Jan Vertonghen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Arsenal Enter Powell Chase
Arsenal are vying for the signature of Crewe Alexandra starlet
Nick Powell, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Manchester
United and Chelsea.
By Tony Attwood
There is, among the big share-holders at Arsenal FC, a lock down agreement. This means that
those who have signed the agreement (including Mr Kronke) have agreed not to sell their shares
before October 2012.
But what happens after that? It is worth asking now, because if there is a move to [.
ARSENAL shareholder Alisher Usmanov has splashed some of his considerable cash on a new luxury
yacht...no doubt tempting Gooners to dream about the money he could fork out on players.
Usmanov has, it is being reported, handed over some £65million on the craft, which includes a
swimming pool, a helicopter pad, a gym, a luxury dining room and cabins for 20 guests.
Seydou Doumbia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Arsenal Eyeing CSKA Moscow's £26 Million-Rated Striker Seydou Doumbia
Arsenal are all set to submit a bid for CSKA Moscow's star
striker Seydou Doumbia, according to a report published by the Daily
Mail.
There is no need to repeat the details but it seems safe to say most, if not all, Arsenal fans
were seething with disappointment, anger, or worse after the way events transpired last summer.
Of the millions of words written on the transfer business and the subsequent season, few have
covered the fact that Arsene Wenger had a massive tactical challenge in front of him after the
departure of his talisman and captain, the player who could have taken his place in midfield, and
that of a very hardworking and reliable defender who even though popular opinion was to the
contrary remains one of the best at his job in the League.
THEO Walcott is not a good footballer. Those are the, er, wise words from former Arsenal
midfielder Stewart Robson, who these days earns a corn as a pundit. Now, I am not as clever or
experienced as Robson when it comes to football.
But am I alone in thinking that, in fact, Walcott is a rather good footballer.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has suddenly become a wanted man, if not by the Gunners then
reportedly by London neighbours Chelsea. Rumours have been circling around that if Arsene Wenger is
fed up with the enigmatic youngster then Roman Abramovich is willing to open up his wallet to sign
him.
And according to former Gunner Stewart Robson, he wouldn't mind seeing the back of Arsenal's
number 14.
Transfer Delays and Greed – By JG Maybe Arsenal fans want or don't care if they have to suffer
another "Nasri" situation again; because some really don't seem to mind very much whether the
player who is brought in has integrity, respect and admires the tradition and style of Arsenal FC.
I'm not sure about [.
ARSENAL's youngsters will grow up considerably over the summer after the experiences of a
topsy-turvy season and the Gunners could well be stronger as a result. That's the opinion of former
Arsenal central defender Martin Keown, who reckons young Guns such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and
Aaron Ramsey can only learn from a campaign that started terribly had a few wobbles along the way
but concluded with Arsene Wenger's side claiming third spot in the Premier League and in so doing a
place in next season's Champions League.
RVP Won't Stay Unless Arsenal Sign Quality Players
Robin van Persie has reportedly told Arsenal that he will sign
a new contract only if they can assure him that the team will end their trophy drought next year.
(The Daily Star)
The 28-year-old striker was Arsenal's best player in the recently concluded season and scored a
remarkable 37 goals for the Gunners in all competition.
Sagna Confident RVP Will Stay, Wants M'Vila Signed Too
Bacary Sagna is confident that Arsenal will be successful in
their attempts to secure captain Robin van Persie's long-term future and has urged
the club to also sign Rennes' defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila in the summer
transfer window.
If you're reading this, then the likelihood is you're a ‘mug.' You're a mug because you gave
Ashley Cole stick for leaving Arsenal to join Chelsea. A mug for feeling angry that Cole left
Arsenal because the club only offered him £55,000 a week, which made him feel 'unvalued.' And an
even bigger mug, if – unlike Cole – you're one of many football fans who work six days a week,
handling two jobs in order to pay for your kid's season ticket, your match-day programme, your
merchandise from The Armoury, your train ticket and your very own seat at the Emirates, just to be
known.
Hello all. I am back from the wilderness and from a very pleasant and memorable trip.
Yellowstone is just a breathtaking place in so many ways and we were very lucky with the weather as
well. Mendocino too was great fun as we went there with a close friend and his family. Don't know
how but I managed to pick up a flu bug soon after returning and that's kept me down for the last
couple of days.
The EURO 2012 Tournament Could Spell Trouble For Arsenal FC – By JG The possible blow-back of the
EURO 2012 Tournament is something Arsenal fans have reason to be wary about. As we know already, a
number of Arsenal players are going to be heavily involved in their countries efforts to win the
competition.
Holy cow, two new posts in two days! As Perry stated, there are many more posts to come from the
both of us and some other blogging additions to be named later. I used to desperately search around
for an outlet to voice my love and frustrations for Arsenal FC until I found the AO. Over the last
handful of years I have enjoyed reading the blog and adding my rubbish two cents every so often in
the comments section.
Oxlade-Chamberlain: RVP Is Irreplaceable
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that if club captain
Robin van Persie is sold in the upcoming transfer window, then goal scoring would
become a major problem for the Gunners.
Moreover, the former Southampton starlet told The Sun that van Persie is a major
presence at the club and his departure would leave a massive leadership hole in the Arsenal
dressing room.
Hello and welcome to the inaugural Arsenalinsider Awards. Well, that's probably how I would open
proceedings if this were a glitzy bash packed with the good and the great from the world of the
Arsenal and it was being screened live to an audience of millions.
Of course, in years to come this may well be the case but for now we will have to make do with the
virtual platform provided here.
Look a new post! Fellow AOs, I know it has been a long time coming, but I wanted to extend an
appreciation to all of you for sticking by this blog. I, like most of you, was yearning for new
posts over the past month, and like most of you, I watched this blog daily for new threads to no
avail. We kept the banter alive in the Wigan thread hoping and waiting for news to come, and
then sadly the day came when JG stepped up to let us know that he and the rest of the blogging team
needed to call it quits due to various real life activities.
There's usually a lot of sizzle and no steak when it comes to offseason football rumours, but
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does have some actual decisions to make concerning the club's roster
for next season. As most fans have probably heard by now, Chelsea has more or less given Wenger an
ultimatum regarding on-loan midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
Arsenal Told to Decide About Benayoun
Arsenal have been informed by Chelsea that they need to make a
swift decision over whether they want to sign Yossi Benayoun on a permanent deal
or not. (The Daily Mail)
Benayoun, who spent the 2011/12 season on loan at Arsenal, impressed during his time in North
London and scored six goals in 25 matches.
By winning the Champions League on Saturday, not only will Chelsea be playing in the Champions
League again next season, instead of the Europa League, but they will avoid the Champions League
qualification game after being given a number one seed by UEFA.
Joining Chelsea as the top seeds in the August 30 draw are FC Barcelona, Man United, Bayern
Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal, FC Porto and AC Milan.
Ashley Cole Taunts Arsenal after Chelsea's European Triumph
Former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole hit back at the Gunners after winning the
UEFA Champions League final for his current club Chelsea against
Bayern Munich on penalties.
ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has apologised to Gunners fans after labeling them "mugs" in a rant
about Ashley Cole on Twitter. Wrighty backed Cole's decision to quit Arsenal and join Chelsea after
the they lifted the Champions League trophy following a penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich
last night.
More Surgery for Wilshere
Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere is all set to go under the knife once again in
order to rectify a knee setback that he suffered during his rehabilitation from
his long-term ankle injury. (Goal.com)
The 20-year-old midfielder played no part in Arsenal's 2011/12 football season due to his ankle
problem and he will go undergo more surgery in Sweden next week to solve the knee issue, which has
been described as a 'longstanding' one by the club officials.
The @SoccerBible guys were right these are the best photos we've seen all day. Image: Arsenal FC.
James Curtis
ARSENAL'S ‘UNSUCCESSFUL' SEASON: AN ALTERNATIVE REVIEW
Robin van Persie was spotted in The Gunners pub shortly after the West Brom game. At one point
he was seen riding the shoulders of a stout, balding supporter. A few minutes later he was behind
the grill at Piebury Corner.
Ox Delighted With Euro Call-Up
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said that his selection in England's
European Championship squad is a bit surreal for him but is confident that he can
help the national team without being intimidated by the stage.
Hi, I'm Jules.....Yaaaay! We won today 3-2 at the Hawthorns, which means that we are in the
Champions League, third spot secured, C'mon Gunners!
And Happy Saint Totteringham's Day to all the Gunners out there! What an end to the season.
Absolutely fantastic!
Well the first thing I want to say is a little apology because I haven't been able to do the
last few videos.
Jack Wilshere is bidding to bring some silverware to the Arsenal next season and have the chance
to goad former Gunners star Samir Nasri in the process.
Nasri won the Premier League title with Manchester City and wasted no time in throwing his
success in the faces of Gooners who had blasted him for his move to the Etihad Stadium and cited
money as his motivation.
1-0 up, 2-1 down and a (seemingly) improbable fight back... Arsenal's victory at the Hawthorns
may not have had quite the drama of Manchester City's stunning fight back at the Etihad, but its
importance for the Gunners cannot be overestimated.
Suicidal defending, an inability to keep possession, plenty of pretty passing and an unlikely
3-2 victory.
Arsenal's Robin van Persie has won the English Premier League's Golden Boot which is awarded to
the top goalscorer. For the 2011-12 season, the striker had 30 goals which is three above second
place Wayne Rooney. It's the first Golden Boot for van Persie who many argue has been one of the
best strikers in Europe this season.
Bendtner Wants Fresh Challenge
Nicklas Bendtner has declared that he wants to leave Arsenal
in the summer transfer window on a permanent transfer. The Danish striker spent the 2011/12
Barclays Premier League season on loan at Sunderland but failed to impress the Black Cats manager
Martin O'Neill, who is not keen to recruit him on a permanent basis.
Pat Rice wanted to call it a day at the end of last season. Arsene, perhaps with a premonition
of the tumultuous summer, persuaded him to stay one more year. With all the changes in the squad,
another vital one in the backroom staff might have been too difficult to manage. This summer will
hopefully be a more stable one as far as departures are concerned and that should give the new man
some breathing space as he learns the ropes and establishes his own identity.
Wenger Praises 'Special' Van Persie
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has lauded captain Robin van
Persie for scoring 30 league goals this season and said that the Dutch striker's
achievement is 'special.'
Van Persie has become only the seventh Arsenal player ever to reach the 30-goal mark in a single
season and, according to Wenger, the striker's historical accomplishment shows just how vital he is
to the Gunners.
Wojciech Szczesny is struggling to be fit for Arsenal's vital Premier League encounter with West
Brom on Sunday. Reports suggest the Polish keeper has a back problem and a knee injury and faces a
race against time to be in shape for the crucial game at the Hawthorns.
Arsenal go in to the game with their destiny in their own hands as far as finishing third and
qualifying for the Champions League is concerned.
Koscielny Highlights the Importance of Champions League Qualification
Arsenal FC defender Laurent Koscielny believes that it is vital for the Gunners
to finish the season in third position on the Barclays Premier League points table.
(Goal.com)
A win over West Bromwich Albion in this weekend's final game of the season will ensure that
Arsenal retain their current third place.
Koscielny Highlights the Importance of Champions League Qualification
Arsenal FC defender Laurent Koscielny believes that it is vital for the Gunners
to finish the season in third position on the Barclays Premier League points table.
(Goal.com)
A win over West Bromwich Albion in this weekend's final game of the season will ensure that
Arsenal retain their current third place.
Ray Parlour believes Steve Bould can give Arsenal fresh impetus and provide Gunners players with
the inspiration to get back amongst the silverware next season.
Arsenal have confirmed that assistant manager Pat Rice will be leaving the club at the end of
the season, with youth team coach Bould named as Arsene Wenger's new No.
Over the past seven years Arsenal has unfortunately been labeled as chokers by supporters of
many other teams and it's becomingly increasingly hard to argue the point with them. However, the
club will have an excellent opportunity to shake the monkey off their back on Sunday when they head
to West Brom for the season finale.
Biglia Claims Arsenal and Real Madrid's Interest
Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht's defensive midfielder Lucas
Biglia has claimed that he is being tracked by both Arsenal FC and
Real Madrid. (Goal.
