Wenger Convinced Ade Will Stay Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tonight revealed that he fully expects Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor

Throughout the summer Adebayor has been linked with continental giants AC Milan and Barcelona, but Frenchman Wenger - who has already seen the likes of Aleksandr Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva depart the Emirates Stadium this summer – is convinced that the man who scored 24 Premier League goals last season is set to stay.


Wenger has consistently maintained his “not for sale” stance throughout the summer, but his latest declaration so close to the start of the new league campaign will come as a major boost to fans of the Gunners, who are already concerned over the lack of big-name additions to the squad.


After witnessing a young Gunners team edge past lower league Barnet with a narrow 2-1 pre-season friendly victory, Wenger clarified the situation to Sky Sports after being directly asked whether or not Adebayor would still be with the club at the start of the next Premier League campaign.


"Adebayor is under contract," he stated. "We expect him to turn up on Monday and practice with us."


"And of course, I expect him to stay."


So far this summer, Arsenal’s only significant signings have been Samir Nasri’s arrival from Marseille and the capture of 17-year-old Welsh playmaker Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff City for a fee of around £5 million.


But amid fans’ growing concerns, Wenger did confirm that more signings should be in the pipeline before this summer’s transfer window is closed at the end of August.


"Yes you can expect signings. I don't know where and how many, but we're in the market. If there's a good opportunity we'll definitely take it," he added.

19/07/2008 17:36 Arsenal Edge Barnet In Friendly Barnet 1-2 Arsenal In a particularly bland pre-season opener, Arsenal come from behind to edge

Arsenal's squad featured a multitude of players promoted from the reserves in seasons gone by to give them a taste of first team action in the Gunner's first friendly of pre-season. Nordveit, a promising Norweigan centre-back found himself on the starting sheet, as did Lansbury, Traore, and new signing Aaron Ramsey made his debut.

The first half was uninspiring, but Ramsey looked the best player on the pitch as he sent some Beckham-esque passes upfield to the overlapping Sagna.

Barnet's goal arrived via a Gillet free kick. Almunia looked frustrated after setting up what he thought would have been a capable wall, only to be beaten by his far corner, after everyone in the wall failed to either charge the ball down, or jump to block it.

The second half was more pleasing to the eye as the young guns played with more tempo and increased urgency.

Substitute Jack Wilshere changed the game for Arsenal starting moves that secured two goals for the gunners. It will be interesting to see how he is used this coming season, you will imagine he will be limited to League Cup appearances in order to protect him, much in the same manner as Theo Walcott when the former Southampton player first arrived at the club.

The Arsenal goals came from Jay Simpson, and Nacer Barazite. Simpson was played into the box and he shot across the keeper, on instinct. For Arsenal's second, Barazite received a cross into the area before beating the keeper with an nice shot that was aided into the net off the post.

Arsenal boss Wenger will be more pleased with his reserve team players, who were all brought on for the second half, than the bland first team that started before the break.

19/07/2008 13:50 Inter Turning To Alonso As Lampard Move Stutters Inter Milan are set to turn their attentions to Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso

The Chelsea midfielder has reportedly agreed terms with the Nerazzurri, seeing him link up with Jose Mourinho, the manager whom he worked under at the Stamford Bridge club before the 45-year old’s acrimonious departure.

Inter president Massimo Moratti insists that his club have Lampard’s “approval”, but Chelsea chief executive, Peter Kenyon, remains adamant that the England international will stay at the club for at least another season.

“We'd like to hope we can reach an agreement but if we can't we have always worked on the basis that he sees out the terms of his contract," Kenyon said.

"The situation is ongoing. We have always maintained that we want Frank to stay and an offer was made to that effect."

"Even for the course of that year there is still the opportunity for him to complete a new contract because the offer we have made him remains on the table."

Such slow progress has forced Mourinho to begin his search for an alternative central midfielder, and his attentions seem to have turned to Alonso.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is still working on a move for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry, and the former Valencia head coach has made clear his intentions to allow Alonso to leave Anfield.

The Spain international, who was part of his nation’s successful Euro 2008 campaign, was set to join Inter’s Serie A rivals Juventus, but current and prospective owners failed to agree a fee and the move now looks to have collapsed.

Despite his disappointment at failing to secure Lampard immediately, speculation suggests that Mourinho would be more than happy to secure Alonso’s signature instead.

Arsenal Confirm Coquelin Signing Arsenal have confirmed their third signing of the summer, young French midfielder Francis Coquelin.

A brief piece on the Gunners’ official website confirms that Arsene Wenger has signed his third player of the summer - and second French midfielder. Francis Coquelin has joined the club from French third division side Laval.

Coquelin, 17, impressed during a trial with Arsenal last season and had been expected to sign during the last two months.

He passed a medical back in May but his signing was only officially announced by the Gunners on Friday.

“Arsenal have signed French midfield player Francis Coquelin on professional terms,” said the statement.

“The 17-year-old has joined from SASP Stade Lavallois Mayeene MFC.”

Laval revealed last month that Coquelin, who had not signed a first professional contract with them, was free to move on.

Arsenal are therefore believed to have signed him without having to pay a transfer fee.

Reports suggest that Werder Bremen’s Amaury Bischoff could be the next youngster to join the Gunners.

19/07/2008 11:03 Rosicky To Miss Start Of Season Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has conceded defeat in his bid to recover from injury in time for

Although it is certainly not the most welcome of news, it will hardly come as a surprise to Arsenal fans as the Czech star had recently expressed concern that his problematic knee injury would not clear up in time.

"I know I'll miss the start of the club season," Rosicky said to Czech daily Sport. "According to plans I should be back on the field in September."

Rosicky has not played since aggravating his problem knee during a FA Cup match against Newcastle in January, having missed the Gunners' run-in last season as well as Euro 2008.

He is now off crutches at least, and is optimistic that when he is back he will finally be completely over the problems that have bothered him since arriving from Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago.

Arsenal kick off their campaign on August 16th at home to newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion

19/07/2008 07:12 Wenger Drops Ramsey Hint As speculation swells regarding who will fill out Arsenal’s depleted midfield, Arsene Wenger has indicate

Following Gilberto Silva’s move to Panathinaikos, the Gunners are in serious need of someone to partner Cesc Fabregas in the centre of midfield.

Mathieu Flamini was virtually ever-present beside the Spaniard last season, but he will ply his trade in Milan during the coming campaign after leaving the Emirates via free transfer.

Lassana Diarra would no doubt be next line – had he not moved to Portsmouth in January, that is, where he has since established himself among Europe’s most exciting centre-men.

That leaves Abou Diaby, who was used most often in an attacking role last term, and the largely untested talents of Denilson and Johan Djourou, the latter of whom has played in defence ever since arriving in England.

The likes of Xabi Alonso and Gareth Barry have been mentioned as likely recruits, despite the fact their price tags would seem to rule the Gunners out of the chase.

But Wenger could both infuriate and delight certain sections of the support and the press by shifting Ramsey, who played mostly on the flanks for Cardiff City, into an unexpected central role.

"Overall he can play wide, he can play centrally," Wenger said in an exclusive with Arsenal’s official magazine.

"I think in the future he will be a central midfielder. How is down to him and down to us on how well we work with him.

"In my mind though there are no restrictions on his development, because he has played a lot already."

Satisfaction

A midfield pairing of Fabregas and Ramsey could almost be seen as a quasi-clone of Manchester United’s dual-playmaker partnership of Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, albeit at the other end of the age spectrum.

That could perhaps explain why Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen on landing the Welsh youngster, who also attracted strong interest from Merseyside.

And Wenger confessed his delight at edgeing out some of his fiercest rivals to land the 17-year-old.

"We watched him throughout the whole season," he added. "We were always on the case, but unfortunately we weren't the only ones because Liverpool, Man United and Everton were strongly behind the case.

"It was a big satisfaction for us that we were able to beat these teams to signing him."

19/07/2008 06:37 Barry Baulks At Villa's Peace Offering Gareth Barry remains intent on completing his dream switch to Liverpool, despite Aston Vill

Barry effectively severed ties with the club he represented for over a decade when he publicly announced his desire to leave Villa for Merseyside, blasting manager Martin O’Neill in the process.

The England midfielder’s future now hangs in the balance, as the Reds’ interest appears to have cooled somewhat after pricing Xabi Alonso – whose proposed sale to Juventus was expected to fund Barry’s buy – out of the market.

Arsenal have also been linked with the 27-year-old, but Villa’s ₤18million price tag could prove prohibitive given Arsene Wenger’s notoriously thrifty transfer philosophy.

Hence, the Villans have attempted to patch up relations with Barry, offering to forgive and forget regarding all the recent hubbub between the two parties over the last month or so.

But the wantaway skipper has essentially snapped that olive branch over his knee, as O’Neill revealed in The Sun: “We had a meeting and he reiterated that he would like to go to Liverpool.”

This latest development leaves both Villa and Barry in a sticky situation. The club may have to lower their asking price, or they could be stuck with a sulky star rotting in the reserves next season.

19/07/2008 00:36 English Debate: Hypocrisy In The Transfer Market Graham Lister suggests that some of the biggest clubs are conducting their trans

There are several ways, it seems, to conduct a transfer. The traditional way, and arguably still the best, is for the prospective buying club to contact the prospective selling club about a player’s availability and, if they receive a positive response, agree a fee and obtain permission to talk to the player concerned. Then, when personal terms have been agreed, the medical has been passed and the contract signed, announce the transfer to the media.

A less scrupulous way is to set up a clandestine meeting with the player (and of course his agent), and arrange a deal behind the back of the club to whom he is contracted. The player, duly unsettled by the riches on offer, then becomes disaffected enough with his employers to make the move virtually inevitable. This method is known as “tapping up” or “doing an Ashley,” but to be carried out effectively it is advisable that the media are kept firmly out of the loop. Therefore the choice of restaurant or motorway service station for the tapping up is important. Otherwise, inconvenient legal proceedings can follow.

A third way seems on the face of it to be less subtle but is in fact quite sophisticated, and can ultimately lead to the same outcome as the tap-up, but without legal consequences. It is now known as “a Ronaldo,” or sometimes “an Adebayor,“ and instead of involving restaurants and subterfuge to avoid the media, actually relies on the press to do the tapping up. The would-be buying club simply feeds journalists a steady stream of sound-bites declaring their admiration for and intention to sign a particular player, irrespective of his employer’s wishes.

At some point the club to whom he is contracted feels obliged to issue a statement insisting that the object of their rival’s desire is not for sale. That provokes a lively debate - again through the media - and provides the player (and of course his agent) with plenty of opportunities to ratchet up his response from “flattered” to “interested” to “desperate to join,” - though a favourite tactic is to be ambiguous or contradictory for as long as possible so as to avoid any disciplinary action from the club that pays your wages. Gareth Barry needs to work on that aspect of his game because he badly misplaced a pass with an outburst against his club, Aston Villa, and manager, Martin O’Neill, incurring a fine and a suspension. Barry, hitherto a one-club man, revealed his inexperience there, because an unwritten rule of “doing a Ronaldo” is that money should only ever flow into, never out of, a player’s pocket.

Done properly a “Ronaldo”, unlike an “Ashley,“ has the estimable merit of being endorsed by the head of Fifa, who knows a thing or two about unscrupulous deals (though not, it seems, about the nature of slavery).

It is a fact of football life that “Ashleys” and “Ronaldos” generate a great deal of heat without shedding too much light. From the media’s point of view, a preferred consequence is a public slanging match between the two clubs concerned, ideally punctuated by plenty of those ambiguous or contradictory “statements” by the player, including the disingenuous “It’s out of my hands. I just want to play football.”

And when the slanging starts, we can often get some interesting developments. For example, if the would-be buying club is Real Madrid, they are allowed to operate by their own special rules because they are, well, Real Madrid (and after all, they invented and continue to refine the “Ronaldo“).

The club refusing to be sellers - for example, Manchester United - may therefore find themselves at a disadvantage. On the other hand, they do have unrestricted access to the moral high ground, and usually rush to occupy it with evangelical zeal.

Thus this summer, Manchester United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been righteously indignant about Real Madrid’s open interest in a certain Portuguese winger. Fergie has been irritated by the Bernabeu’s apparent inability to grasp the phrase “not for sale,“ reiterating only today that his star player will not be leaving.

The United boss stated: "I wasn't panicked because the player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United.”

It‘s an interesting comment, and eerily reminiscent of what Bayern Munich were saying about one Owen Hargreaves not so long ago. Yet on that occasion, Ferguson was happy to disregard Bayern and continued to talk up Hargreaves‘s Old Trafford future, effectively measuring the player up for his new United shirt even as the Bavarians were insisting Owen was goin’ nowhere.

Nor was the Hargreaves case an isolated one. United have a bit of previous, as a recap of the unsettling tactics they employed to secure the signings of Jaap Stam, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick would reveal.

Spurs and their fans might suggest that similar tactics are being used right now to ensure that the unsettled Dimitar Berbatov - a player Tottenham would like to keep - will head north from White Hart Lane before the new season gets underway.

Fergie has “good expectations that this deal will go through,” and said this week: “Berbatov has been impressive during a long time and would be a great addition to our attack…I think time will work for us more than against us. We will not stress this situation. We are hoping to have a constructive conversation with Tottenham in the near future.”

So if, somehow, Real Madrid were to get their way and sign Cristiano Ronaldo, would it be a case of the biter bit as far as Manchester United are concerned?

Not that United and Real are the only clubs to bend the spirit if not the letter of the law when the transfer window yawns open. AC Milan and Barcelona conducted their as yet unfulfilled pursuit of Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor through the media, while Liverpool have been using similar methods throughout the summer in their attempts to sign Villa’s Barry and more recently Tottenham’s Robbie Keane.

Liverpool, of course, used to be the model of how to conduct a transfer: discreet, classy, respectful, with each of their acquisitions announced as a fait accompli. Now they trail their wish-lists through the media. In contrast, Arsenal - who are being pilloried for a perceived lack of activity in the market - are continuing to conduct their business with a bit of respect towards would-be selling clubs. They have been victims more than most of this modern, distasteful trend towards the public tapping-up of players.

No club likes it when their star players are targeted in this underhand and essentially disrespectful way. So it is nothing less than hypocrisy when they employ those same tactics to unsettle their own transfer targets.

It is precisely this point that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has so forcefully made in respect of Manchester United's pursuit of Berbatov and Liverpool's of Keane. Levy has reported North West giants to the Premier League for alleged breach of their rules. And with both players' heads now turned by the overtures from Old Trafford and Anfield, respectively, you can certainly understand Tottenham's frustration.

It would be helpful if Fifa showed a rare bit of leadership by clarifying and redefining the rules or at least laying down a transparent code of conduct.

In the meantime, the biggest bullies in the playground will continue to get their way. But at least it gives us plenty to read and argue about during the cricket season.

Ronnie A Bigger Attraction Than Adebayor - Galliani Adriano Galliani has explained that Ronaldinho is a much bigger draw than Adebayor…

After Ronaldinho went through his paces at his first training session as a Milan player today, the Rossoneri’s general manager, Adriano Galliani, explained to the media why he opted fotrr the Boy from Brazil rather than Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor.

“It was wonderful to see 40,000 people at San Siro just to see Ronaldinho for a few minutes,” said Galliani.

“He is a player with great media impact, whereas Adebayor is not. These characters elevate the interest towards our League on behalf of the media, help fill the stadiums and certainly make the challenges more interesting.”

Of course, there was also the small matter of Arsenal refusing to accept Milan’s offer for Adebayor, but Galliani had a point to make.

Milan had been pursuing the Togo striker (as well as Ronaldinho) all summer, but after the Gunners proved obstinate over the asking price, the Rossoneri opted for Ronnie at £18million.

Galliani also stressed that winning the domestic title would be their priority next season.

“If you ask me whether I’d prefer we win the Uefa Cup or the Scudetto, then without doubt I’d say the Serie A title.

“I am not thinking ahead to the derby with Inter, I only focus on my team. We have reinforced the side and with that we can confirm we won’t be signing any more players.”

18/07/2008 20:14 Bergkamp Thrilled To Be Back Just over two years after hanging up his boots, the exciting Dennis Bergkamp has stepped foot on th

“Although I have never actually worked at the “Arena” before, this feels a bit like homecoming. I left Ajax and the Netherlands 15 years ago, but now I’m here again. It feels good to be back,” he was quoted on the club’s website.

Now at 39, Bergkamp was a graduate of the famous academy of the Amsterdam club in 1986 and worked wonders, mostly as a striker, with the Godenzonen first team until ’93, when he moved to Internazionale for a fee equivalent to 17.5 million euros. He only stayed in Milan for two years, but he was certainly worth every cent of the 11.25 million Arsenal invested on him. In case you missed it, it was announced on Monday that he earned second place among the 50 greatest Gunners of all-time, behind only Thierry Henry.

He really missed it

Dennis the Menace initially rejected being involved in football again, but after two years of rest and time spent with his family he’s back where he belongs. “It is indeed a bit strange, but it feels fantastic to step on the turf again. That’s why I decided to take up the professional coaching course,” he admitted.

According to KNVB regulations, the course is shorter for retired international footballers. However, it requires an apprenticeship with a professional club and Van Basten did not hesitate last April to offer the post to his former Ajax and Netherlands teammate.

Bergkamp will be part of Van Basten’s backroom staff throughout the 2008-’09 campaign, while another former Ajax prodigy, 32-year-old Patrick Kluivert, will spend the season with AZ in a similar capacity. “Someone like Dennis speaks directly to the players’ souls,” Van Basten said.

True inspiration

“I know Bergkamp mostly from his Arsenal period. I’m too young to remember his Ajax days,” said 19-year-old Serbian Miralem Sulejmani, whose 16.25-million move from Heerenveen broke the Dutch transfer record this summer. “He was really a top-class player and I’m of course glad he’s here. I can certainly learn a lot from people such as him and Van Basten.”

Darío Cvitanich’s last impression of Bergkamp in action is not that pleasant. “Yeah, I remember that [July 4] 1998 World Cup game,” the Argentine told the Ajax website. “He scored in the semi-final against us, in the last minute too [2-1 in Marseille]. It was a splendid strike.”

The heart and soul of Ajax

The Johan Cruijff Schaal holders always take care of their own. John van’t Schip and Rob Witschge will be working alongside Van Basten as well, Danny Blind is the director of football and on Tuesday it was announced that Frankie de Boer signed a two-year contract to serve as trainer of the Ajax A1 youth squad, while also being Bert van Marwijk’s assistant with the Oranje.

18/07/2008 19:31 Van Persie's Our Ronaldo - Clichy Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy is optimistic ahead of the new season, noting that if Robin van Pe

Van Persie was a key player in the Gunners' blistering start to last season, and though they maintained their strong showings even when he once again was sidelined with injuries, ultimately they floundered and many pointed to his absence as one of the key factors in their late-season failure.

One man who agrees is Gael Clichy, who notably went the whole season without injury and was one of the Arsene Wenger's star players.

Clichy compared van Persie to Manchester United phenomenon Cristiano Ronaldo for his ability to change a game in an instant.

"He was unlucky to be injured last season so it was good to see him play game after game," said the Frenchman. "It was a big blow to lose him and I'm certain that his return is going to be a great bonus for us this season.

"At Arsenal we have lots of players who can make a difference, but Robin is a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, the kind who, even if they aren't playing fantastically, can change things from one free-kick, corner or one pass."

18/07/2008 18:40 Spanish Debate: Ron Gone, Should Eto'o Follow? Following Ronaldinho's departure from Barcelona, Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad asks whet

Whether it was blind luck as many cynics now suggest, or a visionary at the height of his powers, Frank Rijkaard put together one of the finest attacking forces of the last decade when he took charge of Barcelona in 2003. The likes of Deco, Ludovic Giuly, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o were brought in under Rijkaard and played a scintillating brand of football that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Ronaldinho, who officially signed for Milan earlier this week, was the talisman of that era, but each player's contribution was invaluable, which became evident the moment they started leaving, after the club's crowning achievement of the 2006 Champions League win.

Ludovic Giuly was first to go, departing for Roma in search of a new challenge and, presumably, guaranteed first team football. This was not forthcoming, as the Frenchman barely scratched the surface in the Eternal City and has today sealed a move back to his native France with Paris Saint-Germain. Though he was seen as the least talented of the attacking trio and was being phased out in favour of young prodigy Lionel Messi, his contribution was invaluable; made evident by Barça's imbalance and haplessness on the right hand side whenever Messi picked up one of his frequent injuries.

No suitable replacement was brought in for Giuly and Messi's prolonged absence in 2006-07 is thought to be one of many reasons the Blaugrana dropped a significant lead in the league to be pipped by Real Madrid on the final day. Then last season saw the Catalan giants look a shadow of their former selves, with Ronaldinho and Deco seemingly dejected and injuries plaguing Eto'o and Messi, as well as new signing Thierry Henry, whose off-field dramas also adversely affected his attitude and performances on the pitch.

They were again trophyless and this time Rijkaard, despite bringing them from fairly unfamiliar depths back to the top of world football, was not spared by the Barcelona boardroom. Pep Guardiola is now in as coach, half the board have resigned amid election wrangles and players have been coming and going at a frequent rate so far this summer. Though their transfer activity looks to be nearing completion, one further signing remains on the cards, as does another major departure.

Guardiola's primary objective appears to be asserting his own authority and ideas over the squad and not to rebuild Rijkaard's fallen dynasty. The players who had mentally checked out of Catalonia were first to be tossed overboard. The Blaugrana have made the daring move of declaring they are planning for the new season without the three star attacking players of their golden generation: Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto'o. The new side will be built around Messi - who was rising to prominence just as the team began to falter - and Barcelona youth products will remain at the club, with the likes of Gerard Pique even being bought back from Manchester United, who poached him as a youngster.

With Deco and now Ronaldinho having been set on their way, it looks to have been the best move for all concerned. Deco, playing for a move at Euro 2008, almost looked in his prime while Ronaldinho, being paraded around Milan this week, had the ear-to-ear smile that made him famous in a Barcelona shirt. Neither could wait to leave the club and it seems the feeling was very much mutual. Question marks now surround the future of Eto'o, who management one moment claim they are looking to replace and the next suggest he may start the season in Catalonia.

Should the Cameroon international be tarred with the same brush? Or, is it purely a matter of him being guilty by association, and that any member of the golden era - excluding youth products - must make way for new blood? His performances did not decline in the manner of Ronaldinho or Deco's, as he netted 20 times in 24 appearances in all competitions last season - a formidable record. That is not to say he was not without his poor performances, and indeed many of his goals came in clusters while he failed to perform in crunch games where he has previously proven such an asset.

His attitude has been called into question, with many suspecting he deliberately got himself booked in the game before el Clasico so that he would not have to be one of the Barcelona players to give Real Madrid the Guard of Honour in what turned out to be a 4-1 thrashing. He has always been a volatile and temperamental presence in the dressing room - but does that mean he needs to be replaced?

He is younger than both Ronaldinho and Deco and still in good shape, and far from being without flaws in his game, it remains contentious whether the Blaugrana could replace him with a superior acquisition. What can be said of Eto'o is that, just as his absence affected Ronaldinho's performances in the last two seasons, conversely, without the supply line from Gaucho and Deco, Eto'o has not quite been the same player. Would a move be in his best interests, or does he yet have a point to prove and goals to reach under Guardiola?

Following Ronaldinho's departure, a host of big names were sprawled across the front pages of Spanish dailies, dubbed as the final piece on Pep's new-look Barcelona puzzle - all strikers - presumably as a replacement for Eto'o. The former Real Mallorca man has been linked with the likes of Internazionale, Liverpool, Chelsea and, astoundingly, Uzbek side Kuruvchi. Meanwhile everybody from Fernando Torres and Carlos Tevez to Didier Drogba and Dimitar Berbatov have been linked with a switch to Camp Nou.

Who, if anyone, would best provide what Barça are lacking? Could it be the strength and power of Drogba, or an Eto'o-like replacement in Villa or Tevez? Perhaps a blend of the two, in Dimitar Berbatov or even, though far more unlikely, Zlatan Ibrahimovic? It is Barcelona's move, as Eto'o looks ever more poised for an exit, and only time will tell whether Pep can match the feats of Frank...

18/07/2008 17:51 Denilson Pledges Loyalty, Eyes Midfield Chance Brazilian midfielder Denilson has vowed to stay the course at Arsenal despite still

There has been a veritable exodus from the Emirates this summer, as Matthieu Flamini, Aleksander Hleb and most recently Gilberto Silva all leaving for the promise of a bigger pay day, but Denilson says he is more than prepared to 'tough it out'.

"I'm just focused on Arsenal, but I know some other clubs were looking at me," the 20-year-old midfield all-rounder told Setanta Sports.

"Last year I heard Barcelona wanted to buy me, but I really like it at Arsenal.

"For me this is the best team, it's where I want to be. I want to show what I can do for Arsenal."

Denilson was used mostly as a substitute by Arsene Wenger last season, but the French manager has already said that he believes that the ex Sao Paolo starlet is capable of filling the void in midfield left by Flamini.

Henry Proud To Be Named Best Gunner Ever Thierry Henry has expressed his gratitude to Arsenal supporters for selecting him as the greatest player in

Not even Dennis Bergkamp or Tony Adams were able to match the Frenchman in a poll conducted by Arsenal's official website, and he left little doubt that he was honored by the accolade.
Henry told arsenal.com: “Thanks to everyone who voted for me. It’s always a true honour when something is voted for by the fans, especially Arsenal fans as they have many great players from their past to choose from.
“As you know, I loved my time at Arsenal and have many fantastic memories from my eight years there. It was an honour to play in the historic red and white of Arsenal especially at Highbury.

"I’ll always follow the team and what they do. I’ll always be a Gooner in my heart," he added.

“And finally thanks to the fans for their support during my time at the club. They were right behind me and the team in good times and bad.”

Henry scored 226 goals in all competitions during his eight seasons for Arsenal, many of them spectacular.
The 30-year-old now plies his trade in Spain, but failed to come anywhere close to Arsenal form during his first season at Barcelona.

Wenger On Transfer Market Trials Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given an insight into the complexities of operating in the transfer market, and su

Arsene Wenger has revealed that shopping for new blood in the summer transfer window - even with adequate funds at his disposal - poses dilemmas. The Arsenal boss says he has to take into account the progress the Gunners’ young players are making.

It has been a typically fraught summer for Arsenal so far, with three experienced midfielders having left in Gilberto Silva (to Panathinaikos), Alexander Hleb (to Barcelona) and Mathieu Flamini (to AC Milan), and with constant speculation surrounding the future of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Wenger has another top striker, the Brazilian-born Croatian Eduardo , likely to miss the start of the season despite making excellent progress as he recovers from a horrific double leg-break sustained in February.

To date Wenger has completed the signings of two new players - Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri - but is daily linked with a raft of others, including Andrei Arshavin, Gareth Barry, Falcao and Xabi Alonso, among many others.

The Frenchman told Arsenal TV OnLine: "Of course I am in a position where I can spend the money.

"But every time we have done such a great job with the young players you have concerns: 'do we kill a young player or not by bringing another player in?"

"It is a very sensitive subject which is not specially linked with money."

Responding to criticism that Arsenal are too stubborn to alter their wage structure in order to accommodate a happy squad, Wenger said: "There is a lot of talk in the press, but we have always managed at this club to balance the budget. We should not be criticised for that and should be respected, instead."

On his priorities for the impending campaign, the 58-year old Frenchman revealed: "It is important you fight for the championship and to win it. The other trophies are a consolation."

Wenger concluded: "I will try to develop the players, to fight in every game. I am more motivated than ever to achieve that"

Anderlecht Signing Kouyate Reveals Arsenal Interest Teenage midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who has ended his acrimonious association with FC Brussels b

Cheikhou Kouyate, 19, has won his trial against former employers FC Brussels, who hadn’t paid him for three months, and signed a four-year contract with Anderlecht.

But he claims that Arsenal were also tracking him this summer.

The attacking midfielder told Het Nieuwsblad: “Arsenal were interested in my services.

“They scouted me several times but they weren’t the only side interested.

“Nevertheless, Anderlecht have been able to offer me something concrete and I couldn’t refuse this from such a great club.

“It’s a move forward after FC Brussels. I will now do my best to try and secure a starter status.”

Flamini, Hleb, Gilberto, Then Adebayor – Get Rid Of Them All! Arsenal are facing a pre-season exodus as players seek more lucrative deals elsewhere.

It wouldn’t be a traditional summer in the Wenger regime without relentless speculation linking the big guns away from the Grove. At the start of the decade it was Patrick Vieira and then Thierry Henry who were courted publicly by Europe’s big clubs and the press took this baton and ran as far as they could with it. Who is the key cog in the current Arsenal side? Cesc Fabregas is the first name that springs to mind, yet it is his surrounding players who have moved on to supposed greener, cash-laden, pastures.

Arse-lona

Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni Van Bronkhurst, Henry and now Aliaksandr Hleb have all moved from Arsenal to Barcelona. Even Sylvinho found his way there via Celta Vigo. They may have left for differing reasons - the transfer fee for Overmars too good to turn down, the chance to fulfil a dream and start afresh for Henry - but while the first four had given good years at Arsenal, Aliaksandr still had a few more left, yet the money on the Catalan table was perhaps too tempting for the Belarussian.

Flamini

The heel-snapping Frenchman has a modicum of talent. This time last season a move to Birmingham City had been mooted. Fast-forward one year after playing for his transfer and he will be entertaining San Siro with the energy that the Emirates grew to admire. But Wenger couldn’t keep hold of him. A transfer seemed the more favourable option to a midfielder who may have felt constantly out-of-favour in seasons gone by.

Hleb

The night before Arsenal’s most important game of the season (to that point) – the Champions League game against the Milanese – Aliaksandr was licking his lips at the thought of ice cream with Inter officials - allegedly. However, when Mourinho took over, the rumours subsided and Hleb has since set the record straight. Regardless, Hleb is not a Jose player, after all. Instead he has joined Barcelona, as perhaps Deco’s replacement, as opposed to Ronaldinho’s, which many are suggesting. What were his motives in leaving? The thought of having a better chance at winning trophies? The money? Or both?

Gilberto

A former World Cup winner displaced last season by Mathieu. He was arguably Arsenal’s fourth, even fifth choice midfielder for much of that campaign. What Arsenal have lost is one of their most experienced heads. One of the few remaining ‘invincibles’; a former vice-captain who knew what it took to win; and a character who could have taught players like Alexandre Song or Abou Diaby a few things about the art of midfield play. How did Wenger allow the 31-year old to leave? Perhaps he felt it was Gilberto’s last opportunity for first-team football, and Wenger doesn’t normally stand in his player’s way if they so desperately want to leave.

Adebayor?

A lot has been said about the so-far one-season wonder. Someone who tallied 30 goals in one season is perhaps deserving of a pay rise. But to want parity with what Henry was earning after he had broken the club’s all-time goal-scoring record is one of three things: megalomaniacal; the cause of agent intervention and therefore misguidance; or newspaper pap. You have to wonder though, if the Togolese captain knows he will be offered this wage elsewhere then why not leave?

Getting Rid

So where does Arsene Wenger fit into all of this? Potentially three first-teamers and one former first teamer could leave the Emirates this summer. I can’t help but think back to the summer of 2006, when Cristiano Ronaldo wanted out of Old Trafford, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s man-management persuaded the Portuguese wing-wizard to not only stay in Manchester, but also pushed for the public make-up between the winker and Wayne Rooney. With hindsight, the Flamini situation could have been avoided. Arsene must have felt comfortable that he would stay, if he didn’t, then why grant Diarra the move he craved midseason?

Despite the move to the Emirates bringing in -sums for every home game, the accrued debt from the construction of it is still proving costly, because while they pay off the loans, Arsenal appear to be losing players in a team that Arsene has long been building. If this is going to be the motif for every pre-season, then the Gunners will forever be a team in transition.

Keane To Ronaldo: Just P*** Off Fergie Roy Keane has added fuel to the furore caused by Sepp Blatter's claim that football clubs are guilty of modern

Although the ex Manchester United captain and current Sunderland manager did not use the word slavery, he is sure to rekindle the debate by stating that footballers are treated like 'pieces of meat'.

“If a player wants to leave, all he has to do is train with the wrong attitude and I guarantee you’d p*** off any manager,” Keane said in The Sun.

“There’s not much loyalty left in football, unfortunately, from my own experiences. Clubs sell players sometimes like a piece of meat, so if a player wants to go and better himself, good luck to him.

"When a club is finished with you, they get rid. My advice is look after yourself,"

"If you get a chance for bigger and better things, then go for it. I've experienced that myself.

"People question players' loyalty. I question clubs' loyalty. It's a business to them.

"If you're not needed then you can be out of the door in 10 minutes, and I'm speaking from experience. Clubs buy and sell players. Clubs sell players sometimes like a piece of meat."

Blatter had caused a firestorm of controversy last week by declaring that United’s refusal to sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid, and their further threat to punish the player’s disloyalty, amounted to “modern slavery”.

Arsenal Ready To Bid For Villan Barry? With Arsenal now lacking in the defensive midfielder department, and considering Aston Villa manager Martin O'

Aston Villain, Gareth Barry, once a respected captain with the midlands club, may now struggle to look his head coach, Martin O Neill, in the eye considering his outbursts toward the Northern Irishman over the summer.

The midlands club remain rigid on their asking price for the England international. Meanwhile speculation concerning Liverpool's initial interest has died down. Instead, Arsenal have emerged as contenders for the utility man's signature.

According to The Sun, O Neill said: "Myself and Steve Walford [Villa's first-team coach] both know Pat Rice. He phoned Steve to ask how the Liverpool thing had gone and said that they might show an interest [in buying Barry]. At the end of the conversation Arsenal said: 'that's fine' and that they'll let us know."

Arsenal have released three defensive midfielders this year in Diarra, Flamini, and Gilberto. With the incoming transfer fee for Hleb, Arsene Wenger may be keen to direct the sum straight into the accepting hands of O'Neill. Presumably, O Neill would also be more willing to do business with the North London club, considering Liverpool have come under fire by Villa, for the way they have handled the whole affair.

Villa would want £18million for their captain, but may settle for a £12million bid, if Hoyte, a long term O Neill target, were included in the deal.

It's Official: Gilberto No Longer A Gunner Brazilian midfielder Gilberto has formally completed his £1 million move to Panathinaikos, according to hi

Gilberto, 31, originally joined Arsenal from Atletico Mineiro in 2002 and, 244 appearances later, he has now deemed that the time is right to try his luck in Athens.

A statement on www.arsenal.com read: “Arsenal can confirm that Gilberto has joined Greek side Panathinaikos.

“Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gilberto for his huge contribution to the club both on and off the pitch, and wish him the very best for the future.”

Gilberto had been an ever present in the Arsenal side for the majority of his career but suffered a miserable last season, losing his place in the side to Matthieu Flamini, and managing only 12 league starts.

With that, Gilberto has become the second player to leave the Emirates within the span of the week, following the departure of Aleksander Hleb to Barcelona.