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Football

Arsenal update: Suarez ‘interested,’ Flamini wants Prem return

By Stefano on July 10th, 2013
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Launch new kit. Tick. Dispose of a few deadwood players. Tick. Sign some new ones. Well hopefully that will be Arsene Wenger’s agenda this week and top of his wants list appears to be Luis Suarez.

At first it seemed that the so called bid for the Liverpool striker was a bit of smoke screen to let the wavering Higuain and Real know that Arsenal had other options. But nope, it looks like Arsenal are serious and according to the papers this morning Suarez is taking their interest seriously too.

In spite of all the talk of how much he hates the British media the player now appears to be up for any team that will offer him Champions League and big pay packet. He told a Uruguayan radio station

“But in football, as I have always said, you never know what is going to happen. I’ve said everything I have said. As things stand I have to present myself there but just a phone call could change those plans. It is good to know I’m still valued by teams like Arsenal.

“Friends call me up to ask if I am moving to Chelsea, to which I laugh. The important thing in the market, whatever else has happened, is for teams to continue to value me for what I’ve done as a player on the pitch. It is not one club at the moment, there are lots of options.

“I do not think any of them are concrete yet. There are two or three teams that are possibilities.”

With still no movement on Fellaini and Gareth Barry increasingly looking like a Plan B I wonder if Arsene will this morning be thinking about another old flame – Matty Flamini.

After several tricky years in Italy the player is said to be keen to move back to the Premiership as he had unfinished business.

He is 29 now and clearly a shadow of the player he was when he left Arsenal, but there are a trio of clubs interested in securing his services. Is Arsenal one of them?

Flamini told The Sun, reported here.

“Milan offered me a contract for two years but I need to take my time and make the right decision. I’ve been in Italy for five years, I’ve had a great time and learnt a lot. But I miss England and I want to win the Premier League. It has a special place in my heart. I like the pace and the physicality of English football and I like that every game is very open.”



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Football

New Arsenal kit pics – the yellow away kit – looks great!

By Stefano on July 9th, 2013
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Pics just in courtesy of Twitter. Thanks to @littledutchva @king_goran and @goooners453. It is yellow and blue and the consensus from Twitter appears to be that it is the best looking Arsenal away kit in years.

Nice work Nike in their last season (it will be Puma soon) for creating a kit that has a whiff of the Invincible era Arsenal about it (they really should have got Bergkamp along to model it!). The kit will be on sale on August 1st from the Arsenal store.

** Just added the official Arsenal.com pics too

Click on the images for a bigger pic.

So what do you think?

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Football

Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and gossip from the Spurs kit launch today

By Stefano on July 8th, 2013
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Checked out Spurs new kit? Created by Under Armour we rather like its retro 60s feel. Nevertheless the launch did provide a few clues as to what may or may not be going on at the Lane.

The only player who looked comfortable and was enjoying himself at the launch was Michael Dawson. From this I guess not only is he going nowhere this summer, but that he is overjoyed to be staying at Spurs.

Conversely though Gareth Bale looked very glum. I guess this could be because as Spurs’ star attraction he has no choice but to face the media today whether he likes it or not. However Spurs fans are already reading a huge amount into his appearance. Does modeling the new kit mean that he will still be a Spurs player come the end of August as some Tottenham fans are suggesting?

Well maybe, but then Spurs fans would do well to take a peek at this. For in May 2012 at the Arsenal kit launch for that season look who is  centre stage! A player who would never wear that shirt in a competitive game. So who knows… I think he will stay, but there is still over a month and half of the window to go.

And as for Jermain Defoe he was being hounded by rather serious sports journalists, possibly desperate to get a word on all those Defoe to Stoke rumours that were circulating yesterday.

More pics of the kit launch and Bale looking sheepish here.



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Football

Spurs new kit launch – exclusive pics of Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and more

By Stefano on July 8th, 2013
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Our intrepid reporter Gerald has just hotfooted it back from the launch of Spurs new kit for 2013-1014. It has been created by Under Armour and is seen here modelled by a few faces that you might find familiar including Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe.

Really like the retro look (and this from an Arsenal fan) though not too sure that orange is keeper Brad Friedel’s best colour. The collection (can we call it that?) was inspired by the team’s kit from the 1960s – which as every Spurs fan (and indeed Arsenal fan too) can tell you was the last time that the club won the League title.

The kits are apparently very light and dry very quickly if they get wet.

They go on sale from the club on August 10th. A third kit will be unveiled shortly.

Anyhow, solid work all round. Take a look at the pics and tell us if you like it too Spurs fans.

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Football

Arsenal update: Is Michu on the radar as Swansea close in on Bony?

By Stefano on July 8th, 2013
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So, we are rapidly approaching the middle of July and Arsenal still haven’t signed a player – apart from of course that young, French, injury-prone striker. Higuain is either about to sign or cosying up to Ancelotti, depending on which paper you read. Rooney is staying at United. Jovetic, well who knows. Which brings us nicely back to Michu.

As we know all too well the Spanish striker was an absolute bargain for Swansea and has a proven track record now in the Premier League. He may have a few weaknesses to his game but if anyone looks like an RVP replacement it is him.

So why is Michu (last linked with Arsenal back in early June) back in the picture? Well according to the BBC the Swans are on the verge of signing another name that Arsenal have been linked to Wilfried Bony. The Ivory Coast international will apparently join the welsh team for around £13 million.

Bony joins Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool, Alejandro Pozuelo from Real Betis, Jose Canas from Real Betis, Jordi Amat from Espanyol, Gregor Zabret from NK Domzale and Alex Gogic from Olympiakos in what has been a bumper spree for Swansea – get the hint Arsene.

But the arrival of a new star striker must once again put a question mark over the future of Michu? Is Laudrup preparing to cash in on his prize asset? And if he does leave might Wenger be interested?

And you could imagine how quickly and easily he could slot into Arsenal’s frontline. It is a long shot and I think Michu may be more likely to end up back in Spain, but I’d be surprised if Michu and Arsenal are linked together again very shortly.



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Football

Arsenal update: Francis Coquelin out on loan. Fellaini/Bender to fill the gap?

By Stefano on July 5th, 2013
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Arsenal have confirmed this morning that defensively minded French midfielder Francis Coquelin will be spending the 2013/14 season on loan with Bundesliga side SC Freiburg.

He signed a new contract in 2012 so Wenger thinks he has a future at the club and maybe he could be along term replacement for Arteta?

But in letting Coquelin go Wenger has sent out a clear message that Arsenal are about to invest in a central midfielder. The club is now very short of midfielders what with Diaby unlikely to feature a great deal next season and no signs of any other youngsters pushing through the ranks.

Even if Wenger does see the Ramsey/Arteta partnership as the basis of his midfield next year, Coquelin’s move still leaves Arsenal very short. I think that Wenger has let the Frenchman go as he knows he has some serious re-reinforcements coming. Is that Marouane Fellaini? Or Lars Bender? I think we will see a marquee midfield signing very shortly.

Oh, and good luck in Germany Francois



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Football

Arsenal update: Higuain is in London, but Spanish paper says he is staying in Madrid

By Stefano on July 5th, 2013
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I really think that the ongoing negotiations for the signature of Gonzalo Higuain are not doing Arsenal any favours at all. The way the saga has dragged on, and the club’s seeming inability to agree a deal with Real is starting to reflect badly on the club.

But at least today will be the day that Arsenal sign the Argentinian striker. That’s what The Express says and they are confident that the player is in London to finish the deal off. We reported yesterday that many sources were saying that Arsenal had improved their offer and had also agreed personal terms with the player.

But what’s this? Spanish newspaper Marca is saying that Arsenal have not made a new bid for Higuain and that the player is more likely to stay at Real than transfer to London.

101 Great goals says

Today’s claims come from an impeccable source as the article is written by Marca scribe and Gonzalo Higuaín’s biographer Ulises Sánchez-Flor

However it does add that this could well be just a negotiation tactic from Real Madrid.

But also

New Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is open to holding on to Higuain and Marca say he is currently closer to staying than leaving.

So the saga rumbles on.



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Football

Arsenal update: Improved Higuain offer, Jovetic back on?

By Stefano on July 4th, 2013
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His dad is onside and the player has apparently agreed a £100,000-a-week contract but the sticking point in the Gonzalo Higuain transfer from Real to Arsenal was always the fee.

Now Goal is suggesting that that the two parties are near to agreeing on that one too.

The website says that Arsenal have made an improved offer of £23.1 million for Gonzalo Higuain.

It adds

‘The Gunners are confident their new bid will be enough to secure the Real Madrid striker, with sources saying the fee could be agreed by the two clubs ‘within the next 24 hours’.

That fee is still less than Real’s £25.5m valuation of the player, but hopefully for Gooners should be enough for their team to land the elusive striker.

And speaking of elusive strikers a couple of sites are hinting that the deal to sign Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic could be back on.

It seems that Juventus have given up on the player leaving the field clear for Arsenal, and possibly Man City. However there is still clearly a large hurdle in the player’s wage demands. It’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out. I wonder if City have other targets, and as for Arsenal Jovetic is probably now behind Wayne Rooney in the Arsene dream team pecking order.



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Football

Arsenal update: Higuain medical rumours, to sign this week?

By Stefano on July 4th, 2013
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Gonzalo Higuaín’s father has once again let the cat out the bag.

He has suggested that Arsenal are on the verge of sealing a £23m deal for son by telling told Fox Sports Argentina that negotiations between the two clubs and the player are “very advanced”.

He added

“We haven’t spoken about the contract yet. Arsenal have made a great offer, in the same way as Juventus.”

The Guardian, who presumably have another source have even suggested that the player is

‘expected to fly to London this week to undergo a medical.’

So is it a done deal? It looks that way…



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Football

Arsenal update: Higuain, Rooney and, err, Gareth Barry

By Stefano on July 3rd, 2013
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So the Gonzalo Higuain chase drags on yet another day and still the Real Madrid player hasn’t put pen to paper and signed for the The Gunners. The Daily Mail has a theory why it is is taking so long and that is because no one wants to sign for Arsenal first.

The paper suggests that no one believes that the club will spend the money so Higuain, Rooney and Fellaini don’t want to be the marquee signing in case others don’t follow.

Here’s Martin Samuel in full flow on the matter.

Could it be that Arsenal are experiencing the same complication as Walker: they need to make a marquee signing to make others believe in their project, but somebody has to be the first to jump.
If Higuain signs, will Rooney warm to Arsenal, too? If Rooney and Higuain are bought in, who else would come to regard Arsenal as an option?

The problem is the club have spent so long as the poor relations among the elite, with so many unfulfilled promises of substantial investment, that the professional view is sceptical: when they see it, they’ll believe it. But who wants to be first?

Is he right? Well the Rooney deal seems just a little more likely after yesterday as The Sun, and others say clear the air talks between the England player and new United manager David Moyes haven’t gone well. The Sun says that Fergie number two Mike Phelan is convinced that Rooney is heading for the exit.

He says

Those talks will continue today but Phelan, who left his role as assistant manager at Old Trafford last month, believes both parties could agree a parting of the ways is for the best.

He added: “Somewhere down the line there will be words said, there will be meetings. They’ll see if it’s still alive and worth going for or they’ll call time on it.”

The Sun also has a storythat I doubt that will please many Arsenal fans. It suggests that put off by the huge fee that Everton are asking for Marouane Fellaini that Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Gareth Barry as a possible player to fulfill the holding midfielder role. The Sun suggests that the 32 year old could be picked up for next to nothing too.

An insider said: “It looks like Arsenal are just weighing things up at the moment and they do have other priorities. But they know Gareth would do a good job for them.”

Read more:
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Football

Arsenal update: Man City duo rumours, is Marouane Fellaini next?

By Stefano on July 2nd, 2013
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Over the past few year Man City have regularly raided The Emirates landing the likes of Toure, Clichy and of course Nasri. But with quite a few players apparently now not part of new boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans could it be time that the traffic went in the opposite direction?

There has been plenty of speculation about the future of Micah Richards over the past few weeks. The England defender seems to have been deemed surplus to requirements at The Etihad and a move to the club he apparently supports could certainly re-start his career.

Richards is predominantly a right back and could work out as solid replacement for Bacary Sagna if the Frenchman decides to move on. Alternatively by linking to Richards the team might be putting pressure on Sagna to sign a new contract. Who knows…

Meanwhile Arsenal are also being linked with another City defender Joleon Lescott. According to the Star the club are keen on the centre back who

‘has vowed to quit Manchester City unless he is guaranteed regular football.’

Apparently the England international will hold emergency talks with the Chilean coach when he reports for pre-season training with Manchester City next week, and depending on the outcome could push for a move away this transfer window.

“The situation is simple really,” a source told the Daily Star. “He wants to play and doesn’t want to spend next season sat on the bench.

“If he isn’t going to play ­regularly at City, then he can go to another club that will value him more.”

Lescott is certainly a classy defender and the rumour is that he could picked up for just £5 million – half of the mooted price for Swansea’s Ashley Williams.

Of course the interest in Lescott could be a smoke screen in a bid to get Swansea to reduce their price? HITC thinks that might also be the case with Arsenal’s bid for central midfielder Lars Bender. The website says it was move that was never likely to happen, but it might have the effect of the encouraging Everton to lower the price that they have put on their central midfielder Marouane Fellaini. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.



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Football

Five reasons why Arsenal will make big transfer announcements this week

By Stefano on July 1st, 2013
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The last month or so has been a long and painful one for Arsenal fans as they have watched as potential targets have whizzed in and out of Arsene Wenger’s radar before deciding that they don’t fancy north London at all, or Arsene doesn’t fancy the size of their proposed wage packet – you decide.

However I think the phony war could be about to come to an end and and here are five reasons why.

1 Arsenal need to sign players soon – The team’s disastrous start to the 2011-2012 season was characterised by the fact that Wenger left most of his shopping to deadline day. He didn’t last year and it helped. And he won’t again this year. Arsenal need players embedded in the squad quickly, after all the team have the small matter of a Champions League qualifier on the horizon.

2 The Transfer window is officially lifted today – Ok, so you can make deals and sign players in June but it all becomes official today as the transfer widow begins. Expect to see a couple of mooted signings like Yaya Sanogo plus a few youngsters announced very shortly.

3 The Arsenal back room staff are back at work – The team are back from their well earned break today, tanned, rested and eager to get back to work. Deals, if they are going to to happen, can happen quickly now

4 One big deal must be ready by now – The hot money is obviously on Higuain, but you never know. The Marouane Fellaini discussions might be a lot further advanced than everyone outside of the club thinks.

5 Arsene Wenger has relocated the Arsenal fax machine – It hasn’t been used since January and was probably tidied away by the cleaner. But it is plugged in and ready to start whirring now. Hopefully.



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Football

Arsenal update: Jovetic news, Serge Aurier wants to be a Gooner

By Stefano on June 28th, 2013
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After dominating Arsenal transfer news for months things have gone a little quiet around Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic lately. At one point its seemed as if Arsenal and Juve would be battling for the player’s signature, but now it seems that Arsenal are pursuing Higuain while Juve have landed Tevez.

But there still remains the possibility that Wenger might sign two strikers this month especially considering the ongoing gossip around the club’s pursuit of Wayne Rooney.

If Arsenal are back in for Jovetic though they might find some new opposition. The Star is suggesting that Real Madrid are making a move for the player who is apparently coveted by both Arsenal and Chelsea.

It says

New Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen on landing Jovetic, who is valued at around £20m.

I guess the issue for Ancelotti is whether he can land his supposed number one target Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

If Ancelotti does sign either of the players he will most likely have spent £50 million in a week (after grabbing Isco for £30 milion). I bet some Arsenal fans wish that their manager was as decisive in the transfer market.

Meanwhile Serge Aurier, the 20 year old right back currently playing for Toulouse, has given the club a huge come and get me plea. The player was seen wearing an Arsenal shirt on holiday which he then posted to Facebook and Twitter. Maybe he knows something that the rest of us don’t…



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Football

Rooney – Arsenal ready to pounce if he decides to leave United

By Stefano on June 27th, 2013
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Monday is set to be a big day for one Wayne Rooney. For that’s the day the England striker will meet his current boss, David Moyes,  to discuss his future.

If they do decide to part company then the Daily Star reports that Arsenal are ready with a package to tempt the player to north London.

The paper says

The Gunners are convinced they have a realistic chance of persuading the England strikerto join their revolution.

The Emirates hierarchy feel they need to start joining the big boys when it comes to transfers, especially if they want to persuade boss Arsene Wenger to sign an extension, with his contract ending next summer and Paris St-Germain interested in his services.

It’s understood Wenger and Arsenal would like to see a dream partnership of Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain as a central striker with Rooney playing behind him.

Wages of £200k per week have been mooted by The Star,  though it is tricky to imagine that Arsenal will match those. The United player may have to take a drop.

If Arsenal do have a chance it will rest on three factors. Firstly Rooney will get the chance to play with some of his young England pals in the guise of Wilshere, Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain – that might appeal to him. Secondly if he does sign he will have been convinced by the Arsenal board that they really are ready to challenge for honours this season and have the squad to do this.

Most importantly though that the player thinks that London is a better bet for him that moving abroad to either Paris or Barcelona.



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Football

Gonzalo Higuain’s Arsenal move is close says his agent

By Stefano on June 26th, 2013
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The marathon race that is Gonzalo Higuain’s move from Real to Arsenal inched closer to the finishing line today with a quote from his brother who is also his agent.

Nicolas Higuain told Tutto Mercato Web: “Now that Tevez is signing for Juve, does that mean Higuain is closer to Arsenal? I think so.

“Juventus is a great club, but Gonzalo is too expensive for them. Napoli? They’re a strong team and a club that means a lot to Argentines.

“But having said that, I can’t deny that Gonzalo is now close to Arsenal.”

So is that a done deal now? Gunners fans are you starting to worry that all the energy that’s being invested into securing this deal has meant that others are slipping past?



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