The Arsenal Blog

After a year at Sunderland, Arsenal’s unwanted striker Nicklas Bendtner may be on his way back to the Emirates. He has failed to impress Martin O’Neill sufficiently to be offered a permanent move to the Stadium of Light. He has played 27 games for Sunderland in all competitions since his loan deal began in August, but his return of eight goals and his contribution in general has not earned him a contract in the North East.  ...........Read more

Arsene Wenger is trying hard to sound as relaxed as possible ahead of Arsenal’s crucial last game against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, and is seemingly confident that the Gunners can soak up the pressure and get all three points to make sure they finish third in the Premiership.

Wenger said: “Before this game, we are in a fantastic position and, if we win, we don’t need to look at anything else. We want to finish third.

“For long periods this season our fate has not been in our own hands, but it is now. We have to look at this final match as an opportunity, and one we have to take.  ...........Read more

As it has been expected, Arsene Wenger’s assistant manager Pat Rice (63) will retire at the end of the season after unparralelled srvice to Arsenal spanning over four decades.

He first joined the club as a youth team player in 1964, and after that he made no more than 528 senior appearances during 14 seasons. Later on, Pat spent 4 years at Watford only to come back as youth team coach to his boyhood team.

Next he joined Le Professeur’s backroom staff back at Arsenal, following the Frenchman’s arrival in 1996, and after becoming Wenger’s right hand man, Pat’s hard work and devotion helped the Gunners win 3 Premier League titles and 4 FA Cups.  ...........Read more

Arsenal are fairly confident of securing the signature of Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila but have yet to seal the deal. Other targets on Wenger’s radar as possible backups are Jan Vertonghen from Ajax and Lucas Biglia from the Belgian side Anderlecht.

According to the free sports picks, Vertonghen and Biglia look likely to sign for Spurs and Real Madrid respectively, though, leaving Wenger and Arsenal with few more choices in the transfer market.  ...........Read more

After 44 years at Arsenal, Pat Rice is leaving the club after the last match of the season at West Brom on Sunday. Arsene Wenger has called on another Arsenal legend, Steve Bould, to occupy his place on the bench from next season. Tony Adams was in contention for the job but has lost out to his old team mate.

There will be quite a few changes behind the scenes at the Emirates this summer, with another confirmed change being the promotion to first team coach of current reserve team manager Neil Banfield. Current first team coach Boro Primorac will keep his job but share his duties with Banfield.  ...........Read more

It seems that after 19 years as a Juventus player, Alessandro Del Piero is ready for a new challenge. The 37-year old striker has hinted strongly that he is looking for pastures new by saying “My experience here has been wonderful, with great happiness and enthusiasm. Embracing my team mates (after clinching the title), and in all the games, whether I played or not. It was a little strange but right now I only want to smile.”  ...........Read more

It has been reported today that Theo Walcott is hoping to return to the Arsenal team this weekend for the crucial match against West Brom which will finally decide whether the Gunners finish the season in the coveted Third Place in the Premiership.

Walcott is Van Persie’s preferred strike partner as he has provided the most assists for the Dutchman this season, and a good performance from the young Englishman will also have the added advantage of impressing the new England manager Roy Hodgson who will manage West Brom for the last time on Sunday.  ...........Read more

The Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen has made it clear that he is moving from Holland to the Premier League this summer and has not been reluctant to make it clear that Arsenal is his preferred destination, although it is uncertain that Wenger is willing to buy yet another defender.

Recently it has seemed that Tottenham are the new favourites to sign the Belgian international, and although Vertonghen is happy to admit that he is talks with Harry Redknapp, he is at pains to announce that White Hart Lane is not his only possible destination.  ...........Read more

Arsene Wenger was scathing in his attack on Arsenal’s defenders after conceding three goals against newly-promoted Norwich on Saturday. Although Arsenal had Thomas Vermaelen return this season after a year out through injury, and also the acquired Per Mertesacker in the summer, the defence has conceded a record 47 goals so far this season (a record during Wenger’s tenure).

It seems that Wenger has still not realised that you can’t always score more than your opponent if you don’t have a solid back line, or perhaps he seriously believed that our former frailties had been strengthened.  ...........Read more

I know, I know, we all love a central defender who goes forward from time to time and aids the attack, and we love it when defenders like Chelsea’s David Luiz, or our own Thomas Vermaelen scores a goal from action or offers an assist, but look where that took Arsenal!  ...........Read more