Just Arsenal News

The transfer of the Arsenal striker Eduardo to Shakhtar Donetsk still hasn’t been formally announced by the Arsenal website, but it is now common knowledge. The Croatian striker has been a shadow of his former self since he returned from his broken leg, but after passing a rigorous medical, Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu is hopeful that he can return to the form that persuaded Wenger to take him to the Emirates in the first place: “Yes, he had a serious injury and we are aware of the risk.” he said. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the England team just didn’t cope with the pressure at the World Cup Finals. England went in as one of the first four favourites, but were desperately disappointing, especially in the 4-1 defeat to Germany.

Wenger said: “Many teams start slow in the group stage.

“I remember in 2006, France were horrible in the group stage, but they found momentum in the quarter-final and semi-final because they had no pressure any more.

“England suffered under pressure. They did not look sharp. Also, England did not seem to be at the level to use their main strength – the huge pace they put in the game. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that England should be classed as favourites to beat Germany today, as their average age and level of experience should tip the scales in England’s favour.

He thinks that the Germans have been the most exciting team to watch, but believes that their confidence took a big knock in the defeat to Serbia, and their youth could leave them open to another setback.

The thing that seems strange to me is that he clearly says that a team of older, experienced players have a distinct advantage when playing youngsters, but at Arsenal he fills his team with teenagers! .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in South Africa commentating for French TV, and he believes that all the top teams, but especially England are hampered by their fera of losing.

“England came here with an expectation from everybody to win the World Cup.” Wenger said. “It’s not easy to deal with that. They want so much to do well that they think they cannot fail.”

“The biggest teams who have the highest level of expectation cannot express that talent yet.

“One reason is caution, fear of failure, response to huge demands. These teams will just glide through though, most of them, then you will see them really play. .......Read the full article here

The 35 year-old defender Sol Campbell, who is a free agent at the moment, believes that his performances for Arsenal last season proved that he was more than good enough to be picked for England again, and he thinks that Fabio Capello made some wrong defensive choices when he chose his final squad.

“Regrets?” Campbell said. “I regret the fact that the England camp didn’t think of me.”

“I would have put my heart and soul into playing for England again. .......Read the full article here

There has been much speculation that Robert Green could be coming to Arsenal next season, and before the World Cup started he was classed amongst the top goalkeepers in England, but after last nights incredible blunder against the United States he is hardly going to be flavour of the month!

The West Ham owner David Gold said last week that Green could be sold this summer and he was hoping that a good performance at the tournament could engender a big bid for the 29 year-old stopper.

Gold said: said: “At this stage we are not going to have talks with him about a new deal. .......Read the full article here

England carry on their preparations for the World Cup when they face Japan today in Graz, and Fabio Capello will be making lots of changes from the team that beat Mexico 3-1 the other day.

For starters, the three Chelsea players John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard will all start, but Joe Cole hasn’t made it to the starting line-up. Arsenal’s Theo Walcott will start on the right wing, with Aaron Lennon playing down the left. They are probably both competing for a place in the final 23 with todays performance. .......Read the full article here

Theo Walcott is still hoping that he can do enough against Fulham tomorrow to convince Fabio Capello to take him to South Africa. Competition for Walcott’s wing position has been hotting up lately, with Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner and even the young Adam Johnson all stamping claims on being in the starting line-up for England.

Wright-Phillips has fallen out of favour at Man City since Roberto Mancini and Adam Johnson both arrived, but is still hopeful of staying in Capello’s team after some good performances for his country. But it is unlikely he will be returning to the Eastlands next season, whether he goes to South Africa or not. Could he end up competing with Walcott at club level as well as on the international stage? .......Read the full article here

The Bolton manager Owen Coyle worked hard to persuade Arsene Wenger to let Jack Wilshere join him on loan from Arsenal, and is more than happy with the 18 year-old’s contribution in the second half of the season.

Wilshere will be in the Bolton team that faces Chelsea this evening, and Coyle is hoping that Capello will see how he fares against the England regular Frank Lampard.

Coyle aid: “I am biased because I work with Jack daily, but I would take him with England. .......Read the full article here

Given the impression that substitutes James Milner and Shaun Wright Phillips made during the second half of England’s 3-1 victory over Egypt, combined with the early season form of the currently injured Spurs winger Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott’s performance against Egypt has come under much scrutiny, with many suggesting that the Arsenal man may have blown his chances of making the plane to South Africa in the summer on the back of a disappointing first half performance.

CAPELLO OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has finally managed to string a few performances together, after suffering injury after injury since the beginning of the season, but now he really believes he is fit enough to make an impression on Arsenal, and hopefully the England coach Fabio Capello.

Walcott was replaced by Sean Wright-Phillips in the England game against Egypt in midweek, and he realises that he is not guaranteed a place in Capello’s World Cup squad yet.

“Without a doubt, there’s a lot of competition.” Walcott said, “We want all our players back 100% fit and I’m just finding my feet now with my fitness.” .......Read the full article here

I couldn’t help but laugh at the English manager Fabio Capello’s comments about Theo Walcott.

After picking the Arsenal winger for the England squad to face Egypt next week, Capello admitted that Walcott was not yet back to his form of last season, and said he needed more games to get his confidence back.

“I saw the last game Theo played,”Capello said.”He was on for 72 minutes and did very well, but he is not in a fantastic moment,”

“He needs to regain confidence because he has lost a lot of balls. He is getting better and better, but he needs to play.” .......Read the full article here