Gooner Talk

There may have only been two league games played this season, but even opposition fans have got to admit that this particular statistic is outstanding.

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is yet to give the ball away in 180 minutes of Premier League football, with all of his 69 passes being to his own team-mates.

And before someone rubbishes the analysis, those passes haven’t been the “sideways” sort that Denilson has been critcised for in the past. As you can see from the Guardian chalkboard diagram below, Vermaelen has moved the ball forward on the majority of occasions, creating attacks and supplying the midfield.

Click here to read more »

Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner has revealed that he’ll wait for his groin injury to “completely clear up” before making a return to action for the Gunners.

The striker had surgery to rectify the problem in November last year, but said the pain had returned during Denmark’s World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Bendtner, 22, said that he is on the road to recovery and pin-pointed mid-October as a potential return date.

“I feel good because it feels better every day. I feel less and less pain to my groin. I can do much more than before as it’s [groin] gradually getting stronger and stronger,” Bendtner told Ekstra Bladet.

“I’m getting treatment and doing core exercises out here [London Colney] every day and I’ve had over one and a half week without noticing any big problems,” he said.

“I hope I get my fitness up during September and then I can start to train with the team.

“From then, I could return in two weeks. It all depends on how the injury feels.”

This news came shortly before Bendtner sacked his “self-publicist” personal physio yesterday evening. Denmark manager Martin Olsen has also been speaking this week on his hopes of the forward featuring in the Dane’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Thanks to Nicklas Bendtner News for sharing the quotes.

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

Click here to read more »

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.

Arsene Wenger has handed a start in midfield to 19-year-old Jack Wilshere, as the youngster gets given a chance to show what he’s all about.

The other major team news is that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia starts and captains the side.

There is no place in the starting XI for either Robin van Persie or Cesc Fabregas, with the latter being ruled out altogether due to a chest infection.

Almunia
Sagna – Koscielny – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Diaby – Nasri
Eboue – Chamakh – Arshavin

Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Walcott, Vela, van Persie.