We spoke about Cesc Fabregas just last week and the value (or lack thereof?) he has in an Arsenal shirt to Arsene Wenger's title challenge, but what about Samir Nasri? Nasri was absolutely magical in the first half of last ... Continue reading →

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has written off his sides chances of silverware next season by insisting that the Gunners have failed to learn from their past mistakes.

Arsene Wenger's men were serious title contenders for much of the season and reached the Carling Cup final at Wembley, however, after an atypical collapse to the season, the Gunners ended the season potless thus failing to end their six year trophy drought.

Kickettes, we're disappointed to have to tell you that intial reports regarding the GPS Player Tracking Device *may* have exaggerated the device's sophistication and efficacy. In that it actually comprises a piece of string that is tied to the relevant player's leg and can be followed if one wants to know where they've gone.

With this series InTheStands asses and predicts the transfermations (Transfers / transformations) that each Premiership club will go through during the summer...starting with Arsenal.

Where they stand:

After a disappointing conclusion to their season, Arsenal must use their pre-season and the increased financial support from Stan Kroenke to fortify a young and under-experienced squad.

Let's hope that jubilation is seen more at the Grove

Arsene Wenger promised us that this is going to be a busy summer. Judging by the high amount of transfer related news that has Arsenal in its content, the manager's promise might be coming true. But from the outside, we have to be slightly cautious with regards to those news.

Let's hope that jubilation is seen more at the Grove

Arsene Wenger promised us that this is going to be a busy summer. Judging by the high amount of transfer related news that has Arsenal in its content, the manager's promise might be coming true. But from the outside, we have to be slightly cautious with regards to those news.

According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, Real Madrid have made an official offer of 50m Euros (£45m) for Cesc Fabregas,

It's an interesting move by Mourinho who is said to be interested in having Fabregas in his midfield alongside Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

The offer puts a lot of pressure on Barcelona who have been trying to low ball Arsenal all summer for Fabregas.

Arsenal's management promises in making heavy investment this summer looks to be heading in the right direction as latest reports suggested that the Gunners have already seeking on several high quality players for next summer.

After being linked with Gervinho and Ricky Alvarez, the latest reports from England media suggested that, Arsene Wenger's side are now eying the service of Valencia's winger/attacking midfielder, Juan Mata, who plays an important role in Spain u21 victory in the latest UEFA Euro under 21 competition.

We are frequently told on radio shows and in the print media that nobody in their right mind is calling for Arsene Wenger's head. Maybe that's right. But we thought it was worth seeking the views of an Arsenal season ticket holder, and a man who attended a key Arsenal meeting this week.

The new Premier League fixture list has been released with the champions Manchester United set to begin their defence of their title away to West Bromwich Albion, whilst Arsenal travel to Newcastle.

The Gunners will be quick to recall memories of their disastrous 4-4 draw at St James Park last season where Arsene Wenger's men dramatically threw away a four goal lead.

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Lille forward Gervinho for £10.6million after negotiations passed a crucial stage.

Gervinho has been in London and having agreed personal terms with the Gunners with the Ivorian is ready to put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

World player of the year Lionel Messi's goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final was his 12th in 13 games in that particular competition, and his 53rd in all. In any other era this would have been a stand-out achievement, but in 2011 it meant merely achieving parity with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hoping for this one to stay

Continuing on from the feature started yesterday, today we look at another possible transfer candidate. It's none other than our captain and inspiration, Cecs Fabregas. I know this is not something new. We've been at this situation for close to 3 summer transfer window now.

I just saw (via the ol' twitter) that Barca are upping their bid to £31m for Cesc. Regardless of whether this is true or not, it raises that annoyingly seasonal question:

How much is Cesc worth to the club?

I was considering writing a bigger background for this bit, including all the special goals he's scored, the leadership qualities, the world-class skill, etc, that he has brought to this club.

Gael Clichy is the first Arsenal player to leave the Emirates this summer, but he certainly will not be the last.

Clichy has signed a four-year deal with Premier League rivals Manchester City for a reported fee of £7m.

The defender, who joined the Gunners from French club Cannes in 2003, is City boss Roberto Mancini's first signing of the summer.

Union

MLSSoccer.com says of Freddy Adu, "there is one club in particular that would make the best fit and give him a real chance at success: the Philadelphia Union." As of this writing, 75% of of those who participated on a poll on the topic agree.

FC Nürnberg midfielder Marek Mintal responds to reports that the Union are interested in him on this German website, "I know of the interest.

By Chris Wright

With a deal for a near-as-dammit unknown 19-year old centre-back from the third tier of English football already tied up, this summer has already ready been rather hectic in Arsenal terms, though the club's chief executive, Ivan Gazidis has vowed that there will be a distinct turnover of players at the Emirates this close season.

In case you haven't noticed, there isn't always a whole lot for us to blog about on a regular basis. The preseason tour doesn't begin for a few more weeks, nothing of substance has officially happened in the transfer window yet, and the regular season is still over a month and a half away. But since we're new and still trying to make a go of it, we're doing the best we can to deliver fresh content.

As the blog's resident Gooner, I figured it was my moral obligation to weigh in on the move of Clichy to Manchester City over the weekend. As is usually the case with Arsenal over the last five or six seasons, my feelings on the topic are complex. Here's some thinking on as many aspects of the move as I can think of: Arsenal's Loss of Clichy - Of the people who were SUPPOSED to be first

With the lack of any recent news going on, I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane to a time when our team won a couple of trophies. I thought the Gervinho deal would be completed by now, and Darren is still planning on doing a report on that if/when it ever happens. Until there's some actual news, you're stuck with me again.

This post is based on a conversation between one of the Arsenal Arsenal regular contributors and two individuals loosely connected with our club. It took place before Sunday's game against Manchester United.

I would not normally pass on unsubstantiated comments, but Carlito11 (the AA regular) is a mature and responsible informant and he believes there is no reason to doubt what he was told.

It's been a pretty good year for spendaholics in the Premier Leauge. Manchester City have made the Champions League, therefore robbing fans of meeker sides of ridicule. Job done, but will City's stars escape ridicule?

Here are my top 10 flops of the season.

1. Fernando Torres: £50 million.

Everything was going so well. Sure, a few harsh and untimely challenges from both clubs, but it will always be an element of this bitter rivalry. For ninety minutes (plus the ninety from the first leg on Sunday), Real Madrid and Barcelona wowed the masses with a display of football that puts both clubs light years ahead of the rest of the competition.

Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Saturday to face Arsenal in a 12:45 Premier League kick off, a ground that has so far not been too kind to the Reds in terms of positive results.

The last visit to Arsenal saw the game end in a 1-1 draw in a match of late drama as Robin Van Persie put the Gunners ahead in the 98th minute only to see Dirk Kuyt grab a point for the visitors in the 102nd minute.

Arsene Wenger is expected to make some big-name signings at long last with days remaining before the transfer window closes.

It emerged that Kaka, Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines, Yann M'Vila & Lille forward Eden Hazard are all possible targets*.

But here lies the problems, Arsenal fans, including myself are fed up with that word.

Morning all. Throughout January Soccerlens are going to be bringing you a daily round-up of the morning's various goings-on. Be it juicy morsels of spurious transfer gossip or real, actual bona fide news, rest assured, we'll have it covered.

Here's this morning's batch.

Dzeko deal reaches terminal velocity.

Morning all. Throughout January Soccerlens is going to be bringing you a daily round-up of the morning's various goings-on. Be it juicy morsels of spurious transfer gossip or real, actual bona fide news, rest assured, we'll have it covered.

Here's this morning's batch.

Mexes-matosis.

We are the champions!

Recently we've shared that various soccer luminaries such as Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson has advocated a spring-to-fall schedule change in advance of the 2022 World Cup. Now we find out that UEFA itself is advancing well past the thinking stage.

The British press is reporting that the English Premier League and Bundesliga are gearing up to fight a UEFA (specifically, Michel Plantini) plan to implement a spring-to-fall schedule permanently for UEFA member leagues and alter the qualification calendar for international events.

We are the champions!

Recently we've shared that various soccer luminaries such as Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson has advocated a spring-to-fall schedule change in advance of the 2022 World Cup. Now we find out that UEFA itself is advancing well past the thinking stage.

The British press is reporting that the English Premier League and Bundesliga are gearing up to fight a UEFA (specifically, Michel Plantini) plan to implement a spring-to-fall schedule permanently for UEFA member leagues and alter the qualification calendar for international events.

Arsenal are lining up an £18million move for Valencia winger Juan Mata after coach Arsene Wenger identified the Spaniard as his top transfer target this summer.

Mata recently became a champion with the Spanish U21 team this summer and was also a part of Spain's World Cup winning team of 2010.

Arsenal are lining up an £18million move for Valencia winger Juan Mata after coach Arsene Wenger identified the Spaniard as his top transfer target this summer.

Mata recently became a champion with the Spanish U21 team this summer and was also a part of Spain's World Cup winning team of 2010.

Arsenal will today face Newcastle United away from home with a big injury concern as midfielder Jack Wilshere is ruled out after picking up an ankle injury during pre-season. Speaking on Friday ahead of the game, ...

Many are wondering how Arsenal should replace Cesc Fabregas, who has finally made his return to the Camp Nou where he won his first piece of silverware in six years after playing ten minutes for Barcelona. Arsene Wenger has a decision to make:...
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Who would have thought that Swansea at home this Saturday would be such a pivotal game in the Arsenal's Premier League campaign? Not this subscriber, that's for sure. You see, I saw the season thus far panning out like this; Geordies away, three points, nae messin', man.

Bin-dippers at home?

Paying lip service to RVP Arsenal keeper and all-round character Wojciech Szczesny celebrated the Gunners' 1-0 win over Everton an Saturday by getting intimate with Robin Van Persie's foot. The Pole puckered up and planted a kiss on the left boot of his team-mate, whose stunning left-footed volley had won the match for Arsene Wenger's [.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes young Ignasi Miquel is not yet ready to feature in the English Premier League and Champions League but showed positive signs ahead of the future. Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the ...

Only a couple of weeks back, I had talked in glowing terms about Arsenal's coming of age following their 2-1 win over Barcelona in the first leg match up at The Emirates in the Champions League Knockout Stage. They had clawed their way back from defeat to emphatically beat a Barcelona team in it's prime.

Only a couple of weeks back, I had talked in glowing terms about Arsenal's coming of age following their 2-1 win over Barcelona in the first leg match up at The Emirates in the Champions League Knockout Stage. They had clawed their way back from defeat to emphatically beat a Barcelona team in it's prime.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is adamant that midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri will not be leaving Arsenal this summer despite much publicized interest from rival clubs.

Speculation has been mounting as to the future of two of the Gunners' most prized assets with captain Cesc Fabregas being linked with a return to his boyhood club and European champions Barcelona, whilst French star Samir Nasri is rumoured to be pondering a move up north to join champions Manchester United.

A lot of excellent football, some dodgy refereeing decisions going against Arsenal, and absolute chaos as the back – nothing seems to have changed.

Another stupid goal conceded towards the end means that this Cup will linger in Gooner memories as one that has further reinforced, if that were possible, the need for significant defensive improvement if the Gunners want to challenge for the top honours this season.