Arsenal Now Pursuing Dutch Number 1 Maarten Stekelenburg

It has reported now that Arsenal will now go for Dutch number one Ajax’s Maarten Stekelenburg and not Austrlian international (Fulham goalkeeper) goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Arsenal were on trail to rope in Mark Schwarzer in the final weeks of the recently help World Cup 2010, but reports coming from UK suggest that Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger in now seeking the service of Holland's number one goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Arsenal’s current first-choice stopper Manuel Almunia has fallen out of favour at Emirates Stadium and could be sold and the fact that Wenger does not have enormous faith in Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny indicates that a move for Stekelenburg could be on the cards.

Arsenal Chasing Boca Juniors Sebastian Battaglia

EPL club Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is to step up his bid to sign Boca Juniors £4million-rated Argentine midfield 28-year-old Sebastian Battaglia. His agent confirmed interest from a London club, plus two from Italy.

28-year-old Battaglia has been at Boca for the best part of his playing career apart from a disappointing spell at La Liga club Villarreal, who he played for between 2004/2005.

Sebastian Battaglia has played nearly 200 league games for Boca Juniors during his two spells at the club and was a pivotal figure in the Boca's winning the Apertura in a three-way play-off recently.

Samir Nasri Ruled Out of French Squad Against Sweden

Samir Nasri has been ruled out of France's friendly with Sweden on Wednesday because of a thigh strain.

The Arsenal midfielder was called into Les Bleus' squad on Monday following the withdrawal of winger Hatem Ben Arfa, who injured his adductors at the weekend.

But Nasri will not board Tuesday's flight to Gothenburg, the French Football Federation confirmed on their website.

The former Marseille playmaker has been struggling with a thigh injury for the past couple of weeks, although he was able to start for the Gunners in their Premier League curtain-raiser against West Brom on Saturday.

Nasri, making his debut for the north London club, scored the only goal of that game.

France have confirmed they will not be calling up another player to replace Nasri, so they will travel to Sweden with a 19-man squad.

News Courtsey: The UK Press Association

Samir Nasri Joins French Squad For Sweden Match

Arsenal's French midfielder Samir Nasri has been added to France's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Sweden after Olympique Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa pulled out, the French Football Federation said on Monday.

Nasri, 21, who joined Arsenal from Marseille this season and was replaced by Ben Arfa, has scored twice in 12 internationals.

Nasri marked his debut for Arsenal in EPL, on Saturday by scoring the winning goal against West Bromwich Albion.

Ben Arfa complained about groin injury after Marseille's 4-0 win over Auxerre.

France will take Sweden in Gothenburg.

Image Courtsey: AFP Pictures

Arsenal's Gilberto Silva Joins Panathinaikos

Brazilian 31-year-old midfielder Gilberto Silva joined Greek club, Panathinaikos from Arsenal on Thursday (17th July) .

As per Greek local media, Panathinaikos had paid about 1.25 million euros (989,000 pounds) for the Brazilian.

As per Greek club's website, http://www.pao.gr/index, Gilberto Silva is quoted as

"I knew Panathinaikos before coming here but having met the president and the people of the club I have seen their ambition and believed in it. My goals are the goals of my team," ... "I'm fully aware of Panathinaikos's expectations and I'm confident the club will enter its second century successfully,"... "Panathinaikos is the new chapter in my career and I believe that it's going to be most successful."

Arsenal Pre-Season Schedule 2008-09

Arsenal Pre-Season Schedule 2008-09

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(Sat 19th July 2008) Barnet v/s Arsenal

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(Tue 22nd July 2008) Szombathelyi Haladás v/s Arsenal

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(Mon 28th July 2008) Burgenland XI v/s Arsenal

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(Wed 30th July 2008) VfB Stuttgart v/s Arsenal

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(Sat 2nd August 2008) Arsenal v/s Juventus

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(Sun 3rd August 2008) Arsenal v/s Real Madrid


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(Wed 6th August 2008) Huddersfield v/s Arsenal

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(Fri 8th August 2008) Ajax v Arsenal

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(Sat 9th August 2008) Sevilla v Arsenal

Arsenal Jersey No.14- From Thiery Henry To Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott will now be wearing Thierry Henry's number 14 jersey in Arsenal for the coming season.

Previously, Arsenal gave Theo Walcott number 32 jersey for 2008-09 season, which he wore for the last 2 seasons.

But a change announced in the Arsenal's official website, which has confirmed that from the start of 2008-09 season, Walcott will be wearing number 14.
Arsenal's no. 14 jersey is an iconic one, because the player who wore that jersey was the all-time leading goal scorer for The Gunners -Thierry Henry. He now plays for Spanish club Barcelona.


I think Walcott will do true justice to No.14.

BBC Reports That Samir Nasri Has Finalized With Arsenal

Samir Nasri was in the eyes of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. BBC has claimed that the 20-year old Marseille player will finalise his deal as sson as Euro 2008 ends. France's elimination, in fact, could even see the switch occur sooner.

No transfer money has been agreed between Arsenal and Marseille, although rumors say that a amount round about €17m will finalise the deal.

Samir Nasri was star for the French U-17 in 2004 and played 2 games in Euro 2008.

Sevilla Faces A Hectic Schedule

Spanish club Sevilla will return to training on July 7, before taking on AC Milan, Inter Milan and Arsenal.

On August 1, Sevilla will face AC Milan in the semifinal of the Russian Railways Cup, with CSKA Moscow taking on Chelsea in the other semifinal.

On August 7, Spanish side Sevilla will face Inter Milan in the LG Amsterdam Tournament. A day later they will face English champions Arsenal.

Jens Lehmann: From Arsenal To VfB Stuttgart

Jens Lehmann of Arsenal has opted for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart. He has signed a one year contract with them. Lehmann, 38, has spent 5 years with Arsenal before he lost his place to now Arsenal Number One Manuel Almunia. But Lehmann has retained his place in German national team and is expected to start in the starting 11 in Euro 2008.

The German side was also looking for a replacement, because their goalkeeper Raphael Schafer had a poor run in the league.

Arsenal: Samir Nasri Deal With Arsenal After Euro 2008

French midfielder Samir Nasri move to Arsenal are likely to complete after the Euro 2008. The French international has impressed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Wenger hopes that the deal with Narsri would be finalised after the Euro 2008 starting from Saturday, 7th June 2008.

Nasri would be a good replacement for Alexander Hleb who has been linked with Barcelona. Hleb's transfer to Barcelona would earn Arsenal £12million transfer fee, which would help roping Samir Nasri.

Hleb Way To Barcelona F.C.

Spanish media are reporting that Alexander Hleb might come to Barcelona FC from Arsenal. Even though Hleb is having a contract with Arsenal, the medias are reporting that both clubs have agreed a deal to be worth approximately 20 million Euros.