Team Injuries
Weekend 15/01
Bould - bruised knee
Boa Morte - knee
Seaman - shoulder ligament
Hughes - groin inflammation - needs a scan
Ljungberg - abdomen
Suspensions
Vieira - 3 games from 11 January
Vivas - five yellows - 1 game from 11 January
Arsenal have not lost at home for 21games
Arsenal are currenly third in the Mail 's Entertainment League
OPTA Leagues
David Seaman 5th- 55
Lee Dixon -8th - 600
Nicolas Anelka - 9th -621
Most fouled
The NoW says Ray Parlour is the fifth most fouled player in the Premiership (on fouls for). He's been fouled 43 times prior to Preston. Ginola is top at 52.
Statistics - (Premiership games up to Villa, from Carling OPTA)
Matches -16
Goals -15
Average goals/game -0.94
Shots - 218
% on target - 48
%goals/shots 7
goals against - 7
Average goals against/game -0.44
Tackles - 552
Tackles won - 70%
Fouls - 181
Yellows - 28
Red - 3
Petit's record (prior to Leeds)
Shots on target 6
key passes 14
tackles won 71%
interceptions/blocks 21
Winterburn's record (prior to Leeds)
Key passes -3
successful tackles - 47
tackles won - 65
interceptions in air 45
Anelka's record (prior to Villa)
Attempts on target - 28
Attempts off target -30
Assists - 1
Key passes - 8
Tackles - 28
Arsenal are currently 10th in the MoS European League:
Played 27
Won 11
Drawn 11
Lost 5
For 31
Against 20
Points 54.3
Thanks
Thanks to: Myles Palmer, Gary Jacob, Bob Bateman , Adrian Barker, Gary Cohen, and Paul B
What does Arsene W really think of Emmanuel P?
Press at a glance 24 Jan
So the D.Mail says Arsenal have signed Jeremy Aladiere, the 15 year-old French youngster. He'll start next year with the youth team, by all accounts.
But Wenger, who is quoted as saying the above has signed, says Arsenal aren't signing Diawara - Bordeaux are going for the French League title.
With Bergkamp and Anelka playing tomorrow - the latter shook off an ankle injury in the mid-week international, Arsenal could be said to have a full strength forward line.
But behind the scenes, the situation is desparate. Chris Wreh is on international dury, Luis Boa Morte has had a cartilage op and will be out for six weeks; Ljungberg is reported fit in some papers, not fit in others.
Seaman, and Bould are out. Vieira and Keown are suspended. And Kanu is ineligible.
The latter warrants a para of its own. Arsene Wenger comments on the red tape which surrounds getting a work permit. He says if it were France, then a work permit would have been given straight away. However, he says no-one seems to know the rules. Apparently you have to be out of the country to get a permit, but you can visit on a tourist visa - and if Kanu came to training ground an played - where does the law stand on that.?
Anyway (OK a second para), Kanu is in Amsterdam - according to some papers, and it will take two-four weeks. AW says he's not signing another non-EU national this season. It will be too longf before he can play, and Arsenal now have the requisite number.
AW says we'll contine to look in Europe, because English players have a 30% premium. He mentions Rio Ferdinand, and says although Arsenal are not going to say they'll never sign someone in his bracket, Wenger asks why should they when you can avoid it.
Anyway Upson is likely to partner Adams and Hughes is fit again.
The Mail has an Interesting line oN Marc Overmars. He could easily have ended up in Barcelona, via Van Gaal. But a genetleman's agreement - a year before getting any Ajax players, meant Overmars came to Arsenal.
And judging by the miserable time the Dutchmen are having at the Nou Camp - including Kluivert - a lucky escape.
Talking of Europe - political pressure is being put on the Premiership from UEFA to reduce the league to 18, for an extra Euro place. Arsenal and Man U are behind it - today AW said to have a structured league - there should be no cup replays. The Indy suggests that Chelsea may join the dynamic duo. But the real crunch is when the TV Premiership rights are negotiated and the muscle of the big clubs could well swing a deal.
Interesting that the men who could influence the outcome are Gooners - the both of them. - David Dein on the UEFA committee, and Lennhart Johansson.
There's plenty of FA Cup statistics - most notably in the Independent . Arsenal aren't top of the giants slayed league between 1922- 99 [ is someone employed to do this?]. That distinction goes to West Ham - thanks to last week's Cup shock exit. The Mail does an FA Cup League putting Arsenal equal third with Villa (winning it 7 times), behind Man U (9) and Spurs (8).
The Times has the interesting stat that on four different occasions Arsenal beat Wolves in FA Cup ties and went on to the FA Cup Final.
Meanwhile I wanna give a shameless plug to a campaign :"EAT A VEGGIE AT FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN". That's not a vegetarian, but a burger. Paul McCartney is kicking it off at Birmingham, with his late wife's product. Fans are getting free veggie food.
Incidentally a subtle quote from the PFA's Steve Beauchampe who says:"football food leaves a lot to be desired." Like more food,.
Comment
Love / Need the page.
Just a note of thanks to all involved with the ANR Web page. I live in Australia but thanks to a dotty Scottish Grandfather have followed Arsenal since I was five.
The worst thing about being a Gooner on the other side of the globe, is that by the time football news reaches us, it is old hat...or rubbish!! This is why I so love your web page. I now have a source on the other side of the globe to provide me with up to the minute news, all sorted and never rubbish.
It is great having someone sort the wheat from the chaff, all that I ever get from Soccernet and Teamtalk is journalistic posturing.
So thank-you for such a great site (although I was kind of sad
when you split with Arse-Web), and keep up with your high standard
of reporting,
Sincerely,
Lata Phoenix
Comment: Errr, I haven't exactly split from ArseWeb. I still post now and again to the Newsreel. But developing this site takes time.
Press at a glance 22 Jan
French flavour to the news today.
Arsenal have appeared to have won the services of a French wonderkid Jeremy Aladiere, 15, on a £4000/wk contract, which would make him a millionaire by the time he's 21.
He is currently at the NTI ( the French equivalent of Lilleshall) . And as he's not attached to a club, there's no fuss like there was with Anelka.
Apparently he's attracted by the French enclave at Highbury.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are poised to sign Kaba Diawara, Bordeaux striker, for £3.7m, according to the Sun. Marseilles want him, but Bordeaux don't want to sell to a rival - allegedly.
Meanwhile, as pointed out here - the Nigel Winterburn to manage Millwall story has been strenuously denied by Nigel and Millwall.
In the Villa - Juninho talks - it emerges that the Brazilian wanted to play for Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool.
Meanwhile the Express says Liam Brady has talked to Jermaine Pennant, about talking to the press. Basically the line is that the more you talk , the more pressure you put on yourself.
It follows interview on On the Ball, and comments in the Voice about wanting to play with Michael Owen.
Interestingly the Manchester Evening News says that there was a brilliant prospect called Alfie Moss who came at 16 under Malcolm Allison in the Sixties at Man City [Allison currently does ad hoc scouting work for Arsenal in the West Country]. His brilliance, accompanied by press fan fares, turned to ordinariness by 17 and by 18 he left, never to be seen in professional football.
And finally, Colin Lee, Wolves manager, has said Robbie Keane is going nowhere, in response to the flurry of bid allegations.
Press - at a glance 21 Jan
Great news on the disciplinary front. Marc Overmars is the fifth cleanest player in the league. No, it doesn't mean early baths and all that, but a total of 7 fouls and one yellow in 1845 minutes on the pitch. (D.Mirror). Wimbledon's Blackwell is top.
New day, new name for the spell checker to cope with. This day it is Kawa Biawara ( sounds like a cross between a Sumo Wrestler and a New Zealand operatic peformer). Nonethless the Mirror claims the 23 year-old Bordeaux striker has been offered to Arsenal.
Some strange bizarre minutae emerge over the Kanu transfer, including the amazing claim in the Star that British Airways was fined £2000, for carrying Kanu to sign for Arsenal last week.
Kanu had only clearance to visit once, which he did in November. So it was agreed that Kanu had to be whisked to the press conference and back on the plane to Milan that afternoon.
One paper said that it is possible he'll line up against international team-mate Babayaro in ten days time. That is provided he gets work permit clearance - he has to prove he's played in 75% of Nigeria's internationals when fit.
At the moment he's working with his personal fitness trainer in Milan.
Kanu crisis over? Not on your nellie - that is if you read the D.Express, which claims an unlicensed agent Franck Sedoc was used to negotiate the deal. Arsenal say that their dealings were with Inter throughout the talks. And it appears the ball is in Inter's court as they are reported to have brought Sedoc in.
Arsenal are mentioned in connection with Robbie Keane, following Boro's interest. And also Rob Jones following West Ham's interest. The Liverpool back says he wants to take his time.
The Independent firms up what was mentioned yesterday - that Bould and Winterburn are set to (please note the tense) agree year long extensions, while Lee Dixon has been invited to sign a new contract. (?)
The Independent (Nick Harris) also has an article on Wolves manager Colin Lee. Strange how he also like Dave Moyes ( who turned down a loan move to Arsenal in the Eighties) has Arsenal connections.
Lee was asked to play for Arsenal in a youth tournament in Madrid, after Frank Stapleton pulled out.
Lee says that Liam Brady played like a matador - no one could get the ball off him. He says Hoddle is the best he's played with, but Brady isn't far behind. But seeing as he made his name with Spurs, you'd expect that.
The Sun via a table says Dennis Bergkamp is the second highest paid player in the UK - £1.9m/yr after Desailly £2.3. DB10 pips Alan Shearer at £1.85m. Gooner Damon Hill is top at £5.5m.
Meanwhile more worrying is the news that David Seaman's shoulder injury could be worse that expected. The Evening Standard says he missed the reserve match and didn't go to training.
Arsene Wenger meanwhile watched France win 1-0 last night.
Press - at a glance 19-20 Jan
Busy news day.
Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon have all been offered year long extensions to their contracts. One paper says the former two have options, but Dixon has 12 months. Another adds that Tony Adams is likely to stay two years and then take up a coaching position. Wenger adds that he could have sold Steve Bould to three Premirship clubs before Christmas.
The Mirror claims that Nigel Winterburn is being lined up to manage Millwall, and Wycombe are interested. [When I interviewed him online with Mick (Winnett) [don't have time to put the link in, sorry] he said that he was going to set up a builders business when he left Arsenal. The idea of management is surprising to say the least.
The Mirror claims Arsenal are interested in Zamouna Camara - ex St Etienne 19 year-old, who Wenger inquired about, so it says, when setting up the Kanu deal. He's over six foot, valued at £1m and nicknamed PAPI. Whether there's an option is on him, isn't clear.
Apparently Wenger tried with a last minute £5m bid to land Monaco's Thierry Henry, before he went for twice that amount to Juventus. One paper says Wenger told Henry that if it didn't work out you can come to Highbury (?).
A couple of features - one on DB10 in the Mirror about his frustrating season full of injuries, which also adds that Keown is suspended for Sunday, with Bould unlikely to make it.
Another in the Mail is digging the dirt on Kanu. A presumably Italian journalist claims Kanu was a bit of a man-child at Inter, always injured and distant.
It says the 6.7" Ibo tribesman whose twists and turns seem to defy the laws of physics, was manipulated by an entourage of followers.
Nevertheless Dennis Bergkamp also had a rotten time at Inter, and given the comments from Ajax colleagues, the positives outweigh the negatives. Although Inter say £4m is good business for them, surely it is a risk worth taking.
And a couple of 27 year old defenders coming back from long term injuries are mentioned in connection with Arsenal in the broadsheets.
Steve Howey is being courted by Liverpool, and Rob Jones who is seeing Rangers.
No postings Wednesday - no news. But there was a piece saying Wenger wants a red card tribunal to sit in judgement on incidents. He wants punishments adjusted accordingly.
And finally Bryon Butler in the D.Telegraph sounds a warning about players wages getting out of control vis a vis club income, and Arsenal are mentioned as one of the clubs sounding notes of caution.
Press - at a glance 17-18 Jan
Strangely quiet news days.
Martin Keown won most of the Man of the Match awards in the Sundays in the 0-1 away win at Forest. The NoW said," surely there isn't a better defender in England". Tony Adams wasn't far behind.
Ron Atkinson, who wanted to boost the combined age of the Arsenal back four and get in the Guinness Book of Records, by climbing into the Arsenal dug-out, then said he manages Arsenal.
Huh:"I have managed Arsenal. Every time one of my teams play Arsenal, I manage them." (Yes, Ron)
There's some good editorials, particularly in the Sun which says Dennis Bergkamp is back to his best, looks sharp, and could be the trump card in the title race.
Another points out that even on a pudding basin of a pitch, Arsenal's class shone through and should have had three or four goals on the counter attack.
Matt Jansen is having talks with Blackburn, after Crystal Palace agreed a £4.5m offer, according to the S.Express.
And will the Fowler rumour stop coming back? Houllier has lined up French striker Camara. Sources are quoted as saying Liverpool have stuck at a £35,000 week contract - final take-it or leave it offer for the property owning tycoon with houses both north and south of the border. The Monday press say they think he'll sign up for Liverpool. in a £7.5m deal plus a testimonial. Fowler makes positive noises about Livepool' s future.
Yes the press - front and back - is crawling with allegations about the transfer of Jermaine Pennant to Arsenal. But I don't have any source documents, and if the story is wrong, don't fancy getting sued.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have issued a statement saysing they are going to carry out an investigation along with the FA, in the dealings between Mark Curtis and Sky Andrew.
The S.Express claims that Liam Brady was annoyed about not being consulted over Jermaine Pennant's interview on On the Ball.
Another paper claims Kanu is on £27,000/week.
Kenny Dalglish comes out with the most sensible remark that Patrick Vieira gets more yellow cards than most because he makes so many tackles, and he says that even fair tackles are given yellows these days.
Meanwhile, there's a survey in the Independent on Sunday saying giant killings in the Cup are becoming a rarity. There's half the amount of giant killings in the Nineties, than the Eighties; and no gk's for three years during the existence of Premiership [ My God, what a clumsy sentence].
What it does point out is the gulf between top and bottom is widening.