Wenger issues Arsenal rallying call

Gunners boss wants his team to end blip in form with a win over Man Utd on Sunday

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says next weekend’s match against Manchester United is the perfect opportunity for his side to bounce back from two straight Barclays Premier League defeats.

The Gunner s were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage at the beginning of January while on Sunday, they took an early lead against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium only to lose the contest 3-2.
But Wenger believes that his side can use Sunday's match against Manchester United to rejuvenate their attempt to cement a place in the top four.
"It is a massive opportunity because you feel we have given six points away in the last two games in a way that is unbelievable," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

"It is time for us to wake up and be focused - we have a good opportunity to do that against Manchester United."
And Wenger says his team will need to show a big improvement if they are to overcome Manchester United,  who currently lie second in the League table.
"That's now twice - at Swansea and at Fulham - where we have given the game away," added Wenger.
"At our level that is frustrating and not good enough.

"It is down to a lack of composure and the right decision-making. It is alarming because at Fulham we were 1-0 up and we lost the game.
"[Against Swansea] we came back to 2-2 and straight away we gave the third goal away. It is really a concern."

"That's now twice - at Swansea and at Fulham - where we have given the game away."
- Arsene Wenger

Source : premierleague 

 

Arsenal tracking RVP´s son, 5

Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Robin van Persie's five-year-old son.
Shaqueel van Persie has already shown talents in both football and golf and has been playing for a club near to the family home, and the Gunners have seen enough of the youngster to invite him to a couple of sessions.

However, Van Persie senior is happy for his son to stay with his current side and insists he does not need to answer Arsenal's calls just yet.

"I honestly have to say that he has got a lot of talent for football," Van Persie said.

"I recognise a lot of stuff of myself in him. His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He's sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me."

"He loves to play golf. You've got some great golf courses here. He's taking lessons and we regularly play a round. Sometimes he beats me! He's got a great gift for where the ball has to go. My shots sometimes end up in the bush; his always go straight. He says: 'Dad, I'm going to chip now, gimme my this or that club'. He can do that perfectly as well."

The Dutchman has halted talks on extending his own career at Arsenal and will continue discussions in the summer, when he will have 12 months left on his current contract.

A handful of clubs are keeping tabs on the prolific goalscorer and Van Persie himself has spoken of his admiration for Barcelona.

"I still think you can achieve most by playing beautiful football," he told NUsport magazine.

"Look at Barcelona. Their football is something unique, beautiful to watch. We will never forget it. But sometimes, they also depend on the individual actions of (Lionel) Messi or somebody else."

"Nobody can play beautiful football all the time. That's what I tell the boys (at Arsenal). When it doesn't go smoothly, just try to kill the game."

"I'm still a lover of the game and I will always be but I've become more realistic. It's too romantic to think you can only win by playing beautiful football. Barcelona is the exception."

Source : Soccerway

Henry sorry for swearing at Arsenal fan

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has apologised for swearing at one of the club's fans after they suffered defeat at the hands of Swansea.
Arsene Wenger's team had lost the match 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, as goals from Scott Sinclair, Danny Graham and Nathan Dyer gave Brendan Rodgers' side the three points.

After the game Henry wanted his team-mates to applaud the travelling supporters.

Despite his best interests, when the Arsenal players went over to thank their fans, what came the way of the players was a barrage of abuse, something Henry was perplexed and shocked by.

"I was really shocked and disappointed on Sunday, and not just at the result," the Frenchman told The Sun.

"After the final whistle of a very tricky game, I insisted the whole team go and applaud the Arsenal supporters."

"When I arrived in front of our own fans, I couldn't understand the abuse the team were getting from one of them."

"I wanted to tell the fan in question that we need their support not abuse. The sentiment was right, but in hindsight could have been better expressed."

"So I would like to first and foremost apologise for using inappropriate language to that particular 'supporter'."

"I didn't intend to be malicious or threatening and am aware that it could have been said in a calmer manner."

Arsenal's first opportunity to eradicate the Swansea defeat will see them face Manchester United on Sunday, a match that also represents the opportunity to get revenge for the 8-2 loss at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Source: Socceway

Result Arsenal 1-0 Leeds FA Cup

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Henry may stay at Arsenal till end of season

Arsene Wenger is mulling the prospect of retaining Thierry Henry till the end of the season as Arsenal target a top-four finish in the league.
The New York Red Bulls striker has rejoined Arsenal on a two-month loan but there is a possibility a longer deal could be agreed.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup third-round clash against Leeds on Monday, the Gunners boss revealed his main priority was qualifying for the Champions League.
Wenger mauy be under pressure to end Arsenal’s seven-year wait for silverware but the Frenchman will always put the Champions League first.
He said: "The basis of our life at the top level is dictated by the championship.
"If we can add on top of that the FA Cup it is fantastic.
"If, on the last day of the season, you ask me do you play the final of the FA Cup or do you play for the final game that qualifies for the Champions League.

"For us it's not comparable, the FA Cup and Champions League.
"The Champions League is compulsory. The FA Cup is for enjoyment."
Should Henry hit the ground running in his spell back at the Gunners then Wenger is almost certain to try to make the Frenchman stay.
When David Beckham joined AC Milan in similar circumstances from LA Galaxy three years ago he ended up staying until the end of the season.

And Wenger said: "Milan might have negotiated that in advance but we have not done that.

"We have promised that we send the player back so we have not spoken about that at all."

But the Gunners boss is still hoping he may have to broach the subject — and ask New York for an extension.
Wenger revealed he will rest top scorer Robin van Persie against Leeds so in the absence of Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh, Henry may even start against the Yorkshire side at the Emirates.

Arsenal have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup but Wenger insisted that the club's lack of silverware did not mean failure.

He added: "It has always looked like 'Ah, you have not won a trophy so you have been nowhere for five years'.

"But in the same five years we have been in the semi-finals of the Champions League and final of the Champions League.

"You will realise one day that it is not as easy as it looks and this year we are again one of the two teams who qualified."

Wenger, who has won three titles and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal, claimed he does not even know where any of his medals are.

He said: "I don't know where I have my medals.
"I don't think I keep them. I don't know where 'The Invincibles' medal is because it's more important what is in front of you."

Wenger admits the players want winners’ medals especially after losing the Carling Cup final last season.
“That’s why we fight for it,” he said.

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Nasri, Cesc exit made Arsenal stronger: Walcott

Gunners more united outfit despite horrible start to season

Theo Walcott believes Arsenal have emerged stronger following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal suffered a difficult start to their Premier League campaign, with the nadir taking the shape of an 8-2 drubbing by Manchester United at Old Trafford in August.
However Walcott told Arsenal Player magazine that the Gunners were now a more united outfit after Fabregas was sold to Barcelona and Nasri headed north to Manchester City.
"I'm not saying that Cesc and Samir were individual players, they were great team players, but when you lose two top players everyone needs to come together," Walcott, 22, said.
"The manager has brought in some good additions and we are a bit more of a team, we work harder when we haven't got the ball.
"We have a lot more clean sheets as well, and having (Thomas) Vermaelen back is very important as he is a massive player for us.
"The next thing the whole team needs to share the goals more. Samir and Cesc used to get quite a lot of them and Robin van Persie has been getting most of them so that's our next step."
Walcott hopes that the return of Jack Wilshere from injury could help give Arsenal's season fresh impetus when the 20-year-old comes back next month.
"Seeing Jack in and around the dressing room and treatment room, he is as happy as ever," Wilshere added.
"He won the Young Player of the Year award last year which was deserved. He's also played for England and now he just needs to get back out on that pitch."

By: AFP

Published Wednesday, January 04, 2012
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Nasri, Cesc exit made Arsenal stronger: Walcot