Just Arsenal News

Yesterday we had the young Arsenal midfielder Conor Henderson threaten to leave next summer if he is not given some regular games in Arsene Wenger’s first-team, and now today we have Francis Coquelin saying something similar.

Arsenal have extensive depth in the midfield postions, which will only increase when Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong return from injury next month, so it is not looking good for either Henderson or Coquelin to make the final breakthrough and become a first-team starter, and Coquelin has now admitted that he can’t wait patiently for much longer.

“In July I went to see the coach Arsene Wenger,” Coquelin said. “He told me I am a full member of the team and that he was counting on me. .......Read the full article here

What are our attacking options? by AH

Well after yesterday’s disappointment in the lack of transfer movement, we now know our final squad. The first XI looks reasonably strong however we lack in squad depth which could be a problem. I mentioned in my earlier squad analysis article that we had reasonably good reinforcements in most positions, however we lacked in two positions in particular – Defensive Midfield and Striker.

The defensive midfield issue is a problem, but I want to focus to our striking problems in this article. We currently have two central strikers in Giroud and Chamakh, although Podolski can also play in the middle. None of us really want to see Chamakh play but if Giroud doesn’t find form or he becomes injured then suddenly there’s a problem. Chamakh is your only main central striker. .......Read the full article here

As early as February this year it was being rumoured that Arsenal had supposedly already arranged a pre-contract with the Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby, who is (like a couple of our players….) entering the final year of his contract at the Bundesliga club.

The deal seemed dead in the water with no more Arsenal rumours linking Holtby during the Euros, but now it seems that the interest has now been revived. According to this mornings Mirror, Arsenal are testing the water as they are looking for a straight replacement for Theo Walcott if the Englishman still refuses to sign a contract extension. .......Read the full article here

Wenger and van Persie will talk this week by BA

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has broken the club’s silence on the storm of speculation surrounding the super striker Robin van Persie. He has denied reports of a bid from Juventus and given Arsenal fans the indication that the 28-year old Dutchman will not be leaving the Emirates stadium this summer.

“As far as I am aware, nobody has made any offer for him and he is away so we are not in any dialogue at all.” Hill-Wood was moved to say following reports that Juventus had opened the bidding with an £8 million offer. Hill-Wood might have thought that was a joke because it is such a small amount for the striker who was voted as the best player in the league, scoring 37 goals during the season. .......Read the full article here

Although Arsenal and Robin Van Persie have got a pact not to speak about his future in public this summer, it is looking to me that this is just a ploy to wind up the Arsenal fans for the duration of the transfer window!

The Dutchman has been variously linked with Juventus (can’t beat Arsenal’s wages), PSG (can pay but a step down from Arsenal) and of course Moneybags Man City (who already have 100s of world-class strikers) who have now practically ruled out any move for Robin.

Mancini said yesterday: “Van Persie? He is an Arsenal player and I don’t want to disrespect Wenger. .......Read the full article here

Giroud is coming to Arsenal and not as RVP’s replacement! by KJ

So today as most of you will know, Twitter exploded with the news that Giroud to Arsenal has finally been agreed and it’s just the matter of France exiting the Euros which stops this deal from being officially confirmed. .......Read the full article here

The Mexican international striker Carlos Vela has had nothing but problems since joining Arsenal in 2005 aged 16. He had to be loaned out to various Spanish clubs until he finally received a work permit in 2008. Vela then enjoyed his best season for the Gunners, playing 29 times and scoring six goals in all competitions. He missed pre-season training due to an ankle injury and was largely ineffectual in the next season.

In January 2011 he was loaned to West Brom unsuccessfully, and in August went to Spain to join Real Sociedad. He has had a great season at Sociedad and the signs were promising that the club would make his move permanent. Earlier this year he told reporters, “I don’t want to return to Arsenal. I have asked my agent to negotiate with Arsenal to stay here.” .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger yesterday denied that he had made his “panic buys” after the disastrous 8-2 defeat early in the season, but he is now leaving himself open to the same charges in this transfer window by admitting that he won’t be looking at possible defensive reinforcements until after tomorrows return game against the reigning Premier League Champions.

“Before Sunday’s game nobody will come in so we will have now to focus on the players we have,” said Wenger.

“I will assess the situation after the game on Sunday but until then nothing will happen now for us.” .......Read the full article here

Samir Nasri Situation Has No Upside by Max Baker

Arsenal FC are in a very interesting and very disheartening situation following the recent developments in the Samir Nasri saga. As many of us know Nasri is demanding an outrageous £120,000 a week as where Arsenal have so far only offered £90,000 a week. Which begs the question how is Nasri supposed to feed his family on £90,000 a week? Just kidding, but in all seriousness Nasri really has Arsenal backed into a pretty tight corner with this whole thing and at the moment he is holding all the cards. .......Read the full article here

It is now even more urgent that Arsenal get a new centre-back this month now that it has been revealed that Thomas Vermaelen requires surgery on his achilles problem, but has Arsene Wenger actually made any moves to try and get anyone in?

The most touted names to move to the Emirates at the beginning of the transfer window were Per Mertesacker, Emir Spahic, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba, but the options seem be much reduced now we are approaching the final two weeks of the transfer window.

Mertesacker ruled himself out and announced that he would be staying in Germany to help Werder Bremen fight their relegation battle. .......Read the full article here

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is to “consider his options” this weekend after he was told by Man City boss Roberto Mancini that Joe Hart will be the Number One at the Eastlands this season, which has reignited the rumours that Arsenal could secure his services for next season.

The Daily Mail quotes a “source close to Given” as saying: “Shay respects the manager’s decision even if he thinks it’s wrong. He is very, very disappointed, particularly bearing in mind his performances for City since he joined. He’ll meet his advisers over the weekend and consider his options. Until now Shay has been really happy at City.’” .......Read the full article here

The young Inter striker Mario Balotelli spoke about all the transfer rumours surrounding him, and he made sure he left every single possible option open, except a move across town to AC Milan!

He has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Man City since publicly falling out with Jose Mourinho last season, but he is still unsure whether he is part of Rafael Benitez’s plans, now that he has replaced The Special One.

It certainly sounds like Balotelli was playing with the interviewer when he said: “I’m ready for Benitez and I’m happy that he has talked well of me,” .......Read the full article here