Gooner Talk

Robin van Persie has reportedly signed a contract extension which will see him become one of the Gunners’ highest earners at £80,000-a-week.

Van Persie is currently on holiday in the south of France and will not return for pre-season training until a week on Monday.

He had been in contract talks with the club since the New Year and, like many of his team-mates, had delayed his decision to sign until he was sure that Arsenal had qualified for the Champions League which they eventually did by a comfortable margin.

The Dutchman joins Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, who have all signed new long-term extensions with the Club in the close season.

With 20 goals to his name last season, his signature is surely the biggest coup this summer?

Give your views on RVP in the comments section below.

Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger gave an exclusive interview to French radio station RMC earlier this evening.

Some of the questions posed to him were very interesting, and as you’ll see below, so are his answers.

Thanks to Vince from ASCFR for translating these.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bundesliga giants Hertha Berlin are preparing a bid for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, according to Swiss daily Blick.

The 24-year-old has been lined up by the German side to replace the departed Josip Simunic, who sealed his £6million move to Hoffenheim earlier today.

According to the reports, Senderos, who was on-loan at AC Milan last campaign, won’t be involved in Arsene Wenger’s plans for next season and Hertha will recoup Simunic’s fee to pay Arsenal’s £6.5million asking price.

Hertha coach Lucien Favre is a known admirer of Senderos whom he debuted under at 16-years of age at Swiss outfit Servette.

With neither Milan or Arsenal interested in ‘keeping’ Big Phil, it looks as if he’ll be playing in the top tier of German football next season.

Do you want him to stay? Or is Thomas Vermaelen a ready-made replacement? Give your views in the comments section below.

Felipe Melo definitely won’t be coming to Arsenal this summer, but his fellow Brazilian Naldo certainly could be.

Werder Bremen’s central defender has been tipped to join the Gunners’ by coach Thomas Schaaf who quoted a potential transfer fee at just under £8million.

“Naldo is a great athlete and could do well at the right club, unfortunately he doesn’t fit the direction we’re planning to move in any longer.

“We expect to move him for somewhere in the region of €10 million [£8m], and English side Arsenal is as of now the most likely destination.”

The imposing 6ft 5inch figure of Naldo would provide much added strength and solidity to the Arsenal defence especially after the recent acquisition of Ajax skipper Thomas Vermaelen.

At 26-years-old, Naldo has experience, athleticism and toughness in his game. You can check out a mini-player bio, along with a video below.

Full Name: Ronaldo Aparecido Rodrigues
Club: Werder Bremen
Position: Defender
Number: 4
Born: 09 October 1982
Age: 26
Height: 198cm
Weight: 89kg

An Arsenal youth side will take on Maidenhead United in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday 28th July.

More details on friendly fixtures will be released as we get them.

Admission to the game will be as follows:
Adults: £10
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2

Abu Ogogo's off to Northampton..

League 2 side Dagenham & Redbridge have announced the signing of Arsenal full back Abu Ogogo on a two-year deal deal.

Born in Epsom in November 1989, Abu began his career as a trainee at Arsenal. He signed his first professional contract for the Gunners’ in September 2007. Although not making any first team appearances for the North London side he played for both their academy and reserves.

Another reserve defender Paul Rodgers will also join fellow League 2 team Northampton Town for a pre-season trial as he looks to try and earn a contract at Sixfields.

The right-back was joined the Cobblers on an initial one month loan in January 2009, and this was then extended until the end of the season.

Both players’ moves signal Arsenal’s intent not to keep them. Announcements are expected in the coming days to confirm the respective transfers.

Keep updated with all the latest Reserve & Youth news over at Young Guns.