Gooner Talk

“Ryan Shawcross has no bad blood in him whatsoever. There is no way in a million years he would ever go out to try and hurt someone.”

That’s what Tony Pulis said in his post-match interview when asked about Ryan Shawcross’ horrific challenge on Aaron Ramsey.

However, yesterday’s incident wasn’t the first time Shawcross has seriously injured a fellow professional.

In 2007, the defender broke former Arsenal striker Franny Jeffers’ ankle, leading many fans and journalists alike questioning Shawcross’ discipline.

In November 2008, Shawcross tackled Gunners frontman Emmanuel Adebayor when he was off the pitch. The Togolese was ruled out for three weeks, while Arsene Wenger let his own feelings out after the game.

The Frenchman raged:

‘Do you think Delap tried to play the ball when he tackled Walcott? Or that Shawcross tried to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch. All the players have been injured deliberately’

We’ll leave you to judge for yourselves..

Alex Song will miss Arsenal’s next two Premier League games against Burnley and Hull City after picking up his 10th booking of the season against Stoke yesterday.

The 22-year-old Cameroonian international was jostling with Rory Delap for the ball before Peter Walton subsequently booked Song for a seemingly innocuous challenge.

Song’s suspension could coincide with the return of Abou Diaby who should recover from a knee injury by the time Arsenal play Burnley next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have released the following statement concerning Aaron Ramsey’s shocking leg break.

“During yesterday’s match against Stoke City, Aaron Ramsey sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Yesterday evening he underwent surgery.

“The operation successfully reduced the fractures and whilst it is too soon to state an exact timescale for recovery, Aaron will certainly miss the remainder of this season. Our thoughts are with Aaron at this time and everyone at the Club wishes him all the best in making as speedy a return to action as possible.”

Everyone at Gooner Talk would like to wish Aaron Ramsey a speedy recovery after the Welshman suffered a horrific injury against Stoke last night.

The 19-year-old has become an ever-increasing vital part of the Arsenal squad, providing more than adequate cover for skipper Cesc Fabregas.

Get well soon Aaron!

Some of his best moments in an Gunners shirt can be seen in this compilation below:

Zenit St Petersberg director Maxim Mitrofanov revealed that talks are still progressing with Arsenal over the transfer of Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin.

The 27-year-old is closing in on his ideal move to the Gunners after several weeks of firm interest from the north London giants. However, Zenit official Mitrofanov admitted that Arsenal are yet to ‘conclude the transfer’

Speaking to Radio Zenit, the official radio station of the Russian giants, Mitrofanov said:

“We are still waiting for an official response Arsenal.

While there is no news [at the moment], we do realise the position of Arsenal is extremely important.

Arsène Wenger said that he has different feelings about the possibility of the deal, but nevertheless, he looked forward to its conclusion.

We need to understand how Arsenal would like to conclude this transfer.”

French tactician Arsene Wenger said last night in his post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw over Everton, that the deal to bring midfielder Andrei Arshavin to the Emirates Stadium is ‘90 per cent completed’.

Earlier this afternoon, Zenit head coach Dick Advocaat refused to get drawn in on the ‘Arshavin-saga’ admitting that he’s “fed up” with the longevity of the transfer.

A deal will certainly need to happen sooner rather than later. With just 4 days left until the closure of the transfer window, late signings could prove crucial to the rest of Arsenal’s season.

You can view pics of Arshavin training with Zenit at their Dubai training camp today, by clicking here.

Former Arsenal skipper William Gallas is likely to start for the Gunners in tomorrow’s crucial Premier League tie against Everton at Goodison Park.

The 31-year-old French centre half has been missing from the Arsenal side for several weeks due to a niggly hamstring injury.

With Johan Djourou and Kolo Toure, the latter rumoured to of fallen out with Gallas, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger seems reluctant to drop either of them. Despite that, he knows that Arsenal’s congested fixture list will force him to rotate his thin squad.

“Gallas is likely to be involved tomorrow,” said Wenger. “I have not picked the team yet but he will be with us of course.

“It will be at the expense of who it will be. That depends on the games and what kind of opposition we have.”

Gooner Talk have predicted this line-up for tomorrow evening’s match:

Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Denilson – Diaby – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie

Of course, Gooner Talk will continue our build-up towards the game with a match preview in the afternoon. A report will be put up shortly after the game by our new report writer, Darius.

In other news, Andrei Arshavin’s frustratingly ongoing move to Arsenal has been given some positive news with the quotes of Zenit St Petersberg director Maxim Mitrofanov earlier this afternoon.

Mitrofanov had earlier claimed in a Russian radio interview that a deal had been agreed with Arsenal, but now, according to him, Arshavin has put ‘money over success’.

He said:

“We’ve reached an agreement with Arsenal’s representatives about a different sum for the transfer.

“The amount would have been increased by decreasing the player’s wages, but because the player didn’t budge, neither us nor the Londoners found it possible to sign a contract for the agreed price. This decision was mutual and not just Zenit’s.”

“I think that we are very close to a deal, we really want to sell him but I hope the player can forget about the huge sums of money he is asking for and I hope he can find a compromise,” Mitrotanov.

“We are ready but it is his decision.

“Is it his dream or is it just a question of money?”

Arshavin’s agent Dennis Lachter has rebuffed those quotes whilst speaking to Gooner Talk.

After viewing Mitrofanov’s comments, he admitted that Zenit are ‘blaming’ the slowness of the deal on the player, instead of theirselves.

As usual, we’ll try our upmost to keep you updated with all the latest transfer news et al here at Gooner Talk.