Wenger to Step Up Gustavo Chase
Arsenal FC will try and seal the signing of Bayern Munich’s defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the next few days, according to a report published by the Guardian.
The Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recently confirmed his club’s interest in Gustavo’s services but did say that negotiations with his German club are still at a very early stage. However, that could change this week, as they are expected to launch a formal bid for the Brazilian, whose fair price they believe should be around the £14million mark.
The 26-year-old’s potential arrival at the Emirates Stadium would bolster Wenger’s options in a position that has been lacking a consistent and quality performer since Alexandre Song’s sale to Barcelona last summer. He isn’t Wenger’s first choice though. Earlier this summer, the French trainer briefly pursued the signature of Bayer Leverkusen star Lars Bender, but his £18.5million bid was immediately rebuffed. Last year, he also showed some serious interest in his countryman Etienne Capoue, who recently signed for Tottenham Hotspur.
Gunners Confident of Landing Suarez Despite Henry’s Comments
Arsenal are not losing their hopes of signing Luis Suarez even though his club Liverpool are adamant not to let him go unless their asking price is matched.
Last week, Suarez’s relationship with the Merseyside club hit an all-time low after he accused them of breaking promises and reiterated his desire to join a Champions League-playing club. But their American owner John W Henry and manager Brendan Rodgers have made it clear that he won’t be sold this month. So annoyed is Henry over this saga that he recently told the press “that we won’t sell to Arsenal, whatever the bid is.”
However, the Gunners believe that the situation has played itself out just like they wanted, and there is no way that Liverpool can now keep hold of the Uruguayan. Their confidence stems from personal experience of the past few years when they tried to be as firm as possible in staving off Barcelona and Manchester United’s interest in Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie respectively but had to eventually bow down to their superstars’ desires.
Now that their attempt to exercise a non-existent release clause in Suarez’s contract has failed, they are expected to launch a third, more improved bid for him this week.
Fener Can Upset Gunners – Emre
Fenerbahce are capable of knocking Arsenal out of Champions League, the Turkish club’s captain Emre Belozoglu has claimed. (Goal)
The Gunners and Fener are set to clash with each other over two legs to decide who gains entry in the lucrative Champions League group stage and who gets demoted to the far less illustrious Europa League.
Coach Arsene Wenger’s men are naturally the favourites to advance, but Emre, whose club will host the opening leg of this tie in a week’s time, believes they have a chance of causing an upset.
“If we can compete well, I believe we have a chance against them. We want to gain an advantage by getting a good result in the first match with the support of our fans,” he said.
Crystal Palace Take Chamakh Gamble
Marouane Chamakh is finally off Arsenal FC’s books after Crystal Palace secured his services in a permanent deal and handed him a one-year contract.
The sale, which is unlikely to have yielded Arsenal any transfer fees, gets them rid of the Moroccan striker, who despite a promising start, struggled immensely during his three-year stay at the Emirates Stadium. He didn’t play a single league match for the Gunners last season and was widely regarded as a player not good enough for this level by the end of his career in North London.
But the Palace boss Ian Holloway is confident that he can revive Chamakh’s career and get him playing back at the level that made Arsenal sign him from Bordeaux on a free transfer in 2010.
The Daily Mail has quoted Holloway as saying: “It’s about him getting going again and I normally do all right with people whose careers are faltering. I love them and work with them. Hopefully I can get him back to what he played like when he first went to Arsenal.
“There was nothing wrong with him when he scored eight in nine. But I wouldn’t fancy being Robin van Persie’s understudy. It couldn’t have been fun.”
Martinez Badly Wants Suarez at Arsenal
Arsenal FC’s reserve goalkeeper Damian Martinez feels that the club should do everything in their power to sign Liverpool ace Luis Suarez. (Goal)
The Gunners’ last offer for the Uruguayan was of £40million and a pound, which was rejected by the Reds. They have been quoted a price of £55m – a sum the Londoners are reluctant to stump up. But Martinez believes that Suarez is capable of helping Arsenal reach the next level, and so they shouldn’t shy away from spending a little more than they usually do.
Speaking to Goal.com, the young gloveman said: “We are all waiting for Suarez to join Arsenal. Arsene Wenger wants him more than anybody else. I hope the deal gets done so we can aim at something more than qualifying for the next Champions League. Lets see if we can break the bank and bring him in.”