Gooner Talk

Samir Nasri has heaped praise on the fantastic spirit currently in the atmosphere at Arsenal and even revealed he had to sing a French rap song after meeting up with his team mates for the first time in July.

Speaking to popular French TV channel ‘France 2′, the Gunners’ summer signing was interviewed about comparisons with former midfield maestro Robert Pires as well as his opinions on old club Marseille.

“At the start of the season, people said that I was the new Robert Pires. If it means I have the same acheivements and career as he did at Arsenal, I will be overjoyed.”

When a new signing arrives at the club, the inaugraul tradition is for the new-boy to sing a song infront of his team-mates – Nasri described his very own singing experience.

“I sang a French rap song (113 – Tonton du Bled) and although most of the players were making fun of me, the French players helped me. Bac (Sagna) did the instruments and he was very helpful!”

Nasri also brought back some praise for his former club Marseille and their loyal fan base. He admitted the Velodrome is probably one of the most hostile stadium’s in Europe, and he’ll never forget the support he had there.

“The atmosphere at the Velodrome stadium is still the best for me. Because here in England the fans make noise when somethings happening on the pitch. But at the Velodrome the fans never stop singing, and I think it’s the best atmosphere in Europe.”

“I could have stayed at Marseille but when a Club like Arsenal come to see you – a Club which trust his young players, with a great manager, and which play a great football – you can’t say no.”

Before the interview finished, Samir was questioned about driving in England.

“I already start learning at Marseille, and I just have to do the test. But, one thing is for sure, I will take a French car, not an English car!”

You can watch the full interview here (in French). With thanks to Vince from ASCFR for the translations.

Arsenal took on West Ham knowing that their title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea had earlier dropped vital Premier League points.

The surprise team news was that Emmanuel Adebayor rested to the bench following his midweek Champions League exploits while Nicklas Bendtner, Alex Song, and Mikael Silvestre were all handed starts.

West Ham:

Green
Faubert – Collins – Upson – Ilunga
Mullins – Parker – Bowyer – Di Michele
Bellamy – Cole

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia
Eboue – Gallas – Silvestre – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Song Billong – Nasri
Bendtner – Van Persie

Read the rest of this entry »

If you haven’t heard already, (I’m sure you have) Spurs have terminated the contracts of Juande Ramos, Gus Poyet, Marcos Alvarez and Sporting Director, Damien Comolli.

Good news I hear you say? Well, possibly not. Tottenham take on Arsenal next Wednesday in an extremely important game for both sides. Harry Redknapp will be in charge of the White Hart Lane club for that game after leaving his managerial role at Portsmouth. Rumours suggest that Tony Adams could follow him out the exit door, but Redknapp himself admits it’s unlikely that he’ll join him on that side of north London.

In 1996, Damien Comolli joined Arsenal. He left for Saint Etienne in 2004 before joining the Gunners’ bitter rivals Spurs in 2005. Comolli could be on his way back to the Emirates.

Wenger brought fellow Frenchman Comolli to Arsenal as European scout where he spent seven years and was credited with being responsible to signing several players including defender Gael Clichy.

Comolli’s tenure has come under scrutiny in part because of the estimated fall in the value of some of his expensive acquisitions and some disagreements with Juande Ramos, the former Tottenham head coach. Darren Bent, Younès Kaboul, Ricardo Rocha and Kevin-Prince Boateng cost a combined fee of about £32million in the past 18 months, but they are now arguably worth half that sum. That led to questions about whether Comolli is delivering value for money.

Arsene Wenger is said to be keen on bringing his close pal to north London for the second time in almost 7 years. Stay tuned to Gooner Talk for the latest news, views and goals on Arsenal’s first team.

New West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has a tough task on his hands when West Ham United take on Arsenal in the Premier League at Upton Park tomorrow afternoon..

The Hammers go into this clash with Arsenal hoping to get back to winning ways after defeat in their last two matches against Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. West Ham are currently 8th in the Premiership, but have not won since a 2-1 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage in September.

Arsene Wenger’s team will go into this London derby full of confidence, having beaten Everton 3-1 last weekend at the Emirates Stadium and humbling Fenerbahce 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Wenger will want his side to come away with all three points in what has been a tricky tie for the Gunners in recent times.

Injury News

Zola will be without striker Dean Ashton (trigonum syndrome) as well as defenders Jonathan Spector (thigh) and Danny Gabbidon (groin), with long-term absentee Kieron Dyer (broken leg) also to miss the visit of Arsenal.

Arsenal are set to welcome back defenders Kolo Toure and William Gallas, who have both recovered from injury, while Bacary Sagna (ankle) is not quite ready to return against the East London side. Eduardo (broken leg) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are still on the side lines at the Emirates, though Eduardo should resume full training soon.

Predicted Line-Up’s

West Ham Predicted XI

Green
Neill – Upson – Collins – Ilunga
Behrami – Parker – Bowyer – Etherington
Di Michele – Cole

Arsenal Predicted XI

Almunia
Eboue – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Diaby – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie

Match Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal

Catch all the post-match reaction and player ratings here on Gooner Talk seconds after the final whistle.

Leave your views and predictions of tomorrow afternoons game in the comments section below.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is rightly hailed for revolutionising the way English footballers look after their bodies.

The Arsenal manager’s influence has led to changes in diet and lifestyle which have set new standards for professionalism at Premier League clubs and beyond.

So it is a surprise (or maybe not) to learn that one of Wenger’s star performers, William Gallas was recently spotted leaving Movida nightclub with a reported ‘unlit’ cigarette in his mouth.

Wenger, who is credited with introducing a more disciplined approach to diet and lifestyle to English football, said Gallas needed to take his responsibility as a role model more seriously.

“I didn’t see the picture. I have been informed, but I don’t like that,” Wenger said Friday. “I will check that with him. He has a responsibility as captain of Arsenal Football Club. That cannot be accepted.”

Gallas is not the first Arsenal star to fall foul of the sneaky papparazi though. In December last year, Gunners striker Robin van Persie was snapped smoking a cigarette whilst departing from Amsterdam Airport.

Fellow countryman Zinedine Zidane, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, though, have all been pictured smoking in recent years, suggesting that not all professionals have followed the prescribed course.

31-year-old Gallas has been pencilled in to start on Sunday afternoon against West Ham after recovering from a hamstring problem.

The big man has returned. Yes, you guessed it, Abou Diaby is back in the Arsenal frame after a injury lay-off which kept the gangly midfielder out for two months.

What do you make of Diaby? He’s played as a left midfielder last season, after being used as a central midfielder and deep-lying forward previously. He fluctuates between an exciting player who’s fantastic on the ball and pushing play forward, and a player who’s anonymous. Before the season started, I thought he would be the player to replace Flamini, and partner Cesc. But now, after watching his attacking performances against Everton and Fenerbahce I feel that his best position is certainly a deep-lying forward.

If I’m not mistaken, and it’s probable that I am, the boss will have to choose 2 among these 3 to face West Ham this weekend: Diaby, Walcott and van Persie. Will he get it right?

I tend to be a supporter of big Abou, firstly, because he’s a typical Wenger player, and secondly because he looks like he has the potential to be a outstanding player. I’d like to see him play a kind of Rivaldo-type role. What do you think though? Is this Diaby’s chance to breakthrough into the starting XI or will unforseen injury circumstances hamper his progess in the Arsenal first team?

Your view counts, on Gooner Talk.