Just Arsenal News

The big Arsenal news story this week was that Wenger had persuaded FIVE british youngsters to commit their long term futures to Arsenal (Goodbye Theo), and the well known Gooner Carl Jenkinson is especially pleased that he is part of Wenger’s long term future plans.

He said: “Obviously I’m over the moon – really happy,”

“I see my future at this football club and I’m delighted they see things the same way.

“Signing the contract shows commitment from me, which Arsenal can always count on, but it’s a big commitment from them as well. People here clearly have belief in me, and now I have to make sure I prove them right.” .......Read the full article here

Do Arsenal not value Walcott as a player? by KJ

At this time of turmoil, Wenger is adamant that he can get this club back on top and he plans to do so by making sure he signs all of our British players on long contracts. The reliable David Ornstein tweeted yesterday the news:
Wilshere close to new Arsenal deal, Ramsey & Jenkinson done & likely to be announced with Ox & Gibbs as #afc build British core#bbcfootball

This is great news personally. We’ve struggled a lot to keep our key players and there is no doubt that all 5 players have the potential to be Arsenal legends. .......Read the full article here

There has been much furore over the last 18 hours about a report which says that Arsenal are making moves to reduce the players wages if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League, as if all the current contracts in place make no differential whether they qualify or not.

Now that MAY be true, but I for one DOUBT it very much! Champions League Qualification gives a massive boost to any clubs income, and it is only right that the players that achieve that should be given a “performance bonus” if the club finishes in the Top Four, and that bonus applies to any player at ANY club in the Premiership, so to say (As ESPN does this morning) that the Arsenal players will be “penalised” for NOT making it would be the height of folly. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal legend blames the club’s contract negotiation policy by AM

Another Arsenal legend has come out and slammed the club’s transfer negotiation policy. Former Arsenal left back Nigel Winterburn, who made 440 appearances for the Gunners, has blamed the club of leaving it too late (for negotiations). The former England international has said that the club shouldn’t allow the players get into the final year of their contracts in the first place. He believes that contract extension talks should be held a lot earlier.

“I would think that there has to be an internal review at the football club as to why several players are getting right down to inside the last year of their contracts,” the former Gunner told Talk Sport. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal will certainly struggle to challenge for any silverware this season! by Adam Kemp

In February Arsenal’s end of year report stated ‘Arsenal holdings is now operating free of short term debt’ – unaudited net debt stands at £137.05M whilst its cash reserves have risen to £115.2M. Arsenal was in a very strong position financially before the end of last season which proves wrong that the Emirates are no longer a restriction. On turnover alone, Arsenal is one of the wealthiest clubs in the world and consistently makes a healthy pre-tax profit in excess of £30M year on year. Wenger could have spent a further £50M on players this summer without making a dent in our financial constraints. .......Read the full article here

There is still a long way to go by DG

The transfer market officially opened yesterday. I am as surprised as anyone that Arsenal have already completed some of their business. Of course, there is a long way to go before this squad becomes one which can challenge for a trophy. There are still issues which need to be dealt with efficiently and speedily, preferable before the club go on the scheduled pre-season tours. .......Read the full article here

There have been ominous reports coming out of the crucial meeting between Arsene Wenger and Robin Van Persie yesterday, and it seems that the Dutchman is refusing to extend his contract unless Arsenal show that they will really challenge for the top trophies next season.

Arsenal have already secured Lukas Podolski, but the usually well-informed football expert in the Mirror, John Cross, reports that this is far from enough to persuade the Arsenal captain that he will improve the team enough to have a chance of winning the Champions League, which is the Dutchmans ultimate aim, although after seven seasons of drought any trophy will do right now. .......Read the full article here

The Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that he may prefer to buy Samir Nasri from Arsenal rather than the Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric. It has become common knowledge that Arsenal are preparing to sell the Frenchman and Man City are expecting to sign Nasri at £22m although Wenger doesn’t really want to sell him.

Chelsea have been chasing Luka Modric, who is proving to be a bit more difficult to buy with Tottenham expecting at least £30m-£35m for the Croatian star, but Villas-Boas has now admitted that Nasri may be the better proposition (and a much cheaper price). .......Read the full article here

It seems that both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are both going to be staying at Arsenal next season, according to Sky Sports, who have quickly stuck a report up saying that Arsene Wenger has made a press conference on arrival in Malaysia.

They reported that after arriving in Malaysia for the Gunners’ pre-season tour of the Far East, Wenger confirmed he expects Fabregas and Nasri to be part of his plans for the coming campaign.

Well at least (for now) all Arsenal fans can breathe a big sigh of relief and now concentrate on how Wenger is going to be strengthening the team, rather than worrying about who is good enough to replace Cesc and Sami! .......Read the full article here

Both Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy are going to be entering the final year of their contacts at Arsenal this summer, and both of them have been variously linked with moves away to foreign clubs, but Arsene Wenger seems confident that both will end up signing extensions during the summer.

He said: “We are talking to Nasri and his agent already and we have the same situation with Clichy. We have agreed to speak about it during the summer.

“The players have the opportunity here to do it in their own way, with their own philosophy, with their own togetherness. .......Read the full article here

Sol Campbell said at the end of last season that he was very keen on being taken back on by Arsenal for the coming year, but while Arsene Wenger has been away at the World Cup Finals, the 35 year-old has been looking at his various options for next season.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has made no secret of the fact that he wants Campbell to defence at Parkhead, and Steve Bruce has also admitted that he has made an offer to the ex-England star. Now it seems that the new West Ham boss Avram Grant is also keen on making a pitch. .......Read the full article here