The Arsenal Blog

After the Arsenal boss was uncharacteristically honest and open about the ongoing negotiations with the Spanish club Villareal about their defender Gabriel Paulista, it did seem to be highly likely that the deal was close. Arsene Wenger, quite rightly, likes to keep his transfer plans as quiet as possible until they are done.

But the Frenchman also admitted that the Gunners and Paulista’s current La Liga club were not in agreement over the transfer fee, although he did seem hopeful. But there is strong evidence today that the two clubs have come to terms and so the Arsenal fans will hopefully soon have official confirmation that the versatile defender is heading to north London to sign on the dotted line.  ...........Read more

One of the major attributes in the game of the Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott over the years has been his blistering pace. In fact, in his early years Walcott was heavily criticised for being all about the pace, about the pace, no treble (sorry).

But he has really worked on the rest of his game and improved his finishing so those critics, like Alan Hansen, have been proved wrong. But his pace is still one of his biggest dangers, although now the Gunners have more than just him who is able to blow the opposing players away with their speed.  ...........Read more

Pellegrini: “Alexis Sánchez is Premier League’s best player…” by RC

This Sunday sees Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad in what promises to be a spicy encounter after last season’s 6-3 epic.

Back in September the two teams met at the Emirates in a hard fought 2-2 draw. A game which entertained the fans throughout and saw the debuts of both Frank Lampard and Danny Welbeck. Goals from Jack Wilshere, Martín Demichelis and one each by Alexis Sánchez and Sergio Agüero saw the two sides match each other blow for blow.  ...........Read more

Finally, Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil is back in contention for a start after recovering from a knee injury he suffered just prior to the last international break. But while the German international was on the sidelines, Santi Cazorla has undoubtedly fluorished in the Number 10 role and has shown the form that made him such a sensation during his first season in English football.  ...........Read more

I have got a sneaking feeling that Wojciech Szczesny is walking a very thin line with his manager at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is well known for being firmly behind his players, supporting them through their struggles for form and injury problems, as we have seen many times, most recently with Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby.

But the Frenchman also has a breaking point and former players have revealed that once you really get on his bad side, there is no going back, like we have seen with players like Andre Santos and Gervinho. Our Polish keeper could be getting close to this line, in my opinion.  ...........Read more

The Arsenal and England international Theo Walcott could be set to really get his football career back on track today, almost exactly a year after he was stretchered off in the Gunners’ FA cup triumph over our north London rivals Tottenham.

The lasting image of that moment was a grinning Walcott taunting the spuds from his stretcher but as we know, that happiness soon turned to misery as the extent of his injury became clear. If the 25-year old does start for Arsene Wenger today, it will be the first time since that day, but Theo has not wasted his recovery time, as a Sky Sports report explains.  ...........Read more

It was back to the bad old days for Arsenal and Poland international keeper Wojciec Szczesny the other day, as the blundering 24-year old was directly at fault for both of the Southampton goals that saw the Gunners slump to another defeat and slip back below Spurs in the Premier League table.

So the return from injury of David Ospina, the Colombia international we signed from Nice in the summer could not have come at a better time. Arsene Wenger has already declared that the 26-year will be starting our FA cup clash with Hull City tomorrow and if he plays well, I would not be surprised to see him start again at home to Stoke City next weekend.  ...........Read more

We might still see Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham suffer their annual collapse which allows the Gunners to have finished above them in the Premier League table for as long as most of us can remember, but I would not put money on it Gooners.

Their performance in beating the league leaders Chelsea on new years day was thoroughly convincing and has got me seriously worried that they might finally pip Arsenal to the final Champions League position, assuming that Chelsea, Man City and Man United take the top three spots.  ...........Read more

There is a bit of news about Edinson Cavani that could mean that Arsenal have played an absolute blinder in the run up to the January transfer window. The Gunners have long been linked with a transfer swoop for the talented striker and according to a Daily Express report, his current club PSG may finally have agreed to let him come to the Premier League and play for Arsenal.  ...........Read more

The decision to start the young French midfielder Francis Coquelin for Arsenal in the tough away game against West Ham on Sunday was pretty much forced upon Arsene Wenger. With Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere out of the running with their various injury problems and the aging Tomas Rosicky needing a rest after playing just two days previously, Arsenal were left with few options.

Wenger could have gone with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the boss clearly wanted to be more solid in the centre and to give the Gunners more protection to the back four and the decision to play Coquelin next to Flamini really paid off. But Wenger admits that the move was a gamble, as an Arsenal.com report has revealed.  ...........Read more