Arsenal Lobby

sina90 wrote:

Samuelj29060 wrote:According to reports in Spain tonight, Valencia have a agreed a deal with Ajax for Holland right-back Gregory van der Wiel.

(We used to be linked with him....thought it might have some arsenal relevance....)

Haha. I know, we have Jenkinson, who I rate very highly.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Exclusive-interview-Arsenal-s-Djourou-on-Gary-Speed-the-pressures-of-the-game-the-Gunners-family-and-more-article837096.html

Good read

From Arsenal.com

Laurent Koscielny believes improvements on the physical side of his game have helped him become a better defender in England.

The French international is enjoying an outstanding campaign at the heart of the Arsenal defence and has won his first senior France cap since becoming a mainstay in Arsène Wenger’s side.

Koscielny, who joined the Club from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient last summer, admits he has had to work hard to adjust to the requirements of the Premier League.

“I think for a defender it is the best championship,” he told Arsenal Player. “I have had a bit of time now to be strong and get to know this league.

“Now I feel good on and off the pitch and I try to put the effort into being a good defender.

“You don't have to play differently here, you just have to work on the physical side. It's very different to France or Spain and the strikers are very strong. I've worked a lot to do that.”

Koscielny has been forced to demonstrate his versatility in recent weeks, featuring at right-back in matches against Norwich and Borussia Dortmund. Although the 26-year-old says he is happy to fulfill any role for the team, he admits he is not a specialist in his temporary role.

“I try to do the defensive work,” he said. “It is a little difficult to help Theo though because he is too quick! I try to give the best I can, and that's it. I can get forward once or twice a game.

“I try to do the job seriously but I hope Bacary or Carl come back quickly.”

That's all he lack last year, physical. I haven't seen any striker bully him this year which was often the case last season.

Koscielny is becoming World Class. I know, goal legacy has turned that term to sh1t no but it's true.

haha^^ I was surprised to see him not get a mention alongside the best ball playing cbs around (while Jones made the list).

Samuelj29060 wrote:http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Exclusive-interview-Arsenal-s-Djourou-on-Gary-Speed-the-pressures-of-the-game-the-Gunners-family-and-more-article837096.html

Good read

what a legend

ali8775 wrote:

Samuelj29060 wrote:http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Exclusive-interview-Arsenal-s-Djourou-on-Gary-Speed-the-pressures-of-the-game-the-Gunners-family-and-more-article837096.html

Good read

what a legend

..... in the making.

11 reasons why Spuds can never finish above us :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/964829-arsenal-11-reasons-why-tottenham-can-never-finish-above-arsenal-in-the-league/page/13

srigooner wrote:11 reasons why Spuds can never finish above us :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/964829-arsenal-11-reasons-why-tottenham-can-never-finish-above-arsenal-in-the-league/page/13

I don't think you should have linked to the second last page :3
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/964829-arsenal-11-reasons-why-tottenham-can-never-finish-above-arsenal-in-the-league

beatrixasdfghjk. wrote:

srigooner wrote:11 reasons why Spuds can never finish above us :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/964829-arsenal-11-reasons-why-tottenham-can-never-finish-above-arsenal-in-the-league/page/13

I don't think you should have linked to the second last page :3
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/964829-arsenal-11-reasons-why-tottenham-can-never-finish-above-arsenal-in-the-league

Oh my bad.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on Arsenal and their in-form striker Robin van Persie ahead of their clash with the north London club on Saturday.The Spanish boss has never lost to the Gunners at the DW Stadium and hinted that Arsene Wenger's open style of play suits his Lactics side, with his men looking to pick up successive Premier League victories after last Saturday's 2-1 win over Sunderland.

"They are a phenomenal football team," Martinez told Absolute Radio.

"I think their philosophy and their football concepts are inspirational to other football clubs and obviously when you play against Arsenal you really get tested and in every department you need to be perfect.

"We need to find that concentration and be as good as we can and if we do that you’re going to see a very similar style of football from both teams.

"That means that there will be chances and the games are open. Nine goals in the last two games has been a fantastic football recipe.

"I hope that on Saturday we can reproduce the level that we showed previously against Arsenal."

Martinez also rubbished suggestions that Arsenal can be contained if Van Persie can be stopped, with the Dutchman having scored 13 league goals so far this season, instead the Spaniard was quick to note a number of other threatening players at Wenger's disposal.

"It’s harder than that. You need to be very, very careful because I agree that Van Persie now is in amazing form right now," he continued.

"Obviously he’s a world class player and I don’t think you can describe many players nowadays with that title, but the truth is he’s got all the individuals around him as well that can really hurt you if you leave yourself exposed.

"Gervinho, Walcott, Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, they are players that are very, very good at one on one situations, so you have to be very, very careful.

"The truth is that Van Persie is a player that can really get a result just based on his performance and it doesn’t need much to affect results, so we’ll have to be well aware.

"I'm excited because playing Arsenal is the game that you want to be involved and as a football club we want to create a special atmosphere and enjoy the afternoon."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to work on the defensive side of his game.

The 18-year-old was outstanding in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, causing Manchester City plenty of problems with his pace, direct running and eye for goal.

“Defending is not his preferred side but unfortunately at the top level today you have Messi doing it, Rooney, Ronaldo, Van Persie - so why should he not do it?” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“There is no other way to succeed anymore. That's why, of course, I believe he has the quality to do it. He has the physical ability and he is not scared to go into challenges. He can take a challenge.

“To add that to his game will make him stronger because he will win some balls in areas where he can be dangerous. He's a player who has an impact.

“If you look at the whole picture when you think him, Frimpong, Coquelin, Ramsey and Wilshere just in midfield - we have absolutely exceptional talent and it's very important that we continue to develop them very well.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists they can score goals without skipper Robin van Persie.

Van Persie has scored 13 times in the Premier League alone this season - half of Arsenal's top-flight tally - but Wenger is confident that others will step up when he is absent.

"At the moment I can't deny that [we rely on him for goals] but I believe that the likes of Gervinho, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott can score goals and I believe they will," he told Arsenal Player.

"They can score goals, I am completely confident of that. And they will score. At the moment Robin is always on the end of things. I think he will continue but I also think it will change that the other players will score goals as well."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is pleased with the fighting spirit of Emmanuel Frimpong.

Wenger thinks the teenager's tenacity makes him a big asset.

"He is a fighter and when he goes on the football pitch he does so to win the game," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"You like to go to war with him because you know you can rely on him. He goes into every challenge to win the ball and that makes a difference because people see and feel that. That's why he is respected [by players and fans]."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Emmanuel Frimpong must be sure to channel his enthusiasm in the right way.

Frimpong was sent off earlier this season against Liverpool.

"That's the target and it's down to the environment they have," Wenger told Arsenal Player. "But it's also down to their intelligence in life.

"You must understand how far you can go, where you are disrespectful and where you are not. You learn that as well. He is a good character, a positive boy who respects people and wants to do well. He is full of energy so of course it is important to channel that in the right way."

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has expressed concerns over their busy schedule.

Van Persie is back for Arsenal this weekend against Wigan Athletic.

"It is hard to get the fixtures right for every team but I don't understand the scheduling for us or City. These are big games on TV and people expect everyone to be fit and put in an amazing performance."

Fearing for his own fitness, Van Persie added in the Evening Standard: "At some point, that’s not realistic - if you are playing four games in nine days, you’ll suffer in the end. Sometimes I feel the fixtures could be decided a little more sensibly."

Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong won't rule out a loan move away in January.

Frimpong looks set to fall even further down the Arsenal pecking order when Jack Wilshere returns from injury in the New Year.

"At the moment it's hard for me to get into the team, no doubt about that," he said.

"When you aren't playing, the obvious choice is to go out for a little while and try to get some game time.

"When January comes we'll see, you never know how things will go, so we'll look at it then."

Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel is eyeing more minutes in the first team.

The young Spaniard saw action in the Carling Cup this week against Manchester City.

He told arsenal.com: "I'm so happy to see them getting games now and obviously for my next step I will try to be like them and get in there myself.

"I'm really happy for them and that I can be here too. I think the main thing now is to work hard. You learn from your mistakes. I don't think I can do much more.

"If I work and try to see what I've done wrong then I can only improve. It's the only way to grow."

To Anyone who was with me in the lithium forums

Do u remember someone called "9jafan" ?

he was very top poster smart nigerian if my bleep memory serves he has his own blog now right?
^is he back

Robin van Persie has heaped praise on left-back Andre Santos for his bright start to life at Emirates Stadium.

The Brazilian defender has featured heavily since his move from Fenerbahce in the summer, slotting into the side seamlessly in the absence of Kieran Gibbs.

Van Persie has been impressed with Santos’ impact on the Arsenal first team, likening him to former Brazil international Roberto Carlos.

“When he first arrived I remember him saying he’d need five or six games to get his fitness up before things would really kick off for him,” the striker told Arsenal.com.

“It was true - he’s grown stronger and fitter in every single game, and what I really like about him is his confidence on the ball.

“He’s firstly a left-back, but he’s so much more than that - he gets the ball to his feet, plays one-twos, looks after the ball with style and plays a bit like Roberto Carlos.

“He knows how to choose between holding his defensive position and going forward - and when he goes, he is committed. I love his play.

“I remember a couple of weeks ago playing not just a one-two but a one-two-three-four with him, and that’s the kind of thing you enjoy. It’s a joy to play with him because he loves football, loves finding solutions, and I don’t really see full-backs as confident as Andre in other teams.

“We all feel that when he has the ball he will do something useful with it. You know that, even if he is faced with a couple of guys, he’ll choose the right thing.”

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Not sure if this was posted already btw.. from arsenal.com

@sina

i am trying to bring him back

Sorry for the Wigan v Arsenal preview delay. Will be up soon.

Samuelj29060 wrote:Sorry for the Wigan v Arsenal preview delay. Will be up soon.

Match is tomo right?? Or is it on sunday??

EDIT: Never mind.. just checked arsenal.com..

RealGunner wrote:@sina

i am trying to bring him back

RG

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