Just Arsenal News

There is little doubt that Arsenal should have won the game against Everton at the Emirates last night, but it seems to me that a lot of fans are taking it too hard. Yes, it was a great chance for the Gunners to fire themselves into a commanding position in the Premier League, but we are still in with a very good chance.

Everton were allowed to be extremely physical by the referee Neil Swarbrick, but Arsenal stood up to it well. It was the sort of game we used to lose a few years ago, so I am not overly disappointed with a point. If Everton had nicked a win, the situation would be much worse, but we have got a tough game out of the way and can focus on the next five matches with optimism. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are preparing to face yet another team in the relegation zone today as they travel to Wigan Athletic, but the Gunners will not be expecting the Northeners to just roll over after losing to the Latics at the Emirates last season.

The Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes that this game is always entertaining to watch as both teams like to play attacking football. “Our games against Arsenal are two teams with similar football concepts,” he said.

“We both battle to have control of the football and the games are really open, there are chances. They’re really exciting to watch, especially from a neutral’s point of view. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger has a lot to do in the next few days to get Arsenal ready for the visit of the German Bundesliga side Schalke on Wednesday in the third round of the champions league. After yesterday’s horror show against Norwich, a game that was looking like it would seal top spot in the group now looks fraught with danger.

Wenger has a number of problems with injuries to deal with, but the main problem is making sure that Arsenal do not repeat the lacklustre and ineffective performance that they put in yesterday. I am still amazed at how bad Arsenal were yesterday. Everybody has an off day sometimes, but it seemed to be the whole team. .......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 Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has given a frank interview where he has expressed his unhappiness at Arsenal selling their best players year after year, and it makes it worse when he sees those same players collecting trophies at their new clubs.

He said: “I am the last player from the 2007 starting XI remaining. In May, I watched Manchester City show off. I watched Samir and Gael ­lifting the trophy.

“That gave me desire for it. Were they right to leave? Yes. But when they left, we didn’t know. I expected the departure of Robin van Persie. We all expected it. It was ‘obvious’. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger managed to keep Arsenal fans on tenterhooks right up until the last minute of the transfer window, but ultimately he didn’t really have any intention at all of bringing in any new players, despite the ongoing rumours.

The massive TV Station ESPN have been talking to one of their sources at the Emirates about yesterdays lack of business, and he made it clear that Wenger had a stress-free day. The source said: “Regarding the squad, there were no close, late attempts and we were never in for Essien.

“Arsene feels with the three signings, together with (Abou) Diaby back, and (Jack) Wilshere, (Tomas) Rosicky and (Bacary) Sagna close to fitness, the squad is strong. .......Read the full article here

Gourcuff will be leaving Lyon this summer. by KJ

Recent reports suggest that Lyon have transfer listed the out of favour Yoann Gourcuff. Twitter has exploded with the news and there are suggestions that Arsenal could be in for the French midfielder.

Wenger has been a known long-term admirer of Gourcuff and would definitely look into bringing him to the Emirates. However, would that be in the best interest of Arsenal in the long term?

In simple terms, yes. Bringing in another midfielder would just add that extra depth to the team. Gourcuff was once a very highly rated attacking midfielder and only because of long term injuries, has he fallen out with both Lyon and the French national team. .......Read the full article here

What is going on? Footballers showing loyalty to their clubs were thought to be a thing of the past! First RVP is told to repay Arsenal’s faith and reject any big money offers for him. Today, Talksport reports that the reported Arsenal target Mathieu Valbuena has abandoned any plans he had to join Arsene Wenger in the Premier league.

The 27-year old French international midfielder has been at Marseille since 2006. He has ruled out a move to Arsenal because Didier Deschamps’ Marseille have just suffered an awful season, finishing 10th in the league and failing to qualify for European competition next season. .......Read the full article here

The EURO 2012 Tournament Could Spell Trouble For Arsenal FC – By JG

The possible blow-back of the EURO 2012 Tournament is something Arsenal fans have reason to be wary about. As we know already, a number of Arsenal players are going to be heavily involved in their countries efforts to win the competition. Van Persie, Walcott, Chamberlain, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Rosicky, Szczesny (and Fabianski), Arshavin, Bendtner and even the newest edition Podolski will be participating for the Germans. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal go into the last match of the season knowing that only a win away at West Brom will guarantee them a place in next season’s Champion’s league competition. If Tottenham get a better result against Fulham then they will pip the Gunners to third spot and then the team in fourth will be relying on Bayern Munich to beat Chelsea in the final.

Today there is bad news on both fronts. Arsenal number one Wojciech Szczesney is a serious doubt due to a back injury and Fulham are facing a number of withdrawals. Leading goalscorer Clint Dempsey has a groin injury and Dickson Etuhu, Steve Sidwell and Brian Ruiz are also struggling. Martin Jol is unlikely to risk any of them as Fulham are safe in mid table and have nothing to play for. .......Read the full article here

M’Vila, Vertonghen, Biglia, Sessegnon and almost any other player is rumoured to be on his way to the Emirates at the minute. Gooners are beginning to believe that the signing of Lukas Podolski was just the first of a wave of new recruits heading Arsenal’s way. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Arsene Wenger has been quick to play this down.

“Our job will be focused on inside now we have Podolski.” he said. “That means to get Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby back in a healthy situation and then, I believe, we have quite a big squad. It will then be our intention to trim a little bit and, if possible, add one or two players.” .......Read the full article here

There is mostly good news for Arsenal fans on the injury front today, although the Gunners are still seriously depleted in midfield. Of course Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong are all definitely not going to play for Arsenal again this season.

One more midfielder can be added to that list now, and no-one will surprised it is Abou Diaby who has suffered yet another setback. Wenger said last night: “He is out. He has a calf problem. He will probably be out for the two games we have left.” .......Read the full article here