Arsenal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has rejected reports claiming Mathieu Flamini has agreed a deal to join Juventus. Flamini's future at Arsenal has been the subject of conjecture for some time as he has still to sign a new deal at Emirates Stadium. The French international's current deal expires in the summer making him an attractive proposition for a number of clubs as he will be available on a free transfer. Juventus, along with Serie A rivals Milan, are thought to be keen on luring Flamini to Italy with reports suggesting Juve were hoping to reach a pre-contract agreement with the former Marseille dynamo. Arsenal are still in talks with Flamini over extending his contract and Wenger claims he has been informed by Juventus that they are not looking to sign the all-action midfielder. When quizzed over the reports that Juventus were closing in on Flamini, Wenger declared: "No. Juventus called me and told me that they were not interested in Mathieu Flamini." Flamini has established himself as a key component of Wenger's squad this season, with his form keeping Gilberto Silva out of the side and the Gunners boss will be determined to keep him in North London.

We can still win league - Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can win the Premier League - but says they may have to win all six of their remaining games to do so. Arsenal, six points behind Manchester United, play Liverpool at The Emirates on Saturday in a crucial encounter. Wenger said: "Some people say the title is over but not me, I still believe that we can win the Premier League. "United have four away games and they are at home to us as well. They are excellent, but they can lose points." He added: "It depends on how the games go and how much effort the teams put in - but no win is guaranteed in the Premier League. "I would love to put some more pressure on Manchester United. I feel it is very important to win our game against Liverpool first and therefore we need to be at our best. "Everything is still possible, of course - but the main thing for us is to win our games. "Five wins and a draw is a minimum but that means we would have to win at Old Trafford. Six wins would be better." Wenger pits his wits against Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez for the second of their three games in six days, the league match sandwiched in between their Champions League quarter-final. He knows how important Tuesday's second leg at Anfield is with the tie poised at 1-1, but says everyone's focus should be on Saturday's league game. "I will pick a team which can win the game on Saturday. I feel we have a good chance in the championship and do not want to miss that," said the Frenchman. "For us it is important to win because of the situation in the league. It would have a double impact - one for the league and one for the Champions League. "I never analyse the league when we have things in our own hands but this time that is not completely the case so we have to see where things can turn and change. "Now it gets so tight you have to think about what might happen elsewhere. "It can change much quicker than people think." Wenger also believes Liverpool, five points clear of Everton in fourth but eight points adrift of the third-placed Gunners, can afford to rest players on Saturday with Europe in mind. "I believe they will make changes. I am not sure whether Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will play," said Wenger. "They have a big squad and a lot of experienced players who didn't play on Wednesday. To my calculation, eight players with big Premier League experience."

Wenger refuses to concede title
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to concede the title race after seeing more points go begging on Saturday. Before their 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Wenger said they may have to win all six of their remaining games to do so. Manchester United face Middlesbrough on Sunday and a victory would give them an eight-point lead over the Gunners. "In my brain it is not over, because it is not over mathematically. It depends on the results of the other teams," Wenger said. He added: "With our situation in the table victory was needed but you never know, you hope for the best. I hope we're not too far behind on Monday. "I expect not to be eight points behind. I expect to watch the game and see what happens." Arsenal fell behind to a Peter Crouch first-half goal but Nicklas Bendtner equalised and both sides had chances to win it. Wenger added: "We couldn't get into the game. It happens sometimes when you play an intense game. Sometimes the next game is difficult. "We are disappointed. We feel we dominated the whole second half and I believe we had a penalty again. "I feel we had a blatant penalty again for a foul on Cesc Fabregas, which was not given. You can see it well on television, it is 100% conclusive. "We didn't take our chances, especially in the last minute, but Liverpool are always dangerous on the counter-attack." The two sides meet for the third time in a row in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in midweek. Wenger said: "We will recover, prepare and give everything on Tuesday. "We can beat Liverpool at Anfield and we must focus on that." Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was the happier of the two managers after the game. He said: "It was a difficult game. We changed some players and it was very, very positive to see Crouch play well, Yossi Benayoun playing and Damien Plessis make his debut. "He is a player with qualities and we have a lot of confidence in him. "I think we deserved it, we were doing the right things and we had chances on the counter-attack. "For us it is a positive result. We have one more point and maybe it is a really bad result for them in the race for the title. "We showed we can score against them and can also stop them so that is a positive for us."

Wenger insists trophies will come
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed their attacking style will bring them silverware as he conceded the Premier League title was now out of reach. The club are set to be trophyless for a third season after their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, but Wenger was unequivocal. "We will continue to play the way we do but better," Wenger said. "The trophies will come. "The main target is to keep the team together. They are absolutely amazing." And striker Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Wenger's "vision" for Arsenal - and declared the Gunners will come out fighting next season. "Arsene is a great man and a great manager," declared Adebayor, who now has 20 Premier League goals this season. "He has achieved a lot of things with this club. For sure he is going to be here. "He has a vision to bring a lot of good players to this club like Alex Hleb, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas. "They are his players. So, for sure, we will win something, no doubt about that." The Gunners are now nine points behind leaders United with just four fixtures remaining, and three points behind Chelsea having played a game more. A disappointed Wenger hinted that certain decisions which went against Arsenal at Old Trafford highlighted a recent trend, but was keen to stress the pride he felt in a team which were controversially knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in midweek. "Overall, I am very proud of my team's performance," he said. "We had to be exceptionally strong after the Liverpool game - and we were. "I feel the difference between success and failure is very little. We do not feel there is much between ourselves, United and Chelsea when it comes to technical ability and quality. "So it is difficult to accept we will not win the title. "I want to win trophies and it is sad we cannot win a trophy this season. "On the other hand, I feel we have done a lot for the Premier League this season by the way we have promoted it." Arsenal needed to win at Old Trafford to start clawing back the Premier League leader's six-point advantage but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty cancelled out Adebayor's opener before Owen Hargreaves grabbed the winner to effectively end Arsenal's hopes. Hargreaves' free-kick came after Gilberto had been punished for a challenge on Patrice Evra while Ronaldo's penalty was awarded following a handball by William Gallas. Wenger said: "Those two decisions made it difficult for us but overall we have to take it. "With the penalty you can give it or not give it. As for the free-kick I do not think Gilberto touched Evra."

David Villa has revealed that, should he move to England, Arsenal would be his preferred destination. With the Valencia striker insinuating that he may call time on his career at the Mestalla over the summer there is likely to be a whole host of clubs fighting for his signature. He has netted 63 times in just three seasons for Los Che, making him one of the most feared forwards in world football. Chelsea are known to be one his many admirers, with Avram Grant believed to have already enquired as to the Spanish hitman's availability. However, Villa appears to have dashed the Blues' hopes of taking him to Stamford Bridge by revealing that he would rather be a Gunner. "I watch the Premier League a lot and the team I'm most attracted to is definitely Arsenal," he told The Sun. "Their brilliant one and two-touch football and the whole style of rapid counter-attack which dominates the top level of the Premier League now is the one which suits my game best of all. "I think I'm made to succeed in England but of course it's one thing saying it and quite another getting there and then doing it. "The Valencia president (Agustin Morera) always told me he wouldn't sell me until summer 2008. If an offer comes in I'm hungry to test myself in England." Should a move to Emirates Stadium not materialise, Villa admitted that he would be equally happy to join up with his international team-mate Fernando Torres at Liverpool. "It's great playing alongside Fernando," he said. "We understand each other totally and we get on brilliantly off the park."

Wenger to review Gallas captaincy
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is to reconsider whether William Gallas will continue as his skipper next season. Gallas sat on the pitch after full-time when the Gunners let in a late penalty in a 2-2 draw at Birmingham and his style of captaincy has come under fire. "I cannot answer that (captaincy) question at the moment. I want to analyse the season after the season." Wenger has also given Mathieu Flamini until the end of April to decide on signing a new deal or leaving for free. Midfielder Flamini's current contract expires at the end of the season and Wenger wants an answer so he can clarify the situation as he starts preparations for the next campaign. The Arsenal boss has some key decisions to make, notably over his fellow Frenchman Gallas. Gallas, 30, also kicked an advertising hoarding after Arsenal conceded the penalty at Birmingham in February and stood in the other half of the pitch as James McFadden scored from the spot. The two dropped points reduced Arsenal's then lead at the Premier League summit to two points and many believed Gallas' actions undermined Arsenal's title challenge. They have since won just two games out of 10 as they have capitulated in the league and been knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool. "At the moment he (Gallas) will be my captain until the end of the season," said Wenger. "I believe he has learned a lot this year and I can only say that his commitment and desire to do well was exceptional. "I made that decision and I have to stand up for that decision, I have to protect the team and the individuals as well at the moment. "They get criticised and maybe we deserve critics at the moment but overall the team has made good progress this year." The development of the combative Flamini, who has been linked with Juventus, has been one of Arsenal's consoling factors this season and Wenger want the uncertainty over the player's future resolved. "We are getting close to yes or no," said Wenger. "He says he wants to stay and I believe him. "But as long as he has not signed, for me he is free to sign where he wants. "We have set ourselves a target until the end of the month of April to finalise the situation, one way or the other. "That's an absolute deadline because afterwards we have to make decisions because if you have to move on the market you don't have much time left." Wenger has stated how much he wants the keep his current crop of players but his determination not to break the wage structure at the Emirates could be a stumbling block to the Flamini deal. "That's my first target, to keep the team together," he said. "We want to continue to respect our wages structure because I feel that is very important."

Henry would only consider Arsenal
Thierry Henry has insisted he is happy at Barcelona - and suggested he would only return to the Premier League if he could play for his former club Arsenal. The France striker, 30, has been linked with a move back to England after an unsuccessful first season in Spain. He told SSB: "I'm happy - I don't regret leaving Arsenal. "But there's only one team in England for me. Everybody knows the love and affection I have for Arsenal. I was so into it, I became a fan." The Frenchman left north London in a £16.1m move in June 2007 but his inaugural season in La Liga has been ravaged by injuries, the most recent being a back problem. Henry, who scored 174 Premier League goals in 254 appearances for Arsenal, has been a shadow of his former self at the Nou Camp - scoring only seven goals in 25 appearances. And he has been heavily criticised for some ineffective performances, particularly in the recent Champions League quarter-final, second leg win against Schalke. Despite all this, the former Monaco and Juventus player claims he has no intention of leaving the Spanish club. "People who know me will tell you, I'm the same in training, I'm the same in life - I cannot act. If I'm not happy, I'm not happy," he said. Newcastle are reportedly keen to bring Henry back to England in the summer, while he has also been linked with a possible move to Major League Soccer in the United States. But asked if he would return to play in the Premier League, Henry replied: "I don't know. I'm happy here at Barcelona. I still have three years of my contract left with Barcelona. "But England... I watch every game that I see on TV. I was watching Stoke City versus Crystal Palace. I will always miss it. "There has been since I arrived here a lot of speculation from day one but, hey, go back where? There's only one team for me in my heart. It took me a while to understand what that club, Arsenal, meant." Henry insisted he is not remorseful over any of the decisions he has made. He said: "I don't regret stuff in my life. Stuff happens for a reason. You don't regret stuff that you thought about. I don't regret it."

Wenger slams Inter move for Hleb
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Inter Milan they will be reported to Fifa if they continue their 'illegal' pursuit of Alexander Hleb. Inter coach Roberto Mancini has confirmed Hleb is one of the players the Italian club "would like to sign". But Wenger has slammed their attempt to sign the 26-year-old Belarus winger as 'totally unacceptable.' "For a club to come out with a statement like that...I think it is disrespectful. It is illegal," he said. "We will not accept that between big clubs. If I want a player from Inter Milan, I call Inter Milan," added Wenger. "If they are interested, why do they not call me? If I want to buy someone, I call the chairman and I ask him if he is for sale." Earlier this season, it was reported that former Stuttgart midfielder Hleb, 26, held secret talks with Inter while in the city ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game against rivals AC Milan at the San Siro. Hleb has played his last club game of the current campaign after being handed a three-match suspension by the Football Association for slapping Reading captain Graeme Murty during last week's Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium. He is reported to be unsettled at the club as speculation over his future continues. But Wenger insists that Hleb is still part of his plans and wants him to stay at the club. "We want to keep the team together, I do not change my mind every week. I am quite stable on that front," said Wenger "Under the new rules a player can buy out his contract, but not Inter Milan. If Inter Milan wants to buy a player they have to call me."

Flamini seals switch to AC Milan
AC Milan have completed the signing of Mathieu Flamini from Arsenal on a four-year contract. The France international, whose deal at the Emirates ran out this summer, has passed a medical and agreed terms to stay at the San Siro until 2012. The departure will come as a blow to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had offered the 24-year-old a new deal. Flamini had been a key player this season, making 39 starts in midfield and scoring three times. While Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani moved to play down fan fears that Flamini had been signed to replace Gennaro Gattuso, the player himself expressed his delight at the move. Having spent three seasons drifting in and out of the Arsenal starting team, Flamini secured a place in central midfield alongside Cesc Fabregas, keeping Gilberto Silva out the team. He also made his breakthrough at international level, winning his first cap in a friendly against Morocco last November. But for all Flamini's importance to Arsenal, highlighted by a superb performance as they won 2-0 in Milan in the Champions League, Wenger had been forced to concede that the player could be tempted elsewhere. Flamini's move to Milan will not be the first time he has left a manager disappointed. He was a key player for Marseille, playing in the 2004 Uefa Cup final, but left for Arsenal without a transfer fee changing hands as he had yet to sign a professional contract. At the time of his move to north London, Marseille coach Jose Anigo said: "He's a traitor - this is a beautiful treason." While Flamini will battle with Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini for a place in the Rossoneri's midfield, Wenger is left searching for a suitable replacement. That search for midfield reinforcements could become even more pressing if Alexander Hleb follows Flamini to Italy, with Inter Milan being reportedly interested. The Belarus international has reportedly questioned Arsenal's ambition and may decide to join Flamini in Italy. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is definitely leaving the Gunners and revealed he was emotional when he waved farwell to the fans on Sunday after the match against Everton. Lehmann, who came on as a substitute in Arsenal's 1-0 win, said: "I had one or two tears in my eyes at the end. The club and the supporters will always stay in my heart."

Yaya Toure has admitted he would love to play alongside his brother Kolo at Arsenal. The Gunners are being strongly linked with a move for the Barcelona midfielder - who could be surplus to requirements next year with Pep Guardiola taking over from Frank Rijkaard. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is no stranger to the younger Toure - indeed he spent time on trial at the club in 2002 but a deal was not struck and The Gunners' then Belgian feeder club Beveren sold him to Ukraine outfit Metalurg Donetsk. Toure, 25, has since moved up and up through his career with Olympiakos, Monaco and now Barca. A move to link-up with brother Kolo - who is a huge fan of his younger sibling - has always been mooted and now it appears a deal could be on the cards. With Mathieu Flamini leaving the club and doubts arising over Alexander Hleb - Wenger needs quality midfield reinforcements and Toure junior could be the man. And the player himself admits he would jump at the chance to move to Emirates Stadium. "I am aware of the interest from the Premier League," he told skysports.com. "But I can't say anything yet - however it would be great to play in a big team with my brother, it would be fantastic but you never know." Toure admits it has been a difficult first season in Catalunya - with Barca failing to win any silverware. "Our season was very difficult and for us it is very painful - we are winners and it is difficult," he continued. "We have so many great players, we don't understand how we are so far behind Real Madrid. "I want to let the fans know how much we care about this great team, it is the dream of all the players to wear the blaugrana shirt." Guardiola is due to succeed Rijkaard in the summer and Spanish reports claim that this could be bad news for Toure - but he admits to being a fan of the Barca legend. "He was one of my favourite players," he enthused. "He is a playmaker in front of the defence, he plays football like it should be played - I loved watching him when I was in the academy learning my trade."

Arsenal poised to seal Nasri deal
Marseille's France midfielder Samir Nasri says he has agreed a four-year contract with Arsenal. The 20-year-old announced the move on his personal website, but Arsenal have yet to confirm a reported £15.8m deal. Nasri's agent Jean-Pierre Bernes also said the player's announcement was "premature" and that discussions were ongoing between the two clubs. Nasri made just two outings as a substitute at Euro 2008 as France were eliminated at the group stages. He has spent the last four seasons with Marseille and came to prominence in France's Under-17 European Championship side in 2004. Nasri, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane and will be 21 on 26 June, joined Marseille as a nine-year-old and made his league debut during the 2004-2005 season. He can play on either wing or through the centre and won the French first division's young player of the year award, and was voted Marseille's player of the year by fans, at the end of the 2006/2007 campaign. Last season he scored six goals in 30 games for the French outfit, his final strike in a 4-3 win over Strasbourg helping secure Marseille's berth in next season's Champions League. Nasri had appeared at various youth international levels for France before winning the first of seven senior caps in 2007. Speaking about the player earlier this month, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "At 21 years old his whole future is ahead of him and he has (quite) a margin for progressing further. "He has, in any case, the qualities needed to assert himself at the highest level." Nasri could be a replacement for Alexander Hleb, whose future remains uncertain after he held talks over a possible move to Barcelona. Wenger has already lost midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who joined AC Milan on a free transfer, while striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains a target for the Italian giants.

Parlour looks set for retirement
Former England and Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says it looks like his football career is coming to an end. His last professional game was at Hull in the 2006/07 season and despite training with Barnet last term, a knee injury thwarted his hopes of a deal. Parlour, 35, told BBC London 94.9: "You do miss it. Especially the day-to-day banter and playing games on Saturday. "Your bonus is the Saturday, walking around the stadium with the crowd and the atmosphere." And Parlour added: "You do miss it, it's impossible not to." Parlour made nearly 400 appearances for Arsenal and played 10 times for England. During his Arsenal career Parlour won three FA Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners' Cup medal. Despite the knee injury he suffered last season, Parlour had hoped to return to the game but when asked whether or not he has officially retired the Romford-born player conceded that his playing days now look to be over. He said: "It looks like it is going that way." Parlour would still like to keep himself busy by maintaining his involvement in football. He stated: "I don't know if I'm going to do my coaching badges yet. I probably will do, so I'm looking that way as well so we'll soon see what happens." Parlour says he still enjoys following Arsenal because he has so many fond memories of the club. "I'm very privileged to have played at Arsenal during my career and I enjoyed every minute of it and I do miss it," he said. "I follow Arsenal quite a lot and I go over to the training ground quite a bit still and watch the games. I like to keep involved with Arsenal because it is such a great club. "I was there many years, I signed as a 12-year-old and left at 32. So 20 years of your life is a long time. I'll always have Arsenal in my heart."

Hleb set for "dream" Barca switch
Alexander Hleb has described his move to Barcelona as "a dream." The Belarussian midfielder, 27, is set to complete an £11.9m transfer from Arsenal after completing a medical. "It's a dream. I love this team. I will give my best and I want to win everything with Barca," Hleb told the Catalan club's website. Hleb arrived at the Nou Camp on the day that Brazil star Ronaldinho was in Milan having a medical as he prepared to leave the Spanish side. Hleb had been linked with Inter Milan, but Barcelona have won the race to sign him. Arsenal have also lost Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan and Gilberto Silva is poised to sign for Panathinaikos. Barcelona have announced that Hleb will have medical tests throughout Wednesday and is expected to sign a contract on Thursday. Barcelona vice-president Marc Ingla confirmed in June that they were in talks to sign Hleb, saying: "Barcelona's negotiations with Hleb are still in progress. "But despite him being a player with special qualities, if his club are not ready to sell him, we have other options in mind." Hleb's departure from the Emirates Stadium has seemed likely all summer after the player admitted he was "mentally tired" of the combination of living in London and playing top-level football. He joined Arsenal in 2005 after the club paid Stuttgart £11.2m for his services, and if he signs he will become Barcelona's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Seydou Keita, Gerard Pique, Martin Caceres and Daniel Alves.

Traore signs new Arsenal contract
Arsenal defender Armand Traore has signed a new long-term contract to stay at the Emirates Stadium, the North London club has confirmed. The 18-year-old French under-19 international has made 18 first team appearances for the Gunners since joining from Monaco in 2005. But manager Arsene Wenger sees him as back-up for left-back Gael Clichy. "Everyone at Arsenal is delighted that Armand has extended his contract," said a statement on the club website. Traore has predominantly been used in the Carling Cup, making 10 appearances in the competition, including starting against Chelsea in the 2007 final.

Wenger 'can spend £30m on player'
Arsene Wenger has the financial resources available to spend £30m on a player if he so chooses, according to Arsenal director Danny Fizsman. The Gunners have lost Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto since last season, but Wenger has so far recruited only Samir Nasri and Mikael Silvestre. "If he said 'I want this guy and he's £30m, can I buy him?', the answer is yes. Absolutely yes," revealed Fizsman. "It's not our decision who he spends money on, nor will it ever be ours." Arsenal have not won a trophy for three seasons and there have been calls from supporters for Wenger to bolster his squad with some big-money signings. The Gunners have brought in midfielder Nasri from Marseille for £12m and defender Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be under £1m. But Fizsman added: "There were great expectations and hopes that we would buy heavily this summer. "We totally back Wenger, it's his decision. If Arsene found the right player he would buy that player, but at the moment he hasn't." And Fizsman admitted that if the Gunners were to buy established players before the transfer window shuts on 1 September, it could cause problems. "There's a dual problem for him," said the Arsenal director of Wenger. "If we buy star names, you are talking about relatively mature players who need to be integrated into the way Arsene plays - they don't know our style and it also impacts on the youngsters who have been brought through." Wenger recently said in an interview that he wants to develop his first-team players through the youth ranks at the club. The Frenchman said that he decided on this policy during the club's development of their Emirates Stadium, which opened at the start of the 2006-07 season. "When we decided to build the stadium I wanted to anticipate the possibility of financial restrictions, so I concentrated on youth," Wenger said in an interview with the Independent newspaper. "I also felt the best way to create an identity with the way we play football, to get players integrated into our culture, with our beliefs, our values, was to get them as young as possible and to develop them together. "I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club."

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