Just Arsenal News

Arsene Wenger has told Sky News in an interview that the French international defender Sebastien Squillaci has finally completed his move from Sevilla, but says that he will not figure in this weekend’s game against Blackburn.

Wenger said: “We needed a centre-back of quality and experience if possible, and at the right price – he was all of that.

“He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well.

“I believe he will be suited to the English game. .......Read the full article here

It seems that the young Arsenal defender Armand Traore is very close to finalising his move to the Portugese giants Benfica, according to his agent Richard des Voeux.

He is said to be signing a four year contract with Benfica, and the 20 year-old is very keen to finally be getting regular first team football in Portugal.

Des Voeux said today: “A number of European clubs were interested in Armand but the Benfica option is more important in many aspects.

“The interest is real and we are at a sensitive stage of negotiations. Armand is aware of contacts between Benfica and Arsenal. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are preparing for the first crucial match of the Premiership season, and the lack of fitness and injuries are leaving Arsene Wenger with a threadbare squad to choose from. We already know that Nicklas Bendtner will not be returning to the side for at least a couple of months, and Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie have only just returned from their extended breaks.

“They are a lot behind,” said Wenger. “I hope Van Persie will have a good week of preparation, but I think he will be short as well.” .......Read the full article here

Arsenal begin their pre-season campaign away at Barnet tomorrow in their regular July meeting at Underhill, and the Barnet coach Mark Stimson believes that it could be a close game, but the most important thing is that neither side sustain any injuries ahead of the new season.

“The main thing is no injuries, that is the biggest thing in pre-season and I’m sure it is the same for Arsenal,” said Stimson. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger is still struggling with a lengthy injury list, but he can see some light at the end of the tunnel. He even joked that Arsenal “could start the season again!”

He was very happy that Robin Van Persie came through the full 90 minutes against Man City without any ill effects, and although Andrei Arshavin is not fully fit yet, he thinks there is a small chance he could be back by Monday.

“From last Sunday we have no big injuries,” said Wenger. “Everybody is available and Robin Van Persie recovered quite well from his first complete 90 minutes. .......Read the full article here

Manchester City travel to the Emirates in an attempt to win their first away game at Arsenal for 35 years, and are expected to have four ex-Gunners in the squad. Vieira, Toure and Sylvinho will be welcomed back but Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to get a roasting from the Arsenal fans after his antics in the return match earlier this season.

Man City are also expecting Micah Richards to return to the strongest squad to visit Arsenal in generations. .......Read the full article here

The news that Robin Van Persie will be back in the Arsenal squad for tonight’s game crucial game at White Hart Lane is a brilliant boost for Arsene Wenger and the fans, but it has been tempered by the news that Alex Song is still on the treatment table with an inflamed cartilage in his knee.

“Song is out. Definitely out,” Wenger said. “He looks like he will be out for the whole week and over the weekend he will not play as well.” .......Read the full article here

The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was not at all pleased with the state of the Wembley pitch yesterday, and as his players had to endure two hours of football on it, he is extremely worried about the fitness of his players ahead of the crucial fixture against Arsenal in midweek. .......Read the full article here

I found this preview of Barcelona v Arsenal from the Spanish TV show “InterSport”, and it shows Pep Guardiola talking about losing five of his players to injuries and suspensions in the build-up to the match.

Barcelona face Real Madrid next weekend in a showdown for who will be top of La Liga with just six games to go, but the Catalan boss reckons that the meeting with Arsenal is “The Most Important Game Of The Season”, which is the title given to the video.

Bet on Arsenal to beat Barceona @ 5/1 with TOTESPORT .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are once again decimated by injuries, but people always overlook that the other members of the squad have been gaining in experience and are now becoming regular first team members. Arsene Wenger was not happy that Alex Song was ruled out with a cartilage problem, but the team is still looking strong and evenly balanced.

“It was a bad surprise this morning because he had a scan yesterday afternoon on his knee and he has an inflamed cartilage,” Wenger said on announcing the 18-man line-up to face Barcelona. “We have to wait and see how bad it is but he is completely out for the squad for tomorrow’s game.” .......Read the full article here

Arsenal face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates tomorrow to try and keep the pressure on Chelsea and Man Utd at the top of the league, but the Londoners will be missing nearly half of the team that played in the 4-1 win here last season.

The Gunners lost captain Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and William Gallas during the fantastic match against Barcelona in midweek, and Gael Clichy and Denilson also picked up injuries which could keep them out of the team this weekend. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal may have had an easy win against Porto yesterday, but the game has taken a heavy toll on the Gunners already lengthy injury list.

Arsene Wenger didn’t sound very happy about the situation when he was asked about the likely line-up for this weekend’s game, and after saying yesterday that his captain Cesc Fabregas was 50/50 to play, he has now changed his prediction to 1/200!

“His chances of playing are 0.5% – that means unless a miracle happens, he will not play,” said Wenger. “At the moment, Cesc is out of Saturday’s game. We have a little doubt about Tomas Rosicky, but we will check that tomorrow morning. Nobody else is back, but we will lose Song, because he is suspended.” .......Read the full article here