Just heard a WOW kind of rumour. That transfer news I mentioned the other day well apparently there are whispers around that we've signed Aly Cissokho from Lyon. Apparently will be announced at 11 tonight on the Lyon website. basically confirms that either Clichy is the player being exchanged or that he's off somewhere else, probably Juve.

That's if this is all true of course. I'm smelling a whole load of bullshit just around the corner.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 1/4/2011 06:09:20 PM

[size=6]Preview: Arsenal - Blackburn[/size]

By Richard Clarke

You might not think it but, right now, Arsène Wenger really does have all he needs.

The last international break of the campaign has just finished so the Arsenal manager goes into the final nine Premier League games of the season with a relatively fit squad, no distractions and, most importantly, his destiny in his own hands.

February ended with a Carling Cup Final defeat, March saw them stumble out of two more competitions but April just might still be their salvation.

There have been vultures circling over Arsenal’s season ever since that defeat at Barcelona. And the scent of weakness grew a little more pungent a fortnight ago after the 2-2 draw at West Brom.

Manchester United’s narrow 1-0 win over Bolton on the same day hauled them five points ahead in the table having played a game more. If the leaders beat West Ham on Saturday lunchtime, the gap will be a mighty eight points by the time Arsenal kick-off in the early evening fixture against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium.

However, at the same time, Wenger knows his side WILL be champions if they win these nine games and so he has no time for recrimination, reflection and regret. The margins are too thin and time too short.

“If you worry about yesterday, you harm tomorrow’s chances,” he mused at Friday’s press conference. “Let’s just look forward at what we can achieve.

“Nobody can say we have not tried to go for everything but what is important now is just to focus on what we still can achieve and what would be a magnificent season.

“We have been a bit unlucky with the fixtures because we had many important games one after the other. It was very difficult to deal with that because we lost many players but, attitude-wise, this group has been fantastic and they deserve to be rewarded.

“We are in April now. We did not have many games in March but we kept our unbeaten run going even when it was under threat at West Brom when we were 2-0 down. We had a difficult month on all fronts so now it’s a new start for us.”

If Arsenal do win the title, March may be viewed retrospectively as being beneficial by ‘clearing the decks’. Having been busy to a record-breaking extent in January and February, Arsenal have now just one midweek fixture remaining. On the other hand, Manchester United must juggle FA Cup and Champions League commitments while battling to keep their noses in front in the title race.

“I don’t know how much of a factor that will be,” admitted Wenger. “But it could be a help for us because in December, January and February we basically played nine games per month. In the end it was too much. We lost important players for key games.

“We have a week to recover between every game now. That should help us but let’s just focus on our performances and not [wait for] anybody else to slip up. It’s down to us.”

The two-week gap since West Brom has allowed Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Song (knee), Abou Diaby (groin) and Theo Walcott (ankle) to return. Robin van Persie (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) have recovered after picking up injuries on international duty in midweek. Denilson (toe) and Aaron Ramsey (groin) miss out.

History would suggest Blackburn are the perfect opponents for Arsenal this weekend. The Lancashire side have lost their last seven encounters against Wenger’s men conceding, on average, 3.5 goals per game. Steve Kean’s outfit have not won in their last six games this season whereas Wenger’s men are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches.

Blackburn have lost all six away games in 2011 conceding 18 goals. Arsenal, on the other hand, have registered four wins and two draws at Emirates Stadium this year conceding just once – and that was a Louis Saha’s controversial goal for Everton in February.

However, after somewhat surprisingly replacing Sam Allardyce with Kean, Blackburn have succeeded in keeping themselves out of the drop zone. They have zig-zagged across the median line of the Premier League for four months, going as high as seventh but arriving this weekend in 13th spot.

“Blackburn are with all the clubs down there where it is very tight to stay in the Premier League,” said Wenger. “But, for me, Steve Kean has done a good job.”

The top flight has been difficult to decode all season. The perception is that the champions will be relatively weak in comparison to previous years whereas the bottom side will be relatively strong. For Wenger, this is not an indication of dropping standards at the top. It is just that an overall rise in quality has left the title contenders room for fewer off days.

“The top sides are not weaker just less consistent maybe because the bottom teams are stronger,” he said. “Also, from our side, maybe it is because we have gone for all competitions.

“We are on a run of 12 unbeaten games so that is consistency. We had problems at the start of the season to be consistent but since November we have been extremely consistent. We went out against Barcelona under very special circumstances. The only regret we can maybe have is the Carling Cup Final in the last minute. But we have gone on for many games now and done well.

“I don’t know if we need to stay unbeaten until the end of the season but that is our target.

“We need to continue our run and also just win again because we haven’t beaten Sunderland and West Brom. It’s important for us [to get a victory].

“Of course it’s important to have the good basis of an unbeaten run [ongoing] but what will make the difference is the three points against Blackburn.”
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3284827/first-team/arsenal-v-blackburn-rovers?tab=preview

We'll be selling Almunia and that's it. We won't be buying any keeper in the summer. Szczesny #1, Fabianski #2 and Mannone #3. I'm more than happy with that. No point buying a good consistent keeper when we already have one in Szczesny.

In goal is the least of our problems. I'd much rather we buy elsewhere first.

nameley an experienced CB,, maybe Upson

Edited by catbert: 4/4/2011 05:33:59 PM

Arsenal are set to make an audacious bid to sign West Ham United’s talisman Scott Parker but are only likely to be successful if the Hammers are relegated.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed another fine season culminating in an England call-up and a nomination for this season’s PFA Player of the Year award.
The former Chelsea player signed a new five-year deal last September but if West Ham are relegated they will need to remove his £70,000 a week wages.
The People report The Irons’ co-owner David Gold is willing to give the talisman a new contract and wage increase if they stay in the top flight.
But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will test the East London’s club resolve with a £5million bid for their star.
The Frenchman is looking for an experienced defensive minded ball player to act as cover for Alex Song.
The Gunners boss sees Parker as ideal because of his experience and never-say-die attitude.
Parker would jump at the chance to play Champions League football again and to win some medals before his career is over.

Would love the Scott Parker deal. Ray Parlouresque and experienced, and will push Song to achieve his definite potential, why not?

Great to hear about Frimpong, the lad is a physical beast and looking forward to his development. Forsee a loan, ecspecially since he missed a whole year pretty much.

Don't know about Young bit iffy but wouldn't spend 25 mill on a player, when we can get a player of equal quality and cheaper.

Signings
-Parker
-Jagielka
-Cavani
-Hazard

Next Seasons

Ins:
Gk: Lloris/Stekelenburg/Reina

Seriously when will people realise that we will not be buying a keeper nor do we need one ffs.

I guess every Arsenal fan who says we should buy a keeper is therefore happy to see Szczesny?

Or maybe they just realise that it's pretty stupid to put all your faith in a kid whose played all of 15 first team games.

You mean the kid that's proven he's good enough and is already our #1.

I'd rather have him as #1 than sell him that's for sure.

He's your number 1 because your other options are shit. Sure, he's shown promise, but it's idiotic to call him proven after just 15 games. Half of which were against lower opposition in cup games.

Why can't you keep him as #2? What happens if he gets injured as #1? Almunia? Lehmann? Mannone? None of those inspire you with confidence. Szczesny is a good back up - but you should be signing a top top goalkeeper in the summer.

Next Seasons

Ins:
Gk: Lloris/Stekelenburg/Reina

Why will you lose him? Does he think he is too good to be #2 at the age of 20 at a club like Arsenal? :roll: He needs to get over himself if true.

"The title is ours this year" - every season.

"We're going to KO Barcelona!" - this year.

"We're going to do the quadruple!" - this year.

"Szczesny is a great first choice keeper" - you're kidding right?