Gooner Talk

Midfield maestro Samir Nasri will play against Fulham despite sustaining a thigh injury whilst on International duty for France.

Gooner Talk told you two days ago that Samir Nasri would be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham and the official site have now confirmed it.

New-boy Mikael Silvestre could also be involved while Alex Song has only recently jetted back to London after taking part in the Olympics for Cameroon but he might be drafted in for the trip to Craven Cottage.

“I am not sure about Silvestre as he has a little muscular problem, but Song is [in the squad],” said Wenger at his pre-match press conference.

“Well Cesc is doing very well in training,” said Wenger. ” He won’t be ready for Saturday but has a chance to be ok for Wednesday. We don’t want to gamble on him for one game, we have to be patient.”

“[Abou] Diaby doesn’t look too far away and hopefully there will be good news on [Tomas] Rosicky in the next two weeks.”

The current players out injured are:

Eduardo (leg)
Philippe Senderos (hamstring),
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring),
Abou Diaby (thigh),
Amaury Bischoff (groin),
Tomas Rosicky (hamstring)

A match preview will appear on the blog tomorrow afternoon while you can catch all the post-match action immediately after full time with our match report.

As we revealed to you just a couple of hours ago, Portsmouth have signed Arsenal left-back Armand Traore on a season-long loan deal.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp opted to move for the teenager after Jerome Thomas made his loan move permanent which allowed Redknapp to make another loan signing.

With Mikael Silvestre’s move from Manchester United to Arsenal, it has freed up the the Frenchman’s move to Fratton Park.

Joining Arsenal from AS Monaco, Traore, 18, has been used mainly as a reserve, although he has been a regular fixture in Wenger’s young Carling Cup team.

His first team debut came against West Bromwich Albion in October 2006, coming on as a 24th minute substitute for Emmanuel Adebayor.

He went on to start Arsenal’s League Cup Fourth Round match against Everton, played against Liverpool in the quarter finals and was praised for his performance, raiding down the left flank.

He finally got his league debut on April 5, 2008, against Liverpool and was used as a left-winger in Arsenal’s final two league games of the 2007/08 season.

Possessing great pace, and confidence on the ball, Traore was a member of the France U-17 squad. He was the only member of the squad employed by a club from outside France and is seen as a future star of the French national side.

Gooner Talk would like to wish Armand all the best with his season-long loan spell with Pompey.

Arsenal left back Armand Traore is closing in on a season-long loan move to Harry Redknapp’s side, Portsmouth.

The fleet-footed 18-year-old found himself out wide left in Arsenal’s reserves last season and slowly but surely became more comfortable and happy in the more attacking role.

With Mikael Silvestre’s move from Manchester United to Arsenal, it has freed up the the Frenchman’s move to Fratton Park.

Traore has made 18 appearances at the Emirates – most of them in the Carling Cup – since joining from Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco in late 2005.

New Arsenal signing Mikael Silvestre has been praised by Gunners’ legend Frank McLintock who believes it’s a good bit of business done by Arsene Wenger.

The 31-year-old completed his £750,000 move last night and signed a 2-year deal and become another member of Arsenal’s almost all-French backline.

And McLintock, who skippered the club to the Double in 1971, insisted:

“Silvestre will be a very, very good signing for us.

“I never even thought about him but he is just the type of player we need. He has bags of experience and won’t cost a lot as he is 31.

“Being French, he’ll have no trouble settling in.”

Mikael is set to train with his new team-mates for the first time this morning and could make his debut against Fulham if Kolo Toure isn’t fit.

With just one game into the new Premier League campaign, International friendlies already become the main talking point of the week with several Arsenal players starring for their respective countries.

Here at Gooner Talk, we look to bring you the latest updates and results on how the Arsenal players are doing for their countries with a brief summary of how they got on.

The following players were in action tonight:

Theo Walcott – England v Czech Republic
Nicklas Bendtner – Denmark v Spain
Johan Djourou – Switzerland v Cyprus
Robin van Persie – Russia v Netherlands

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Arsenal have secured the signature of Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £750,000.

The 31-year-old has played over 249 games for the Premier League champions and has surprising swapped Manchester for north London.

Silvestre was reportedly undergoing a medical at bitter neighbours Man City last night when his agent phoned him to say that Arsenal had an interest in him.

According to The Sun, Mikaël immediately abandoned the medical and hurtled down the M1 to meet Gunners boss Wenger and discuss terms.

Speaking on his move to the club, the Frenchman said:

“I’ve spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I’ll remember that time fondly but feel I’m ready for a new challenge. Arsenal is known for playing technical and skilful football, and has a young but experienced squad. I’m really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the Club to new successes.”

What is also surprising, is the fact that Wenger has given Silvestre a 2-year deal, going against his usual 1-year to over 30′s policy.

Not only will the signing of Silvestre bolster Arsene Wenger’s defensive options, but it should also provide experienced cover for fellow countryman Gaël Clichy.

Mikael will wear Pascal Cygan’s old number 18 shirt.

Arsenal skipper William Gallas has been appointed France vice-captain by Les Bleus boss Raymond Domenech ahead of this evening’s game against Sweden.

Former Gunners’ striker Thierry Henry has been made captain in a bid to lift the team after their flop at Euro 2008.

France were criticised for an unadventurous style of play and a reclusive lifestyle during Euro 2008, where they took only one point from three games, scoring one goal.

Henry has already worn the armband for France in previous matches, notably during the summers Championships when Patrick Vieira was out through injury.

“It is a great responsibility. I have a duty. There is a new generation but we always need someone to lead the way. I have a lot of experience at the highest level. I know this new generation very well, I have always felt young in my mind,” he said.

“It is a challenge. It does not scare me.” As for the task in hand after France’s failure at Euro 2008, the ex-Gunners legend enthused: “It will not be easy but it is our job to win back everyone’s hearts.”

Gooner Talk will give you updates of all the players on International duty this evening with the likes of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou in action for their respective countries.

Below are the Arsenal players involved in tonights friendlies and what teams they are playing for and against:

England: Theo Walcott – England v Czech Republic
Denmark: Nicklas Bendtner – Denmark v Spain
Switzerland: Johan Djourou – Switzerland v Cyprus
Netherlands: Robin van Persie – Russia v Netherlands