Hector Bellerin out till next season with ACL injury

Hector Bellerin has become the third long term injury victim at Arsenal this season after the club confirmed that he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee. 

He is now expected to be out for at least nine months, and would not be back until next season. 
His injury adds to the defensive injuries that has been a feature of the club's season, with Rob Holding also a victim of an ACL injury a couple of months back.

Hector Bellerin had gone down in the 72nd minute crutching his left knee in Saturday's win over Chelsea, before he was carried off on a stretcher.

The club confirmed the fears of Unai Emery in a statement on Tuesday.

"Further to the injury sustained during our match against Chelsea on Saturday, we can confirm that Hector has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee," 

"Hector will undergo surgery to repair this in the coming days. The rehabilitation process is expected to take between six to nine months and therefore rules Hector out of action for the remainder of this season.

"Everyone at the club will now be working as hard as we can to ensure Hector is back on the pitch as soon as possible next season."

Prior to the injury, Bellerin has featured 19 times in the Premier League this season, 18 of which have come as starts.

In his absence, Maitland-Niles is now expected to feature more in the coming months, as veteran right back Stephan Lichtsteiner has struggled to adapt to the pace of the league.

Petr Cech to leave Arsenal

Arsenal and former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is to retire at the end of the season. The 36 year announced on Tuesday.

In a statement on social media; 

"This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of this season," He said

"Having played 15 years in the Premier League, and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve. I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch."

The former Czech republic international arrived from Rennes in 2004 to join Chelsea, and he was instrumental in goal as the Stamford Bridge outfit won three Premier League titles, but he lost his place to Thibaut Courtois in 2014, which resulted in a move to Arsenal in 2015.

His time at the Bridge fetched him four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two league cups, a Champions League and Europa Cup. During his time at Arsenal, he won the FA Cup for the fifth time in 2017.

His departure means Arsenal would either decide to promote a goalkeeper from within its youth setup or go into the transfer market to get a replacement as Benard Leno was signed last summer in anticipation of such an announcement.

Reports: Arsenal grant Nacho Monreal contract extension

Accoding to reports, Arsenal have exercised an option to extend the contract of defender Nacho Monreal to the summer of 2020.

The former Malaga left back, 32 was in the final year of his contract, and he was due to be a few agent in the summer, but Unai Emery had indicated that he was a player he wants to keep.

Despite being plagued by injuries this season, he has been one of Arsenal's more consistent players since he arrived from La liga several years ago.

Arsenal have several players in the final year of their contract, Petr Cech, Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey are expected to leave the club this summer when their contract expires. While it remains to be seen whether the club would exercise the option to extend the contract of Stephan Lichtsteiner beyond this season.

Arsenal injury crisis lessen as Ozil, Monreal and Koscielny returns

Arsenal have received a welcome boost after Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal all took part in training ahead of Saturday's showdow with West Ham. 

The former has not featured for Arsenal since the disappointing draw against Brighton on Boxing day. While Koscielny missed the FA Cup third round win over Blackpool after he suffered a back spasm in the warm up.

Nacho Monreal who returned in December after two months out has also returned to training following his latest injury setback from a hamstring strain. 

Arsenal have been hit hard by defensive injuries this season, with all it first team defenders spending time on the sidelines at various moments.

Hector Bellerin (calf), central defenders Dinos Mavropanos (groin) and Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) have all now returned to first team training, thereby easing the injury worries of Arsenal particularly in defence. 

However, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck are out for the season with knee ligament damage and ankle injuries respectively. While, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to be back in February from a foot injury.

Juventus wins the race to sign Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal

According to reports from various Italian media outlets, Juventus have won the race to sign Welsh and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer in the summer.

The 28 year old can sign a pre-contract agreement with any club this month. And having been linked to Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich, its points to a direction that the Seria A leaders have the battle to secure his signature.

The deal is reportedly to be a 5 years worth £5.9m a year which is equivalent to £200,000 a week.

A scorer of two FA Cups winning goals for Arsenal and a winner of three FA Cups in his 10 years at the club, he became the highest scoring midfielder in Arsenal's history when he scored his 61st goal for the club against Fulham on New Year day.

However, his time at the Emirates, winds to a close next summer, after Arsenal withdrew the contract he was earlier offered by the club's outgone chief executive.

Arsenal complete signing of midfielder Matteo Guendouzi

Arsenal have announced the signing of France u-20 midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £7m.

The former PSG youth product becomes Arsenal's fifth signing of the summer transfer window after Uruguayan international Lucas Torreira's signing was confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking of his move to the North London club, the 19 year old told the club's website thus;

"I want to become part of the club's history and to achieve great things here,"

"Arsenal have always been the team closest to my heart and a side I've wanted to join since I was a child."

The club's manager welcomed to the club with these words:

"[Guendouzi] has big potential and gained good first team experience last season with Lorient,"

"He wants to learn and improve and will be an important part of our first-team squad."

Standing at over 6ft 2in, he made a total of 30 appearances for the Lorient first team.

Photo credit: Arsenal.com

Arsenal seal deal for defensive midfielder Lucas Torreira

Arsenal have completed the deal for Uruguayan international midfielder Lucas Torreira. The 22 year old arrives on a fee of £26m on a five year deal.

He featured at this summer's World Cup in Russia for Uruguay. With three starts and two substitute appearances.

Speaking of his latest signing, Arsenal manager, Unai Emery said "In Lucas Torreira we have signed a young player who is a very bright talent in the game. A midfielder with great quality."

Standing at just 5ft 5in, he spent four years in Italy, two of which where with Sampdoria, where he made a total of 71 appearances.

He becomes Arsenal's fourth signing of the transfer window.

The club is expected to take that number to five when they confirm the capture of 19 year old France under-20 international Matteo Guendouzi who is expected to join from French side, Lorient. He reportedly underwent a medical at the club on Tuesday.

Arsenal confirm signing of Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Arsenal have confirmed that signing of Greek international, Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund. The 30 year old has signed a long term contract for a undisclosed fee reported to be around £16m.

He becomes Unai Emery's third signing after the arrivals of goalkeeper, Benard Leno from Bayer Leverkusen and Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus on a free transfer.

Speaking to the Arsenal website on his signing, he said;

"I feel very good, everything is special,"

"It is a beautiful moment and I am very happy that for the next years I will be here. Arsenal are one of the three biggest teams in the Premier League.

"I'm a normal defender. I like to defend. I like that my team doesn't take goals. I like a zero in the defence and I will do everything to help to achieve this goal."

He becomes the third straight Borussia Dortmund player to join Arsenal in seven months after the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January.

Jack Wilshere confirm Arsenal departure

Jack Wilshere has released a statement confirming that he would be leaving Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of June. His departure brings to an end a 17 year association with the club having being signed as nine year old in 2001.

His time at the club has been plagued by injuries, which has affected his ability to reproduce the early form that endeared him to the club's fans and other football lovers when he made his full debut as a 16 year old.

In spite of his largely injury free season for Arsenal which earned him a new contract on reduced terms; one he indicated he was willing to sign, the club's new manager Unai Emery wasn't enamoured by what he could offer, and ultimately decided to cut him loose, having been made known that he wasn't part of his plans following discussions with the Spaniard, which was the basis of Jack Wilshere's decision to leave.

During his time at the club, he made a total of 197 appearances in all competitions and won four trophies at the club, (two FA Cups and two Community shields).

Arsenal agree £26m deal for midfielder Lucas Torreira

Accoding to report, Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. The 22 year old, who is in the Uruguayan squad at the World Cup is reportedly available for a fee of £26.4m.

The 5ft 5in defensive midfielder has built a reputation has a hard working and a technical midfielder that is good with both feet.

He would become Unai Emery's second signing when the deal goes through. After the initial arrival of Swiss international captain Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus.

Arsenal are also set to confirm the signing of Greek defender Sokratis in July after they agreed a fee of £16m with Borussia Dortmund in May.

The club is reported to be interested in Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernard Leno according to a section of the German media.

Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at the end of the season

Arsene Wenger has today announced through a statement released on Arsenal's website that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. This would bring his near 22 year stay with the club to an end. The 68 year old was appointed Arsenal manager in September, 1996 when the club was still at it ancestry home of Highbury. In his time, the club moved from it old home to the 60, 000 capacity Emirates stadium in the 2006. Ten years after he initially arrived at the club.

In what has been a difficult season for the club, several fans have clamoured for him to end his stay at the club, that reached a new height last season after series of protest by fans. Despite ending last season with another FA Cup win to placate some sections of the fan base, the malaise of last season spilled over to this, and Arsenal have struggled in the league all season, as they are now prime to end in sixth place, which would be the lowest position Arsenal would end a season under the stewardship of the Frenchman. The Europa League is now an opportunity to end his time at the club on a high.

He had this to say in the statement announcing his departure from the club;

“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me  to step down at the end of the season.

 I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

 I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

 I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.

 I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.

 To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.

 My love and support for ever.”

-Arsene Wenger

The club has indicated that they would make an appointment to replace Arsene Wenger as soon as possible. 

The Frenchman's time at the club has fetched Three Premier League titles (1998, 2002, 2004), Seven FA Cups, (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017) and Seven Community Shields, The Europa League could be part of that collection, if Arsenal can win it at the end of the season. 

Ramsey and Mustafi out of West Ham tie

Aaron Ramsey and Mustafi have been ruled out of the West Ham tie slated for Wednesday. The former picked up a hamstring injury in the game against Southampton while the latter injured his tight in the defeat against Manchester United at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger confirmed that Ramsey's injury is a small one. While Mustafi has started running, but he is not fully fit yet.

The Frenchuman would now have to decide between Jack Wilshere, and MO Elneny as possible replacement for Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal lie fifth in the table with 29 points as they look to get back to winning ways against a resurgent West Ham United.

Wenger: A new contract for Wishere defends on him staying fit

Arsene Wenger had his weekly press conference on Thursday ahead of
Monday's Premier League match against West Brom at the Emirates.

The Frenchman was asked whether there a long term future for Jack
Wishere at Arsenal.

This is after he completed 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt for over two
years following his solid display against Doncaster in Wednesday's
League Cup win.

His current Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.

The Arsenal manager had this to say in response;

"That is down to whether he can remain fit or not."

"He is an Arsenal man, an Arsenal player - He certainly would want to
(have a long-term future)."

"But we haven't spoken about that because at the start of the season I
thought we had to see how it evolved and what kind of influence he can
have in the squad through the whole season."

It doesn't come as a surprise that Arsene Wenger and the club are
watching to see whether he retains his fitness before there is talk of
a new contract.

The 25 year old has not had a sustained period of fitness since his
breakthrough season at Arsenal seven years ago.

EFL Cup 4th round draw: Arsenal to play Norwich City, Chelsea to host Everton

The fourth round of the English League Cup has been conducted after
tonight's third round matches.

Arsenal are to host Norwich City at the Emirates after their 1-0 win
over Doncaster.

Following their 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest, Chelsea will host
Everton in an all Premier League tie.

While Manchester United's reward for beating Burton 4-0 is a date with
Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

The ties would be played between October 23-24

Full draws:

Leicester v Leeds
Bournemouth v Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Everton
Manchester City v Wolves
Swansea City v Manchester United
Arsenal v Norwich City
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Bristol City v Crystal Palace

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck ruled out for up to four weeks

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for four weeks
following the groin injury he picked up in the match against Chelsea
on Sunday.

The 26 year old was carried off the field after he sustained the injury late on.

Prior to this latest injury setback, he has started all Arsenal's
league matches this season.

His time at Arsenal has been plagued by injuries since he was signed
in 2014. He spent almost a year out prior to the beginning of last
season, and recovered late on well into the second half of the
2016/2017 season.

With a return of three league goals and a assist, his output in front
of goal and his running and work ethics off the ball have been
tactically important for Arsenal in the early weeks of the season.

In his stead, Alexis Sanchez is expected to now fully into the side
after being eased into the full setup in recent weeks as a result of
his fitness.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger would hand starts to Jack Wilshere and Calum
Chambers in Wednesday's League Cup tie against Doncaster at the
Emirates.

The Frenchman confirmed this when he spoke to the club's website.
Youngster Riess Nelson is also expected to play in what is expected to
be a much changed side.

Antonio Conte on Arsenal: It was a good point against a tough side

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte called the stalemate against Arsenal a
good point after both sides failed to find the net. It was the first
time, the Italian have seen his side fail to score in 27 matches.

He wasn't too down beat, calling the result instead a good point
against a tough opponent.

"It was a good, open game with both teams trying to win.

"Every game against Arsenal is always very tough, we knew very well
what type of game to face. Both teams are great teams, it's a good
draw.

"David Luiz, you know very well that I don't like to comment about the
referee. I don't do it in the past, or the present. You need to see
what happened before the tackle.

"We have great respect for officials, but it is strange to finish a
third game in a row against Arsenal with 10 men."

Wenger: There is no hierarchy in the Arsenal squad

Arsenal opened their Europa League campaign with a 3-1 win over German
side Cologne.

In a match that was delayed for one hour due to crowd safety issues as
a result of the number of Cologne fans that descended on the Emirates
Stadium, the Gunners came from behind with second half goals from Sead
Kolasinac, Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin making up for a poor
first half display.

Arsene Wenger made nine changes to his line up. With seven of the
players that featured against Bournemouth not part of the matchday
squad.

The Frenchman praised his squad for their second half display on the
night and asserted that there is no hierarchy in the squad as was
reflected by the number of changes he made for the match.

"We had a slow start and there was an accidental goal. After that it
was important not to concede and panic and put more pace into our
game. From then. we controlled the game and won convincingly in the
end. He told BT Sport.

"I think Sanchez is still running after his best form. He is a
fantastic football player but physically he has just come back. But he
has it in his locker to do something special, which he did.

"We want to do well in all the best competitions and I had an
experienced team today, even though I made nine changes. They are all
top class players, there is no hierarchy in the squad."

Arsenal are at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face Chelsea in what is
expected to be a tough examination of the club's new found form.

Arsenal in the Europa League: Alexis part of nine changes

Arsenal file out in Uefa's second tier club competition the Europa
League for the first time in its present format after missing out on
the familiar terrain of the Champions League for the first time in 20
years.

The Gunners' opponent for tonight's match at the Emirates is
Bundesliga side Cologne who are making their first European appearance
in 25 years.

Arsene Wenger has gone with a much changed line up to the one that
featured in the league win over Bournemouth last weekend. With Nine
changes made.

Full teams:

Arsenal

David Ospina, Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding, Nacho Monreal, Hector
Bellerin, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Elneny, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez,
Oliver Giroud

Subs: Macey, Wilshere, Mustafi, The Jeff, Kolasinac, Akpom, Nelson

Cologne:

Horn, Heintz, Hoger, Zoller, Hector, Cordoba, Bittencourt, Mere,
Klunter, Lehmann, Rausch

Subs: Kessler, Sorensen, Risse, Jojic, Osako, Guirassy, Horn

Europa League: Wenger to rest seven players for Chelsea clash

Arsene Wenger is expected to make a host of changes to the team that
would face Bundesliga side Cologne in the Europa League opening match
at the Emirates on Thursday.

According to report, seven first team players who featured against
Bournemouth on Saturday did not take part in training on Wednesday.
They include Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, who Wenger said were rested
completely because of the two matches they played during the
international break. Others are Hector Bellerin, Granit Xhaka, Danny
Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette, Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech.

Though Koscielny wouldn't have featured, because of a suspension from
last season's red card picked up against Bayern Munich.

Probable line up for the Cologne match could be:

David Ospina, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding, Per
Mertesacker, Calum Chambers, Mo' Elneny, Jack Wilshere, Alex Iwobi,
Theo Walcott, Oliver Giroud

Although, Alexis Sanchez and Mustafi could be involved. Especially the
Chilean who is not match fit.

Wenger has a decision to make on the players that would feature in the
wing back positions.

Chelsea followed a similar pattern of rotation on Tuesday night in
their 6-0 victory over Qarabag of Azerbajian.

Antonio Conte made five changes to his starting eleven with a view of
the Arsenal match in mind.

His Arsenal counterpart is expected to feature a new team altogether.

Giroud: I stayed because my Arsenal story was not finish

(c) arsenalfc

Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud was given a chance by Arsene Wenger to
leave the club in the summer after the arrival of France compatriot
Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club record fee.

The 30 year old was linked to a host of clubs which included Borussia
Dortmund, Marsielle, Lyon, West Ham and Everton.

However, despite the choice being largely his to make whether to leave
or not. He decided to stay.

Just one goal shy of reaching a century of goals for Arsenal, he sat
alongside Arsene Wenger in the club's press conference on Wednesday
ahead of the Europa League match against Cologne on Thursday. Where he
was again asked how close he was to leaving in the summer?

"It was a private decision. It's true that I was close to leaving the
club because I said I wanted to play. After a big reflection,
everybody [came] around me like my family and my close friends in a
supportive way, and I wanted to stay at The Arsenal.

"I thought the story was not over and finished at Arsenal. The club
bring me a lot and I think I give it back. I still want to improve and
improve again and again and win some more trophies with the club.

"As I said to the boss, 'our story is not finished.' Everybody was
pleased with that."

The importance of his decision to remain at the club was shown in the
opening day of the Premier League season when his late header earned
Arsenal all three points against Leicester City.

Signed in 2012, he would join an exclusive list of players who have
scored 100 goals for Arsenal if he scores on Thursday night.