Just Arsenal News

Transfer talk is exciting, but how will it affect the Arsenal players? by FD

After another week of intense transfer speculation, in which several players have been reported to be on the cusp of agreeing a move to the Emirates, I admit I’m becoming increasingly excited. And yes, like all Arsenal fans, I harbour bitter memories of being disappointed so many times that I really should know better by now. But the noises emanating recently from quite a few reliable sources are too tempting to ignore. I want to believe that this time, we’re actually going to spend some money. .......Read the full article here

It is no secret that Arsenal are looking to bring in at least one central defender this summer. It could even be two, depending on what happens with the Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian international will be less than impressed at having lost his regular starting place to Laurent Koscielny and may decide he wants to move on, with Barcelona one of the teams apparently interested.

If that is his attitude, rather than working hard to regain his form, which is what cost him his place in the first place, then I am sure Wenger will allow him to leave. I hope and believe, however, that the Verminator will be back, which will still leave the Gunners with a space to fill in the centre of defence. One player continually linked with a summer transfer to the Emirates is the Swansea City and Wales player Ashley Williams. .......Read the full article here

The speculation and rumours linking Ashley Williams with a summer trasnsfer to Arsenal are not going away, and the Swansea City captain has not actually denied that he is planning to move to North London. The Welsh centre back is simply trying to focus, he insists, on the remasining five Premier League games, but he could really do the Gunners a big favour tomorrow when his current team travel to Stamford Bridge for a game against Chelsea. .......Read the full article here

After selling Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona in 2011 and Robin Van Purse-y to Manchester United last summer, it is now being reported that Arsenal are trying to sign Swansea’s Ashley Williams as a replacement for the out-going Thomas Vermaelen.

In recent weeks it has become apparent that Wenger now considers Vermaelen to be his third-choice centre-back after Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, but surely Wenger is not considering giving up on the Belgium international? .......Read the full article here

It is looking increasingly likely that one of the summer transfer acquisitions for Arsenal will be the captain of Wales and Swansea City defender, Ashley Williams. The Gunners may not have things all their own way in the bid to sign him, however, because Liverpool are also very keen.

Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal chief scout, Steve Rowley, have been closely watching Williams, according to the Daily Mail, and his form and consistency have convinced Arsenal that he would be a great addition in the summer. The 28-year old has only missed one Premier League game all season and is now regarded as one of the best and most dependable central defenders around. It could be a real bonus to Arsenal that he is perfectly capable of playing as a defensive midfielder as well, which has been a problem position for us for some time. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger is on the lookout for a new central defender for his Arsenal squad. With an estimated £70 million burning a hole in the Fremchman’s pocket, Arsenal fans are hoping for some big name additions in some key positions, and central defence is one of the most crucial.

The Gunners are currently operating with just three first choicers in Koscielny, Vermaelen and Mertesacker. Djourou was allowed to join Hannover on loan and everybody expects it to become a permanent arrangement. There are two promising centre backs in the reserves, Ignasi Miquel and Martin Angha, who could be used if needed this season but are probably not ready for regular first team action. .......Read the full article here

The decline of Vermaelen and the importance of Koscielny. by KJ

This season our Arsenal team has been riddled with defensive errors that have cost us many goals and therefore a lot of vital points. This in my opinion has been mainly down to the decline of Thomas Vermaelen. I remember when we first saw him on the Arsenal scene and many were saying in hush voices that we could have our best defender since Sol Campbell (not really saying much though). He was scoring goals frequently and was able to completely dominate defenders (which gave him the name “Verminator” by the fans). Unfortunately, he was injured throughout the 2010 – 2011 season and from there on, he’s slowly regressed to a shadow of his former self. .......Read the full article here

There have been a lot of comments having a go at both Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen in the wake of the derby defeat at Tottenham, while a lot feel that the system or a lack of coaching is to blame. There are calls for Koscielny to be used more to replace one or the other of the central pairing, but if Arsene Wenger was to do that, which one should be given a rest? .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are in for Ashley Williams by KJ

The Guardian are reporting that Arsenal are after Swansea captain Ashley Williams. This comes as no surprise considering how dreadful our defending has been recently. Williams has been brilliant this season for the Swans and has led his team to their first major trophy in their history.

There were questions over the Welshman last season as Swansea brightened up the league with their brand of football and managed to stay in the league after promotion. However, this season, Williams has been refreshingly good and has proven that he’s one of the better centre backs in the league. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal have let Johan Djourou go out on loan to the Bundesliga club Hannover for the rest of the season, and Arsene Wenger will happily let the move become permanent. That leaves Arsenal with just three proper centre backs, bhecause I do not class Squillachi in that description. The Gunners do have some talent in the under-21s, but really need at least one more quality defender in the squad.

One player who fits the bill and has impressed Wenger considerably is the 28-year old captain of Wales, Ashley Williams. The centre back had another fantastic game last night as Swansea stopped Chelsea from scoring and went through to the final of the Capital One cup. Arsenal will have to pay way over the odds to sign Williams now, but are looking at bringing him to the Emirates in the summer, according to the Mirror. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal have never gone out of the FA cup at this stage since Arsene Wenger took the reins over 16 years ago. The Arsenal players have no intention of starting now, and the words of Le Prof in the build up to this ghame will have left them in no doubt that this game is vital for the club.

Swansea have home advantage and a passionate crowd. They also have the confidence of having beat us 2-0 a month ago. Arsenal have got much better since then, and Swansea are bound to have one eye on the Capital One cup tie against Chelsea on Wednesday. They have never been to a final at Wembley and that is surely their best chance. .......Read the full article here

Ramsey dropped as Wales captain by TS

Aaron Ramsey isn’t exactly having the best season. Better than last, of course, but that doesn’t say much given how badly last season played out for the Welshman. This season has been better and, in all respects, Ramsey has looked an improved player. He’s been effective in midfield but hasn’t done anything exceptional. Sure, he bagged a goal against Olympiakos but he played very mediocre in a defensive role over the weekend at West Ham. To add misery to his recent woes, he’s been dropped as captain of Wales. .......Read the full article here