Yann M'vila very much close to signing for Arsenal FC

Rennes star M'vila is on the verge of signing for Arsenal FC according to various sources.
The Gunners have been tracking powerful enforcer M'Vila for around 18 months, and have made tentative enquiries for the player during each of the last two summer transfer windows. 

M'Vila has always maintained his desire to move to the Premier League, and cleared the way for a switch to Arsenal at the end of the season, by telling Rennes he wanted to quit the club, in order to 'work under a famous French manager'.

Former Leverkusen manager Reiner Calmund: '90% chance' Podolski will go to Arsenal

Former Bayer Leverkusen manager Reiner Calmund believes it is very likely that Lukas Podolski will move to Arsenal in the summer after claiming he spoke with the striker.

It was reported earlier this week that the English club have an agreement with Koln over the transfer of the Germany international at the end of the term. Furthermore, it was suggested that due to a contract clause, the Gunners could acquire the Podolski for a fee of €10 million.


'Calli' revealed that he met with the player at the city carnival, and the 26-year-old striker conveyed his desire to join an English club at the end of the season.


"I would bet a fortune on it [Arsenal transfer]! I talked with Lukas during the carnival. He is fixated on clubs in England, and I believe that there is a 90 per cent chance that he will move to Arsenal," said Calmund to SPORT1.


"Nothing has been made official yet. Koln calculated a price of €20m. Arsenal, however, will not easily blow out €20m for a player who has just a year left on his contract.


"Arsenal are a club with ambitions and he will explode there."


Podolski has been one of the main protagonists for Koln this season, scoring 15 goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances.


Credits to: www.goal.com

Arsenal target injury puts move in jeopardy

Arsenal has been recently linked with the young german starlet Mario Goetze and are the strong favourites to attain his signature inorder to bring him to the Emirates in the January transfer window as a potential replacement for Cesc Fabregas.

But now he has torn a thigh muscle in Sunday's 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Kaiserslautern and has been riled out for a month putting a Premier League move in jeopardy.

Podolski diverting from Arsenal

Lukas Podolski who for the past month has been linked with a move to Arsenal, based on a report started on a football blog back in October, which seemingly has gone ‘viral’ is now being linked with Bundesliga side Shalke.
The would be Arsenal target, is now being reported by TalkSport as being seen as the ideal replacement for Raul, whose deal with Shalke runs out in the summer.
26 year old Podolski who plays for Cologne is yet to sign a new deal with Cologne and it is possible he could move in the summer, but it is very likely he will stay in Germany. Especially as Bayern Munich are reportedly keen on resigning him. Podolski of course spent three years with the German giants between 2006 – 2009.]
The Polish born German international has a prolific record for the German international side, scoring over 40 times in 93 appearances for this country.

courtesy: http://www.footie-online.co.uk

Podolski hails Arsenal

Lukas Podolski has encouraged Arsenal to keep up their pursuit by describing Arsene Wenger's side as a 'top club'.
Wenger is keen to sign the Germany striker from Cologne for £20million in January amid uncertainty about Robin van Persie's future at the club.
Podolski has been dismayed by his side's poor performances and talks to extend his contract beyond 2013 have stalled.


Asked about Arsenal's interest, the 26-year-old said with a smile: 'Arsenal are a top club. They have a good team and play right at the top level in England.' 
Cologne are just five points off the bottom of the Bundesliga after losing four of their last six games.


They are already out of the German cup and are not playing in Europe this season, which is a far cry from the level of club Podolski thought he was joining when he left Bayern Munich in 2009.
Earlier this week he admitted he could his hometown club, saying: 'My family and friends may live here, but if I am in top condition, then I think I could fit into any side in Europe. I am not forced to stay only in Cologne.'

Courtesy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

German Star hints Arsenal move

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has been tracking the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, 19  and is said to be weighing up a huge bid for his services.

And Goetze told his pals that he was massively impressed with the Gunners set-up when the two sides met in the Champions League clash in London on Wednesday night.

Mario was extremely taken by the stadium and the manner in which Arsenal are doing things on the pitch, a source said.

“He likes the way Arsenal play the game and for him there are only two clubs where he’d like to play once he moves from Dortmund - Arsenal or Barcelona.

Credits to : http://www.dailystar.co.uk

Wenger set to strengthen the defence

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised fans he will do all he can to reinforce the club's suspect defence by the end of the current transfer window.

Wenger's backline cost the Gunners on a number of important occasions last season as Arsenal failed in their bid to land a trophy, despite challenging on four fronts at one stage of the season.
Most notable was the mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny in the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham, as well as the stunning meltdown at St James Park which saw Arsenal surrended a 4-0 lead to Newcastle to end up with merely a point.
While Wenger has acknowledged his back four needs bolstering, he has so far failed in his attempts to bring an established defender to the Emirates Stadium.
Everton have already turned down a £10million offer for Phil Jagielka, while Arsenal are yet to make a serious offer for Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn's Christopher Samba, despite expressing interest in the duo.
However, Wenger is confident in his chances of landing one of his targets before the transfer window closes.
"We will have to find one more defender," Wenger said, according to The Sun.
"I can promise we work very hard on it.
"Around Europe you will see little movement as clubs who are selling hold out as long as they can.
"It will speed up in August."
When asked about Arsenal's failed offer for Jagielka, Wenger took a thinly-veiled swipe at Barcelona's pursuit of Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas by stating it was not in his club's nature to unsettle their targets.
"I do no want to do to clubs what some clubs do to us."
One player that has arrived at the Emirates after a long chase is Ivory Coast striker Gervinho, who signed from Lille for a reported £11m.
When asked if Gervinho, who favours the right side of attack, would pose a threat to Theo Walcott's first-team chances, Wenger revealed that the whole Arsenal forward line should be threatened by the new Gunner.
"He is a threat to everybody up front.
"He can play on the right, the left, and through the middle."
It now remains to be seen if Wenger will test Everton's resolve by returning with an improved offer, or try his luck with Cahill and Samba.

Credits to: http://www.espnstar.com/

Great news for the Arsenal Fans!!!!!

Arsene Wenger gave a great news for the Arsenal fans.


Speaking right after his squad landed in Kuala Lumpur for their Far East tour, the Gunners boss:

• Confirmed Nasri will stay at Arsenal next season despite strong interest from both Manchester United and City.

• Insisted he is still trying to convince wantaway skipper Fabregas to snub a move to boyhood club Barcelona.

• Revealed new £11.5million Arsenal star Gervinho has started training at London Colney after completing his move from Lille.

• Admitted both Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia are on the verge of quitting the Emirates.

The Arsenal boss insisted that Nasri — who has only got one year left on his contract — will stay at the club regardless of whether he extends his deal.

Wenger said: "Will he be at the club this season? I say yes. Will he sign a new contract? I hope yes but I'm not the only one to decide that.


"There is always speculation when a player has only one contract year to go and has not signed a new contract that he might leave the club.

"But Samir Nasri is very happy at the club and is committed to staying at the club."
Speaking about Fabregas' future, Wenger added: "Yes, I am convinced Cesc will stay.
"It is as simple as that. I never speak about what's happening behind closed doors. Cesc loves the club and hopefully we'll manage.
"We know that this story for Barcelona goes on for years now and we have to close that and for ourselves to focus on the season hopefully with Cesc Fabregas.
"It's given too many headlines to newspapers for too much time, I think it's enough."
With Fulham, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon interested in Bendtner and Atletico Madrid and Malaga leading the chase for Almunia, Wenger admitted their exits are only a matter of time.
He added: "Both are possible departures, they are talking to other clubs at the moment."
And on new Ivory Coast hitman Gervinho, Wenger said: "He has joined training today at London Colney, he has come back from holiday and signed.
"He had a medical on Thursday but we sent him back home because he has a family with children. It was so he has time to sort things out for two days.
"He came back yesterday and starts his fitness programme in London today. He is officially an Arsenal player now.
"But I decided not to take him on the tour because he has had no training sessions."


Credits to: http://www.goal.com/

Nasri seems to be happy at Arsenal

Samir Nasri is seen enjoying the time with his Arsenal team mates while on the coach despite the transfer speculations.
He is included in the 23 men squad for asia tour.

'We are working long nights to sign players'-Arsene Wenger

Arsène Wenger says he is working “long nights” to bring the right players to Arsenal.

The manager says he understands the impatience from the fans to see new arrivals at Emirates Stadium but, as ever, he is waiting for his moment.

Wenger confirmed that striker Gervinho is close to completing his move to the Gunners from Lille. And the 61-year-old is doing all he can to add “one or two” more players to the Arsenal ranks.

“We are working very hard on it,” he told Arsenal.com. “For me, the best thing is not to talk too much about it. The more you speak about things, the less chance you have to achieve them. The only thing that I can promise you is that we will work very hard and we have had some long nights to achieve what we want to achieve.

“I can understand [the impatience among the fans]. Believe me, I know all the clubs in the world and everybody needs the same players for the same positions. If there were an obvious choice, people would have already made their decisions. We are at the top level and therefore need exceptional quality to strengthen our side. I can understand that people say ‘you have money, just go out and buy’. But it’s not only that, we want to find the quality we need.  

“I have said many times that we were very close to winning things last season, despite the disappointment we had at the end. I hope that provokes a response from my players. We were so close this time we want to come back and achieve it.

“My responsibility is first of all not to lose players and then to add and make us stronger.

“Let’s hope we can bring in one or two more additions of top quality

Source: http://www.arsenal.com/

Arsenal to bid £27 million for Benzema

A bid of £27million would smash the Arsenal transfer record, which currently stands at the £14million paid f

The Gunners boss is looking to the Real Madrid striker in a bid to offset the expected loss of captain Cesc Fabregas and influential playmaker Samir Nasri this summer

Wenger is looking to the French international to improve his side's lacklustre strikeforce and he will be hoping he can form a dangerous partnership with Robin van Persie.
As well as the goal threat posed by Benzema, his signing will also reduce the clamour from Arsenal fans to start spending some of the club's undoubted wealth.
Wenger's side, which has been trophy-less for six seasons, has been criticised by fans and pundits alike for playing good football, but falling at the last hurdle, when the pressure mounts.

Should Benzema sign on the dotted line, he will be Arsenal's second attacking signing of the transfer window, as Lille striker Gervinho passed a medical at the Emirates on Wednesday, and is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player later this week.

The transfer rumour mill is also linking Arsenal with a £25m bid for Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Credits to: http://www.metro.co.uk/

Manchester City signs Gael Clichy

Gael Clichy has completed his move to Manchester City, after successfully passing a medical and agreeing personal terms to seal his move north from Arsenal.

It has been suggested City would be paying £7million for the full-back, who is Roberto Mancini's first summer signing.
Although Arsene Wenger was keen to keep his fellow Frenchman, with Clichy about to enter the final year of his contract, having indicated he was not willing to agree an extension, Arsenal had little option but to cash in.

Nasri set for talks with Arsenal about future

According to reports Arsene Wenger will hold talks with Nasri tommorow about his future.Arsenal are yet to receive a concrete offer for the France international who has entered the final 12 months of his contract and has indicated he will not sign a new five-year deal worth around £90,000 a week.
The 24-year-old is aware that Manchester United are expected to formalise their interest in him, while both Manchester City and Chelsea are monitoring the situation in the event that their pursuits of priority targets do not come to fruition.
Nasri, a £15.8m signing from Marseille in 2008, is not due to return to London Colney until Thursday having been granted a few extra days' holiday, as have those other Arsenal players who were involved in international duty at the start of the summer. The midfielder, who has not won anything since moving to the club, was quoted over the weekend claiming his motivation is far from financial and, instead, centres upon a desire to win things.
"I don't want to sign for a club where I wouldn't be playing the football that I like, where I wouldn't feel happy, just for the money," he said. "We already earn huge wages. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles. This is more important than everything else."

Credits to http://www.guardian.co.uk/

When will Nasri Fabregas transfer saga end...?

Now its almost like a daily routine for the media to publish about the transfer rumours linking with the two stars of the Arsenal football club..Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
Barcelona are coming to approach the Arsenal skipper with a never ending thirst...There are reports that Real Madrid is ready to offer 45million euros for Cesc Fabregas.
And it is our main rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are chasing our star player Samir Nasri.
But today AS Roma told that Nasri will be sold only for around 28 million euros by the club and not less than that amount.
So when is this Tranfer saga gonna come to an end...??
Lets hope that both of them stays with the club as both of them are equally important inorder to raise a silverware next season..
As our emerging young player Jack Wilshere hopes for the trio to stay including Gael Clichy...but Clichy is almost sure to go to Manchester City...so we can hope that two of our star players will be there with us.

Written by
Arun for Arsenal FC

Comments are highly appreciated

Wilshere hopes Arsenal trio to stay

Jack Wilshere is desperate for Arsenal to keep hold of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas.

Manchester City are understood to be closing in on a deal for left-back Clichy and are also reportedly interested in Nasri, who had previously been linked with Manchester United.

Fabregas' future also remains the subject of intense speculation as stories continue to circulate regarding a move back to boyhood club Barcelona.

Midfielder Wilshere is not sure what will happen but is due to report back for pre-season training this weekend and hopes all three players will carry on at Emirates Stadium.
"Obviously we want them to stay," he told Sky Sports News.
"They are part of Arsenal and big players for the club so we want them to stay, but we will see.
"I am going back for pre-season tomorrow and we will see."

Arsenal still chasing Barton

Joey Barton is still being considered by Arsenal Football Club.

The England international cap enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last term, when he inspired Newcastle United to a comfortable Premier League finish.

Barton, though, has just twelve months left on his contract at St James Park, and it is believed the Magpies are willing to cash in on the 28-year-old.

The former Manchester City ace was linked with as shock move to the Gunners last month, but the speculation soon died down as no approach was made.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the midfielder is still an option for Arsene Wenger, who is said to be considering a move for the £4million-rated player.

John O’Shea or Gary Cahill to Arsenal..?

 
The Gunners are considering a surprise move for Manchester United’s John O’Shea as they seek defensive cover for Clichy, the Daily Mirror reported.
Bolton’s Gary Cahill remains Arsenal’s top target, though it is not yet clear if manager Arsene Wenger will pay the 17 million-pound fee, the Mirror said. O’Shea, 30, has been told that he can leave United after 12 years, the newspaper added.

Arsenal signs Lille Striker Gervinho for $17.6 Million

Arsenal has signed Ivory Coast striker Gervinho from French club Lille for 11 million pounds ($17.6 million), . Gervinho, who has agreed to a four- year contract worth 60,000 pounds a week, will come to the emirates on July 4 when he returns from vacation.
To the 'Sun' newspaper  he said
“I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily,” the Sun cited Gervinho, 24, as saying. “I could develop more over there. There’s only a few details left to sort out.”

Gervinho is now 99% Arsenal player

Finally we have some good news to wake up to this morning (Friday). 1 July is the official start of the transfer season as players contracts expire on this day. Now Gervinho is virtually 99% an Arsenal player as he has admitted he has chosen to join the Gunners after turning down offers from other clubs.
Gervinho spoke to France Football and he said: “I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily. I could develop more over there. There’s only a few details left to sort out.
“A risk? Not at all. I’m going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot.
“In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I’m going to Arsenal to win.”
“I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there’s always a period of analysis and negotiations.
“All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly.
“I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game. And I love teams that love the game.
“The Premier League is a notch above. It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.”
Now it is just a matter of working out the formalities with this transfer and hopefully Gervinho will be reporting to pre-season training on 7 July with the rest of the Arsenal team.

Arsenal closing on Gervinho, Alvarez, Cahill

Since May Arsenal have inquired after a whole host of players. This may have been the result of the mistakes that were made last summer where we had a few stone wall targets – when we failed to bring them in we were left reliant on youth or forced into a panic buy. One of these was Sebastian Squillaci. He was well down the lists of center-backs Arsene Wenger wanted, he played like it too, consistently left high and dry with our high defensive line.
Both Cahill and Samba have been targeted this summer along with Phil Jones. Personally I feel that Arsene wanted to give him another year at Blackburn and felt he had to act quickly after realising that was never going to happen. The sum of money offered would have been a new transfer record for Arsenal. Before this, Arsenal had already spoken to Blackburn about Samba – a fee was agreed in principle, £9m rising with add-on’s. An issue arose – I guess it was due to clauses Blackburn agreed to when they signed the player about a percentage of the fee being paid to his previous club – their owners are so naive when it comes to football, they don’t have a clue. Samba still wants the move and Arsenal, rightly, won’t pay above what they offered. I get the feeling later in the summer some sort of compromise will be agreed though.
Arsenal are moving for Cahill though, the suggestion is at least one player will move in the opposite direction. Personally, I would like to see Vela go there for a season on loan, maybe with Lansbury too. I would rather take straight cash for Nicklas Bendtner or keep him – he can be a valuable asset to the club, despite what some sections of the support think.
The fee will be a sizable one but there is money in the bank, it would be a step in the right direction but the defensive problem is one one strictly reduced to the personnel on offer. It runs deeper and that must be sorted when the players report back next week for pre-season training.
A fair amount of time ago Arsene Wenger hinted at the ideal number of center-backs he likes in a squad.. last season we were still one short of that number – it is more than possible that we will see another defender arrive along with Cahill. We will probably have a look at the free agents on offer but it would not be at all surprising to see Samba arrive as I said earlier. Somebody like Bendtner could majorly pad out a deal like that, and Blackburn would have the funds to pay his hefty wages. Could his pride take that, I wonder?
Another, more exotic name, that has been linked with us closely recently is that of Ricky Alvarez. He is a player that nobody really knows much about – some self styled South American football pundits tend to think he is the real deal. If he is then that is great, it could well be the case that he takes up the squad position of somebody like Tomas Rosicky who I don’t expect to be an Arsenal player next season.
Various media sources have the deal at an advanced stage – some claim he has already signed. Apparently we are prepared to meet the fee demanded (from what I am told) and with the player seemingly delighted at the prospect of being an Arsenal player I can’t imagine anything holding it up. Transfers are complicated things though – lets see what occurs.
And Gervinho… did he have a medical yesterday – didn’t he have a medical yesterday? I was told at about 9am yesterday that a player was at Colney for a medical. Many mentioned Gervinho’s name as talk of that spread throughout the day – the suggestion is though that it may even have been Cahill at the training ground. The Gervinho deal is all but done though, it will be announced in due course.
A lot of people in the media – and in the blogosphere – have born the brunt of a lot of frustration at people who are privileged enough to have information that is not readily available. There are bad eggs out there, there are also genuine people. When I pass on information I do so in good faith – in other words I don’t make it up, what would I gain out of it? Website hits? Do me a favour. Why would I put my Samba news on Twitter about 24 hours before writing it up? In football things change rapidly – information can be outdated very quickly. A little understanding would make the online football world a lot more pleasant.
Anyway, that is my say over. I have just written this before a 5am start so I hope it made sense..