Arsenal

Lehmann to retire after Euro 2008
Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann has announced he plans to retire after the 2008 European Championships. Lehmann established himself as Germany's number one and will end his career in Austria and Switzerland. The Arsenal stopper told Kicker magazine: \"At the age of 36 I am working up to the European Championships in two years time. \"Afterwards, I think that will be it, both with the German national team and as a professional player.\" Lehmann has a year to run on his contract with the Gunners but hinted this could be his last season in London. He added: \"We will have to see how this season goes, whether I extend with Arsenal or not. I would still like to play another season in Germany.\" Lehmann deposed Oliver Kahn as Germany's first-choice and the Bayern Munich keeper has also announced his retirement from international football.

Lauren expects September return
Cameroon defender Lauren says he does not expect a return to action for Arsenal until at least late September. The 29-year-old right-back has been sidelined for the Premiership club since undergoing surgery in January to correct a long-term knee problem. \"So far everything I have done is going well, the knee is responding well,\" he told the London Evening Standard. \"At the moment it is probably one and a half or two months maximum until I can play again.\" Lauren faces a fight for his customary right-back position following the fine form of his replacement, Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue.

arsenal trio thierry henry, emmanuel eboue and jens lehman have all recieved nominations for the uefa football club awards. the awards ceremony, scheduled for august 24, honours the best player in each position from last seasons champions league. lehman faces compitition from gianluigi buffon of juventus and lyon's gregory coupet in the goalkeepers category. defender eboue is shortlisted alongside barcelona's carlos puyol and fabio cannavaro, who played for juve last term before switching to real madrid. henry has also been recognised for his suberb performances in last seasons chamions league, but has been pitted against barca duo ronaldinho and samuel eto'o in the forward of the year group. each award will be voted by the coaches of the last 16 teams from last seasons competition, as well as members of uefa's technecal studie group. as a result of there nominations, all three arsenal players have been automatically shortlisted for the title of uefa club footballer of the year 2006.

Reyes closes in on move to Real
Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes believes he is closing in on his \"dream\" move to Real Madrid. Reyes, 22, did not play in Arsenal's win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and not being cup-tied has helped pave the way for the switch. \"My dream of wearing the Madrid shirt is growing ever nearer,\" he said. \"It's hard to stay calm at a time like this. \"Madrid's offer cannot be turned down. Now all that is left is for the offer also to be good for Arsenal.\" Reyes also paid tribute to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger for leaving him out of last week's Champions League squad. \"If I'd played in Zagreb it would have been very complicated. The boss was good,\" the Spaniard told The Sun newspaper. \"If Arsenal sell and Real buy then it was what he had to do. \"Wenger has acted like he exactly is - a gentleman. I want to thank him publicly for everything he is doing for me.\" The foward has made no secret of his desire to leave the Gunners to move back to his native Spain. Julio Baptista could move to Arsenal as part of the deal. However, if Arsenal insist on a straight cash deal they are thought to want £16m for Reyes, who joined them in January 2004 from Seville. \"The coach knows that I have had problems in adapting to the lifestyle in England,\" he added. \"If agreement isn't reached, it will be bad for Arsenal and for me.\"

Cole available for Arsenal match
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has made himself available for this weekend's match against Aston Villa, he told Sir Stanley. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hinted at leaving Cole out of the side because of the speculation about a possible £20m transfer to Premiership rivals Chelsea. \"I have made myself available for selection this weekend,\" the 25-year-old said. \"It is now up to the manager whether he decides to play me.\" Cole added: \"I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. \"They've been very supportive of me throughout my career. I hope the fans understand where my grievances lie.\" Wenger said he would happy to keep Cole at Arsenal should the player choose to stay. \"If he doesn't go, of course he's a great player,\" Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. \"He has permission to go somewhere if he wants to do it, but if there is not an opportunity for him and the club, he will stay at the club.\" Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, that included Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge. The England left-back's relationship with Arsenal 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. Last week, Wenger, like his Chelsea counterpart Mourinho, said he wanted the saga resolved within the week. It seems Cole could now start the season with Arsenal, however reluctantly. He played in last season's Champions League final and was an ever-present at the World Cup for his country.

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: \"We play three times in a week. \"Add in the international matches and that means we play four times at the beginning of the season. \"I will have to make choices to find the right mixture between people who have played the internationals and those who have not played.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIG-MATCH FACTS ARSENAL and Aston Villa both begin new eras, as they prepare to do battle in their opening Premiership duel. The Londoners play their first competitive match in the prestigious new setting of the £390 million Emirates Stadium, just a short walk from Highbury - their much cherished home for 93 years. Arsene Wenger knows expectations are high as he begins his 11th season with the north Londoners. The 60,000 capacity at their new ground in Ashburton Grove will give Wenger much needed spending power. This compares with last season's Premiership average attendance of 38,186. The losing Champions League finalists finished outside the Premiership's top two for the first time in nine years. Their fourth placing has resulted in an early season qualifying fixture with Dinamo Zagreb for a place in Europe's elite club competition, and with a 0-3 lead from the away leg, Arsenal are well placed, ahead of Wednesday's second leg. The Gunners are aiming to collect a ninth consecutive home League victory over Villa. That would also extend their unbeaten home top flight run against the Midlanders to 13, since a 1-2 defeat on 6 November 1993 when Guy Whittingham and Andy Townsend did the damage. ASTON VILLA are soon to be under new ownership, and anticipation for the campaign ahead is at fever pitch with one of the hottest properties in football management now at the helm. But it would be a shock of gigantic proportions if Martin O'Neill could steer Villa to their eighth League title. The sole Midlands representatives in the Premiership are one of four founder members of the Football League competing in this season's top division. The Claret and Blues have not won in 15 Premiership clashes home and away against the north Londoners, since a 3-2 success at Villa Park on 13 December 1998. Dion Dublin scored twice for Villa, and Dennis Bergkamp got a brace for the visitors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)

Cole omitted from Arsenal squad
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has been omitted from the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa despite saying he is available to play. The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move to Chelsea, but no deal has been concluded. Cole said on www.stellargroup.co.uk that he was available for Saturday's game at the Emirates Stadium. He added: \"I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They've been very supportive of me.\" Gunners boss Arsene Wenger previously hinted at leaving Cole out because of the speculation about a possible £20m transfer to Chelsea. Wenger said he would happy to keep Cole at Arsenal should the player choose to stay. \"If he doesn't go, of course he's a great player,\" Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. \"He has permission to go somewhere if he wants to do it, but if there is not an opportunity for him and the club, he will stay at the club.\" Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, that included Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge. The England left-back's relationship with Arsenal 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. He said on www.stellargroup.co.uk: \"I hope the fans understand where my grievances lie.\" Last week, Wenger, like his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho, said he wanted the saga resolved within the week. Cole played in last season's Champions League final and was an ever-present at the World Cup for his country.

Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva scored a late goal to salvage a point for Arsenal in their first Premiership match at the Emirates Stadium. Villa skipper Olof Mellberg gave the visitors a shock lead when he headed in from a corner after 53 minutes. Gilberto equalised six minutes before the end following excellent work from teenage substitute Theo Walcott. Villa then withstood a late onslaught to ensure that Martin O'Neill's tenure as manager got off to a great start. O'Neill, who was appointed Villa boss at the start of August, seems to have immediately suffused confidence and belief into his young side. Gareth Barry, Steven Davis and Gavin McCann were outstanding for the visitors in midfield while 19-year-old Gabriel Agbonlahor was a real threat on the break. Arsenal were their usual blend of touch and movement, dominating possession and creating a host of chances, but they lacked sharpness in front of goal. Agbonlahor had the first good chance of the game when he drew a smart save from Jens Lehmann with a volley from 15 yards. Thierry Henry was predictably the main threat for the hosts and had a hat-trick of shots from the edge of the area, all of which flew over the crossbar. The Gunners thought they had broken the deadlock after three minutes of first-half stoppage time. Kole Toure headed in a left-wing corner from close range, but his effort was ruled out for offside. The goal would have been hard on Villa, who were organised and resilient, in sharp contrast to their showings under David O'Leary at the end of last season. The home crowd were incensed shortly after the interval when Emmanuel Eboue went down following a tussle with Luke Moore. As new Premier League guidelines dictate, Villa played on when referee Graham Poll did not whistle. If the Arsenal supporters were angry with that decision, they were stunned when the visitors scored the first goal in a competitive game at the Emirates Stadium. Lehmann failed to collect a left-wing corner, Mellberg rising above Emmanuel Adebayor to head into an unguarded net. Arsenal responded by laying siege to the Villa goal but struggled to find a way through. Adebayor almost atoned for his earlier error but saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell. Walcott was brought on for his first Premiership appearance and played a key role in Arsenal's equaliser. His cross from the left eventually fell to Gilberto, who thumped a volley into the roof of the net. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Theo Walcott: \"I know a lot is expected from him but I am pleased. \"He had that sharpness that we missed and was dangerous on the left flank. He was involved in the goal and his overall performance was very positive. \"It was a typical beginning of the season game where the players were not completely ready physically, added to the fact that many of them played 90 minutes in midweek.\" Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill: \"I'm still trying to get to know my players, but I thought they were terrific it's a great result. \"It is a big boost to confidence. If we had been hammered it would have looked like a long hard season. \"I cannot do anything about the expectation but we are not going to become a really decent team overnight.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte (Flamini 80), Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Ljungberg (Walcott 73), Adebayor (Van Persie 65), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Cygan. Booked: Toure. Goals: Silva 84. Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, Agbonlahor, McCann, Davis (Hendrie 83), Barry, Angel (Laursen 90), Moore (Djemba-Djemba 89). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Phillips. Booked: Hendrie, Angel. Goals: Mellberg 53. Att: 60,023. Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Wenger denies rejecting Cole bid
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says they have not turned down a bid from Chelsea for defender Ashley Cole. The two clubs are involved in a battle for the 25-year-old England star, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m for Cole but Arsenal holding out for £25m. But Wenger said: \"It is not true that we have turned any offer down. \"Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him.\" Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa. His move across London remains uncertain with Chelsea expected to complete the signing of Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from Hamburg. Wenger added: \"We are ready. From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know. \"It's also difficult for us. We have a player and we cannot really count on him. Is he with us or not? \"We have to sort this situation out quite quickly. The numbers are not so important for Chelsea. They just bought a player. \"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea. \"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season. \"He has permission to leave if a club come in and makes the right offer. \"If that doesn't happen the consequence will be that he will stay. If nobody gives us the right offer what can you do?\" The Arsenal boss insists he will play Cole when he thinks he is ready, although it is unlikely to be in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb. The Gunners are 3-0 up from the first leg and playing Cole would cup tie him and add an extra complication to the transfer. Wenger added: \"I will play him next week if I judge him fit enough to play. Cole made himself available for Saturday's opening league game at the Emirates Stadium. He said: \"I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They've been very supportive of me.\" Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge. In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: \"I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love.\" And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair.

Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal have left defender Ashley Cole out of their squad. The on-going transfer saga with Chelsea over the England defender means the Gunners will again leave out the left-back to avoid him being cup-tied. Keeper Jens Lehmann (knee) will also be missing while Tomas Rosicky and Jose Antonio Reyes, linked with Real Madrid, both have groin problems. Gael Clichy, Philippe Senderos, Abou Diaby and Lauren are all longer-term absentees. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal (from): Almunia, Hoyte, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Fabregas, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Hleb, Van Persie, Adebayor, Poom, Henry, Walcott, Flamini, Aliadiere, Cygan, Traore, Song.

Wenger bids for Chelsea's Gallas
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he has made an offer for Chelsea defender William Gallas, as the Ashley Cole saga rumbles on. Wenger, who is reported to want Gallas in part-exchange for Cole, said Cole's departure remains \"50/50\". He added: \"We are still in no man's land surrounding Cole's move. I made an offer for William Gallas and that is how far we are. \"I am very keen to resolve all of this. I want the squad to be settled.\" Arsenal and Chelsea have been involved in a lengthy battle for 25-year-old England defender Cole, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m but Arsenal holding out for £25m. Last week Wenger said: \"It is not true that we have turned any offer down. \"Chelsea have had June, July, August. Everybody says Chelsea are interested in buying Ashley Cole but they have had three months now to buy him.\" Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa. His move across London remains uncertain - and Chelsea have recently signed Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from Hamburg. \"We are ready\" said Wenger last week. \"From our part there's no problem. Why don't you ask Chelsea what the problem is? I don't know. \"It's also difficult for us. We have a player and we cannot really count on him. Is he with us or not? \"We have to sort this situation out quite quickly. The numbers are not so important for Chelsea. They just bought a player. \"This situation is not a money situation. We have not turned down an offer. The problem is not between us and Chelsea. \"He doesn't need to ask for a transfer because we gave him permission to leave when he extended his contract at the end of last season. \"He has permission to leave if a club come in and makes the right offer. \"If that doesn't happen the consequence will be that he will stay. If nobody gives us the right offer what can you do?\" The Arsenal boss insists he will play Cole when he thinks he is ready, although will not be in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb. The Gunners are 3-0 up from the first leg and playing Cole would cup-tie him and add an extra complication to the transfer. Cole made himself available for Saturday's opening league game at the Emirates Stadium. He said: \"I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They've been very supportive of me.\" Cole has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge. In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: \"I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love.\" And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair.

Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb
The on-going transfer saga with Chelsea over the England defender means the Gunners will again leave out the left-back to avoid him being cup-tied. Keeper Jens Lehmann (knee) will also be missing while Tomas Rosicky and Jose Antonio Reyes, linked with Real Madrid, both have groin problems. Gael Clichy, Philippe Senderos, Abou Diaby and Lauren are all longer-term absentees. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: \"If we are naive enough to believe that the job is done and finished, we have a big surprise tomorrow. \"To knock a team from the Champions League, you need to be focused for 180 minutes. We have done a good job in the first 90 - but there is still 90 to go. \"There's a lot at stake for us in terms of the rest of the season.\" Arsenal (from): Almunia, Hoyte, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Fabregas, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Hleb, Van Persie, Adebayor, Poom, Henry, Walcott, Flamini, Aliadiere, Cygan, Traore, Song.

Arsenal 2-1 D Zagreb (agg 5-1)
Arsenal resisted the challenge of Dinamo Zagreb to book their place in the Champions League group stages. The visitors went ahead when Eduardo reduced Dinamo's deficit to 3-1 when he fired in after Kolo Toure's attempted clearance fell into his path. Robin van Persie almost ended Dinamo's faint hopes only to see a shot steered on to the woodwork and to safety. But Freddie Ljungberg's late header and Mathieu Flamini's tap-in saw Arsenal to victory and a place in Thursday's draw. There was an air of co-ordinated adventure about Dinamo's play early on as they looked to engineer an unlikely comeback in the second leg of the third round qualifier. And the Croatian side were rewarded with an early goal to give them hope. Eduardo thrust in from the left and played the ball wide to Etto before continuing his run into the Arsenal box. Etto slipped the ball back to his fellow Brazilian and, after Toure could only steer his clearance into the run of Eduardo, the Dinamo striker pounced to slot in an angled shot. Arsenal heeded the warning and exerted some pressure to go along with their superior possession and they were only denied by the frame of the goal. Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina missed a Cesc Fabregas cross and Dutch forward Van Persie seemed set to score. But his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Mario Cvitanovic before the ball cannoned off the underside of the bar and to safety. The influential Van Persie then produced a sublime piece of skill and had an acute-angled strike saved. Ljungberg had an excellent chance after Adebayor's knockdown but placed his effort too close to the legs of grateful keeper Turina. But Dinamo remained a threat and Luca Modric went close with a shot across goal and a deflected Etto strike just before half-time. Arsenal striker Emanuel Adebayor should have put the home side beyond reach after 53 minutes but blazed high from 12 yards. The game started to open up as the Croatian side became stretched in their attempts to score again and send a ripple of anxiety around the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal could not take advantage of the extra space in attack and manager Arsene Wenger introduced star striker Thierry Henry. Henry's arrival gave his side more of a threat up front and Ljungberg headed in a Van Persie cross to mark his first game as captain with a goal. Theo Walcott then set up his second goal in as many games as he crossed for Flamini to give the Gunners a win in their first European game at their new stadium. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte, Hleb (Silva 70), Fabregas, Flamini, Ljungberg, Van Persie (Walcott 81), Adebayor (Henry 65). Subs Not Used: Poom, Song Billong, Cygan, Aliadiere. Booked: Flamini, Djourou, Walcott. Goals: Ljungberg 77, Flamini 90. Dinamo Zagreb: Turina, Corluka, Cvitanovic, Mamic, Drpic, Etto (Tomic 90), Vukojevic (Ljubojevic 89), Agic (Buljat 69), Carlos, Modric, Eduardo. Subs Not Used: Loncaric, Pandev, Costa. Booked: Agic, Drpic, Buljat. Goals: Eduardo 12. Att: 58,418 Ref: Bertrand Layec (France).

Wenger pleased to win at new home
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was relieved after his side beat Dinamo Zagreb to record their first win at their new Emirates Stadium home. Two late goals earned Arsenal a 2-1 victory in the Champions League third round qualifier as they won 5-1 on aggregate to reach the group stages. \"Not to create a problem, it is better to win,\" said the Frenchman. \"People would have said 'you cannot win at your new stadium' if we had not won. It is good to get it out of the way.\" Wenger admitted his side made an unconvincing start to the match before finding their feet to ultimately hold off their gutsy opponents in comfortable style. \"It is difficult psychologically when you are 3-0 up to go into a game like mad,\" he said. \"They caught us well and maybe they could have surprised opponents of less quality.\" Wenger added: \"I felt we had a little bit sloppy start then it became difficult for us. \"When you do not start very well, it is always difficult to come back in a convincing manner. \"We had merit to come back and win the game because in the second half, it was all us.\" Dinamo Zagreb boss Josep Kuze felt his side had learned a lot from the experience. \"We came here to do better than the first leg and tried to be more aggressive,\" he said. \"We went 1-0 up, but then our midfield did not hold the ball and maybe if we had got a second goal, then it would have been different. \"Arsenal, being an experienced team, punished us. \"But although we lost we will go away having made a good impression and hopefully that can now translate into better form in the league as well.\"

Atletico launch bid to sign Reyes
Atletico Madrid have confirmed they have made a bid for Arsenal's Spanish winger Jose Reyes. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but a move to the Bernabeu appears to have stalled with the clubs failing to agree a fee. And Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said: \"With respect to Reyes, we have made an important offer and we are waiting for news from Arsenal. \"His coming here does not depend on the departure of any Atletico player.\" The deal with Real hit a stumbling block with Arsenal believed to want £16m for the winger or Julio Baptista to move to the club as part of any deal. Reyes has struggled to settle since his move to Arsenal in January 2004 and is thought to be keen to return to Spain. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left Reyes out of the Gunners' line-up for their Champions League qualifier second leg against Dinamo Zagreb but denied it had anything to do with transfer speculation. Wenger said: \"Frankly, there is nothing serious happening on that front at all.\"

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