Just Arsenal News

The highly experienced Athletico Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta has been linked with a move to Arsenal recently, and it seems that the Venezuelan international is keen to make a move to the Premier League, despite interest from Russia.

Amorebieta’s agent, Gines Carvajal, has been talking about his clients impending move at the end of the season, and he has been quoted in the Spanish press as saying: “We are in talks with Arsenal, he could join them in June.”

“We have had some contact with Anzhi Makhachkala, they were ready to make a good offer, but my client wants to play in England so the transfer to Russia was not possible.” .......Read the full article here

After Arsenal lost at home to Bayern Munich three weeks ago, their midfielder Franck Ribery admitted that the German side was surprised at how easy the Gunners had made it for them. He certainly had a point, especially on their goals which were all quite preventable. Not many football experts expect Arsenal to overturn the 3-1 deficit, but the Bayern players are steeling themselves for a much better performance in the second leg.

Javi Martinez joined Bayern from Athletic Bilbao in the summer, and is one of the main reasons that they have improved so much since last season. This season is his first in the Champions League and he is urging his team mates to be ready for a backlash from the Gunners, and stick to their own game plan. .......Read the full article here

It was only a few wekks ago when the name of Fernando Amorebieta was relatively unknown in England. That was before the Athletic Bilbao defender was linked with a transfer to Arsenal. Now the Venezuelan international is being tracked by a host of clubs, including Everton, Liverpool and Stoke City. The latest club to show concrete interest in the 27-year old is the Russian outfit Anzhi Makachkala, according to the Russian newspaper Izvestia.

The players agent has been speaking to the Russian media, and has revealed that Amorebieta is one of the targets for the big spending club managed by Guus Hiddink. From his words, however, it seems as if the Gunners are in pole position, as long as they are not blown out of the water by silly money. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are not the only club interested in Fernando Amorebieta, but the Gunners should have a head start because they already tried to sign him in January, according to rumours. The 27-year old central defender will certainly be leaving Athletic Bilbao at the end of the season, after the Spanish club lost patience and withdrew the offer of a new contract from him.

That seems a bit like sour grapes, because the Venezuelan had already rejected the new contract, but Bilbao do operate in an unusual way sometimes. Arsenal were hoping to persuade them to sell Amorebieta last month, apparently, but they will make him see out his contract, as they will with Fernando Llorente. Their principles could have cost them a lot of money this year. .......Read the full article here

There may be some news after all for Arsenal fans, although nothing is official yet. Arsene Wenger may be finalising a deal to bring the centre back Fernando Amorebieta from Athletic Bilbao. The 27-year old is a Venezuelan international but has lived in Spain’s Basque country for most of his life. He has played for Bilbao since the start of his professional career, but has rejected the offer of a new contract.

Yesterday, the president of Bilbao, Jose Urrutia, withdrew the contract offer and said that Amorebieta would be leaving in the summer. Arsene Wenger has decided not to wait, according to the Daily Mail, and has got less than five hours to complete the deal before the window shuts. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal were one of a number of teams interested in the Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente. He had dropped out of the papers recently because it was widely reported that Juventus had almost sealed the deal with Llorente and Athletic Bilbao. That is no longer thought to be the case, so he could still become a Gunner, either in January or next summer.

His manager at Bilbao, Marcelo Bielsa, and the owners of the club have stated thast they want to keep him for the season, even if they will then lose the 27-year old for nothing as his contract expires. I doubt that, however, as the finances are not in good shape and they really need the money. .......Read the full article here

It is being reported today that Arsenal are no longer favourites to land the Dutch international striker, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, from Schalke when the transfer window opens in January. The 29-year old has apparently heard about interest from the Serie A club Inter Milan, and would love another chance to prove himself in Italy, according to his agent Arnold Oosterveer.

There is also the possibility that Schalke may decide to keep Huntelaar for the remainder of the season and try to ensure qualification for the champions league this season, while going as far as they can in it this season. One striker who is available and would love to come to the Premier league is Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal 4-2 Athletic Club de Bilbao by DH

Arsenal ensured their position in the knockout stages of the NextGen Series after an impressive 4-2 victory over highly-rated Athletic Bilbao at Underhill.

Zak Ansah, Jon Toral and Isaac Hayden all scored in quick succession in the second half to see off the Spaniards in an enthralling clash.

Arsenal took the lead after nine minutes; a well-worked move was finished off by a Sead Hajrovic header.

Bilbao responded instantly, a clumsy challenge in the box from Hayden gave the referee no option but to point to the spot after he brought down Gorka Santamaria. .......Read the full article here

Fernando Llorente told his bosses at Athletic Bilbao that he would not be signing a new contract in the summer, which immediately put a number of clubs, including Arsenal, on alert. With his contract due to end in less than a year, the Spanish international striker thought the club would listen to offers for him but they refused point blank, while selling his team mate Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich.

There were accusations between the club and the player about false stories being planted in the press, and Llorente became a target of abuse from his own fans. The situation was even stranger because despite refusing to sell the striker, the manager refused to play him, and the two ended up having a bust up during training. .......Read the full article here

There is a general feeling among Arsenal fans that the squad is short of strikers. Assuming that Marouane Chamakh has had his chance and will soon be on his way out of the Emirates, we are left with Giroud, Podolski, Walcott and Gervinho. Walcott and Gervinho have yet to prove that they can make the transition to striker, while Podolski is not being used as a centre forward, for whatever reason.

There is a goal scoring striker available, and he will appeal to the Arsenal boards financial acumen. Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao could be snapped up for as little as £5 million, according to ESPN. The striker will definitely leave his current club for nothing in summer, so the Spanish side are ready to cut their losses in January. .......Read the full article here

There have been many Arsenal transfer rumours lately clearly stating that Arsene Wenger is very serious about buying a new striker in January to compete with Olivier Giroud for the centre-forward position at the Emirates.

There have been many names put forward as possible Wenger targets but most Arsenal fans (knowing that Wenger doesn’t like spending big money unless he gets some value) would agree that the contract rebel Fernando Llorente is the most likely target as he is certain to be available for a cheap exit from Athletico Bilbao this January. .......Read the full article here

There are numerous Arsenal rumours in the papers this weekend, and mostly they are confirming that the out-of-favour Theo Walcott is going to be allowed to leave the Emirates in January after the Gunners management have refused to come back to the winger with an improved offer since the talks failed earlier this month.

Arsenal have offered the England international a £20,000-a-week rise but that does not seem to be enough for Walcott or his agents, and have refused to budge or get anywhere nearer the £100,000 that is being demanded, so are now preparing to accept any reasonable offer in January. .......Read the full article here