Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[Tony Adams]

"Arsenal closing in on Tasci"

Arsenal are set to make a move for Stuttgart defender Serdar Tasci as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his back four once again. Wenger is ready to splash the cash after forking out £10m to sign Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax last week and wants more reinforcements at the back.Tasci, 22, is regarded as one of the best young defenders in Germany and has also been tracked by AC Milan and Juventus after he earned rave reviews last season which saw him force his way into the Germany side.

The Arsenal boss is believed to be a big fan of Tasci who can play in the centre of defence or at right back and the German admits he would relish the chance to play for a bigger club in Europe, saying: "I have the ambition to move clubs one day, but the time and circumstances have to be right for me.

Stuttgart are currently in talks with Tasci to extend his contract, but cannot agree a deal which leaves the door open for Arsenal to clinch his signature.

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/22 ... Tasci.aspx

[Tony Adams]

Silva urges Melo to join Arsenal

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva says he has urged his Brazil team-mate Felipe Melo to join the Gunners this summer.

The Gunners are reported to have made a substantial offer for Fiorentina's 25-year-old holding midfielder.

"We heard rumours and he asked me. I said it's a fantastic club and if he's interested he should go without thinking," Silva told BBC Sport.

"He is exactly what they need - a powerful player with quality."

Gilberto, who left the Gunners for Panathinaikos in Greece last summer, added: "If they got him it would be great because he is a player they need at the moment.

"I'm sure if they got him it would be a good signing. I have told him Arsenal is a great club and I am sure next season they will improve."

The 32-year-old Silva, who spent six seasons with the Gunners, played alongside Melo in Brazil's Confederations Cup final win over the US and said he had been impressed with his side-kick throughout the tournament.

"He is a very good player," said Silva after his side's 3-2 win at Ellis Park on Sunday.

"Felipe has shown in the national team that he has personality and quality.

"I am sure he has a lot more to grow as well. He is a young player, strong, powerful and has a good quality in his pass.

"My partnership with him works well and I hope we can carry on doing well for Brazil."

The Gunners are reported to face competition from La Liga and Champions League champions Barcelona for Melo's signature.

Melo has played only one season for Fiorentina after joining the Italian side from Spain's Almeria last summer.

He has a reputation as a fiery midfielder and in his first season in Serie A collected 17 yellow cards and three reds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 123503.stm

[barbarez01]

Samir Nasri suffers fractured right fibula

Samir Nasri has sustained a fractured fibula during this morning’s training session at the Club’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

The midfielder will be out of action for two to three months. Everyone at the Club wishes Samir a speedy recovery.

season hasnt even kicked off and the injuries have already started for us.. Who's next??

[Judge Judy]

fuckers, this info isn't relating to season 08/09 now, fuckin guys

[BrickTop]

fark, poor bloke - always liked nasri!

[barbarez01]

shiraz, this info isn't relating to season 08/09 now, drinking shiraz guys

still 09.

[delfino_1936]

Standard bullshit has started again for the poor old gunners

[Lilly Whites]

Standard Barossa Pearl has started again for the poor old gunners

poor old arsenal should have enough cover. if they dont, its stupid old arsenal.

[Union Carbide]

It could be worse... it could be Leeds.

[delfino_1936]

Standard Barossa Pearl has started again for the poor old gunners

poor old arsenal should have enough cover. if they dont, its stupid old arsenal.

good point

[Lilly Whites]

Standard Barossa Pearl has started again for the poor old gunners

poor old arsenal should have enough cover. if they dont, its stupid old arsenal.

good point

and in saying that, you do have rosicky comming back and walcott playing well, two very versatile players.

[Tony Adams]

seen as nasri plays wide i think we have the depth, walcott, rosicky, arshavin, eboue, diaby, withe vela and rvp also options. not mention the young guys in wilshere mereda, barazite, emanual thomas, lansbury who r all due to either step up or ship out within the next couple of years.

speaking of the young guys i think we probably have our best carling cup squad yet. wilshere, emanuel-thomas, afobe, ayling all to step up and start making cameo's for the first team

[Judge Judy]

shiraz, this info isn't relating to season 08/09 now, drinking shiraz guys

still 09.

GOOD ON YA

[# 9]

spend some money. we could get joaquin from valencia, and a shit hot striker. no reaon why we cant lure villa, ibra, etc

[Tony Adams]

spend some money. we could get joaquin from valencia, and a cabernet hot striker. no reaon why we cant lure villa, ibra, etc

we can offer the transfer fees for these guys its the wage demands that we cant offer

[Tony Adams]

just curious if any one else has heard/read much on benik afobe and emanuel-thomas?

below is a quick write up, could be this years 'wilshere's'

Benik Afobe
England Under 17 International Benik Afobe has gone from strength to strength after exploding onto the scene with 40 goals in 33 appearances for Arsenal’s Under 16’s in 2007.

Benik was first introduced to fans on this blog, but he’s now considered one of the best young forwards in the country. The 2008-2009 season saw the Dagenham-born marksman made full time at London Colney despite being a schoolboy. He was also made captain of the Under 16’s.

Having single handily dragged the Gunners through two Nike Cup tournaments, he claimed the top scorer prize during the Zinédine Zidane Tournament and played a key part in the Atalanta Cup win. Benik’s quantity of strikes was only matched by the quality of his finishes.

With 120 goals under his belt for the Under 16’s, Steve Bould inducted the powerful forward into his ranks. His debut brought a vital equaliser against Fulham, and to really show his quality, the physically imposing striker added the icing to the Gunners cake when he scored on his Youth Cup debut at Sunderland. He finished the campaign as a bit part player for the Under 18’s but still managed 12 goals, making him the Reserves and Youth’s top scoring striker.

England recognition has followed, and with a pedigree of 4 goals in 3 games, the Under 16’s claimed the SkySports Victory Shield in convincing fashion. He went on to eclipse Jack Wilshere’s Reserves debut record, when he entered the field aged 16 years and 4 days. Yet the best from the 2008-2009 season was still to come.

Afobe shone when given a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to train with the Brazilian National team at Emirates Stadium. He got stuck in while rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka, even bagging a classy brace against Inter Milan stopper Julio Cesar in a training game.

A powerful, energetic, strong and pacy forward, Benik, who was one of the players Arsène Wenger famously said ‘had nothing left to learn technically’, signed scholarship terms in June 2009.

Name: Benik Afobe
Nickname: ‘El Nino’
Age: 16
Nationality: English
International: Under 16
Position: Striker
Height: 180cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract : Scholarship

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas


Talisman and captain fantastic Jay Emmanuel-Thomas led from the front during the 2008-2009 campaign, as his 14 goals not only made him the Reserves & Youth top scorer, but he also helped the Gunners claim both the Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies.

The leggy youngster was named as captain of the Under 18 team as a 16-year-old where he led Steve Bould’s side to the Academy League play offs after winning Group A. Although Jay played the majority of his football at centre back, he would play in no less than five positions before the campaign was over.

A year later the skillful utility man turned out more times than anybody else at Academy level, offering his services in a whole manner of positions, on 37 occasions. Known for his raw power and superb ball control, Emmanuel-Thomas bagged 8 goals during the year, including a stunning lobbed effort from inside his own half against Charlton. His commitments for the Under 18’s limited his Reserves chances, but always looked fantastic when called upon, scoring an excellent solo goal against Derby County.

His first season as a scholar ended in the signing of professional forms, summing up how highly regarded he is. His relaxed and sometimes casual nature can catch the youngster out, but ArsèneWenger saw no problems in selecting him for first team friendlies against Huddersfield Town and Sevilla.

Yet despite all those achievements, the 2008-2009 season would be his best yet. Moving into a central midfield role, he helped orchestrate a record breaking year. After a promising start in the Premier Academy League, ‘JET’ bagged the winner in an exciting 3-2 win over Aston Villa in the first round of the F.A Youth Cup. Jay would go on to score againstTottenham and Manchester City before netting versus Liverpool to win the Cup.

Emmanuel-Thomas was soon lifting more trophies as the Gunners claimed the Premier Academy League gong with a 1-0 win over Tottenham. With 14 goals for the campaign he was the top scorer. Reserves form however was a negative point, although he did find the net against West Brom in the dying embers of the term.

A regular at first-team training sessions, Jay is certain to build on his first team appearances after being named on the bench during the win over Portsmouth on the final Premier League game of the 08-09 season.



Name: Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas
Nickname: ‘JET’
Age: 18
Nationality: English
International: Under 19
Position: Centre Midfield
Height: 191cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract: Professional

[Tony Adams]

Emmanuel Adebayor Talks Up Manchester City's Kolo Toure Capture


The new Citizens striker has praised his former team-mate, and believes that the Ivorian will do a good job at Eastlands...

A recent report in The Daily Mail claimed that Manchester City had struck a deal with Arsenal to sign Kolo Toure, for a price of £15 million. This has gone down very well with former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor, who will be reuinted with one of his old team-mates.

“Kolo is a very good friend of mine and he is one of the top defenders around this league,” Adebayor has been quoted in The Express as saying.

“He has been playing in the [Premier League] for seven or eight years, he knows it well and if they [City] managed to get him he can do a [good] job."

The Togo international also urged his big-spending bosses to up the ante even further on the transfer market, saying, "We all know how good Kolo Toure is and I think the club need one more good defender like him or John Terry.

"We all hope that it comes soon."

Adebayor is just one of the many big-name signings that the Citizens have made during the summer, and it looks as though there will be several more to come.

would much rather we not strengthen our own opponents

[Tony Adams]

Bendtner The Star As Arsenal Destroy Szombathelyi Haladas In Another Pre-Season Stroll

The Gunners thrashed their Hungarian opponents as they continued their build-up to the new season...

Arsenal Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner provided the impetus this evening as the Gunners eased their way to another comfortable victory over modest opposition during their pre-season tour of Austria.

Bendtner, who earlier committed his future to the north Londoners after reports linking him with a move to AC Milan surfaced, opened the scoring for Arsenal by nodding in an Armand Traore cross on 18 minutes, before fellow striker Eduardo Da Silva bagged a brace.

His first was a low drive that went in off the post on the 24th minute, and both he and his Danish strike partner went close before the Croat converted a free-kick after Bendtner had been fouled on the edge of the area.

The partnership began to look a lot slicker as the half went on, and Bendtner capped a fine first half performance by adding his second and Arsenal's fourth on 43 minutes, before manager Arsene Wenger made the customary raft of substitutions at half-time.

Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie were two of those who emerged from the bench, and it was the Dutchman who completed the rout in the second half.

Before the Dutchman scored his goal though, Jack Wilshere went close with a cheeky shot scooped over the keeper that came back off the bar.

Bendtner, who had come back onto the pitch as a 62nd minute replacement for Eduardo, was fouled in the box, and van Persie stepped up to slot the penalty.

There was still time for the Hungarians to miss a penalty after William Gallas impeded Matel Skriba in the area. However, Brazilian Barbosa slipped in his run up to the spot kick and sent the ball wide.

Another easy run-out for the Gunners then, who will face much more serious tests than this after the real action begins next month.

[delfino_1936]

IMO i think Bendtner will have a good year and i am expecting him to

[Tony Adams]

so who do we replace kolo with we now have 39mil left from the sale of ademoney and kolo.

our squad is

almunia
fabianski
mannone

sagna
eboue - reports claim that within 48 hours he will be heading to either spain of fiorentina
djourou
gallas
vermaelen
senderos
silvestre
clichy
gibbs
traore

walcott
rosicky
nasri
arshavin
diaby
song
denilson
cesc
wilshere
ramsey

van persie
bendtner
eduardo
vela

i would expect to see possibly barazite, afobe, and emmanuel thomas to be added every now and then this season

but we still need a dm as well as a replacement for kolo and if possible depth up front wouldnt be terrible. we have apparently made a 17.3m bid for huntelaar, which would still leave roughly 22m for a defender and a dm.

cb is urgent now imo and i wouldnt mind 1-2 more seasons of song playing second fiddle before stepping into the starting 11. matuidi from st. ettien wouldnt be to much andis only 22. he has made over 130 apperaences in the french ligue 1-2 as well as over 40 appereances for france at junior levels.

[Tony Adams]

IMO i think Bendtner will have a good year and i am expecting him to

i agree time for him to shine.

[delfino_1936]

agree also, if AW can sign KJH that would be brilliant

talks that Hangerland*(spelling) will be the replacement for Kolo because Fulham want 15m pounds for him!

[Tony Adams]

would love hangeland really REALLY would. his heght and his experience would be awesome but 15m :? bit much i think. would be happy to do 10+senderos though.

[haywood djablowme]

10 + Senderos would be a great deal. He is what we need & has EPL experience to step in straight away.
We can not be relying on the likes of Silvestre & Djourou week in week out, it will frustrate the fuk out of me

JKH would be a quality signing & once again he would add needed experience.

I still believe the Africian nations is a big reason why we have sold both Ade & Toure (if true) + the 40mil

[delfino_1936]

haha fucken hell, as if Arsene has made the team rely on SILVESTRE if they have injuries, fucken shocking

Djourou is young and has potential, i don't mind him. With the African nations cup on, i think AW has done very well too cause if he can get JKH that definitely replaces Ade and he won't go to ANC

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal Starlet Aaron Ramsey Aims For First Team
The young Welshman is confident of cementing a place in Wenger's first choice line-up...

Arsenal's young midfielder Aaon Ramsey is confident of securing a regualar starting place in the Gunner's side.

The former Cardiff City man believes his improved physical fitness will provide him with the boost to become a key player at The Emirates.

The 18-year-old told thelondonpaper.com, "I definitely feel ready to push for the first team.

"Obviously the first year, especially the first few months, were quite surreal. It took me a bit of time to get used to things. But now I know what to expect and I'm ready to go."

The youngster is determined to prove to manager Arsene Wenger that he is worthy of a first team spot.

"Arsenal have proven that they bring in loads of youngsters and give them opportunities. And when they are ready, the boss puts them in the team. That's what I've got to prove - that I'm ready," he added.

He believes he has developed well over his first year and that his improved physical presence will give him the break he has been pushing for.

"I don't think I've changed too much as a person but obviously I have learned a lot, football-wise, from my first year, and mentally as well from living on my own," he said.

"I've been doing a few things with my Dad and my brother over the summer so physically I am a lot stronger than I was as well.

"I'd like to play in every game, but I will try my hardest to get into the starting eleven and put pressure on the manager to pick me. That's my target for the new season."

Ramsey signed for the Gunners last summer at a cost of £5 million and made 22 appearances for the club in his first season.

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal To Move For Saint-Etienne's Blaise Matuidi & Inter’s Patrick Vieira – Report

Arsene Wenger could bring both master and apprentice to the Emirates this summer...

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be set to dip into his transfer windfall for the first time this summer, with a move for Saint-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi.

Wenger has signed centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, but now has fresh funds after the sales of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure raised an estimated £40 million.

Matuidi's name has been associated with a move to north London several times before, with reports emerging both last summer and in January linking the player with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Saint-Etienne's sporting director Damien Comolli, a former Arsenal scout and Tottenham Hotspur director of football, has recently admitted it would be hard to refuse an offer from a top club for Matuidi.

According to The Daily Mail, Wenger may now launch a bid for the defensive midfielder, who is rated at around €6.5 million (£5m), with Patrick Vieira also returning to the club from Inter to mentor the new signing.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had been poised to swoop for Vieira, who no longer features in Inter boss Jose Mournho's plans, but Wenger is thought to be set to offer the Frenchman a return to the red side of north London as he searches for some much-needed experience.

Redknapp is understood to have all but admitted defeat in his attempts to take Vieira to White Hart Lane, with the France international likely to jump at the chance to return to the Gunners.

[Tony Adams]

Arsenal Ready To Negotiate Over Marouane Chamakh Of Bordeaux – Report


The Gunners are set to step-up their interest in the Moroccan forward, who has already expressed his desire to move to


After losing Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City, Arsenal are ready to make their interest in Girondins de Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh more concrete by coming to the negotiating table for the Moroccan, according to a report in Parisian-based sports daily L’Equipe.

The Gunners have long understood to have been courting the forward, though no official advance has been made as yet. “[Arsene] Wenger has in fact called me,” Jean-Louis Triaud, the Bordeaux president, affirmed. “He said he had a list of attackers and Marouane was one.”

This casual approach appears set to end in the near future, as the north London club are preparing a bid fuelled by the proceeds of Adebayor’s big-money move to Eastlands.

However, at present, there seems to be chasm between the respective valuations of the player. Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer little more than €6 million, whereas Bordeaux are holding out for closer to €15m.

Head coach of les Girondins, Laurent Blanc, has stated his desire to keep hold of the centre-forward on several occasions this summer, but Chamakh is intent on leaving. Bordeaux have asserted that they will only sell him to a ‘big club’, thwarting the attempts of Sunderland to pinch the 25-year-old.

Chamakh, who has played his entire professional career to date with the Stade Chaban-Delmas outfit, scored 13 goals and laid on several more as he acted as the key spearhead to the Bordeaux side that enjoyed Ligue 1 success last term.

[# 9]

fair enuf if a frenchman is good, but please wenger, enuf with the french boys. try italy

[delfino_1936]

me thinks Jack Wilshere is going to be an ever present part of the 1st team

WHAT A PLAYER