Just Arsenal News

The latest rumour in the Arsenal goalkeeper situation by SS

There is an Arsenal transfer rumour going around that Arsene Wenger could be ready to make a surprise bid for Reading’s Alex McCarthy who has earned his first ever call up to the England squad this week. McCarthy would not become the top goalkeeper at the club but would instead be used as emergency cover and loaned out to other clubs with a recall option, similar to the arrangement Fulham have with David Stockdale.

Wenger is expecting Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone to leave the club this summer and he has even been looking for somebody to possibly replace the current keeper Wojciech Szczesny, according to media speculation. .......Read the full article here

There was a lot of talk in the build up to Arsenal’s trip to White Hart Lane a month ago that the derby could be a turning point. A win for the Gunners would have halted Spurs’ run of form and lifted Arsenal spirits after two poor games against Blackburn and Bayern effectively ended the trophy dreams for another season. It didn’t quite work out as planned, obviously, but that game has been a turning point because Arsenal have won three in a row. .......Read the full article here

The importance of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain by KJ

The young Englishman was purchased by Arsenal from Southampton in the summer of 2011 for a fee believed to be in the region of £12million (plus add ons), and burst onto the scene against the likes Manchester City, Manchester United and AC Milan. This season has definitely been a difficult one for Chamberlain who has struggled to get game time but I believe he has an integral role to play during the latter stages of this season. .......Read the full article here

When Gervinho returned from the African Cup of Nations in early February, many Arsenal fans expected to see him back in the side for the Gunners fairly soon. After scoring four goals for the Ivory Coasy while away, and impressing with his all-round performances, it seemed the perfect time to give him another chance with the Gunners.

However, after an uninspiring showing in the FA cup exit to Blackburn Rovers in mid February, the Ivorian did not play again until Wenger brought him on as a substitute in the second leg against Bayern Munich four weeks later. The extra time off certainly appears to have helped though, and Wenger believes that the African trips have hindered his progress as a Gunner. The boss has clearly been working hard on improving his forward’s end product and has maybe found the key to making him the player we all want to see. .......Read the full article here

Race for 4th: Experience Is Key by DS

This time last year Arsenal had an almost identical February and March, within days knocked out of two cup competitions and sweating over a top 4 finish. Arsene Wenger responded by taking the pressure off his younger players and fielding as many experienced heads as possible. While no Gunner was distraught to see Benayoun return to his parent club Chelsea, the likes of the Israeli and Rosicky gave the side a certain assurance and calmness to proceedings. The result… Arsenal finished 3rd with the Czech one or our most inspirational players. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal 4 – 1 Reading, an easy win for the Gunners by KJ

This was a routine win for the Gunners who punished Reading from the off and were unlucky to not score more.
We started the game off very strongly with our quick movement and passing. Wenger opted to go for Gervinho over Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the wings and the first goal of the game vindicated his decision. The Ivorian peeled off Reading’s defence and managed to net Cazorla’s cross-come-shot. It’s two goals in two games for the maligned forward. 1 – 0. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger is hoping that Arsenal can pick up where they left off before the international break. The Gunners have lost Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott to injury since then, though, and Jack Wilshere is still not available. Arsenal should still be more than capable of a home win against the Premier League strugglers Reading, who have won just once on their travels all season and have lost all of their 11 games against the Gunners. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal vs Reading preview, match line up and score prediction by KJ

It’s been a long two weeks since the Arsenal last played and it was probably the worst time to get the international break. Arsenal were back to winning ways with back to back wins against Bayern Munich and Swansea. Tottenham were faltering, losing three games on the bounce bringing them to only 4 points above Arsenal with an extra game already played. .......Read the full article here

There does not seem to be any lingering problems between Arsene Wenger and Wojciech Szczesny. The usual Arsenal number one has not played for the last two games against Bayer Munich and Swansea City because of a dip in form and what Wenger referred to as having problems`mentally`.

An astonishing outburst by the keeper’s father followed, in which he slated Wenger and the club, but Szczesny quickly distanced himself from those comments and professed his love for the club and his respect for Wenger. He has also responded well to being dropped, apparently. Many thought he would not take it well, but it may have been the kick he needed to keep his focus and concentration on playing well, working hard and improving his game. .......Read the full article here

The most important thing for Arsenal last night was that none of the players on international duty around Europe picked up any injuries. That is great news for Arsene Wenger who has a fully fit squad to choose from, apart from Wilshere and Walcott who will be back very soon.

Szczesny didn’t get a game, but the transfer target Victor Valdes of Barcelona got the nod ahead of Reina and produced some fine stops for Spain. Cazorla was rested, as was Giroud, while Monreal and Koscielny played the full game as Spain beat France 1-0. It was a cross from the Arsenal left back, finished by Pedro, that earned all three points. .......Read the full article here

Having already scored 12 goals in two games against them this season, Arsenal should be confident of beating Reading on Saturday and I’m sure they will be. We must not be over-confident, however, and there are a couple of reasons for Arsenal fans to be concerned as two of the most influential players, Wilshere and Walcott, are not available.

Firstly, there is the old football favourite, the `new manager` syndrome. Reading have finally announced a permanent replacement for the sacked Brian McDermott. The former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins has got the job, and he is no mug. Many think he was unfairly treated by the Saints’ owner as he had got them promoted two years in a row and was keeping them above the drop zone. There will be a surge of confidence from his arrival, so Arsenal must keep on their toes to avoid bearing the brunt of it. .......Read the full article here

It is doubtful whether Arsenal will have Jack Wilshere available for the game against Reading on Saturday, but if not then he should be ready for the following weekend when the Gunners travel to West Bromwich Albion. There were fears that Wilshere would miss most, if not all, of the rest of the Premier League season after injuring his ankle against Tottenham recently.

The story about a specialist from Dubai ruling him out for weeks was clearly wrong, as Jack has responded well to his rest period and is resuming full training with the Gunners, according to the Mirror. It was an ankle injury that kept Jack out of action for the whole of last season, so Arsene Wenger has been ultra cautious with him by keeping him out of the England squad, and it appears to have paid off. .......Read the full article here