Arsenal Team and Transfer News

- Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole admits he was surprised to be booed by Derby fans in Saturday's victory.

But it has not escaped Cole's notice that his return from an ankle injury has left him in the firing line when he visits former club Arsenal a fortnight on Sunday. He said: "I got booed and I didn't even play on Wednesday.

"Compared to what happened to the England guys, I am sure I will get much worse when I go back to Arsenal but I am used to it.

"I'm going there to front up. At Stamford Bridge, Arsenal's supporters threw money at me.

"That was bad but I get it at every game. I love it.

"I'm going there with nothing to prove. They know how good I was when I was with them and what I did for the club.

"It would be nice to go there and shut some people up. It's going to be tough though."



- 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, as 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 intends to give some of his young Gunners another chance to impress in Arsenal's forthcoming Champions League trip to Sevilla.

Tuesday's encounter at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium could well decide who finishes top of Group H, with the Spaniards needing only to avoid defeat to safeguard their own safe passage into the knockout stages.

Sevilla - then under the guidance of new Tottenham manager Juande Ramos - were swept aside 3-0 at Emirates Stadium earlier in the campaign but would leapfrog Arsenal with victory on their own ground.

Wenger maintains the likes of Lassana Diarra, Alex Song, Nicklas Bendtner, Justin Hoyte and Theo Walcott will all again be in contention to show what they can do at the highest level.

"Some players will be rested for Sevilla. I will rotate and it will be maybe a similar side to that against Slavia," the Arsenal manager said.

"It is an exciting match because it gives some players the chance to show how good they are in a very different context because first place is at stake. I think it is an important game to play."

Wenger added: "First place is important but I have to try and combine all the situations I face.

"Some players played two games last week with internationals and then on Saturday and Tuesday again.

"You could gain some more injuries and knowing the amount of games we have in December, we have to make a choice."



- LA Galaxy star David Beckham will train with Arsenal during the MLS offseason.

The Sunday Express says Becks will jet into England in January to keep him in full fitness during LA Galaxy's close season, the former Manchester United star will train with the Gunners for an initial four weeks.

Arsenal's superb training ground in Hertfordshire is just a 45-minute drive away from the family home at Beckingham Palace, so travelling after his long-haul jaunts won't be a problem.

Beckham also had invitations to train with West Ham and Watford but 'joining' Arsene Wenger's footballing academy was too hard to resist.

In fact, he worked out with the Gunners in the build up to England's clash with Croatia before he officially joined up with the full squad.



- Arsene Wenger hailed the resilience of his Arsenal side and "special" captain William Gallas after the Premier League leaders beat Wigan 2-0.

The Gunners extended their advantage at the top of the table after seeing off a determined Wigan with two late goals at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal have now gone 28 matches without defeat, as a side missing six regulars because of injury and suspension showed their determination to mount a sustained title challenge this season.

Gallas struck with a header seven minutes from time, before Tomas Rosicky finished a fine move two minutes later to make sure of a second straight league win which made the most of Manchester United's surprise defeat at Bolton.

Wenger said: "Wigan played well defensively. We needed something special and some patience to find an opening, and Gallas found it.

"He is a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can always turn up with a goal when you need it.

"Once again we found the resources to win the game. It is not the first time, so I do not feel it is a coincidence."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes they can lift the nation by winning the Champions League this season.

He said: "It would certainly help. I have been in England for 11 years and I am proud and happy when England are doing well.

"In football you have not only joy but a lot of suffering and England are going through that at the moment.

"But football is such a big love for the people in this country and I think they will come out of it."

Up The Gunners!