Football Gossip

Arsene Wenger is winning the race for the signing of the highly rated Russian playmaker Arshavin ahead of Chelsea. Arshavin has attracted the attention of the Frenchman at the recent European Chanpionship 2008. His impressive performances in the tournament were instrumental in Russia’s run to the final and was enlisted in the UEFA EURO 2008™ Team of the Tournament.

This £15million star is in a four way tug-of-war after resisting a new £3.9million-a-year contract from his current club Zenit St Petersburg. The clubs interested in him include Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona.

Chelsea have recently inquired about the player and have a significant advantage over the other clubs due to Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich Russian connection. It seems that Abramovich will enforce a Russian player to be included in the Chelsea squad because of the recent success of the Russian team. Arshavin seems the most likely candidate as he was the most influential player in the team.

Arsene Wenger has been labelled “a cunning fox” in his pursuit of the Russian forward. The Arsenal manager is trying to outwit his competition by sending out mixed messages of his involvement. In true Arsene Wenger style this is probably an attempt to reduce the asking price of the player.

An interview of Zenit club official Dennis Lakhter reveals certain truths:

“In the morning he says (Arsene Wenger) Arshavin will play all the time at his club(Arsenal) and during the day he says he doubts the capabilities of Andrei to play three games in a row at the highest level.

“But this is a tactic to fool the competition.

“He calls Andrei a Tsar and then tries to deny interest in the player.”

Lakhter said Arsenal and Barcelona have made approaches but Arsenal remain “the most active”.

View Arshavin football skills here:

Arenal among other clubs have been continually linked to the Portugese midfielder Miguel Veloso. Although Juventus, Manchester United and AC Milan have been keeping tabs on the Lisbon defender it appears that Arsenal is the ost likely destination for the player.

The front two runners Arsenal and Juventus have both been insistent on midfield replacements during this transfer window. But Juventus have settled for Alonso leaving Arsenal clear for the player.

Juventus’s Giovanni Cobolli Gigli ruled out any further interest in the player, stating explicitly his intentions.

“We have looked at Miguel, but I can tell you that he doesn’t interest us any longer,” he said.

Arsene Wenger however, has remained silent, clearly weighing up his options, after losing the influential centre midfielder Flamini to AC Milan in the summer. Arsene has insisted in bringing replacement and Veloso seems a firm bet.

Veloso in action:

Arsenal have approached the Amaury Bischoff, the versatile Werder Bremen midfielder to increase his options in midfield after the departure of the influential Flamini to Inter Milan.

According to the French website DNA.fr. the player has agreed a deal with Arsenal and is currently in London taking a medical before the contract is signed imminently.

Arsenal have courted this Portuguese Under-21 international for the previous six months. The reason for the delay of his signature has been the recent European championships which Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger attended.

In an interview the player has stated that,

“There are some details left to finalize, and then we wait for Arsene Wenger to return from Switzerland.”

“I hope to sign within the next days”

“Arsenal is a notch above Bremen. I have returned from a long period without playing, I think now is the time to change my surroundings”

Bischoff is seen as a future replacement of Flamini due to his significant attributes: a tenacious central midfielder who is also comfortable right hand side. Neither foot shows a true weakness winning those 50-50 challenges in midfield.

The official announcement of the signing of Samir Nasri will made tomorrow by Arsenal French sources have claimed.

It is well known that Arsenal approached the French international with the view of signing him before the recent European Championships 2008. Apparently the reason for the delay was for the deal to be included in the forthcoming season as a method to reduce Marseille’s tax bill. It seems apart form the legal technicalities that Samir Nasri is an Arsenal player just biding his time for the imminent announcement.

The player will adopt the number eight shirt inherited from the relatively unused and defector Lassana Diarra.

The impressive performances at the recent Erupean Cahmpionships 2008 caught the eye of Arsene Wenger who is waiting to find a replacement for Flamini who left for Inter Milan in the summer.

Senna won the European Championship with Spain and was listed in the European team of the tournament. Sitting just above the back four he was a colossus in preventing any danger advancing into the Spanish area. He is strong in the tackle and you would bank on him winning those 50-50 balls.

Pascal Cygan the former Arsenal centreback claims that Arsene Wenger is interested in his Marcos Senna who play together for Villarreal. Cygan claims that Senna is “Villarreal’s best player”.

Cygan interview on RMC radio station reveals all.

“I have heard that Arsenal are interested in him,”

“That proves how good he is, as they rarely make mistakes.”

“Senna is Villarreal’s best player, he is sharp, starts all the plays, and is more technically gifted that most players at his position.

“He had a massive impact on Spain’s European victory and improved a lot as a player in the last two seasons.”

Senna at the Euro 2008: