Arsenal FC ~ General Chat & Latest News

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal enter UEFA Cup final bidding

Arsenal have entered the bidding to host the Uefa Cup Final at the Emirates Stadium in three years.

The Gunners are bidding to stage the 2011 final and should know in the next few days if they have been short-listed to host the game. They are being backed by the mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who has given around �100,000 to help with their bid.

Arsenal face stiff competition from seven other venues around Europe all bidding to host the game, including Dublin's Landsdowne Road which is being rebuilt.

Germany, Portugal, Spain and three Eastern European countries are all keen on hosting the game and all short-listed grounds will be visited by Uefa later this year.

Uefa's executive committee will then make the final decision by the end of next March.

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[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal's Sagna: I've already improved

Arsenal fullback Bacary Sagna believes he's already improved as a player since his arrival in the summer from Auxerre.

"I think I improved," he said. "Most of all on the technical aspect. But I know that the road is still long.

"That is why I give my best day by day. I play regularly, but everything can change quickly. I have to remain focused.

"My technical improvement is due to training methods at Arsenal. We do a lot of passing games and play in small zones at training.

"I think I have to continue to work in defence, sometimes I give possession away stupidly, and on the offensive aspect I have to be more decisive."

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[Freddy Adu]

Agent of Arsenal's Merida warns Barcelona over fee battle

The agent of Arsenal youngster Fran Merida says they're not about to accept a Spanish court ruling demanding the teen pays Barcelona £2.3 million for leaving last summer.

"We are not in agreement with this ruling, so we will continue fighting until the end, if it is necessary. This game is not over," warned Joseba Diaz.

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[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal boss Wenger "addicted to statistics"

Arsene Wenger has revealed to the Timesthat he is "addicted to statistics" and uses technical data to back up his instincts when signing players.

Wenger was speaking in his role as an ambassador for Castrol, a sponsor for Euro 2008, which is developing the Castrol Performance Index, a system for analysing team and player performance, based on real-time data from the new Uefa Tracking System.

"The game is played by 11 players and you have only two eyes to observe everything on the pitch," Wenger said. "The more concrete data you can have, the happier you are in terms of making the right judgment. Sometimes you are guided too much by the result and can misjudge performances. Data like this helps rate players who maybe you have neglected too much and helps everyone take a more objective view."

That will include fans, who will be able to view the real-time statistics online at castrolindex.com while watching matches next summer, as well as managers looking for potential signings.

"I'm addicted to these kind of statistics," Wenger said. "You can assess strengths and weaknesses - how many passes a player makes, how many sprints, how many interceptions, assists. I'm conscious that if I am wrong when bringing in a player, no matter how good my work is afterwards, I will stay wrong. If a train starts on the wrong track, it cannot get to the right station."

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[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal vs Slavia Praha

Liga dos Campeões 2007/2008 | Fase de Grupos | Group H

Arsenal Slavia Praha

Date 2007-10-23 19h45 City London Stadium Emirates Stadium Referee

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal keeper Lehmann admits Germany must improve

Arsenal's veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann thinks Germany will have to improve if they are to have any chance of winning next summer's Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Joachim Low's side became the first team to win a place in the tournament after drawing 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, but Lehmann was unimpressed.

The Gunners shot-stopper said: "I'm very happy to have qualified so early, particularly after a tough game against the Irish.

"We went into the game expecting to win, but the Irish were good, organised, pacy in the first half, although they did drop off in the second.

"But the fact we claimed a good draw with several inexperienced players in the side is good for the team and the future.

"However, we are always expected to qualify, and right now we know we have to improve."

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[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal keeper Lehmann: I expect Wenger to play me

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was delighted with his performance for Germany in Saturday's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland.

"It was my first game after a couple of weeks and you never know how sharp you are and how focused and concentrated you are," Lehmann told Sky Sports News.

"I think I felt quite good and I performed quite well.

"I think I will play hopefully next week because I am fit now.

"I was injured, it was the first time since I am at Arsenal and I expect the boss to play me."

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[Freddy Adu]

Lehmann: I've never been dropped by Arsenal

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has slammed critics over claims he's been axed as the club's first-choice.

Lehmann told Sky Sports News: "Did you see me sitting on the bench once? I think some journalists are losing their intelligence about a couple of weeks.

"I have not spoken to him (Wenger) but I expect him to play me again, yes."

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[Freddy Adu]

Low praise for Arsenal keeper Lehmann

Germany boss Joachim Low was full of praise for under-pressure goalkeeper Jens Lehmann following his team's draw with Republic of Ireland.

Lehmann has been the subject of much speculation in the German press after injury forced him onto the sidelines at Arsenal, with Manuel Almunia impressing in his place.

But a confident display in the Euro 2008 qualifier at Croke Park on Saturday has given his position an extra boost in the eyes of his coach.

"It is one of his great strengths that he is able to completely concentrate on the job in hand despite the difficult situation," Low told the DFB's official website.

"He had a great game both in the domination of his area and on his line. His confident aura was of great importance to us during the game."

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal ready to sell Spanish whizkid Merida

Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for Spanish teen Fran Merida.

The People says Arsenal are ready to off-load midfield schemer Merida - just after being told to pay £2.1million for him.

Arsenal have to foot the bill for compensation the teenager has been ordered to pay after a Spanish civil court decided he had broken an agreement with former club Barcelona.

The ruling comes just as Arsenal are planning to sell the youngster after a backroom "poll" on his talents and checks on his game statistics.

There is a fear Merida, 17, may not be mobile enough or quick enough and he seems set to be shipped out, possibly back to Spain.

[Freddy Adu]

Ex-Arsenal striker Elston wins Chelmsford contract

Former Arsenal striker Marc Elston has signed for Ryman League Premier Division club Chelmsford City.

Elston, 18, who chose a career in football ahead of sprinting, was top scorer for Arsenal's youth team last season, with eleven goals in twenty-three games.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal, Liverpool battling for Fenin

Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing Czech Republic prospect Martin Fenin.

Il Messaggero says both Premiership clubs are showing serious interest in the FK Teplice striker, who starred in the U20 World Championships in Canada earlier this year.

[Freddy Adu]

Veloso agent waits for Man Utd, Arsenal offers

Manchester United and Arsenal are battling for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.

The Portugal international carries a £20 million price-tag and his agent, Paulo Barbosa, said: "There have been many contacts and offers from several British clubs.

"I won't name the clubs because the offers weren't accepted, but one of them did come close to his buyout clause."

Aware of talk that it will take £20 million to sign him, Veloso admits: "That's a huge amount of money."

[Freddy Adu]

Pearce: Walcott still adjusting to Arsenal hype

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce believes Theo Walcott is still adjusting to the hype over his move to Arsenal 18 months ago.

Arsenal's £12million superkid (right) is a sure starter against Ireland in Cork on Tuesday.

But "Psycho" says the teenager is being put under too much pressure to live up to the star billing he collected when Sven Goran Eriksson controversially took him to Germany, but never played him. Pearce said: "The name, price tag and expectation all go before him.

"That's tough when you are 18.

"People do forget how young he is and think he should be more established and because of the World Cup the expectation levels went through the roof."

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal tracking River Plate star Fernandez

River Plate starlet Augusto Fernandez is being tracked by Arsenal.

Fernandez has been likened to Barcelona's Argentine star Lionel Messi and has impressed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal in for £10M Lyon hotshot Ben Arfa

Arsenal are ready to launch a bid for unsettled Olympique Lyon striker Hatem Ben Arfa.

The People says Ben Arfa, a favourite of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, would cost around £10m.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham seek Arsenal talks for Bendtner

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is chasing Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The News of the World says Bruce will approach Arsenal and ask to re-sign Nicklas Bendtner on loan as he's not getting a game at the Emirates.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal's Adebayor cleared for January

Arsenal striker Manu Adebayor will be free in January after his Togo were eliminated from the African Nations Cup reckoning.

Adebayor's side lost 2-0 to Mali, meaning the Gunners will now lose only Ivory Coast pair Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue to the tournament, which takes place in Ghana between January 20 and February 10.

[St. Anger]

Arsenal play at home to Bolton in the Premiership this weekend.
The bookmakers have Arsenal as overwhelming favourites. This makes Bolton dangerous I would say.
They have been one of our most difficult opponants over the last couple of seasons. Even though fat Sam is gone they still can stifle creative teams and Anelka is always trying to prove that he is a legend in his own mind.

Games between the two teams
Games 104, Draw 31, Arsenal won 42 , Bolton won 31.

Last 10 games each.


Arsenal
2007-10-07 Arsenal (3-2) Sunderland
2007-09-29 West Ham (0-1) Arsenal
2007-09-22 Arsenal (5-0) Derby County
2007-09-15 Tottenham (1-3) Arsenal
2007-09-02 Arsenal (3-1) Portsmouth
2007-08-25 Arsenal (1-0) Man City
2007-08-19 Blackburn (1-1) Arsenal
2007-08-12 Arsenal (2-1) Fulham
2007-05-13 Portsmouth (0-0) Arsenal
2007-05-06 Arsenal (1-1) Chelsea

Bolton Wanderers
2007-10-07 Bolton (0-1) Chelsea
2007-09-29 Derby County (1-1) Bolton
2007-09-23 Bolton (1-1) Tottenham
2007-09-15 Birmingham (1-0) Bolton
2007-09-01 Bolton (1-2) Everton
2007-08-25 Bolton (3-0) Reading
2007-08-18 Portsmouth (3-1) Bolton
2007-08-15 Fulham (2-1) Bolton
2007-08-11 Bolton (1-3) Newcastle
2007-05-13 Bolton (2-2) Aston Villa

They haven't conceded many goals in their last 4 games... It will be a rough game, but not as tough as it would have been with Fat Sam's dirty tactics involved.

I'm going with 3-1.

[D. Stankovic]

Bolton should be easy for Arsenal to beat! 3-1 here as well.

[St. Anger]

Bolton are now without a manager. Sammy Lee has been released from his contract (he took over from FAT ugly Sam).

Arsenal will definitely win now.

[Oscar Cardozo]

Im sorry but I want Vaz Te to score for Bolton and Arsenal wins 3-2 not 3-1 sorry that is just my prediction

[scotttttttttttttt]

i predict 3-0
van persie 2
fabregas 1

[St. Anger]

I think Adebayor will score a goal too. 3-0 sounds about right... but Anelka will want to prove to himself that he can still play football, so they might just score a goal.

[Amo-te Benfica]

Bolton normally gives Arsenal trouble. But this is not the same Bolton. They have serious problems I think Arsenal will destroy them 3-0.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal boss Wenger explains Lehmann axe

Arsenal's Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been left out of their squad to face Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has decided to stick with Spaniard Manuel Almunia as his number one and has not even named the German as his substitute goalkeeper.

"Almunia will play and I have decided to stick with the same team and keep the continuity going," Wenger said at his pre-match news conference on Friday.

"In my opinion we have three world class keepers and only one of them can play. I have got 25 players in the squad and they all expect to play."

"The player (Lehmann) is disappointed but there is a lot of competition for places. He is an intelligent guy and knows what he has to do," added Wenger.

"Jens is a world class keeper but I had to make the choice for the continuity of the side."

Lehmann was expected to return after recovering from Achilles and elbow injuries, having played for Germany against Ireland in a Euro 2008 qualifier last week.

[Freddy Adu]

Archie Knox has been placed in temporary charge for Bolton's game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Bolton parted company with Sammy Lee on Wednesday after a disappointing start which sees them sitting 19th in the Premier League.

Knox, who was brought to The Reebok Stadium as a coaching co-ordinator in the summer, will take charge of first-team affairs while Lee's successor is sought.

The former Scotland Under 21 coach will be assisted in the job by first-team coaches Ricky Sbragia and Jimmy Phillips.

Favourite

Paul Jewell has emerged as favourite to take over The Trotters, while the likes of Chris Coleman, Adrian Boothroyd and John Collins are also in the frame.

But Bolton are not expected to rush the appointment of their next manager so Knox may be in charge for more than one game.

Wilhelmsson woe

Meanwhile, midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson is doubtful for the Arsenal trip after suffering an ankle strain in Sweden's draw with Northern Ireland.

Wilhelmsson was stretched off but Bolton have confirmed the injury is not serious.

[Amo-te Benfica]

Anelka injured for this game, massive blow for Bolton.

[Freddy Adu]

Eduardo and Gallas are in the starting XI.

[GloriousReds]

here we go the start of the match