Just Arsenal News

There were many Arsenal rumours over the summer regarding possible backups to the Gunners Number One Wojciech Szczesny, but with both Lukas Fabianski and Vito Mannone both remaining at the club (not to mention Damien Martinez) it seemed unlikely that Arsene Wenger would be seriously looking at experienced shot-stoppers.

But now it has been revealed that the Brazilian international keeper Julio Cesar was close to a move to the Emirates before he got snapped up by Arsenal’s big-spending neighbours QPR. Cesar said: “I accepted this proposal because I wanted to live in London.

“I have an amazing way of life here and I’m giving my family a great opportunity to grow up culturally. .......Read the full article here

There are reports this morning that Arsene Wenger has instructed his Arsenal scouts to identify a top-class striker to be brought in during the January transfer window, with Fernando Llorente, Adrián López, Robert Lewandowski and Stevan Jovetic reported to be top of his wish-list.

Although Wenger has been experimenting with different players in the centre-forward role, the Frenchman has realised that only having Olivier Giroud as his only out-and-out hitman could be a negative in the second half of the season if Arsenal are going to aim to challenge on all fronts against the much deeper squads of Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal Back up Striker could be Ba by TS

Hey for a second there, I thought AW was content with Giroud and Chamakh as our two front line attackers. Then reports flew in like a pigeon to some bread that Newcastle are lining up a move for a replacement striker. Why? Well Arsenal are reportedly offering £7m for the prolific striker Demba Ba.

Ba has been somewhat of a spectacle since signing on a free transfer from West Ham last summer. To be modest, he’s scored some crackers last season and has a £7m release clause in his contract. So D day nonsense or actual possibility? Guess we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to find out. The player could quit St James’ Park with Arsenal offering him a step up the pecking order. .......Read the full article here

The Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is training with his fellow Arsenal team-mate and countryman Wojciech Szczesny and he is getting fit and ready to take over from Szczesny at some point this season.

Fabianski only made six appearances last season but the 27 year-old knows very well that an injury or loss of confidence could suddenly see himself thrust into first-team action. “It can change very quickly,” Fabianski said. “From my own experiences I know that, so I am ready to step up. I feel confident that I am able to be Number One. .......Read the full article here

With the news coming out of Arsenal that Manuel Almunia’s has been released at the end of his contract, and also Fabianski has made it clear that he also wants to leave, it seems that the Gunners are now clearly in the market for a suitable backup for Wojciech Szczesny next season.

Now it has been revealed that Arsenal has got his eye on a move for the Norwegian stopper Kenneth Udjus, who plays for Norwegian club Sogndal.

The 29 year-old, who has never played outside Norway, or even been considered for his country, is aware that Arsenal have been keeping tabs on him, but didn’t want to go into details. .......Read the full article here

The curious case of Manuel Almunia by Richard B.

Strength in depth is always something that provides a bit of a conundrum for managers. Every manager has a first choice team, a set of players that, barring injury, fatigue or suspension, are his automatic selection. Contrary to what some believe, I don’t think that every single player needs to be world class in order for the team to compete at the highest level. A team that is cohesive, organised and whose skills and traits complement each other, in my opinion, is far more important. .......Read the full article here

Defence Overview: by SV

The season has now finished and the transfer window will open on the first of June. We already know that Lukas Podolski is on his way to Arsenal, but we also know that we are still a few key signings away from challenging once again for England and Europe’s top honours. I think that before we decide who these signings are going to be, we need to look at exactly what areas need strengthening the most.

This is first article in a series in which analyses each of our defenders, then midfielders and then attackers. Today, we’ll start with the defence; the articles a bit of a monster and I was thinking about dividing it into two parts, but I couldn’t really find a good place to split it. .......Read the full article here

One of Arsenal’s most consistent defenders, Bacary Sagna, has suffered his second leg-break in the one season, and he admitted that the second was due to the weakness from the first break, although he felt that Johnson stamped on his leg on purpose.

He said: “I think Johnson did it on purpose. He stepped on my leg. I got back on my feet, and when I tried to control the ball, I felt a crack, just like the first time at Tottenham. He stepped right where the plate was. I think the plate pressured the bone. It’s a neat break, just above the plate.” .......Read the full article here

Why RVP finds himself in this drought? A Guest Post from Armoury Square

Van Persie’s form is worrying for me. But how much can you ask from a man who has done so much in one season. He is the only reason Arsenal are even competing for a Champions League position after their disastrous start to this season..

Currently the man stands with 1 goal in his last 7 games. That too, was from a penalty. A classy penalty none the less. He is certainly a nominee and a favourite to land the PFA award this year. But that will go to him more for his impact as a player than even his goals. .......Read the full article here

Do Arsenal need a new back-up Goalkeeper? by KJ

This summer has been hailed as the defining moment in Arsenal’s modern history as far as transfers are concerned. There has been a multitude of rumours concerning the ‘big’ signings Arsenal are going to make to bridge the gap between being a top 4 team and becoming title contenders. However, there is one area that may need improvement depending on what does happen in the summer.

It’s clear that Fabianski isn’t happy with a bench role at Arsenal. His main problem is that his colleague, Wojech Szczesny, is contending for the same GK spot on the international stage for Poland. As a result, Fabianski has publically spoken about moving to obtain first team football. .......Read the full article here

Just before Christmas Arsene Wenger made it clear that Chu-Young Park was now settled in London and ready to step-up to the Arsenal first team when Gervinho and Chamakh went off to the African Nations Cup.

He said: “The adaptation period for him is over now so he has to come in and show he has the quality to play for us,”

“I believe he has the quality. We also have Arshavin and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is now ready to play.

“We lose Chamakh and Gervinho for January – two strikers. Maybe Chamakh has not played too many games, but he is still a security that we have. So Park has to step up.” .......Read the full article here

Aaron Ramsey has been a prominent figure for Arsenal this season. With a staggering 12 appearances already in the Premier League (out of 13 matches), he has proven to be the key creative force in midfield. Providing a good haul of 1 goal and 4 assists so far in the league, his incisive passes and general usage of the ball has been invaluable to Arsenal’s cause this season.

As part of the midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and himself, it is worrying though that he does not in fact have a replacement on the Arsenal bench. While Arteta can always rely on Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and at times Yossi Benayoun to replace him when he is injured and Song can fall back on the help from Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong, there remains no “straight swap” player for Ramsey off the bench. .......Read the full article here