Arsenal Team and Transfer News

- Statistics compiled by Eurosport's Champions League European Power Ranking have placed Arsenal as the top club in European football, ahead of Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The ranking takes into account both continental and domestic games, and are calculated using co-efficient:

The standings are as follows: 1 (1) Arsenal - 27.69, 2 (2) Manchester United - 25.71, 3 (3) Internazionale - 22.92, 4 (4) Barcelona - 22.88, 5 (5) Real Madrid - 21.15, 6 (6) Porto - 20.55, 7 (7) Chelsea - 20, 8 (8) Roma - 19.17, 9 (9) Milan - 19.08, 10 (10) Liverpool - 18.72



- Arsene Wenger has revealed he fully expects starlet Carlos Vela to be a part of his first-team squad next season.

The 18-year-old frontman, who is yet to feature for the Gunners, signed from Mexican outfit Guadalajara in January and is spending this season on loan at Spanish side Osasuna.

Vela was one of the brightest prospects from the Under-17s World Cup in 2005, and has netted one goal in three La Liga starts so far this term.

But although he is out of sight, the youngster - who hit eight goals for Spanish Second Division Salamanca last season - is hardly out of Wenger's mind.

"We scout him every week when he plays," said Wenger. "He can apply for a passport in March and normally he will start with us next summer.

"He will straight away be with the first-team and after that it is up to him to get a place in the side.

"I sent him to Spain because he comes from a Mexican culture and it is easier to adapt in Europe. He has what we like here at Arsenal. He is a good passer of the ball and a finisher.

"He has that intelligent movement with very good technique and great pace," Wenger told the club's website.



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Manuel Almunia is very close to winning a maiden Spain call-up.

Wenger told Arsenal.com, "I know that. There are always noises coming out of the camp so I know that this is thought about.

"It is a little bit like the Gregory Coupet story in France where he came late to Lyon and then the national team.

"But overall goalkeepers careers can start late. Sometimes it is down to getting the right chance and the right moment.

"I feel as well he was here in an environment with top-class keepers around him in the team like Lehmann who test you and push you. Certainly Gerry Peyton has helped him as goalkeeper coach as well.

"The conjunction of all these qualities has made him a better goalkeeper. But first of all, he has a fantastic attitude and wants always to improve."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Cesc Fabregas will miss at least the next two games with his hamstring strain.

Fabregas is out of tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa and Wednesday's game at Newcastle after picking up a hamstring injury in Seville.

Wenger said: "We are pessimistic for him. He has no chance for next week."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is unhappy with his Champions League touchline ban.

The Frenchman was sent to the stands by referee Eric Braamhaar during the 3-1 defeat in Sevilla on Tuesday night, after complaining about what he felt was time-wasting by home captain Daniel Alves.

However, Wenger watched the closing stages of the match from beside the advertising hoardings near the tunnel, which did not go down well with the fourth official, whose behaviour Wenger labelled as "absolutely shocking".

The one-match ban will come into force for the final Group H game against Steaua Bucharest at Emirates Stadium on December 12, although UEFA could, given Wenger's reluctance to leave the tunnel area, increase it when their disciplinary committee sits the following day.

Wenger declared: "I am not saying I am an angel on the touchline, but I have done much worse than what I did on Tuesday night.

"I am like everybody, sometimes there are periods when I am nervous and explode a bit quicker, but overall I try to control it.

"At the end of the day I know what I have done, and I know I have not done a lot.

"It's like if the speed limit is 60mph, sometimes you are not caught when you drive 70mph and sometimes you are caught when you drive 61. I drove 60 and a half.

"I was surprised that I was sent off for what I said.

"I said it was naive to give Alves time to waste that time. I said 'I bet with you he will sprint in two minutes'. It was less than two minutes."

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