Just Arsenal News

Just to start with, it looks like the expected departure of Fran Merida on a free to Atletico Madrid has finally come to pass. I consider that a real shame as he was expected to be the obvious replacement for Cesc Fabregas, and he could possibly had made his big breakthrough to the Arsenal first team next season.

Merida’s agent Joseba Diaz said: “Fran’s decision is based purely on sporting questions and not money.” Which probably means that he actually wanted to play occasionally! Oh well, good luck Fran…. .......Read the full article here

It seems to be a pretty quiet day for Arsenal transfer news, and there is little to really whet the appetite and get the blood racing. For starters it now seems to be certain that William Gallas is on his way out, and it seems that Paris St Germain are favourites over Roma to give him the two-year contract that he wants. He always said that he wanted to end his career back in France so that’s no great surprise. .......Read the full article here

It is unusual for a matchday to have so many Arsenal transfer rumours around, but perhaps the papers assume that the season is all over (bar the shouting) for the Gunners.

The Blackburn youngster Phil Jones has been strongly linked with Arsenal lately, and today Wenger has admitted that he is interested in him, but doesn’t think he is ready to join Arsenal yet. As any Gooner will tell you, Wenger should only be looking at strong experienced defenders to stop the leaks in the Arsenal back line.

Wenger said: “He’s had a few good games but we’ve not made an enquiry about him,” .......Read the full article here

The Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has frustrated Arsene Wenger many times over the years, and believes that he knows the secret to beating Arsenal. Wenger has often complained about the bully-boy tactics of Big Sam’s teams, but Allardyce happily compares it to the way that Inter Milan beat Barcelona last week.

Allardyce said: “As a manager you play the best way to play and beat the opposition. It can be done as Inter Milan did against Barcelona and if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has announced that the talented Englishman Jack Wilshere will be going out on loan in the next few days, and thinks that Burnley is a “good opportunity” for the 18 year-old.

“We have interest from Premier League teams,” said Wenger. “It will be decided today or tomorrow. Burnley is an opportunity.

“At the end of the day, Wilshere will have his word to say, because he needs to decide where he likes to go.” .......Read the full article here

It seems that the massive argument between Owen Coyle and Arsene Wenger at the end of last weeks match between Arsenal and Bolton has probably put paid to Coyle’s chances of getting the talented youngster Jack Wilshere on loan for the rest of the season.

The tackle from William Gallas that floored Mark Davies and then led directly to the Arsenal equaliser so incensed Coyle that he likened it to common assault. Despite apologising to Wenger afterwards it seems that it has caused the Frenchman to rethink his plans for Jack Wilshere. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger thinks that the media has overplayed the furore over William Gallas’ challenge on Mark Davies, and thinks that they seem to be ignoring the fact that Arsenal should have had a couple of penalties for fouls against Cesc Fabregas, despite them being obvious in the replays of the incidents.

“Fabregas had two clear penalties at Bolton and one or two here,” Wenger said. “At Bolton there was what happened after the penalty claim when they pulled his hair and stood on his neck. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal were 2-1 down to Bolton and on the defence when William Gallas scythed through Mark Davies and left him for dead on the floor, but the referee, Alan Wiley, waved play on and Cesc Fabregas finished off the counter attack by scoring the equaliser.

Owen Coyle was absolutely furious that neither the referee or the Arsenal team stopped the game so that Davies could receive treatment, and Coyle believes that this affected the result of the game.

“There’s no doubt it was a big turning point in the game.” he said. “It’s clearly a foul. It’s closer to a red card than anything else. .......Read the full article here

Both Steve McClarens FC Twente and the Scottish giants Celtic are believed to have made overtures to Arsenal in an attempt to take Jack Wilshere on loan until the end of the season, but Arsene Wenger has ruled out any move away from the Premiership so that he can keep a close watch on his progress.

“I’ve heard Twente are interested, but I would prefer Jack to play in the Premier League,” said Wenger. “It is easier for us to observe him and come to the conclusion that he is ready to play for us next year.” .......Read the full article here

Owen Coyle’s old club Burnley have made no secret of the fact that they are trying to presuade Arsene Wenger to let the Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere move to Turf Moor on loan this month, but now it has been revealed that Coyle is now trying to hijack the move with his new club Bolton.

Today’s News of the World says that Coyle has spoken to Wenger again and has promised that Wilshere will be guaranteed first-team action if he moves north. .......Read the full article here