Arsenal Team and Transfer News

- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Theo Walcott has avoided serious damage after being forced off late on in yesterday's 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

"Theo does not look bad," said the Arsenal manager. "The physio told me he had to come off straight away because he was numb as he had been kicked on the nerve.

"He twisted his ankle and we checked it on the X-ray, and he looks all right."



- Arsene Wenger has played down talk of a move for Lazio attacking midfielder Goran Pandev.

After victory over Wigan Athletic, Wenger said: "Pandev? Yes, I know him. No, we're not looking for anybody at the moment."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the attitude of midfielder Mathieu Flamini after the Frenchman won his first cap last week.

"He got his first cap and we are all happy for him," Wenger told arsenal.com. "Since the begin of the season you judge Flamini on performances and you cannot fault him on that. He has done a job in every area of his game, defensively, tactically as a team player, and we know as well he can turn up and score a goal.

"I tried to be fair with him [when he considered his future]. I could not stop him from leaving but told him if he stays, he knew the rules.

"We can only respect that mental strength and that character and to show on the pitch how good you are. It gives you confidence when you are 23 years old like Mathieu."



- Arsene Wenger is chasing Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio.

The Mirror says Fabio has an Italian passport through his family ties and is catching the eye of European scouts, including the Gunners.

Fabio said: "I've a deal signed with Cruzeiro until the end of this year but after that I would like to move to Europe and if that happens in January then that is up to the clubs involved.

"I've heard of the interest from Wenger but it is too soon to think or talk about it too much.

"But I'm prepared to make the big jump to European football as that's a great challenge for any player."



- Manchester City are ready to pounce for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

The Mirror says City are set to move for the 38 year-old Germany international as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger plans to bring in a new keeper when the market reopens in January.


- Arsene Wenger has been impressed with Tresor Mputu during his trial at Arsenal.

The 20-year-old striker has a growing reputation in Africa. He was the top scorer in the Continent's Champions League as his club, TP Mazembe, reached the last 16.

Mputu hit two hat-tricks and amassed an incredible nine goals in his first four games. He also has five goals in 10 appearances for DR Congo.

No decision has been made on Mputu but, when he spoke to Arsenal.com, the Arsenal manager seemed suitably interested.

"He is on trial and I have to go down to test him today," said Wenger. "He is a creative player and wants a chance in Europe. He has impressed so far."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vowed he is "happy to help" if the Football Association want to consult him for advice about the vacant England manager's job but emphasised he is not interested in succeeding the sacked Steve McClaren.

The Football Association will now begin their search for a successor and the soul-searching continues for answers to the abject failure of some of the Barclays Premier League's top stars who again failed to deliver for their country.

Wenger, though, reflected on the experiences of France, who failed to reach the 1994 World Cup in the United States, but then won it four years later as hosts.

The Frenchman, often criticised for a lack of home-grown talent in his own squad, said: "I don't think it is a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment.

"It is up to England to see how they respond to the situation now.

"Immediately, in the present, it is a massive handicap. On the future for the World Cup 2010 it can be an advantage if the right measures are taken now."

Wenger was himself once approached for the England job by the FA, but has always maintained his interest lies only in club football.

"I am always happy to help if I can," Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"I am not sure I am really gifted for that, but if they want to know my opinion - and it is a confidential one - then I am always happy."

Wenger, who recently agreed a new deal to keep him at Emirates Stadium until 2011, still believes an Englishman would be best suited to the job of national team boss.

"If I was English then of course I'd be interested," the Frenchman, 58, said.

"But I am not so it is a 'no'. That is in line with what I have always said.

"In my opinion, the England manager should be English."



- Arsenal captain William Gallas has revealed he's enjoying working with the club's coaching staff in this season's new role.

"Being captain at Arsenal, I am directly involved in talks with the coach and officials," said Gallas.

"I like those new responsibilities, I really have fun with the talks I have with Arsene (Wenger)."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident Eduardo da Silva can take his Croatia form into today's match against Wigan Athletic.

Wenger said: "We have had to be patient with him but I know things will come good for Eduardo.

"Alex Hleb has been with us for more than two years, yet it is only this season that people have seen how good he really is.

"Eduardo has a good attitude and works hard but has had to adapt. And because he is a quiet person perhaps it takes him longer."

Eduardo is due to partner Emmanuel Adebayor at home to struggling Wigan today.

And Wenger rules out any danger of a backlash from the crowd for the hitman's contribution to England's Euro 2008 exit.

He said: "The people in England will understand. He was just doing his job. But Eduardo's success for Croatia will help his confidence.

"He knows he will go to Euro 2008 as a player who counts in Europe at a big club. I am looking for him to come strong in the second half of the season."



- Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka admits he regrets quitting Arsenal for Real Madrid earlier in his career.

Anelka, 28, admitted: "If you look now at the situation Arsenal are in and look at where I am, then you could say maybe I should have stayed.

"Of course, I would like to play in that team. Which striker wouldn't like to be part of a team that plays such amazing football?

"But the way they are playing, who's to say I'd even get in that team?"

Up The Gunners!