Tracking the Arsenal FC news

Roma divert attention from Gallas to Eboue

Kakashi — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:14:24 +0000

Roma, the club with more front than Margate, are reported to be eyeing another Arsenal ace. As the First Post reported yesterday, the Serie A side despatched their “dealmaker” Daniele Prade to London earlier in the week with the aim of persuading defender William Gallas to sign along the dotted line for next season.

It now appears that Prade, who sat in awe in the Emirates as Arsenal crushed Porto 5-0 in the Champions League, is trying to lure Gallas’s Gunners’ teammate, Emmanuel Eboue, to Roma instead.

So with Gallas likely to remain a Gunner, Italian daily Gazetta dello Sport is reporting that Roma have ordered Daniele the dealmaker to turn his attention to Eboue.

The paper says Roma “are attracted by the versatility” of Eboue, who can not only play in defence or midfield, but who can also score stunning goals as he showed on Tuesday when he netted Arsenal’s fourth against poor Porto.

Roma confirm interest in Arsenal defender

Kakashi — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:03:09 +0000

Roma have confirmed their liking for Arsenal Football Club’s William Gallas.

The France international is out of contract in the summer, a situation which means he would be available for a Bosman free transfer.
Although Gallas could yet be offered the two-year deal ne wants at the Emirates Stadium, his former Chelsea coach is eager to take him to the Italian capital.
“Gallas is a player who has achieved so much in his career,” said Claudio Ranieri. “I signed him when I was in charge at Chelsea. He is a top-level player and all top players are welcome at Roma.”

Tomas Rosicky Concerned Ahead Of Scotland Clash

Kakashi — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:53:45 +0000

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is weary of the threat posed by Scotland in Euro 2012 qualifying following the Czech Republic’s 1-0 friendly defeat against Craig Levein’s men at Hampden Park last Wednesday.

The Ex-Borussia Dortmund playmaker has consequently warned his nation it should be concerned upon returning to Scotland following last week’s a tough loss.

He said: “We should definitely worry about coming back here. It’s a tough place to come and play and they don’t give you anything for free.

“But I’m happy we created some chances and don’t have to be ashamed of the result or the performance because we played a solid game,” he continued.

“We didn’t want to lose but I think there was a lot of positive play from us which we can build on. We have to stay positive.”

With the Czechs failing to qualify for the World Cup this summer after finishing behind both Slovakia and Slovenia in UEFA qualifying, the focus will soon turn to Euro 2012 in which their qualifying group comprises of Scotland and defending champions Spain.

Arsene Wenger worries about the ‘Psychological Impact’ from Aaron Ramsey’s injury

Kakashi — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:09:19 +0000

Arsene Wenger revealed he didn’t feel Aaron Ramsey’s leg break was career threatening, but the Arsenal manager is still concerned about possible psychological effects of injury on on the young Welshman.

Wenger has stood by his criticism of Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross, whose tackle caused the shattered bones which will keep the midfielder out of action for the foreseeable future. And the Gunners chief feels he can only hope that Ramsey will return to be the player as before.

“When you are a football manager you are always scared,” he said, according to itv.com.

“If you have a the [Aaron] Ramsey injury, you know he will come back. But you never know what the psychological impact on your future game is and that is what you are scared of.

“Some players put their foot in straight away again and some players are never the same. They lose that little bit of freedom to go into the challenges.

“Lose just that and you are not the same player.”

The former Cardiff City youngster has featured 29 times in all competitions for Arsenal this season, scoring four times.

Walcott admits World Cup worry

Kakashi — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:05:39 +0000

Theo Walcott has admitted that there is intense competition for places in the English World Cup squad.

Other players such as Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Beckham are vying for the spot on the right side of England’s midfield, although Walcott was given the chance to start Wednesday’s friendly victory over Egypt.

He failed to make much of an impact but, having only just returned to full fitness, is looking to show his best form for the Gunners over the next couple of months.

“Without a doubt, there’s a lot of competition,” Walcott said. “We want all our players back 100 per cent fit and I’m just finding my feet now with my fitness.

“Hopefully I can play consistently for Arsenal, stay fit - that’s the most important thing - and have a good end of the season.

“I feel as fit as anything now, I’m training well and just need to put the work from training into games now.

“It’s sort of pre-season, I’ve had around seven games and that’s normally what you have in pre-season. It’s been up and down but I’m glad to be back fit now.”

Arsenal winger Walcott to be given England opportunity

Kakashi — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:48:07 +0000

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott will be given the opportunity to prove himself at tonight’s international friendly between England and Egypt.

The exciting 20-year old has endured a frustrating season marred by injuries but it is understood that national team boss Fabio Capello is keen to use him as a pure winger and give him the opportunity to stake his claim for a World Cup spot.

With a groin injury sidelining Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon who was the frontrunner for the right wing position, it seems it is the perfect time for Walcott to give a big performance and stamp himself as a genuine World Cup contender.

Diaby gives Arsenal major fitness increase

Kakashi — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:41:44 +0000

Abou Diaby is set to give Arsenal a big fitness increase and return to the team for injured team mate Aaron Ramsey.

Fit-again Diaby has returned to full training ahead of Saturday’s clash with Burnley as Arsenal look to keep up the pressure on leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey, 19, is expected to be out for at least six months after his horror leg break following Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross’s challenge on Saturday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also without Alex Song who misses the next two games against Burnley and Hull through suspension.

Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin is also hoping to be back to face Burnley after a hamstring injury while defender William Gallas has an outside chance of being fit after being out with a back and calf problem.

Arsenal will not be pursuing Aaron Ramsey compensation

Kakashi — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:29:29 +0000

Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal, said that the club will not seek compensation for Aaron Ramsey injuries, even though yesterday claimed that “a bit of the heart was ripped out of the club”.

Ramsey’s operation to repair fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg after a challenge by Ryan Shawcross, the Stoke City defender, during Arsenal’s 3-1 Barclays Premier League win on Saturday was described as a success by Gazidis.

But although this was the third serious injury to befall an Arsenal player in five years, Gazidis said that they were not pursuing compensation. “We are not thinking about that,’ he said. “It’s devastating for the club, what happened. I still feel a little bit of the heart was ripped out of the club. We are all thinking about him and getting him back as quickly as we can.”

Cesc tells Barcelona reporters: I will not leave Arsenal

Kakashi — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:07:32 +0000

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has told Barcelona reporters he will not go to Spain this summer.

Cesc was in the city on the weekend to help kickoff promotion for his Mum’s new business, which again sparked talk of a move to Barcelona.

But the midfielder insisted: “I will not leave Arsenal.

“(Thierry) Henry said the same and then left? No, I promise, I won’t do that. I’ll stay here.”

Arsene Wenger Defends Youthful Philosophy At Arsenal

Kakashi — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:20:15 +0000

Arsene Wenger says he is proud of his recent achievements and prouder still of the way he has built his current crop of Arsenal tyros.

Since the Invincibles’ astonishing unbeaten league season of 2003-04 the Gunners have yet to win a trophy, while the new money of Chelsea and Manchester City has threatened to eclipse the London club entirely.

Arsenal have in recent years been out-powered in individual matches against their closest competitors and outlasted in the title race.

However, Wenger has during this time developed such stellar talents as Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor into leading lights of the Premier League.
And he says his moneyed rivals are taking the easy route to success.

His present side have an average age as low as 22 and are still in the title frame as the contest with leaders Chelsea and holders Manchester United enters its closing stages.

And while Wenger recognizes the might of Chelsea and the inexorable rise of the Sky Blues, he claims victories that cannot be displayed in a trophy cabinet.

“City will get it right, they need time,” Wenger told the Telegraph.

“We have to count City as a competitive force in the future because of the money; City and Chelsea have a way to be successful.

“Buying players of 27, 28 is the easiest way to do management.

“We have gone a different way: we have created a special spirit because our players have lived together from 16 onwards.”

For Wenger this spirit is closely allied to the spirit and well-being of football itself.

He added: “It is important for football in general that Arsenal are successful; it will make people believe there is not only one way.

“I listen to people who say: “We lost but we had five or six players of 22′.

“We have an average age of 22 and we’re fighting for the championship.”

Arsenal also remain in the hunt for the Champions League, in which they were beaten finalists in 2006, as well as continuing to delight with their nimble swift-passing game - two more reasons for Wenger to believe in his methods.

“Trophies are cherry on the cake,” Wenger said.

“People say in the last five years Arsenal have achieved nothing.

“Which would you prefer? Winning the Carling Cup or reaching the Champions League final?
“Champions League final of course.
“In 2006 we have been in the final, but because we did not get the trophy, people say the achievement was rubbish.

“But it’s the first time Arsenal have reached the Champions League final - that’s an achievement.”

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