Arsenal Facing Challenge from Bayern Munich and Liverpool in Pursuit of Signing Gary Cahill

Bolton Wanderers’ England international Gary Cahill is gradually attracting more and more clubs in Europe. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is believed to have been tracking the 25-year-old talented defender for some time now.

The Gunners boss is reportedly planning to swoop for the player in summer, but now it seems he has to face challenge from the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to land Cahill at the Emirates.

Naturally, it would give Bolton more ground to demand a high price for the player who has so far been rated at £18million.

Wenger is facing some serious problems in his defense and it is pretty much clear that the Frenchman would reinforce his back line at the end of the season. However, Wenger is also known for his reluctance to splash big amount in the transfer market.

So, it would be interesting to see if Wenger would spend an Arsenal-record amount to sign Gary Cahill.

Arsene Wenger Extends His Arsenal Contract by 3 Years

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has put pen on a new 3-year contract extension, and thus, committing his future to the North London club until 2014. With his existing contract was due to expire at the end of this season, there were some rumors in the media regarding his Arsenal future.

Upon signing the new contract, Wenger revealed that his ‘heat belongs to Arsenal’ and he is confident that his young players would come of age and win silverware sooner than later.

The Frenchman said to the media, “My heart belongs to Arsenal and my desire is to see this team win silverware. My commitment and drive are as strong and fresh as ever.

Signing a new deal means that I can see this talented group of players reach their potential. Trust me, they are ready to deliver.”

Wenger took over as the Arsenal manager way back in 1996 when he was relatively an unknown figure outside France. However, he has already become an influential figure in Premier League over the last 14 years, helping the Gunners win 3 Premier League and 2 FA Cup titles.

Wenger, at 60, last week revealed that if he would extend his Arsenal contract, then he would finish his managerial career at the North London club. Now that he has finally signed a new deal, it means Wenger could end his career at Arsenal.

Arsenal Targets Ghana International Kwadwo Asamoah

Initially, it was pretty much clear that Arsene Wenger would strengthen his defense in the transfer window by recruiting goalkeeper and defender. Now, it seems that Wenger has an eye on his midfield too. With Arshavin and Fabregas revealed their Barcelona interest recently, Arsene Wenger is now forced to focus on Arsenal midfield.

Reports out in the media suggest that Wenger is currently tracking Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah who is currently playing for Italian club Udinese. The player’s agent recently admitted Arsenal is keen to sign the midfielder. Following his excellent performance for Udinese and Ghana in the African Cup of Nations 2010, it is pretty much understandable that a number of top European clubs are interested to acquire his service.

Arsenal scouts have been following the creating midfielder who can play as a central midfielder as well as in the left side over the last one year. Chelsea is also reportedly interested in the player and it seems that Arsenal has to compete with the Blues to land the midfielder.

The 21-year-old could be a perfect replacement for Arshavin thanks to his pace and creative mind. However, the player said he has not been approached by any club yet, but he is feeling good knowing that clubs like Arsenal are following him.

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Accra-mail.com

Arsenal Eyeing on Unhappy Stars

It is pretty much certain that Arsenal is gong to spend in the summer with the club handing Arsene Wenger a handsome amount to strengthen the squad. Wenger also indicated that he would go for ‘experienced’ and ‘top class’ players in the summer transfer window.

Reports in the media suggest that Arsene Wenger is now eyeing on two big stars who are now unhappy with their current club. First of all, it is world’s most valuable goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who recently revealed his dissatisfaction with his club Juvestus and hinted a possible move to Arsenal. With Arsenal also looking for an experienced goalkeeper, it is pretty much clear that Wenger must have an eye on the Italian veteran.

Next comes Yaya Toure, brother of former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, who is now linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer as he has out of favor of coach Pep Guardiola. He lost his place in the Barcelona first eleven because of his high quality colleagues. So, it seems that Wenger would live to have a defender like Yaya with so much physicality and experience.

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justarsenal

Arsene Wenger Keen to Buy Experienced and Top Class Players

Arsene Wenger has said that he is now looking to sign ‘experienced’ and ‘top class’ players this summer. The Frenchman is reportedly in search of a defender and a goalkeeper, while Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh is all set to join the North London club on a free transfer after his contract with Bordeaux expires at the end of the season.

Reports in the media suggest that Wenger at last has some fund to go for highly experienced and star players this summer. After paying off its Highbury property loan, Arsenal has gained some financial stability. Moreover, last summer’s high profile sales of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor mean Arsenal can buy some players who could help then put an end to their title drought. In fact, Wenger now reportedly has around £35 million transfer budget.

Goal.com reported:

"If we bring some players in then they have to be experienced," the Frenchman said, according to The Daily Telegraph.
"I think we have been in the race this year with the team we had. We will be stronger next year just with the internal improvement and with the experience these players will have.
"The additions will be minimal but if there are some they have to be really top class."

Well, it is nice that Wenger has some amount in hand to spend in Summer, but that does not mean that someone like Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo are coming to the club. Wenger has to buy at least two players, other than Chamakh: one goalkeeper and a defender. So, I do not think that Wenger would buy another striker. I think, Wenger would buy a highly skilled and experienced defender and a goalkeeper of Doni’s class. With Arshavin’s possible departure for Barcelona seems Wenger would consider buying a midfielder too.

Arsene Wenger Eyeing on Scott Parker

West Ham United captain Scott Parker has reportedly been the latest target of Arsenal. Manager Arsene Wenger has been handed a handsome amount to spend in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad. It is now clear that a number of players would arrive at the North London club this summer.

Scott Parker has spent a great season despite West Ham’s poor run. Naturally, the East London club would not like to let its best player move to another club. However, the temptation of playing in Champions League could lure the midfielder away from West Ham. The 29-year-old has enough experience to add to its squad.

Recently, Wenger said that he would like to bring ‘ready-made’ players in Summer as he already had ‘plenty of young players.’ On the other hand, West Ham chairman David Sullivan recently said that he was ready to negotiate offers for any players except Scott Parker.

Well, I think Arsene Wenger would not rush for a midfielder now. Rather, his main objective seems to strengthen the back four by landing a centre back. Moreover, he is also in search of a goalkeeper. The arrival of striker Marouane Chamakh seems to be a matter of time now. Arsenal already has a number of quality midfielders and it seems less likely that he would go for a midfielder in the summer, but Arshavin’s recent wish to join Barcelona could make him think otherwise.

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Wenger Keeps Faith on Eduardo

Croatian striker Eduardo has been struggling for form since returning in action following a long-term recovery from a horrendous injury sustained while playing at Birmingham City in February 2008. However, manager Arsene Wenger has extended his contract, and thus, keeping his faith on the young striker who scored only 6 goals from 31 games this season.

Arsene Wenger believes that Eduardo would come back with his best form very soon. He said:

"He is 27 years old, and wants to play, but we extended his contract because we believe in him.

"In the last month, he looked sharp to me in training.

"He was a bit disturbed [by the injury], but I think next season should be better for him."

Eduardo was enjoying his best season in 2008 just before suffering that injury. He took around one year to get over the injury. Naturally, the player may have lack of confidence. So, he now needs the motivation from the people around him. At this crucial time of his career, nothing could have been a better motivation than a contract extension from Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger Helped Japan National Team Coach

With World Cup 2010 coming nearer, teams and their coaches are trying hard to get best prepared for the tournament. Coaches are looking to know more and more about their opponents and share the information with their players. Japan national team coach Takeshi Okada is no different here.

Okada recently met Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and had dinner together. During the dinner, the Japan coach sought help from Wenger to know about Cameroon who are their group stage opponent. Okada said:

“I asked Wenger whether (Cameroon coach Paul) Le Guen was a pragmatist or an idealist and he replied that he had a pragmatic style,” Okada told yesterday’s Nikkan Sports newspaper.

“That gave me a clue to how they will approach their game against us,”

“Idealists stick to their own beliefs and methods while pragmatists react to their opposition. They will probably look to exploit Japan’s weaknesses and catch us on the counter-attack.”

It is also reported that Wenger would visit Japan’s world cup base in 2010. Well, it is natural that the Japan coach would seriously consider the suggestions and advices of Wenger before the world cup begins.

Arsene Wenger is Reluctant to Sign World Cup Stars

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he would not rush to recruit world cup stars in his team. He believes that anybody can have ‘three weeks glory’ and the price of the world cup stars would be artificially high at the end of the tournament. He admitted that he was eyeing some playing for next season, but he refused to reveal their names.

Reports available in the media suggest that Wenger is keen to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer as his contract with the French club ends this summer. Wenger said:

"The World Cup will not affect our recruitment," he said. "It is dangerous to buy on the back of a World Cup. The prices are artificial and you have to bear in mind that anyone can have three weeks of glory........

"I do have targets and have been talking to people but I cannot mention any names at the moment. The earlier you settle your teams for the next season the better it is and the less anxiety you have."

Arsenal could not win any trophy over the last five seasons, since winning FA Cup 2005. However, there is no sign that Wenger would spend heavily in the transfer window this Summer.

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Guardian

Arsenal to Pay off £133 Highbury Property Loan by 2010

Arsenal has been cash-trapped over the last few years. It has huge loans for the construction of Emirates stadium and redeveloping its Highbury property. Now, reports available in the media suggest that Arsenal would be free from its Highbury property loan by this year. Excellent financial profit since last Summer has helped Arsenal cut its property loan to £2 million only. Highbury Square has 655 private apartments still to be sold and the profit generated by the sales of those flats could even give Arsenal a profit of about £20 million, an amount that Arsene Wenger could spend in the transfer market boost the squad. Moreover, the club could also generate a probable profit of £45 million by selling 350 units at Queensland Road.

After paying off this property loan, Arsenal’s total loan would stand at around £175 million. Wenger’s policy of spending less in the transfer market and focusing more on young talent means Arsenal could pay off all of its debt in the next 2 to 3 years. So, good days are now gradually looming at the Emirates stadium.

Arsene Wenger is reportedly looking for a center back in Summer transfer window as Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikaël Silvestre are all out of contract at the end of this season. The manager is now eyeing on Everton’s Jack Rodwell and the arrival of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer now seems to be a matter of time.

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Telegraph

Arsene Wenger: I will Spend in Summer Transfer Window

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that he would spend in the Summer transfer window. Speaking to Voetbal International, a Dutch magazine, he said that Arsenal’s financial condition was now way better than before and the club was now ready to buy the players it needed. Reports available in the media suggest that Arsenal would buy a goalkeeper, a centre back and a midfielder.

The Frenchman also admitted that there was a good possibility that Marouane Chamakh could play for Arsenal next season. The Bordeaux striker has been linked with an Arsenal move over the last one year. Brede Hangeland, the Fulham central defender, has now been linked with a move to Arsenal and reports also suggest that Wenger is even ready to make a £10 million bid for the player.

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Wenger to Arsenal Fans: Do not Get on Adebayor’s Back

Ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming home game against Manchester City, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has requested the home crowed not to boo former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor who is currently playing for City.

Adebayor was the center of criticism following his provocative goal celebration in a win over Arsenal at the start of the season. So, it seems that Arsenal fans would boo him in his first return to Emirates stadium.

However, Wenger has asked the fans to support the team, in stead of booing the former Arsenal star. He also warned his players to pay the full attention to the game as it is a big game and he wants to win it despite the fact that Arsenal is now out of the title race.

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Arsenal Not Far away from Winning Trophies, Says Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is pleased with the improvement of Arsenal this season. The Frenchman also thinks that the Gunners are not far away from winning titles as his players have shown ‘greater attitude’ and ‘greater response’ this season. However, Wenger still believes that Arsenal is not a better side than Barcelona, and the reason behind it, as he says, is that Barcelona won trophies in the recent past. Arsenal could not win any title since 2005 FA Cup.

Wenger has mentioned that once his team starts winning trophies, they will be a different side. However, he does not believe that signing more experienced players could have helped Arsenal win trophies. Rather he points his finger to Real Madrid who could not win anything this season despite having some of world’s biggest players with them.

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Wenger Must be in Arsenal

I really hate the so called football pundits or experts because they pretend that Arsène Wenger is acting stupidly. They forget that he is the best doing in English football today. The simple fact is that Arsenal made the stadium called the Emirates and they suffered huge burden. The result was that they become financially strong and the stadium could have twenty thousands more supporters. So, it was a very tough time and fortunately Wenger guided the club very well and the club could reach in good position in Champions League and was also among the top four finisher for the last five seasons. This time, they came very close to winning the title of Premier League but unfortunately a number of injuries destroyed their possibility.

Arsenal is still in the title race but I am not hopeful. Anyway, look at the Liverpool. They did very well in Europe in the last few seasons but now this time they crashed out of Europe very early in the league table they are in very bad shape. It is now clear that Liverpool will not qualify for UEFA Champions League next season. The main problem for Liverpool is that they are suffering from financial burden. They did not have a smart coach like Wenger and that is why they are suffering.