Gooner Talk

Arsenal look set to announce the signing of Sebastien Squillaci tomorrow evening, making him Arsene Wenger’s third acquisition of the summer.

Experienced French international Squillaci will sign a 3-year deal after Sevilla accepted Arsenal’s £5.3 million offer for the defender.

Mini-Bio:

Squillaci is a tough, old-fashioned centre back who has a whole host of experience under his belt for both club and country.

The 30-year-old is in the mould of Arsenal legend Martin Keown and isn’t known for being as comfortable on the ball as the Gunners other defenders’.

Renowned for being strong in the air, Squllaci’s natural position is at centre half while he is also right-footed which makes him an ideal replacement for William Gallas.

Sebastien Squillaci will become Arsenal’s third signing of the summer shortly — after it was announced that he would fly to London tonight ahead of a medical at the club’s London Colney training ground tomorrow morning.

The 30-year-old’s departure from Sevilla was revealed on their official website, with a 3-year deal in the region of £5.3 million being touted by the Spanish media.

Squillaci was withdrawn from the Sevilla squad that faced Braga in the first leg of the Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday as the Spanish club did not want to jeopardise the prospect of a deal by rendering him cup-tied in Europe.

Manager Arsene Wenger earlier admitted that the Gunners are in need for more defensive options after a summer which has seen William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre leave the club.

Leave your thoughts on the imminent signing of Squllaci in the comments section below.

Arsenal comprehensively beat newly-promoted Blackpool by 6 goals to nil. A Theo Walcott hattrick producing the highlight of the match.

Ian Holloway’s side had Ian Evatt sent off early on for a challenge on Marouane Chamakh and from then on the game was only going to get worse for the Seasiders.

England star Walcott was electric on the wing and put away some fine finishes while Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie came on midway through the second half, much to the delight of the watching Arsenal faithful.

Almunia
Sagna – Song – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Diaby – Rosicky
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he would have loved to see Paul Scholes in a Arsenal shirt, but revealed that he doesn’t admire the tackling side of the veteran midfielder.

The Manchester United star has started the season in brilliant form and, while Wenger is a massive fan, he does have issues with the little genius.

When asked about Scholes, Wenger said:

“Paul Scholes was, and still is, one of the greatest football players in England. His contribution to the success of Manchester United is huge.

“The regret I have personally is he was not always the fairest player. There is a darker side to him and that’s something I don’t like.”

Asked if there was a specific tackle he had in mind, such as Scholes’ reckless challenge on Jose Reyes in the 2004 FA Cup semi-final, Wenger told reporters,

“With Paul Scholes you have more than one. I can remember a few. Unfair? Of course.”

United fans seem to think that Wenger’s claims are exaggerated and untrue. So, to give an example of how Scholes has been “unfair” in recent seasons, check out the video below of Scholes’ off-the-ball tackle on Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets (no, we don’t like him either!) in the 2009 Champions League final.

Samba star Denilson has spoken of his dislike towards Tottenham and admitted — “They’re not going to achieve more than us this season.”

The 22-year-old, who is in the travelling squad set to face Liverpool tomorrow, also revealed his hopes and ambitions for the upcoming season in an exclusive interview with The Sun.

“Yes that would be special, to play Tottenham in the Champions League final… and beat them! Because I don’t like Tottenham. At Arsenal, NO ONE likes Tottenham. I knew that after only four weeks of coming here, even though I was a teenager from another country, from another continent.

“It was one of the first things they taught me here – the other players, the coaches, the manager and especially the fans. And now I have been here for four years, I have experienced it for myself. Now I understand it. We don’t like them and they don’t like us.

“When we play them it is crazy – on and off the ball. It’s a big, big rivalry and I love it.”

Tomorrow’s match at Anfield could see the Brazilian youngster make his first appearance of the season after not being involved in any of the pre-season fixtures due to a groin injury.

Stay tuned to both Gooner Talk and our Twitter feed for all the build-up to Sunday’s big match.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will play Manuel Almunia in goal against Liverpool this Sunday, despite Mark Schwarzer’s urgency to push through a move to the Emirates before the new-season begins.

The 37-year-old has been linked with a move to North London and former boss Roy Hodgson was ready to let him go until he himself left for Anfield.

Arsenal had bid £2 million for Schwarzer but at the time Fulham were holding out for twice that amount.

However, new boss Mark Hughes has told Schwarzer that he cannot leave Craven Cottage and the Australian looks set to formally ask Fulham for a transfer.

“I need it to happen, said Schwarzer, who believes it’s his last chance to join a big club with his 38th birthday looming. I’ve had a couple of chats with Mark [Hughes]. It’s delicately poised. Who wouldn’t be keen to go to Arsenal? At this stage in my career it’s an amazing opportunity to play at that level and one I really want to take.”

“I have never sat out a game [to prove a point] and never would,” Schwarzer said. “But it needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

“I’m not sure whether I’ll play [for Fulham] on the weekend. I’ve got a few little injury problems but we’ll have to wait and see how I pull up when I return to London.”

“It’s taken a long time and the season’s very close,” he admitted. “On one hand you understand them not wanting to disrupt too many things but I want things resolved as quickly as possible.”

“Only time will tell whether that happens or not.”

Despite having one of the best clean sheet to games ratio in Arsenal’s history - 66 from 161 games – most Gooners don’t want to see him as the Gunners’ no.1 ‘keeper this season.

How do you feel about Almunia playing on Sunday? Our latest poll suggests that signing a new goalie is vital if Arsenal are to challenge for major honours.

Leave your views on the goalkeeping situation in the comments section below.

Russia playmaker Andrey Arshavin has declared himself fit to face Liverpool this weekend, as the 28-year old searches for his sixth goal in 3 games against the Reds.

The Arsenal midfielder has a habit of scoring against Sunday’s opponents and boss Arsene Wenger was made to sweat on his fitness after Arshavin sustained a muscle injury last week.

“Yes. I’m ready, but it’s for Arsene Wenger to decide,” Arshavin told his official website.

Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are also expected to be involved at Anfield in some capacity, with the former arriving back in England from international duty later this evening.

Full injury news for the Liverpool game can be found here.