Just Arsenal News

The decline of Vermaelen and the importance of Koscielny. by KJ

This season our Arsenal team has been riddled with defensive errors that have cost us many goals and therefore a lot of vital points. This in my opinion has been mainly down to the decline of Thomas Vermaelen. I remember when we first saw him on the Arsenal scene and many were saying in hush voices that we could have our best defender since Sol Campbell (not really saying much though). He was scoring goals frequently and was able to completely dominate defenders (which gave him the name “Verminator” by the fans). Unfortunately, he was injured throughout the 2010 – 2011 season and from there on, he’s slowly regressed to a shadow of his former self. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger made no changes to Arsenal’s defensive line-up during the summer transfer window, but it is beginning to emerge that they had made approaches to certain players in that position that didn’t come off. Yesterday the Montpellier captain, Mapou Yanga M’Biwa, told the world that he had been approached by Arsenal, and now today we have another confession of contact from a defender.

The Senegal and Anderlecht youngster Chiekhou Kouyate told ESPN yesterday: “The fans of Anderlecht asked me to stay for the club and they showed me their appreciation,” Kouyate said. .......Read the full article here

Mertesacker- New and improved! by TS

So our defensive line is looking good you say? Not conceded a goal in the EPL yet, you announce? Well, Ill have you know, that you’re RIGHT! That’s right, Arsenal have got the best defensive record! Early days, sure, but who cares? If it was any other team, they’d be rubbing it every chance they get, so as Arsenal fans, we’ll do the same! .......Read the full article here

Arsenal chasing young Leicester defender by AM

Arsenal have joined the race to sign talented young defender Liam Moore from Leicester City according to Metro. Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester United have already been tracking the youngster’s progress for some time now. But now United and Arsenal are considered to be favorites to land the 19 year old defender.

Moore, who shares his first name with an Arsenal legend Liam Brady, is a versatile player. He can play both as a central defender and as a right back. Arsenal do have some young defenders coming through their ranks with the likes of Miguel and Hector Bellerin (Who featured in Arsenal’s group match against Marseille in the NextGen series). Moore would certainly add to that list, as he is considered to be one of the most talented youngsters who is plying his trade outside the premier league. .......Read the full article here

I have some good news for Gooners! by AH

Now, please take note that the title is sarcastic, but I thought that this recent piece of news would be good to share with the readers on justarsenal.com.

According to a few media outlets including the Daily Mail, Mikael Silvestre will soon return to Arsenal to train with the Gunners after he was released from Werder Bremen, following his two year stint at the club. The defender spent two years at Arsenal as well following his transfer from Manchester United, for a reported £ 500,000. The former French international made 26 league appearances for Arsenal, scoring 3 goals. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal set their sights on Mbiwa by TS

Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa remains a top target for Arsenal and AW as we look to strengthen our defense. The player, who is also captain for Montpellier, has a contract which runs out at the end of the season. The club is reportedly willing to let go of the player for a fee close to the £8m mark – which for his talent and ability is frankly an outright steal. .......Read the full article here

A vital ten days for Arsenal’s season by SC

After the result against Sunderland at the weekend there is a great demand on the club to spend money on creative talent along with a quality defensive midfielder. Overall Arsenal need to make at least two signings, one strong central midfielder to control the game from the middle of the park and a fullback. Preferably one that can play on the left and right, to cover Sagna and provide competition for Gibbs. However we really lacked creative quality against Sunderland, but with technical midfield players such as Rosicky and Wilshere to come back there is great optimism for better creativity in future games. There is also the fact Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott were not 100 percent sharp in this game. After seeing Cazorla in Spain especially at Villireal where he won player of the year, he really could be the gem purchase this summer. Expect after the first international break, a lot slicker, sharper midfield. And they’re going to have to be – with fixtures against Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea quickly coming up. .......Read the full article here

So it seems that Arsenal could still be in the market for another defender this summer as it has now been revealed by Johan Djourou’s agent that Swiss international defender has been receiving offers from Serie A and La Liga, and that he has set up a series of meeting with possible suitors.

There have already been rumours that Napoli are keen on giving Djourou regular first-team action, but Djourou’s agent, Flavio Ferraria, says that they are not currently on the list of possible destinations.

Ferraria said: “Can Djourou join Napoli? It’s certainly possible, especially as we will be in Italy next week for a series of appointments,” .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are set to engage in a battle royale with the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan for the signature of 21-year old Austrian defender Aleksandar Dragovic currently plying his trade with Swiss Champions FC Basel. The youngster, who joined Basel from home town club Austria Wien, has already been capped 14 times for his country, having featured for the national side at every youth level.

Dragovic is unlikely to be overly expensive either with reports suggesting that Basel could well be convinced into doing business for 10 million euros.

The question however is whether a 21-year old Austrian will help solve Arsenal’s defensive woes? .......Read the full article here

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have decided to enter the battle to get Lazio defender’s signature, Stefan Radu, who is also being tracked by Manchester City.

The Romanian international is considered to be one of the best defenders in Italy, being compared to Cristian Chivu in his early years of football. Radu can also play both left-back and center defender, and has been with Lazio from 2008, managing to gather 114 appearances for the Italian team.

The 25-year-old international signed a new deal with Lazio last summer, but it will be hard to resist a good offer from England. Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has Radu on top of his transfer list, as he is tempted by the defender’s ability to play in more than one position on the field. .......Read the full article here

Aymen Abdennour “the Tunisian beast” – By JG

For a short while a couple months ago, Aymen Abdennour was at the top of Arsene Wenger’s transfer list (in relation to defenders). This was exciting news because I had been watching his games for months and was extremely impressed. Abdennour was named defender of the season by many experts for Ligue 1 this season and was also a star performer in the African Cup of Nations. He is both an accomplished left-back and center-back, which is why so many scouts have said he would be a perfect fit at Arsenal FC because there are deficiencies/weak spots in those areas. .......Read the full article here

Djourou has proved me wrong by KJ

I just recently wrote my post match analysis of the game against Wolves and I completely disregarded anything to do with Djourou simply because it merited an Article in itself. He was our best defender last night. You don’t understand how much it pleases me to say it. .......Read the full article here