Just Arsenal News

The former Arsenal and England striker Alan `smudger` Smith has been writing about his memories of the Gunners and his thoughts on the current Arsenal team. Smith left Arsenal shortly before Arsene Wenger took over in 1996, but he has always followed the Gunners and has suggested that the Frenchman is at a pivotal period in his Arsenal reign and could maybe do with being a little more flexible in his methods.

The Skysports pundit recognises that Wenger has done marvelous things for the club, including keeping them in the Champions League with hardly any money for the past eight seasons. He does think, however, that Wenger needs to be more open to new ideas if Arsenal are to achieve great success again. He is friends with Wenger’s assistant Steve Bould and the subject of Bould’s influence in training came up again. .......Read the full article here

Robert Pires spent six seasons at Arsenal, from 2000-2006 and, like a lot of former Gunners, keeps the club close to his heart and follows what is happening. When he was at the club, we were enjoying a great period of success, winning two Premier League titles and three FA cups, as well as making it to the final of the Champions League, which was his last game for the Gunners before moving to Villareal.

Arsenal have not won a trophy since Pires moved on, and the 39-year old, who is currently a free agent, believes that one of the problems is the lack of British players in the team. According to Pires, Arsene Wenger should be looking to add some homegrown talent when he spends money on players this summer. .......Read the full article here

Why is Arsenal so inconsistent by AM

During these last 3 seasons, Arsenal has been the most irregular team between the top 5 of the Premier league. Apart from the fact that we have not lifted any trophies for now 8 years, we have also not been the best during the big games. Why is this so?

Arsenal’s playing style has always been compared to that of Barcelona, but now everybody is aware of our system and have developed tactics to stop us. Barcelona can still count on legendary Messi and some outstanding players, but Real Madrid and AC Milan has shown us that Barcelona can also lose now. Clearly Arsenal is easier to stop because we do not have players which can bring victory on their own. .......Read the full article here

The problem with the attacking midfield in my opinion is not the Arteta-Wilshere axis but the other forward midfield players. When Diaby was having his little surge, hopefully soon to return in reduced games, it was not just his defensive qualities but the fact he went beyond the main strikers on surging runs that made Arsenal so dangerous.

None of our midfield players go beyond the main strikers, to stretch the opponents defence. We play little balls in between defenders for the forwards, especially Walcott, to run on to. In the past we had Pires and Freddy bursting through from midfield and the full backs raiding in their wide positions, sometimes with Thierry Henry wide as well. .......Read the full article here

When Santi Cazorla first heard about the interest from Arsenal this summer, he was flattered but wanted some advice about the wisdom of the move. His team mate at Villareal before he moved to Malaga was the one and only Robert Pires, so who better to call.

“Robert told me not to think twice, that I’d enjoy it, that it’s the perfect club for me, that Arsenal has aspirations to win the title and go far.

“Everything so far has been true and I’m very happy here.” .......Read the full article here

Giroud praises the Gooners and Diaby by AM

Olivier Giroud, in an interview to FIFA’s official website, has praised his French team mate Abou Diaby and has also shown his delight at playing for the ‘Knowledgeable’ Arsenal fans.

The French international forward, who is yet to score his first goal for the Gunners, has said that he is proud to follow in the ‘footsteps’ of French legends like Henry, Viera and Pires at the club. .......Read the full article here

Former legend says that Giroud will shine by AM

Former Arsenal great Robert Pires has said that, with time, Giroud will shine through. The Frenchman said that, even though Arsenal have lost some important players, Wenger will replace them eventually. Pires said – “It takes time to adapt, and it is especially hard for attacking players, but I am optimistic that both Giroud and Podolski can be a success. I have seen Giroud playing in France and he has the qualities you need in England. He is strong and he has a good touch. He can be like Van Persie in my opinion. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal Legend Robert Pires Praises ‘Brilliant’ Cazorla by AM

Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Santi Cazorla is at the right club to make most of his wonderful talent and the start against Sunderland was only a trailer of things to come. In an interview to the Official Arsenal Magazine, the Frenchman who played alongside Cazorla during his stint at Villarreal till 2010, said –

“Santi called me when the offer from the Club arrived and I told him that it was the perfect club for him” .......Read the full article here

It has just been announced that six teams from India will be starting a new football League, primarily in the West Bengal area, and they are going to have a cricket-style auction of the some top-class veterans including the ex-Arsenal star Robert Pires.

Bhaswar Goswami, the executive director of Celebrity Management Group announced that he has signed up for an initial 30 year deal with the Indian Football Association and are expecting to expand the League every year in the manner of the MLS in America. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal’s former star Robert Pires has offered the Lyon’s midfielder Yoann Gourcuff a way out of the situation he’s currently in at the French giants, saying that Arsenal is the best escape route for him.

According to Pires, the best way for Gourcuff to come back into the form which made him highly-coveted a few years ago is by getting a transfer to Arsenal and being guided by Arsene Wenger.

“I know Arsenal well and it would be ideal for Gourcuff. Arsene Wenger rarely fails to help a player, particularly if they are French.”, Pires told French TV .......Read the full article here