Transfer Window Countdown: 2 Days

So 2 days left in the transfer window, yet we are yet to see any type of marquee signing, or in fact any signing to encourage the fans or team since the arrival of Gervinho.


Transfer Speculation:


Yossi Benayoun - Chelsea


The central attacking midfielder who is like Luka Modric, could prove to be a shrewd move, but Yossi has tonnes of Premier League experience at the highest level for Liverpool and albeit not so much at Chelsea. He's creative and doesn't get much playing time at the Blues. May be some truth to this.


Andres Santos - Fenerbahce


This is one Brazilian with flair, unlike Denilson. He has skill in abundance and the video below says it all. Apparantly we've struck a deal for this attackign elft back from Fenerbahce for £6.2 million. The left winger turned left back is a Brazilian International and plays for the biggest club in Turkey. However how is his defensive ability compared to his attacking. If it proves to be the same, we would have one hell of a player on our hands. To be honest this could have some truth as we've sold on Armand Traore to QPR.

Gary Cahill - Bolton Wanderers


This transfer saga (and it has become a saga) is almost as long as the Fabregas transfer saga. Why can't we do what Barcelona have done and just get our man in the end. He clearly wants to come to Arsenal, Arsenal clearly want him. Just sort the fee out and help yourselves a little to ease the pathetic defending we saw against Manchester United. Cahill apparently has a a medical arranged for him before the window shuts, I just hope the door doesn't slam shut in our faces.


Eden Hazard - Lille


So... we're back to another player who we've been linked for a while. SA similar type of transfer to that of Nasri from Marseille to Arsenal. The fear is that Arsenal would be a stepping stone to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City. He is a quality player and will link up well as a front three with himself, van Persie and Gervinho. He, like Cahill, has apparently had a medical arranged for him to make the process of the transfer being as easy as possible.


Those two medical's are likely to be tomorrow. They have to be, we can't mess around come August 31st!


Park Chu-Young - Monaco


As I have already released a post on Park Chu-Young, I won't dwel too much on it. But Wenger said we are close to signing a striker. This can only be him. Arsenal do their business quietly, but usually we know before Arsenal.com release any kind of statement. The wonders and speed of the Internet for you!

The Day Enough Became More Than Enough

Yes that is right! I'm talking about yesterday's humiliating defeat to Manchester United. Yes, the scoreline in itself was humiliating, but it was an embarressment of who we had on the pitch. We only had like 8 players out and for a team as big as us we should have equally as good replacements to come in.


Just face it Arsene & Co. We're just a mid table team at best now. No spending on big players year in year out in vital positions has cost us. Our fans yesterday were brilliant but no response from the team because they're so poor.


2 days left in the transfer market and we'll sign Park Chu-Young (don't know what he'll offer!), and I doubt anyone else because it's taken so long already!


Wenger and the board may have built up Arsenal but you've destroyed it too, just like you did at Monaco!


I'm glad you were defeated in this manner, but Arsene, you still won't change your stubborn ways!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

TEAM LINE-UP: Manchester United v Arsenal

The team line-up for today's Barclays Premier League match of the day has come through and it's quite unfamiliar looking Arsenal side to face an inform Man Utd.


Arsenal:


Szczesny, Jenkinson, Djourou, Koscielny, Traore, Coquelin, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin


Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup, Sunu

Park Chu-Young to Sign Today

Arsenal are to announce the arrival of South Korea's captain. The striker is 26 years-old and is at an age that he can slot straight in the the first 11. Park is arriving from French outfit Monaco, so he's familiar with the pressure of performing for a big club.


Apparently we stole Park at the last minute from Lille, where he was about to have a second medical for the club. This could destroy our chances of getting Eden Hazard, if we were ever to go for him.  


Chu-Young is set to be handed the number 9 shirt, which to many was an unlucky number. Hopefully he can make it his own.

Arsenal's new number 9

Arsenal have paid £2.6 million up front and a the a potential £1.7 million in bonuses could be added on top in the initial fee. Park will earn £170,000 a month at the Emirates.

PREVIEW: Manchester United v Arsenal

Match Preview

Manchester United v Arsenal

Old Trafford

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Kick-off: 16:00

So early on in the season and we have the biggest away game of the season. To be honest we always go to Old Trafford and expect us to get some kind of result as we dominate play. Yet we always come away with a loss. 2006/2007 was the last time we won with away to Manchester United with Fabregas running the show that day and an Adebayor finish in the dying minutes.

In the last 23 away meetings we have only managed to win 5. That stat doesn't bode well for today as we have a young and inexperienced squad by the looks of it. With Song, Wilshere, Frimpong out, we'll have to have a sturdy player, who can handle their own in the middle of the park, to just sit in front of the back four. That man (kid) looks set to be Francis Coquelin. He has bundles of energy and a loan away from Arsenal last season in France would have benefitted the youngster.

You'd like to think with Arsenal having a poor run in the league, a match of this size could spark something to kick start our season and leave that terrible run of our last win being against our opponents today last season. But with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, Gervinho, Emmanuel Frimpong, Sebastien Squillaci, Kieran Gibbs and Niklas Bendter all out we've had to rely on youth, and this is really inexperienced youth with Francis Cquelin, Oguzhan Ozyakup, Gilles Sunu, Ignasi Miguel and Henri Lansbury.

Who can we call to come off the bench and make an impact? I'm guessing Oxlade-Chamberlain will make his debut at some point today. He gave Man Utd a torrid time when at Southampton, when they were 2-0 up against the Red Devils in the FA Cup, only to lose in typical United fashion, coming back to win 3-2.

The Gunners are going to give it all they've got today and make sure possession is is wavered side to side, but a more direct approach will harm Utd with no Ferdinand and Vidic at the back. It'll be close, but it also can be an onslaught from Man Utd and we'll just want to hurry up and sign several players urgently.

Talking about signing someone, South Korea captain, striker and set piece specialist, Park Chu-Young is set to join us today after nicking him underneath Lille's nose. He should unveiled in our 'unlucky' number 9 shirt.

Joel Campell Permit Rejected

Newly signed Costa Rican International, Joel Campbell, has been denied a work permit to play for Arsenal this season.


The 19 year-old striker will have to go on a full season loan and hope to gain more appearances for his national side, in order to gain a permit for next season.

Lille Close to Agreement for Hazard

Reports have come out of France that Lille are close to agreeing a fee for Hazard. THere are no excuses to throw down big money towards Hazard, if he really is going to improve our squad, especially after receiving huge income from the sales of Fabregas and Nasri.  


As we made it clear it to you previously, Arsenal has just formulated a proposal of thirty million euros for Belgian international attacker Eden Hazard (20), whose contract expires in June 2015, but without success. A new offer of thirty-five million euros is set to be made.


According to our information, the Lille player has already made an agreement with the Gunners over a future transfer. Concern is very much on the side of the club of president Michel Seydoux.

UEFA Champions League Draw

Arsenal found out their opponents for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Udinese last night.

Arsenal was placed as a top seed and situated in pot 1 and were drawn in Group F.

They will face the following:

Marseille - France

Olympiacos - Greece

Borrusia Dortmund - Germany

REPORT: Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (Agg. 1-3)

UDINESE 1 - 2 ARSENAL

(Agg. 1 - 3)

Match Report

UEFA Champions League

Stadio Friuli

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kick-off: 19:45

Firstly I haven't been able to post the last couple of days as I haven't had much opportunity to sit in front if a computer that didn't involve work.

Arsenal played Udinese last night to what could potentially have been the end of our season in extreme ways. If we lost the game we would have lost a lot of finncial benefits, also we would have found it incredibly hard to attract any player that we're looking to sign before the transfer window. Going 1-0 down to their only potent striker Di Natale with a brilliant lobbed header, which hit the post and just about went in.

The second half proved to be the best 45 minutes Arsenal have played this season. Arsenal equalised from Gervinho's directness, which he skipped past his marker with ease to the by-line, in which he cut back to van Persie for the easiest of finishes.

Arsenal could have gone behind with the most bizarre penalty, which replays shows Vermaelen hand handled the ball. The penalty was well struck, hard with pace, but at a comfortable height for Szczesny, who managed to tip the ball over the bar. To be fair it was a great save, which cements his No.1 even more.

Arsenal took advantage with this and when Theo was puy through on the left with lots of space to eat up, there was only one winner. Theo couldn't miss this one like he did in the first half, and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 on the night and 3-1 overall. Udinese needed 3 goals more to win the tie, they had no chance.

So Arsenal are through and it proves that this team can still play and put in a solid defensive display when it matters. I was impressed with Jenkinson who was probably our man of the match. Gervinho was very impressive and could become an Arsenal great. Frimpong an avid Araenal fan through and through had a brilliant first half too. Him and Song are a great partnership, throw in Wilshere and we'll have a complete combatitative midfield.

I'm just glad we've got into the group stages of the Champions League and now we can have no excuses to go buy who we need.

The draw for the UEFA Champions League is today at 16:45 GMT

Transfer Window Countdown: 9 Days

9 days left of the transfer window and yet it's still quiet on our front. It actually makes you wonder if we will sign any one at all. Wenger has come out and said that he'll sign experienced  players. I'll believe it when I see it Arsene, change your stubborn ways.


Transfer Speculation:


Eden Hazard - Lille


All summer we had been linked with Hazard and he was the star player last season for Lille. Instead we opted for Gervinho, who had proven a good bit of business. How ever if we can get Eden into our team as well, then we'll have two players who know each others game and we could have a deadly attack. Even though there are sources claiming a deal is to be done for £20m+, I still can't see Wenger getting his man, as Lille have already said he's not going anywhere.


Scott Parker - West Ham United


I'm pretty surprised no one has snapped up West Ham's player of the season last year even after their relegation to the Championship, but I still think he'll move on to a Premier League team before the transfer deadline. We are linked with him yet again, with Arsenal desperately looking for experienced players. I'd take him in a heart beat, that's how bad our situation has got. Apparently we've sent a scout to watch him, in my opinion, why on earth do you need to watch him, he's played top flight football and a proven player for many years. You either want him or you don't.


Gedion Zelalem - Olney Soccer Club


On a brighter note, we've signed someone! That's right a 14 year old, who'll join us on his 16th birthday in January 2013, juts what we need! We saw this guy in the Dallas Cup, which Arsenal Youth basically took part in. One for the future?... far distant future if you ask me.


Kaka - Real Madrid


We had a high note through news of Zelalem signing for us *sighs*... but to more disheartening news. Yesterday I spoke of Kaka's odds to join us looked more promising, but the Brazilian squashed rumours straight away by insisting he is staying to prove his worth and gain trust from Mourinho in order that he can start for Real. Well that one didn't last long did it.

Transfer Window Countdown: 10 Days

I can't believe we are going into this new season with ten days left of the transfer window open, only for us to have signed three 'youth' players and one relatively young but good Ligue 1 winner. I therefore have decided to do a daily countdown of the latest speculation news regarding our transfers. Hopefully we will sign someone between now and midnight on Wednesday 31st August 2011, we have to.


The signing of Gervinho has been a breath of fresh air and brings a more direct approach with a player finally with the ability to go past a player. Carl Jenkinson, although a decent right back, he'll be one who can mature into something we're looking for in three/four years time. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyachi both haven't even made a competitive appearance for Arsenal, and the way injuries and suspensions continue to build up, they'll be thrown into action.


Transfer Speculation:


Kaka -  Real Madrid


The odds have dropped from 14/1 to 10/1 for Kaka to join the Gunners on Sky Bet. He fits the bill perfectly, we need a marquee signing, a world class signing, but to sign a big player like that, it'll take time to get every detail correct. It could drag on to the last day of the transfer window. 


Riccardo Montolivo - Fiorentina


The 26 year old Italian midfielder has been strongly linked with Bayern Munich, but talks have slowed down there and now rumours of the door has now opened for Arsenal to take advantage.


Per Mertesacker - Werder Bremen


Arsenal are to offer a swap deal to Werder Bremen for Per Mertesacker, with Niklas Bendtner going to the other direction. Per would be an ideal defensive addition, with plenty of International and UEFA Champions League experience. The ever growing injury list in defense and cries of a centre back being requested form football pundits and fans, this seems like it may have some legs.

Nasri - Kaka - Forget 'Arsene Knows'..... 'George Knows'

The pressure is building on Arsenal and the board to go out and buy the players we need to push for a top 4 spot, and face it we aren't no no shape or form to mount a title challenge this season.


Nasri played yesterday against Liverpool, but to be honest we were short on first team players, so he had to play. But talks seem to have broken down and now it looks like we're going to keep him at least till next summer. But also it is reported that the deal will be completed and this is only a minor hick-up over a £3m signing on fee.


On the sale of former captain and head figure Cesc Fabregas, we no longer have a star player in our ranks. This has lead to rumours of Kaka being targeted by Arsenal. This is one player who would fit into the team to bring back the counter attacking days of Arsenal.

One of many stars at Madrid... can be the star at Arsenal!

I can't see this one happening , although Kaka seems to spend a lot of time coming off the bench for Real Madrid. His wages would be a factor that won't even have Arsenal consider a bid for the Brazilian International.


Former Arsenal manager who won that famous league triumph on the last day of the 88/89 season at Anfield has had said the following on Arsenal's current circumstance on Radio Five Live Sportsweek programme:

"They need experienced, outstanding players and I think they need about another three in the side at the present time."


The Scot added, "They've got the money, let's sit down, get some of these players in he's supposed to be after and let's see if they can start winning trophies again."


"They have big signs at the club saying 'Arsene knows'. Well I hope he does," added Graham.


"I think he's going to be there this season. I think he's under a little bit of pressure just now from the fans.


"But I think Arsene, if he sits down and is honest with himself, he'll put it all back together again. But he needs to do some hard thinking."

"Please get the the cheque book out Arsene. I think they need another centre-half, I think they still need a strong, outstanding, experienced midfield and I still think they need an out-and-out striker like a (Thierry) Henry."


You tell them (Arsene and the board) George!

REPORT: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

ARSENAL 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL

Match Report

Barclays Premier League

Emirates Stadium

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Kick-off: 17:30

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin

Subs: Fabianski, Miguel, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lansbury, Miyachi, Chamakh, Bendtner 

Liverpool:

Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Adam, Henderson, Lucas, Kuyt, Carroll

Subs: Doni, Skrtel, Flanagan, Meireles, Maxi, Spearing, Suarez

So that didn't go to plan did it, or was it a case of the cracks growing even bigger? Yet another display of hanging on as Liverpool dominated us for a large section of the first half. It was a more even affair in the second half.

From the moment Koscielny went off injured, we had to rely on the young U-21 Spaniard, Ignasi Miguel, which I think he gave a good account of himself. I was at Underhill on Monday for Arsenal vs Manchester United reserves, which we won 2-1, and he looked like he could take the step up. 

The last twenty minutes of the match was the most decisive in our downfall. Emmanuel Frimpong was one of our better player on the day and he was energetic, but his lack of experience on his debut proved to be his downfall after picking up two yellow cards, to get sent off at a critical part of the game (too many players suspended and injured now). This now showed our lack of squads strength in depth as Henri Lansbury came on for Arshavin, who looked quite disinterested as usual and was poor all game.

The goal came about by our own lack of luck as Miguel managed to hit the ball against an oncoming Ramsey and the ball looped over Szczesny. From that point I couldn't see Arsenal getting back in the game as there was no cohesion between the midfield and defense to create any chances. The second goal from Liverpool didn't take long as substitutes Meireles and Suarez combined to make it 2-0 and finish the game off.

The positives we can take from the game are the performances of Vermaelen who should have been given the 'Man of the Match' by Sky Sports, instead they give it to Jose Enrique, which we were linked with. But Vermaelen showed what we missed last season and we forget how much a  great defender he is. If we had a proper first team out rather than Arsenal youth we could've nicked a win maybe, but a draw seemed most fair, however we got neither.

Another positives were that the fans saying "Arsenal, Arsenal " over those minority of fans chanting "spend some f****** money". We still back Wenger, I certainly do, but only to the extent he actually does spend some money, but it wouldn't be wise for us to sack him , or for him to walk out on the club.

This has been a tough week, and the matches away to Udinese on Wednesday in the Champions League and Manchester United on Sunday prove to be another very tough week. Wednesday will make or break our season in terms of signing players.

TEAM LINE-UP: Arsenal v Liverpool

The team line-up has been announced for Arsenal. Looks like I got my prediction spot on. We also have a lot of youth on the bench. Here's the line-up


Arsenal:


Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Sagna, Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin


Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo, Miquel, Chamakh, Lansbury, Bendtner

PREVIEW: Arsenal v Liverpool

Match Preview

Arsenal v Liverpool

Barclays Premier League,

Emirates Stadium,

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Kick-off: 12:45

1 match down, 37 remains. As much as people thought not winning on opening match day away to Newcastle was a poor result, St. James’s Park is a tough place to go and win. So that point could prove significant, or usually we’ll moan dropping silly points. But that was game 1.

On to match week 2 and we have a really tough first home game of the season in the league. Liverpool at home is always a funny one. It depends which Liverpool turn up. They were poor last week at home to Sunderland, which was a game of two halves for them, conceding a wonder strike from former Gooner and Brum player, Sebastion Larsson.

Arsenal had a tough run out in midweek in their 1st leg of the Champions League at home to Udinese. I have to say Udinese looked really strong against us, especially in the second half. We lost a few player to injury during that game, Gibbs came off at half-time, who is looking more injury prone than our very own RVP. Djourou came on for Gibbs and then a few minutes later managed to come off as a precaution. Even now Rosicky is being rested for today’s match. Wenger & Co. must have pushed the lads really hard this pre-season.

Today we have the following absent from our squad; Gervinho and Song are starting their three match suspensions, Wilshere, Diaby, Gibbs, Traore and Djourou are all injured, with Rosicky rested.

This means we have no left back, which will probably either see Sagna move to left back, or Jenkinson slot there. I don’t think Wenger would want Vermaelen at left back, as he’s gelling well with Koscielny, and that’s the key to our two clean sheets so far this season. The midfield seems quite week, especially with no longer Fabregas sitting in that midfield, and all the injuries, we’ll have to rely on one man who will be in the squad today, Samir Nasri, who has gone from being one of our best players and having a good relationship with the fans to being the villain. But I for one would like to see him play, we can’t rely on Frimpong, Ramsey and Lansbury. Although that seems a great future midfield, it won’t do for today.

I foresee a well fought match; it’ll be a much tougher match than last season, which saw us gain a penalty in the last minute of play, to secure what we all thought was going to be a 1-0 win. However the now departed Ivorian, Eboue, now plying his trade at Turkish outfit Galatasaray, decided to clumsily give away a penalty after the most manic two minutes ever at the Emirates, from what would have been a bore 0-0 draw anyway. If there’s any excitement like those two minutes throughout match today, then I’ll be keen to watch this.

Probable line-up:

Szczesny

Jenkinson      Koscielny       Vermaelen     Sagna

Frimpong      Ramsey

Nasri

Walcott                                               Arshavin

Van Persie

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

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REPORT: Arsenal 1-0 Udinese

ARSENAL 1 – 0 UDINESE

Match Report

UEFA Champions League

Emirates Stadium

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Kick-off: 19:45

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamakh

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong, Bendtner, Arshavin

Udinese:

Handanovic, Isla, Danilo, Agyemang-Badu, Di Natale, Neuton, Benatia, Asamoah, Ekstrand, Armero, Pinzi

Subs: Belardo, Denis, Vydra, Abdi, Pasquale, Doubai, Fabbrini

The first leg of a Champions Qualifier held at Emirates Stadium usually sees a large amount of goals to the home team. This time around Arsenal could only manage 1 goal instead of the usual 4,5,6 goal drubbings.

It was a good start for Arsenal with Theo Walcott volleying with his left foot past Handanovic early on in the 4th minute from a Ramsey cross.

From then on Arsenal didn’t create much, and the dangerous goal machine Di Natale for Udinese came close with a free kick striking the bar, leaving Szczesny scrambling over to his right.

The score line doesn’t reflect how bad we were, although we weren’t great, with Gervinho providing most of our spark, if any. But Udinese looked a strong, well organised team, even with their best player Sanchez departing them for Barcelona this summer, just like our best player has left for Barcelona this summer.

I haven’t mentioned Fabregas at all yet, but you can tell we’re going to struggle without him. But we also missed Wilshere tonight who will become a massive player for us, if not already. Not forgetting van Persie was suspended tonight too, along with Arshavin not even getting any playing time tonight on the bench. Nasri I feel will leave eventually anyway, so no point in mentioning him either.

A good win against tough opposition, but we have to be very good in Italy, otherwise we may be on Channel 5 before you know it.

REPORT: Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 – 0 ARSENAL

Match Report

Barclays Premier League

St. James’ Park

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Kick-off: 17:30

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Gervinho, Arshavin, van Persie

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong, Walcott, Chamakh

Newcastle United:

Krul, Simpson, S.Taylor, Coloccini, R.Taylor, Barton, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ba, Shola Ameobi

Subs: Fortster, Williamson, Gosling, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best

So the excitement around our first game was subdued and after that performance and result it proved that there was nothing to get excited about.

Some players that stood out for me were Gibbs, Song, Arshavin and Gervinho. The partnership of Koscielny and Vermaelen looked strong.

There weren’t many chances in this game. But one moment stood out when Gervinho went down in the penalty area, which a penalty was not given. Joey Barton decided to take matters into his own hands, literally, by lifting up Gervinho, only for a scuffle to break out where Gervinho slapped Barton on the head. Barton went down like a sack of potatoes (more like a sack of s***). This debacle ended up getting Gervinho sent off on his debut, a great way to introduce himself to the Premier League. Gervinho will now be suspended for three matches. A real shame because he has looked really good for Arsenal so far, bringing something different and direct to Arsenal.

So a pretty abysmal first game, but a tough place to go and get a win none the less. Travelling Arsenal fans decided to chant “Spend Some F****** Money!” and this is not for the first time.

TEAM LINE-UP: Newcastle United v Arsenal

Arsenal kick-off their season away to Newcastle at St. James's Park. This is how they line-up:

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Gervinho, van Persie, Arshavin

Subs: Fabianski, Chamakh, Djourou, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott

PREVIEW: Newcastle United v Arsenal

Match Preview

Newcastle United v Arsenal

Barclays Premier League,

St. James's Park,

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Kick-off: 17:30

So it begins! (No not the line from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (King Theoden). The new season has finally come around and I am glad it has. Not the fact it's Arsenal playing competitively again, just good to see something to look forward to on the weekend.

Our squad numbers were released the other day and new signings Gervinho, Miyachi, Jenkinson and Oxlade-Chamberlain have been given numbers 27, 31, 25 and 15 respectively. As you can see Chamberlain has taken Denilson’s number and Gervinho has got his number he wore at Lille taking Eboue’s number who isn’t even in the squad,which means he must be about to move. Szczesny has been promoted to number 13 after wearing number 53 last season. Emmanuel Frimpong takes the number 26.

On to today’s game and it’s a tricky one. Newcastle came back from being 4-0 down last season at St. James’s Park to come back in a half to 4-4. You get one off games, so I can’t see it happening this time. If anything I can see Arsenal starting off quickly after a relatively poor pre-season. Maybe because the players have been pushed harder this year in pre-season training, they haven’t had much energy to play in those games, albeit aginst tougher competition to play against too.

Newcastle have had ups and downs with owner Mike Ashley in charge, more downs than ups. The likes of Joey Barton and Jose Enrique, now at Liverpool, haven’t helped the situation up on Tyneside. With no relative form from either team it’s a clean slate to start fresh with optimism for the new season and both teams will be eager to get their first win and 3 points on to the league table.

For Arsenal we have had unrest at our club too. Fabregas looks likely to be off any second now to sunny Spain. Nasri too will follow suit but to a much more cold and wetter environment up North in Manchester (Sky Blues not the Red Devils). If fact the move for Nasri could be a blessing in disguise, as rumoured a straight swap including Nasri for Carlos Tevez could emerge, I don’t believe that story one bit, but I would take that move any day!

Walcott is back in the squad after his injury in pre-season looked like he’d miss the opening game. Our squad looks a little thin in the middle, with Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshere and Diaby all out. This leaves Song, Frimpong, Ramsey and Rosicky as natural midfielders. However the first eleven should be strong enough against a Newcastle side who I think will probably get relegated this season.

The key man today will be van Persie as he has a tremendous goal scoring record away from home at the moment; in fact he can’t stop scoring anywhere. We’ll have to see how this one plans out as opening games of any season, results can be very surprising.

Probable line-up:

Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Gervinho, van Persie, Arshavin

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal

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