The Arsenal Blog

Arsenal have not finished outside the top four of the Premier League since Arsene Wenger took over from Bruce Rioch in 1996. Everybody at the club is determined that this season will not change that statistic and a win against Wigan at the Emirates tonight will make that almost secure.

Arsenal are so used to finishing in the Top Four but not challenging for the title, that the odds in the Premiership betting with Unibet for next season reflect those tips. Arsenal are odds on at 5/6 to finish in the Champions League places, but a massive 16/1 to actually win the title.  ...........Read more

Wayne Rooney and Arsenal? No, it doesn’t even sound right. I’m not saying that Rooney isn’t a good player or that he wouldn’t do well at the Emirates. It could even be good for Rooney, working with the calmer Wenger in a different kind of system, but it is just never going to happen.

The rumour hit the internet today via Goal.com, the bastion of unconfirmed reports, un-named `sources` and unbelievable suggestions. Apparently, both Arsenal and Chelsea immediately registered their interest as soon as they heard that Rooney wanted to leave Old Trafford.  ...........Read more

The news today that Sir Alex Ferguson will be retiring as manager of Manchester United at the end of the season means that the Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, will assume the mantle of the longest serving manager in the Football League. Arsene has been at the club for 16 years, ten fewer than the Man United chief.

This isn’t the first time Sir Alex has announced his retirement. Twelve years ago the Scot declared that the 2001/2 season would be his last. That decision was quickly reversed when the form of his team noticeably suffered, and the realisation hit him that he was still far too committed to leave. His enthusiasm renewed, he went on to notch up another six Premiership titles in the subsequent years.  ...........Read more

!8-year old Nick Powell is yet another product of Crewe and Dario Gradi’s youth system. The midfielder, who has scored 14 goals in 55 games for Crewe is the latest of the team’s players to be set for the big time. Both Danny Murphy and David Platt rose through the ranks at Crewe to play at the highest level. Dario Gradi is famous for his academy at Crewe and is now fully focused on this after stepping down as manager of the club.  ...........Read more

The fight continues between Arsenal and a few other clubs for the signature of the Lille attacking midfielder Eden Hazard as Alex Ferguson visits France to see him in action again. Manchester United’s manager has admitted that he went to see the match between Lille and Lyon in order to keep a close eye on the Belgian’s performances.

Arsenal were thought to be the favorites to sign the talented Belgian playmaker, but Chelsea and Manchester United don’t seem too willing to drop the fight and Wenger should expect a fierce battle for the star’s signature.  ...........Read more

Arsene Wenger has had 15 years of competing against Sir Alex Ferguson for every trophy on offer in England, and he admits that he just loves it when Arsenal beat Man Utd.

Tomorrows game at the Emirates is perhaps just as important for the Gunners as when Wenger and Ferguson dominated the Premier League, as a win for Arsenal could give them the impetus and confidence to fight on for a Champions League place.  ...........Read more