Gooner Talk

Arsenal are on the verge of tying up a big-money deal which will see the club play a one-off pre-season friendly in Malaysia this summer.

Manager Arsene Wenger has traditionally opted for low-key warm-up tours but fresh reports emanating out of Asia suggest Arsenal will face the Malaysian national team in July.

Wenger told reporters at the start of March that Japan looked a likely destination for annual pre-season tour, but the recent tsunami devastation put those plans to bed.

Speaking at the Arsenal AGM, the coach said: “I am under pressure from the club to do it [pre-season tour]. But I want to start the season well. If it’s just to make money then no. If for other reasons, then maybe yes.

“We are examining it, but not in a year when the Euros or World Cup years. International players, under FIFA rules, must have four weeks’ holiday.”

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool are also expected to play friendlies in Malaysia as part of an ‘EPL Festival’, with the former already holding an Asia tour last pre-season.

Arsenal are yet to confirm or release a date for the friendly, although July 14 has been pencilled in by the organisers.

David Rocastle made a name for himself at Arsenal and took a central role in the Championship winning sides of 1989 and 1991.

He gained international recognition for England gaining 14 caps. After 218 league games for Arsenal, he was surprisingly transferred to Leeds in July 1992 for £2million.

Injuries affected his spell in Yorkshire and he made just 25 league appearances for Leeds. He was exchanged for David White of Manchester City but quickly returned (after 21 matches) to England with a transfer to Chelsea. Injuries limited his opportunities at Stamford Bridge and at the end of the 1996/97 season, he had made only 29 games for the Blues.

Nicknamed ‘Rocky’ by team-mates and supporters, Rocastle is considered an Arsenal legend and one of the best players to have worn the famous red and white.

The videos below certainly show why he was held in such high regard, not only as a player, but as a person.

That might have been a very successful interlull period for Arsenal. A miserable run of results and downbeat players given some breathing space for Wenger to tell them they can start afresh in April, forgetting the past 5 weeks or so. Furthermore; Walcott, Song and Fabregas all got time the needed to return to fitness. Each of the 3 are essential to the power and tempo Arsenal endeavour to operate at.

Fingers (permanently) crossed for Robin van Persie. Early news was he was taken off due to bruising and should be fit for Blackburn. He will want to play, he has an astonishing scoring record against them.

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Robin van Persie looks set to play on Saturday against Blackburn, after fears of a serious knee injury were rebuffed by Holland coach Bert van Marwijk.

The Arsenal striker took a knock in the first half of the Netherland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Hungary and was subbed off at half-time.

“He got kneed in his thigh. But with a little luck he can play with Arsenal again this weekend,” confirmed van Marwijk.

27-year-old van Persie scored the opener 13 minutes into the game (see the goal here), although the Dutch needed a late double from Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt to spare their blushes and secure a 5-3 win.

van Persie has never played more than 30 matches a season since joining the club in 2004.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere starts his third consecutive game for his country this evening, as England take on Ghana in an international friendly at Wembley.

The 19-year-old starlet impressed again for the senior side when he played in the 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on Saturday.

Despite West Ham reportedly asking for Scott Parker to be rested, Arsene Wenger didn’t request the same treatment for Wilshere. In midfield, Frank Lampard has been released from duty, with Gareth Barry filling in and taking the captain’s armband.

£35 million man Andy Carroll leads the line on his second appearance for England.

England starting XI v Ghana: Hart (GK), Johnson, Baines, Barry, Cahill, Jagielka, Milner, Wilshere, Carroll, Young, Downing.

Nicklas Bendtner’s father and representative has spoken to the Danish media about his son’s lack of playing time at Arsenal, admitting that he’s “far from satisfied” with the 23-year-old’s current situation.

Bendtner, who faces Norway this Saturday, has in the past voiced concerns about his situation at the Emirates Stadium and has made just three starts in the Premier League this term.

“I am very, very far from being satisfied with Nicklas’ situation at Arsenal, I will not say more right now, because this should not go through the press. If more needs to be done, then I will make direct contact with the club and Wenger himself”, said Thomas Bendtner.

The Copenhagen-born frontman has not been a fans favourite since returning back from a loan spell at Birmingham in 2007, although his height up front has proved to be a useful weapon when needed.

Reports across Italy suggest that Juventus and Lazio are two Italian clubs interesting Bendtner whilst German outfit Borussia Dortmund and Hamburg have been sniffing around.