Arsenal Snippets

Okay, a little off topic (considering it’s not got much to do with Arsenal)… but apparently Javier Mascherano wants to move to Barcelona…

“Barcelona is the easiest deal to set up as Javier wants to go to Spain. He is tired of life in England.

“His wife has not been given a permanent visa. She has to go through an odyssey each time she wants to go.

“Liverpool refuse to sell, this can be overcome with an extraordinary offer.”

Why is that news for us, I hear you say? Well if Mascherano does go to Barcelona, what will the future of Yaya Toure be? Surely there isn’t room for 4 defensive midfielders (Keita and Marquez included) at the club where only one plays… stay tuned!

The line up today was:

Shea
Ayling – Boateng – Miquel – Cruise
Sunu – Coquelin – Thomas – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

And a late strike by Luke Ayling secured the win…!

The name Maroune Chamakh is on everyone’s lips at the moment, with Arsene making some very public overtures about the player recently. However, the player has revealed that he hasn’t yet heard from the Arsenal.

“I want a new challenge, I have a weakness for the English league. My dearest wish is to leave Bordeaux. I have repeated it for several months and I hope my officials will listen to my wish. With my agent, we have agreed terms with several English clubs that are keen to sign me. They are just waiting for my decision. They are notably Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham.

Arsenal? I don’t really believe in it anymore. My officials have not received any offer so far. I have not made my decision yet. I am studying the offers. I want to know which destination will be the best for me. When I have made my choice, the club will contact Bordeaux. I know Bordeaux can match the conditions I have been offered in England, but that doesn’t change anything for me. I would like to be understood and listened to. My position is very clear. Four years ago, I accepted the club’s demand to not leave when Lyon was determined to sign me. I believe I deserve to be paid back.”

Another Adebayor on our hands?

Is Obafemi Martins the man to replace Emmanuel Adebayor at the Emirates this forthcoming. New reports in the People today suggest Arsenal are seriously about to make an offer.

Arsene Wenger is a longtime fan of the 24-year-old Nigerian speedster, and a bid could be launched as soon as United welcome new owners at St James Park.

The former Inter Milan star who arrived at the Toon in 2006 for a fee of £10 million is valued by his current employers at £12 million.

What do you think?

Last season we were never offered a decent amount of money for want away striker – this season we managed to secure a whopping thirty million euros for him… he’s pleased too.

“Of course, yeah – that’s why I’m here,” he said. “I’m happy being here. I had a good discussion with the coach. I had a good discussion with the chairman of Man City. What they have told me is about the future.”

“That this is a team, maybe in one year or two years, that will be one of the best in the world.”

“We have to fight for the club, we have to fight for the team,” he said. “As you can see, the fans believe in us that we can bring them something. That’s what we’re going to fight for now.”

So who will replace the Togan at the Arsenal?

Sky Sports Italia have claimed that former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb will move to Inter Milan this summer on a one year loan deal from Champions League winners Barcelona.

The Belarussian midfielder, who was heavily linked with the Serie A champions while plying his trade in north London, now looks set to reignite his career after a torrid twelve months in Spain. The player had previously been linked with Aston Villa, Stuttgart and Bayern Munich.

rsenal have offered a trial to 15-year-old Serbian starlet, Veljko Batrovic, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Dubbed the new Messi… he is something special and should he sign, would be a coup for Arsene.

Currently at FK Bubamara, the youngsters has been courted by Italian giants AC Milan, but it appears the London club have moved to the front of the queue with the offer of a trial.

Sky reports that the skilful attacker has been offered the chance to train with Arsenal by Arsene Wenger, and is believed to be on his way to London for a short medical.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s transfer to Manchester City is imminent with the Togolese striker being granted a work permit after a hearing in Manchester yesterday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not yet commented on the future of the £25m target-man, although a deal is expected to go through before City head out to South Africa to take part in the Vodacom Challenge.

Juventus have signed Fiorentina’s Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo after beating off competition from Arsenal.

Juve paid £17.5 million plus winger Marco Marchionni for the 26-year-old, the Turin club said in a statement, adding that he has penned a five-year contract.

“I believe a lot in this side. It has been reinforced and can rival any team as we target all the trophies in Italy and Europe,” Melo said.

Hughes on Adebayor move:

“There is a deal to be done, possibly, but it’s not been concluded as we speak.”

It looks like the Togan could well be on his way.