Van Persie linked with Inter + Transfer talk: Ade + Hleb

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers1 Comment

It has been suggested that Jose Mourinho is looking to sign RVP from us for his new club, Inter Milan.

I wouldn’t be suprised if top clubs are interested, but as you know, here at ArseSpeak we’re cynical and we know that the media aren’t trustworthy. Yes, clubs may want him, but will he actually leave? It is doubtful.

The same can be said of Adebayor, our 30-goal a season striker who has been linked to the other Milan club: AC. Now the president Silvio Berlusconi has said that Ade is too expensive for them.

Silvio Berlusconi:

Berlusconi

“He costs a lot.”

Adebayor is also now in contract talks with Arsenal, so much for that one!

Another bit of news is that Aleksandr Hleb may not be leaving Arsenal after all.

Inter, the original ice cream bandits, who tapped him up in February now have a new manager, and don’t want him. Barca have spent so long bumbling about I don’t know whether it will happen and Real and Bayern were always dubious links. I reckon that there’s a 50% we might see Hleb staying, watch this space!

All in all I don’t think we will lose many more players this summer (maybe Hleb), I hope we don’t. Just be a little critical of some stories you read Gooners.

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Video – The moment when Fabregas became a great player

On By jamesgillespIn Champions League6 Comments

28/03/2006

Cesc scores vs. Juventus at Highbury – Arsenal win two nil in the Champions League QF 1st leg.

This was when he showed his greatness on the world stage.

Adebayor new deal? + Parejo transfer talk

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers2 Comments

Ade has been constantly linked to Milan for several weeks now, we’ve already heard that he wants to stay, but a fresh wave of rumours surrounding his departure have cropped up.

His agent, Mr. Courbis said that Milan had made a bid and it would be hard to ‘say no’. Wenger told them where to stick it though.

Adebayor has now come out and said:

“My future with Arsenal has never been in doubt and I want to assure fans I will be here for many years,”

“My agent has met with coach Arsene Wenger about a new deal and I am happy about how the talks are going so fans can rest assured.”

It seems as if the whole saga with Milan has been stirred up in order to secure Ade the best deal posssible on his new contract. This is a bit cheeky since he only got a new contract last year, but players seem to be cashing in on the speculation at Arsenal since we lost Flamini.

Ade should be careful he doesn’t get a big head because the only reason he did so well last season was because he kept working away quietly. An inflated ego is the last thing we need, so Ade, keep your head down and get on with it.

We’ve also been linked with Real Madrid’s young Daniel Parejo, I have never heard of him, but he’s a 19-year-old midfielder who played at the European Under-19 Championship last year.

I’m sceptical of this one, when compared to Cesc Fabregas he said:

“For me, it is a compliment that such an important European team is showing interest,”

“I have heard rumours but my intention is very clear – my dream is to succeed in Madrid.

“Nobody dislikes something like that [being compared to Cesc Fabregas] but I prefer to look in the mirror and see Raul, Guti and Iker Casillas, three footballers who have come out of this youth system and have gone on to triumph in Madrid.

“I am young and I have patience.”

It seems he would rather succeed in Spain, but if we came calling and seriously wanted him we could get him, even if the trqansfer fee might be a tad high; £11 million.

That’s all till later Gooners!

Fabregas hopes Hleb stays

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers

Cesc Fabregas, representing his contry at Euro 2008 is keeping up to date with what’s going on at Arsenal, he wants Hleb to stay and play with him.

“I have always said that Hleb is an incredible footballer and what he has done is underrated, well, everything that he does, because he is still an Arsenal player,”

“That kind of footballer deserves more credit. But I tell it to you, he is an incredible footballer. I hope we’ll carry on playing together for years.”

This mentions nothing about whether Hleb is actually leaving and I think he needs to make his mind up. It’s very nice that Fabregas wants to play with him, but the transfer saga surrounding him is growing to crazy levels.

His transfer options have been reduvced since Mourinho doesn’t want him at Inter. It looks like Barca might come in for him but nothing is very clear right now.

Van Persie scores – Out with the old, in with the new

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Yesterday saw Holland continue their good form and thrash France 4-1 at Euro 2008, putting them through to the Quarter-Finals, and France on the brink of disaster. The game itself was a great spectacle, both sides had a lot of chances, but Holland’s counter-attacking play ruined France’s chances of a comeback.

This game mirrored in some ways the transition at Arsenal, with players like Henry playing for an aging France side, while young starlets like Van Persie (when fit!) scoring. The Dutch play a great passing game, and have really stood out for me. The way they have brushed aside the two finalist of the 2006 World Cup is impressive.

I can only hope that we can start getting more results like this next season, and one for the future – I wouldn’t mind seeing Van Basten at Arsenal when it comes to the day that Wenger retires.

Wenger won’t sign defenders – What does this mean for Arsenal?

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers4 Comments

Wenger’s recent comments about not needing a defender suggest that he will stick with what we’ve got there. He was talking about Vincent Kompany, the Belgian centre back, he played down the speculation saying:

“I have decided that defenders are no longer necessarily needed for next season.”

So it seems very possible that there will be no signings to bolster our defence.

On the flanks we have the best in the Premiership, Sagna and Clichy, I love them both and they are both world class players who are young, no need to strengthen there.

The main weakness is cover rather than replacement. Senderos and Song were the players who started when Gallas and Toure weren’t availiable last season, and Eboue, Toure, Traore and Hoyte sometimes covered on the flanks. This didn’t work brilliantly last season, and was one of our main problems. I am a big fan of Senderos he can be error prone.

There have also been questions over whether Toure and Gallas are a strong enough partnership.

I think we should strengthen the defence, but Wenger seems to be trusting in what we’ve got. The fact that Song got a new deal, and started so many games at the end of last season, suggests to me that he has put himself above Senderos in the pecking order, and Wenger has hinted that he won’t play Song in midfield.

So we will probably see the same defence lining up in the current season, but expect to see more of Song, and maybe players like Norveidt gettign a few games this season.

I hope that Gallas proves himself as an Arsenal player and captain this season, and that Toure gets his form back. If that happens then Wenger will be proved right, and we will have a top quality back four, with decent coverage.

So in the end I think Wenger’s decision may pay off, but it is a gamble, ideally we need a quality centre back to challenge for a place, many would argue that neither Song or Senderos are good enough.

What do you think?

Ramsey signing confirmed – First pics in an Arsenal kit

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers

Arsenal have confirmed that Aaron Ramsey has now been signed and pictures of him the club kit have been released:

Ramsey an Arsenal Player

Wenger:

“We’re delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey, he is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at U17 and U21 levels.

“He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the club for our pre-season preparations.”

Ramsey signs on
Ramsey:

“I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.

“It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career. I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds.”

So it’s now official, our first big signing, hopefully he will have many successes with us!

Ramsey signs on for the Arsenal

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers

Aaron Ramsey, the 17 year old ex-Cardiff player has signed up with us, ahead of Man Utd! Cardiff Chaorman Peter Risdale had this to say:

“Arsenal’s bid is a very straightforward, no-strings-attached, £5 million cash offer – simple. The only deal with a loan-back option was with Manchester United, but, ultimately, it’s up to the player to decide.”

“On a straight cash basis Arsenal’s offer was the best bid on the table…When you get a player like Aaron it was very difficult to not give him the opportunity to go to one of the top Premier League clubs.”

Ramsey himself commented:

“It is an honour to be wanted by massive clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton. In the end I had to make the decision I felt was right for my future.”

John Hartson, former Wales and Arsenal striker said:

“I think he’s made a brave decision really because he’s so young but it’s probably the right decision because he’s got a great opportunity going to Arsenal, a wonderful club, working with the likes of Arsene Wenger and Pat Rice and he’ll blossom. I feel he’ll go from strength to strength.

“He’ll be feeling a lot of nerves, a lot of excitement and anticipation. But at that age nerves don’t play a huge factor because you feel you can handle anything. He has the potential to hit all sorts of heights. I’m pleased for Aaron Ramsey because he has worked hard and now got his chance. I hope he’s not feeling the pressure too much. He’s got to go out and enjoy his football because he’s obviously a very talented lad.”

This is a big signing for us, and snatched from under United’s noses! Ha ha! Apparently one of the reasons he decided to join us is because Wenger met him personally while Fergie stayed on holiday in the South of France. Also Arsenal are known for developing youth players and giving them a chance in the first team.

I don’t think  he will be a regular for next season, but he is a good young player.

This versatile player, normally plays as an attacking midfielder or player and hes a pretty exciting prospect, hopefully he can go far for the Gunners!

Eduardo may be back in July for pre-season training!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Eduardo is recovering fast from his horrific leg injury. Every week we seem to get little bits and bobs from his native Brazil on the progress he’s making.

We’ve heard even more recently as Croatia play without him in the Euros. Bilic, the Croatia coach, has now said that Eduardo might even be back for pre-season training at the Arse.

“He is recovering and may even join Arsenal for their preparations. Eduardo’s absence is a handicap, we feel it all the time.”

This would be great news, but the club should be wary about bringing him back too fast, I’m sure they will get it right this time, look at what happened when we tried to bring Van Persie back quickly – he got injured again.

For Eduardo to get back to his best he needs time to recover to 100% of what he had before. This will take a while and it won’t help to rush him back.

Nevertheless, I hope his speedy recovery continues and he is back playing for Arsenal as soon as he is 100% better!