Latest Transfer updates

With all the hussle in the last days for the month of May, the transfer news goes like this way for Arsenal:

1. Solomon Kalou - Declined both Arsenal and his former club Feyenoord, Kalou will join the German club Schalke according to reports till now. But its very much sure that he won't be at Arsenal next season. So, close the Kalou chapter here.

2. Yannes M'Villa - Lets talk straight to the point. AW is frustrated by the talks about M'Villa not settling. And his club saying to forget about the deal before Euro 2012. After the Euros the player's price will reach sky high, and possibly Wenger won't even react for M'villa. So its 60 percent confirm that AW will leave M'Villa and focus on De Jong.

3. Nigel De Jong - With this new transfer target by Wenger, it looks a possible and easy deal. It will be easy for Arsenal to bring De Jong at Emirates from Manchester City, who will sell him most likely and at less price, as the wealthy club tries to clear out the unwanted players. Arsenal turned to De Jong after M'Villa's club were not ready to sell him below £17m. I personally think that De Jong will bolster the defense which is much needed at Arsenal after the club let down many points on defensive mix-up in 2011-12 season. Strong on tackles and clever at the mid, De Jong is an experienced player at EPL and would be better than M'Villa. Hope this deal is done soon.

With RVP's transfer saga still hanging on thread, it all depends on Persie himself and the club who offers for him. For more transfer news check our earlier article which includes Van persie's talks and other Arsenal targets.

This blog will soon be updated if any news floats in the market.

In pictures: A brave gunner

Latest transfer talks and rumours

Junior Hoilett - AW will try to offload seven players including Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou and will sum up the cash to bring in Hoilett. He has been the star man for Rovers despite being relegated. It is for sure that Hoilett will leave Backburn Rovers and will play in EPL but Arsenal are favourates but other big teams are also lined up for his chase.

Etienne Capoue - Arsenal have switched their attention to Toulouse captain Capoue, 23, as an alternative for high priced Yannes M'Villa.

Jan Vertonghen - He has currently warned spurs to sign him as soon as possible or else he will be joining Arsenal instead. Its not looking though that he will be signed by Wenger after AW showed trust in Djourou for next season.

Van Persie - Anzhi Makhachkala are prepared to offer Robin van Persie £300,000 a week to play for them. But this deal is far from reality and if he decides to leave, then he will leave for top European clubs rather than Anzhi.

Olivier Giroud - Arsenal will bid for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud at the starting offer of £6.4m, plus forward Marouane Chamakh. With Manchester United recently showing interest on him, it would be hard to bring him at Arsenal. But its not impossible. We all know he is French and AW always have a french taste in his disposal. Also he has been long target of Arsenal. With being the likes of Rooney and Welbeck, he would not chose to Manchester Utd and Arsenal will be favorates for his signature.

Eden Hazard - Again he is being linked with Arsenal. Every big clubs from Europe wants him and it would be a waste of time to try to bring him at the Emirates. AW is are willing to splash the £30m cash for Hazard after their transfer target Gotze decided to stay with Dortmund.

Solomon Kalou - He was been highly linked with Arsenal in the recent months and its a good news for AW that Chelsea not looking to hand him a new contract offer after his current deal ends in June. So, its 80% chances that he will be at Emirates next season.

Ryo Miyaichi - Bolton are hopeful to bring him back on loan to help secure them to play again in the EPL next to the upcoming season.

And lastly, Birmingham's 13-year-old wonderkid Foday Nabay, who was called up for England Under-16s last summer, is attracting the attention of Manchester United and Manchester City, but Arsenal remain favourites for his signature. Dont know why Wenger always look for so young players who are far away from being stars of tomorrow! But its Wenger, you always can trust his transfer policies.

All Arsenal transfer romours - 20th may, 2012

These rumours are from various sources. But at the end of the transfer window, some of these will turn true. So here's what the transfer saga goes till now:

Arsenal targets (in) -

Jamie Nicholas: He is a young Welsh goalkeeper playing for Duffryn. Many of you will find it very strange but you cannot neglect that AW has his eyes on these unknown youngsters.

Steven Fletcher: This might also stop you from believing on these rumours but to be honest, he is highly under-rated but is capable of scoring goals in bulk. He netted 12 goals in 32 appearances for relegated Wolves this season, more than Bendtner, Chamakh and Park at that even in the poor Wolves team with no creative midfielfers. His old style striking ability has proved his worth. So AW might consider him if RVP leaves.

Demba Ba (£7m): He is not new to be linked with Arsenal. He has been definitely a long target for AW and his £7 million price tag fits the Arsenal's wage and transfer budget. He would be a strong contender to be at Arsenal next season.

Sturridge: He was being highly linked with a swap deal with Walcott. But at the moment it seems the atmosphere is calm. Walcott surely will not be leaving Arsenal next season. But Sturridge still has a chance at Arsenal as Torres getting his glory days back and Drogba's final penalty conversion might keep him in the Blue's shirt.

Jan Vertonghen (£10m): He is changing his choices the way Hazard changes his next joining club every now and then. Earlier it was said that he will be joining his former partner Vermaelen but now changed his choice of joining Spurs or any other English club. But I dont see him coming at the Emirates as AW has already some proven strong defenders like Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker and AW recently said he has full confidence that Djouru will perform next season and he (AW) will rely on him rather than opting for Vertonghen.

Yannes M'villa (£17m): All over the news that AW is desperate to bring him at London, but the club officials are very sensitive over his £17 million price tag. For me its 40% chance that AW will bring him to Arsenal.

Christian Eriksen (£18): Being the top 5 best young players in the world, it would be very hard to land him in North London with big clubs already keeping their eyes on him. He would be a typical Arsenal signing and could be a great signing for Arsenal who will be coming to pitch next season the win silverware.

There are many in-coming rumours but they are more unlikely to happen. So, keep visiting regularly and I will update when some true link-ups will occur.

Players (OUT) -

Tomas Rosicky (Valencia): Following Rosicky's superb determination, Valencia is showing some interest in signing the Czech International. Despite signing a new contract at the club, AW have the option to sell him and raise money for his team build-up. But at the moment AW has full trust on Rosicky and will not sell them.

Check my earlier article which has a list of 10 players who might be sold out to keep Wenger's wage policy intact.

Keep visiting arsenal-fans-india.blogspot.in, I will be updating it regularly about the targets and rumours which would turn true before the next season, though it might just be 1 or 2 coming true.

RVP: Latest contract talk news

Not a very good new for gooners. The contract renewal talks with AW and chief executive Ivan Gazidis break down yesterday. He gave clear hints that he wants to leave Arsenal after frustrations of trophy drought yet another year. Despite finishing third, RVP's decision to leave is nothing new in the topic.

Arsenal tried to persuade Van Persie offering him £130,000 a week pay out. But he clearly saw frustrated at lack of Silverware at the Emirates. If he decides not to sign a new contract then AW have to forcefully sell him this season itself. He never want to let him (RVP) go for free what was the case of Flamini.

Both the Manchester Clubs are welcoming  RVP and keen to offer him a staggering £250,000 a week pay-out! But according to me, RVP will be joining either Barca or Real instead of the dual Manchesters. But I might be wrong and it depends on who are more interested in him. But if both the Spanish clubs are as keen as of the Etihad, then RVP would be in Spain.

Manchester Utd and Citizens are both the tough competitive clubs of the EPL so Arsenal would try to sell him out of England if he doesn't renew his contract. But City is a more likely destination for him at the moment.

Keeping your sadness away, I would say, believe and trust Wenger. He is better than anyone. For the money spend and quality of players Arsenal have speaks how great is AW.

RVP - Deal or no deal?

According to the current condition of Arsenal and Van Persie, it is very difficult to say will Robin stay at Emirates or leave. With big money clubs like Juventus, Real Madrid and Man City kept RVP in their radar, it will be tougher for Wenger to keep him at the club.

However, RVP declining that he will not join any other club and his heart lies at Arsenal. It is reported that RVP, AW and Ivan Gazidis are in talks today about whether he will stay or not. But it would take a huge amount of money to keep him at Emirates and why not, RVP's 30 goals in EPL should be rewarded with a high pay out. It is said that Arsenal's wage structure will be broken if he decides to stay.

At the moment it is very much looking like RVP will extend the contract for more years. But nothing is permanent until the deal is done. Remember what happened with Fabregas and Nasri last season!

A couple of clubs are showing interest in him including  EPL winners Mancity who are offering £250 tripling his current salary. Juventus, Madrid, Barcelona are all keeping eyes if Arsenal and RVP deal is unsuccessful. But there is 95% chances that he will stay.

But even though finishing in UCL spot, if he decides to leave then he would be more hated than Nasri who left Arsenal for money according to the fans. Though, his wife tweeting that the Captain will stay and his heart lies at Arsenal.

But at some point AW might think to sell him as he will be reaching 30 years mark soon. But it looks that he will stay here 100 percent. If by chance even though he leaves, I know AW will bring in better players. And rest leave on Wenger, he knows better what to do and how to manage.

You will be soon notified about whether he signed a new contract or declined, after the transaction are done. So, keep reading the posts.

Preview : W.B.A v Arsenal

"A season within a game. Ninety minutes which will define 10 months of elation, frustration and drama." - as quoted in Arsenal's website.

No doubt its gonna be a crucial decider for the three club's fate next year that are Arsenal, their rivals Tottenham and Newcastle. Wenger said "It reminds me of the final game at Highbury" where Arsenal had to win to finish in the Champions League position for the next season from their bitter rivals Tottenham. At that last game, Henry scored a hat-trick and Tottenham lost making way for the North London club to go to CL.

Just like the same situation, Arsenal face West Brom in which a win for the Gooners will guarantee them a CL spot next season. As a win is necessary because they cannot keep their fate on Chelsea's hands. A draw or above result will do it for Arsenal.

Star players like Theo Walcott on doubt for the game and Sagna joining the long term injury list with Arteta, Diaby, Wilshere and Mertesacker, will make it more difficult for Wenger. However, AW thinking that Walcott will contribute for the season's last crucial game meaning that he might be in the subs.

On the other hand, its going to be Roy Hodgson's last game for WBA as from Monday he is to join the Three Lions team. WBA's captain Chris Brunt is out for the game following his surgery to remove tonsil. Their utility player Paul Scharner will be playing as their top scorer Odemwingie and former Arsenal trainee Jerome Thomas are both doubts.

Team News:
 West Brom: Odemwingie (doubt - hamstring), Thomas (doubt - illness). Brunt (illness), Gera (knee), Reid (foot)

Arsenal: Walcott (test - hamstring), Arteta (ankle), Diaby (calf), Mertesacker (ankle), Sagna (broken leg), Wilshere (ankle), Frimpong (knee)

Random Facts
West Brom have lost more home games than any side outside the bottom three.

The last time Arsenal won a trophy without the retiring Pat Rice at the club was 1953.

The last time West Brom kept a clean-sheet against Arsenal was in November 1985.

This will be Arsène Wenger's 600th Premier League game in charge of Arsenal.

Robin van Persie needs one goal to equal the record for Premier League goals in a 38-game season. He'd
have 31 like Alan Shearer in 1995-96 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007-08. courtesy - Arsenal.com

Wenger 900 matches completed with great success - Special Report

Cheers to Wenger and the club. Wenger completed his 900th match for the gunners with a huge success. Not every manager is that good. However AW could have celebrated the day more perfectly if the lads had won the game against Norwich.

AW came to Arsenal on September 30,1996 after the departure of Bruce Rioch. Under him in the first season Arsenal finished on 3rd spot and just missing on Champions League qualification to Newcastle United. That same here he brought a new face in the squad at that time named Patrick Viera (now this name is not any unknown face). Now, Patrick Viera is counted in the best midfielders Arsenal have ever had.

Next year, AW settled well in England and proved his metal. He led the club to a cup double winning the league as well as the FA Cup. This happened only the second time in the club's history and AW was the name that did this. The starting of the second season by AW was held in critics but he managed the club to win the EPL with 12 points above manchester utd with two matches still remaining in Premiere league.

The strength behind Wenger were the heroics of Adams, Bould, Winterburn and Dixon at the defence. At the midfield, his new signing were leading, to be named they were - Emmanuel Petit (who partnered Vieira), dutch winger Marc Overmars and teenage striker Nicolas Anelka, bought for a ant like sum of £500k and sold to Madrid for around £24m. He made some big names in world football like Vieira, Fabregas,Van Persie, Anelka, Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

Arsenal under him again made a cup double in the year 2001-02. Their good form and glory days were going good the next season too, but some loose matches and slips near the endings resulted in a 2nd spot finish below Manchester United.

However, the best from AW was about the come.It arrived soon in 2003-04 when Arsenal created history by going entire season unbeaten earning them the title ‘The Invincibles’. But after that season, the glory days were gone when Arsenal sold Henry, Pires and Viera to name some of them. Recently, Adebayor was also sold and after the "Invincibles" season they are struggling for winning anything.

Then, Arsenal were shifted from their Legendary Highbury stadium to Emirates Stadium and their winning capabilities have left behind in memories ever since. However, Arsenal always finished in Champions League spot and never slipped to lower spot. And it is eligible for this season too.

The best Arsenal players who were unlucky with injuries this season

No doubt, Arsenal are playing way below their potential from the last 3-4 seasons. The reason is they are very unlucky with injuries. I personally believe, if they even play with their average potential, they could do wonders. Look at their last 6 month's performance, they went up to 3rd in the table from 17th. Not every manager and teams could do that.

In the last 5-6 months, Arsenal played with most of their first team choices and performed excellently. From zero to hero. Robin Van Persie and Vermaelen combined well and were deadly to the opponents. This is the real Arsenal we saw recently. If Wilshere, Sagna and Gibbs were not unlucky with injuries then wonder where would be Arsenal. They would be fighting for top spot. Just 4-5 months Arsenal were playing at their average potential, did very well and climbed the table very soon.

Arsenal are always the unluckiest club at England. Most of the time struggling to injuries and very often poor refreeing decisions goes against them. Big blows like fracture to Eduardo Da Silva and Ramsey to name some, in the previous season and this season was also the same as the last 3 seasons. Their highly rated midfielders Jack Wilshere was out, Nasri and Fabregas left at the crucial moment, talented young players like Frimpong, Coquelin also were facing injury blows. Importantly, Frimpong got his second tear in his cruciate in two years time! And a lot more to name.

Diaby, the unluckiest one at the club, hit by injuries and it kept him out for almost full season. He is the most hatred player currently. But he is a very good player. He has same mentality like Alex Song and he can attack more than what Song do. If he would be played alongside Song, then, silly mistakes that occur mostly in defence would not happen. Diaby is the man who was much needed at Arsenal this season. He has pace, perfect in tackling, good heading and strength to hold the midfield with helping the defence.  Next season he will be back, and back in style. He will be a star-man at Emirates next season only if injury not scares him.

Only one player at Arsenal is more like diaby and Song, Yes! its Frimpong. Frimpong is a sign of brilliance at the mid and he has an excellent eye at the front. Hard working like Wilshere, and capable of scoring goals. But he was also injured, and frustration were no less to Arsene Wenger. He became fan favourite overnight while his loan spell at Wolves. Soon impacting the team. Wenger have him in his mind for future. He will be one of the best player at the EPL one day.

The time RVP was injured, no other striker were doing their part. Defence was like a second division football team. But AW is much more genius than others. He took out the club who were sunk deep into the ocean and took them to top. For me personally, AW is the best manager in the world.

Thinking positive, all hope for next season. They should be surely winning trophies next season. And, i think, they faced many unlucky injuries recent years. And the coming season will be great. AW will be throwing out players very carefully next season, not like what he did with Wilshere last season by playing him 50 plus games in that season. And trophies coming soon.

Arsene Wenger hints at the players who might leave

Arsene Wenger admitted he will seek some strikers out of the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Cologne forward Lukas Podolski in the recent days for an undisclosed transfer fees (near 10m ).

With the blazing performances of Robin Van Persie, arsenal have their key man in RVP. However, he is out of contract this summer. Still not signed a new contract, but Arsene is pretty much sure he (RVP) will sign a new contract terms but only if Arsenal finishes for Champions League next season.

Players like Chamakh and Ju Young Park have been like a dead flower. Chamakh already angrying manager Arsene Wenger when he was clicked a photo in shisha parlour where he was smoking a shisha pipe.

Bendtner will arrive after a decent number of goals in Sunderland from a season long loan. Bendtner already said he wants to join Sunderland permanently.

Talking straight to the point, the players who are in the verge of being sold are Chamakh, Park and Bendtner. Carlos Vela on the other hand also wants to join the spanish club permanently after a bright season there scoring in double digits and some very important goals.


Wenger said: "That's a situation that we have not sorted out yet but we will do that of course at the end of the season. "Some players didn't get enough opportunities here during the season and we will try to give them an opportunity to play if they get the chance somewhere else."

Will Robin Van Persie stay or it might be just the end?

Arsenal have done well to sign Lukas Podolski to bolster their attacking options, but cannot rest on their laurels.

'We need to give Robin van Persie more support' said Arsene Wenger, and boom, 48 hours later a deal for German international Lukas Podolski was announced. Beyond that though, what do Arsenal have in the way of options Marouane Chamakh? Park Chu-Young? Both are expected to leave the club this summer, and if they don't they really should. Neither can get a game with just Van Persie in front of them, so surely they won't be much use next season.

Arsenal can play Theo Walcott up front if pushed, Gervinho could 'do a job', Joel Campbell is expected to go back out on loan, so beyond Van Persie and Podolski, they really lack a solid third option.

Manchester City have Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli and Aguero, United have Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez, and Berbatov- who will likely be replaced this summer.

This shows that the top teams actually need four top level strikers, Arsenal presently have two.
Four is a luxury, but surely three is a necessity if Arsenal are to compete on all fronts and challenge for the title. We wrote earlier today that Theo Walcott needs to score even more goals, and he could become an auxiliary fourth striker in Wenger's squad if he proves himself capable.

There remain questions if Wenger does not sign a third man. Will Robin van Persie be as fortunate with injuries next season?

A nightmare scenario, which may be unlikely but could easily happen, is that Podolski picks up a season ending injury in September. Where would that leave Arsenal?

They would be back to square one, relying on the Dutchman, with no real adequate cover. It is a scenario they cannot risk allowing to happen.

Then there is the million-dollar question, will Robin van Persie stay?

We have to assume he will, but should Arsenal suffer a late collapse and blow third place, he may be forced into a difficult decision. Right now though fans have to believe he will stay.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of names, but beyond Podolski, only a handful of strikers.
Sturridge and Giroud are two names mentioned, and we are sure the manager has a plan up his sleeve. If not, Podolski's arrival may not be enough.

Who would you like to see Arsenal sign as their third striker?

Jan Vertonghen to Arsenal or Tottenham ?

Now that Arsenal have already secured the German international Lukas Podolski, every pundit around was absolutely certain that Wenger’s next target would be Jan Vertonghen, who could be available for as little as £7million as he approaches the last year of his contract at Ajax.

Vertonghen played alongside Thomas Vermaelen at the Dutch giants, and also in the Belgium national team, and after visiting the Emirates as a guest of Vermaelen he has made it clear that his first choice of new club is Arsenal.

But today the Mail has revealed that Tottenham are the first club to be given permission to speak to the versatile defender, and Harry Redknapp wants to secure his services as quickly as possible.

“Jan has some dream clubs, which are special for him,” said Vertonghen’s agent Mustapha Nakhli yesterday. “Playing football in the top of the Premier League is something he has always hoped for.”

The big problem with both clubs now is that neither can be absolutely certain of being in the Champions League next season and Vertonghen may prefer to delay a decision until the outcome of the last few games of the season is known.

And even then whoever finishes in Fourth may have to wait until Chelsea play in the Champions League Final on May 19th to learn their fate for next season.

The reason behind poor start of the season

Wenger slams Fabregas and Nasri responsible for this seasons problems:

 

Arsene Wenger has had arguably his worst season since he first became Arsenal manager 16 years ago, and he and the club have been severely criticized for selling Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas and not replacing them with similar world-class players.

But Wenger believes that one day the truth will come out and it will be Nasri and Fabregas that should shoulder the blame rather than Arsenal.
He said: “One day I’d like to write a book about last summer. There’s a wrong understanding about what happened.

“The club has been treated very badly because of that and I don’t think the club was guilty of anything during that transfer period.

“They can say they don’t like the players we bought, but the way it happened was not the responsibility of the club.

“Last season it was not because of us, but because of players going out. We do not master when they go out, apart from some times you can say ‘no means no’.

“I was very adamant on Nasri but, at the end of the day, it was a difficult situation to manage. We do our best to keep our best players. If a player didn’t want to extend, where do we go from there? But we’ll see.”
Obviously Arsenal are in danger of the same thing happening this summer with both Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott approaching the final year of their contracts, but Wenger has clearly said that Robin at least will stay even if he doesn’t re-sign.

“We will not lose anybody to Manchester City, or to anybody else because we want to keep our players,” Wenger continued. “We will do everything possible to extend his contract,”

“Our plan is to keep Robin van Persie even if we buy any player. Our desire is clean and clear. Robin is the leader of our club and I would just like to specify that he is not at the end of his contract.

“He is under contract until 2013. So I would say focus on your job, which he does very well and enjoy your games.”

I would love to know what really happened last summer, but the priority for Wenger this year is to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen again, or there will be a lot of very unhappy Arsenal fans around…

Arsenal's best 5 players this season

 

A fair number of Arsenal players have every right to say that they've influenced the current season in a positive manner.

There is one who shines above the rest, but like in any team sport, he would be helpless without his teammates.Many within that cast of characters have stepped up and provided crucial contributions when the going looked roughest.

But five have emerged above the rest, cresting the wave as we head into the final games of the season.

1. ROBIN VAN PERSIE - No doubt the captain "Vantastic" is PFA winner and is the club's and England's player of the season  has helped Arsenal rescue from 17th spot to 3rd in the table. Breaking almost every defence.

2. ALEX SONG - With a lot of injury troubles in the defence, someone had to be the defence leader. Thanks to Song who took in charge of the defence and made himself the backbone of the midfield and helping the defence to keep intact. With keeping a tight defence line he also managed to provide priceless assists to the captain and is also a reason for RVP's successful season.

3. THEO WALCOTT - From zero to hero. Yes, there were fingers raised on him about his poor form of run. But it was Walcott who shut up all the barking mouths in style. Providing crucial goals against Tottenham Hotspurs, Walcott is also the reason for Arsenal's productive right flanks.

4. WOJCIECH SZCZESNY - As twisting his name looks, is also as twisting in keeping the opponents shot away from goal. Crucial double save penalty against Liverpool and overall season was fantastic for him. Certainly one of the best young goalkeepers at present, is a long term project for Arsenal.

5. LAURENT KOSCIELNY - To be honest, 5th place should be a tie between "Koss the boss" and Mikel Arteta. But Koscielny shown what he is capable of during the season. He was fanstastic overall in the season after a dreadful last season. The best tackle rate in the EPL, do i have to speak anything more about him. He is the "BOSS" in the defence.

 

 

Ten players Arsenal should offload this summer:

Though Arsene Wenger may not have the largest squad in the Premier League, there are still a number of players on the club’s books who really haven’t shown enough quality, or in some cases heart, to prove they are worth keeping. Here are ten such players. All of whom are summed up in one sentence, or in some cases one word!

1. Sebastien Squillaci -  some non-sense defensive errors.

2. Vito Mannone - Not good at top level.

3. Nicklas Bendtner - Not a typical arsenal styled player.

4. Carlos Vela - Style over substance.

5. Andrei Arshavin - Lacks the spirit.

6. Manuel Almunia - Greasy Gloves!

7. Marouane Chamakh - Not as bad as some people would have you believe, but still not good enough.

8. Denilson - Sent off three times since loan move to Sao Paulo, not likely to come back.

9. Abou Diaby - Continually fails to perform to his potential.

10. Djouru - Lacks that mental ability and is not agile. But could make up a perfect bench player.