Arsenal Team and Transfer News

- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits hamstring victim Cesc Fabregas is desperate to face Chelsea on Sunday.

"We haven't set any date for his return yet," said the Arsenal manager. "Cesc is not with the group at all; he is with the medical people being treated. He is working very hard.

"Cesc is very impatient, but he is not back yet."




- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Jens Lehmann will make a rare appearance tonight against Steaua Bucharest.

The 38-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since August 19 at Blackburn when he made a second high-profile error of the then fledgling season.

Wenger revealed: "Lehmann will start in goal.

"His attitude has been fantastic and when you look at this man the one thing you cannot fault is he is a super professional. Jens is an example for everybody.

"For every goalkeeper it is good to practice, but at some stage you need to play at a competitive level.

"It is not a present. It is to keep him fit and competitive.

"If Jens plays well it does not create a problem.

"Why should it be a problem if a player plays well? It is a problem if he doesn't play well."

Wenger maintained: "For all of us the only target is to do well for the club - and we can only do that if we perform well.

"Jens' long-term future depends on, when you are 38, what you call a long-term future. We haven't spoken about that.

"At the moment I expect him to play well tomorrow."

However, when asked if he expected Lehmann to remain at Arsenal for the second half of the season, Wenger said: "I cannot guarantee that, like for anybody else."




- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at claims from Chelsea rival Avram Grant that his squad cannot handle injuries.

Wenger called Arsenal's first defeat of the season, away to Middlesbrough on Monday, a mere blip and hit back at Grant, saying: "We focus on ourselves and our performances. We played a fantastic game against Aston Villa just two games ago. We had a very average game at Middlesbrough and we lost.

"My squad is very determined and very strong. If you had listened to what people said before the season we would be 10th or 12th in the league and be out of everything. At the moment we are in everything."




- Mathieu Flamini is set to be handed a new five-year contract by Arsenal.

The London Evening Standard says the Arsenal midfielder's current deal runs out next summer and he will be free to talk to other clubs about an end-of-season move from next month.

But the 23-year-old, who moved to Arsenal from Marseille in 2004, is on the verge of being handed a lucrative new deal after proving to be a key member of the team.

Negotiations between Flamini's advisers and the club are at an advanced stage and he could soon put pen to paper on a £40,000-a-week deal. That would put him in a middle band of earners on Arsenal's payroll.




- Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is desperate to stake his claim for a long-term place in Arsene Wenger plans when he plays tonight against Champions League opponents Steaua Bucharest.

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan in the Coca-Cola Championship with Birmingham, and intends to repay the faith shown in him by Wenger.

"Every time I get my chance I want to take it, to show people what I can do," said Bendtner, who scored his first European goal in the 7-0 demolition of Slavia Prague during October.

"When you are in a team which plays such great football like Arsenal, it is really difficult to get into the side, but when your chance comes you have to show you are capable of coming in and playing in the team."

Bendtner reflected: "I will just take it as it comes. So far I have been pleased."

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner believes that remaining unbeaten all season was never realistic.

"When you play in such a tough league, [a defeat] is always going to happen," the Denmark forward said after the defeat away to Middlesbrough on Sunday.




- Arsenal are on red alert after Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc admitted today he was ready to leave at the end of this season.

Boruc has been linked with the Gunners and AC Milan in recent months and he told The Herald: "I have decided I am going to leave Celtic in the summer.

"Celtic want more than £10m for me but I think it's too much. I have to see what's best for me."


Up The Gunners!