Arsenal

Baptista eager for Arsenal switch
Julio Baptista has spoken of his desire to clinch a move to Arsenal after rejecting a new contract with Seville. The Brazilian striker, 23, had been offered a much-improved deal to stay with the Spanish side but is desperate to play in the Premiership. Arsenal have already had a bid - believed to be £7m - rejected but are thought to be preparing a fresh offer. Baptista said: "Arsenal's interest has advanced the most and they have been informed of my situation at Sevilla." He added: "The Premiership is a good league and I'm lucky that the top clubs are interested in me. "A good player can play in any leage in the world. That's the way it should be and I consider myself to be a good player." Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido confirmed: "The player doesn't want to renew his contract and we can't cover our eyes to the fact. "We've offered him a quantity of money which triples what he is earning." Baptista's current contract with Sevilla expires in 2008 but the Spanish side say they will not allow him to leave on the cheap. "We consider it (Arsenal's first bid) a derisory offer," said Del Nido. "We will not consider negotiations based on that amount of money. Furthermore, we told them that we did not want to sell the player." Baptista has scored 38 league goals since joining from Sao Paulo two years ago. As well as the Gunners, Real Madrid were also reportedly interested in signing Baptista, who was a member of Brazil's squad in their recent Confederations Cup triumph.

Juve step up plans to land Vieira
Juventus admit they are still hoping to sign Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. General director Luciano Moggi has been attempting to seal a deal for the 29-year-old, but said: "Arsenal don't want to sell him." But reports in Italy say it is Arsenal's £14m asking price that is holding up the deal, with Juve offering £5m plus midfielder Stephen Appiah. Moggi said: "I haven't said that he is too expensive. In any case we will have to meet them again." The Italian champions have rejected a £30m approach from Chelsea for striker David Trezeguet, 27, and are instead intent on strengthening their squad. Moggi has identified Vieira, 29, as a potential summer target. He said recently: "Obviously, they will not let him go cheaply as he is a magnificent, winning midfielder but if Arsenal are willing to do business, we'd buy him tomorrow."

Wenger faces Wright-Phillips wait
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed any pursuit of Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips depends on whether Chelsea make a formal offer. The Blues, owned by billionaire Russian Roman Abramovich, are reportedly set to bid about £20m for the 23-year-old. Wenger said: "I like him but we are in a market where you let Chelsea make decisions and then come in after. "There is a price for Chelsea and a price for everybody else and that is why we have to wait until they decide." Wenger is a long-term admirer of Wright-Phillips but knows that the Gunners cannot compete with Chelsea's financial muscle. The Arsenal boss also said that his team must concentrate on regaining the title and should not worry about who Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is trying to buy. "I'm not relieved Steven Gerrard didn't go to Chelsea this week, I feel we have to cope with that and not feel we are behind, just fight with that," added Wenger. "No matter who everybody else buys, no matter who Chelsea buy and who goes there, it is down to us to come back strong and fight for the championship." Mourinho returned from holiday last week and was reportedly keen to complete a deal for Wright-Phillips quickly after missing out on Gerrard. But City are still waiting for a firm bid from the Premiership champions and are expected to hold out for £22m for the England international. Arsenal, meanwhile, have so far only bought one player this summer - Belarus midfielder Alexsander Hleb from Stuttgart - and Wenger thinks that the market will soon gain momentum. "The transfer market has been much quieter than expected and it looks like it has not really started, with no activity in the lower clubs and very little with the clubs that are supposed to have money. "At the moment, it looks like everybody is in the starting blocks and, with the heat of my phone, it looks like it will start soon."

Baptista will reject Arsenal move
Arsenal target Julio Baptista has decided he wants to stay at Sevilla. "I want to stay with Sevilla for one more season," the 23-year-old Brazilian striker was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail newspaper. "Then I will be able to gain dual nationality and become a European citizen. If I went to Arsenal now, I would not be able to." Arsenal and another unnamed Premiership club, reported to be Tottenham, have had bids for Baptista turned down. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be interested in Baptista, a member of Brazil's squad in their recent Confederations Cup triumph. Baptista's current deal with Sevilla runs out in 2008 and he has rejected a new one. That prompted Arsenal's interest but Sevilla threatened to report the Gunners to Fifa after it was claimed Arsene Wenger had spoken to the player without the Spanish club's permission.

Arsenal confirm Juve want Vieira
Arsenal have admitted for the first time that Juventus have made a move to sign captain Patrick Vieira. Highbury chairman Peter Hill-Wood said the club might sell the 29-year-old, whose contract expires in 2007. "I gather Juventus have made inquiries but we're very undecided whether we are going to talk to them or not," the Daily Star quoted Hill-Wood as saying. "Patrick's aware they've approached us. It all very much depends on what they offer and what he wants to do." Vieira, who was the subject of a large bid from Real Madrid last summer, is reported to have demanded talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to hammer out his future. "In a situation like this, you have to listen to what they say and tell the player about it," added Hill-Wood. "It would be very, very difficult to replace Patrick. We have a board meeting in about a week's time and I am sure we will discuss it then. "We have not decided what we want to do, but my gut feeling is we would very much like him to stay." It has been reported in Italy that vice-president Roberto Bettega has been in London to meet with Gunners chiefs. Juve are thought to have bid £5m plus Stephen Appiah, but Arsenal would want significantly more for the Frenchman. It has also been suggested that the Serie A champions are prepared to go to £15m plus defender Jonathan Zebina and midfielder Enzo Maresca. Juve are also rumoured to be keen on a move for Arsenal winger Robert Pires, 31, who is growing frustrated that he is only being offered a one-year extension to his deal. The club's director general Luciano Moggi admitted he had been in London on business last week but refused to comment on which player they were interested in. "There have never been any negotiations over Vieira. I went to London for other players, not Vieira," he told L'Equipe. "Yes, I met with Arsene Wenger, but that's because he's a friend of mine - not to discuss Vieira's transfer." Juventus boss Fabio Capello, who coached Vieira at AC Milan, said the Turin club would only sign new players if they improved the team. "I don't exclude new arrivals if it will improve the squad," he said. "We don't buy just for the sake of it." The Italian champions believe their squad is already strong enough to win a second straight Scudetto. Moggi added: "Of course, we remain concentrated on the market. "In the improbable case that a chance comes along, perhaps it would be done with a player exchange. "Of course, some players may evidently leave but our team is done, it's competitive in all fronts." Spanish giants Real Madrid are also reported to have re-entered the race to sign Vieira after Steven Gerrard decided to stay at Liverpool.

Christanval issues plea to Wenger
Philippe Christanval claims he does not know if the club want to sign him, despite boss Arsene Wenger telling the Gunners website there will be no deal. The 26-year-old defender had a two-week trial with Arsenal in the summer. He told L'Equipe: "Arsene has confirmed on the club's website that it would not happen but he has not yet phoned me. "Arsene said he was ready to take me as long as he releases one of his four central defenders. I still have hopes for Arsenal." The former Monaco, Barcelona and Marseille stopper added: "If Arsenal asked me to join them for two weeks training, it's not for nothing." Frenchman Christanval has not played a competitive match since May 2004 and was released by Marseille in June this year. He made just 13 appearances in a two-year spell with the French side - but Christanval denies that was because of injuries. "Marseille was not a club for me," he said. "I don't regret signing for them but, looking back, I realise that they don't have any respect for individuals. "All last year I trained normally but they wanted people to believe that I was not playing because of injuries, but that was wrong."

Arsenal 4-1 Fulham
Arsenal got back to winning ways with a fluid attacking display against a battling Fulham at Highbury. The Gunners started brightly, Lauren missing a penalty after Thierry Henry was brought down by Zat Knight. But Claus Jensen scored first for Fulham with a neat lob before Pascal Cygan headed in an equaliser for the hosts and Henry gave them the lead. Henry dinked home a second after being released by Aleksander Hleb before Cygan crashed home from close range. Arsenal had come close to scoring after only a minute, Henry just failing to latch on to Ashley Cole's cross and crown a sweeping move. And after six minutes, Henry won a penalty after having his heels clipped by Knight when through on goal. But Henry, who does not take penalties when he is the man fouled, let Lauren step up and the right-back had his shot saved by Fulham's stand-in keeper Tony Warner. Fulham's first chance came courtesy of Gunners centre-back Cygan, the Frenchman heading just wide of his own goal when under no pressure. Francesc Fabregas went close for the hosts again on 15 minutes, his rifled shot just tipped over by Warner after being teed up by Dennis Bergkamp. But after soaking up wave upon wave of early assaults, Fulham playmaker Jensen put his side ahead after 22 minutes with an exquisite curling lob. Shortly after, Lehmann was forced into a sharp save from Moritz Volz before Reyes almost tip-toed through to score at the other end. Cygan levelled things on 32 minutes, heading home a teasing Bergkamp cross. Brian McBride should have restored Fulham's lead before half-time but blazed wide with the goal at his mercy. Arsenal started the second half as they did the first, Bergkamp volleying across goal from a deep Cole cross before Aleksander Hleb dragged a shot wide. But Fulham stayed in the hunt, McBride just failing to reach a Steed Malbranque cross on 50 minutes. However, Henry gave Arsenal the lead after 53 minutes, bringing down a dinked Reyes through-ball and passing the ball into the net. McBride almost equalised immediately but his header was parried over by Lehmann. But Arsenal continued to look sublime in attack, the impressive Reyes almost setting up Bergkamp to score on 70 minutes and Gilberto being denied by Warner. Bergkamp almost scored himself soon after, but hit his shot straight at Warner before Henry poked a shot just wide. But Henry did not have to wait much longer, dinking the ball over the sprawling Warner after being released by Hleb. The ubiquitous Bergkamp almost made it four just before the final whistle, but was once again denied by the impressive Warner. However, Arsenal were not finished and Cygan made certain deep into extra time after a defensive mix-up. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We created chances and had the mental strength to keep going and that is the important thing. "Pascal Cygan played very well. We needed experience at the back and I wanted to give Philippe Senderos a breather. "Thierry Henry did extremely well leading the line and Dennis Bergkamp is a great player - you never lose your touch and he still plays great games." Fulham manager Chris Coleman: "I feel sorry for the guys. They had a real go and didn't come to sit back - but there's always a chance you'll get caught by Arsenal. "We created chances and it was a good team effort. The result looks like a hammering but we gave them a good game. "I'm delighted with the performance. The commitment was there but we have to perform more consistently." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Cole, Hleb (Clichy 83), Silva, Fabregas, Reyes (Flamini 77), Bergkamp, Henry. Subs Not Used: Pires, Van Persie, Almunia. Booked: Reyes, Bergkamp, Cole, Lauren, Flamini. Goals: Cygan 32, Henry 53, 82, Cygan 90. Fulham: Warner, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Niclas Jensen, Claus Jensen, Diop, Boa Morte, Malbranque, McBride (John 64), Radzinski. Subs Not Used: Helguson, Elrich, Batista, Leacock. Booked: Boa Morte, Rehman. Goals: Claus Jensen 22. Att: 37,867 Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Clubs await Champions League draw
Liverpool and Chelsea could end up in the same group in Thursday's draw for the Champions League group stages. Uefa altered its rules to allow holders Liverpool to defend their title, but the governing body is not keeping them apart from the English champions. However, Uefa rankings mean the Reds will not be drawn in the same group as Arsenal or Manchester United. Rangers are also in the draw at 1500 BST after Wednesday's qualifying win over Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus. England have four teams in the group stages, a total matched by Italy and Spain, while Germany have three. With the exception of Liverpool, Uefa will ensure that no two clubs from the same country will be drawn in the same group. Chelsea and Arsenal were the automatic qualifiers from England after finishing first and second in the Premiership. Manchester United eased through with a 6-0 aggregate win over Hungarian side Debrecen in the third qualifying round. Holders Liverpool saw off Total Network Solutions in the first qualifying round and Kaunas in the second - before squeezing past CSKA Sofia 3-2 on aggreagate in the third. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions League qualifiers: (Top seeds in bold) AC Milan Ajax Anderlecht ARSENAL Artmedia Bratislava Barcelona Bayern Munich Benfica CHELSEA Club Brugge Fenerbahce Inter Milan Juventus Lille LIVERPOOL Lyon MANCHESTER UNITED Olympiakos Panathinaikos Porto PSV Eindhoven Rangers Rapid Vienna Real Betis Real Madrid Rosenborg Schalke Sparta Prague Thun Udinese Villarreal Werder Bremen

Wenger fears over Henry contract
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed that Thierry Henry is stalling on a new contract, according to the News of the World newspaper. The 28-year-old striker's current Gunners contract ends in summer 2007. "We are ready right now to negotiate a new long-term contract with Thierry - but I have the impression he is not," Wenger told the News of the World. "Thierry is my priority. He is the new captain and he's the one who must lead this club into the new stadium." The France international needs two goals to break Ian Wright's all-time Arsenal scoring record of 185 goals. "I cannot imagine Thierry not being part of the project but at the moment we have to wait," Wenger added.

Poom makes loan switch to Arsenal
Arsenal have signed Sunderland's Estonian international goalkeeper Mart Poom on loan. The 33-year-old has joined the Gunners initially until the end of the year, but the deal could be extended until the end of the season. He has not played since October when he suffered a knee injury and has now seen his first-team place taken by summer signing Kelvin Davis. Poom joined from Derby in 2003, making 68 appearances for the Black Cats. He was a firm favourite with the Sunderland fans, helped when he scored an injury-time equaliser against the Rams in September 2003. Poom, who has won over 100 caps for his country, will provide some experienced cover for regular Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann.

Bergkamp set for Amsterdam trip
Arsene Wenger could ask Dennis Bergkamp to drive to Amsterdam after the striker hit the winner in Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League victory over FC Thun. Bergkamp has often missed European away games due to his fear of flying. But he could be needed against Ajax in two weeks after Robin Van Persie's red card in the first half at Highbury. "I will make the decision as late as possible. When you make a player travel that far you have to be sure that you will play him," said Wenger. "Seven hours' travel is sometimes tricky if you want to make changes to your plans at the last second." Bergkamp came off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Swiss side Thun. "The determination of Dennis was fantastic and a good example for our youngsters," said Wenger. "We had character and quality in our game and kept going. "It was very important to win because we did not (against Middlesbrough) on Saturday and not doing so against FC Thun would have been mentally difficult for the players." Thun, in their first Champions League campaign, had a numerical advantage for almost half the match after Van Persie's dismissal. The Dutchman was shown a straight red after catching Alen Orman in the face with his boot as he jumped to control the ball. "Ten versus 11 is difficult," added Wenger. "I think it was the wrong decision, Van Persie did not want to make a foul and tried to play the ball. It was an accident. "We scored a great goal first and then they scored - I don't know how they scored - I think the guy wanted to cross the ball. "But that's part of football, you have to accept it - and we had to do it again." Van Persie now faces a three-match Champions League ban which, coupled with Thierry Henry's absence with a groin injury, would leave Arsenal short on strikers for their next two games away to Ajax and Sparta Prague. Wenger said Arsenal would investigate whether they have grounds to appeal against the red card, although Uefa's strict regulations make it unlikely they would be successful. Thun manager Urs Schonenberger said of Van Persie's dismissal: "I thought it was unlucky. "I said to my player 'that was pretty hard' - but he does have a black eye and you can see stud marks so, from that point of view, it was a red card. "But I would not say Van Persie did it on purpose."

Wenger keen to tie up Henry deal
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he hopes to take advantage of Thierry Henry's injury lay-off to make progress over sorting out his new contract. Striker Henry, 28, has two years left to run on his current contract and Wenger has given him a deadline of the end of the year to sort out his future. "It is a good opportunity and we will certainly try to use it," said Wenger. "I'm convinced he will stay. He's not a guy who's obsessed by money. It's more about him being committed to the club." Henry has been told to take a complete break for 10 days to help cure his groin problem, which means he will not be in contention for their next Champions League game, against Ajax. "I'm more concerned about his injury than his contract because it's a bit of concern that he had to stop so early in the season by having worked so hard during the pre-season," said Wenger. "Maybe Thierry feels under pressure to play but the only thing I can say is that we never put any player under pressure to play. "If this kind of pressure exists, it comes only from him not from me or the doctors."

Van Persie nets one-game Euro ban
Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van Persie has been given a one-match ban by Uefa following his dismissal in the Champions League win over FC Thun. Van Persie saw red for a challenge on Thun's Alen Orman, during which he caught Orman in the face with his boot. The Uefa website said the ban was only for one game as although there did not seem to be intent, the challenge had been reckless. The 22-year-old will miss the Champions League trip to Ajax on 27 September. There is no right of appeal over the ban, so Arsenal will have to go into the game without van Persie and the injured Thierry Henry, but Dennis Bergkamp says he is willing to travel for the match. "The intention was not there to hurt," said manager Arsene Wenger. "The most difficult thing you have to deal with sometimes is when you feel guilty and you moan and moan but deep down you know it's down to you - it's your fault. "On this occasion, he cannot do anything about it. He tried to play the ball and it was an unfortunate accident."

Arsenal alerted to Casillas deal
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas could be in his last season at the club with a move to England in the pipeline. The 24-year-old Spain international is still waiting on a new contract offer and the News of the World report that Arsenal are potential suitors. "I've not sat down with anyone from Madrid to discuss a new deal for Iker," said his agent Gines Garvajal. "We are waiting for the call but if not, from 1 January we can talk with other clubs." Manchester United showed interest in Casillas earlier in the year, but at the time any move from his hometown club looked unlikely and Sir Alex Ferguson has since signed Edwin van der Sar. That leaves the way clear for Highbury boss Arsene Wenger to finally secure the services of a long-term successor to former England goalkeeper David Seaman. Casillas fits the bill and it is thought the player would be willing to listen to offers. He is said to be growing disillusioned by Real's failure to discuss new terms and improve his basic salary of £7,000 a week, a figure that is dwarfed by his fellow galacticos at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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