Apna Football - Arsenal

Wenger to hit January sales?

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:25:25 GMT

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may dip into the transfer market to bolster his squad despite watching his depleted side beat West Ham 2-1 in the FA Cup third round.

Wenger's side were handed a fourth-round trip to Stoke in the fourth round as a side featuring the likes of Carlos Vela, Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere came from behind to beat the Hammers at Upton Park.

Alessandro Diamanti gave the Hammers the lead in first-half injury time but the Gunners stormed back as Aaron Ramsey equalised in the 78th minute after combining with Vela in the box and Eduardo's towering header five minutes later took them into the fourth round.

Wenger told ITV1: "At the moment we have nine injuries. We needed to fight very hard to go through and we need some players to come back from injury to cope with the competitions we're in."

Asked about his transfer window plans, the Frenchman said: "I don't know...a player or two. We'll try to be in the market."

Gunners battle back to progress

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:20:25 GMT

Arsenal scored twice in five second-half minutes to come from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at Upton Park and secure their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

With more pressing matters ahead in their respective Barclays Premier League campaigns at opposite ends of the table, both managers could perhaps be forgiven for their team selection.

West Ham, battling relegation from the top flight, took a lead their play had deserved in first-half stoppage time when Alessandro Diamanti beat the offside trap to slot past Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Robert Green made a fantastic double save to deny first Abou Diaby after he burst into the penalty area and then the follow-up effort from Alex Song as Arsenal searched for a leveller.

But with 12 minutes remaining the outstanding Aaron Ramsey levelled and Eduardo's looping header after 83 minutes completed the turnaround.

Arsenal will now face a trip to Stoke in the fourth round, while West Ham are allowed to concentrate solely on their relegation battle.

Gunners face tricky Stoke test

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:55:25 GMT

Arsenal have been handed a tricky test in the FA Cup fourth round after being drawn away to Stoke.

The Gunners made it into the hat after an impressive come-from-behind 2-1 win at West Ham, with Aaron Ramsay and Eduardo sealing the victory, while Stoke progressed with a comfortable win against non-league York.

The tie will be played at Britannia Stadium, where Stoke famously beat the Gunners in the Premier League last season, on the weekend of January 23/24.

Changes afoot for Gunners

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:46:33 GMT

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to rotate his squad for the FA Cup third-round tie at West Ham on Sunday.

Captain Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Denilson (back) and Theo Walcott (side strain) are all sidelined, but Czech winger Tomas Rosicky is in contention and veteran defender Mikael Silvestre and reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could both also feature.

Midfielders Alex Song will play before jetting off to the African Nations Cup, but Emmanuel Eboue is already away with Ivory Coast.

Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Gael Clichy (back), Kieran Gibbs (foot), Robin van Persie (ankle) and Johan Djourou (knee) remain out.

Diaby targets silverware

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:46:33 GMT

Abou Diaby insists consistency will be the key to Arsenal's push for glory on two fronts this season.

The France midfielder's fine form has made him a regular in Arsene Wenger's side and he signed a new long-term contract with the Gunners earlier this week.

And, with Arsenal third in the Barclays Premier League and in the last 16 of the Champions League, Diaby is convinced the club can lift some silverware this term.

"I think now we are in a really good position and I hope that we will keep going and get closer to Chelsea and Manchester United," said Diaby. "We have a good opportunity to win the title this year so we have to really work hard for that.

"For the last six months we have to be really consistent and win games. The team is ready, the spirit is there and the quality as well, so we have everything to win the League and even the Champions League as well.

"If we win (our game in hand) we get to one point behind Chelsea so it's really important for us. We have to win that game to get closer and then we will see what happens."

Wenger set to tinker

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:36:33 GMT

Arsene Wenger will rotate his squad for the trip to face West Ham in the FA Cup third round at Upton Park on Sunday with defender Philippe Senderos hoping to shake off an injury in time for a recall to the side.

The centre-back has played just two Carling Cup games for the club in 19 months and underwent a fitness test on a damaged foot earlier on Friday. Senderos, 24, spent the whole of last season on loan at AC Milan and would welcome a return to action against the Hammers.

"Yes I will rotate," said Wenger. "We had a few players who played on the edge the other night (against Portsmouth) and I will try not to take too big a risk for some players who are medically vulnerable at the moment, and protect one or two more. But we will have just as strong a side as we had at Portsmouth.

"We have a big test with Senderos, he could be back. He has had an inflammation under his foot and every time he started to play the pain came back. That's why I am a bit cautious but he will have a definite test and we will see how he responds to that.

"He is physically very sharp because he has worked a lot with our fitness coach (Tony Colbert). I just want to see now how he responds in training. I don't know yet, it is too early. I still have 48 hours to decide," Wenger told the club's official website.

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky is likely to start after returning from hamstring trouble as a substitute against Portsmouth on Wednesday. "Rosicky was in the squad at Portsmouth and he could play on Sunday. But apart from that no-one is back."

Song keen to sign off in style

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:06:36 GMT

Cameroon midfielder Alex Song wants to "finish the job" by guiding Arsenal into the fourth round of the FA Cup before heading off on international duty.

The Gunners travel to West Ham on the back of a six-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League, which has seen them reduce the deficit on leaders Chelsea down to just four points - and with a game in hand.

Song, 22, has proven himself an important member of Arsenal's new-look midfield this season, acting as a defensive foil for captain Cesc Fabregas, set to be out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem.

However, should the Indomitable Lions reach the African Nations Cup final on January 31, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will have to do without the combative midfielder for some key clashes, including showdowns against Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Song - who scored in the 4-1 win at bottom club Portsmouth on Wednesday night - intends to sign off in style.

"I want to go away to the African Nations Cup having finished the job here, leaving the team in a strong position," he said. "While I am away, I will still have my eyes on what is happening here, because this season is so important for every player in the Arsenal squad. I am confident that when I go, we have the players who can do a very good job."

Lansbury commits to Gunners

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:31:33 GMT

Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury has agreed a new long-term deal, the London club have announced on their website.

The Gunners have also confirmed the 19-year-old has extended his loan spell with Coca-Cola Championship side Watford until the end of the season.

Lansbury joined the Emirates club as a scholar in 2007, signing professional terms in summer 2008.

The teenager made his debut in the 3-0 Carling Cup victory over Sheffield United in October 2007 and he has made four first-team appearances in all, all in the league cup.

He went on loan to Scunthorpe last season, scoring five goals in 17 appearances during a three-month stay and was in the starting line-up for the Iron's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Luton at Wembley.

Lansbury has made 20 appearances and scored twice since joining Watford on loan in the summer and he will now stay with Malky Mackay's side until the end of the season.

Diaby signs new deal

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:40:27 GMT

France international midfielder Abou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

The 23-year-old joined the Gunners from Auxerre in January 2006, and after recovering from a broken ankle at the end of that season, has since gone on to make 119 appearances.

Diaby has developed a good understanding with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in their new midfield formation this season, scoring six goals.

"This shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal and I am very happy here, which is why I am so pleased to extend my contract," said Diaby.

"It's a great thing for me and hopefully there will be some good years ahead for me here."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger added: "Abou is a great player with huge presence on the football pitch and he has the potential to be an extremely influential part of Arsenal for many years to come."

Wenger confirms double injury blow

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:45:27 GMT

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he expects injured captain Cesc Fabregas to be out for around 10 days with a hamstring problem.

That would mean the influential Spaniard would miss the FA Cup third-round tie at West Ham this weekend.

Wenger also confirmed England winger Theo Walcott is struggling.

"Let's say the only question mark we have is does Cesc make Everton or not [on January 9]," said Wenger.

"Walcott is a ripped muscle [in his side] and about the same, 10 to 12 days."