We have turned a corner to a certain extent in terms of defending. With the likes of Vermaelan, Koscielny, Mertesacker filling the heart of our defence we have added a certain solidarity to our defending. I'm not saying it's been completely fixed, it hasn't, however, I for one feel like we can finally hold onto [.

Ecks-iting news!Well that was surprisingly fast! After hearing about the "99% certainty" of Richard Eckersley's return to Toronto FC since late November, it took less than a day after his "Ecks'ual release" from Burnley to finalize a permanent move to Toronto.
　
The Reds officially announced the deal just hours prior to their big media day event, no doubt steering the news of the day onto the English defender.

The Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is, like Robin Van Persie, approaching the final year of his contract this summer. Although all Arsenal fans are anxious that the Dutchman signs an extension to stay at the Emirates, there is not the same sort of urgency regarding Walcott. The Englishman started the season in excellent form but [.

"Behind you Andy! Oh... never mind."A little bit of a shocker out of TFC's pre-pre-season today as the club confirmed that both Andy Iro and Peri Marosevic will not return to The Reds in 2012. "Both Andy and Peri declined our contract extension offers and now the club is ready to move on," were the words from the Dutch Master Aron Winter who is no doubt ready to welcome new recruits to fill their roles.

A three-year deal Joao?"El MosQuito" will be buzzing around BMO Field for the foreseeable future as Toronto FC announced today that Joao Plata has signed a multi-year deal with the club. The dynamic yet diminutive Ecuadorian was often the only bright spark in a miserable first half of 2011 and his re-signing was considered as an off-season must in most supporters' eyes.

Although Arsene Wenger has publicly declared that Arsenal are not in the market for the Cologne striker Lukas Podolski, the Arsenal rumour mill still suggests that he is making the prolific Koln striker his favoured option to replace Robin Van Persie next summer. Podolski's agent, Kon Schramm, has made it clear that he won't be [.

The talismanic Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie has refused to resume his contracts talks with Arsenal until the end of the season, but when directly asked in an interview if he would give Arsenal fans what they want when they keep shouting for him to re-sign. "It is the biggest compliment I could wish for.

A Belgian welcomed back?

Big news just one and a half day before the transfer window reopens. According to Matt Law of the Daily Express, Thierry Henry has agreed to a 2 month loan deal with Arsenal. The number 12 is on the offing and the record club goalscorer will once again put on the famous read and white jersey.

A Belgian welcomed back?

Big news just one and a half day before the transfer window reopens. According to Matt Law of the Daily Express, Thierry Henry has agreed to a 2 month loan deal with Arsenal. The number 12 is on the offing and the record club goalscorer will once again put on the famous read and white jersey.

Francis Coquelin will sign a contract extension at Arsenal (with a pay rise) in the coming days according to The Sun, who it must be said is not the most reliable source of news lately, but there is little reason for them to be making this one up. In his nine appearances for Arsenal this [...]

At this stage of the season and given how well the club has done since that awful start to the season, the last news you would want to read is that we're going to be patient with the contract of Robin Van Persie. This is our captain, our inspiration and quite literally has dragged us all the way up the table.

Arsene Wenger is constantly having to field questions about whether Robin Van Persie will be renewing his contract at Arsenal this summer, with Wenger pledging to do whatever he can to convince the Dutchman to stay, but why is no-one talking about Theo Walcott's contract. The English winger's deal at the Emirates ends at exactly [.

Arsene Wenger was quoted by L'Equipe as saying that he could possibly leave Arsenal at the end of this season, but as he explained after today's 2-1 win at Norwich, it was in answer to a leading question. But let Wenger explain it himself: "No I wouldn't think about quitting. If you read the interview [.

In a decision that will be hugely welcomed by Robin Van Persie, discussions about his future at Arsenal look to be postponed until the summer. Whereas Arsenal fans in general want the potentially sticky situation resolved as soon as possible, the club's board has chosen to wait until the end of the season.

Jack Robinson has signed a new deal for Liverpool after impressing in his 5 appearances last season. Jack Robinson has a big future ahead of him but faces tough competition against in-form left back Jose Enrique.

Damien Comolli personally ranks him very highly and this is what he told Liverpoolfc.

Robin Van Persie is one of the most in-form strikers in the world right now, and his hat-trick against Chelsea at the weekend will only have emphasised the fact to the watching millions, and his reputation will be even more enhanced. There will be many top managers looking on and thinking that it is possible [.

Speedster Theo Walcott has shown interest in a new contract at Arsenal, despite having been frequently linked to Juventus in the past fortnight. The winger said, "I will listen to what Arsenal have to say... Hopefully we will sit down with the club soon and talk things over". The Englishman has played 14 games in [.

There have been rumours in France that Arsene Wenger has been offered a lucrative contract by the new owners of Paris St Germain, and as he is in France for tonights match against Marseille the French journos have been asking him if there is any truth in the rumours. But Wenger has stated that he [..

Will be training at Colney for a few more seasons now

If the team needed any lifting before their trip to Marseille, this should be it. The news of Thomas Vermaelen penning an extension to his contract. Obviously, what transpired in the summer has got a lot of fans worried that the situation might be replicated with those currently with 2 years left on his contract.

Arsene Wenger could not have hoped for a better performance from Robin Van Persie on the day that he issued a statement saying he is still committed to Arsenal, despite refusing to discuss a new contract extension. Van Persie scored both goals as the Gunners beat Sunderland 2-1, and after the game Wenger praised the [.

This years events with Robin Van Persie is becoming eerily similar to the Samir Nasri saga of last season. It started off with Wenger announcing that he was going to tie down his existing Arsenal players to longer contracts with increased wages. Then, just like Nasri, Van Persie announced that he didn't like the idea [.

Arsene Wenger said that he doesn't want another replay of the Nasri saga and intends to try and tie Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Theo Walcott down to new contracts this season, as they will all have just 12 months remaining next summer. But the new Arsenal captain van Persie has admitted that he [.

Robin being ultra friendly to Arteta in the past

Transfer window is finally behind us now. I for one, am happy to it be gone for the time being. It was not easy trying to follow every news and get a little excited when a particular name is linked and then be devastated when it's either a false rumour or when our bid got rejected.

Arsenal and Barcelona have finally agreed terms for the Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas and the Spaniard is set to be presented to the press as a Barcelona player at 1 p.m. this afternoon (BST). The BBC reports that Arsenal have accepted just £30m for Fabregas with an extra £5m depending on the trophies won by [.

Fans in the background will cheer him as one of their own now

Let's start with the obvious. Gael Clichy has moved on from Arsenal Football Club. His departure was confirmed yesterday and Manchester City are his current employers. That concludes his 8 years association with us and he becomes the last of the Invincibles to leave the club.

I wouldn't even wipe my arse with The Daily Star! by Peter Rooke There is report in the Daily Star this morning that is suggesting that Robin Van Persie is considering joining the exodus from Arsenal started by Nicklas Bentner and Denilson, and then (seemingly) followed up by Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

If Rumours Are True, Should Gael Clichy Be Sold? by Anders Marshall Transfers have been slow for Arsenal, with Carl Jenkinson being our only official signing. Surprisingly enough, we're linked with having more players leaving the club than coming in. One story that shocked me was the potential departure of Gael Clichy, our only proven [.

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.

Last summer Arsene Wenger made an early bid for the Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, but his manager Mark Hughes stood by his guns and made the Australian international stick to his contract and stay at Craven Cottage, despite the player's protestations that he was desperate to join Arsenal. Well this year it is the turn [.

Nickspinkboots' Note: It seems like an auspicious time for collaborative efforts and we bring you another one with this point:counterpoint article by the much celebrated The Hard Tackle. Nitin and Nipun go head-to-head to discuss the pros and cons of Michael Owen's contract extension.

The London Evening Standard has been talking to an Arsenal source who has told them that Gael Clichy has totally refused to sign a new contract with the Gunners after staying loyal for eight years. Wenger made a point of speaking about trying to keep Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal next season, but [.

Samir Nasri and his agent have been in contract talks with Arsenal, as the Gunners try to persuade him to sign an extension to his contract. Wenger admitted that the disagreement was financial when he said: "We've got a little financial disagreement but I'll try to make Nasri sign a new contract. I'll work on [.

Arsenal and Samir Nasri are in contract negotiations as the French international only has 12 months left on his current contract. They are still in disagreement about the wages on the table for the future, and Wenger has made it clear that if he doesn't come to an agreement soon then he will sell him [.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands Ajax have completed their swoop for FC Twente ace Theo Janssen in a reported €3million (£2.6m) deal. The 29-year-old, a key performer for Twente this term, has joined the Eredivisie champions on a two-year contract, with the option for a third year. Janssen, voted player of the season by Dutch newspaper De [.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Diego Maradona has told an Argentine newspaper he will take legal action against Argentine football federation president Julio Grondona over perceived criticism of the World Cup-winner's drug problems. Maradona reacted angrily to comments the 80-year-old Grondona made to local media this week that have been interpreted as a veiled reference to [.

TURIN, Italy — Luigi Delneri confirmed on Saturday that as expected he would not be Juventus coach next season after he failed to guide them to either a trophy or barring a miracle a place in European competition next season. The 60-year-old who arrived this season after a successful spell with Sampdoria where he [.

BERLIN, Germany Schalke 04 won the German Cup for the fifth time on Saturday, crushing second division Duisburg 5-0 to book a Europa League spot for next season. Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck twice as Schalke took up their last chance of a European place after a rollercoaster season saw them reach the Champions League [.

GLASGOW, Scotland — Neil Lennon ended a troubled first full season as Celtic manager with glory in the Scottish Cup after his side beat Motherwell 3-0 on Saturday. Ki Sung-yueng and Charlie Mulgrew scored either side of Stephen Craigan's own goal at Hampden Park. Lennon has faced death threats, had parcel bombs sent to him [.

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has dropped ESPN Star Sports as its Champions League broadcaster in Malaysia and Brunei. UEFA says it has sold rights to Astro in a three-season contract from 2012-13 through 2014-15. The value of the deal, which includes broadcasting the second-tier Europa League, was not disclosed.

The Dutch striker Robin van Persie has had another brilliant half a season after recovering from his usual injury problems, and it is being reported that Arsene Wenger is now preparing a new five-year contact for him, which will mean the 27 year-old will end his career at the Emirates. Robin still has two years [.