- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sent his scouts to Valencia's Europa League quarter-final to monitor playmaker David Silva's form.
- Gibbs and van Persie are back in training. - Eboue is remaining tight-lipped over Roma rumors. - I like cake.
Never heard of him but his size is ideal, but so is Hangeland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neven_Subotić
Subotic is a good player but I'd rather have Hangeland because we know he can perform in England. He flicked a goal off the line for Fulham yesterday.
Neven Subotic is the reason why every American soccer fan wants the U-20 coach fired. He was in U-20 camp before the 2007 youth World Cup and, despite having already made his first appearance in the Bundesliga, was not selected and four guys you've never heard of made it instead. Interestingly enough, Brede Hangeland was eligible for the US as he was born in Houston, Texas as his parents worked in the international oil business and were placed in Houston for a couple of years. Not sure when he left the US, but it may have been before he was even walking, so it wasn't a real loss.
Hangeland was not a loss as he was never going to play for anyone other than Norway. He was back there by two and was in their youth system at all levels. Subotic hurts quite a bit. Him and Onyewu together would have been something else. Crosses wouldn't be worth the effort, which would do a lot to help us with the fact that we have Jonathan Bornstein defending the left flank.
I'm hoping we grab him this summer as he has that height we've always been lacking. Thank god we picked up Vermaelen otherwise this season could of been an disaster.
- The Gunners are once again being linked to Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger first attempted to sign Frey in 2006. Manchester United have also expressed interest. - Manchester City will make a £50M bid for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas. In related news, Megan Fox is making a similar bid for me. And rain is 80-proof vodka now.
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has missed the chance to sign goalkeeping target Fernando Muslera from Lazio after the highly-rated 23-year-old Uruguayan signed a five-year deal with the Rome club. - Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal need to tone down their pretty football as they try to keep their Premier League title bid alive. "Sometimes I think we play too much," said the 27-year-old Frenchman.
- Barcelona have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. In related news, Barca can get fucked. - Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna's agent Christophe Mongal claims he has held informal talks with Inter Milan over a possible move to Serie A for the Frenchman. - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be given a £45m transfer kitty to spend during the summer, which could allow him to recruit long-time targets midfielder Felipe Melo from Juventus and Inter striker Mario Balotelli. - The Gunners may also seek to strengthen their defence this summer by making a move for Uruguay defender Martin Caceres, who is on loan at Juventus this season from Barcelona. - Bolton manager Owen Coyle thinks 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is on loan at the Reebok from Arsenal, should be selected by England boss Fabio Capello for the World Cup this summer.
I have a lot of respect for Coyle now. I honestly think that Whilshere could bring a new era of football to England. He seems to be very technical which is something we don't see in the midfield much. Gerrard and Lampard are both considered the 'leaders' in the midfield and their style of play is very 'straight to the point' and relies heavily on strength. Wilshere uses pace, technical ability, quick-passing, and vision to control the game and could spur a whole new generation on to us. Looks good. Lets hope he doesn't 'pull a Walcott'.
I hate to complain but 45m seems like a terribly small amount of money for a club with a 'spotless' financial record, don't ya think?
Its pure conjecture. We've heard repeatedly this year that Arsene has the resources do do whatever he wants. He just isn't the kind of manager to splash-out 30, 40m on one player. Chamakh is (probably) coming on a free transfer. Dunno what his bonus might be but hopefully it is less than 10m. That leaves 35m for someone to replace Gallas and extra for a keeper. Say 17m for each... definitely more than Wenger would normally spend. I think we're in good shape.
You're right. Spurs are without Jenas, Lennon (both perform well against us), Kranjcar, and Palacios.
- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes striker Robin van Persie would have been talked about in the same bracket as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney if his season had not been ruined by injury. RVP had 7 goals in 11 EPL games... translates to 21 EPL goals on the season. Maybe a bit ambitious on Wenger's part.
- Arsenal and Manchester City are among the leading candidates to sign Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel, who is being tracked by "one or two" Premier League clubs, according to the player's agent. - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists captain Cesc Fabregas will not be leaving the club amid speculation the midfielder is set for a return to Barcelona, where the 22-year-old started his career.
