France manager Didier Deschamps has defended Olivier Giroud after home supporters booed the Arsenal striker during the 3-2 friendly victory against Cameroon on Monday night. The 29-year-old scored Les Blues’ second goal of the night in Nantes as they continue their preparations to host the European Championship as one of the favourites to win the competition. But Giroud was jeered through the match by disgruntled locals on a night when Dimitri Payet made the headlines, scoring his second free-kick in as many France games to secure a last-minute win. He said: “You hear what you want. The whistles were unfair tonight, but in Biarritz, he was applauded. People can be conditioned. “But Olivier scored again. When you say it, you are not helpful. You are free … [Read more...]

Hector Bellerin is ready if called into the Spain squad for Euro 2016 after Dani Carvajal’s injury was confirmed. The Arsenal defender was named as a standby player for the tournament and is with La Roja for pre-competition friendlies but after Carvajal was injured as Real Madrid won the Champions League, and reports put him out for almost a month as a result , Bellerin has a chance to go to France. “I’m available for whatever the Coach needs from me. I’m delighted for the experience. I had planned a holiday with my family but I’m happy to cancel it for the call of the national team,” the full-back told a Press conference, AS reports, Del Bosque having suggested Bellerin would be next cab off the rank. “Firstly though I want Carvajal to recover well and … [Read more...]

Granit Xhaka says it is a "dream" to join Arsenal, now that his transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach has been finalised. The 23-year-old secured a move to Emirates Stadium this week for a reported fee of close to €40million after an impressive four-year spell in the Bundesliga. The midfielder, compared to Andrea Pirlo by former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou, is believed to have sealed the move prior to Euro 2016 and is relishing the prospect of his first appearance under Arsene Wenger. "I feel good, now I'm happy to be a Gunner," Xhaka told Sky Sports News after Switzerland's 2-1 friendly defeat to Belgium on Saturday. "It's been a big week for me, but now it's official and I'm very happy. Arsenal is a big club. I've seen the pitch, it's … [Read more...]

Arsene Wenger has conceded he fears for Arsenal's top-four chances after Sunday's barren draw against Sunderland. Arsenal failed to break down the Black Cats, whose point at the Stadium of light lifted them out of the Premier League's bottom three. Petr Cech had to save sharp efforts from Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe, with Arsenal failing to convert their clear-cut chances against Sam Allardyce's men. The result leaves Arsenal fourth, five points clear of Manchester United - who have a game in hand - leaving Wenger fearful of a run-in that features games against fellow European contenders Manchester City and relegation-threatened Norwich City. When asked if he was worried Arsenal could lose their top-four spot, Wenger said: "Yes, of course. We care … [Read more...]

The victory moved Arsenal back into third place ahead of Manchester City's game at Southampton on Sunday, and while a top-four finish is looking more likely for the Gunners, Welbeck was left to rue a chance to finish atop the table. Before kick off the atmosphere inside the Emirates was more a low-level anxiety than anything more. There was a loud cheer for the return to the bench of Santi Cazorla, a classy influence who has been badly missed since his injury against the same opponents in November. Otherwise Arsenal lined up in the usual 4-2-3-1, with Olivier Giroud given another chance to continue his quest for a first league goal since January. The promise of protests had circled this game with various entities, including Red Action and the scary-sounding … [Read more...]

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the North London derby at White Hart Lane. Having lost three consecutive games prior to the visit to White Hart Lane. Arsene Wenger’s side had to put a stop to their poor run  as their season seemed to be taking a nose dive. After a nervy opening period that saw the hosts dominate without creating chances it was Arsenal who took the lead when Aaron Ramsey flicked in Hector Bellerin’s pull back after a good move from Danny Welbeck. However, the game turned on its head when Francis Coquelin saw red for a second bookable offence after bumping into Harry Kane, with Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld blasting in from five yards following a rebound to draw Spurs level. Harry Kane seized his … [Read more...]

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes have been dealt a huge blow after it was confirmed a calf injury will rule Petr Cech out for close to a month. Arsenal fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City on Wednesday leaving them six points adrift Premier League table toppers Leicester City in third place. But Arsenal's shaky title bid got from bad to worse when Cech injured his calf rushing back to his goal after he had gone for an injury-time corner as Wenger's men sought a late equalizer at Emirates Stadium. Wenger said Cech had already been carrying an injury following Swansea's equalizer and the goalkeeper is now set for the treatment table during a busy and nervy period. "Cech is out," Wenger told a news conference ahead of Saturday's north London derby … [Read more...]

Tottenham and Arsenal are hoping to bounce back from painful defeats in a pivotal derby clash at White Hart Lane on Saturday. Arsene Wenger has made a clarion call to his team to bounce back when they play bitter rivals Tottenham on Saturday. Both sides suffered disastrous defeats on Wednesday, with Spurs losing 1-0 at West Ham and Arsenal failing to beat Swansea City at home in a game they lost 1-2. Those results left second-placed Tottenham three points adrift of leaders Leicester City, while Arsenal are now six behind top spot after a third consecutive defeat in all competitions. The Gaffer believes their loss to Swansea was unfortunate, but hopes to see a positive response against their  bitter rivals, who they have beaten once in seven league outings … [Read more...]

Arsenal’s evening capitulated in a flurry of frightened hacks, misplaced passes, lack of passion and general falling over. A mediocre Swansea side with a rookie left-back took them to the cleaners. Lukas Fabianski made some decent saves, Arsenal hit the woodwork twice, but let’s call a spade a spade: they bottled this. And they may well have bottled the title as well. Campbell gave Gunners the lead in the first half but Swansea were quick to reply with a well taken goal and took the lead when Ashley Williams met Sigurdsson set piece. Meanwhile, Arsenal will make the trip to Tottenham on Saturday without their goalkeeper Petr Cech and their best defender Laurent Koscielny, both of whom are injured and will play no part. Cech appeared to pull up in the … [Read more...]

Santi Cazorla will probably miss the rest of the season after Arsene Wenger revealed the Spaniard has suffered an Achilles problem. The midfielder has been out since November with a knee injury but now has an issue with tendonitis which could yet rule him out for the remainder of the season, Arsenal have struggled with Santi on the sidelines and are six points off the top of the Premier League table after Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford. It was initially planned the 31-year-old would be back at some point in March but ahead of Wednesday night's game with Swansea, Wenger gave a fresh Hint on Cazorla. "Santi is not doing too well," he said. "He has some Achilles problems that hold him back. His knee is doing well but his Achilles has inflamed a little bit and we … [Read more...]

Arsene Wenger said Nacho Monreal is close to extending his contract. Nacho is set to sign on a three year deal worth around £60,000 pounds a week. Arsene Wenger has previously stated that he will not give more than a year contract to players age over 30, but Nacho will hit the milestone next month. Wenger said: yes Nacho is getting a new contract , it is not completely over the line yet but we are not far away. Monreal who initially struggled to impress after he joined Arsenal in January 2013, has now improved in subsequent seasons and establishing himself as Arsenal first choice left back.   Everything feel right, he said. I can say that i feel at home off and on the pitch. If you don't feel good off the pitch and in general, obviously you … [Read more...]

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said he joined Arsenal because he believes they have the potential to win the Premier League. Petr Cech who spent 11 years at The Blues joined Arsenal at the beginning of the season and has now become the first choice keeper. On Cech I am very confident of Arsenal clinching the Premier League this season, he said. I play football, not to only enjoy it and i love the challenge of competing with the best players, but  also want to have the chances of winning games. I believe the team have the quality to win games and we will manage to go to the top hopefully Petr Cech breaks David James Premier League records for clean sheets after 2-0 win against AFC Bournemouth.         … [Read more...]

Mesut Ozil the next Bergkamp, said Wenger after another influential display by the player in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth. The German international Ozil assisted in one goal and scored another on Monday to help Arsenal top the league table. He has made 16 assists and scored 5 goals in the Premier League this season alone, closing in on Arsenal legend Thierry Henry who has set the all time record of  20 assists. Against Bournemouth, Ozil created 9 goal scoring opportunities making it the highest figured registered in Premier League this season. On Arsene Wenger When asked if Ozil is the best player in the Premier League, he said: Look at the number of assists and they speak for him. Wenger also acknowledged comparison with forward Bergkamp, who was a … [Read more...]