During William Gallas' tenure as Arsenal captain he has scored some vital goals for the Gunners.

His equalising goal last year against Manchester United at home springs to mind, together with his winner against Chelsea in the same year, and more recently leveling the scoreline away at Dynamo Kyiv are all testament to this, and this is a fact that has not gone unnoticed by head coach Arsene Wenger.

"There is no coincidence in football. He was a striker when he was young and you can see he has the nose to be where you have to be at the right moment," Wenger told the club's official website.

"If it is a corner or a deflected goal, William Gallas is there. He has kept something of a striker in him and that comes out in these desperate situations."

"The biggest quality of a striker who scores goals is exceptional skill or through anticipation and understanding where the ball will be. William anticipates and attacks the space," he concluded.

they are the only two managers left in the BPL that chairmans will not dare to interfere in their team affairs

Ferguson's comments come just two days before United and Chelsea do battle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, a game which is already being touted as a make-or-break game for the Red Devils, who have just four Premier League points far.

Although Chelsea have matched their Manchester counterparts in the success stakes recently, winning consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Arsenal are still regarded as his side's traditional rivals in terms of history and quality.

The Scot ackowledged that Chelsea's recent surge in fortune and finance has brought success, but he stated that over the history of the Premier League, Arsenal have been United's main threat.

He revealed that the contest for domination between himself and Arsene Wenger has given the English top-flight some of its most enduring moments.

He told the press: "If you look back over the last 12 or 13 years, who has it been? - Arsenal v Manchester United, Manchester United v Arsenal.

"Of course we've got Chelsea at the moment, that's without question, but the history of Arsenal versus Manchester means that you're not just talking about winning a football match, you're talking about your own history against the other team's history.

"There's a dominance attached to that. You want to be the dominant team and they want to be the dominant team - and we've had some volatile matches because of that.

"But you can't beat the history and the quality that both teams believe in, and the way they want to play has never changed."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger agreed with his long-time rival by admitting that the 'big games' in any season come against the current European champions.

He said: "It is usually the decider of the season - big games that tell you a lot about your team. Will they be capable of winning the big matches?

'You go into the season with the feeling that you must win the big games, and the big game usually is Manchester United."

Giovinco is regarded as one of Europe’s most explosive young talents, but his future at Juventus is uncertain due to two major reasons.

First of all the 21-year-old is currently in a contract dispute with the club. Giovinco is asking for an increase in salary to €1m a year but so far the club’s management is refusing to meet his demands.

Secondly, Giovinco is deeply unhappy about his lack of first team action, having only a few weeks ago claimed that he needs to play with continuity.

The fantasista has played just 25 minutes of Juventus’ five official games this season, a substitute appearance against Artmedia in the Champions League preliminaries in August.

Indeed Giovinco was not even on the bench during Wednesday night’s win over Zenit St Petersburg.

This has deeply upset the youngster and, according to Leggo, he may now consider a move to Arsenal.

The Premiership giants have long been linked with a move for Giovinco, and their manager Arsene Wenger is known to be a huge admirer.

Reports in England claim that The Gunners will table a bid for the attacking midfielder in January, a transfer Giovinco may strongly consider unless his contract and lack of playing time improves very soon.

Arsenal Pair Doubtful For Kiev

Both of the Gunners' wide-men sustained injuries during the comprehensive victory on Saturday and are listed as serious doubts for the upcoming Champions League group stage match at Dinamo Kiev as a result.

“They [Clichy & Eboue] will be assessed when we get back. It’s not looking too good for either of them” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports News after the match.

Wenger could not elaborate on the extent of the injuries, stating that he is still waiting on word from the club's medical department.

The London side face a tricky opener to their Champions League proper on Wednesday, as Dyanmo have claimed more than their fair share of European scalps in Kyiv.

If it hadn't been for an Eduardo leg-break at St Andrews and a resultant run of four consecutive draws in February last season, it could have been Arsenal who were defending the Premier League crown this year, and not Manchester United.

Everton finished 5th last term, one better than their position the season prior. But Wenger believes it could be one of Manchester City, Portsmouth, or even hated neighbours Tottenham Hotspur who could challenge the top four for a position in the Champions League.

"This season you will need a high number of points and you will have to be consistent," Wenger told the club's official website.

Regarding any winter window recruits, he added: "I don’t know how many we’ll need, ask me again in January then we will have a better idea."

Concerning the surprise packages this season, Wenger said: "You might have a surprising team coming in to challenge like Man City, Tottenham and maybe Portsmouth. It will certainly be very tight and very interesting."

"Last season, I feel we did not get enough credit for what we did. We were very close," he said. "We made 83 points in the League and I have won the title with 78 before. But the competition was very high last season and looks like it will be the same this season," he concluded.

consistency is important. thats what i feel arsenal lack in, maybe due to lack of experience

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According to The Sun, Wenger said: "We won’t sell Cesc Fabregas even for £135million."

The Arsenal manager's irritation stems from the new City owners' declaration that they will chase a number of the world's biggest stars during the January transfer window.

Fabregas is high on Abu Dhabi United Group's list, as are the likes of Ronaldinho, Fernando Torres, Michael Essien and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is the second tapping-up saga Ronaldo has been involved in since the end of last season, as Real Madrid pulled out every trick in the book in an attempt to lure the Portuguese winger away from Manchester United.

United's complaints were waved away by FIFA and no action looks likely to be taken over ADUG's proclamations, but Wenger believes transfer regulations must be enforced to the letter of the law.

"The rules are there. Let’s get them respected," said the Frenchman.

"You cannot come out and say ‘next week we pay £250,000 to Ronaldo and £135million’ when the player has a contract with Man United. It’s not possible or acceptable."

ADUG seized control of City on September 1 and wasted no time flaunting their wealth, securing the services of Robinho for an English record £32.5million.

The Brazilian forward initially appeared set to join Chelsea when a better offer came in from Eastlands shortly before the transfer window's close, resulting in considerable confusion as to who he had actually signed for.

The ever-increasing focus on money in the player market worries Wenger, whose top summer signing was £12million Samir Nasri.

"What is worrying is that a player signs somewhere and then the next day he does not even know where he has signed. You cannot say that is a good trend," he said.

"Football is not a supermarket. There is money in the game and I take it in a positive way.

"But the football bodies have to make sure money is ruled properly and used well for the ethic of the game."

hell yeah, money can't get everything.

Eduardo Back For Christmas

Eduardo suffered a traumatic broken leg and dislocated ankle in a Premier League game against Birmingham back in February and has been recuperating ever since.

Whilst the initial prognosis was that the Brazilian born striker would not play again this year it appears the Gunner may be in with a chance of featuring in the festive programme.

Speaking to setantasports.com, Eduardo revealed his current progress and his hopes for the future. He said: “My leg is getting better all the time and I hope to be back playing again by Christmas.”

As well as being ruled out of Arsenal’s campaign, the striker is also having to watch Croatia from the sidelines, including tomorrow night’s fixture against England, and the Arsenal forward admitted he couldn’t wait to get back on the pitch. He revealed: “It has been a long road to recovery, and there is still a lot of hard work left to do, but everything is going well and I should be back playing again soon.”

The news will come as a huge boost to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal especially as the festive programme is traditionally a hectic time for sides and a part of the calendar that requires teams to utilise their full squad.

Arsenal also have a tricky looking set of fixtures over the festive period to contend with. The Gunners welcome Liverpool and Portsmouth to the Emirates as well as visiting Aston Villa.

The hugely talented Giovinco has been linked with Arsenal almost all summer, but although the transfer window closed last week, reports have been strengthening in recent days that Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, a huge admirer of the player, will table an offer in January.

Giovinco’s future in Turin is far from certain, as Juventus are currently refusing to meet his €1m a year salary demands on a new contract.

Yesterday, Giovinco’s agent Andrea D’Amico also warned that his client needs to play more regularly, having been left on the bench for the first Serie A game of the season against Fiorentina.

"He needs to play with some continuity, there is no doubt," D'Amico told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“This is a question in the contract that is still under negotiation. It is not just a problem of figures, but also of certainty about the future. Giovinco is young but he is already desperate to play as many matches as possible."

Tuttomercatoweb is this morning claiming that Wenger, regarded by many as the best scout of young talent in the world, has been blown away by the potential of Giovinco, particularly in the recent Olympic Games in Beijing.

Wenger believes that the skill, flair, movement and pace of the pint-sized fantasista will fit in perfectly with Arsenal’s idealistic style of play, and is ready to table an official offer for the 21-year-old in January.

It remains to be seen whether Juventus would consider selling the player, who is seen by some as the heir to current number 10 Alessandro Del Piero.

Joey Barton made his unceremonious return to football last Saturday, taking to the field for the final few minutes of a 3-0 flattening at the hands of Arsenal, booed by the entirety of the Emirates Stadium. His first act upon taking the field was a heavy and potentially dangerous tackle on Samir Nasri, and despite winning the ball, the manner in which he dove in and goaded the Frenchman thereafter was not to come without consequence.

Moments later, in an off the ball incident, Nasri tripped Barton and, having not been seen by the referee, escaped punishment. It was as if the former Marseille man was making a statement that he would not be bullied in the Premier League, and despite taking a barrage of criticism from Kevin Keegan, who tried to bring the player to the club, he has also made himself a few friends for giving Barton, a renowned thug, a taste of his own medicine.

It is by now known across the country and beyond just what Joey Barton has become during his footballing career. The midfielder has been hit with various assault charges - most infamously on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo - for which he recently served a prison sentence. He has since had his Nike sponsorship revoked and was on the verge of leaving St James' Park only for Keegan, in one of his final acts as manager before quitting the club for a second time, pleaded for him to stay and to be supported.

He has been hit with a 12-game ban by the Football Association, six of which are suspended. Therefore, a recently convicted criminal will face only double the initial punishment faced for a two-footed tackle. Arsenal captain William Gallas, who leapt to Nasri's defence upon the final whistle last Saturday, believes the ban should have been far more severe. “In my opinion [the ban] is not long enough, especially when you think about his attack on Ousmane Dabo and everything he has done besides,” the Arsenal captain told the Sunday Express. "I don't understand The Football Association."

Gallas, himself something of a hate figure for his notorious bad attitude, then made a controversial remark of his own, contending that Barton deserved being tripped by Nasri in light of his various misdemeanours. Keegan rightly contended in his post-match press conference that when considering the referee's assistant had seen the challenge from the touchline, it was his duty to flag and for Nasri to be shown a red card.

The Gunners' skipper, with unashamed bias against Barton, felt differently. "The moment Barton came on to the pitch [against Arsenal] he made a bad challenge on Samir Nasri," he said, continuing, "Samir responded with an act that maybe wasn't especially nice. But bearing in mind the player he did it to, then fair enough."

crazy captain?

Appiah has already been linked with a host of clubs this summer including West Ham, Tottenham, Genoa and Juventus and it now appears that Arsene Wenger may be about to make a move for the midfielder.

The Ghanaian enjoyed a miserable season last term. Injury forced him to miss most of the season, including the African Cup of Nations, and the midfielder is now keen to restart his career.

The 27-year-old joined Fenerbahce from Juventus in 2005 and reports had suggested he might be in line for a return to Turin, although he has also reportedly expressed an interest in moving to the Premier League.

West Ham had thought to be in pole position to sign the midfielder, yet with finances an issue at Upton Park and the club currently managerless, following the resignation of Alan Curbishley this week, Arsenal may now become favourites to secure Appiah’s signature.

Arsene Wenger’s hunt for a midfielder to replace the departed Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva has been well-documented. Moves for Gareth Barry and Xabi Alonso had been mooted but no offer materialised from the Emirates before the close of the transfer window.

Speaking to The Telegraph about a proposed move to North London, the Ghanaian reportedly confirmed that negotiations had taken place but remained coy about his future. He said: “There are talks, there are talks – I can’t say anything yet.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spent shrewdly this summer. Fans were expecting one final deadline day signing to plug the hole in midfield, but that transfer never arrived. What they discounted though, was the free transfer of Amaury Bischoff earlier in the summer.

Wenger originally stated that Bischoff may be a gamble due to his track record of fitness and injuries, but latest reports from the club's official website indicate that the player could be training with the first team in as soon as two weeks.

The 21-year old midfielder told Arsenal TV Online: "The injury is getting better bit by bit. I've been doing ball work for five or six days now and I am running three times a week. I'm nearly pain-free and hope to be back as soon as possible."

"It's been difficult," he said. "I've been injured for a long time but Arsenal have shown faith in me. They have got me in great shape and been brilliant. They monitor me with a daily programme and a trainer is there for me every day. I think that little by little I'm getting there and will soon be back on the pitch," Bischoff added.

"I think that in two weeks I'll be training with the team and if all goes well, I'll speak with the manager and coaches here. Then I'll be back as quickly as possible," he concluded.

 

The 17-year-old playmaker is considered by many in the know to be an England star in the making, and he only added to his reputation with some eye-catching displays for the senior squad in preseason.

Walcott told Arsenal's official matchday programme: “For a little lad he’s very strong, he’s got a good left foot and his link-up play and reading of the game is fantastic.

“He makes it look so easy when he plays and every time he gets the ball and does something he brings a smile to your face.”

“I’m sure he’ll get a chance or two this season, he’s still young so he’ll want to play, but he will need rest as well," he continued, before inadvertently adding fodder to those who feel that Arsenal are at a lack for English identity.

“It's nice to have another English face in the changing room though, especially after Justin [Hoyte] left. I was sad to see Justin go, but with Jack and Aaron Ramsey here too, there are a few Brits in the squad.”

Juventus are close to extending Sebastian Giovinco’s contract, according to his agent, but Arsenal are standing by and ready to swoop if things don't go to plan for the Old Lady, according to reports in Italy.

The Bianconeri are trying hard to renew the player's deal in order to fend off interest from other clubs in future.

Giovinco’s agent Claudio Pasqualin admits that an agreement is close, but problems remain surrounding the financial aspects of the fresh contract.

“There are good intentions from both parties but the figures still need to be sorted out,” Pasqualin told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“We are looking at a five year deal until 2013, but there hasn’t been agreement between what the club and what the player wants. That’s why there hasn’t been a signature just yet.”

A number of reports around the peninsula suggest that Arsenal are monitoring the situation and ready to pounce for Giovinco, should his contract renewal fail again.

The Gunners tried to make a move in the summer, but the Bianconeri managed to fend them off.

trust wenger, i guess he knows what is he doing. if there is really some real problem, he would definitely buy in january

Emmanuel Eboue has long split not just football fans, but Arsenal supporters too. While some grow frustrated with what they deem play-acting, others hold their hands over their face at how cross after cross can find its way into row Z.

That may have been the Eboue of old, but the Eboue of late has been much different. Last season he cut out his on-the-floor roll-play, and it appears this campaign he has rectified his decision-making and final ball.

The 25-year old Ivory Coast international, who has 23 caps to his name, fed Van Persie a delightful back-heel assist for Arsenal's final goal in their home three-nil rout over Newcastle United - their third three-nil win over the Magpies in nine months.

Arsene Wenger believes this style of play epitomises the Emmanuel that we shall see more of over the new season. He told the club's official website: "Since the start of the season, Eboue has played well... He had two good games in central midfield. At Fulham, he was one of the players who was not disappointing and he had a good performance against Newcastle as well."

"He's a football player," he added. "Sometimes I play him, sometimes Walcott, sometimes Nasri [out wide]."

"There was a little bit of frustration from the fans because they thought that he didn't always have enough end-product, but he has improved a lot in that respect."

"He has put over good final balls since the start of the season," he concluded.

this is really funny. eboue is..useless IMO

The Independent has reported that Arsenal tried to sign Xabi Alonso just before the transfer deadline, submitting an improved offer believed to be around £14million.

Yesterday Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had reiterated that Spanish international midfielder Alonso was not for sale, although it is thought was always prepared to deal if a would-be buying club met his valuation of the player.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger had admitted the Gunners needed an experienced midfielder, and had hinted that a deadline day deal or two might well materialise. In the event, none did, though Wenger has also stressed that he believes his existing squad is strong enough to challenge for major honours.

Wenger brought in Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey, Amaury Bischoff and Mikael Silvestre during the summer, while Gilberto Silva, Alexander Hleb, Jens Lehmann, Mathieu Flamini and Justin Hoyte left the club and Kerrea Gilbert, Nacer Barazite, Armand Traore and Philippe Senderos were sent out on loan.

Wenger yesterday rejected Cardiff City's attempt to take Aaron Ramsey back on loan.

Nevertheless, he is thought to have wanted to partner Alonso with fellow Spain international Cesc Fabregas in central midfield. According to The Independent, Wenger saw Alonso, 26, as a player who could add experience and steel to his team.

The Frenchman had a bid of £12million rejected last month as he tried to capitalise on Liverpool's efforts to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Arsenal 4-0 FC Twente

Wenger: Senderos Could Be Gone For Good

Reports originally broke on Monday suggesting the 23-year-old was poised to undergo a medical with the Serie A giants, and now Wenger has just stopped short of subtiantiating the claims that the deal includes an option for Milan to sign him permanently at the end of the 2008/09 campaign.

Wenger told Sky Sports News: "Senderos has gone to Milan today and is not available anymore.He will go to Milan. He will complete a medical today.

"The thinking [behind the move] is that at the moment he doesn't get the games here and that he can play somewhere and remain in a top level club.

"Without losing him we want him to play. It (whether the transfer will become permanent) is not decided yet," he added.

"For us, we have Johan Djourou, Kolo Toure, Senderos, Alexandre Song, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre, who can play centre-back, so there is congestion there."

Less than three weeks into the season and the Gunners are already feeling the pinch amid a rocky, injury-ridden start.

Influential midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Aliaksandr Hleb have left the club, while Spanish superstar Cesc Fabregas tops an injury list as long as Liverpool's title drought.

Last weekend's loss to Fulham sent warning sparks flying around North London, and many have called for Wenger to spend big on quality reinforcements.

But the Frenchman dismissed the notion that parting with large amounts of cash would instantly solve all the club's on-field problems.

He said in The Sun: “I hate the idea that, whenever we have a bad game, the solution is to go out and buy. I don’t know why we’re always under pressure to buy £30million or £40m players.

“I am not impressed by big names. I am only impressed by attitude and quality. All the rest is just hype.

“So if Chelsea buy Robinho, frankly, what can we do about it? The answer is not to look at what Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool are doing.

“I’m not interested in comparing names. I focus on my own players, not the other teams. The squad we have has enough quality and strength to win the Champions League.”

But despite the former Monaco manager's assurances to the contrary, there is no doubt that his team looks rather light through the middle of the park.

The departures of Gilberto Silva and Flamini earlier in the summer, and of Lassana Diarra in January, have left the likes of Denilson and Abou Diaby - youngsters both - to pick up the slack in central midfield.

Hence, a host of seasoned stars, such as Xabi Alonso and Gareth Barry, have been linked with a move to the Emirates to take up the role as Fabregas' anchor.

And while Wenger confessed he is on the lookout for another signing, he reiterated that expense does not guarantee quality.

“If I can find one more player before the transfer deadline, I will take him. But one more player will not make that much difference,” he continued.

“A good player is not necessarily linked with the price. It is getting harder to buy the right players but the market is still there.

“At the moment, we are struggling to find the right player.

"If we don’t get him, we’re still strong enough to deal with all the competitions.”

The Rossoneri have been desperately searching for a centre back in recent weeks following the injury to key man Alessandro Nesta.

With Dario Simic and Digao both being offloaded, things started to become desperate for the Rossoneri when primary target Branislav Ivanovic, who had seemed certain to join from Chelsea, saw his transfer fall through at the last moment.

It was reported last week that Milan had turned their attentions to another Premiership based player, in the form of Arsenal centre back Philippe Senderos, and the deal has now been officially completed.

The Swiss centre back arrives on a one year loan deal, and Milan have the option to make the move permanent for a set fee next summer.

Senderos had been well down the pecking order at Arsenal following an error-prone season last term, and Arsene Wenger signalled his intention to let him leave after signing Manchester United’s Mickael Silvestre last week.

The 23-year-old Senderos made 74 Premiership appearances, scoring four goals, since signing for Arsenal from Servette in December 2002.

He has won 31 caps for Switzerland, playing at World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008.

Keegan made the admission when a Sky Sports News reporter pressed him on comments attributed to the Swiss international's father claiming that both Milan and Newcastle were in for his son.

"Well, the lad has got two tremendous clubs to pick from if his dad's right," said Keegan.

The Geordie boss went on to confirm that he is still hoping to sign three new players before the start of the new Premier League season.

He added: "We are looking for three more players to come in before the deadline, but they have got to be the right players.

"We definitely need another defender; there is no doubt about that.

"We are looking for a defender, a midfield player and possible one more forward."

With the transfer window closing at the end of August, Keegan is hoping to be a protagonist in the inevitable flurry of transfer activity between now and the end of month.