August 28, 2008
AC Milan has signed Philippe Senderos as a part of a loan deal for one full season from Arsenal.
The transfer was approved by Arsenal, as Senderos was not getting chances to utilize his skills at the club owing to the presence of a large number of players, who could play at the center back position.
Senderos, who plays for Switzerland, has been playing with the London Club for quite sometime now. The defender had a wonderful stint with the Gunners for the past five years.
His former teammates wanted him to have a wonderful season with AC Milan. It is expected that the temporary move could become a permanent move for the Swiss player, if he performs well in the coming season at AC Milan.
23-year old has appeared in 115 games during his last five years of stay with the Gunners. He arrived at the club in 2003, before which he played for FC Servette.
Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, said that the player is currently visiting AC Milan where he will be having a medical test.
According to Wenger, the player was being lent to AC Milan so that he could play and utilize his skills and not let it rot on the bench.
Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a place in UEFA Champions League by defeating FC Twente 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium. With goals from Samir Nasri, William Gallas, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner, Gunners crushed the hopes of former England Coach, Steve McClaren’s side. McClaren will now have to be contented with a place in UEFA Cup.
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August 24, 2008
Arsenal today failed to impress in an away match against supposedly ‘tame’ rivals Fulham with a disappointing 0-1 loss to the home side.
The away side had it all to win the game, but was without the adequate firepower when it mattered to get the ball beyond the home goalie Mark Schwarzer.
Fans at the Craven Cottage witnessed a great match, as it was the home side that took the game to their control from the start and scored the only goal of the match.
Norway defender, Brede Hangeland, hammered his first goal for the Whites, a header in response to a corner by Jimmy Bullard in the 21st minute.
After this goal, the match went on in a frantic fashion, but it was the Whites’ defense that was calm throughout. They responded with well crafted possession based moves, much to the Gunners’ frustration.
As the game progressed, the intensity of the attacks by Arsenal increased, but it was too late as the damage had already been done.
Emanuel Adebayor was too lazy in the first half, and Samir Nasri, unlike the last match, was lacking his usual touch. Robbie van Persie took five pitiful free kicks, hitting four on the wall and one well above the bar.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in the post match press conference repeatedly pressed on the fact that his team was the ones with more determination, before praising Fulham as the better team!
Meanwhile, Newcastle United defeated Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at St. James Park much to the delight of Coach Kevin Keegan. Again, Stoke scored an upset by their 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in a nail biting encounter at Britannia Stadium.
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August 23, 2008
Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, has been wary of his team’s performance before the start of the season. He felt that they needed to focus on the Champions League as well as the Premier League with equal vigor to stand supreme amongst the European Clubs.
Though the Gunner’s won the first match against West Brom 1-0, they seemed a little shabby compared to Chelsea, who mauled Portsmouth 4-0.
The Blues, under the rule of Luiz Felipe Scolari and playing with the new draftee Deco, seemed to be unstoppable in their opening match.
Wenger confirmed that Chelsea played an “impressive’ game, but also mentioned that it is really difficult to maintain it over the entire season. Even, Arsenal had started the league with an unbeatable 15 game streak in the previous season but crumpled down later on.
Arsenal coach said that he watched the match only through the first half, and then stopped as he felt that the match was already over by then. He thought that it was a poor day for Portsmouth and it could happen to any side.
According to Wenger, Chelsea would be trying hard to overthrow the Champions Manchester United.
He felt that last season was very unlucky for them having lost the title in the final game of the season owing to a draw. This time the Blues look more confident with the experience of Scolari to back them up.
However, Arsenal has also added to its side the experienced defender Silvestre over from Manchester United. Wenger hopes that this experience may allow him to cope with the injuries and misfortune, which always clouds his side.
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August 21, 2008
After a lot of speculation, Arsenal has successfully completed the transfer of Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United for a fee, which is still undisclosed.
31-year-old defender, who was out of action for most part of the previous season after damaging his knee ligament, has been reported to agree with a 2-year deal at Emirates Stadium after serving 9 years in Old Trafford.
There were rumors in the previous season of the Frenchmen of shifting to Manchester City or Bordeaux, as his contract was about to expire. However, he eventually went for the North London side, which was his choice from the very beginning.
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic forming a first choice partnership for the Red Devils, Silvestre was having tough time holding a position in the playing eleven. Again with John O’Shea & Wes Brown renewing their contract and Patrick Evra playing wonderfully in the left-back, only a miracle could have earned him a spot in the first team.
With this transfer, Silvestre became only the second player to leave the Old Trafford club and join their rivals in Premier League after Brian Kidd 3 decades ago.
Lately, Wenger has been reluctant to offer contract to players over 30 years and this move for the France International, who has played 40 games for his side, has taken everyone by surprise.
After an uncharacteristic move from Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said that there was a need for Silvestre in the Gunners Ranks with his side lacking the needed experience in the defense.
Meanwhile, Gunners would be looking for continuing their clean sheet in the coming weeks following their 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
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August 20, 2008
Arsenal has set up a target to get a midfielder before the end of this transfer season to further revitalize the squad.
With star player Cesc Fabregas out on the grounds of a hamstring injury, which will not enable him to be back before the club’s second leg UEFA Champions League match against FC Twente, the midfield is once again set to be a keen discussion topic among various football specialists.
Possible targets for a midfield slot within the BPL include Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso and Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry amongst others.
Another young gun, Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler, 8 million pound rated star, currently at Udinese may very well be the answer to this question.
The Gunners won their opening match of the Barclays Premier League against West Brom on Sunday, and the club would be looking to carry their form when they go to Fulham this weekend.
In the mean time, Arsenal have successfully extended Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s contract, extending it possibly up to 2012. This new deal will enable the striker to earn in the range of 160,000 pounds per week.
While most parts of the Arsenal faithful have given a mixed reaction to this new deal, manager Arsene Wenger has said that in any case Adebayor is an important part of the squad.
Wenger said that the striker needs to be backed fully by the fans, as ‘every player needs to feel wanted’. According to him, the striker’s contribution in the last two games is considerable by all standards.
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August 17, 2008
Although the score line of 1-0 might not suggest the events at the game, but Arsenal Vs West Brom at the Emirates Stadium was completely dominated by The Gunners.
With the likes of Frenchmen, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott, playing in the first eleven, it was expected that the London Club will be coming with all guns firing at West Bromwich Albion and the home team did not disappoint.
With the US$ 24 million, Nasri, signing scoring just after 4 minutes of the start, it was expected that the home team will run away with the game in the very first half. However, a string of shots going past the goal post and some crucial saves by Scott Carson, avoided the inevitable.
The formidable show of The Gunners was evident with the fact that their opponents, who were winners of the Coca Cola Championships in the previous season, only had one shot at the goal when Do Heon Kim tried to go past Alumina.
The Baggies could have equalized in the second half, as they played attackingly, which eluded their game in the first half. However, the defense of the Gunners and guiles of Alumina were too much to handle for West Brom, who showed signs of nervousness in their first game in the Premier League.
Arsenal too made attempts on the back of shots from William Gallas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Rob Van Persie. However, all of them were unlucky in their attempts.
Meanwhile, elsewhere Everton drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers in Goodison Park and Tottenham had a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.
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August 14, 2008
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has put faith in the youth in the squad, something he has been seen doing of late before tonight’s crucial first leg against Dutch outfit FC Twente, which is managed by former England coach Steve McClaren.
Frenchman said that he believes the young blood in the Gunners’ squad will be up to the challenge when they face Twente in Arnhem.
It will be a match more important than the home leg in wake of the away goals rule. The rule says that in case of a tie after the two legs, the team scoring more away goals wins.
The side, devoid of many players, especially in the midfield, is expected to field 17-year old Wales’s u-21 international, Aaron Ramsey, alongside 20-year old Brazilian Denilson.
Again, 21-year old Swiss defender Johan Djourou will play alongside captain William Gallas, as Kolo Toure has an uncomfortable hip muscle presently.
Apart from Toure, many preffered first team players like Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby are on the injured list.
Talking of his strategy in the game, Wenger said that the Gunners were aware of the home team’s Dutch style of play, which is keeping a lot of possession. The London club is looking forward to answer it by being better at defense.
In the run up to this highly anticipated fixture, former England manager McClaren said that his side were not just underdogs, but were ‘ very big underdogs ‘. He feels that they are a side that defeated Ajax in the Dutch play offs and have absolutely nothing to lose!
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August 10, 2008
The ever so confident Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is unsure of what exactly could be referred to as a successful season for the Gunners. However, he hints that the Barclay’s Premier League and the Champions League are going to be the primary concern for his team.
Wenger has shown clear intentions of clinching top position at the Premier League after last year’s close fight to the top, where the top three teams were separated in between mere 4 points.
He says that the team might still be considered a young side, but at no point should their experience be questioned. Supporting his view, he added that Cesc Fabregas has played in both FA Cup and Champions League finals and now has also appeared in a Euro Final.
At 21, Fabregas has gained respectable amount of experience and is being currently rested considering his summer with Spain.
Furthermore, Kolo Toure is expected to return after light training following his mild malaria strife. Even the future of Emmanuel Adebayor is no more uncertain and the striker from Togo is expected to show the flair he is more known for after his goal against the current Spanish Champions, Real Madrid, in the Emirates Cup encounter. All seems to be going fair for Arsenal and the Gunners are likely to come back with more zeal and enthusiasm, as is expected of them.
Wenger was heard saying that the Gunners would be looking forward to give hope and belief to all their supporters prior to the new season by playing their usual game full of quality and bring back glory, which has eluded them for a long time.
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August 10, 2008
Bacary Sagna feels that Arsenal’s side will make a better comeback after their hopes of winning the title in the previous season faded away in no time.
After an injury-prone last season, Sagna is fit again. He was insisting that there is enough evidence in their preseason campaign supporting them to be a dominating force in the coming summer. With exciting performances from midfielder Samir Nasri & forward Emmanuel Adebayor in the Emirates Cup, Gunners might count themselves favorite ahead of their Premiership campaign.
The player, who came back after an ankle injury during Gunners 1-0 victory over Spanish Champions Real Madrid, said that the club are looking forward to develop a smart strategy for winning the coveted trophy, as this is the only way for silencing the critics, who believe that Gunners lack the power to perform in crunch situations.
According to the 25-year old star, they were getting better with every outing in spite of loosing several important players.
Commenting on Samir Nasri, Sagna said that the player has talent and the club is lucky to sign him. With his experience of playing alongside the youngster in the French team, he always had a hint that Nasri will be playing for the best club in Europe and now he is.
With Hleb shoes vacated, Nasri is the perfect substitute according to Sagna.
Again, the Gunners star said that with the transfer controversy of Adebayor is down to the dust and the player has been playing to his potential.
Now, Arsenal fans are sure of getting a great showing in the coming days!
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August 10, 2008
With disappointments from the previous season after finishing third in the premiership in spite of a promising start, Arsenal will be looking forward to bank on Robin Van Persie & Emmanuel Adebayor for giving them a solid run in the first half of the league.
Dutch playmaker Van Persie also has high hopes this season and is looking to be injury-free for most part of this season and simultaneously, forging an unbeatable strike partnership alongside Emmanuel Adebayor.
Dutchman, who got a much-needed practice during Gunners Emirates Cup encounter with Spanish Giants Real Madrid, showed his skills to the maximum with Togo Striker, as Arsene Wenger chose his first-choice pairing in their 1-0 victory over current La Liga Champions.
Persie, who will be celebrating his 25th birthday in a few days, said that it was imperative for the two strikers to work as a unit and always be on the look out for one another. He also said that with the game they have shown the critics hints of the combination’s lethal effect on the field.
Dutchman was also looking to regain the same form that got him 6 goals in first ten games of the Premiership season, which allowed the Gunners to top the table. However, it was only his knee injury, which kept him out for 2 months and stopped both him and Arsenal to achieve Premiership glory.
With confidence flowing in the veins of the former Feyenoord striker and the Premiership start not that far away, Arsenal is sure to be threat for their opponents.
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