Auxerre's Sagna Signs for Arsenal Club

Arsenal have signed Auxerre defender Bacary Sagna for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old, who was in the last France squad but is uncapped, has signed a long-term deal and said: "It is great to be joining Arsenal."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told the club's website: "He is a very capable defender and has played consistently well for Auxerre in recent seasons. "He plays mainly at right-back, but can also play along the defence or in midfield. He is strong and quick."

Sagna, who will wear the number three shirt, has been a regular in the Auxerre team for the last three seasons and won the French Cup in 2005. And Sagna added: "I know Abou Diaby from our time together at Auxerre and also Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini from the French Under-21 team.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk/]

Cesc Fabregas Hits a Stunning 25-yard Volley

Arsenal Club moved up to third above Liverpool Club in the Premiership table after sinking hard-working Manchester City Club at the Emirates Stadium.

Tomas Rosicky fired the Gunners Team into a 12th-minute lead when he slotted home Emmanuel Eboue's right wing cross. But Man City hit back when DaMarcus Beasley finished well just before the break.

The visitors looked the better side early in the second half but were undone when Cesc Fabregas and Julio Baptista netted with two fine strikes.

Arsenal Football Club 3-1 Man City Football Club

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Newcastle Football Club 0-0 Arsenal Football Club

Newcastle Football Club and Arsenal Football Club were both well below their best in a dull draw. The closest Newcastle Club came to breaking the deadlock was when James Milner's looping cross cannoned back off the bar with Jens Lehmann groping the air.

Arsenal Team were just as poor, but almost snatched a win when Gilberto Silva had two successive efforts cleared off the line by Nolberto Solano.

A major concern for Newcastle will be the groin injury to keeper Shay Given, which forced him off after 25 minutes.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger Denies Misconduct Charge

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct. The charge related to comments Wenger made after the Carling Cup final fracas and defeat to Chelsea at Cardiff. He was asked to explain his claim "the whole system is not honest", a reference to FA disciplinary rules.

Wenger also suggested the assistant whom referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off striker Emmanuel Adebayor was a "liar". This was not the first time Wenger had been at odds with the Football Association this season. A date for his personal hearing into an improper conduct charge after a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett during the Portsmouth match at the Emirates Stadium in December has still not been finalised.

And Wenger was fined £10,000 and warned about his future conduct for a touchline bust-up with then West Ham manager Alan Pardew at the end of November.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger - Persistent Injuries Were such a Blow to Gallas

Arsène Wenger laments the loss of William Gallas for so much of this season. The central defender arrived on transfer deadline day in August and seemed the perfect replacement for Sol Campbell, who had left the Arsenal Club in the summer.

He slotted in quickly but his season changed with the last kick of training on the eve of the Champions League game with Hamburg in November. Gallas hurt his groin in the process of striking a ball. He would not play again until February 17.

“He was out for three months at a very important period of the season,” said Wenger. For me he is very big player for us. Firstly because he is a winner and he is ready to die on the football pitch to win.

“Secondly because he is good reader of the game, good tactically and can bring a lot to this team “He was very unsettled by his injury and he was desperate to play and come back. It was a big, big blow to him.”

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Arsenal Football Club 1-1 PSV Football Club (agg 1-2)

PSV Eindhoven defender Alex threw Arsenal Club a Champions League lifeline with an own goal - then sent them crashing out with a superb late header.

Arsenal Team needed to score twice to reach the last eight, and looked on course when Alex diverted Denilson's corner into his own net after 58 minutes. Arsene Wenger's side then paid the ultimate price for missing chances.

Alex, on loan from Chelsea Club, headed in Edison Mendez's free-kick with eight minutes left for the vital away goal.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Hot Shot Between Arsenal VS Chelsea

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium gradually fills up prior to kick-off but many fans endure frustrating journeys after rail delays










The Gunners take a 12th-minute lead when Theo Walcott beats Petr Cech after exchanging passes with Abou Diaby










Chelsea equalise eight minutes later when Michael Ballack finds Didier Drogba who beats the offside trap to score










Disaster strikes for John Terry in the 56th minute - Diaby's attempted corner clearance accidentally hits him in the face










With the game in injury time, a mass brawl erupts and Mikel Jon Obi, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are all sent off

Arsenal Football Club 2-1 Wigan Football Club

Tomas Rosicky's first Premiership goal broke Wigan hearts as Arsenal Team fought back from a goal down in the last 10 minutes to move back into fourth spot.

Wigan Team took the lead when Denny Landzaat crashed home a superb strike from 35 yards that gave Jens Lehmann no chance.

Emile Heskey hit a post and missed another good chance to extend the lead, while Thierry Henry was also wasteful.

But Fitz Hall put into his own net to concede the equaliser, before Rosicky headed in Julio Baptista's cross.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger Praises Arsenal Team Fightback

Arsenal Club boss Arsene Wenger paid tribute to his "lions" for fighting back from a goal down to beat leaders Manchester United Football Club 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

"We won by never giving up," he said after Thierry Henry's stoppage-time winner gave his side victory.

"We began nervously and Manchester United Club started with maturity but I knew after the break we would have a go.

"They got their goal with their only chance of the half, but we fought back because we have lions in our team."

Arsenal Football Club 2-1 Man Utd Football Club

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal Win Over Liverpool Again in Carling Cup

It was the first time in nearly 77 years that Liverpool Club had conceded six goals at home and followed a remarkable contest, one that few would have predicted even despite the fact that, against expectations, Rafael Benitez opted to field a weakened starting XI.

Julio Baptista notched four as Arsenal routed Liverpool to seal a Carling Cup semi-final clash with rivals Tottenham. Jeremie Aliadiere ran on to Kolo Toure's pass to score the first, before Robbie Fowler flicked in to level. But a Baptista free-kick and tap-in either side of Alex Song Billong's smart finish made it 4-1 at half time.

Two more from Baptista, the first from 20 yards, sealed it after he had missed a penalty, though Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia notched late consolations.

Liverpool Football Club 3-6 Arsenal Football Club

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premiership
Sat, Dec 2, 2006, 12.45pm


Arsenal play local rivals Spurs in this Premiership football match at the brand new Emirates Stadium


Arsène Wenger is waiting on the fitness of Thierry Henry ahead of the North London derby on Saturday.

Th Arsenal captain has a problem with his sciatic nerve and tests will be conducted on Friday. Apart from that there were no new injuries in the defeat at Fulham on Wednesday.

“Thierry has to be assessed and we’ll make a decision on him tomorrow,” said Wenger in an exclusive interview with Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. “It is a problem with his sciatic nerve. Everybody else has come through the game well.”

The Frenchman rotated his squad for the fixture at Craven Cottage and pledged further changes for Tottenham's first visit to Emirates Stadium. He remain tight-lipped regarding the players who will go in and out but promised that the crucial Champions League game against Porto would have no influence.

“Not at all,” said Wenger. “The Tottenham game is the important game of the week now. It is in front of us. We must give everything to win this game then see what we do afterwards for the Porto match.”

( Edit Score )

Arsenal 3 Tottenham 0
Adebayor 20, Gilberto 42 (pen), 72 (pen)

[ Source : Arsenal.com ]

Arsenal Football Club 3-0 Liverpool Football Club

Arsenal club brushed aside Liverpool Club in clinical fashion to keep in touch with the Premiership pace-setters.

Mathieu Flamini put Arsenal ahead from close range five minutes before the end of an evenly contested first half.

But Arsenal team moved into top gear after the interval, Kolo Toure racing on to Robin van Persie's clever pass to slide home a cool finish after 56 minutes.

William Gallas was then left completely unmarked to head in Van Persie's corner to seal the win with 10 minutes left.

Arsenal Club wait on Ljungberg Injury

Arsenal midfield player Freddie Ljungberg will have tests on Monday to determine the extent of the calf injury he picked up during Sweden's 2-0 win over Spain.

Sweden skipper Ljungberg, 29, was forced off in the second half of his side's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.

He is "highly doubtful" to face Iceland on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Swedish Football Association.

If the tests show Ljungberg cannot play, he will return to England to be treated by Arsenal's medical team.

The Gunners Club will be hoping he recovers in time to feature in their next Premiership game, which is against Watford at home on Saturday.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Dein offers Wenger 'job for life'

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has promised Arsene Wenger a job for life as he celebrates his 10th anniversary as manager of the Gunners.

Dein said: "We want him for the rest of his career. If he wanted to give up the tracksuit he'd be invaluable in the boardroom in a technical role."

Wenger, 57, insists he has no thoughts of retiring, saying: "We have a young team and want to continue developing.

"Reaching the Champions League final last season gave us belief."

During his time with Arsenal, Wenger has won the Premiership three times and lifted the FA Cup on four occasions - including two Doubles.

He has also seen the club move to their new 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

Wenger added: "I listened to Tony Blair on the television and when he said that '10 years ago we started' I thought for a moment he was talking about me!

"He talked about how the world had changed in that time and our world has changed here too. The stadium is a concrete sign that we are going in the right direction."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Big Match Champions League; Arsenal v FC Porto

Arsenal Football club have slight doubts over midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (knee) and centre-back Johan Djourou (foot).

However boss Arsene Wenger said he is optimistc that Ljungberg, who missed training training on Monday, and Djourou will both be available.

Captain Thierry Henry is expected to start after playing on Saturday.

But Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Gael Clichy (foot), Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still a few weeks away from a return.

Head to Head

Arsenal and FC Porto have never met before. Arsenal have hosted Portuguese opposition twice, winning once and losing once. Most recently they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Benfica in the 1991-92 Champions Cup.

FC Porto travel to England for the ninth time. They have failed to win in their eight previous trips, drawing once and losing seven. Honours were even in the 2003-04 CL match at Old Trafford, when they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Emirates Stadium in London
Tuesday, 26 September

Wenger delighted with Arsenal win

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded that defeat at Manchester United could have been "decisive" as far as their title chances are concerned.

However, the Gunners won 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.

"A loss could have been decisive but this win reinforces the belief that we are a very strong side," said Wenger.

"I would never have thought that our challenge would have been over if we had lost but psychologically it might have been difficult for the players."

The Gunners had a great chance to take the lead earlier in the match but Gilberto had his penalty saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Brazilian slipped as he took the kick, making it easier for the keeper to save the effort.

"I've seen a lot of big football players miss penalties," said Gilberto.

"Afterwards a lot of my team-mates came over and gave me support. It helped me keep calm.

"A lot of reports said that we were out of the title race but those people are completely wrong."

Meanwhile, Manchester United skipper Gary Neville said Arsenal made his side pay for their sloppy play.

"We are disappointed. When you make mistakes in midfield they are as good as anybody in making you pay," he said.

"Our passing wasn't good and we looked tired. We gave the ball away too many times. We would have accepted 0-0.

"We had two or three clear-cut chances, but didn't take them. They had three good chances too."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Fabregas to sign new Arsenal deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will sign a new eight-year contract.

Fabregas, 19, recently signed a new contract that was agreed when he penned his initial deal with the football club.

But Wenger said: "The real new contract is now. Nineteen plus eight is 27. There are not many longer contracts.

"But when you are 19-years-old and are already a regular football player in the team, I do not have a problem. It is a wonderful commitment from him."

Spanish side Real Madrid expressed an interest in signing the midfielder during the summer - but Fabregas made it clear he was happy in London.

Fabregas, who played for Spain at the World Cup in the summer, joined Arsenal from the youth ranks at Barcelona in July 2003.

And Wenger added the willingness of Fabregas to sign such a long deal was a reflection of the investment and work they have done with the player.

"It is a reward for us because we brought him over at 16 years of age," said the Gunners boss.

[Source from; news,bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough

Arsenal Football Club were forced to come from behind again at their new Emirates Stadium to rescue a point against Middlesbrough Football Club.

James Morrison curled in on 21 minutes after a one-two with Jason Euell - and keeper Mark Schwarzer kept Boro ahead with a number of fine saves.

But Boro had skipper George Boateng sent off on 64 minutes for two cautions and then Thierry Henry scored from the spot after Emanuel Eboue was fouled.

Arsenal Club poured forward after that but Boro withstood the intense pressure.

William Gallas made his Arsenal debut and was employed at left-back - a position he was supposedly reluctant to play at with former club Chelsea.

And he was caught napping for Boro's goal, admittedly along with the rest of the Arsenal defence, when Boro took an unexpected lead.

Schwarzer was easily equal to efforts from Henry and Robin van Persie - and made one outstanding reflex save to tip over a fierce shot from Alexander Hleb.

Boro's doggedness in defence was typified by Jonathan Woodgate, making his debut following his loan move from Real Madrid.

Tough in the tackle and bossing his team-mates with authority, Woodgate led Boro's backline with a genuinely classy performance.

And in midfield, Boateng performed similarly, until he got himself sent off.

His first yellow card was unnecessary as he argued with the referee following a quick free-kick taken by Henry, which clipped the outside of the post.

Moments later Boateng clipped Freddie Ljungberg, appeared to hurt himself in the process and his misery was compounded when he was booked again.

And then it got even worse for Boro, as they conceded a penalty after Stewart Downing was judged to have tripped Eboue.

Henry converted with ease to bring his side level - and immediately Arsenal made three changes to their line-up.

Among those to come on was new signing Julio Baptista, the muscled Brazilian seemingly introduced to add steel to Arsenal's silk.

But he could not help Arsenal find a way through, and their usually measured approach play became increasingly frantic.

Boro will be delighted to have come away with a point, while Arsenal continue to misfire and the concerns must be growing in north London with the side fourth bottom of the Premiership table.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Arsenal Swap Reyes for Baptista

Arsenal Football Club and Real Madrid Football Club have agreed a deal to swap midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes for forward Julio Baptista.

The terms agreed are for a season-long loan deal but the switch could become permanent at a later date.

Reyes, 22, had long campaigned for a move back home and Real and Atletico Madrid had both been linked with swoops for the forward.

Arsenal Club had hoped to sign Brazil's Baptista a year ago, but he chose Real where he has failed to settle down.

Baptista did not train with Madrid on Thursday, with reports suggesting he was in London taking a medical and processing a work permit.

Reyes joined Arsenal Team from Sevilla in January 2004 and last year extended his contract to 2011.

Last month, the midfielder told the Spanish player press he was keen to leave Arsenal for Madrid, saying he had not adapted to life in England.

Reyes has not played for Arsenal so far this season with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believed to have not used him in the Champions League in order not to cup-tie the midfielder and reduce his value.

[source from;news.bbc.co.uk]

Thierry Henry is Captain Team of Arsenal Football Club

Name; Thierry Henry
Born; August 17, 1977, in Paris, France
Position; Striker
Squad Number; 14
Previous Club(s); Juventus
Joined Arsenal August 03, 1999

"This is my last contract. It is where I belong." Those words, uttered by Thierry Henry as he committed his future to Arsenal in May, were music to the ears of anyone associated with the Club.

Quite simply, Thierry is one of football's most electrifying talents. The French striker's skill, pace, eye for goal and selfless team play would improve any side on the planet but he is happy to remain the jewel in Arsenal's crown.

Last season brought another deluge of goals and some notable individual achievements. Henry succeeded Patrick Vieira as captain and grew into the role, ultimately leading Arsenal out in Paris for their first-ever Champions League Final. He eclipsed Ian Wright's Club scoring record last October and broke the 200-mark at Birmingham in February, a little over three years after completing his first Arsenal century at the same ground.

The Arsenal.com Player of the Season didn't do badly at international level either. He scored three times as France advanced to the World Cup Final in Germany and is likely to be his country's talisman for a few years to come in the wake of Zinedine Zidane's retirement.

According to Arsène Wenger, Thierry is approaching his peak. The good news is that he will enjoy those golden years at Emirates Stadium.

[Source from; arsenal.com]