Arsenal reject Sylvain Wiltord appears to still be on the `mind games` pay roll at Highbury...The Lyon striker says Manchester United `don't scare anybody.` 13/09/04The rumours page Contents Page Homepage
PIRES SWAP FOR MALOUDA? 25 April, 2005
Arsenal's hopes of landing highly-rated Lyon winger Florent Malouda depends on whether Robert Pires will be included as part of a player-exchange. The 24-year-old has become one of the hottest properties in Europe, with Manchester United also said to be eyeing his progress. A price-tag of £5million has been touted for the 24-year-old, but it seems the defending French champions could lower their demands should the 31-year-old Pires be added to the equation.
COLE HINTS AT HIGHBURY EXIT 18 April, 2005
Ashley Cole has given the strongest hint yet that he could be leaving Arsenal in the summer. The England fullback has been tipped to join Chelsea after meeting with Blues officials in a London hotel last month, despite Gunners manager Arsene Wenger insisting the player will stay in north London. But Cole would hardly have inspired the Highbury faithful with too much confidence when asked whether he was planning to extend his current deal. He said: "It's just hard for me to say at the moment." Then again, that 'hint' could mean nothing at all...
COLE WANTS OUT 9 February, 2005
Ashley Cole is said to be angry with Arsenal for the way they handled his alleged Chelsea tap-up. Gunners vice chairman David Dein reported the Blues to the Premier League and has threatened to take legal action against Cole's agent and according to the Daily Mirror, the England left-back is now refusing to enter into talks over a new deal. Is it all going to plan?
INTER WANT PADDY
Inter Milan are once again on the trail of Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira after reports that the Frenchman is unhappy with Arsenal's failure to compete with Chelsea and Man Utd in the transfer market. According to the Daily Mirror, Inter chief Massimo Moratti is ready to offer Vieira a deal which would keep him at the San Siro until the end of his career.
Headline Of The Day 9 February, 2005
'Gunners Sharpen Clause' - The Daily Star.
Rumour Of The Day
Spotted by the Daily Mirror's 3am 'Surveillance' team: 'Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Arsenal's Kolo Toure at Club Afrique, Peckham, South London...' Mediawatch demands another tapping-up investigation.
NOW REAL WANT COLE 8 February, 2005
The 'Ashley Cole to Chelsea' saga continues in The Sun today, with the news that Real Madrid are ready to sign the 'unsettled/want away/committed to Arsenal' defender for £20m as a replacement for Inter Milan-bound Roberto Carlos. The Brazilian's inconsistency and ever -ecreasing defensive ability, coupled with Milan's interest and the recent speculation over Cole's future, has apparently persuaded Real to make a move for the England man.
'Cole is believed to have been offered the chance to triple his wages from £27,000 a week at Highbury to about £80,000 at Stamford Bridge. The Times understands that Cole was also told that the pay rise would be backdated. In effect, it means that Cole would be earning an extra £53,000 a week from Roman Abramovich from the moment that he says “yes ” to Chelsea until the day he signs' – The Times.
A FAIR SWAP?
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are ready to swap Jose Antonio Reyes with Real Madrid striker Michael Owen. Reyes is reportedly homesick in London and is keen to return to Spain, while Mickey Owen is English and Arsenal need a striker...it all works out so nicely.
ANOTHER YOUNGSTER FOR ARSE 2 February, 2005
Reports from Italy suggest Arsenal will sign 18 year-old Italian starlet Raffaele De Martino in the summer. The youngster quit his club Roma to sign for Swiss club Bellinozna, but will reportedly only play one season in Switzerland before joining the Gunners.
CAMPBELLINI? 1 February, 2005
Arsenal's Sol Campbell has admitted that he wants to finish his career in either Italy or Spain. The England defender told The Guardian: "I'm 30 now and in five years' time I won't be in this country. That's definite. Italy looks good to me because it would suit my kind of football. Spain is an option. But the idea of tasting a new culture, and learning another language, excites me the most. I'm starting a little with French. of course." He is also keen to try his hand at acting as well, apparently...
TRIO IN AT HIGHBURY? 13 January, 2005
As well as having registered an interest in Lyon midfielder Mickael Essien, Arsenal are considering moves for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, say The Times and AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, say The Guardian.
Arsenal are looking to sign Beveren defender Emanuel Eboue in January to shore up the back.The Ivorian has trained with the Gunners in pre-season and Beveren chairman Frans Van Hoof has confirmed Arsene Wenger's renewed interest
CAMPBELL TO CHELSEA? 15 November, 2004
Chelsea are interested in making a run for Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, says the Daily Express. The 30-year-old - suffering from a recurring thigh injury - is looking to negotiate a four-year contract in order to see out his career at Highbury, but may be prepared to repeat his Tottenham tactic - waiting till his contract expires and leaving his club with zilch in transfer fees. While several European outfits are interested in the England defender, the Blues are taking the lead.
KUFFOUR WANTS MOVE TO HIGHBURY
Tribalfootball claims Bayern Munich defender Sammy Kuffour has admitted he would welcome a switch to London and in particular to Arsenal. The Ghana international will be out of contract in the summer but has yet to be offered anything from the German outfit. Kuffour revealed: "My wife Francisca wants to live in England. She has family there and I'd like to play for Arsenal. I like the way they play for each other."
Headline Of The Day
'Silvaargh!' - The Sun on crocked Gilberto.
Quote Of The Day 28 September, 2004
"It was a love-hate relationship. He played me in a position I was unfamiliar with. I could appreciate why he was doing it but we would have blow-ups in his office - and there was nothing controlled about them" - Sylvain Wiltord in the Daily Express. Oh for the small change of replacing 'up' with 'job'...
EDU TO MANYOO 26 September, 2004
The People kick off this Sunday's gossip with their fanciful rumour of a switch to Old Trafford for Arsenal midfielder Edu. Fergie needs a solid midfielder, but the Brazilian, who has recently spoke of his desire to put pen to paper on a new contract at Highbury, looks set to stay where he is.
BERGKAMP TO HOLLAND
Ajax are hoping that Dennis Bergkamp will retire at the end of this season as, according to the Sunday Mirror, they are keen to instill him as their next manager. The 34-year-old came close to signing for the Dutch giants last year, but having cemented his place in the Arsenal side again this season, he is already talking about playing on for another year. 26 September, 2004
Captain Patrick Vieira underlined his long-term commitment to Arsenal by vowing to see the club into their new Ashburton Grove stadium in 2006.
Arsenal are scheduled to leave Highbury for the 60,000-capacity stadium just a mile away in North London in less than two years' time.
And Vieira, who visited the site this week, insists that he is determined to be there when the Gunners play the opening game of the 2006-07 season.
Given that he was on the verge of leaving for Real Madrid this summer, only to have a late change of heart that saw him stay at Highbury, that is welcome proof for the Arsenal board of his long-term commitment.
``I am really impressed with how well the stadium is progressing. It has really started to take shape and you can start to visualise what it's going to be like,'' he told the club's website, www.arsenal.com .
``The views are going to be fantastic from all over the stadium and I'm looking forward to being a part of this exciting time in the club's history.''
The stadium move is seen by manager Arsene Wenger as the best way to secure the club's long-term future, given that they will be able to raise significantly more income from the larger capacity.
Perhaps most importantly of all for the club's revenue streams, there will be 150 executive boxes, compared to just 54 at Highbury, as well as a rise in corporate seats from 200 to 7,000.
Indeed, sales of the executive boxes, which hold between 10 and 15 people and will be priced from £65,000 to £150,000 per season, are already said to be going well.
Arsenal are also looking into naming rights for the new stadium, which could raise an additional several million pounds a year, just as clubs such as Bolton and Middlesbrough have done before them, albeit for a smaller fee.
Managing director Keith Edelman recently revealed: ``We've decided to go down this route and we hope to reach some form of agreement by the end of this year. We would hope to raise a substantial amount of money this way.''
Arsenal will seek the right match for their brand image - they will not consider tobacco companies, for example - but they have been encouraged by the interest shown amid so much success on the pitch.
After all, Wenger's side aim to stretch their unbeaten Premiership run to 47 matches at Manchester City on Saturday, with Sol Campbell possibly back in the squad after his return from injury in the reserves on Monday night.
Wenger, who has another fitness concern over Gilberto Silva, said: ``It is a possibility, although at the moment I want to see how Sol reacts in training every day.
``The decision will depend on whether I feel he is needed or not and whether I feel he is capable of competing physically at the top level.''
Wenger is determined not to rush Campbell's return, just as he is careful with the rehabilitation of Phillipe Senderos, who has been plagued by injury ever since arriving at Highbury 16 months ago.
The Swiss Under-21 international, who suffered from a back inflammation and a broken foot last season, played alongside Campbell in the reserves against Coventry this week.
Wenger nevertheless insisted: ``Senderos needs to play for three months without thinking about anything else. He has not played for a year.
``When he has absorbed that first three months, we can speak again. Already this season, you can see he is getting better and better. He is physically much stronger but he still needs games.''
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has upped the stakes ahead of Saturday's clash against Manchester City by claiming he would love to sign Shaun-Wright Phillips.
The City winger has hit the ground running this season, delivering some sterling performances to earn a debut England cap against Ukraine - a debut marked by a brilliant individual goal.
Wenger admitted the 23-year-old has caught their eye and that he could follow stepfather Ian Wright's footsteps and turn out for the Gunners some day.
"He is getting higher every year," said the Frenchman. "He is a guy we have an eye on and we follow his progress.
"He has a tremendous work rate and tremendous penetrating power. With the combination of the two, and his improvement technically every year, he will be a very good player.
"He is a Wright - and the Wrights have a big love affair with Arsenal. At the moment I do not want to say we are buying him, but he is one of the interesting players on the right flank in England.
"Could he be at Arsenal one day? It is not impossible but I don't know yet."
Arsenal reject Sylvain Wiltord appears to still be on the `mind games` pay roll at Highbury...The Lyon striker says Manchester United `don't scare anybody.` 13/09/04Sol Campbell should be back for Arsenal before the end of the month, but Jeremie Aliadiere is set to miss the remainder of the season.
England defender Campbell has not played at all this campaign due to an Achilles injury, with Pascal Cygan on duty in his absence.
The Gunners have subsequently looked vulnerable at the back, but their ample firepower has ensured their unbeaten run remains intact.
Said boss Arsene Wenger: "Sol is back in training. He will be ready to play a game in two weeks' time."
However, the news is not as good for Aliadiere, whose knee surgery has ruled him out until March at least.
The young French striker picked up the problem in the Community Shield win over Manchester United, with scans revealing serious damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.
"Jeremie had surgery so we are without him until March or April," added Wenger.
With Sylvain Wiltord, Kanu and Francis Jeffers leaving the club during the summer, and David Bentley on loan at Norwich, Aliadiere's latest misfortune leaves the Gunners potentially short on firepower in the event of another injury setback to either Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Reyes or some fella called Henry.
Graham Stack Arrested September 5, 2004
The Republic of Ireland under-21 soccer international Graham Stack has been arrested in England in connection with allegations of a sexual assault. Mr Stack, who is now 22, is a goalkeeper with Premiership side Arsenal.
He was detained over an alleged attack on a woman in Beckenham in Kent in the early hours of last Wednesday.
currently on a season-long loan to Millwall.
WILTORD OR WON'T HE? August 29, 2004
According to the Sunday People, Celtic have offered exiled Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord a two-week trial with the club, while reports from Europe indicate that AC Milan are in talks with the French international. Wiltord refused to take a wage-cut at Arsenal and has since turned down offers from Bolton and West Bromwich Albion.
ANGULO TO ARSENAL
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger knows he has to continue to strengthen, if the Gunners are to compete in the Champions League this season. And to that end the Frenchman has targeted Valencia midfielder Miguel Angulo. According to Spanish newsapaper Marca, a bid in the region of £2.5m was made on Wednesday night, which Valencia chiefs are now considering. 27-year-old Angulo is in the final year of his present contract and has refused to sign a new deal.
Arsenal also have their eyes on Seville youngster Jesus Navas.
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Last Seasons Rumours
Jap Stam to take Cygans place according to the sun but his agent said it won't happen
Harry Kewell to Arsenal to liverpool to UTD to Barca, enter your own team here ________________
Rumour Of The Day
"Sol Campbell is auditioning for a role in East End gangster biopic ‘The
Guv’nor’" – The Daily Mirror
The Day After the FA CUP FINAL Deep Breath, Vieira is off to Real Madrid as is Arsen Wenger both are said to be very interested Pires is off to Valenica and Real Madrid Seaman won't get a new contract and is off to man city/ portsmouth/ lincoln city (delete as appropriate) Its' only Ray Parlour is off to Sunderland!!!!!! Arsenal meanwhile are interested in every player who ever put on a pair of boots KEEGAN'S KEEPER SEARCH Last time we looked, Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan was dead set onbringing the popular and charming Bayern Munich and Germany keeper Oliver Kahn to the club, but now, according to The Sun, he's turned his attention to David Seaman.
BLUES SEEK REINFORCEMENTS Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has a long summer transfer list, according to the Daily Mirror. The Blues are apparently chasing Arsenal's Francis Jeffers and Manchester United's second-choice keeper Roy Carroll, as well as being linked with Athletico Paranaense's Kleberson in yesterday's transfer gossip.
GUNNERS SIGN PAPA? Arsenal are close to signing Banik Ostrava striker Michal Papadopulos, say PlanetFootball. The 19-year-old has been on trial at Highbury and is understood to have done enough to impress manager Arsene Wenger into securing a deal. Wenger described the player as a 'diamond', so we might just well be seeing the Czech born Greek at Highbury next season.
MEANWHILE AT HIGHBURY... Arsenal are only chasing Leeds' Paul Robinson and Auxerre centre-back and former Manchester United target Philippe Mexes, who is rated at £3m, according to the Daily Express and the Daily Mirror
PIRES AWAY? Valencia are considering making an offer for Arsenal's inspirational Frenchman Robert Pires, according to the Mirror. The midfielder is pivotal for the Gunners and boss Arsene Wenger would be hard pressed to let him go at any price.
TERRY A BLUE John Terry will end speculation that he is on his way to shore up Arsenal's leaky defence when he signs a new contract at Chelsea, according to the Daily Star.
DESPERATLY SEEKING DEFENDER Arsenal's search for a centre back is now focused on Chelsea's £7.5m rated French defender William Gallas, according to the Sun. The Gunners have been frenetically looking for a partner for Sol Campbell since Martin Keown's age caught up with him and Pascal Cycan struggled to make the grade. Other defenders linked to Arsenal include John Terry, Burkina Faso defender Ousmane Traore and Ayr defender Mark Campbell to name but a few.
HOUSE HUNTING?? Last week Leeds' goalkeeper Paul Robinson was linked to the Gunners and now that he has been seen 'house-hunting' in North London (The Guardian) it must be true. What kind of pad could you get on a £7.5m transfer?
Just been told by a very good contact(very reliable) at the bbc...that rusti is a done deal. Don't how true this is(i did say he was talking a load of shite)..but he did tell me sol campbell and jeffers also van bronkhorst were deals long before they were announced........ Mexes and Cisse WILL be defo coming in the summer....with cash plus defo kanu AND perhaps WILTORD going the other way.... I'm only the messanger so don't abuse me....BUT MY CONTACT AT THE BBC IS VERY RELIABLE !!!!!!!
RECBER FOR THE PREMIERSHIP? Touch of the déjà vu about this one, but you can only play the hand you're dealt, can you? Arsenal are showing a renewed interest in Fenerbahce's impressive Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber, after an inspirational performance against England in the Euro qualifiers. The Gunners are said to be favourites to sign him ahead of, of course, Manchester United. Thisexciting new development was brought to you in association with The Daily Telegraph. ARSENAL EYE THE FUTURE Arsenal are keeping tabs on Czech club Banik Ostrava's youngster Michal Papadopulos, according to PlanetFootball. The Greek striker has been compared to Milan Baros of Liverpool, and is touted as a future star.
DESPERATLY SEEKING DEFENDER Arsenal's search for a centre back is now focused on Chelsea's £7.5m rated French defender William Gallas, according to the Sun. The Gunners have been frenetically looking for a partner for Sol Campbell since Martin Keown's age caught up with him and Pascal Cycan struggled to make the grade. Other defenders linked to Arsenal include John Terry, Burkina Faso defender Ousmane Traore and Ayr defender Mark Campbell to name but a few.
HOUSE HUNTING?? Last week Leeds' goalkeeper Paul Robinson was linked to the Gunners and now that he has been seen 'house-hunting' in North London (The Guardian) it must be true. What kind of pad could you get on a £7.5m transfer?
‘RECBER TO JOIN GUNNERS
It seems that the transfer that has been mooted for the last year may finally
come off – with Turkish keeper Rustu Recber set to complete a free transfer
move to Arsenal, according to the Daily Express. 06 April 2003
Worst Headline Of The Day
'Top Pat' - The Sun. On Patrick Vieira. Heavens above. 24 March 2003
LOMAIA: ‘ARSENAL WANT ME’
Georgian international keeper Georgi Lomaia is the latest eastern European goalkeeper
to claim that Arsenal are interested in his services – becoming roughly the
427th stopper to be ‘the new David Seaman’. The Locomotiv Tbilisi man said:
“The club have told me about Arsenal’s interest in me so I have a lot of expectations.
Arsenal is a superb club.” source Football365
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