Arsenal

Barca leave door open for Henry
Barcelona say they still want to sign Thierry Henry - but he must first show he is willing to leave Arsenal. Henry, 29, has long been linked with the Nou Camp club and Barca look set to make another approach for the striker. Sporting director Txiki Beguiristain told the Sunday Express: "If he has the desire to play here, then we can see if it's going to happen or not." Last week, Henry played down reports he was set to quit the Gunners after being linked with Barca and Inter Milan. He said: "Since I started playing football there has been speculation about me going to a lot of clubs and that will never, ever stop. "But as I said, for now I'm an Arsenal player, so there is nothing to add to it." Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has previously said he would welcome Henry's arrival at the club and now Lilian Thuram has echoed those thoughts. "It would be great if Thierry came to Barcelona," Henry's former French international team-mate Thuram told the News of the World. "It would very good for the club because he's a great player - and for him it would be positive too because this club is ideal for him." Henry signed a new four-year contract last summer but has since been plagued by injuries and has grown frustrated at Arsenal's inability to mount a title challenge. "It was pretty difficult to see once again that we finished so far away from the top teams," added Henry, whose side finished fourth in the Premiership in the 2006-2007 campaign. "It's always the same top four and I'm actually getting annoyed that we're finishing at the end of the top four now."

Henry casts fresh doubt on future
Thierry Henry has cast fresh doubt on his Arsenal future after admitting he was "devastated" by vice-chairman David Dein's departure. The 29-year-old France star also admits he is flattered by reports of interest from Champions League winners AC Milan. He said: "I was devastated when Mr Dein left the club. I don't know what happened and I don't want to know." And on possible moves from Milan, Henry added: "That is great to hear. How can it be anything else?" Henry added: "As I have said many times, at the moment I am an Arsenal player. But everyone knows that a lot of stuff has happened at the club recently that wasn't supposed to happen. "So the only thing I can tell you is right now I am an Arsenal player but I cannot deny it's nice to hear about Milan." Henry, whose personal advisor is Dein's son Darren, came out in strong support for the former vice-chairman, who left after "irreconcilable differences" with the Arsenal board. Dein was also manager Arsene Wenger's closest confidante, and Henry told ESPN: "The bosses have been unsettled and a lot of players at the club have been unsettled. "Although no one is bigger than the club, Arsene Wenger and Mr Dein are really close to being Arsenal. "So if you ask me if there was one person on the board I would not like to see leaving, I would have said Mr Dein. "Unfortunately it is out of my hands. I don't agree with what has happened but sometimes that's the way things are. We just have to move on."

Henry agent dismisses Barca claim
Thierry Henry's management group has rubbished reports from France that the Arsenal star has agreed a provisional three-year contract with Barcelona. France Football magazine says Henry's agent met with Barca's sporting director Txiki Beguiristain last week. But Jeff Weston, from the SEM Group which looks after Henry, told SSB on Tuesday: "No such meeting took place. That is absolute rubbish. "There's never been any question of him not being at Arsenal next season." Henry, 29, signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners last year but appeared to cast doubt on his future last week when he said he was flattered by interest from AC Milan. The European champions and Barcelona have both declared their interest in the player, who has been constantly linked with a big-money move away from Arsenal for the last few summers. France Football claims SEM's Jerome Anderson has agreed a three-year deal, worth £6.78m (10m euros) a season, with Barcelona, with an option of a fourth year. "It is all just media speculation, as it was last year, and the year before," Weston added of the latest reports. Anderson added that he would consider legal action against France Football over their report, which claimed that a transfer would go through after a meeting between Henry's people and Barca in the south of France. "I can categorically state that I never had a meeting with anyone representing Barcelona," Anderson told The Sun newspaper. "The whole thing is garbage. "I did not meet with anyone - whether in the south of France or anywhere on this planet. I have read the article in the French magazine and there is not one element of truth in the story and they will be hearing from my lawyers. "I've not been to the south of France for years. Where this comes from I have absolutely no idea. Nobody checked these claims with anyone involved in the story. It is scandalous." Henry, meanwhile, has distanced himself from the latest claims, believing the continued speculation surrounding his future is "not a current issue". The Arsenal striker told L'Equipe that he will consider his next move in his own time. "I have taken no decisions," Henry said. "Lots of people are speaking on my behalf. It's impossible to stop the rumours - it's not the first or the last time that people are speaking for me. "In my head I'm still an Arsenal player and my departure is not a current issue."

August Sat, 11th H Fulham (PREM.) 15:00 - Wed, 15th A Newcastle (PREM.) P-P - Postponed - due to Champions League Qualifier Sat, 18th A Blackburn (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 25th H Man City (PREM.) 15:00 - September Sat, 1st H Portsmouth (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 15th A Tottenham (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 22nd H Derby (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 29th A West Ham (PREM.) 15:00 - October Sat, 6th H Sunderland (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 20th H Bolton (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 27th A Liverpool (PREM.) 15:00 - November Sat, 3rd H Man Utd (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 10th A Reading (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 24th H Wigan (PREM.) 15:00 - December Sat, 1st A Aston Villa (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 8th A Middlesbro (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 15th H Chelsea (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 22nd H Tottenham (PREM.) 15:00 - Wed, 26th A Portsmouth (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 29th A Everton (PREM.) 15:00 - January Tue, 1st H West Ham (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 12th H Birmingham (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 19th A Fulham (PREM.) 15:00 - Tue, 29th H Newcastle (PREM.) 19:45 - February Sat, 2nd A Man City (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 9th H Blackburn (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 23rd A Birmingham (PREM.) 15:00 - March Sat, 1st H Aston Villa (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 8th A Wigan (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 15th H Middlesbro (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 22nd A Chelsea (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 29th A Bolton (PREM.) 15:00 - April Sat, 5th H Liverpool (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 12th A Man Utd (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 19th H Reading (PREM.) 15:00 - Sat, 26th A Derby (PREM.) 15:00 - May Sat, 3rd H Everton (PREM.) 15:00 - Sun, 11th A Sunderland (PREM.) 15:00 -

A nice easy start mate!! :eng:

Arsenal have completed the signing of Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian has signed a four-year deal at Emirates Stadium after Arsenal paid an undisclosed fee for his signature. Arsenal announced they had agreed a deal with Dinamo on Monday and they have tied up the formalities of the transfer, with the move now just subject to a work permit being obtained. The highly-rated striker will help fill the void left by Thierry Henry's departure to Barcelona last month. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes da Silva will prove a valuable addition to his squad for the coming season. "We are delighted to have signed Eduardo da Silva," Wenger told the club's official website. "He has great qualities and will integrate very well into our style of football. He is a very good finisher and although he is predominantly a striker, he is a very adaptable player. "I have known about him for a while but his performances against us in last year's Champions League really showed what a dangerous player he is. "Da Silva is a pacy, intelligent player. Also, he is hardworking and has a very good team ethic to his game. "Eduardo will be a great asset for us and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us." Brazilian-born da Silva expressed his delight at making the move to North London. "I am so happy and proud to be joining Arsenal Football Club," said da Silva. "Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world with many great players and I am looking forward to helping my new club challenge for trophies."

Gallas voices concerns at Arsenal
Arsenal's William Gallas wants talks with boss Arsene Wenger after revealing he and fellow players are unhappy with the club's lack of recruitment. "What is sure is that several players are questioning the club's future," Gallas, 29, told his official website. "Around us, teams are recruiting but what is planned to compensate for the departure of Thierry Henry?" "I will have a discussion with Arsene Wenger and certain board members to find out the objectives for the club." He added: "Today I am an Arsenal player but I do not know what can occur tomorrow." The Gunners sold striker Henry to Barcelona in June and have only bought in the unproven Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb as a replacement. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have made some high-profile captures that have left Arsenal in the shade. The Gunners were linked with Ajax winger Ryan Babel but now appear to be second favourites, with Liverpool seemingly in pole position to land the Holland Under-21 player. Former Chelsea star Gallas recognises that the cost of building the club's Emirates Stadium seems to be curtailing Arsenal's spending. But he wants more seasoned talent added to the Gunners ranks to help the side challenge for trophies. "I am not at Arsenal to play for third place," he said. "It is necessary to recruit players of reputation because the young players have many qualities but the season is very, very long. "The young players are thirsty for victories but Arsenal must obtain results, win titles in this period. "If not, we will have to change policy and do the same as the other teams: recruit with more means."

Arsenal are being strongly linked with signing France Under 21 international Yoan Gouffran. The Caen striker will reportedly join The Gunners on a four-year deal but return to the French club on loan for the coming season. Gouffran was the Ligue 2 Player of the Year last term as his 15 goals helped fire Caen back into France's top-flight. The highly-rated attacker was close to joining Auxerre last summer, while Chelsea and Valencia are admirers of the 21-year-old. Paris Saint Germain could rival Arsenal for Gouffran's signature but reports suggest Arsene Wenger will land the starlet. Gouffran is believed to be costing Arsenal in the region of €3million (£2million). Arsenal are also edging closer to completing the capture of another French ace in Auxerre's Bakari Sagna.

Gael Clichy says Freddie Ljungberg was wrong to criticise Arsenal for a lack of ambition. The Swede marked his departure from Emirates Stadium to West Ham this week by accusing The Gunners of failing to keep pace with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. But Clichy says his former team-mate's comments are well wide of the mark. "I don't think Arsenal lack ambition," the French defender told the Evening Standard. "I don't know why Freddie said that. "He has had nine great seasons with Arsenal and he's entitled to his opinion but I've got a different opinion. "For two years we hear Arsenal are not competitive any more but last season we won both matches against Manchester United and drew both against Chelsea with what is supposed to be a young team, so I don't know what's wrong with that. "We know we've got the quality, the strength. Everyone is confident, we have signed great players and we are going to have a great season."

Bendtner on target in Arsenal win
Arsenal lacked fluency but nonetheless beat Paris St Germain to win their opening game of the Emirates Cup at the London club's home ground. Mathieu Flamini put the Gunners ahead with a neat right-foot finish shortly before the break and Nicklas Bendtner added a second from close range. Peguy Luyindula pulled a goal back with a near-post finish, while Mickael Landreau saved a Bendtner penalty. In the tournament's earlier match, Valencia defeated Inter Milan 2-0. Jamie Gavilan put the Spanish side ahead after 13 minutes, collecting a deep cross from Ruben Baraja before shooting under Francesco Toldo from a tight angle. Inter wore a strip that resembled the St George cross and almost equalised through Maxwell but his strike hit the post. David Villa's 20-yard free-kick took a slight deflection as it defeated Toldo for Valencia's second goal. Flamini's strike for Arsenal came after Bendtner had chested a cross from Gael Clincy into his path. The ball dropped perfectly for Flamini, although how much Bendtner knew about the cross remains open to question. Arsenal's second goal came after Bendtner jumped with PSG keeper Landreau as they both tried to reach a corner. Neither player made a clean contact with the ball and Bendtner reacted quickly to tap home the knock down and score his first goal at the Emirates Stadium. But his low penalty was saved close to full-time after Alexander Hleb was tripped in the area. Luyindula dragged a shot wide for PSG in the first half, while Pauleta sent a poor shot wide and was twice denied by the impressive Manuel Almunia.

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he could sign a further two players this summer - but admits he is unlikely to go after former Arsenal star Nicolas Anelka. The Gunners have signed Bakari Sagna, Lukasz Fabianski and Eduardo da Silva so far this summer but Wenger had intimated he may not be finished with his cheque book just yet. "We have the potential to do it ," he insisted. "If I find the right player, I will take him. If I find two, I will do it. "But it is not compulsory. If we do not get them, we do not get them. We have enough quality. "That will not be an excuse if I do not get a player, not to compete." Speculation has seen Arsenal again strongly linked with a move for Anelka, but Wenger insists no offer has been made for the Bolton man. "At the moment I have not made any offer for Anelka," he said. "I felt we had the strikers we needed, and also I wanted a player like Eduardo, who can play on the flanks and with (Emmanuel) Adebayor, or with (Robin) van Persie. "That is why we have gone for Eduardo, and it was more a question of choice rather than the quality of Anelka, because I rate him very highly. "It was just we have others who play in the same position." Wenger also paid tribute to Danish youngster Nicklas Bendtner, who scored and created the other goal during Arsenal's 2-0 Emirates Cup win over Paris Saint Germain. "I felt he of course lacks some experience but we have seen ingredients and think that there is a special talent," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "We have to give him some time and I believe what he has shown is encouraging. "Every day a guy like that at 18 becomes quicker, stronger and more experienced, so the improvement is very quick. "He is quick, much quicker than people think and there is a lot to work on and I feel there is good potential."

A goal of sublime execution from Robin van Persie was enough to hand Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Internazionale that secured them the inaugural Emirates Cup. The doom merchants may be hovering over the red side of North London, but Arsene Wenger's band of starlets will be confident the glory years of Thierry Henry can be replicated in the Frenchman's absence. Arsenal may be unfancied ahead of the forthcoming campaign but on Sunday, against the Serie A champions, they were dominant throughout, in a typically polished display that was ever easy on the eye. It was Van Persie at the hub of much of the home side's best work, as the Dutchman dropped deep to link-up with his midfield; a creative epicentre that will be bettered by few this season. Van Persie drew the first save of note from Julio Cesar with a low drive, before going close again, with a snapshot and a free-kick that dipped just over. On the right flank in an advanced role, Emmanuel Eboue caused mayhem with a succession of driving runs, while behind him, new boy Bacary Sagna, looks every inch an Arsenal player. Mathieu Flamini brought another save from Cesar, as did Sagna, but the scores remained level at the interval despite Arsenal's incessant inventiveness. Arsenal will wonder how they failed to be granted a penalty when Van Persie was pushed in the back and, their frustrations were further compounded, when on a rare Inter foray, David Suazo planted a fine header beyond a previously peripheral Jens Lehmann. A familiar Achilles heel of missing chances and being punished seemed to be flaring up, but Arsenal's players responded in the best possible manner, as Alexander Hleb drew them level, with a shot on the rebound, after Francesco Toldo had produced a fine stop to deny the classy schemer. The best, though, was still to come when with just five minutes remaining, Van Persie received the ball on his favoured left foot and with a gorgeous swivel, moved the ball on to his right, leaving an Inter defender bamboozled, before hammering a shot beyond a crestfallen Toldo.

Eduardo da Silva has been cleared to play for Arsenal after being granted a work permit. The Gunners signed da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb at the start of July following Thierry Henry's move to Barcelona. But they were made to wait to complete the deal for the Brazilian-born Croatia international, who became a European citizen in 2002. The striker had not played in 75 per cent of Croatia's matches over the past two years, and Arsenal were forced to appeal to the Home Office for a work permit. Arsene Wenger admitted last week that it would be an extremely close call, but the Home Office has now ruled in the club's favour following a hearing in London. Da Silva is now free to continue his pre-season preparations with The Gunners, and could play in the Amsterdam Tournament. He will also be in contention to make his Premier League debut against Fulham on 12th August.

been watching the tourno ..hes a great player :clap:

Wenger close to signing new deal
Arsenal are confident manager Arsene Wenger will commit himself to the Premier League club by early September. Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and reports suggest he has delayed signing a new deal following the exit of vice-chairman David Dein. But the Gunners remain optimistic the Frenchman, 57, will stay at the club. Wenger, who has been with the London club for 11 years, hinted earlier this month that his protracted negotiations would soon reach a favourable conclusion. "We're talking and usually when we talk, there's always a positive outcome," he said. "I'm highly committed to the club. I have shown that many, many times in my life and I don't think anybody can question that." Wenger's future has been the subject of much speculation following the departure of Dein in April. The former Monaco boss enjoyed a close working relationship with Dein, who was responsible for bringing him to England. When Dein left after falling out with the rest of the board of directors over a possible takeover of the club, Wenger was immediately linked with other clubs, notably Real Madrid. But it appears as though Wenger will remain with the club he has led to three Premiership titles and four FA Cup trophies.

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