Arsenal Snippets

All a player has to do nowadays is have a holiday in a foreign country and before you know it, all the press immediately think he’s signing for another club.

Niklas Bendtner has been busy getting a sun tan in Rome, and news in some Italian papers is that he’s gone to speak to Roma… the player forced to comment on this:

“There is absolutely nothing to the rumour about Roma. Nicklas is happy at Arsenal, and the trip to Rome has been planned for a long time, just like his other summer plans.”

Ridiculous, hey?

Despite rumours in the tabloids that Melo is happy at Fiorentina, he has been quietly thinking about potential. Whilst on International duty Felipe Melo has been asked fellow team member Maicon about Inter…

“He (Melo) asked me if he can come to Inter,” Maicon told Studio Sport. “I answered that a player like him would certainly be a starter in our team.”

Whether he has asked Gilberto about a move to Arsenal is a question that don’t know yet.

The will-he wont-he saga that is becoming that of Emmanuel Eboue has taken another twist as the Ivorian has been linked with a move to PSG. The French club having tabled a £6m offer for the player.

Eboue spoke on this and said:

“I’m not aware of any contact with PSG. They are a good team, however, I have a contract with Arsenal. My ambition is to stay and play but because of a lack of first-team play, I’m not happy. I want to play.”

Let’s see what happens in that department and if he does go, surely we’d need to look at another right back as cover for Sagna…?

Newcastle United are looking to offload a few players and of course, a star of their previous campaign was Sebastien Bassong. With the signing of Vermaelen, is there a need for another defender?

Newcastle United blog, nufcblog.com reports:

It’s obvious Arsene needed strengthening in the center of his defense wince it was rather a soft center last season, but with the acquisition of the Belgian, the question for Newcastle fans, becomes whether he will still be interested in Newcastle’s Sebastien Bassong, who is said to be in talks with two Premier League sides.

With the squad numbers not being announced at the moment, and the potential exit of Kolo Toure to Man City, is Bassong also going to be part of the Arsenal defence revamp?

Arsenal are not going to land Maroune Chamakh on the cheap – according to Bordeaux.

“If he were to move to Arsenal, I am not sure that selling Adebayor would be sufficient to attract him and us. If Arsenal were to offer €10 million it would not be enough,” Triaud said on RMC.

“I have not spoken with Marouane since the end of the season. Still he has a year left of contract. Could he sign a new deal? Indeed.

“I am not sure that he has already gone, as he has everything he needs in Bordeaux, including his family. We are going to talk about it.”

What this does highlight is that we are very much in the hunt for the player and very much interested in potentially selling one of our players.

Reports in Israel are linking us with Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama. The player currently plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv and spoke today about his future:

“There are contacts in the Premier League. I am interested in playing there next season but nothing is done yet,” said the player. “I want to prove I am the best in the world.”

The player has previously been linked with Barcelona, RCD Espanyol and Galatasaray – more recently, he’s been linked with Hull and Wigan.

New Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has expressed his delight at joining Arsenal, and his intent to win trophies.

“Firstly, I have to say that I’m sad to be leaving Ajax and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and friendship towards me over the past eight years.

“I’m just so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium.

“Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.

“I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal.

“I’m also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which for me, is the best league in the world. Also, I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season.”

The defender will be playing alongside with Toure, Gallas or Djourou next season and has been likened to Man United’s Vidic in terms of playing style

Today Arsenal have signed Thomas Vermaelen.

Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal FC, was extremely happy to have the Belgium international :

“Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

“Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and Uefa Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team.

“Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he’s multi-functional and can also play at left back.

“He is strong technically with a positive winner’s attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal.”