Just Arsenal News

The news that one of Arsenal’s defenders could be the subject of a transfer to Serie A in Italy could be better and it could be worse. It is not Koscielny, Mertesacker or Vermaelen, so that is a great relief. On the other hand, it is not Sebastien `the Squid` Squillachi so that’s very disappointing.

The man in question is Johan Djourou, who was promised first team action this season by Arsene Wenger, has only made one appearance in a game against Coventry in the Capital One cup. That might be a little less than the Swiss international was hoping for. .......Read the full article here

The young Argentinian keeper Damien Martinez was given his chance to impress Arsene Wenger in the 6-1 drubbing of Coventry in the Capital One Cup, and due to the ongoing injuries to both Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski he has been promoted to the bench for the Arsenal first-team games.

Mannone has been okay so far and kept a couple of clean sheets, but looked a little out of his depth against Chelsea yesterday, and Martinez has taken the opportunity to stake his claim for a chance to show his skills on the biggest stage. .......Read the full article here

The French international striker Olivier Giroud seems like a different man since registering his first goal since moving to Arsenal in the summer. Confidence is flowing through Giroud and he is feeling confident about his and the whole team’s season.

“It’s done, I have my first goal, but it has to be the start of a beautiful adventure.

“I want to play week in, week out, find my rhythm and keep scoring. I am convinced that with some perseverance it will come.” .......Read the full article here

Arsenal v Coventry player ratings by AH

Martinez 7 – A solid debut for the Argentinian. Not much he could do about the goal and he was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet. His handling and kicking was good and he looks like a very promising keeper.

Angha 7 – Looked nervous at times but who wouldn’t be when making your Arsenal debut. Angha quickly settled through and looked quite solid throughout.

Djourou 7 – The skipper for the match and he put in a worthy display. Not his greatest match but he won most of his ariel battles and was decent on his tackling. .......Read the full article here

Theo Walcott’s contract negotiations have been going on for ever and he finally came out and announced that the simple reason that he hasn’t signed Arsenal’s new contract extension is because he wants to be moved into the centre to be used as a centre-forward. Wenger (perhaps because he doesn’t like being told what to do by his players) responded by moving Gervinho into the central position and leaving Walcott on the bench.

But last night Wenger finally gave Walcott a freer role alongside Giroud and he was rewarded with two excellent finishes by the England international. Both finishes would have been worthy of Walcott’s hero Thierry Henry and may have gone some way to deflect the criticism that he can’t finish after getting into scoring positions. .......Read the full article here

The little Russian meastro Andrey Arshavin has had a miserable couple of seasons stuck out on the wings, while every single Arsenal blog in the world has insisted that he should be played in a central role behind the striker(s) which is where his talent is used to his best potential.

Now, finally, Arsene Wenger has realised this fact and Arshavin was imperious in last night’s Capital One Cup game against Coventry. Wenger said after the game: “Arshavin’s best position looks to be behind the striker now because that’s where his vision, the creative side of his game, can be very efficient. .......Read the full article here

Gnabry is our future-Wenger by TS

If there’s one thing Arsenal have never been short of over the last couple of years is talented youths and Serge Gnabry falls into the category without a doubt.

Arsene Wenger has even gone so far as to hail the youth starlet as Arsenal’s future.

The Arsenal boss admitted that the Germany youth international could even play for Arsenal’s first team as soon as this season. The starlet moved for Stuttgart last summer and has caught Wenger’s eye with a series of exceptional performances at under 18 and under21 level. .......Read the full article here

The Capital One cup always gives Arsene Wenger the chance to allow some squad players experience in the first team, and this year is no exception. Up and coming young players get their first taste of action, while others recovering from injury or struggling for a starting place due to form can use this competition as a springboard and two Gunners hoping to do that tonight against Coventry City are Andrey Arshavin and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Frimpong has been out of action since damaging his cruciate ligaments while on loan to Wolves seven months ago. The 20-year old midfield Rottweiller has been desperate to get back to playind and Wenger has been really impressed with his attitude and hard work. For that reason, he is likely to feature at some point, although the manager admits that he could do with a little more time. .......Read the full article here

The wonderful Capital One Cup tie against Coventryis coming up tomorrow and Arsene Wenger will have the chance to give a run-out to some of Arsenal’s reserves and youngsters, but we don’t want him to put out a team that may be beaten as it is still a possible trophy at the end of the day.

I am certain that Andrei Arshavin will figure in this game, because if he doesn’t then we will know for sure his career at Arsenal is over completely. Others I expect to see in action are Johan Djourou, Nico Yennaris, Olivier Giroud (to hopefully get a goal and some confidence) although Wenger may be prepared to give Marouane Chamakh a rare start up front. .......Read the full article here