Arsenal FC - The 2nd Official Thread
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Blues working on Larsson deal
Birmingham City are reportedly closing in on the permanent signing of Arsenal youngster Sebastian Larsson.
The versatile Swede is currently in the midst of a season-long loan spell with the Championship side, but after playing a prominent role in Blues' promotion campaign could now formalise his move from Emirates Stadium.
Steve Bruce has been impressed with Larsson's contribution, alongside fellow Arsenal loanees Nicklas Bendtner and Fabrice Muamba, and is pushing for the 23-year-old to move to St Andrews in anticipation of Premiership football next season.
Larsson's contract in North London expires in the summer and the player's agent Per Jonsson has revealed that joining Blues, rather than returning home, is currently top of the youngster's agenda.
"There is actually nothing which speaks in favour of a move to Sweden right now," Jonsson told Expressen.
"Birmingham wants Sebastian and that is what we are working hard on.
"It's gone well for Sebastian for some time and he has played almost every match recently." -
Lupoli eyes Italian return
Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli has revealed he plans to return to Italy next season.
Lupoli, who is currently on loan at Derby, claims he has received offers from a number of sides and that he is tempted by a move to Napoli.
The 19-year-old has failed to make the breakthrough at Arsenal since arriving from Parma in the summer of 2004.
Lupoli is free to sign a pre-contract with any interested club as his contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season.
"I have also had offers from some big Italian Serie A clubs but the fact that at Naples - as well as being near my family - I will have more playing time makes me lean in that direction," Lupoli told Gazzetta.it.
"It's cold in England.
"I want to come back to Italy but will do things calmly.
"My Arsenal contract expires in June 2007 and so with the Bosman law I can sign a pre-contract with another club and move in June.
"I think that's the path I will follow and not an immediate move in January because with Derby I am scoring a lot and the team is second (in the Championship).
"I want to play with Derby until June but my dream is to wear the Napoli jersey." -
Originally posted by bryanseb:
This is good news. With diaby,myb he can help gilberto
[b]Diaby boost for Gunners
Arsenal's Abou Diaby has returned to full training.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has been sidelined since breaking an ankle against Sunderland in May.
"It's great news," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "He had his first complete training session today.
"Abou is so happy to play and his performance was very positive."
The Arsenal boss also confirmed full-back Emmanuel Eboue would be in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool after shaking off an ankle injury.
"The news is quite good at the moment. We have no new injuries from the Charlton game and we have Eboue available for Saturday," added Wenger.
The Gunners boss said the injury situation at the club was improving all the time with only Johan Djourou and Freddie Ljungberg (both hamstring) concerns.
And he confirmed both Theo Walcott and William Gallas may also return for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at Anfield, while Julio Baptista is also nearing a return.[/b] -
Samba stars to visit Emirates
Arsenal's Emirates Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for Brazil's friendly match against Portugal on 6th February.
The Gunners will play host to the meeting of two of world football's strongest sides as the South Americans return to North London following a successful two-game cameo in September.
Brazil played Argentina in the first ever international to be held at Arsenal's new home before travelling to White Hart Lane to play Wales in 2006, and have decided to return for another showpiece event in England's capital.
The friendly encounter pits Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari against the nation whom he led to World Cup glory in 2002, and is the renowned motivator's first appearance on English soil since turning down the chance to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson before the 2006 finals.
'Big Phil' has already beaten Brazil once during his tenure in charge of Portugal, and the respected international coach is keen to face his home country again.
"It will be the second time I'll face Brazil since I took charge of the Portuguese team," said Scolari.
"To me it's of course a special moment and I'm really looking forward to the match.
"I'm sure it will be an entertaining event given the enormous quality and talent of the players involved."
CBF president Ricardo Teixeira added: "This announcement follows Brazil's successful international friendlies against Argentina and Wales in London last year.
"We are delighted to be returning to the fantastic Emirates Stadium to take on one of the best teams in the world in front of what we are sure will be another sell-out crowd."
In West London, Fulham's Craven Cottage has been confirmed as the venue for a friendly between South Korea and Greece which will also take place on 6th February. -
Ogbuke attracts interest
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly battling it out to land the services of FC Lyn-Oslo star Chinedu Ogbuke.
The 20-year-old striker was all set to join Lokomotiv Moscow last month but changes at the Russian club saw the transfer collapse.
The talented forward is now expected to sign for a Premiership club but issues with work permits could complicate the move.
"Edu is good enough to play in the Premier League, I know that," said coach Henning Berg in Dagbladet.
"The question is which club in the Premier League. There is bigger competition between these clubs than others.
"He has got permission to check if other clubs show interest during January.
"In case he is not sold during January, he will stay with us."
Former Manchester United defender Berg has talked to his previous club in the past but believes a move to Old Trafford for Ogbuke is unlikely.
"I know they have seen him earlier in the autumn. But I don't think it is likely now that they have brought in Henrik Larsson," he added. -
Bruce hopeful on Larsson
Birmingham are set to complete the permanent signing of on-loan Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson.
Larsson has impressed since agreeing a season-long deal with Blues in August and Steve Bruce is keen to secure him on a long-term basis.
IFK Gothenburg are believed to monitoring his progress but Bruce is optimistic that he can strike a deal with the versatile Swede.
Bruce has opened talks with Arsenal, with reports suggesting Larsson could sign for an initial fee of around £500,000.
"We're in conversations about Sebastian now and we are hopeful of getting something done," he explained.
"He has done well since he came here and has played in a number of positions."
Bruce is determined to bring in reinforcements to maintain Birmingham's push for promotion, but he has been frustrated in his attempts to bring in new blood.
"I have enquired about eight players during the last three or four days," he said.
"I would like to bring in a couple but it is very difficult to get the right ones and most clubs don't want to sell.
"Usually, unless you are taking a gamble, the player you want is playing well for his club and his club is doing all right so they don't want to sell." -
Stokes release by arsenal ready..i thought he was impressive at falkrik
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Arse Wenger always like that wan la.. English players? Release la. Foreign players? Come come come, come to Arsenal..Originally posted by felirox:Stokes release by arsenal ready..i thought he was impressive at falkrik
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Henry admits injury struggle
Thierry Henry hopes he has learnt from the injury troubles which curtailed his contribution at Arsenal towards the end of 2006.
The French superstar suffered from a sciatic nerve problem which caused him to miss seven games and also saw his form in the early part of the season suffer due to his World Cup exertions.
Henry returned to help the London side record a 4-0 win over Charlton on 2nd January, and the Gunners skipper now admits he should have listened to his body and taken a rest before his fitness problems accelerated.
"When you physically can't go on, the wise thing to do is not to go out there. It doesn't help you and it doesn't help the team," he told The Sun.
"It's like when you are watching a bad movie with your wife and you are both falling asleep. You will say 'I'm not falling asleep' and you won't admit the film is rubbish. You keep on watching it.
"My brain was like that. When people asked if I was okay I would say 'Yes' even though I knew I wasn't.
"You have to read the right signals in your body. One thing I have found difficult to do is to listen to my body. I need to do that.
"I hope all my problems are over but when you average over 60 games a season you pay the price."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is now confident that his leader will recapture his best form in the second half of the season after overcoming his injury problems.
"It is more mental than physical. Thierry just had no resources any more," said Wenger.
"You could tell that he is not a present in the fight, as sharp in his runs as before.
"I think he has come back very strong. He is a guy who loves competition and that is good with the number of games we play." -
What about THeo Walcott and Justin Hoyte? Aren't they English talents?Originally posted by bryanseb:Arse Wenger always like that wan la.. English players? Release la. Foreign players? Come come come, come to Arsenal.. -
Pool 0 - 2 Arsenal
Arsenal must play better in the 2nd half. Dun get complacent.
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Final score,
Pool 1-3 Arsenal -
Reds sent crashing by Gunners
Arsenal dumped FA Cup holders Liverpool out of the competition with a 3-1 victory at Anfield.
Liverpool came back strongly in the second half after Tomas Rosicky had struck twice for Arsenal, and were pressing for an equaliser after Dirk Kuyt netted.
However, Thierry Henry scored a superb breakaway goal late on to crush their hopes.
There was an electric atmosphere at Anfield as the game got underway and Liverpool started off on the front foot, but they were unable to carve open a resolute and patient Arsenal side.
With Mathieu Flamini starting in place of the suspended Cesc Fabregas, The Reds were not given any time on the ball in midfield, and they were not able to use the width of former Gunner Jermaine Pennant.
Luis Garcia was presented with the first half-chance of the game as he picked up possession on the edge of the area, but as he struggled to bring the ball under control Philippe Senderos came in with a no-nonsense clearance.
Xabi Alonso saw a penalty appeal waved away after 20 minutes, as referee Steve Bennett decided he had dived over Gilberto's outstretched foot and awarded him a yellow card instead.
The Spaniard responded by crashing a ferocious volley just wide of Manuel Almunia's post, while Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise also missed the target with wild strikes from distance.
Arsenal were content to bide their time and try to hit Liverpool on the break, and the tactic worked perfectly in the 37th minute as Rosicky combined with Alexander Hleb to break the deadlock.
After a flowing move down the right Hleb picked out Rosicky in space on the edge of the area, but the Czech midfielder opted to shoot first time and his effort left Jerzy Dudek completely stranded as it curled beautifully into the top right corner.
Arsenal doubled their lead five minutes later as Rosicky took advantage of uncertainty in the Liverpool defence.
Fed by Henry 30 yards out and with several Liverpool players in front of him, Rosicky advanced tentatively at first. However, Steve Finnan and Steven Gerrard were unwilling to close him down and Rosicky coolly fired a shot past Dudek into the bottom left corner.
Liverpool came out much more positively after half-time, clearly determined not to relinquish their trophy without a fight.
Robin van Persie drew one good save out of Dudek from a tight angle, but afterwards it was one-way traffic as Liverpool poured forward.
The Reds peppered the Arsenal box with crosses, and their pressure was rewarded after 70 minutes when Peter Crouch rose highest to meet Pennant's corner and Kuyt cleverly headed home from six yards.
Fabio Aurelio almost levelled moments later as he volleyed Gerrard's delightful ball just wide, and it seemed only a matter of time until the equaliser would arrive.
Henry, however, had other ideas and restored Arsenal's two-goal cushion with a magical solo goal after 84 minutes.
Receiving possession in the centre circle, Henry sprayed the ball out to the left wing and set off in chase himself. Shrugging off Jamie Carragher, he charged into the area, sprinted past Daniel Agger, and stroked home from 10 yards.
Liverpool tried their utmost in the closing stages but their belief had gone and Arsenal held on to book their place in the fourth round. -
Stokes to sign for Addicks
Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes has told Sky Sports News that he has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal at Charlton.
The 18-year-old has spent the first part of the season on-loan at Falkirk, where he impressed greatly in scoring 18 goals.
This has not, though, stopped Arsene Wenger from sanctioning his departure and the player will now undergo a medical at The Valley on Sunday - before putting pen-to-paper.
News of Stokes' signing is sure to further increase speculation linking Darren Bent with an exit, as a host of clubs prepare bids for the striker.
In agreeing to move to Charlton Stokes spurned the opportunity to sign for Celtic, with Hoops manager Gordon Strachan having spoken of the player's decision.
"We'll always get good players," he told Sky Sports News.
"We'll give them a chance of European football, championships, winning cups and playing in front of 60,000 supporters.
"You're talking about playing for one of the best clubs in the world. If you don't want that - fine." -
congrats to arsenal!!!
liverpool 1 - 3 arsenal
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Lots of congrats!!Originally posted by dragg:congrats to arsenal!!!
liverpool 1 - 3 arsenal -
Yeah! Arsenal beat the team I dislike a lot.
Tomas Rosicky suddenly score a brace. Hmm. -
Clichy calls for attitude change
Gael Clichy says Arsenal need to show more humility against the weaker sides in the Premiership if The Gunners are to prove they are on a par with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Whilst Arsenal have enjoyed a productive season against their rivals at the top end of the table, a succession of disappointing results against the traditionally weaker sides has seen them fall 15 points off the title pace set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The French left-back has pinpointed the problem as being Arsenal's attitude, with the North London side needing to show more respect to sides such as Sheffield United and battle for the win according to Clichy.
"We drew at Chelsea without key players, won at Old Trafford, beat Tottenham and Liverpool," Clichy explained in The Guardian.
"That showed everyone we have the quality. Of course we are far behind them [in points] but in terms of quality and football I think we are at the same level.
"The problem is we did well against all the big teams but maybe, like the boss says, we need to have humility when we play the smaller teams because even smaller teams near the bottom can hurt you bad. That's what has happened with us. We have drawn so many games at home.
"I think we are capable of great things.
"Last season it was a great thing to get to the Champions League final. That showed we can play football and get some great results but in England the football is different.
"It's a battle, a fight all through the game and we need to be capable of battling against those type of teams.
"Now everyone is saying: 'We go to Arsenal, play 10 at the back and just kick them and wait for them to make a mistake.' We have to show them that, if you do that, you will pay for it."
Clichy also revealed that he would have considered leaving North London had Ashley Cole not opened up a vacancy at left-back by joining Chelsea.
"Maybe I would have asked to leave or to go on loan but I'm happy for me and for him as well because he is at a good club and is a good guy," Clichy added.
"It's a big opportunity for me. My objective is to be the best and to be remembered in football, so of course I was happy Ashley left." -
TOURE TARGETS THREE TROPHIES
Kolo Toure is confident Arsenal have a squad capable of winning all three cup competitions this season.
In February, The Gunners will meet PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and are already through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool, vanquished by Arsenal in Saturday's third-round tie, are also the opponents in Tuesday's rescheduled Carling Cup quarter-final.
With several players returning from injury, most notably captain Thierry Henry, Toure feels The Gunners are in a strong position.
"It's possible," Toure told Sky Sports News when asked if the team could win all three competitions.
"I think we have the squad and we have all our players coming back - Titi (Henry) last week and we had William (Gallas) today in training.
"Everybody is coming back and we know with the squad we've got, and with the qualities we've got, we can make it.
"It's going to be really difficult, but we are determined. We just need to believe in ourselves and to take it game by game, and try to win every time."
Following Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup win at Anfield, Toure is hoping Arsenal can notch another victory over Liverpool, live on Sky Sports 1.
The centre-half added: "Liverpool is a really good team and we know that, in the here and now, we need to do something great for the fans and ourselves.
"We played a really good game against Charlton and we hope to make it twice against Liverpool." -
Rosicky happy with goals
Tomas Rosicky is confident Arsenal have now discovered their clinical edge in front of goal.
The Gunners' first half to the season was characterised by the team missing several clear-cut chances in many games.
But over the holiday period, Arsenal smashed six past Blackburn Rovers and put another four past Charlton Athletic.
After scoring twice in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool on Saturday, Rosicky feels The Gunners are now in the goalscoring groove.
"We often drew in games in which we had five clear chances," Rosicky told CTK.
"Most recently, we have started to score a lot of goals and the results have come as well."
Rosicky's brace at Anfield was the first time he had scored in a domestic game for Arsenal and he was happy to play such an important role in the third-round success.
He added: "I had been waiting for my second goal for Arsenal for a long time, but the reward is that the next goal came in this game as well.
"Fans in England have a special passion for FA Cup games and more so when it is against Liverpool.
"It was played in a great atmosphere, moreover Liverpool controlled the ball for more time than us.
"Especially after the half-time break, we had to defend responsibly. Nevertheless, we were highly productive and we held them outside our box." -
rosicky's first goal was somewhat like flamini's goal earlier. (think its against chelsea)
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Think only ar?Originally posted by dragg:rosicky's first goal was somewhat like flamini's goal earlier. (think its against chelsea) -
Gunners can win all this season.
Yes, even league. w00t. -
Wenger: I did not protect Henry
Arsene Wenger has admitted he did not protect Thierry Henry enough in the first half of the season, but pinned the blame on France for his striker's recent problems.
Henry struggled to find his top form in the early part of Arsenal's campaign after returning from the World Cup, and was forced to take an eight-match break at the end of 2006 due to injury and fatigue.
Henry has looked back to his best in Arsenal's last two games, but Wenger knows he should not have asked so much of his captain.
"It was more mental than physical. Thierry just had no resources any more.
"It is the same after every World Cup. Players who come straight out of that do not feel completely ready to go for it again.
"If they are not protected a bit then they don't survive beyond October or November and that is what happened with Thierry."
However, Wenger feels Henry only ran out of steam completely because he was picked for two international friendlies by France boss Raymond Domenech earlier in the season.
"I knew Thierry and William Gallas would hit the wall if they were used in friendlies," he said.
"That is why I was so angry when my players were selected for 90 minutes in the games with Bosnia and Greece." -
Baptista revels in Arsenal's extravaganza
By Henry Winter
Last Updated: 12:24am GMT 10/01/2007
Match details
Liverpool 3 Arsenal 6
In a cup-tie of unbelievable drama at Anfield last night, Arsenal paraded the beauty and the Beast of their game, a succession of breath-taking attacks, spiced by four goals from Julio 'The Beast" Baptista, sweeping them into a Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Jubilant: Baptista scored with each of his four efforts on goal
For Liverpool, hampered by Rafa Benitez's inexplicable team selection, this was a grim night, bringing their heaviest home defeat since 1930.
The extraordinary half-time scoreline of 4-1 to Arsenal reflected that Wenger's reserves were so much more talented than Benitez's B-team, who were embarrassed by the Londoners' greater athleticism, technique and pace. Given the immense pressure on Benitez to deliver a trophy, it was bizarre to behold his inexperienced selection, particularly after Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Wenger could afford to take a gamble by resting star names. Such was the callow youth of the visiting party it felt like some had only just been born when the original tie was fogged off. With Alexandre Song outstanding in the centre and Baptista and Jeremie Aliadiere terrific in attack, Arsenal's outfield boasted an average age of 20 years 11 months.
Robbie Fowler was immediately involved, showing some neat touches, but the game was held up for six minutes when Mark Gonzalez slid in on Theo Walcott, suffered a six-inch laceration and severe bruising of his right tibia. The Chilean winger managed a couple of steps but then crumpled to the ground, and was carried away on a stretcher. Fortunately, initial fears of a break proved unfounded.
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Luis Garcia darted on and for a while Benitez's much-changed team attacked with promise. Twice Liverpool would have broken through Arsenal's defence but for the alertness of the outstanding Kolo Toure, who brilliantly intercepted incoming danger. Dawns do not come much falser.
Then Arsenal launched a devastating, 27th-minute counter-attack, the ball swept over the top of Liverpool's defence by Toure. Aliadiere, making a darting diagonal, was off and running, played onside by Sami Hyypia, bringing the ball down and racing at Jerzy Dudek. The Polish keeper stopped the Frenchman's first attempt, but Aliadiere finished well, stroking the ball in with his left foot.
Liverpool briefly responded well, equalising just after the half-hour mark. When Fowler was brought down by Song, Fabio Aurelio took responsibility. His free-kick brought a sprawling save from Manuel Almunia, who pushed the ball out to his right. Gonzalez's replacement, Garcia, was first to re-act, driving the ball across for Fowler to finish in style, with a near-post flick that gave Almunia no chance. The artful poacher's 31st League Cup goal was also the first Arsenal have conceded in this season's competition.
Parity prevailed for only eight minutes. Dudek endured a period plucked from a keeper's nightmares, Arsenal rattling in three quick goals in front of an initially disbelieving, quickly angered Kop. Baptista fell far too easily for local tastes when challenged by Gabriel Paletta, and he soon added insult to iniquity.
From 25 yards out, the muscular Brazilian sent a magnificent free-kick dipping over the wall and in. While there was much to admire in Baptista's delivery, Dudek was badly at fault, totally flat-footed, eventually watching the ball fly past him and in.
The clouds darkened for Dudek and Liverpool. When Cesc Fabregas curled over a corner, everyone expected Dudek to come and claim, but he faltered and the ball eventually rebounded in off Song: 3-1. The first-half agony had not finished. When Baptista collected up possession down the inside-left channel, Aliadiere made his move. He should have been flagged offside but his swift break deceived the linesman, and Liverpool were always struggling after that. Aliadiere cut the ball back and Baptista stroked Arsenal further clear: 4-1.
The pain continued after the break. Although Dudek brilliantly saved Baptista's penalty after Hyypia had brought down Aliadiere, Arsenal's No 9 soon had his hat-trick. Arsenal were targeting the space behind Liverpool's young right-back, Lee Peltier.
Aliadiere sprinted down the flank, cut inside and drilled a superb ball across Liverpool's box that Steven Gerrard failed to cut out. Baptista controlled and despatched a 20-yard shot past Dudek: 5-1.
In terms of a comeback, Liverpool required Istanbul and snookers. Gerrard reduced the deficit with a thunderous volley, latching on to Paletta's knockdown to make it 5-2.
Liverpool refused to give up. Gerrard rattled the crossbar, and then, thrillingly, they made it 5-3 when Hyypia headed in Paletta's cross. But back came Arsenal and Baptista made it a tennis score: 6-3.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/01/10/sfgliv10.xml