of course, if a big club like Bayern Munich are interested me. Basically I cannot and will not rule out anything.

"I have a contract signed until June 2014 but I really do not know what can happen in the coming months. It depends on many things and I now prefer to live day by day and improve my game with the team and fight for everything."
  • Arsenal are ready to bid for Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
Fiorentina will seek to cash in on Montolivo in January and he has been watched extensively this season by Arsenal scouts.

With less than a year to run on his current deal, Fiorentina will seek £8 million for his sale.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will hope to do business for half that figure.
  • Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen remains on the radar of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
The Belgium international was surprised to see the summer market close without getting a move to England, where he is also interesting Manchester City and Liverpool.

Vertonghen is close to Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen and is viewed by managerArsene Wenger as a cheaper alternative to Bolton Wanderers' Gary Cahill.

Dutch sources say the Belgian is part of an extensive January shopping list drawn up by Wenger, which also includes midfield pair Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund) and Kevin Anin (Sochaux).
  • Arsenal are interested in Schalke 04 striker Jefferson Farfan.
With the futures of Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh, Carlos Vela and Robin van Persie all under a cloud, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker signing and Farfan is under consideration.

AS Roma are competing with Arsenal for the Peru international, though Schalke coach Huub Stevens will be disappointed to see him leave.

"It is a pleasure to have a player of his class at my disposal," said the coach.

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