FC Barcelona Vs Arsenal live
Juventus director flies to London for talks over Arsenal's Gael Clichy - report
Tuttosport reports Paratici is in England where he will have a meeting with the Gunners in respect of the 25-year-old, who was linked with the Italian club last year, although Juve signed Armand Traore on loan instead.
Juve's general director Giuseppe Marotta confirmed he is looking for "three or four quality players" in the summer transfer window as he begins drawing up a list of targets.
Arsenal are thought to be looking for around £13.2m (€15m) for the Frenchman who reportedly commands a £3.1m (€3.5m) per-season salary.
Talks are expected to be stepped up, with Paratici aiming to pave the way forward in preparation for a June switch to Turin.
Juventus director flies to London for talks over Arsenal's Gael Clichy - report
Tuttosport reports Paratici is in England where he will have a meeting with the Gunners in respect of the 25-year-old, who was linked with the Italian club last year, although Juve signed Armand Traore on loan instead.
Juve's general director Giuseppe Marotta confirmed he is looking for "three or four quality players" in the summer transfer window as he begins drawing up a list of targets.
Arsenal are thought to be looking for around £13.2m (€15m) for the Frenchman who reportedly commands a £3.1m (€3.5m) per-season salary.
Talks are expected to be stepped up, with Paratici aiming to pave the way forward in preparation for a June switch to Turin.
Arsenal & Manchester United target Maarten Stekelenburg to decide Ajax future in the summer - agent
The agent of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg says a contract renewal with the Dutch giants is not high on the priority list.
The 28-year-old has been linked with several club across Europe including Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester United, but Karel Jansen believes all discussions will occur during the summer transfer window.
"We know for a fact that there is another year left on Maarten's contract with Ajax," Jansen told Tuttomercatoweb. "He could leave at the end of the season, or could stay in Amsterdam.
"I am certain he is liked my many clubs, but it is still too early to say who in particular.
"Every decision in regards to Maarten will be made during the summer, when we will evaluate the situation and start to make a decision. The contract renewal is not one of the more probable possibilities, even though we know that in football, anything can happen."
The shot-stopper recently injured his thumb in training, and is on the sidelines for up to six weeks.
Arsenal & Manchester United target Maarten Stekelenburg to decide Ajax future in the summer - agent
The agent of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg says a contract renewal with the Dutch giants is not high on the priority list.
The 28-year-old has been linked with several club across Europe including Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester United, but Karel Jansen believes all discussions will occur during the summer transfer window.
"We know for a fact that there is another year left on Maarten's contract with Ajax," Jansen told Tuttomercatoweb. "He could leave at the end of the season, or could stay in Amsterdam.
"I am certain he is liked my many clubs, but it is still too early to say who in particular.
"Every decision in regards to Maarten will be made during the summer, when we will evaluate the situation and start to make a decision. The contract renewal is not one of the more probable possibilities, even though we know that in football, anything can happen."
The shot-stopper recently injured his thumb in training, and is on the sidelines for up to six weeks.
Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia: Samir Nasri wants me to join Arsenal
Udinese’s versatile defender Mehdi Benatia has claimed Arsenal’s Samir Nasri wants him to join the Gunners.
The two players remain friends after spending time at Marseille, however, Benatia never made the grade at the Stade Velodrome, and after loan spells at Tours and Lorient respectively, the Moroccan international joined Clermont Foot before switching to Udinese in Serie A for free last summer.
The defender, who was born in France, hasn’t looked out of his depth in Serie A as could have been expected after making the jump from France’s Ligue 2 and despite Nasri’s pleasing comments, he is no rush to leave Italy, paying little attention to any rumours.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Clairefontaine graduate said: “He [Nasri] wants [me] to do it.
When I was in France, at a small club, he said to me: 'I am going to talk to Arsene Wenger'. I told him that he was crazy. Now he is even more decisive.
"We're great friends. We got to know each other in Marseille. We shared a room.
“I like Serie A. I am very happy here and my wife Cecile is too. We live in the city centre. I'd like to have a great career in Udine.
"Getting into the Europa League would be great. The Champions League is difficult even if there is quality at this club."
Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia: Samir Nasri wants me to join Arsenal
Udinese’s versatile defender Mehdi Benatia has claimed Arsenal’s Samir Nasri wants him to join the Gunners.
The two players remain friends after spending time at Marseille, however, Benatia never made the grade at the Stade Velodrome, and after loan spells at Tours and Lorient respectively, the Moroccan international joined Clermont Foot before switching to Udinese in Serie A for free last summer.
The defender, who was born in France, hasn’t looked out of his depth in Serie A as could have been expected after making the jump from France’s Ligue 2 and despite Nasri’s pleasing comments, he is no rush to leave Italy, paying little attention to any rumours.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Clairefontaine graduate said: “He [Nasri] wants [me] to do it.
When I was in France, at a small club, he said to me: 'I am going to talk to Arsene Wenger'. I told him that he was crazy. Now he is even more decisive.
"We're great friends. We got to know each other in Marseille. We shared a room.
“I like Serie A. I am very happy here and my wife Cecile is too. We live in the city centre. I'd like to have a great career in Udine.
"Getting into the Europa League would be great. The Champions League is difficult even if there is quality at this club."
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny reveals he is still training despite injured hand
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed the injury he sustained against Barcelona in the Champions League has not stopped him putting in the hours on the training pitch.
The Polish 'keeper has been sidelined for two weeks and faces a minimum of two more weeks in a splint after rupturing tendons in his left hand.
Manager Arsene Wenger last week stated that he expected the 20-year-old to miss six weeks of action.
The injury prevents him from taking part in a normal goalkeeping routine, but Szczesny is using the time to work on other areas of his game that will improve him in the long-term.
"I work in the gym everyday, working on my lower body and my distribution as well which will be very good for me," he told the club's website. "I'm not getting bored, I can still do a lot of stuff.
"There's nothing you can do when it happens - you have to move on, work hard on your fitness and make sure you come back stronger than ever.
"There's not a lot of joint damage, the tendon is ruptured. So basically I have to keep my finger in a splint for four weeks and let the tendon heal. From then it will be a couple of weeks before I can be back in the squad.
"It's very hard, especially at a time when it was going well for me. We have got some big games coming up."
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny reveals he is still training despite injured hand
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed the injury he sustained against Barcelona in the Champions League has not stopped him putting in the hours on the training pitch.
The Polish 'keeper has been sidelined for two weeks and faces a minimum of two more weeks in a splint after rupturing tendons in his left hand.
Manager Arsene Wenger last week stated that he expected the 20-year-old to miss six weeks of action.
The injury prevents him from taking part in a normal goalkeeping routine, but Szczesny is using the time to work on other areas of his game that will improve him in the long-term.
"I work in the gym everyday, working on my lower body and my distribution as well which will be very good for me," he told the club's website. "I'm not getting bored, I can still do a lot of stuff.
"There's nothing you can do when it happens - you have to move on, work hard on your fitness and make sure you come back stronger than ever.
"There's not a lot of joint damage, the tendon is ruptured. So basically I have to keep my finger in a splint for four weeks and let the tendon heal. From then it will be a couple of weeks before I can be back in the squad.
"It's very hard, especially at a time when it was going well for me. We have got some big games coming up."
Ramsey - Our character earned us a point
West Bromwich Albion capitalised on uncertain defending to take a two-goal lead at the Hawthorns but Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie struck within seven minutes of each other to set up a grandstand finish.
Arsenal could not find a winner and find themselves five points adrift of Manchester United going into the international break. That was a source of frustration to Ramsey after the match but he admits it could have been worse.
"Obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted but I thought we showed character to get a point of out it," said the Welshman. "It could have been a lot worse, absolutely, but we never give up. At least we got something out of the game.
"We have a game in hand and we play Man United at home so we are definitely not out of it [the title race]. Definitely not. There is a lot to play for and hopefully we can do that and become champions at the end."
Saturday represented Ramsey's first start in an Arsenal shirt since he suffered a double leg fracture at Stoke in February 2010. The 20-year-old almost marked the milestone with a first-half equaliser but was denied at point-blank range by Albion keeper Scott Carson.
"I think I should have scored," reflected Ramsey. "But it was awkward. The ball was around my hip and I had to take a touch, the right-back was getting close to me so I had to get a shot away pretty quickly.
"But it was great to have that opportunity to start again for Arsenal and I thought I did alright. Obviously, it is a difficult atmosphere and the fans get right behind their players - they showed that with their first half performance. But they got tired in the end and we took advantage of that."
Ramsey - Our character earned us a point
West Bromwich Albion capitalised on uncertain defending to take a two-goal lead at the Hawthorns but Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie struck within seven minutes of each other to set up a grandstand finish.
Arsenal could not find a winner and find themselves five points adrift of Manchester United going into the international break. That was a source of frustration to Ramsey after the match but he admits it could have been worse.
"Obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted but I thought we showed character to get a point of out it," said the Welshman. "It could have been a lot worse, absolutely, but we never give up. At least we got something out of the game.
"We have a game in hand and we play Man United at home so we are definitely not out of it [the title race]. Definitely not. There is a lot to play for and hopefully we can do that and become champions at the end."
Saturday represented Ramsey's first start in an Arsenal shirt since he suffered a double leg fracture at Stoke in February 2010. The 20-year-old almost marked the milestone with a first-half equaliser but was denied at point-blank range by Albion keeper Scott Carson.
"I think I should have scored," reflected Ramsey. "But it was awkward. The ball was around my hip and I had to take a touch, the right-back was getting close to me so I had to get a shot away pretty quickly.
"But it was great to have that opportunity to start again for Arsenal and I thought I did alright. Obviously, it is a difficult atmosphere and the fans get right behind their players - they showed that with their first half performance. But they got tired in the end and we took advantage of that."
Wenger won't be drawn into keeper debate
Arsène Wenger will not be drawn into a debate over which of his goalkeepers deserves to start Arsenal's next game.
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
Wenger won't be drawn into keeper debate
Arsène Wenger will not be drawn into a debate over which of his goalkeepers deserves to start Arsenal's next game.
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set to bid for Bolton Gary Cahill as Thomas Vermaelen is out until next season - report
Arsenal will reportedly speed up their hunt to recruit Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill to replace Thomas Vermaelen, ruled out of action at least until the start of the next Premier League
campaign.
According to News of the World, the 25-year-old Belgian has visited specialists in Holland for the past week in a bid to try and nurse the Achilles problem which first arose in September.
The likes of Laurent Koscielny, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou have had mixed fortunes this season and Wenger is determined to reinforce his back-five for the next Premier League campaign.
The Gunners boss reportedly found the £15million price tag for Cahill too high but is having second thoughts as suitors such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have emerged.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle already has Reading centre back Matt Mills on his radar for a £3 million fee, to fill Cahill’s place should he leave.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set to bid for Bolton Gary Cahill as Thomas Vermaelen is out until next season - report
Arsenal will reportedly speed up their hunt to recruit Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill to replace Thomas Vermaelen, ruled out of action at least until the start of the next Premier League
campaign.
According to News of the World, the 25-year-old Belgian has visited specialists in Holland for the past week in a bid to try and nurse the Achilles problem which first arose in September.
The likes of Laurent Koscielny, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou have had mixed fortunes this season and Wenger is determined to reinforce his back-five for the next Premier League campaign.
The Gunners boss reportedly found the £15million price tag for Cahill too high but is having second thoughts as suitors such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have emerged.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle already has Reading centre back Matt Mills on his radar for a £3 million fee, to fill Cahill’s place should he leave.
West Bromwich Albion 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Report
Arsenal staged a two-goal comeback at West Brom on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of winning the Premier League title.
Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have suffered a massive blow to their aspirations when a defensive mix-up saw Peter Odemwingie put the home side 2-0 ahead just before the hour.
Arsenal had been trailing since Steven Reid’s header in the third minute and, despite having overwhleming possession, they could not break down a stubborn West Brom defence.
However, Andrey Arshavin put them back into contention in the 70th minute and then, seven minutes later, Robin van Persie trickled the equaliser over the line.
Arsenal fought frantically for a winner and came closest when Gael Clichy’s drive was saved by Scott Carson. Manchester United’s late victory over Bolton mean Wenger’s men have dropped behind in the title race but, after this massive scare, it could have been much worse.
Questions will be asked about the defence after this result but Wenger’s team gave a resolute answer to any concerns about their spirit.
Arsenal’s title chances were certainly damaged in this pulsating afternoon of football but the blow was not fatal.
They are still in the race.
There were two familiar names back in the squad this afternoon. Aaron Ramsey had come off the bench last weekend against Manchester United but this afternoon he started his first game for the Club since he had picked up that horrible broken leg at Stoke in February 2010. He replaced the injured Abou Diaby.
Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann was on the bench after coming out of retirement to answer an emergency call from Wenger. It was the German’s first Arsenal appearance since May 2007.
Elsewhere, Sebastien Squillaci replaced Johan Djourou, who is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury, and Gael Clichy replaced Kieran Gibbs.
This was a massive day for Arsenal. After the disappointments of recent weeks, Wenger’s men needed a fillip and, of course, three points.
However they would make the worst possible start.
In the fourth minute, Laurent Koscielny gave away a corner on the left which Chris Brunt swung over to the edge of the six-yard box. It found Reid, who pulled away from Ramsey before powering home a header from close range.
It was a horrible goal to concede and instantly put Arsenal on the back foot. They struggled to respond until the quarter-hour but, after that, would dominate.
On a difficult surface, the visitors took time to get their passing going. But gradually Ramsey found his measure and Samir Nasri started to have an influence on the right.
At one point towards half time, Arsenal were registering 74 per cent possession but it only brought them one real opportunity before the break.
It came in the 25th minute. Clichy raced down the left and clipped a cross towards the stretching Van Persie, who sent a looping header against the bar.
Carson stood motionless as the ball bounced back off the woodwork. But the keeper responded quickly when it eventually came down at the feet of Ramsey. The Welshman got his shot away but the ball bounced back off the body of the West Brom stopper.
Apart from that, it was one-way traffic and all in the direction of the hosts' goal. However the home side defended in numbers and, though thoroughly questioned by Arsenal, they always found an answer.
It was a massive half-time for Wenger and he made a decisive change. Denilson off, Marouane Chamakh on.
The Moroccan went up front, with Van Persie in support. Nasri moved to central midfield and Ramsey shifted to the right.
It was an attacking move. And Wenger would make another just before the hour when the Welshman made way for Nicklas Bendtner.
That came just after substitute Marek Cech broke away on the left and his cross was put wide by the sliding Brunt when he should have scored.
However, after the change, West Brom did find a second.
There seemed little on when Odemwingie chased down Squillaci in pursuit of a long ball on 58 minutes. But Almunia also came out to collect and so when the West Brom striker won the ball he had the relatively simple job of rolling it into the empty net.
Again, a horrible goal to concede.
Arsenal now had everything against them. And when Van Persie hacked a free-kick well wide it seemed that they would struggle to respond.
But in the 70th minute, Arshavin handed the visitors a lifeline. The Russian popped up on the left of the area and rifled a shot into the far corner.
It was Arshavin’s sixth goal of the season and potentially the most important.
And the Russian would have an massive influence in the equaliser eight minutes later. It was his raking cross that drew Carson to the far post and bounced back into the area off the upright. The ball got stuck under the feet of Abdoulaye Meite and the sliding Van Persie got the merest of touches to trickle the ball over the line.
The game had turned on its head and now Arsenal were looking for a winner. Van Persie nodded wide from a corner and Jack Wilshere saw his shot blocked.
In injury time Clichy strode forward and saw his effort saved by Carson low at the near post.
Arsenal threw everything at West Brom in the dying seconds but, despite scrambles, the goal would not come.
At the end, the players looked crestfallen
This was a trip - even a backward step - but there is time to recover.
* A word for the travelling Arsenal fans this afternoon. As at Old Trafford, they were utterly magnificent in their support - a credit to the Club.
West Bromwich Albion 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Report
Arsenal staged a two-goal comeback at West Brom on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of winning the Premier League title.
Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have suffered a massive blow to their aspirations when a defensive mix-up saw Peter Odemwingie put the home side 2-0 ahead just before the hour.
Arsenal had been trailing since Steven Reid’s header in the third minute and, despite having overwhleming possession, they could not break down a stubborn West Brom defence.
However, Andrey Arshavin put them back into contention in the 70th minute and then, seven minutes later, Robin van Persie trickled the equaliser over the line.
Arsenal fought frantically for a winner and came closest when Gael Clichy’s drive was saved by Scott Carson. Manchester United’s late victory over Bolton mean Wenger’s men have dropped behind in the title race but, after this massive scare, it could have been much worse.
Questions will be asked about the defence after this result but Wenger’s team gave a resolute answer to any concerns about their spirit.
Arsenal’s title chances were certainly damaged in this pulsating afternoon of football but the blow was not fatal.
They are still in the race.
There were two familiar names back in the squad this afternoon. Aaron Ramsey had come off the bench last weekend against Manchester United but this afternoon he started his first game for the Club since he had picked up that horrible broken leg at Stoke in February 2010. He replaced the injured Abou Diaby.
Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann was on the bench after coming out of retirement to answer an emergency call from Wenger. It was the German’s first Arsenal appearance since May 2007.
Elsewhere, Sebastien Squillaci replaced Johan Djourou, who is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury, and Gael Clichy replaced Kieran Gibbs.
This was a massive day for Arsenal. After the disappointments of recent weeks, Wenger’s men needed a fillip and, of course, three points.
However they would make the worst possible start.
In the fourth minute, Laurent Koscielny gave away a corner on the left which Chris Brunt swung over to the edge of the six-yard box. It found Reid, who pulled away from Ramsey before powering home a header from close range.
It was a horrible goal to concede and instantly put Arsenal on the back foot. They struggled to respond until the quarter-hour but, after that, would dominate.
On a difficult surface, the visitors took time to get their passing going. But gradually Ramsey found his measure and Samir Nasri started to have an influence on the right.
At one point towards half time, Arsenal were registering 74 per cent possession but it only brought them one real opportunity before the break.
It came in the 25th minute. Clichy raced down the left and clipped a cross towards the stretching Van Persie, who sent a looping header against the bar.
Carson stood motionless as the ball bounced back off the woodwork. But the keeper responded quickly when it eventually came down at the feet of Ramsey. The Welshman got his shot away but the ball bounced back off the body of the West Brom stopper.
Apart from that, it was one-way traffic and all in the direction of the hosts' goal. However the home side defended in numbers and, though thoroughly questioned by Arsenal, they always found an answer.
It was a massive half-time for Wenger and he made a decisive change. Denilson off, Marouane Chamakh on.
The Moroccan went up front, with Van Persie in support. Nasri moved to central midfield and Ramsey shifted to the right.
It was an attacking move. And Wenger would make another just before the hour when the Welshman made way for Nicklas Bendtner.
That came just after substitute Marek Cech broke away on the left and his cross was put wide by the sliding Brunt when he should have scored.
However, after the change, West Brom did find a second.
There seemed little on when Odemwingie chased down Squillaci in pursuit of a long ball on 58 minutes. But Almunia also came out to collect and so when the West Brom striker won the ball he had the relatively simple job of rolling it into the empty net.
Again, a horrible goal to concede.
Arsenal now had everything against them. And when Van Persie hacked a free-kick well wide it seemed that they would struggle to respond.
But in the 70th minute, Arshavin handed the visitors a lifeline. The Russian popped up on the left of the area and rifled a shot into the far corner.
It was Arshavin’s sixth goal of the season and potentially the most important.
And the Russian would have an massive influence in the equaliser eight minutes later. It was his raking cross that drew Carson to the far post and bounced back into the area off the upright. The ball got stuck under the feet of Abdoulaye Meite and the sliding Van Persie got the merest of touches to trickle the ball over the line.
The game had turned on its head and now Arsenal were looking for a winner. Van Persie nodded wide from a corner and Jack Wilshere saw his shot blocked.
In injury time Clichy strode forward and saw his effort saved by Carson low at the near post.
Arsenal threw everything at West Brom in the dying seconds but, despite scrambles, the goal would not come.
At the end, the players looked crestfallen
This was a trip - even a backward step - but there is time to recover.
* A word for the travelling Arsenal fans this afternoon. As at Old Trafford, they were utterly magnificent in their support - a credit to the Club.
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