Just Arsenal News

The goalkeeping dilemma at Arsenal took a new twist today, as Arsene Wenger gave Wojcneich Szczesny the Number One jersey against Barnet, but only played him for the last 22 minutes.

Manuel Almunia was out “injured” yet again, and Lukasz Fabianski played the first 45 minutes wearing number 21, and the second half saw Vito Mannone play the first 22 minutes wearing 24, and then Szczesny came on until the end. .......Read the full article here

It has been revealed today the real reason why Arsene Wenger left Manuel Almunia on the Arsenal bench, and was probably the reason why no-one was told about Almunia’s “mystery virus”.

I always said there must be something deeper behind that excuse, because it has never taken six weeks to get over any cold, not even swine flu!

But now we know; It was because Almunia’s family suffered a personal tragedy when his wife’s mother was killed in a car crash in Spain in September. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refuses to reveal who will be in goal against Tottenham on Saturday.

Lukasz Fabianski played himself into contention with a good game against Liverpool on Wednesday, but now he has suffered another injury and will be out for another three weeks.

That means it is a straight fight between the former first-choice keeper Manuel Almunia, and the rookie Vito Mannone.

Wenger said: “We have lost Fabianski with a thigh injury. Of course it is a big disappointment because he has just come back from injury. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was given another problem last night during the win over Liverpool, as Lukasz Fabianski did well between the sticks. Wenger now has a massive decision on who to play against Tottenham at the weekend.

The (former?) number one Manuel Almunia is now back to full fitness, but has been left fuming on the bench for the last three matches, and has seen the rookie Vito Mannone make some serious mistakes, but up until now Wenger has kept faith with the youngster rather than play his vastly more experienced colleague. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger kept faith with Vito Mannone against West Ham yesterday, despite Manuel Almunia being back to full fitness, but has the young Italian blown his chance of keeping the spot permanently?

Wenger kept everyone guessing on who he would choose up until the last minute, but most pundits assumed that Almunia would regain his place.

Mannone was considered to be partly responsible for the equalizer scored by AZ Alkmaar in last week’s Champions League match, and now he is being rounded on for yesterday mistake which allowed West Ham back into the game at 2-0 down. .......Read the full article here

The position of Arsenal goalkeeper is not quite as certain as it was at the beginning of the season. Since Lukas Fabianski got injured, and Manuel Almunia contracted his mystery virus, the rookie Vito Mannone has leapfrogged both of them into the Number One spot, and it looks like he may well be keeping the jersey.

Arsene wenger was asked about who would be in goal he started of by saying it was a secret.

“I do not know,” he replied. “Come to the game on Sunday, and you will see.” .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal injury list looked like it was dwindling last week, but then Theo Walcott got injured again on his first start of the season. Arsene Wenger thinks he will be out for 2 to 3 weeks today, after saying 3 to 4 weeks yesterday. This means that he could be ready for England’s friendly game against Brazil next month.

Thomas Rosicky was also a victim of the Birmingham match with a knee problem, but Wenger believes he will be okay for next weekend. With Eduardo still not ready to return after his setback, and Nicklas Bendtner still out after being injured in training last week, it is expected that Robin Van Persie will be left as the lone striker back in his native Holland tonight, unless Carlos Vela gets promoted to play alongside him. .......Read the full article here

The International break is over at last, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made an assessment of the usual crocks that come back after playing for their countries, and to be honest it doesn’t look too bad.

Cesc Fabregas missed Wednesdays game for Spain against Bosnia, because his grandfather was ill, but he will be back in the team tomorrow. The only two serious-ish injuries are to Abou Diaby and Gael Clichy, who both picked up ankle problems playing for France and are unlikely to be available for Saturday. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone has now played five games in a row for the North London giants, but it is expected that both the goalkeepers previously above him in the pecking order, Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski, are going to return to the squad this weekend.

Mannone now has an anxious wait to see if he is going to be sent back down to the reserves after his brilliant performances.

“I am really happy with my five games,” he said .......Read the full article here

Arsenal’s new young goalkeeping hero, Vito Mannone, has revealed today that he came close to going out on loan to a Championship side in pre-season, but once Lukas Fabianski got injured, he was asked to stay as understudy to Almunia.

“In the summer, yes, we had a talk about a loan move,” Vito said. “The boss was quite happy for me to go somewhere and play, because as you can see now, I was ready to play games. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Manuel Almunia has recovered from his chest infection and is back in full training, but last week’s hero from the 1-0 win over Fulham, Vito Mannone, will retain his place between the sticks for Sunday’s game against Blackburn.

“Almunia is very close now, he is in full training and he is very close. But Mannone is in goal this weekend,” Wenger said yesterday.

“Vito has done very well but I cannot say he has exceeded my expectations because I had never seen him play at that level in a consistent way. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal face Blackburn at the Emirates on Sunday in a game they are expected to win to keep pressure on the leaders at the top of the table. With Chelsea and Liverpool playing each other, Arsenal will have a chance to make up some ground.

Unfortunately Arsene Wenger will be without Eduardo again as he was forced to play him against Olympiakos due to Nicolas Bendtner’s car crash last week. But Bendtner will be available this time around. .......Read the full article here