Emirates Cup: Arsenal 1 – 1 AC Milan (Highlights)

Arsenal drew 1-1 with AC Milan in the second match of the Emirates Cup tournament.  New boy Marouane Chamakh scored the first goal of the match by sliding the ball into the net past the oncoming goalkeeper from a neat Arshavin pass.  However, after the break, Pato pulled a goal back for AC Milan from a set piece.  In the earlier match, Celtic and Lyon drew 2-2.  The leaves both Celtic and Lyon with 3 points each, while Arsenal and Milan get 2 points apart.  You can watch the Chamakh goal below:

Credit: Arsenalist.com For Videos

Gilles Sunu Scores As France Beats Spain 2-1 In The U19 Final

Arsenal youth player Gilles Sunu scored the equalizing goal for France U19 with a lob to ensure that his home country went on to win the game.  You can see the goal below:

Federico Marchetti (Update) + Miguel Veloso Linked To Arsenal

As previously reported on Goonerhood, Federico Marchetti is being touted to move to Arsenal to take the number one shirt.  Italian website, Data Sport (source), are reporting that Arsenal and Cagliari quickly want to resolve the transfer of the goalkeeper before the season starts.  The same website reports that Arsenal have made a 6.5 million offer, but Cagliari value the player closer to the mark of 9 million, but will be willing to settle on a 7.5 to 8 million transfer fee.  Data Sport also writes that today will be the day when the formalities will be completed.  So we will have to wait and see how this transfer turns out.

Elsewhere, Miguel Veloso is once again being linked with us.  Many Gooners already know the name very well, since the player has been linked to the Arsenal for many years now.  However, fresh links in the Portuguese and Italian press report that Arsenal are in for the defensive midfielder who can also play centre back when required (source 1, source 2).  It seems that originally, Genoa was the club interested in signing Veloso with a cash deal along with giving Sporting Lisbon the first option on their defender Zapater.  However, according to the Italian media, Arsenal have come in with a bid of 13 million Euros.  However, since then, Genoa have improved their package and proposed Genoa as a stepping stone for Veloso before finally moving to Inter after one season (source).

So what do you think of these rumors?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Campbell Signs For Newcastle

Sol Campbell has left Arsenal to join Newcastle United on a free transfer, for a one year contract (source).  Sol has been assigned the number 5 shirt.  Sol has this to say after completing his move to the club where he is virtually guaranteed to play regular football:

"At this stage of my career I couldn't have wished for a better move. To join a club such as Newcastle United, with its proud tradition, heritage and magnificent support, is absolutely tremendous for me.

"I'd like to thank Chris Hughton for putting his faith in me and aim to repay him and the supporters by giving everything I possibly can to help re-establish this great club in the top-tier of English football.

He added: "I just want to play and can't wait to get started. There's a real buzz about the place and that's great. I've played at St. James' Park numerous times and always found it a fantastic place to play, there's always a tremendous atmosphere

"Chris will focus everyone together and get the team ready for the season, it's nice seeing Colin Calderwood too having played with him at Tottenham.

"Getting out on to the training pitch this morning will be a wonderful feeling!"

For the short time he has been with us, he has shown that he still possessed the same fighting sprit and love for the club as he showed during his first spell at Arsenal.  Campbell leaving leaves Arsenal with a headache, since the club is short of centre backs.  This will only force Wenger’s hand to dip once more in the transfer market to get another CB before the season starts.  We wish Sol the best of luck at his new club!

SC Neusiedl 0 – 4 Arsenal (Highlights)

Arsenal beat SC Neusiedl 4-0 to win their last friendly match of the preseason  before the Emirates Cup starts on Saturday against AC Milan.  The first goal came from Theo Walcott with a neat finish for the 1-0.  Jay Emmanuel Thomas quickly followed with a superb angled drive which left the goalkeeper scrambling on his lines.  For the 3-0, Chamakh converted from the penalty spot then finally Vela scored one of his trademark chips to get the score to the final result of 4-0.  Late on, Arsenal conceded a penalty, which Vito Mannone did well to save, which ensures that the streak of preseason clean sheets continues.  The only bleak point in the match was Djourou’s injury, which leaves Arsenal very exposed in central defense.  You can see the highlight of the match below:

Sol Campbell Off To Newcastle? Centre Back Dilemma?

It seems that another centre back, after Senderos, Gallas and Silvestre, is on his way out of the club.  He is the fourth central defender Arsenal are losing this summer with only one incoming replacement in the form of Koscielny.  If reports are to be believed, Campbell is undergoing a medical at Newcastle and his move would soon be sealed.

This leaves Arsenal with three recognized senior CBs (Djourou, Vermaelen, Koscielny) and youngster Nordtveit, who has been impressive in preseason.  Song, additionally, can cover at CB, however, this new departure leaves Arsenal very lightweight in the central defense and Arsene Wenger must now surely be taking out his cheque to sign a new defender.

The question is, though, will the new defender be a first choice CB or just a squad player.  With Djourou just back from a long layoff and Koscielny untested in the Premier League, it makes sense that Wenger should go for an experienced defender to partner Vermaelen.  Who will be the defender Wenger will sign?  We’ve got to wait approximately one month to know.  Who do YOU think he will be?

Arsenal Linked With Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti

Another day, another keeper linked with Arsenal.  today, we’re supposedly in for Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti (source).  The club has apparently put the stopper up for sale and according to its president, Massimo Cellino, Arsenal are interested.  The fact that the president of Cagliari mentions that Arsenal are interested means that we look like going for a new keeper.

Massimo Cellino: "the only real club that is pushing for his signature is Arsenal."

Here’s a video of Federico Marchetti’s saves.  What do you think of Federico Marchetti?  Good enoigh for Arsenal?

More Goalkeepers Linked To Arsenal (Stekelenburg, Akinfeev, James) + Are We In For A Long-Term Keeper?

Today, the rumour mill seems to be in full swing as Arsenal is being linked with a whole lot of goalkeepers.  Firstly we’ve got Arshavin talking up his Russian pal Akinfeev for signing with us (source).  Akinfeev is the Russian national team goalkeeper and is a whole lot better than what we’ve got currently as first choice goalkeeper.  Akinfeev has impressed many people and it seems he’s also a target for Manchester United.

Next up we have Stekelenburg which has been again linked to us, after an impressive World Cup (source).  We have been linked to him before the World Cup and now we are again being linked to him.  Supposedly, the transfer fee for Stekelenburg would be the same as that of Schwarzer.  You don’t need a crystal ball to know which one I would rather like to sign for Arsenal.

It  also seems that we have been offered David James for free.  However, it seems that Wenger turned down the deal and James is off to Celtic.  Now, James is similar to Schwarzer in capabilities, then if James can be obtained for free, why would Wenger bother with Schwarzer?  It seems to me that Wenger is evidently going for a long-term keeper, as Just Arsenal rightly points out.

Finally, an interesting point from 101greatgoals:

Confirmation of the Manchester City fire sale: “I know that we must sell some players because in 20 days we must have a list with 25 players. I am disappointed because some players must change teams now. It is difficult for them to play for us. When you play in four competitions you must have a large squad because if not you have difficulties. For this it’s important we have 25 players.” - Roberto Mancini.

As we know, Manchester City have to sell to get their squad size down.  So, it might still be possible that they will sell one of their goalkeepers.  It might be Hart or Given or Fulop or none of them, but I’m still hoping we can get one of those better keepers.  What do you think? Who will be Arsenal’s next goalkeeper?  

Almunia Off To Osasuna, Schwarzer In?

The Goon Blog is reporting that Arsenal are currently holding talks over the transfer of Almunia with Osasuna.  Having not featured at all in Arsenal’s preseason matches, it appears that the fate of Manuel Almunia is sealed and that he’s on his way out.  The only stumbling block, it seems, according to The Goon Blog is the wage demands of Almunia.  After lackluster performances last season, it seems that now, the goalkeeper has fallen out of favor with manager Arsene Wenger.  The same source also reports that we are in for Schwarzer, the number one of Fulham. 

Schwarzer doesn’t really look like the top goalkeeper signing that Arsenal fans are shouting out for, but he might be able to do a job until one of the younger keepers are ready to step up.

Thierry Henry Scores Goal On Debut For Red Bulls Against Sp*r

Ex-Arsenal captain and legend Thierry Henry has scored a goal on his debut for his new club, red Bulls, against Sp*r, but could not prevent his side from slipping into a 2-1 defeat against the Premier League side. 

You can see the goal below, and it’s nice to see that Thierry Henry still considers Sp*r as his eternal rivals, even after leaving his club Arsenal.  We wish to seize this opportunity to wish Thierry good luck with Red Bulls, and you know that you will always be remembered as a true legend at Arsenal, no matter what.  We also hope that you can one day come back home and become part of Arsenal once again.

SK Sturm Graz 0-3 Arsenal (Highlights)

The first friendly match in Austria against SK Sturm Graz ended 3-0 to Arsenal, with superb goals from Nasri (16’, 42’ FK) and from Lansbury (55’).  Samir Nasri opened the scoring with a neat drill from the edge of the penalty box, surrounded by several opposition players.  He then followed up with an awesome freekick which he curled into the left corner.  Lansbury added another goal by slotting one past the keeper.  You can see the highlights below:

Sign Petition Against Barcelona Tapping Up Fabregas + FIFA Disgrace

Fellow Gooners have create a petition to have authorities take action against Barcelona’s very public tapping up of Fabregas.  Things have gone long enough without the proper authorities taking any kind of action against them. 

However, speaking of authorities, Goonerholic was furious, and rightly so, when he saw that FIFA was lending a helping arm in the tapping up of our club captain.  This is utterly disgraceful from such an organization.  The uproar the publication of the article made FIFA pull down the webpage, which is shown below:

It is utterly despicable how far Barca can go in trying to get Cesc and it’s even more sickening to see the media helping them.

So, It Turns Out That Taylor Has Effectively Cut Short Eduardo’s Time At Arsenal

Reports are coming out of the press and several blogs that Eduardo is finally leaving Arsenal for Shakhtar Donestk.  I remember the day the news broke out that Eduardo had signed for Arsenal.  In the morning, I was reading a blog post talking about possible replacement players for Titti.  Reading through comments, there was only one person (an arsenal insider?) who mentioned Eduardo as a possible transfer target, mentioning his goals to game ratio in the Croatian League.  Of course, the guy had to face a pile of comments saying that that league was inferior to the Premier League and that Dudu, the nicknamed he eventually got later, would struggle to keep up with that sort of goal tally.

Of course, it was a huge shock to me to see during the next day that out of the blue, a link appeared on Newsnow that Arsenal has signed Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb.  Then came the photo session, his interview where he mentioned how he will try to fill the big boots of Thierry Henry.  Dudu then went on an impressive goal spree for someone who was in his maiden Premier League season.  The match which stands out most for me about Eduardo was probably that match against Everton, where he turned the match on its head by scoring two quick fire precise goals to give us the lead.

Then came that horrible tackle from Taylor which caused much anger among Arsenal fans, but not so much among the press, who instead were siding more with Taylor, with some journalists even going as far as saying that Eduardo was the one to blame for getting himself injured.

Time passed, Eduardo recovered amazingly fast from his broken leg, even faster than Rosicky healing from his dodgy hamstring problem.  Soon Dudu was running again, and his comeback showed that he had not loss any of his killer touch or predator instincts.  However, a series of niggling injuries, along with that diving scandal against Celtic had its toll on the striker.  The new formation of 4-3-3 also did not help him as he succumbed to a run of poor form and eventually dropping to the bench and being overlooked for many matches. 

Eduardo also spoke about his desire for a run of successive matches to prove and regain his fitness, but with the substitute appearance he was given here and there, he did create goal scoring chances, but failed to put them away, which evidently showed that the scar left by Taylor was more physcological than physical.  Seeing Ramsey suffer the same fate, of course, must have refreshed the memories of his own horrors during the Birmingham match, which must have been agonizing for him.

It seems that now a move to Shakhtar Donestk is the best thing that could happen to Eduardo.  He can start all over again there and build up his confidence and reputation once again as a very lethal finisher.  From my side, I wish Eduardo all the best and hoping to see you have a long healthy career at Shakhtar Donestk!  If you want to say anything about Eduardo, leave a farewell message, wish a simple good luck, feel free to drop in a comment below!  I leave you with this video of Eduardo’s top goals:

Ex-Arsenal Target Joe Cole Signs For Liverpool

Liverpool have all but confirmed the signing of Joe Cole on a free transfer from League champions Chelsea.
Arsenal were massively tipped for signing the player, with Arsene Wenger hinting that he mgiht me interested in a deal, now seemed to have missed on Joe Cole. 

What do you this?  Missed opportunity to sign him or are you just happy the transfer did not materialize?

Phil Jagielka, Sebastien Giovinco Linked With Arsenal (Rumours)

The "Arsenal be the Next Star" show is on and the upcoming star seems be Phil Jagielka from Everton. It looks like Arsenal have agreed to pay the requested 18 Millions Pounds for the Toffee's leading stopper. As we all know, unless Le Boss confirms anything, we better not bet our shirts on this matter.


Given the time, I believe Verminator and Phil Jagielka will have a pretty good understanding of each other's game and will build back the fortress that Adams and Keown used to be. Vermaelen's speed, his aerial ability and agressivity are sure impressive but Phil Jagielka is hard material as well (ask Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard), and please let's not forget his goalscoring skills. The only problem that could arise can be his speed and acceleration, which is not as good as Verminator's. This can be the reason of the arrival of Laurent Koscielny who on the contrary is fast but less proficient in the air.

There have also been links with the Juventus speedster Giovinco. Believe me, this guy's fast and can do a lot of damage. However that move will be possible if "La Vieille Dame" are able to sign Gareth Bale from Sp*r, which would be another good news for us!

Barnet 0 - Arsenal 4 (Highlights)

Arsenal started there preseason with a bang by beating Barnet 4-0 with goals from Arshavin, Simpson (x2), and Nasri.  Here are the highlights:

ARSENAL VS BARNET FULL TIME : Barnet [0 - 4] Arsenal (A. Arshavin(2), J. Simpson(16, 45) S. Nasri 75)