The Arsenal Blog

It is obvious that Arsene Wenger had planned to build his Arsenal team around the tall frame of the French international Abou Diaby. Unfortunately for Wenger, Diaby and Arsenal, that frame has not been able to bear the weight and it is looking increasingly like it never will.

Even after an extensive list of injuries, Wenger has kept a place open for the 27-year old midfielder. It is probably why Arsenal did not sign a defensive midfielder in the summer or January, but that decision did cause problems for the Gunners and Wenger is going to have to accept the possibility, or probability, that injuury problems are never going to allow Diaby to showcase his undoubted talent on a regular basis.  ...........Read more

Exactly one year ago tomorrow, the Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and his Montpellier team mates won a crucial game against a relegated Auxerre team to win the club the French Ligue 1 title for the first time in it’s history. With PSG breathing down their necks, they were under huge pressure but got the win they needed.  ...........Read more

Arsenal have a proud record in the champions league and Arsene Wenger expects his team to continue it tonight when the German side Schalke visit the Emirates. Wenger is confident that the Gunners will have no repeat of the hugely disappointing performance against Norwich.

“I expect us to respond in a strong way because this team is very ambitious.”

The last time Arsenal lost at home to a non-English club was 2003. They have only lost twice in 48 home games in the champions league, only once at the Emirates and not at all in the last 16 matches. A win for the Germans is as likely as winning the lottery jackpot!  ...........Read more

The first official confirmation that Arsenal are indeed well on their way to bring Montpellier’s star striker Olivier Giroud to the Emirates Stadium has been confirmed by the French club’s officials.

As we are already used to, Wenger doesn’t shed much light on the plans he has regarding transfers, but this time the fans caught a break as Montpellier’s deputy president Laurent Nicollin said in Midi Libre that the negotiations are moving on smoothly, hinting that the French striker will be seen in London playing in the Premier League starting next summer.  ...........Read more

If rumours are to be believed Arsenal draws closer and closer to signing Montpellier’s center-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who they have been watching this season as he captained his club to the French Ligue 1 title.

The defender who was recently called-up to the French squad in the 25-man pre-EURO squad has been tracked by Arsene Wenger’s scouts in this successful year at the French club and they have been highly impressed at what they saw.  ...........Read more

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs keen to sign the 25-year old Montpellier striker. At 6 ft 3 inches and with his strength and aerial ability, he is seen as a perfect target man. Pretty much the same as Marouane Chamakh was supposed to be. Arsenal are ready to put in an offer for Giroud which includes Chamakh and around £7 million, reports todays Metro.  ...........Read more

Montpellier’s owner Louis Nicollin has ruled out the possibility of his most precious player to be joining Newcastle saying that it’s too little of a club for the French striker, but wouldn’t say no to an offer from Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger.

“Newcastle? They are too small for him,” Nicollin told RTL.

“Arsenal? We must see if Arsene Wenger is interested because he has Van Persie.

“€10m? He won’t go for that.

“Given that he still has more than two years left on his contract, he’ll cost a lot more, either €50m (£41.7m) or €60m (£50m).”  ...........Read more

Olivier Giroud became one of the most wanted players in Europe after he managed to take his club Montpellier on the first position in France with his extraordinary sense for goal.

The Frenchman already gathered 12 goals so far this season for Montpellier, and he managed to attract the scouting eyes of Newcastle and Arsenal. Despite interest from big clubs, Montpellier’s chairman Louis Nicollin snubbed rumours of a possible transfer.

“It is very clear, no player we want to keep will leave during the winter transfer window,” said Nicollin.  ...........Read more