Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Boxing Day fixture v Wolves could be put back 24 hours! AW admits he could be busy in the January market! AW “I feel our spirit is outstanding, our determination as well!” Mr & Mrs RVP bringing the squad together! Ian Wright wants AW to sign Cavani! Ederzito Linked! AW will listen to offers for Arshavin! Djourou Out for 3 weeks! Gibbs still not fit!



  • Arsenal could put their Boxing Day fixture with Wolves back by 24 hours if the planned strike tube drivers goes ahead.
The Gunners have sold all 60,000 tickets available for the game at the Emirates Stadium, but access to the stadium for both supporters and the club's 1,000 matchday employees could be restricted if the planned strikes go ahead.

The club said: "We would like to make all supporters aware of the situation surrounding our proposed home match against Wolves on Monday 26th December.

"The club is fully aware of the proposed industrial action on London Underground on Monday 26th December.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, together with all the relevant agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Underground, the FA Premier League,Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Islington Council.

"The paramount concern to Arsenal Football Club is the duty of care we have towards the Arsenalsupporters, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters, matchday employees and indeed everyone who is planning to attend this match.

"Any decisions or developments regarding this match will be immediately communicated."
Chelsea are also aware of the possibility of travel disruption for their Boxing Day derby with Fulham in west London.
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he could be busy in the January market.
Wenger says a new defender and striker is on the agenda.

"We hope to have Wilshere and Diaby back so in midfield we have the numbers required. But at the moment we are short at the back and if Gervinho and Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations we are short up front more than midfield," Wenger said.
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with the fighting spirit of his players in defeat atManchester City.
Wenger had no complaints with his team’s approach at the Etihad Stadium and believes they could have taken at least a point home.

“I feel our spirit was outstanding, our determination as well,” he said.

“We had chances but couldn't score and then we had the bad luck to completely reshuffle at the back at the moment of a game where you cannot afford to do that. That was basically the difference on Sunday.

“I think there was room to win this game, had we been a bit more consistent defensively.

“Overall I feel we were very solid but when you change the team it was a bit more open. It's encouraging but it's very disappointing to drop points.”
  • Thomas Vermaelen felt Arsenal did enough to get something from Manchester City during Sunday's defeat.
Vermaelen twice went close himself near the end and insists the match could have gone either way.

“I think Man City played a good game to be honest and after all they got the three points,” Vermaelen said.

“They had a few chances but I felt we could have scored as well. It doesn't matter how much possession of the ball you have, it's about the three points.

“I always had the belief we could score and you could see that at the end with the chances. But importantly we couldn't score today.

“I think what you can say is that we worked hard today and you cannot blame the team because we gave 100 per cent. We wanted to win this game but they scored and we couldn't, so they had the three points.”
  • Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is determined to reel in North London rivals Tottenham.
The Gunners sit five points behind Spurs, who have a game in hand, and the Polish gloveman is desperate to finish higher than their White Hart Lane counterparts.

“Getting above Tottenham is the main target,” he said. “We don’t want to finish below them no matter what.

“That’s just my personal ambition because I am one of the fans and so it means a lot to me to finish above them. I am confident we will do so.

“They will slip up eventually. They have been in good form - you have to give it to them - but I am confident we are a better side and will finish above them.

“Time will tell if they can handle the pressure but they look good at the moment. Hopefully they will drop points in the second half of the season.”

Arsenal meet Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday as Tottenham prepare for a home London derby with fourth-placed Chelsea on Thursday.
  • Arsenal ace Robin van Persie is taking his role as club captain seriously.
The Dutchman, Arsenal are developing a camaraderie off the pitch where club insiders say the influence of Van Persie and his wife, Bouchra, has been enormous.

As well as the Christmas party, the couple have been organising golf days and nights out at restaurants for the team and their partners. 

Insiders say the squad are socialising in a way that has not been seen for years, with Bouchra taking care of the wives and girlfriends and her husband mobilising the players.
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defended the performances of Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh in defeat at Manchester City.
Wenger tried both players in the second-half of the 1-0 reverse.

"You can only try and they tried," said Wenger.

"They had chances, I think Arshavin had two good chances, Chamakh had very little time to have an impact on the game. We played at the end with four strikers, Ramsey and Arteta in midfield, so you know that when you lose the ball you could be in trouble every time. 

But we still had the chances to score. Even Vermaelen, at the end, I thought the ball was in when he hit it twice, the free kick first and then the one he hit outside the box."
  • Arsenal legend Ian Wright has called on Arsene Wenger to move for Napoli star Edinson Cavani.
Wright wrote in his column: "Without a top-class attacker alongside Robin van Persie,Arsenal are only one injury away from everything blowing up in their faces.

"That's why I think Arsene MUST bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani — El Matador — if there is any chance of tempting him from Italy next month.

"It will be more difficult now Napoli have reached the Champions League knockout stages, largely thanks to his performances in the group games.

"But plenty of other clubs around Europe haven't given up the ghost, and I'd love to see Arsene in the mix as well.

"If, heaven forbid, anything did happen to RVP, you'd fear Arsenal would be stuffed. That's a ridiculous pressure to carry on your shoulders every week."
  • Academica striker Ederzito is being tracked by Arsenal.
The powerfully-built ace, who turns 24 on Thursday, is also a target for Porto when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Born in Guinea-Bissau, the 6ft 2in African has told Academica that he plans to move on.

There will be a scramble for his signature and the Gunners have had him watched by chief scout Steve Rowley – but face stiff competition from the Portuguese champions.
  • FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea is keen to join Arsenal.
The American, 21, spent a month in London after the MLS season.

He said: "I enjoyed my stay and can see myself living there in future.

"Watching Robin van Persie practice was unbelievable and hopefully I can learn from that."

1 comment:

  1. Arshavin and Chamakh tried? What did they try, it wasn't to look like Premiership standard players...

    ReplyDelete