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/]

Goodbye Henry

Arsene Wenger had already managed Thierry Henry at Monaco before bringing the striker to Highbury from Juventus in 1999.

It proves a prosperous reunion and Henry's disappointing spell in Italy is soon a distant memory as the goals start coming.

All that changes in 2002 when victory over Chelsea in Cardiff completes a League and Cup double for the Gunners

Then in 2004, Henry's electrifying form - 39 goals in the season - leads Arsenal to a historic undefeated League title

Henry's part in the Gunners' spectacular League triumph is acknowledged with the 2004 Player of the Year award

And it's business as usual at Arsenal's new ground when Thierry Henry scores the winner against Man Utd in January.

Henry Agent Dismisses Barca Claim

Thierry Henry's management group has rubbished reports from France that the Arsenal star has agreed a provisional three-year contract with Barcelona. France Football magazine says Henry's agent met with Barca's sporting director Txiki Beguiristain last week.

But Jeff Weston, from the SEM Group which looks after Henry, told BBC Sport on Tuesday: "No such meeting took place. That is absolute rubbish. "There's never been any question of him not being at Arsenal next season."

Henry 29, signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners last year but appeared to cast doubt on his future last week when he said he was flattered by interest from AC Milan.

[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 Team Join Queen for Tea

The Queen has hosted a reception for the Arsenal squad at Buckingham Palace, four months after she cancelled plans to open their new Emirates stadium.

Captain Thierry Henry and other players swapped the Gunners strip for suits as they toured the State Apartments. They then sipped tea with the Queen, whose bad back forced her to miss the opening of the new stadium in October. The reception marked the first time a football club has been invited to the royal residence.

Theo Walcott, Freddie Ljungberg and manager Arsene Wenger were also in attendance, spending 40 minutes viewing the palace's historic rooms.

'Very international'

"The Queen was disappointed about not being able to officially open the new Arsenal stadium due to her back strain," said a Buckingham Palace spokesman.

"Her Majesty therefore decided to host a tea to thank those involved in the project for all their hard work and to have a chance to meet some of those she would have seen on the day."

The Queen, whose place at the Emirates opening was filled by the Duke of Edinburgh, complimented Henry on his "very international side".

The Gunners moved to their new stadium over the summer after leaving Highbury, which had been their home for 93 years.

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