Arsenal

Derby swoop for Oakley and Smith
Derby have signed former Southampton midfielder Matt Oakley and 19-year-old winger Ryan Smith from Arsenal. Both arrived on three-year deals - Oakley came on a free transfer, while the fee for Smith was undisclosed. \"Oakley is a tremendous signing for us,\" Rams boss Billy Davies told the club website. \"He is a great addition and at the age he is (28) we feel his best years are around the corner - hopefully at Derby County Football Club.\" Oakley rejected a new deal at Southampton earlier in the summer. Davies said he was excited about seeing Smith play for the Pride Park side. \"He caused us a lot of problems at Preston and I had first seen him when he was on loan at Leicester,\" added the Derby boss. \"Ryan in an exciting young player who can get fans off seats with his running ability and hopefully throwing a few good balls into the box.\"

Cole 'to miss Arsenal qualifier'
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole is not expected to travel with the Gunners on Monday for Tuesday's Champions League qualifying tie against Dinamo Zagreb. Reports on Monday suggest Cole will be left at home as Chelsea step up their attempts to sign the 25-year-old. The Blues have repeatedly been linked with a £25m move for the England star. Cole was in the Champions League squad submitted by Arsenal to Uefa, but will be unable to appear for Chelsea in the competition if he plays on Tuesday. The Blues, who return from a pre-season trip to America on Monday, would not want to sign a player who is ineligible for their 2006-07 Champions League campaign. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted that initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place. Chelsea were fined - together with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and Cole - in June 2005 after they breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal's knowledge. Cole's relationship with the Gunners has been strained of late and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised Arsenal for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair.

Wenger wants quick Cole decision
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants left-back Ashley Cole's future to be settled by the end of this week. The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked to Chelsea, and Wenger said: \"I don't know what will happen. \"For me, the deadline has come to make a decision one way or another and I would see this week as the limit.\" Cole is not in Arsenal's squad for Tuesday's Champions League tie at Dinamo Zagreb and so, if he moves, he could play for Chelsea in Europe. Wenger insisted that Cole was left out for fitness reasons but Chelsea, who returned from a pre-season trip to America on Monday, would not want to sign a player who is ineligible for their 2006-07 Champions League campaign. \"I have known for a long time that I will not play Ashley in this game because he came back late, and then he was sick,\" he said. \"We do not play our players before they are at a certain level of preparation.\" And the Frenchman was adamant a quick solution to the on-going transfer speculation would be beneficial - for all involved. He added: \"It is better because it gets the player settled again and their mind on the team. That is what you want. \"When you are a fan, you want the players to be focused on the targets of the club and the team. \"On that side, it is good that it ends one day. \"I am in football for one reason - to play the football I love. \"To play the football I love, I need the players who can play the game I love and until now we always managed to do that. \"We have one advantage in that we have never been a prisoner of names. \"There are many people who have predicted many times that we will collapse and we have always improved. \"I have in my squad good enough players, no matter who leaves.\" Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted that initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place. Chelsea were fined - together with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and Cole - in June 2005 after they breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal's knowledge. Cole's relationship with the Gunners has been strained of late and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised Arsenal for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair. The England left-back is expected to cost Chelsea up to £25m, with some reports linking unhappy Blues defender William Gallas with a move in the opposite direction. Wenger said he admired the Frenchman but added: \"We have never spoken to player or club about that so it's pure speculation at the moment.\"

Pompey set to seal Campbell deal
Portsmouth have confirmed that Sol Campbell will sign for them later on Tuesday, subject to agreeing terms. Campbell had a medical at Fratton Park on Monday, with a view to signing what Sir Stanley understands is a one-year contract with a further year's option. Newcastle have also tracked the 31-year-old England international but Manchester City denied they made a late move for the player. Arsenal released Campbell in July because he wanted a new challenge. The defender, who spent five years at Highbury, did not train with Portsmouth on Tuesday. But his decision to even consider a move to the south coast has surprised Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. \"I have no regrets,\" Wenger said of his choice to release the player. \"But it is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad. \"Have you sold Portsmouth to a foreign country? No.\" Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is looking to partner Campbell with either Manchester City's Sylvain Distin or Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen. Redknapp is keen on Distin, who is in the last year of his contract at Manchester City and would cost around £4m. He has also tendered a bid for New Zealand international Nelsen, although it has been rebuffed by Blackburn boss Mark Hughes. With no transfer fee involved for the England defender, Portsmouth will more easily be able to meet Campbell's salary, which was believed to be in the region of £80,000 a week at Highbury but is likely to come down considerably. The Pompey boss has also made an approach to Manchester City for England keeper David James. Campbell announced at the end of last season that he was leaving the Gunners to seek \"a new challenge\" after five years with the London club. He made 197 appearances for the Gunners and won five major trophies after joining the club from arch rivals Tottenham in 2001.

Reyes future hinges on Zagreb tie
Jose Antonio Reyes' future at Arsenal depends on whether he is named in the side to face Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, according to the winger's agent. If Reyes, 22, plays in the Champions League qualifier, he will be cup-tied for the rest of the competition. \"If he plays it will complicate the move,\" agent Rodriguez de Moya told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. \"Real Madrid do not want to invest a large sum in a player who cannot play in the Champions League.\" Reports in Spain suggest there was contact between Real Madrid and Arsenal about the player on Monday. De Moya added: \"It appears that the clubs have begun talking and we are waiting to see if they reach an agreement. \"It's an open secret that Jose Antonio wants to play for Real Madrid. \"He is very happy at Arsenal because they have treated him very well but he misses home and has always made that clear.\" Yet Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will have no qualms about picking Reyes against Zagreb. He said: \"He is in the squad for Zagreb and if I decide to play him, he will play. There is no problem.\" The Frenchman, who was himself linked with a move to Real earlier in the summer, said: \"The speculation does not come from Reyes. \"It comes out from Spain. What can I do to stop that? I have read everything on one side and the opposite as well. \"But the Spanish media have announced me having signed at Real Madrid before and since that I have at least one concrete experience that shows you cannot trust them. \"I extended Jose's contract last year, so that is quite clear about how I regard his future at Arsenal Football Club.\" Wenger is already without eight first-team players for the match in Zagreb, including star striker Thierry Henry and want-away defender Ashley Cole. Chelsea are eager to sign the left-back before the transfer window closes at the end of August, but Wenger insists he has been left out of the squad on fitness grounds alone.

Wenger expects tough Euro start
Boss Arsene Wenger concedes Arsenal are in for a difficult time against Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League third qualifying round first leg in Croatia. The Gunners are without a host of top names on Tuesday and face opponents who have already started their season. \"Of course we will try to win but above all we must not damage our chances to qualify,\" said Wenger. \"They are a good side and are ahead of us physically. In a very intense game, 90 minutes will be difficult.\" The Gunners will be without captain Thierry Henry, who has been rested following his World Cup exertions, and suspended goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. In addition midfielder Freddie Ljungberg and defenders Philippe Senderos and Gael Clichy are injured. Theo Walcott has not travelled and his England colleague Ashley Cole has been left at home because of a lack of fitness, although that decision has only added to the speculation that he will move to Chelsea. Arsenal's only new signing of the summer, Tomas Rosicky, will play only a bit-part role at the Maksimir Stadium. \"Rosicky will be on the bench,\" confirmed Wenger. \"I have just made him travel so he can play part of the game but I do not think he is fit enough from the start. \"He is physically fit because he has good training session with us but he is not fit enough to play in the games yet.\" Dinamo Zagreb opened their domestic campaign with a victory and easily saw off Lithuanian side FK Ekranas 9-3 to make it to this stage of the Champions League - against last year's beaten finalists. But despite that and the long list of absentees, Wenger has faith in his young squad and is relishing the start of another season. \"Dinamo Zagreb are a very good team and this is a tricky game for us,\" he added. \"They have players from abroad - Brazilians - and it looks like slowly the financial potential of clubs in former Eastern European countries is coming up to our level. \"I am not worried about the atmosphere at all - I am more focused on the idea that we want to be completely right from the start and can cope with the physical pressure. \"We have to play to our strengths - skill, passing and speed. \"And in two weeks we will be in much better shape than now, I hope.\"

Dinamo Zagreb v Arsenal
Champions League Third qualifying round, first leg Tuesday, 8 August Maksimir Stadium Kick-off: 2005 BST Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is expected to replace omitted defender Ashley Cole at left-back. The Frenchman appeared in that position on numerous occasions last season when Cole and Gael Clichy were injured. Striker Thierry Henry is being rested and teenager Theo Walcott was another who did not board the plane, while goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is suspended. Summer signing Tomas Rosicky, the Czech Republic midfielder, is likely to make his competitive debut. Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Freddie Ljungberg (ankle), Gael Clichy (foot) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are also out. Jose Antonio Reyes, who is thought to be a target for Real Madrid, is named in manager Arsene Wenger's squad. Wenger says talk of a possible move would not prevent him picking the player, despite that making Reyes ineligible to play for another side in Europe this season. Arsenal are likely to face a tough test from Dinamo, who have won their opening two games in the Croatian championship and beat Lithuanian side Ekranas 9-3 in the previous round of the Champions League. Their line-up includes veteran German international defender Jens Nowotny, who joined in the summer from Bayer Leverkusen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal (from): Almunia, Poom, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Cygan, Fabregas, Flamini, Hoyte, Gilberto, Song, Hleb, Reyes, Aliadiere, Van Persie, Traore, Adebayor, Rosicky.

Henry will miss European opener
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry will miss the first leg of the Champions League qualifier on 8 or 9 August because of a lack of fitness. Boss Arsene Wenger feels the tie is too soon for the striker, who has missed pre-season training after playing for France in the World Cup final. Arsenal are likely to face Dinamo Zagreb, who lead Ekranas 4-1 after their first-leg match. The Gunners will also be without keeper Jens Lehmann, who is suspended. Wenger confirmed to the club website: \"Jens is suspended and Thierry will be short as well.\" He added that Henry will not return to the club until 2 August - only one week before the Gunners kick off in Europe.

Dinamo Zagreb 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal scored three second-half goals to take control of their Champions League third qualifying round tie. Cesc Fabregas collected a lay-off from Robin van Persie before slotting home from a tight angle after 63 minutes. Van Persie doubled their lead a minute later after collecting a long pass from Alexander Hleb and Fabregas scored the third after a jinking run. Jose Antonio Reyes, linked with a move to Real Madrid, was left out of the side for the first-leg encounter. Arsenal went into their first competitive fixture of the season with a much-changed line-up from the team that started last season's Champions League final to Barcelona. Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell were all missing from the team that lost in Paris. But summer signing Tomas Rosicky showed some good touches, while the Arsenal team showed great maturity in possession. Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina saved long-range efforts from Emmanuel Adebayor, Van Persie and Rosicky during an opening half in which both teams were largely restricted to shots from distance. Adebayor, making his European debut for Arsenal, was heavily involved and went close with a blistering strike that eluded Turina but flew wide of the post. The home team, playing in front of a capacity crowd, opened up Arsenal on several occasions, with Lukas Modric a real threat. Modric, who is on a 10-year contract at Zagreb, troubled Arsenal with his direct running and clever touches. The 20-year-old just missed the target after striking Etto's pull-back with his first touch and later opened up the Gunners defence, collecting a return pass before just shooting wide from a tight angle. Manuel Almunia saved low to his left to deny Marijan Buljat, while Modric struck the ball wide with a shot across goal under pressure from Johan Djourou. Dinamo enjoyed a spell of possession after the break and an early ball from the influential Modric released Eduardo, who took his shot early but failed to find the target, while Van Persie forced a scrambling save from Turina with another effort from distance. But Arsenal's patience in possession was finally rewarded when Van Persie controlled a Hleb pass with his first touch and laid the ball off for Fabregas to score with a precise finish. Within a minute Arsenal had doubled their advantage, Van Persie collecting Hleb's superb long ball forward before slotting a shot across Turina, who should have got at least a hand to the low strike. Modric almost pulled a goal back before Fabregas showed great control in dribbling the ball into the Zagreb area before scoring with a shot across goal. It could have been even worse for Zagreb but Turina saved with his feet from Mathieu Flamini.

Wenger admits Reyes is unsettled
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he left Jose Reyes out of his team to face Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday because the winger is \"unsettled\". But Wenger insisted he was \"confident\" of keeping the Spaniard, despite reported interest from Real Madrid. \"I feel Reyes, with all the noises made about his transfer with Real Madrid, has been unsettled,\" said Wenger. \"I don't think he had the right concentration. The fact he will be cup-tied did not come into my mind.\" Asked whether he thought Reyes would still be with Arsenal when the transfer window closes, Wenger insisted: \"I am confident, yes. \"I do not send messages out. I send a good team out with chance to win. You can take all the conclusions you want. \"You cannot see behind every decision I make (whether it is) to transfer players.\" Reyes was an unused substitute for Arsenal's 3-0 win in Zagreb. Had he played, the 22-year-old would have been cup-tied for the rest of the competition. Earlier on Tuesday, his agent Rodriguez de Moya told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: \"If he plays it will complicate the move. \"Real Madrid do not want to invest a large sum in a player who cannot play in the Champions League.\" Reports in Spain suggest there was contact between Real Madrid and Arsenal about the player on Monday. De Moya added: \"It appears that the clubs have begun talking and we are waiting to see if they reach an agreement. \"It's an open secret that Jose Antonio wants to play for Real Madrid. \"He is very happy at Arsenal because they have treated him very well but he misses home and has always made that clear.\"

Henry fears over Cole departure
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry says it will be a \"massive\" blow to the club if the Gunners sell defender Ashley Cole. Henry likened the potential departure of the 25-year-old - who has repeatedly been linked with a move to Chelsea - to last season's exit of Patrick Vieira. \"The loss of Vieira to Juventus was massive - like it would be if Ashley goes,\" Henry told The Sun newspaper. The Gunners are also facing the loss of Spanish winger Jose Reyes, 22, who is linked with a £10m move to Real Madrid. Cole did not travel with Arsenal for their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb - which the Gunners won 3-0 - while Reyes was left on the bench. That means both players are still eligible to play for another club in this season's competition, which will boost their transfer value. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said he was keen to sort out Cole's future within the next week, but Henry said he had reservations about selling the England international to one of Arsenal's Premiership rivals. \"Obviously we want him to stay. He is one of the best left-backs in the world. We would miss him badly,\" Henry said. \"We already have injuries to Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos. We have a lot of players out. \"I don't know anything about the situation with Chelsea. \"But if he goes there it will look like we are trying to catch a team at the same time as giving them one of our best assets. It would be difficult to take.\" Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denied that the two players' Gunners careers are over. He admitted on Tuesday that he left Jose Reyes out of his team to face Dinamo Zagreb because the winger was \"unsettled\" - but insisted he was \"confident\" of keeping the Spaniard. And he has said the Gunners had plans in place if Cole left.

Wenger delighted by young Gunners
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger paid tribute to the patience of his team after their 3-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb. \"We mastered our passing and physically were quite sharp,\" said Wenger after the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie. \"The main problem was not to get frustrated, to keep passing and wait for an opportunity to score - that is what we did.\" \"It is a big step for qualification, but we want to finish the job at home.\" Arsenal took control when they scored two goals in as many second-half minutes through Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie. And Fabregas scored his second of the match late on as Arsenal, who reached the final last season, took a huge step towards reaching the group stage of the competition. \"We had a very young team out and it shows this team is full of promise because they are not scared to play,\" Wenger added. Dinamo coach Josip Kuze admitted that once Arsenal went ahead they took control of the tie - but felt his side deserved better than a 3-0 home defeat. Kuze said: \"We played shoulder to shoulder for 50-60 minutes. We are not satisfied with the final result - but Arsenal are a better team of more quality and strength. \"We decided to play a compact game and try to counter-attack. \"We had some good chances and if we had taken the lead, it would have been a motivation for us to do more but when Arsenal took the lead, they took charge.\"

Chelsea issue deadline over Cole
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Arsenal need to make up their minds about the possible transfer of Ashley Cole before the end of the week. The Blues have made an offer for Cole, but Mourinho claimed he may look at other full-back transfer targets if the issue is not resolved quickly. \"It is in their hands and we have to wait,\" said Mourinho. \"If we have no solution about him in a couple of days, we turn the corner and we see other faces.\" Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who also called for a swift resolution to the long-running saga earlier this week, said the club had plans in place should Cole leave. \"Many big players have left the club in my nine years,\" he said. \"However, Ashley Cole has not left yet, and if he does, we still have players who can come in for him or we can buy.\" The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. \"What can I do? Arsenal has an offer from Chelsea. If they accept, they accept, if they don't accept, they don't,\" added Mourinho. \"If Arsenal decide to sell the player, that is OK. But the player belongs to Arsenal, we cannot do anything about it. \"We have other options. We are waiting for decisions but we have other options. We cannot play a whole season only with Wayne Bridge. \"There is a space in our squad for another left-back because we only have one real left-back.\" Cole was not named in Arsenal's Champions League squad for the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb, meaning he could play for Chelsea in Europe if he was to be transferred. Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has admitted that initial talks between the two London clubs have taken place. Chelsea were fined - together with Blues manager Jose Mourinho and Cole - in June 2005 after they breached league rules by meeting without Arsenal's knowledge. Cole's relationship with the Gunners has been strained of late and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised Arsenal for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair.

Arsenal stroll to Shield triumph
Arsenal added another trophy to last season's double by defeating Everton in the Community Shield at Gresty Road. Vic Akers' side, who were without skipper Faye White due to a long-term knee injury, scored two goals in their 3-0 win during the first half. Kelly Smith's long-range effort dipped in for the opener, while debutant Katie Chapman bundled in the second. Gemma Davison tapped in the third in extra time following a mix-up in the Everton defence. \"It was great to get a goal to get me back on the scoresheet,\" said Chapman. Fellow England international Karen Carney added: \"The team did well and we won, we've got to go on from this and we can do a lot better.\" Smith added: \"We're obviously delighted to win the game and score three goals, we had a few heavy legs after a trip to Germany but we came through it.\"

Chelsea break off from Cole talks
Chelsea have broken off negotiations with Arsenal over the transfer of England left-back Ashley Cole. \"Our offer is an excellent offer for an excellent player. It's in their hands. They say no and no is no,\" said Blues boss Jose Mourinho. \"The offer went to the limit. The club does not move one single pound more and I completely agree with that.\" Mourinho, who is believed to have offered £20m for Cole, insists William Gallas will not be part of any deal. \"I haven't lost patience,\" added Mourinho, who also appeared to leave the door slightly ajar for the transfer to be revived. \"Ashley Cole is Arsenal's player and they have the power in their hands to say yes or no. \"We have been looking all the time at other players. When you try to sign a player, you can't think this is the only player in the world you can get. You have to look at some alternatives. \"Of course he was an important choice for us but I believe he was also an important choice for them and they probably want to keep him. \"You will have to ask Arsenal if it will happen now. If I sign another left-back. I only want one more left-back. I don't want two. But there is a chance it will happen.\" The full statement from Stamford Bridge read: \"Chelsea FC has been in discussions with Arsenal Football Club for some time over the possible transfer of Ashley Cole. \"Chelsea has made a very substantial offer for the player. \"Although discussions have continued, Arsenal's valuation of the player does not match Chelsea's and therefore no agreement can be reached in the current circumstances.\" The saga of Cole's transfer to Chelsea started when the player was fined, along with Mourinho, for in June 2005 for meeting in a London hotel without Arsenal's knowledge. Cole's relationship with the Gunners became strained and in promotional material for his new book the defender criticised the club for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair. Then this week Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, like his Chelsea counterpart Mourinho, said he wanted the saga resolved within the week. \"I do not know what will happen with Ashley Cole in the next few days, but for me certainly the deadline has come now to make a decision one way or the other,\" Wenger told Sir Stanley on Monday. \"This week is the last limit I can expect something to happen.\" It seems Cole could now start the season with Arsenal, however reluctantly. The left-back, who played in last season's Champions League final and was an ever-present at the World Cup for his country, was left out of Arsenal's squad for Tuesday's match against Dinamo Zagreb. Wenger insisted that was due to a lack of match fitness, rather than to avoid the player being cup-tied.

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