Arsenal Team and Transfer News

- Alexander Hleb is unlikely to play at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The Arsenal midfielder limped off during the 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday with an Achilles problem. He had only just returned from a hamstring injury and, in addition, that flared up again on the night.

“He had a kick on his Achilles,” said Wenger. “He had a hamstring problem before but we decided to play him. He had a little recurrence and I am not sure he will be available for Newcastle on Wednesday night.”

Arsenal’s treatment table is starting to become crowded. Robin van Persie (knee) has been absent since October while Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (back) sat out the game at Villa Park. Gael Clichy and Alex Hleb only played after fitness tests on the morning of the game.

“My worry at the moment is that we lose players in every game,” said Wenger. “I hope we’ll get them back soon.”


- Emmanuel Adebayor believes Arsenal are proving the doubters wrong but is refusing to contemplate the possibility of the Barclays Premier League leaders going through a domestic season unbeaten for the second time in five years.

They will head into Wednesday's match at Newcastle boasting an eight-month unbeaten league record with their only reversal during the current campaign coming in last week's Champions League game in Seville when they fielded a much-changed side.

Adebayor said: "I know people are starting to say already that we can go unbeaten but I know the most important thing is keep on doing a good job and keep on playing our football.

"Three or four months ago there were people saying 'we are not sure Arsenal are going to finish in the top four', and now they are mentioning we could go unbeaten for the season.

"The most important thing is to focus on our job. We don't care what people are saying. It is good that people are talking good things about the club and we are very happy about those things.

"But the crucial thing is to keep our head on our shoulders, keep on doing a good job, keep on performing like we are now and at the end of the season we can talk about whether we finish unbeaten or not."



- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he may need to strengthen his defence in January.

"In midfield we have plenty of players," he said. "The only area we might be a bit short is at the back because we have Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue going to the African Nations Cup.

"We might have Johann Djourou back though. We have the option to recall him."



- Arsenal striker Robin van Persie may not be available until the New Year.

The striker last played for Arsenal on October 7 when he struck twice in the 3-2 win over Sunderland at Emirates Stadium. He injured his knee in the international break that followed and has been out of action ever since.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "It will be two or three more weeks."
The manager said the problem was bigger than first thought, adding: "There is still pain. He is not close, he has no chance at all for next week."



- Arsenal and Manchester United are being linked with Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The People says Jaaskelainen's future is hanging in the balance with the keeper's contract set to expire at the end of the season.

With 10 years under his belt, the 32-year-old is the longest serving player at the club.

But with contract talks having ground to a halt, the shot stopper now seems certain to quit - with Manchester United and Arsenal both expected to move for the player.



- Arsenal's England U17 defender Tom Cruise admits he comes from a family of Gunners season ticket holders.

Cruise told arsenal.com: "I have been an Arsenal fan all my life and so being a part of the Club is a dream come true for me and my family. My dad Tom, mum Stephanie and my brother Albert have all supported me and watched almost every game and I know how much it would mean to them for me to make it as a professional at Arsenal.

"At the moment I am concentrating on becoming the best player I can be. I want to play as many games as I can in the Under-18s, but I want to start some games for the Reserves. I have come on as a substitute twice and been on the bench three times but as a defender I think that I would benefit so much from the experience of reserves football."


- The draw for the FA Cup Third Round was made on Sunday. Arsenal were handed a trip to Burnley.

The tie will be played on either Saturday January 5, or Sunday January 6.


- Arsenal have joined the race to sign highly-rated PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Afellay after watching him in action over the weekend.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most talented players in the Eredivisie having come through PSV's youth system.

His former boss Ronaldo Koeman, now at Valencia, is thought to be keen and reports suggest he could make a bid as early as January to take him to Spain.

However, Arsenal now look to be in the running after Arsene Wenger dispatched a delegation to take a close looking at Afellay over the weekend as PSV won 1-0 at De Graafschap.



- Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry says Arsenal are the Premiership's outstanding team.

After their 2-1 defeat on Saturday, Barry reflected: "We were taught a footballing lesson in the first half.

"They showed us how to play the game. There is not a team in the country who can touch Arsenal on that style of football."


Up The Gunners!