ARSENAL NEWS
Barcelona striker and Arsenal's greatest player ever Thierry Henry is convinced Arsene Wenger will again have Arsenal challenging for the game's biggest trophies this season.
Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva have left, while only Premier League newcomers Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been signed.
But ex-Gunners captain Henry remains confident Wenger will be able to get a new-look side to gel.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Arsene always does it somehow. And hopefully they will win silverware next season.
"I don't know how Arsene does it when he brings in some players who make people think 'I don't know if they are going to be ok'.
"People wonder if Arsenal are going to do anything.
"But suddenly, like last year, everyone starts raving about how Arsenal are playing and what a great team they are.
"Unfortunately for them they were really close but did not win anything last season.
"Hopefully this time they can bring some silverware back to the Emirates."
Samir Nasri can't wait to get start at Arsenal.
The former Olympique Marseille star told France Football: "I'm so excited!
"I arrived in London on Sunday and had my first training session the day after, before we go on pre-season camp in Austria.
"I'm discovering my new team-mates. But I'm not lost at all, with all those Frenchmen! Today I'm very happy to be a Gunner.
"I have joined an immense club where there's everything to achieve great things. I'm delighted to be part of this new adventure. Arsenal are a reference point."
The 21-year-old has underlined that Arsene Wenger's presence influenced his decision to sign with Arsenal.
"He's been decisive," added Nasri. "He represents stability and continuity. We understand we can work on the long term with him. I think he's been at Arsenal for 13 years. It means the world!
"I was looking for that kind of guarantee to advance my career. I didn't want to go to a club, even a legendary one, where everything could change from one day to another.
"I know Arsene Wenger's going to help me improve. He has had a lot of success with other French players, especially youngsters he helped blossom."
Samir Nasri also confirmed French champions Lyon had also tried to sign him.
"Lyon made an approach. I spoke with president (Jean-Michel) Aulas by telephone. But it didn't go much further than that," Nasri said.
"At that point my choice had practically been made. I'd given my word to Arsenal and I couldn't see myself at any French club other than OM (Marseille)."
Samir Nasri also admits Arsenal's current and former French contingent convinced him about joining the Gunners.
The midfielder revealed to France Football: "I got a lot of information during the last meetings with France, next to William Gallas, Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini.
"Even if Mathieu has left for Milan, we know each other well because we have been educated at Marseille at the same time and he is Marseillais like me.
"He left Arsenal quite early but blossomed there. All his comments have been positive ones. Lassana Diarra as well only made good comments about this club.
"And there have been all the info from the older players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira who told me it's a superb club, that this experience had been one of the most beautiful in their career.
"Arsenal is a club that leaves a trace for life. Besides they assured me I'd have a lot of fun in The Premier League. They play and I love playing!"
Theo Walcott struck for Arsenal in last night's 1-1 friendly draw against Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium.
The hosts took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when former Hungary international striker Krisztian Kenesei broke through a static Gunners defence and chipped delicately over the on-rushing Manuel Almunia.
Justin Hoyte believed he had hooked the ball clear on the line but he was over-ruled by the assistant referee.
To rub salt into the defender's wounds, he then sliced a volley over from five yards just minutes later with the goal gaping.
But Arsenal equalised in the 42nd minute when Walcott - urged by manager Wenger to stake his claim for a regular place this season - rifled the ball home.
Theo Walcott collected Nicklas Bendtner's short pass and, from a position to the right of goal, slammed an 18-yard low shot across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net off the far post.
An inexperienced Arsenal team struggled create chances after the break although Gael Clichy fired a free-kick narrowly over with 12 minutes left.
TRANSFER TALK
Emmanuel Adebayor's future at Arsenal remains clouded.
The Guardian says the forward refused to guarantee he would stay with Arsenal during discussions with his manager, Arsene Wenger, yesterday.
The Togo international did not ask for a transfer but, having been told by Wenger that Arsenal will not stretch their wage structure to keep him - he currently earns £35,000 a week and is believed to want closer to three times that to remain at the London club - Adebayor did not commit his future to the Gunners either.
Further discussions will now be held during Arsenal's tour of Hungary and Austria. The bulk of the squad, including Adebayor, flew out yesterday to face the Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladas this evening and Burgenland, of Austria, on Monday.
While at the same time Arsenal are bracing themselves for a bid to arrive from Juventus for striker Robin van Persie.
The Telegraph says Juventus are understood to be considering a £15 million bid for Van Persie. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would be reluctant to lose Van Persie, even though the Dutchman has been troubled by injuries.
And it's reported too that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen on two of Juventus' best youngsters.
Tuttosport says Wenger has posted scouts to the Beijing Olympics to check on Juve pair Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco.
Arsene Wenger also are tracking St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi.
Le Figaro says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger remains keen on Matuidi, having tracked the 21 year-old since he broke through at Troyes.
Inter Milan are also keen on Matuidi.
Barcelona striker and Arsenal's greatest player ever Thierry Henry is convinced Arsene Wenger will again have Arsenal challenging for the game's biggest trophies this season.
Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva have left, while only Premier League newcomers Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been signed.
But ex-Gunners captain Henry remains confident Wenger will be able to get a new-look side to gel.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Arsene always does it somehow. And hopefully they will win silverware next season.
"I don't know how Arsene does it when he brings in some players who make people think 'I don't know if they are going to be ok'.
"People wonder if Arsenal are going to do anything.
"But suddenly, like last year, everyone starts raving about how Arsenal are playing and what a great team they are.
"Unfortunately for them they were really close but did not win anything last season.
"Hopefully this time they can bring some silverware back to the Emirates."
Samir Nasri can't wait to get start at Arsenal.
The former Olympique Marseille star told France Football: "I'm so excited!
"I arrived in London on Sunday and had my first training session the day after, before we go on pre-season camp in Austria.
"I'm discovering my new team-mates. But I'm not lost at all, with all those Frenchmen! Today I'm very happy to be a Gunner.
"I have joined an immense club where there's everything to achieve great things. I'm delighted to be part of this new adventure. Arsenal are a reference point."
The 21-year-old has underlined that Arsene Wenger's presence influenced his decision to sign with Arsenal.
"He's been decisive," added Nasri. "He represents stability and continuity. We understand we can work on the long term with him. I think he's been at Arsenal for 13 years. It means the world!
"I was looking for that kind of guarantee to advance my career. I didn't want to go to a club, even a legendary one, where everything could change from one day to another.
"I know Arsene Wenger's going to help me improve. He has had a lot of success with other French players, especially youngsters he helped blossom."
Samir Nasri also confirmed French champions Lyon had also tried to sign him.
"Lyon made an approach. I spoke with president (Jean-Michel) Aulas by telephone. But it didn't go much further than that," Nasri said.
"At that point my choice had practically been made. I'd given my word to Arsenal and I couldn't see myself at any French club other than OM (Marseille)."
Samir Nasri also admits Arsenal's current and former French contingent convinced him about joining the Gunners.
The midfielder revealed to France Football: "I got a lot of information during the last meetings with France, next to William Gallas, Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini.
"Even if Mathieu has left for Milan, we know each other well because we have been educated at Marseille at the same time and he is Marseillais like me.
"He left Arsenal quite early but blossomed there. All his comments have been positive ones. Lassana Diarra as well only made good comments about this club.
"And there have been all the info from the older players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira who told me it's a superb club, that this experience had been one of the most beautiful in their career.
"Arsenal is a club that leaves a trace for life. Besides they assured me I'd have a lot of fun in The Premier League. They play and I love playing!"
Theo Walcott struck for Arsenal in last night's 1-1 friendly draw against Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium.
The hosts took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when former Hungary international striker Krisztian Kenesei broke through a static Gunners defence and chipped delicately over the on-rushing Manuel Almunia.
Justin Hoyte believed he had hooked the ball clear on the line but he was over-ruled by the assistant referee.
To rub salt into the defender's wounds, he then sliced a volley over from five yards just minutes later with the goal gaping.
But Arsenal equalised in the 42nd minute when Walcott - urged by manager Wenger to stake his claim for a regular place this season - rifled the ball home.
Theo Walcott collected Nicklas Bendtner's short pass and, from a position to the right of goal, slammed an 18-yard low shot across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net off the far post.
An inexperienced Arsenal team struggled create chances after the break although Gael Clichy fired a free-kick narrowly over with 12 minutes left.
TRANSFER TALK
Emmanuel Adebayor's future at Arsenal remains clouded.
The Guardian says the forward refused to guarantee he would stay with Arsenal during discussions with his manager, Arsene Wenger, yesterday.
The Togo international did not ask for a transfer but, having been told by Wenger that Arsenal will not stretch their wage structure to keep him - he currently earns £35,000 a week and is believed to want closer to three times that to remain at the London club - Adebayor did not commit his future to the Gunners either.
Further discussions will now be held during Arsenal's tour of Hungary and Austria. The bulk of the squad, including Adebayor, flew out yesterday to face the Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladas this evening and Burgenland, of Austria, on Monday.
While at the same time Arsenal are bracing themselves for a bid to arrive from Juventus for striker Robin van Persie.
The Telegraph says Juventus are understood to be considering a £15 million bid for Van Persie. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would be reluctant to lose Van Persie, even though the Dutchman has been troubled by injuries.
And it's reported too that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen on two of Juventus' best youngsters.
Tuttosport says Wenger has posted scouts to the Beijing Olympics to check on Juve pair Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco.
Arsene Wenger also are tracking St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi.
Le Figaro says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger remains keen on Matuidi, having tracked the 21 year-old since he broke through at Troyes.
Inter Milan are also keen on Matuidi.
