Szczesny keen for Arsenal stay

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, stating his desire to stay at the Emirates for a 'long, long time'.
The youngster has established himself as first choice this season under manager Arsene Wenger and is hoping to repay the faith shown in him by improving year on year in north London.

 "It's always satisfying to hear people praising you," Szczesny told reporters.
"But I'm at the beginning of my career with a long way to go. I'm looking forward to playing for this club for a long, long time.
"At this age, it's very important for a player to play regularly and I'm very happy that I was given the chance. I'm just trying to do my best for the club."

The 22-year-old has made 33 league appearances so far this season, with his performances reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona.

25 April 2012 from Soccerway.com

O´Neill: Wenger one of the greatest

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has defended Arsene Wenger after his side beat a below-par Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.
The home side booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with an impressive 2-0 triumph over the visitors, with Kieran Richardson opening the scoring before an own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed the victory.
When asked if he believes Wenger's days as Arsenal boss are numbered, O'Neill said: "My view is that when he eventually decides to retire he will be considered by everyone, including me, as one of the great managers of the game."
"We might not always see eye to eye about events but I personally think he has been fantastic for the English game, so of course he will be disappointed at having lost the game but I don't think the criticism that we all receive passes round, I don't think it is particularly merited."
"That is my view. He has been one of the great managers and will be considered so."
The former Aston Villa boss also expressed his delight at making the last eight of the FA Cup after his side's two-goal triumph over the north London side.
"If anything we were getting stronger as the game went on," O’Neill said.
"I am really pleased for everybody concerned with the club, particularly the players who were excellent today, not only in terms of working hard but also when we had the ball because we tried to use it."
"There was plenty of confidence and the self-belief is getting stronger which is great to see. They feel as if they can win matches."
"I am delighted to be in the last eight. Today you felt that the first goal was going to be of major importance. It would give that extra belief and we took that into the second half."

"We put a big effort into the game and that did not surprise me because we have been doing that for some particular time. I think I pleasantly get surprised by them if the truth be known."

source : soccerway 

Mid-week Game

Today Arsenal will play against Bolton W at Reebok Stadium ,in game week 23, kick off 3:00 AM(time in Cambodia). more news before match

Wilshere hit with new injury blow

Arsenal star and England international Jack Wilshere has developed a stress fracture in his right foot.
The 20-year-old midfielder has not played since England's 2-2 draw with Switzerland last June, and he had been aiming for a February return to the game after undergoing surgery on his right ankle in September.
Arsenal have confirmed the latest injury, and Wilshere took to social networking site Twitter to confirm the news.
"I can confirm I have a stress fracture but it is not in the same area as my first injury which has healed very (well) which I am happy about," Wilshere wrote.
"I have developed a stress fracture in the Heal now and I don't want to put any time scale on it as I do not know how long it will take."

"I will update you more in a couple of weeks when I know more!"

Source : Soccerway

Arsenal - Aston Villa 3-2 all goals and highlights FA CUP 2012 (HD)

Madrid to step up Wenger interest

Arsenal transfer news: Real Madrid's interest in Arsene Wenger set to swell

Real Madrid are set to step up their interest in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, according to The Daily Express.
Despite leading Barcelona in La Liga by five points, Jose Mourinho's inability to topple the Catalans during head-to-heads in the league and recently in the Copa del Rey quarter-final have led to frustration on the part of the Madrid board.
Wenger has often been linked with a move to Madrid, amid a seven-year trophyless spell at the Premier League outfit.

As reported on Wednesday, Wenger is reportedly one of two managers on Madrid's shortlist to take over from Mourinho, who has won just one trophy last season as Barcelona scooped the European Cup and the La Liga title.
Their is evidence that Wenger's lack of success at Arsenal is starting to grate on the fans, after the Frenchman was booed for replacing Andrey Arshavin with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United, a reaction that was compounded by Danny Welbeck's late winner.
In addition, Wenger's transfer policy has often come under fire from fans and pundits alike, following a frenzy of spending late in the summer transfer window.
Many have attributed those late purchases to Arsenal's uncertain start in the Premier League, which as as result now sees them five points off the pace in the race for the fourth Champions League spot.
The 62-year-old is widely regarded as one of the world's best manager's having become the first foreign boss to win the Premier League title in 1998.

Source: givemefootball

Arsenal stars still believe in Wenger

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Szczesny speak in support of Gunners boss

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says that he respected Arsene Wenger's controversial decision to substitute him in Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
The 18-year-old making his first Premier League start gave a standout performance but much to the dismay of Arsenal was hauled away by Wenger  just minutes after he had assisted skipper Robin van Persie in getting the equaliser.
Wenger cut a forlorn figure after he replaced the impressive Oxlade-Chamberlain with Andrey Arshavin in the 73rd minute with the score at 1-1.
Fans exploded in a cacophony of disapproval which grew louder when Wenger's decision backfired spectacularly as Arshavin lost Antonio Valencia, who set up Danny Welbeck for United's winner.

Even Robin van Persie mouthed his shock at the substitution though he was unaware that the teenager had a calf strain.
"It was hard not to hear it (the jeers for Wenger), there were a lot of fans," Oxlade-Chamberlain said. "It is always nice to know that the fans enjoyed your performance or whatever but at the end of the day, it's the boss's decision. He's Arsène Wenger, a top-quality manager. He's done a lot for this club so whatever he does and whatever decision he makes towards me and the team, I'll have to respect and I do respect that.
"The fans pay to come and watch us so they have the right to have their own opinions and to show their frustration but all we can guarantee is that we're working very hard and we're completely focused on the task in hand. We'll do all we can to try to put it right."
Goal stopper Wojciech Szczesny also suggested it was ridiculous for the Arsenal manager to have his position called into question.
The club's dressing room remains behind Wenger and there is the belief that they can still finish the season in a Champions League place.
Sunday's defeat, their third in succession in the Premier League, left Arsenal fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Szczesny said: "No one will ever forget what the boss has done for this club. He's still doing a fantastic job and that's not a question, really, his position at this club. I don't think his position at this club should ever be questioned. We've been here before (in a difficult situation) and we've reacted very well. We'll do the same thing again and make sure that this club goes in the right direction and we finish the season where we should."
Arsenal supporters have been urged to keep the faith and much hope is being invested in the return of key players from injury.
"It should be a big confidence boost for us, the likes of Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna coming back, Kieran Gibbs as well," Szczesny said. "It will help us to get the results that this club deserves."
Oxlade-Chamberlain's eye-catching performance against United came on his full Premier League debut.
"It's a stride in the right direction for me but I realise that there's quality players on the bench and with the boys that are away (at the Africa Cup of Nations), like Gervinho … it's not going to be easy to keep that position. All I can do is keep working hard and try to repay the boss's trust.
"I'm definitely confident in the team. You just have to look around the dressing room. There's quality players wherever you look. We know we've got what it takes and it's just about sticking together from now on and coming out of the sticky patch as a better team."

Source : Emirates247