Arsenal are lining up a bargain £5million move for FC Copenhagen defender Mathias Jorgensen.
The 21-year-old has only one-year left on his contract and the Gunners are hoping to take advantage of this and bring him to the Emirates.
The Denmark international has impressed many observers with his displays last year in the Champions League.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for a tall centre-back and has been left frustrated in his efforts to sign Gary Cahill from Bolton and Blackburn’s Christopher Samba.
The Frenchman will move for the player, nicknamed Zanka, to add more height to the Gunners backline which was left exposed last season.
Wenger ideally would like a defender with Premier League experience but will not pay over-the-odds for them.
Another possibility he is exploring is a swap deal involving Nicklas Bendtner for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.
The offer is likely to include the striker plus around £10million to get the highly-rated centre-back but Wenger faces a battle to make the Bundesliga champions sell their prized asset.
Arsenal 'set to boot out Denilson' after Malaysian friendly sub strop Arsenal midfielder Denilson could have played his last game for the club after being hauled off just 20 minutes after coming on as a sub during a pre-season friendly in Kuala Lumpur.
The Brazilian, who has already expressed his desire to quit the club, has been unable to find a team to take him on so far this summer, and as a result looked set to remain with the Gunners next season.
However, after being brought on at half-time during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over a Malaysian XI, the 23-year-old was replaced just 20 minutes later - prompting him to storm off down the tunnel.
It’s not thought the former Sao Paulo youngster was struggling with an injury.
And, if that’s the case, Arsene Wenger is unlikely to call on the midfielder again for the duration of the Far East tour.
Samir Nasri made an appearance off the bench and impressed for the Gunners, while Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky got on the scoresheet.
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Samir Nasri has decided to leave Arsenal, but the France midfielder will not be joining Manchester United.
Nasri, 24, has one year left on his contract and is reportedly reluctant to sign a new deal with the north London club.
He had been linked with a move to join English Premier League champions United, but Ferguson – speaking on arrival at his team’s pre-season tour of the USA – indicated that Nasri would not be arriving at Old Trafford.
“I don’t think he is coming to United,” Ferguson said.
“That is all I can tell you. I think that he has agreed to go somewhere else.”
Nasri has also been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City.
Another possibility is that Wenger may opt not to sell Nasri, allowing him to leave for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
If so, they would receive no return on a player who cost a reported fee of 12 million pounds in July 2008.
Ferguson agreed that it was a course of action open to Wenger, but said it would be unlikely to please the Arsenal hierarchy.
“That is his decision,” Ferguson.
“He is the manager. If he stands by that decision, it is a brave one.”
“I don’t know if the (Arsenal) directors will enjoy that one, but it is possible. Maybe he (Nasri) will have to stay.”
by Geraldine Lagard, Published Thu 09 Jun 2011 16:15, Last updated: 2011-06-09
According to an agent, Manchester United are on the brink of seizing Samir Nasri from Arsenal.
A Premier League agent has revealed through his Twitter account that on the grapevine there is news that the young Frenchman is ready to join the Gunners’ bitter rivals.
Agent Peter Morrison has insisted that while he could not categorically confirm that a deal has already been struck, the surprise move of the summer so far is moving forward.
"I'm hearing reports that Samir Nasri's representatives has indeed agreed a deal enabling him to join #mufc," Morrison revealed via Twitter earlier today.
Nasri is belived to be unsettled at the Emirates given the way the Gunners have failed to challenge meaningfully for the top honours over the last couple of season.
He well knows that he has a much better chance of landing silverware with United and Old tgrafford ace Patrice Evra has urged him to move to the Theatre of Dreams.
The French international has refused to speak to Arsenal about a new contract and has told the club that he wants new players to arrive in the summer.
Nasri also told French television station TF1 that he would consider an approach from Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: “Do I want to go to United? We should see if their interest is real and if it is concrete first."
Sir Alex Ferguson determined to land Arsenal schemer
Skysports.com understands Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri.
Speculation has intimated Nasri is on United's radar and skysports.com has now learnt he is the club's top target.
The talented French schemer's reluctance to engage in contract talks with Arsenal until he is satisfied their transfer targets are of the required standard to mount a title push next season has alerted Sir Alex Ferguson to his possible availability.
Despite being close to wrapping up a deal for Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea, amid widespread speculation Aston Villa's Ashley Young is also heading for Old Trafford, Ferguson's appetite for new signings has yet to be sated.
Nasri is seen as an ideal replacement for the retired Paul Scholes, with the centre of the field an area United's management are keen to revamp with fresh talent.
Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder has been linked but Nasri, with just a season left on his existing deal, could be a more realistic deal to finance.
Arsene Wenger would be loath to lose one of key men, especially given Nasri's exit would likely lead to other members of his squad questioning their own futures.
However, United are now ready to test Arsenal's resolve to keep a player who has previously intimated he would be open to the prospect of moving to Manchester.
For the convenience of football fans tickets for the Arsenal and Chelsea matches against the Malaysia XI in July will be sale at the FA Cup Final between Terengganu and Kelantan at the Nasional Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
Those who buy tickets at the National Stadium will get a special limited edition commemorative car sticker (while stocks last). Julian Kam, CEO of ProEvents Group, the promoter of the tours for Arsenal and Chelsea said the FA of Malaysia (FAM) have given them the nod ti set up a booth for the sale of tickets at the stadium for the convenience of all football fans.
"Whether they are from Kelantan, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Selangor or anywhere, they will be able to buy the tickets for Arsenal and Chelsea match. This is for the convenience of football fans." said Kam, who is also a FIFA match agent.
Meanwhile, the sale of tickets to the Malaysia XI, also at the National Stadium on July 16 (Kickoff at 5.45pm) will go on sale today.
Barcelona are ready to go to £40 million for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
The Daily Star says Champions League winners Barcelona have been trying to land Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas for two years but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly made it clear he has no desire to sell his captain.
But the Spanish champs just refuse to go away and have agreed to up their bid by £10m in an attempt to prise him from Arsenal’s grasp.
A source close to Barca said last night: “They still have not spoken formally to Arsenal about him. “They had wanted to do it while they were in London for the Champions League Final but it never happened. But they will not give up.”
As well as the improved cash offer for Fabregas, Barca would also allow Arsenal to choose one of their young players as part of any deal.
SOURCE: Tribalfootball Barcelona will of course push to sign Cesc Fabregas this summer but as previously there is no compunction for Arsenal to sell so a lot depends on the Gunners captain and whether he pushes for an Emirates Stadium exit and one wonders if it makes sense for the Spanish international to leave for the Nou Camp when he would surely just end up warming the bench until Xavi calls it day, which appears to be no day soon.
This source doesn’t state which Barcelona players would be on offer to the North London club as part of the deal but the likes of Bojan, Thiago Alcantara, Nolito and Jonathan dos Santos and Ibrahim Afellay have been linked with moves to Arsenal in the past.
Wenger has his work cut out keeping Arsenal’s top players at the club with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy both stalling on signing new contracts so he will surely do all he can to prevent his skipper leaving this summer. Pep Guardiola has stated his admiration for Fabregas but the Catalan club is apparently on a slightly uneasy financial footing and can therefore not make huge offers, hence the need to add players into the deal.
Given that Fabregas has spent eight years at Arsenal, mounting up over 300 appearances, but has managed to secure one solitary FA Cup success in the process, so one can understand if Cesc decided to leave the club but a move to Barcelona may end up being a mistake given that first team football may well be a difficulty.
Gunners confirmed that Malaysia will kick-start their first pre-season tour in Asia since 1999-giving their huge fan base here and in the region first hand opportunity to see Arsene Wenger's first team squad for the 2011/12 season live in action.
Arsenal's confirmation was announced last week by FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah, Tom Fox, Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal FC and Julian Kam, CEO of ProEvents Group, the sole and exclusive tour organiser of the Arsenal Asia Tour 2011.
Organised by the FAM, the Malaysian XI vs Arsenal match will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on July 13 and the kick-off is at 8.45pm.
Tickets for the match range from RM58, RM68, RM108 and limited VIP ticket at RM388 and are available at selected Nike stores at KLCC, The Pavilion, Mid Valley, One Utama and Sunway and Ticketpro outlets nationwide. Alternetively, fans can call Ticketpro's hotline at 013-78807999 or book online through their website www.ticketpro.com.my.
There is a bonus for those who purchase their match ticket from May 27 - June 5 as each ticket will come with a complimentary training pass.
Arsenal have signed Barcelona starlets Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin to five-year deals.
The Catalonia club are said to be unhappy about losing more products of their famous La Masia youth academy to the North London club.
Barcelona offered deals to both players but they were turned down as the footballers beleieve their futures are best served in England and under manager Arsene Wenger.
Both players are 16-years-old and have followed a number of Nou Camp youth academy products to the Emirates.
In recent years, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida and Ignasi Miquel have all left Catalunya for Colney.
Arsenal agreed a deal for midfielder Toral earlier in the season and followed that up with a swoop for striker Bellerin, who had offers from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Both Toral and Bellerin have signed five-year deals with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger is sure to be delighted to have landed two of Spain’s brightest young prospects.
The deals were completed ironically as Barca’s senior squad trained at Arsenal ahead of their UEFA Champions League final clash with Manchester United this Saturday.
PETALING JAYA: Local football fans of the English Premier League (EPL) are in for a fantastic treat in July!
Three of the Big Four of the EPL – Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – will be in town for a 10-day EPL Festival. However, the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
The three teams will take on the national side on three different dates in July.
Football fans can look forward to seeing the likes of Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and David Luiz (Chelsea); Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie (Arsenal); and Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez (Liverpool) in action.
Big guns: Three of the main stars from the English Premier League (from left) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) will be in the country for the 10-day EPL Festival in July. Manchester United, who make up the Big Four, enjoyed two hugely successful visits here in 2001 and 2009.
This will be the first time that three top English clubs will be in town since the inaugural FAPL Asia Cup in 2003. Then, the teams who came were Birmingham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay had announced last year that they would be in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in July for their Chelsea Asia Tour 2011.
Chelsea’s Asia Tour programme in Kuala Lumpur would include a friendly game against the national team at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, an open training session for the fans and community coaching programmes.
We've just come across this image of what's believed to be Arsenal's away (or third) shirt for the 2011/12 season.
The Gunners will be celebrating their 125th year next season. The shirt made be Nike is white with a navy blue collar and thin navy blue pin stripes running down the top. The Nike logo appears on the right breast whilst the Arsenal badge and Centenary motif appear on the right breast. Shirt sponsor's Fly Emirates appear across the middle of the jersey in red.
Its highly unlikely that Arsenal will use arch rivals Tottenham's colors during their 125th year in existence, but its a really nice looking shirt.
Double delight: Darren Bent scored two first-half goals as Aston Villa beat Arsenal at the Emirates Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By John Ley, Emirates Stadium Last Updated: 10:55PM BST 15/05/2011
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday May 15 2011.
It was described as a lap of appreciation but it was more like a walk of shame around a near-deserted Emirates Stadium as Arsenal finished their home programme with another embarrassing defeat that could leave them having to qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal conceded two goals in the opening 15 minutes to the rampant Darren Bent and could drop to fourth place on Tuesday night if Manchester City beat Stoke.
“It’s very disappointing,” Arsène Wenger admitted. “We were caught by a very bad start. We dropped three points that could cost us automatic qualification for the Champions League. It will be a big setback [if they have to qualify] but we will adapt our preparation to it.”
Of the 'lap of appreciation’ in front of as few as 15,000 patient fans, the Frenchman insisted: “It was not embarrassing, it was our job to thank the fans and you never have to be embarrassed when you do your job. It was not through glory but no matter what kind of result happened you have to respect your fans.”
Arsenal were missing key players, including captain Cesc Fabregas, who has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a thigh injury, meaning that he misses the final-day trip to Fulham and Spanish international action.
But even the inclusion of Fabregas may not have prevented this poor performance. The home supporters booed their team off at the interval and again at full-time and in between they responded to the controversial 6.5 per cent season-ticket price rise for next season by singing: “Six per cent, you’re having a laugh.”
And Villa were having a chuckle early on, taking an 11th-minute lead through Bent. When Stiliyan Petrov sent the ball high over the Arsenal defence Bent was unmarked. The England striker was played onside by Sébastien Squillaci but still had much to do as he chested the ball before volleying it into the top corner.
Four minutes later, James Collins’ low pass sent Ashley Young forward, and his ball past the returning Thomas Vermaelen handed Bent the chance to claim a second, which he took with a neat finish.
Arsenal responded and could have had a penalty when Aaron Ramsey was brought down by Richard Dunne, while Robin Van Persie hit the post.
At half-time Wenger replaced Squillaci, with Alex Song moving into defence and replacement Marouane Chamakh going into attack. But the change offered little improvement.
Chamakh did have the ball in the net but was harshly penalised for a push on Kyle Walker. A consolation goal arrived in the final minute, predictably from Van Persie, claiming his 20th goal in 22 games in 2011. Sadly, his team-mates have failed to maintain such consistency.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how he turned down the opportunity to be Arsenal manager just months before taking over at the helm at Manchester United.
The offer came early in 1986 and Ferguson was keen to take Walter Smith to London with him.
But Scotland’s World Cup campaign in Mexico that year meant the move to Arsenal fell through.
Ferguson made the revelations in Tuesday night’s match programme for Rangers’ Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Dundee United – Smith’s last match in charge at Ibrox.
Ferguson said: “I was offered the Arsenal job and I wanted to take Walter with me. So I said to him ‘Do you fancy coming with me?’ Then he dropped the bombshell that he was going to Rangers.
“The thing about the Arsenal offer was that they wanted an answer right away but I couldn’t give them one because I was going to the World Cup in Mexico with Scotland.
"So the Arsenal thing fell by the wayside. Walter went to Rangers and then later that year I went to Manchester United.“
Arsenal and Tottenham have been put on red alert after reports in France claim coveted striker Gervinho has rejected a new deal at Lille.
Magazine France Football claims the player's agent has announced the Ivorian will not be signing a contract extension with the Ligue 1 side after an offer was tabled last month.
The French club have now slapped a £10.5m price tag on Gervinho and will look to push through any move this summer in order to avoid losing him for free next year when his deal expires.
Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp are both rumoured to be interested in the player, who has scored 25 goals in 54 appearances for Lille, while German giants Bayern Munich are also said to be looking at the 23-year-old.
One of the latest Premiership football shirts to be unveiled for next season is the new Arsenal 2011-12 goalkeeper home jersey.
Many Arsenal fans have been wishing that the club would bring in a top quality experience goalkeeper for a while, so it will be interesting to see who will wear the number 1 jersey next season. This Arsenal goalkeeper shirt is manufactured by Nike.
The 2011-12 Arsenal goalkeeper home soccer jersey is mostly navy, with orange stripes on the sides and on the insides of the sleeves. Like the new Arsenal home shirt, it has the 125h anniversary crest, along with the white Nike logo on the right chest and the Fly Emirates sponsor across the middle.
Tell us what you think of this new shirt in the comments box below.
Jubilation: Arsenal celebrate Aaron Ramsey's match winner Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday May 1 2011.
Arsenal have blown the Premier League title race wide open after finally finding the character of champions to beat leaders Manchester United 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Aaron Ramsey's second-half goal - his first in the Premier League since Jan 2010 - saw United's lead remain at just three points from Chelsea, whom they face next week at Old Trafford.
The Gunners may have seen their own title ambitions extinguished following a run of costly draws before defeat at Bolton last Sunday, but at least gave their frustrated fans renewed hope next season might just be different for Arsene Wenger's young side.
Ramsey had only been in the team because of a thigh injury to captain Cesc Fabregas, but his well-taken strike on 56 minutes was just rewards for a high-tempo performance and meant the officials' miss of a penalty for handball by United skipper Nemanja Vidic in the first half did not eventually prove decisive.
Arsenal started brightly, with Theo Walcott causing problems down the right, and Jack Wilshere dragged an early chance wide from 15 yards after a poor clearance by United skipper Vidic.
Gael Clichy whipped in a low cross from the left but as Walcott arrived in the six-yard box, he was stretching and could only shin the ball over the crossbar.
It continued to be one-way traffic and, after 15 minutes, Patrice Evra got a toe to Wilshere's low centre across the goal with Walcott ready for a tap-in at the far post.
After so much pressure, United then cut Arsenal apart on the break.
Fabio burst down the right and into the area before pulling the ball back to Javier Hernandez, with Bacary Sagna making a last-gasp block just as the Mexican shaped to shoot.
There was then a massive let-off for United when Vidic knocked Walcott's cross from the right behind with his hand, taking it off the head of van Persie.
However, neither the referee or nearside assistant Andy Garratt spotted it - leaving the Dutch forward fuming.
When the dust settled, Wayne Rooney had a goalbound 20-yard shot blocked, before going into the book on 41 minutes for pushing Wilshere over on the far touchline.
Arsenal made a change for the second half with Samir Nasri, who tweaked a hamstring, replaced by Russia winger Andrey Arshavin.
United were awarded a free-kick some 22 yards out when Park was bundled over by Song. Rooney struck his effort over the wall, but Wojciech Szczesny dived to his right to make a good two-handed save.
Arsenal slowly got themselves back into a rhythm, with Sagna angling a low drive across goal before they swept into the lead on 56 minutes.
Ramsey fed van Persie, who charged down the right and into the area before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot, where the Welshman arrived on cue to dispatch a cool finish low into the far corner for a first Arsenal goal in over a year.
United now needed a response, and Vidic headed down and wide from a corner.
Tempers boiled over when Song went in on Nani and looked to have won the ball only for referee Foy to book the Cameroon midfielder, which saw several players involved in a scuffle.
Park released Evra down the left channel, but Clichy covered across quickly to bundle the ball out for a corner.
There was concern for Arsenal when centre-half Johan Djourou fell awkwardly and had to be replaced by Sebastien Squillaci on 60 minutes.
United sent on Dimitar Berbatov, back from a groin injury, and had another free-kick in a dangerous position following Ramsey's needless handball. Szczesny, though, was right behind Rooney's flick.
The young Pole then made an impressive save at the near post after Nani was played in by a quick break from Rooney.
Van Persie chipped the ball across goal after breaking down the left as Arsenal looked for a killer second goal.
With five minutes left, United sent on Michael Owen and the former England striker was screaming for a penalty when he looked to have been tripped by Clichy, but again the officials were unmoved.
Arsenal closed out four minutes of stoppage time to claim a victory which was probably greeted with just as loud a cheer across in west London.
Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing Barcelona star Bojan Krkic, according to reports in Spain.
Much was expected of the young striker after his prolific form throughout the club's youth ranks, but he has so far failed to produce his best in the first team. The 20-year-old has often struggled to break into Barca's star-studded starting line-up and has been utilised mainly from the bench in the last four seasons.
But sources in Spain have suggested that Bojan will look to move on in the summer in a bid to secure more regular first-team football.
The striker has started just seven La Liga games all season, and only 40 since his breakthrough into the first team in 2007.
Now Barcelona are reportedly ready to let him leave and Arsenal and Liverpool are among a host of clubs who are keen on making a bid for him in the summer.
A leaked image has surface of the new Arsenal 2011-12 away jersey, which is expected to be one of the most anticipated Premiership football shirts for next season. Arsenal are one of the top teams in world football at the moment and they are managed by Arsene Wenger.
This shirt will be manufactured by Nike.
The 2011-12 Arsenal away shirt is halved with navy and cyan (light blue). The cyan detail is featured as a diagonal design and the left sleeve is also in that colour. The right sleeve is navy and the shirt has a round collar. The white Nike logo is on the right chest and the Arsenal club badge sits on the left chest. The Fly Emirates sponsor runs across the middle of the shirt in white.
What do you think of this new football shirt? Tell us in the comments box below.
Emirates club to rebuild squad after mass clearout.
The French contingent at Arsenal could fall this summer. Samir Nasri, under contract until 2012, has still not extended. His future at the club is linked to that of Cesc Fabregas.
If the Spaniard stays, it is likely the French leader will look elsewhere (Inter is interested). If Fabregas goes, Nasri could get the keys of the game to Arsenal and then stay one more season at least.
Abou Diaby does not start. Good thing he is coveted by Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus.
In defence now there asking questions since Laurent Koscielny, who arrived last summer from Lorient, is part of the project.
Bacary Sagna is ” happy “at Arsenal says his adviser, Christopher Monga. “But you never know,” he added. Gael Clichy, out of contract in a year, has refused to extend.
As for Sebastien Squillaci, he has not convinced since his arrival last summer and found himself fourth choice central defender. If he wants to return to game time, a departure is inevitable.
Arsenal will this summer award Ryo Miyaichi’s speedy progress with a place in the club’s first team squad for next season.
There is no denying that the Japanese teenager has already surpassed expectation during his loan spell with Feyenoord where he has become a cult hero and the proud owner of a new nickname at the Eredivisie side, “Ryo-naldo”.
Such is the speed of development shown by the young winger that not only does it look like he will take part in the Copa America but that he will also be handed a spot in Arsenal’s first team squad next season.
According to talkSPORT the hugely talented wide man is some way ahead of schedule and his efforts in Holland have not gone unnoticed.
Ryo Miyaichi may not have played a single minute of senior football for the North London club but he is already a big favourite with Gunners fans who lap up any footage of the 18 year old in action and those viewing the Aichi born starlet have not been disappointed.
Miyaichi scored twice on the weekend helping Feyenoord to a 6-1 mauling of Willem II and now reportedly a target of Napoli who are interested in signing the Japanese wonderkid who Arsenal will hope will be granted a full work permit so that he can make an impact at the Emirates Stadium next season.
Though Wenger clearly has a number of other wingers at his disposal, with the likes of Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin to name just three, there is every chance that Miyaichi will be a big hit at Arsenal and will of course help to raise the profile, and financial potential, of the Premier League club in the Far East.
