Gooner Talk

Gooner Talk can exclusively reveal that Arsene Wenger has refused to deny the consistent rumours concerning Russia forward Andrey Arshavin.

Zenit St Petersberg star Arshavin has attracted an array of admiring clubs on the strength of two spectacular Euro 2008 performances against Sweden and the Netherlands, Arsenal are said to be one of them.

French tactician Wenger admitted on French TV that he doesn’t have £40 million to spend in the January transfer window, but surprisingly revealed what positions he’s looking to strengthen in and also answered a question about Arshavin.

Wenger, speaking to Canal + said:

“I start feeling the crisis but I can’t spend £40m. We are looking at a creative player and another midfielder.”

When asked about the Arshavin link, Wenger replied with a coy smile and answer.

“Be a little patient. From the moment you give a name, you remove 50% chance of success to sign him.”

Whilst talking to British broadcaster Sky Sports, once again the Arsenal boss remained secretive on his January transfer plans.

You can watch the interview with Sky here.

Zenit St Petersberg star Arshavin has attracted an array of admiring clubs on the strength of two spectacular Euro 2008 performances against Sweden and the Netherlands.

It seems Arshavin is destined to be the replacement for Cesc Fabregas after the Spaniard sustained a long-term knee injury that will keep him out for four months.

With thanks to Vince from ASCFR for the French TV quotes and JD for the Canal + link.

Summer signings Amaury Bischoff and Mikael Silvestre are set to make their Arsenal debuts tonight – in a reserve game against Stoke City.

Bischoff, 21, signed on a free transfer after his contract expired at Werder Bremen while former Manchester United defender Silvestre, signed towards the end of August after agreeing a move.

Both players have had a previous catalogue of injuries under their old clubs, but tonight can possible build them up as the season starts to get into full force.

Reserves boss Neil Banfield spoke to Arsenal.com ahead of the well-awaited tie at Underhill.

“The manager thought Bischoff and Silvestre need a game. Mikael asked to play, he’s a good pro and he feels he needs a run-out so that will be good for him. Amaury will play as part of his rehabilitation so everything is coming along fine.”

Confirmed Starting XI

Szczesny
Ayling – Bartley – Silvestre – Gibbs
Bischoff – Coquelin – Randall – Wilshere
Fonte – Simpson

Stoke have also named a strong side with Vincent Pericard, Tom Soares, Danny Pugh and Wales centre back Ryan Shawcross playing against his ex-team-mate Mikael Silvestre.

Arsenal TV will be broadcasting the game, so if you’re signed up to the Setanta Sports Package on satellite, tune in to channel 432 at 6:30pm [GMT] tonight.

As usual, you can catch all the pre and post match action over at our good friends, Young Guns.

Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has NOT broken his leg during this evening’s Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers after the official website confirmed that the Frenchman only suffered “shin bruising”.

The 22-year-old had be taken to hospital following a challenge from Trotters striker Kevin Davies, who was booked for the tackle, and Cesc Fabregas claimed after the full time whistle that his side had come in for unwarranted special attention.

“We know every time we come here it’s going to be a tough game, very physical, they only look for corners, free kicks and throw-ins,” Fabregas told Setanta Sports.

“The tackle on Gael Clichy, I remember last year Abou Diaby was sent off for even less than that.

“But we know we are Arsenal. When we come to the North we know something like that is going to happen, and we have to cope with that.”

Gael was able to join up the rest of the Arsenal squad for the coach journey back to London Colney and will be avaliable for next Saturday’s game at home to Hull City.

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky still appears short of a return to action according to media reports – but could be fit in a couple of months time.

The 28-year-old winger has been sidelined since January with a thigh injury, and it doesn’t appear as if he sees himself playing again any time soon.

“My return is still going to take some time,” Rosicky told the CTK news agency.

“Each treatment runs the risk of bringing complications.”

The news will surely be a massive blow to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who had hoped to have the player back in action this month.

Keep up to date with all the latest injury news at PhysioRoom.

Arsenal new-boy Mikael Silvestre is unlikely to make his debut against Blackburn this Saturday after the Frenchman sustained a “minor setback” on his current thigh problem.

Silvestre, 31, has yet to make his debut for the Gunners’ since joining from Manchester United last month but Arsene Wenger believes he will be fit for next Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv.

“We had a minor setback with him,” said the manager. “But if he is not available for Saturday he will be OK for Wednesday certainly.

Fellow countryman Abou Diaby is still a fair few weeks away from full fitness while Carlos Vela has been completely ruled out after starring for Mexico in midweek.

“At the moment I do not know about everybody because some players finished their game at 4am, for example Carlos Vela in Mexico,” he said.

Samir Nasri is another doubt after the 21-year-old felt a nagging pain after Tuesday’s training session, and coach Raymond Domenech decided to rest him “only as a precautionary measure,” according to team press officer Francois Manardo.

Wenger is still undecided on the midfield maestro though:

“The only injury news that we have is Nasri, who could not play last night for France. We have to assess him later.”

Gooner Talk will have all the build-up to Saturday’s match with a preview coming tomorrow afternoon as well as a match report immediately after the full time whistle blows.

Arsenal forwards Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie have sustained injuries whilst on International duty for their respective countries.

Danish striker Bendtner has sprained his ankle, and Denmark national team Doctor Soren Kaalund believes it’s too earlier to predict how long the 21-year-old will be out for.

“He has sprained his left ankle, and it affects the outer ligaments. There is nothing broken, but the ankle is closed. Now we have to see how he reacts to the damage the next day time, and therefore the extent of the damage will only become clear to us over the next 24 hours” Kaalund told Sporten.dk

Robin van Persie also sat out Holland’s training session in Noordwijk because of a foot injury.

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk will lead his team into his first competitive game in charge next Wednesday when they face Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier.

Before that match, they face Australia in a friendly on Saturday, although Van Persie is expected to be fit.

Midfield maestro Samir Nasri will play against Fulham despite sustaining a thigh injury whilst on International duty for France.

Gooner Talk told you two days ago that Samir Nasri would be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham and the official site have now confirmed it.

New-boy Mikael Silvestre could also be involved while Alex Song has only recently jetted back to London after taking part in the Olympics for Cameroon but he might be drafted in for the trip to Craven Cottage.

“I am not sure about Silvestre as he has a little muscular problem, but Song is [in the squad],” said Wenger at his pre-match press conference.

“Well Cesc is doing very well in training,” said Wenger. ” He won’t be ready for Saturday but has a chance to be ok for Wednesday. We don’t want to gamble on him for one game, we have to be patient.”

“[Abou] Diaby doesn’t look too far away and hopefully there will be good news on [Tomas] Rosicky in the next two weeks.”

The current players out injured are:

Eduardo (leg)
Philippe Senderos (hamstring),
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring),
Abou Diaby (thigh),
Amaury Bischoff (groin),
Tomas Rosicky (hamstring)

A match preview will appear on the blog tomorrow afternoon while you can catch all the post-match action immediately after full time with our match report.