Arsenal Fans Blog

Updated 20th October 2009
Top 10 Goalkeepers

Rank	Name	Team	Overall Ranking	Actim Index
1	Brad Friedel	Aston Villa	39	122
2	Ben Foster	Man Utd	53	114
3	Shay Given	Man City	56	112
4	Petr Cech	Chelsea	58	110
5	Brian Jensen	Burnley	60	108
6	Jose Reina	Liverpool	66	103
7	T. Sorensen	Stoke	67	102
8	Joe Hart	Birmingham	79	94
9	Carlo Cudicini	Tottenham	81	93
10	W. Hennessey	Wolves	88	89

Top 10 Defenders

Rank	Name	Team	Overall Ranking	Actim Index
1	T. Vermaelen	Arsenal	7	178
2	Ashley Cole	Chelsea	11	157
3	Glen Johnson	Liverpool	14	152
4	Patrice Evra	Man Utd	15	148
5	James Collins	Aston Villa	16	147
6	Tyrone Mears	Burnley	25	134
7	Michael Turner	Sunderland	27	134
8	B. Assou-Ekotto	Tottenham	28	133
9	S. Bassong	Tottenham	33	124
10	Vedran Corluka	Tottenham	35	122

Top 10 Midfielder

Rank	Name	Team	Overall Ranking	Actim Index
1	Cesc Fabregas	Arsenal	2	219
2	Aaron Lennon	Tottenham	10	160
3	Ryan Giggs	Man Utd	17	147
4	Gareth Barry	Man City	22	141
5	S W Phillips	Man City	23	135
6	Darren Fletcher	Man Utd	26	134
7	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool	29	133
8	Wade Elliott	Burnley	31	129
9	Vassiriki Diaby	Arsenal	32	126
10	Ashley Young	Aston Villa	34	124

Top 10 Strikers

Rank	Name	Team	Overall Ranking	Actim Index
1	Didier Drogba	Chelsea	1	231
2	Darren Bent	Sunderland	3	194
3	Robbie Keane	Tottenham	4	190
4	Dirk Kuyt	Liverpool	5	184
5	F Torres	Liverpool	6	181
6	E Adebayor	Man City	8	177
7	Jermain Defoe	Tottenham	9	165
8	Craig Bellamy	Man City	12	156
9	Wayne Rooney	Man Utd	13	152
10	Robin van Persie	Arsenal	18	145

Here the Full List from Top 100 Rangkings

Arsenal, Statistic, Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie, Abou Diaby, Vermaelen

One year after the first publication of the top 50 salaries of footballers, a team of Finance Football returns to update the table of the best paid players in the world. The main feature of the table this year goes to the sharp devaluation of the pound against the Euro, which made her fall in ranking some of the biggest stars to act in the Premier League. Moreover, there were some contract renewals of the best players in leagues Italian and Spanish, which have significantly influenced the top of the list, this year, without mastery of the English League for the remaining of Europe.

NOTES: The figures are the result of research carried out in more than 30 publications related to world football. Among them, the major newspapers and magazines in the countries of the 7 major leagues worldwide. The figures are unofficial and approximate, and depend on new contracts and renewals contracts . May over time be differences in relation to figures due to exchange rate.

Salaries Football Players 2008/2009

	Player	Club	Monthly	Annual
1.	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	Internazionale	€ 750,000	€ 9,000,000
2.	Ricardo Kaka	Milan	€ 750,000	€ 9,000,000
3.	Messi	FC Barcelona	€ 700,000	€ 8,400,000
4.	John Terry	Chelsea	€ 630,000	€ 7,570,000
5.	Frank Lampard	Chelsea	€ 630,000	€ 7,570,000
6.	Thierry Henry	FC Barcelona	€ 625,000	€ 7,500,000
7.	Samuel Eto'o	FC Barcelona	€ 625,000	€ 7,500,000
8.	Ronaldo	Manchester	€ 560,000	€ 6,760,000
9.	Ronaldinho	Milan	€ 540,000	€ 6,500,000
10.	Andrei Shevchenko	Milan	€ 540,000	€ 6,500,000
11.	Michael Ballack	Chelsea	€ 540,000	€ 6,500,000
12.	Steven Gerrard	Liverpool FC	€ 540,000	€ 6,500,000
13.	Rio Ferdinand	Manchester	€ 540,000	€ 6,500,000
14.	Raul Gonzalez	Madrid	€ 535,000	€ 6,400,000
15.	Ruud Van Nistelrooy	Madrid	€ 535,000	€ 6,400,000
16.	Iker Casillas	Madrid	€ 500,000	€ 6,000,000
17.	Frederic Kanoute	Sevilla FC	€ 500,000	€ 6,000,000
18.	Wayne Rooney	Manchester	€ 495,000	€ 5,950,000
19.	Michael Owen	Newcastle	€ 495,000	€ 5,950,000
20.	Fabio Cannavaro	Madrid	€ 485,000	€ 5,800,000
21.	Robinho	Manchester City	€ 475,000	€ 5,680,000
22.	Francesco Totti	Roma	€ 460,000	€ 5,500,000
23.	Toni	Bayern Munich	€ 460,000	€ 5,500,000
24.	Arjen Robben	Madrid	€ 455,000	€ 5,460,000
25.	Ashley Cole	Chelsea	€ 450,000	€ 5,410,000
26.	Deco	Chelsea	€ 450,000	€ 5,410,000
27.	Fernando Torres	Liverpool FC	€ 450,000	€ 5,410,000
28.	Carlos Tevez	Manchester	€ 430,300	€ 5,140,000
29.	Adriano	Internazionale	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
30.	Patrick Vieira	Internazionale	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
31.	Charles Puyol	FC Barcelona	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
32.	Andres Iniesta	FC Barcelona	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
33.	Xavi	FC Barcelona	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
34.	Sergio Aguero	Atletico Madrid	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
35.	Gianluigi Buffon	Juventus	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
36.	Willy Sagnol	Bayern Munich	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
37.	David Beckham	Milan	€ 415,000	€ 5,000,000
38.	Berbatov	Manchester	€ 405,000	€ 4,870,000
39.	Andrei Arshavin	Arsenal	€ 405,000	€ 4,870,000
40.	Didier	Chelsea	€ 405,000	€ 4,870,000
41.	Nicolas Anelka	Chelsea	€ 405,000	€ 4,870,000
42.	Paul Scholes	Manchester	€ 405,000	€ 4,870,000
43.	Alessandro Del Piero	Juventus	€ 400,000	€ 4,800,000
44.	Karim Benzema	Olympique Lyon	€ 400,000	€ 4,800,000
45.	Lucio	Bayern Munich	€ 400,000	€ 4,800,000
46.	Ribery	Bayern Munich	€ 400,000	€ 4,800,000
47.	Joe Cole	Chelsea	€ 385,000	€ 4,600,000
48.	Ryan Giggs	Manchester	€ 385,000	€ 4,600,000
49.	Xabi Alonso	Liverpool FC	€ 385,000	€ 4,600,000
50.	Jamie Carragher	Liverpool FC	€ 385,000	€ 4,600,000

1 EUR = 0.886274 GBP 1 GBP = 1.12832 EUR

Source : Futebolfinance.com

The 50 highest salaries of football players 2008/2009, The 50 highest wages of football players 2008/2009

Gerard Deulofeu is a pacy, technical and elegant left winger who can also play on the right flank, yet he is not a traditional attacking midfielder. In a similar way to Robert Pires, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Marc Overmars, he is a right footed player operating on the left, this is meaning he can cut inside with deadly effect.

Blessed with slick control, skills in abundance, great pace and a fantastic finish, Deulofeu really does have it all. Arsenal’s record for developing Spanish talents is second to none, indeed, Cesc Fàbregas is now a first team regular, Fran Mérida started in the Carling Cup last night win over Sheffield United 6-0.



He can take heart from all of that, and should everything fall into place, Gerard could lead a crop of Young Guns in the future.

Four of Spain’s big football agency’s have made approaches to represent the player, although as yet they have all been rebuffed. However, he does have a professional agent who is employed by the Deulofeu family, and reports coming from Spain claim Arsenal’s Spanish scout Francis Cagigao has already been in touch.

Chelsea and Liverpool have also been following the youngster after he starred for the Spanish Youth team in a tournament which was held in Holland, this prompted big media attention for the prospect, which has lured some of England’s biggest Clubs.



The Next Cesc Fabregas? I hope so ....

Gerard Deulofeu, Barcelona, Arsenal, The Next Young Gunners, Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted he may bid for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry under Liverpool's noses after landing Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre this week.

"I can surprise you sometimes, as I got one in whom you did not expect, and there still might be one more player coming in," said the Arsenal manager.

"You know the position, but I cannot tell you much more."

"There is interest always on Barry or another names, but I do not want to give you any names"

"Barry is a good player, but the problem with players who are 27 or 28 is that you pay big money and then you get nothing back."

"But we are not in a desperate situation because we have Song back from the Olympics, Diaby does not look too far away and hopefully we can good news from [Tomas] Rosicky in the next two weeks.

"We are not short, but one more body is possible."

On the subject of pursuing potentially cup-tied targets ( Barry was not able to secure a move to Anfield during the summer and is now ineligible for the group stages of the Champions League after appearing in Aston Villa’s UEFA Cup campaign ), Wenger also added:

"I believe once somebody cannot play for you in Europe, it devalues the player for the season - but it is not necessarily stopping you from buying a player."

This is perhaps the sign for Wenger interest on Barry rather than Xabi Alonso or Gokhan Inler.

While The Times says The Reds boss Rafa Benitez is eager to find a buyer for Xabi, but he should have to drop his £16 million asking price if he wants to do business with Arsenal. Xabi has played very well yesterday when Spain beat Denmark 3-0 on Friendly Match, he scored 2 goals for Spain.

Or maybe Wenger look in to Gokhan Inler, for a cheaper players ( £8M ) rather than Xabi Alonso ( £16M ) and Gareth Barry ( £18M )?

Arsenal's £10M bid for Barry has been refused.

Who will be the next signing?

Finally Arsenal signed French defender Mikael Silvestre on a two year deal, having joined the Gunners from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.

Mikael Silvestre (31), is an experienced and versatile player, played well at both left back and centre back. He has been with Manchester United since 1999 and winning a host of domestic honours including four Premier League titles, one FA Cup winner’s medal and a League Cup winner’s medal. Mikael Silvestre was also part of the UEFA Champions League winning side of 2008 and made a total of 361 appearances for the Manchester side, scoring 10 goals.

Silvestre, who debuted for French national side in 2001, has also made a total of 40 appearances for Les Bleus. Highlights of his international career so far are winning the Confederations Cup in both 2001 and 2003 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2006.

Mikael said on signing for the Gunners:

“I’ve spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I’ll remember that time fondly but feel I’m ready for a new challenge. Arsenal is known for playing technical and skilful football, and has a young but experienced squad. I’m really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the Club to new successes.”

As I said yesterday, Wenger choose to buy him for added an extra depth to his young squad.

I actually think this is the sort of signing we need. He's not going to play in front of Gallas or Toure, but he is a steady defender with bags of experience- what we lack on the back benches. More than 250 appearances for ManU td makes him without a doubt an experienced player. Yes, I would prefer Micah Richards or Vincent Kompany, but it is still a big improvement from our Senderos and Djourou who will be loaned out to Rennes.

And Another 2 very positive points is :

1) he wont have a long career at Arsenal and looks unlikely to impede the progress of youngsters like Nordtveit and Djourou.

2) he is leaving ManUtd on a free, so it’s actually a gamble that costs us almost nothing (besides his wages).

We should see this possible signing as a gamble where we may lots to gain but little to lose and if he turns out shyte, we’ll just flog him to Spain for approx. £2m like we did with Cygan.

Remember our best back four (Cole,Adams,Keown,Lauren)? Hopes that Mikael Silvestre will added the current back four a strength and experience like them before.

Mikael will join up with his team-mates immediately and will wear shirt number 18.

Arsenal could soon announce the shock signing of Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre for a value in the region of £750,000

Who is Mikaël Silvestre?

His Full Name is Mikaël Samy Silvestre was born on Chambray-lès-Tours, France at August 9, 1977.

Silvestre began his career with the French club Rennes in the 1995/96 season and in the 1997/98 season was signed by Inter Milan. Then he signed for Manchester United on September 10, 1999 for £3.5 million.

Silvestre is 31 years old and can play both left back and center back and has the Premier League experience that Arsene Wenger said that he wanted in the squad.

Silvestre is quick and powerful and would gel well with the French players in the squad. The Guardian claims that Wenger wants to partner Silvestre with Gallas in the center of defence. I wondered why Kieran Gibbs was being loaned out to Reading when we do not have enough left back cover and this could well be the reason.

Silvestre is not the commanding, organising leader that most of us thought Wenger would be looking to sign, like Toure and Gallas he is another recovery, speedy man marker.

I actually think this is the sort of signing we need. He's not going to play in front of Gallas or Toure, but he is a steady defender with bags of experience- what we lack on the back benches. More than 250 appearances for ManU td makes him without a doubt an experienced player. Yes, I would prefer Micah Richards or Vincent Kompany, but it is still a big improvement from our Senderos.

Another 2 very positive points is :

1) he wont have a long career at Arsenal and looks unlikely to impede the progress of youngsters like Nordtveit.

2) he is leaving ManUtd on a free, so it’s actually a gamble that costs us almost nothing (besides his wages).

We should see this possible signing as a gamble where we may lots to gain but little to lose and if he turns out shyte, we’ll just flog him to Spain for approx. £2m like we did with Cygan.

We shall see in the next 24 hours if there is any substance to this rumour.

I'm very interested with 1970's Gooner thoughts about Jack Wilshere,

What a find. He is another Fabregas in the sense that he can play against men and not only survive but impose himself on the game.

Just as Fabregas used to do when he was his age. Do you remember Fabregas’s display against Manchester United in a Charity Shield game when he was only 17 or so?

Wilshere has a low centre of gravity which, along with his skill and ball control, uses quite well to trick his way past players. He will be really big for Arsenal and for England in the not too distant future.

Jack Wilshere already at Arsenal since October 2001, as a nine year-old, left-footed Jack is a mature, brave whole-hearted, creative player who scores and makes goals, as well as being a fine tackler.

Last year he scored 13 times in 19 Under-18 league outings, and also scored twice from two reserve team starts, all while still a schoolboy.

Jack Wilshere marked his debut for Arsenal reserves with a goal in the 1-1 draw at Reading in February 2008, then netted a memorable curling effort in the 2-0 home win over West Ham in April.

With his goalscoring exploits for the first team in pre-season, the highly rated youngster has been impressing at Arsenal, and many of Arsenal fans talked about him.



A special report from Matt Fortune ( arsenal.com ) said this

Jack Wilshere is a shining example that talent triumphs over both age and nationality at Arsenal.

In his 11 year spell with the Gunners, Arsène Wenger has, at times, been criticised for failing to develop English talent ripe for senior football. There is little evidence to bear this out and a glance at playing personnel in England’s top two divisions tells a very different story. James Harper, Ashley Cole, Stuart Taylor, Fabrice Muamba, Anthony Stokes, Jermaine Pennant, Jerome Thomas, Steven Sidwell, David Bentley to name a handful; all have made an impact in the Premier League after cutting their teeth with the Gunners.

This pre-season young Jack Wilshere has emerged, and, after his impressive early form, the 16-year old will wear the No 19 shirt recently vacated by Gilberto.

Reserve Team manager Neil Banfield, who has witnessed the growth of Wilshere since the Hertfordshire native joined the Club aged nine, is adamant the attack-minded midfielder can prosper in north London.

“If the young players work hard at their game, listen to the advice of the coaching staff, they realise they will have every opportunity here," Banfield told Arsenal.com. "The manager has always said he will play them if they are good enough, and he is true to his word; he always has been in every way. But the bar is extremely high and you have to be over it to get the opportunity.

“Jack was given the opportunity by the manager to go on the Austrian Training Camp, along with five others who have all done really well. Jack has taken his chance, and he is one of quite a few we have here that we have high hopes for.

“You have to adapt to the physical aspects of the game, and I think Jack is strong enough. It is about how you physically develop and I think with Jack, even at 16, it doesn’t mean he won’t be as physically strong as someone at 18 or even someone at 20.

“That has been the benefit of our Reserve team. The experienced players that our lads are up against means they learn on the pitch. The senior players then show them what to do while the game is going on. That is carried on for the young lads who learned so much in Austria.”

Theo Walcott told Sky Sports about Jack Wlshere :

"He is a brilliant young lad, brilliant kid and it will be brilliant to work with him this year.

"I will be there for him if he wants anything and I will be close to him, but I am sure he will be in and out of the team this year and that shows a lot of confidence for a 16-year-old to come and do what he has done, to come through the ranks is difficult at one of the best teams in the world.

"I am sure he will be brilliant in the Carling Cup team and the Premier League if he plays."

Finally, Arsene Wenger named Jack Wilshere in Arsenal's first team squad for the 2008/2009 season. He will take the No 19 shirt in the forthcoming campaign. That number was vacated by Gilberto when the Brazilian left for Panathinaikos last month.



Let's pray for Jack Wilshere successful season ahead of him.

Arsenal are ready to hand manager Arsene Wenger a place on the club's board.

The Daily Mail says Wenger is to be offered a role on the Arsenal board as part of a long-term strategy to keep hold of the most successful manager in the club's history.

In a move which has echoes of the job for life' promise made by former vice-chairman David Dein, the role has already been discussed tentatively by senior board members at Arsenal.

Although the possibility of Wenger taking a directorship will not prevent him continuing as manager, the club's director and powerbroker Danny Fiszman is exploring ways of appeasing Wenger after another quiet summer in the transfer market.



Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is excited about the young talent coming through the club.

"There are some youngsters doing very well for us," Wenger told the official Emirates Cup programme. "You've seen Jack Wilshere who is catching the eye at the moment. He is surprisingly mature for his age, you forget how old he is when you see him play. But there is also Jay Simpson, Mark Randall, Gavin Hoyte and Henri Lansbury who were with us out in Austria. All five of them are good players though, which is why I took them to Austria. All those players will make a career, and hopefully at Arsenal."

He especially named 16 year-old Jack Wilshire in his first team squad for the new season.

Wilshire, who featured in the Emirates Cup, has been handed Gilberto Silva's old No19 shirt after the Brazilian's departure for Panathinaikos.

The attacking midfielder joined Arsenal as a nine year-old in October 2001. Last season he scored 13 times in 19 Under-18 league outings and also netted twice from two reserve team starts, all while still a schoolboy.



Armand Traore has signed a new contract with Arsenal.

The 18 year-old French fullback has penned a long-term deal with the Gunners, it was announced yesterday.



Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says another trophyless season won't be good enough.

He said: "Arsenal have to win something every year, that is our aim. If it's not happening, everyone is disappointed. I want to win as much as possible. Just look around at what is here, at the stadium.

"Any of the top four can win the title. I am not going to say we are going to win it because you never know. But I am committed to win it and so is everyone here."

Van Persie, 25 tomorrow, hopes to put two years of injury problems behind him and help Arsenal continue last season's progress, when they finished four points behind champions United.

"I just do not want to think about that negative stuff," he said.


EMIRATES CUP RESULTS AND VIDEO CLIPS DOWNLOAD LINKS HERE

Emmanuel Adebayor has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal.

"I'm very happy. As a footballer a lot of clubs will look for you but this club is one of the biggest in the world, there are lots of young players and I have a big chance to have a good career at this club," he told Sky Sports.

"When there is a lot of speculation they (the fans) believe what they read in the newspapers. The most important thing is to keep on enjoying your football.

"Some of the fans will love you and some will hate you but I'm in a good position and most fans love me. For me, what happened this summer is over.

"You have to come on the pitch, enjoy your football and show them you have desire to play for their team.

"Today I am where I am because they gave me a lot of chances."

Emmanuel Adebayor kept his nerve to hit the winner from the spot in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid yesterday.

The Togo international, who was booed by some sections of the Arsenal crowd on Saturday against Juventus, turned the jeers to cheers with the winner from the penalty spot against the Spanish champions.

Arsenal's victory saw them finish third in the final Emirates Cup table, with Hamburg - now managed by former Tottenham boss Martin Jol - securing the trophy after they beat Juventus 3-0 in the day's other match.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is confident all the rumours will soon be forgotten about if Adebayor continues to find the net for Arsenal this season.

"I feel Adebayor felt people questioned his commitment a little bit and the best answer always is to give on the pitch," said Wenger. "You play well and show you are ready to fight for your shirt and your team. He does that. He is a man with character.

"You know how it is. If you score goals people forget quickly their frustration.

"You have to show it with performances in this job."

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor also accepts he must win back a section of the club's support after a controversial summer.

Asked if he must rebuild his relationship with fans, Ade said: "I don't know. I think so. It's normal because when there is speculation, they believe in what they read.
"For me the most important thing is to keep on playing my football and enjoying myself. No matter what you are, no matter what you have done, some of the fans will love you and some of the fans will hate you.

"But I hope I'm in a good situation. Most of the fans love me and that's the most important thing."

He added: "For me, what happened in the summer is already behind me and now it's up to me to play my game and score some goals.

"Football fans are like that. You show them that you are happy and that you have the desire to want to play for your team.

"I will try to do that all this year. Since the beginning of the discussions I always told the boss of my desire to stay with the club.

"When you net 30 goals in a season, a lot of clubs come to look for you but this club is one of the biggest in the world.

"It's fun, we have a lot of young players and I have the chance for a good career at this club."




Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger won't panic-buy to fill a void in midfield.

After defeat to Juventus, Wenger told arsenal.com: "We are not close to signing anybody and I will focus on the players I have. If we can find someone, then we will do it. If not, I am happy as well.

"Experience-wise we a bit short in midfield but we will see. With Diaby not being injured, Denilson being available, we have quality in there. Today we did not have Rosicky, Fabregas, Eduardo, van Persie and Song. They are five top-class players."



Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was pleased with Aaron Ramsey's performance in yesterday's defeat to Juventus.

"He is only 17-and-a-half and we forget how young these boys are - he will be a top-class midfielder," said Wenger.

Aaron Ramsey is determined to build on his impressive first preseason with new club Arsenal.

The 17-year-old, who made a £5m switch from Cardiff to the Emirates in June, has already impressed Gunners fans.

And he told BBC Wales: "My priority is to get into the starting 11 for the first game against West Brom and go from there.

"I will just keep working hard in the (pre-season) games and training."

Ramsey has featured in all of Arsenal's pre-season friendlies so far and already looks at home in the famous red shirt.

"It's a massive step up from the Championship level," he said. "I found it quite tough in the first week, but now I've settled in a bit."

The youngster has seven caps at under-21 level, but has yet to win a full international cap.

But he is hoping to change that on 6 September when Wales open their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Azerbaijan.

"I want to get my full Welsh cap for Wales," said Ramsey.

"I've always wanted to play for Wales so it's a massive target to get into the team for the qualifiers."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was also happy to give 16 year-old Jack Wilshere a first start in yesterday's 1-0 defeat by Juventus.

"Do not be impressed by his small size because he is not phased by the physical challenges," Wenger told arsenal.com. "He really looks mature on the pitch, but he is 16 and we have to respect his development.

"However, do not reproach me now about not playing English players."



Arsenal fans gave Eduardo da Silva a rousing welcome as he was paraded before their victory over Real Madrid yesterday.

He has not played since suffering a sickening leg break against Birmingham last season but is already targeting a first-team return before the end of the year.

He said: "I was in Brazil for my rehabilitation and for four months I have worked hard every day for six or seven hours.

"For me it is hard because I like playing and five, six, seven or eight months without playing is very hard for a player."

Asked when he would be match-fit, he told Sky Sports News: "I would like to play tomorrow but I don't know. Before Christmas maybe."



Arsenal have made a bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Guardian says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants Xabi to form a Spanish midfield axis with Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal next season, provided Liverpool dramatically lower their £18m price for the marginalised playmaker.

Arsenal have made an initial approach for the 26-year-old Alonso, who has been told he can leave Anfield for the right price.

The Gunners rate Xabi at £10.5 million and the deal will remain only a remote possibility unless Arsenal revise their stance.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no doubts over the commitment of Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor played 45 minutes in his first pre-season game as Arsenal beat Stuttgart 3-1 on Wednesday.

And Wenger insisted: "He is 100 per cent committed.

"He is looking sharp in training. Will he stay? Of course.

"I am not worried, not at all. In other positions, we're maybe one player short but up front we don't need anybody else."



While at the same time Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has urged former teammate Emmanuel Adebayor to stick with Arsenal.

The German said: "If you look at every player who has left Arsenal, he has not managed to shine again at his new club.

"I joined Stuttgart this summer - but it is different for me, because I am a goalkeeper and I am also 38 years old."

Lehmann added: "It is wrong to write off Arsenal. Last season, everyone wrote us off and we nearly won the league title."



Arsenal are set to push through a deal for Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler.

The Times says Inler's agent has said that he is scheduled to hold talks next week with Arsenal about the proposed transfer of the Udinese midfield player. Dino Lamberti has said that the Switzerland player, who has four years left on his contract, would cost more than £8 million.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects a tough draw today for their Champions League qualifying round.

Despite the Gunners being one of 16 seeded teams, they could still face a tough test against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Sparta Prague, who all inhabit the unseeded portion of the draw.

Wenger told Arsenal TV: "There are quite a few teams we would like to avoid. That is why it is better not to look at it. We will just take who we get.

"We just have to improve now, to use the two tournaments we play to get physically stronger and better, then we will play who we get."



Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says Arsenal are a far superior football team than Premiership rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

"It was good to play Arsenal," he said after last night's friendly. "Technically and football-wise, they are far ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea.

"Ever player who leaves the club seems to do less well but I hope to be different in my final season.

"Arsenal's young players have grown in maturity from last season.

"But it is difficult to say about their title chances as the competition is tight."



Arsenal captain William Gallas has dismissed interest from PSG.

On his personal website, williamgallas.net, Gallas said: "I do not know where this rumour came from, but I've never had any contact with PSG.

"Personally, I feel very happy at Arsenal, at the end of this season I will have one year on my contract and a return to France is, for now, not on the agenda."


Arsenal are set to revive a bid for Hearts of Oak teenager Tawrick Jibril.

The Ghana midfielder had trials at Arsenal at the end of last season, but was set to join Atletico Madrid. However, the Spanish club have failed to close the deal and Ghanaian sources say Arsenal are back in for the youngster.



Arsenal striker Jay Simpson has revealed Millwall wanted to sign him permanently this summer.

He told Arsenal TV Online: "The manager (At Millwall) said to me that he wanted me to stay but I wanted to come back to Arsenal and try and get in the team.

"The boss (Arsene Wenger) told me to focus on pre-season, which I'm doing. So I'm just trying to work hard out here, learn as much as I can from this trip and hopefully take it back to England when we go back."



Tottenham's new signing ex. Arsenal David Bentley is delighted with his move from Blackburn Rovers.

He told a news conference: "It means the world to join Tottenham.

"Gazza was my favourite player, all my mates are Tottenham fans and there's a piece of my heart at this club.

"I didn't think they would be interested in me and when it became available there was nowhere else I wanted to go."

Asked about the fact he began his professional career with Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal, Bentley said: "That's in the past, I grew up through the Arsenal youth team but it's not a problem for me, all my heart is at Tottenham and all my passion will be tunnelled into doing well for Tottenham."

He immediately targeted a challenge for Champions League qualification, which would require big-spending Spurs breaking up the dominance of the division's 'big four'.

"We can do anything we want, anything we put our minds to. You've seen what Juande Ramos did last year; the fitness and level of play has risen and I want to be part of that, hopefully we'll keep progressing and doing well.

"It's all there for us - if we're all up for it it's quite possible."

Bentley continued: "I'm excited by it. There are a lot of good players here, you look at (Luka) Modric, Giovani dos Santos and I'm looking forward to fitting in the side somewhere.

"Making the move here was an easy decision to make to be honest. I've been trying my hardest to come here and be part of this. All my friends are season ticket holders. All I want to do is just get out there."

Spurs boss Juande Ramos added: "I'm sure he will bring the best ability to our team and we can help him maximise his potential.

"We are in a state of preparation now, it's pre-season, we are trying to share out the players on the field. We'll assess him fitness-wise and try and get him into the team as soon as possible."

Bentley has no doubts about the former Sevilla boss' prowess, adding: "Working under someone like Ramos is great. He's going to get the best out of me.

"I've got a lot of respect for him for what he's achieved. I've talked a lot to the other players about him and I'm sure he'll push me on to the next level. He's really good.

"I've been training and spent seven to 10 days on my own doing a lot of running knowing hopefully that the deal will go through. It's been very emotional.

"I aim to be as successful as I can. I'm going to give as much as I can. I've come here with a big price tag and I have to repay Tottenham with all my heart."

Cesc Fabregas insists William Gallas is the right man to lead Arsenal.

Fabregas has led by example in midfield and admitted Arsenal's collapse last season was sparked by the infamous finale at St Andrews, when Gallas lashed out at an advertising hoarding and was at the other end of the pitch when James McFadden equalised with a penalty.

However, he still feels Gallas' experience will be an important influence.

He told FourFourTwo magazine: "Maybe that (St Andrews) is where all our problems started. We had a month-and-a-half after that game where our heads were not right. William is a great captain, I really respect him, and the longer he is giving us the benefit of his experience, the better."

Fabregas has put himself in the frame to be a future Arsenal skipper at the very least, even if he told to concentrate on playing rather than captaining for the time being.

"I've shown I can take that responsibility and if I was made captain I would give even more - I don't know where I'd get that little extra from but I'd try to find it," he said.

"But I'm only 21. Right now I just want to win something for Arsenal."

Cesc Fabregas is also confident that the current team are on the verge of great things.

Despite losing Gilberto Silva, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb as fellow midfielders, Fabregas is confident Arsenal are on the verge of success and is not concerned by the only summer arrivals being Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey.

"We sign what we need," he told FourFourTwo magazine. "Sometimes teams pay a fortune for a player with experience, who knows how to win, who at key moments can win you a game - and that's important.

"But at Arsenal there's a different policy and we have to respect that.

"The day we win something with these players, with this policy, this atmosphere and style, there will be a big change - almost a revelation.

"I speak to people in the game a lot and they tell me about Ajax who in the 1970s won the European Cup with an extremely young team and changed the face of the game.

"People tell me that we are on course to do that, but we need that stepping stone of winning something, of knowing how to win."



Arsenal have announced the signing of French born Portugal Under-21 midfielder Amaury Bischoff from Werder Bremen.

The 21-year-old arrives at the Emirates Stadium after turning down a new deal with the Bundesliga side.

The Gunners have not disclosed any compensation fee to be paid to Bremen and could be forced to go to a UEFA tribunal to determine how much they owe the German outfit.

Bischoff joined Bremen in 2005 after spending his early years in France with Colmar and Strasbourg.

However he made only one senior appearance for the German team, in a 2007 UEFA Cup tie, and made the decision to move on this summer.

The versatile midfielder will join up with the Gunners squad upon their return from an Austrian training camp.



Samir Nasri made his Arsenal debut as Arsene Wenger's side came from behind to secure a 3-1 win over Stuttgart.

And Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was pleased with Samir Nasri's debut in last night's 3-1 victory at Stuttgart.

He said: "It was a very positive performance for his first game. He has all it takes to be a good player in this team."

All the goals arrived in the second half and came from the in-form trio of Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Jack Wilshere after Yildiray Basturk had put Stuttgart ahead.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also happy with his strike-force - particularly with youngsters Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela impressing in preseason.

"We're not as short of strikers as people thought," said Wenger. "Vela is integrating very well into the team and Bendtner was already a force at the end of last season . . . and he will confirm that this year.

"Overall, we are still maybe one player short. But up front we don't need anybody."

In addition to new signing Nasri pulling on a Gunners shirt for the first time, Emmanuel Adebayor made his first pre-season appearance, while former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann was in goal for Stuttgart.



Gilberto Silva believes former Arsenal teammates Mathieu Flamini and Alex Hleb may regret leaving Emirates stadium this summer.

The Brazilian has exited Arsenal for Panathinaikos this summer because he was not guaranteed first-team football, but Hleb and Flamini were first choices at Arsenal.

"When you win things, you achieve more than anybody else. You get better contracts, and more money, anyway," Gilberto told The Daily Telegraph.

"I can't blame a player who wants a good contract. But I believe if they stay at the club, they can earn good money and do a lot for the club and themselves.

"So if they win something, it means more and they are more appreciated by supporters.

"I don't know what the reason is for them leaving [Flamini and Hleb] but they could have stayed. If it's for money, I would think they're wrong.

"Most of the players who leave miss the club for lots of reasons. The lifestyle at Arsenal is fantastic. You get so well looked after."



Arsenal are set to make a fortune on Tottenham's swoop for Blackburn Rovers winger David Bentley.

The Mirror says Bentley will finally get his £17m move today - and Arsenal are due a hefty chunk of around £7m as a percentage of the sell-on from his original transfer from the Gunners to Lancashire.



Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is close to clinching a sensational deal for Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez.

The Sun says Craven Cottage boss Hodgson has stolen a march on Arsenal and his negotiators are understood to have agreed a fee of around £15million with the German club.

Bobby Zamora has already joined from West Ham for £6.3m, while ex-Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson has arrived for £12m from Everton. Now German international Gomez is close to agreeing personal terms.

Gomez's advisers had talks with Gunners representatives on Monday.

The 23-year-old's arrival at the Cottage would confirm Hodgson's intent to make a big impression on the Premier League this season.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied quotes attributed to him over the weekend about an ambition to join Real Madrid.

Cesc also expressed frustration over Arsenal's lack of silverware in the interview, but insisted last night: "I have not spoken to any media so it's frustrating to read quotes that I have supposedly said about my future.

"I have spent the summer relaxing with my family, friends and girlfriend and I return to training with Arsenal tomorrow.

"I think that some people are just trying to make mischief but my intentions are very clear.

"I am happy here at Arsenal, my future is with Arsenal and the priority is to achieve success and win trophies at Arsenal."

And former Arsenal manager Terry Neill says it's too soon to consider Cesc Fabregas for the club captaincy.

Neill said: "At this stage and at his age, I don't think he should be burdened with it. I'm sure he can do it but without it he is given the freedom to just play, rather than be the conduit between the team and manager.

"Arsene might get a bit more out of Gallas by giving him back the captaincy."



Carlos Vela grabbed his first goals in an Arsenal shirt in yesterday's 10-2 thrashing of Burgenland in their pre-season friendly in Ritzing.

Nicklas Bendtner scored four goals and Mexican starlet Vela grabbed a hat-trick in the Gunners romp.

View His goals here.



Emmanuel Adebayor is edging towards signing a bumper new contract at Arsenal.

The Mirror says it now looks certain that Togo striker Adebayor will sign a new four-year deal at £75,000-a-week.





Arsenal captain William Gallas says the club's new signings will soon settle in.

Youngsters Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been brought and Gallas said: "They are young. They are very shy, but it won't be difficult for them to settle in. The squad is fantastic, the atmosphere is very good, so I think it will be fine for them.

"We have to win something because the trophies are more important at the end of the season. Last season we were near to winning something, I hope this season it will be different. Everybody knows what they have to do, we are ready."



Arsenal captain William Gallas admits he made mistakes last season.

The Frenchman's leadership came under close scrutiny as Arsenal's trophy challenge fell away after Christmas, with ugly episodes such as Gallas lashing out at an advertising hoarding when James McFadden scored a last-gasp equaliser for Birmingham City at St Andrews in February.

He said: "I learned a lot. You want to be the best captain, give good advice to your players, but sometimes you can make mistakes as well, so I think this season I know what I'm going to do and I know I am ready to change my way to speak to the players.



Tomas Rosicky insists Arsenal do not need to go outside the club to strengthen their midfield.

The crocked playmaker has backed Abou Diaby to cover the absence of Mathieu Flamini after his move to AC Milan this summer.

"I don't know if the coach will bring someone in," said Rosicky.

"I think that Diaby will be given a big chance to play often in Flamini's position. He was playing on the left when I was injured, but he is more a centre midfielder, the same type like Patrick Vieira.

"I expect a lot from him as I know from training that it is difficult to play against him. He has long legs and really is very similar to Vieira. In my opinion, he is able to do very well."



But in the other side Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to bid big to land Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso.

Portuguese sources stated last week that Wenger was preparing a concrete move for the versatile midfielder.

And the Daily Star Sunday says Wenger intends to offer £14 million to convince Sporting to part with Veloso.



Tomas Rosicky also says pundits are wrong to write-off Arsenal for the new season.

"It is something similar to the last season, when everybody was writing us off," Rosicky told deniksport.cz. "Now, it will be the same. Some players have left but I trust the coach over this.

"He knows what he is doing. Personally, my ambitions are not smaller and I think this counts for the rest of the team.

"Definitely it was an excellent midfield and it is a pity that we have not remained together as we were attuned on the same tune.

"On the other hand, if the guys wanted to leave, it is only their decision."



Alex Song is grateful to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for allowing him to join Cameroon's Olympics squad.

"I talked to the boss and told him that my country wanted me to play and he told me that if I want to go I can as long as I come back to Arsenal and show him what I can do," he said.

"Arsenal have a young team and some very good players and when I get back I just need to stay fit and do all I can to get a chance of playing for the first team.

"I want to do well at the Olympics and at Arsenal and I need to perform the best I can.

"My career is very important and I want to play well and show people what I can do."

Though Song admits he would love to help his country to another Olympic gold he is equally keen on Premier League glory with Arsenal this season.

"I want to win something and winning a gold medal at the Olympics would be very important," he added. "But I don't have a preference, ideally I would like to win gold and the Premier League with Arsenal."



Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is eyeing a shock raid for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.

The Telegraph says Ferguson is pondering a swoop for the ex-Arsenal captain after being frustrated in his bid for Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov.

Henry, 30, would cost somewhere in the region of £15 million after a less than eye-catching debut season last time around in Catalonia and Ferguson believes Henry could prove to be the perfect foil in attack for Wayne Rooney, allowing the England international to return to his former, more successful, front-running days.

Manchester United are also following Stockport County prospect Kyle Wilkie.

The 17 year-old midfielder is the latest starlet to come through Stockport's Academy of Excellence and has also attracted interest from Arsenal.



Arsenal U18 coach Steve Bould says fans can be excited about the talent that is threatening to make a first team breakthrough this season.

He told arsenal.com: "I was with players like Mark Randall at the Under-12s. The current Under-19s are the players that were in my first squad and it just fantastic to see them where they are. Someone like Jack Wilshere, too, who is around the first-team and doing really well, and Henri Lansbury and Gavin Hoyte have done a fabulous job to be where they are as well.

"Things are moving forward we hope."



Johan Djourou is hoping for a fresh start at Arsenal this season.

He told Arsenal TV: "I had that spell at Birmingham but before I had that I had a season [for Arsenal] where I played 30 games. Now I want to start again fresh and see how it goes.

"Last season was tough for me. The spell at Birmingham was good and I could play a lot. Unfortunately I got an injury that was there for a little while. That was frustrating because I want to come back and play. I feel good now and I am happy about that because I want to get started again."



Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler.

Arsenal have moved ahead of Newcastle in the race for Inler by tabling a £5m bid, says the Daily Mail.

The figure activates the release clause in Inler's contract, and leaves Arsene Wenger as a clear favourite to sign the Switzerland international.