The Arsenal Blog

After his amazing season at Arsenal, one of the best in his careers, midfielder Thomas Rosicky got another confirmation that he did incredible work throughout the season as he was named in the Czech Republics’s EURO 2012 squad.

The Czech Republic is to meet Russia, Greece and Poland in Group A this summer, in what seems to be a very tough and even group. There are going to be quite a lot of Gunners going face to face in Group A, as Rosicky is due to meet Russia’s Arshavin and Poland’s Szczesny, while by game time hopefully the Polish striker Lewandowski could be a Gunner if the rumours are right.  ...........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

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

Chelsea had probably their most tiring game of the season in midweek as Barcelona were running rings around them and denying them any possession whatsoever, (while Arsenal players were at home comparing which are the best mobile casinos!), but Arsene Wenger says that his Arsenal team cannot expect Roberto Di Matteo to be suffering from any ill-effects this weekend.

The Arsenal boss also took the chance to praise the way that Di Matteo has turned Chelsea’s season around so quickly after the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, and the organized way they dealt with the threat from Barcelona. He said: “They defended well and took their chance. They did not have many but that is basically it,”  ...........Read more

Chelsea have a massive game against Barcelona in tonight’s Champions League semi-final and then have to face Arsenal at the Emirates this coming weekend, but Johann Djourou says that the Gunners can’t just assume that Chelsea will be tired and take it easy against Arsenal.

He said: “They still want to have Champions League football next season as well so we know it is going to be a tough game,”

“Obviously they have a lot of fixtures, the two Barcelona games are [either side of Saturday's derby] but we don’t really concentrate on that. We have to be focused on our game and be focused on what we do best.  ...........Read more

Now this could be an interesting line-up this evening as I am sure that Wenger may do a little tweaking to give some of the fringe players a run-out, in a game that Arsenal could surely win even if Wenger only played his youth team.

In fact if any Wigan fans are looking for a win tonight, then they would be better off staying at home playing blackjack online rather than going to the game!  ...........Read more

Johann Djourou is aware that Man City will not be easy opponents for Arsenal tomorrow, but he doesn’t see any reason why the Gunners can’t win the game and finish City’s title challenge.

“They’re a very good team and have showed it,” he said. “They’ve had a little dip recently though, and we can definitely beat them at Emirates – that’s not something I have any doubts about. They have quality all over the pitch though and will give us a good game – they are still fighting hard for the title, but we can’t worry about that.  ...........Read more

The Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie believes that this weekends game against Man City could be a very high-scoring affair, just like many games between the top teams this season.

“You feel with City at the moment they could either go out and score none or three or five, you just don’t know,” said Van Persie. “It makes it interesting as a fan because we can score five too, we’ve shown that already this season, against big teams. They can do it as well, so it might be 5-5 – you never know!”  ...........Read more

Arsenal are now ready to attack the 31st matchday of the season and go head to head with QPR on away territory. The Lotfus Road stadium is well known for being one of the toughest grounds to win on, but Arsenal need to do so in order to keep a safe distance in front of arch rivals Tottenham.

The Betting odds are clearly in Arsenal’s favor after such an impressive run by the Gunners and they have a 1.57 odd of winning the match while QPR has a massive odd of 5.50 being seen as an underdog. The odds are also in favor of Arsenal’s skipper Robin Van Persie who has the best rate to score, with a 1.66 odd of putting the ball in the net against the less famous London side.  ...........Read more

Arsene Wenger is preparing for Arsenal’s Monday night meeting with Newcastle, and he is confident that the Gunners will win if they carry on playing at their excellent recent level of performances.

He was asked if he was surprised that Alan Pardew’s side are challenging for the European positions this season, and he is, and he isn’t!

“You could say that I am surprised if you look purely at the number of points they have. They were not expected there,” Wenger said.

“They have bought very well in a very efficient way. Some players have made a name now who were completely unknown at the start of the season.  ...........Read more