Arsenal get ready to face Stoke City on Sunday afternoon in a tie that in recent years has been fractious between the two. Arsenal may have to make do without goalkeeper Wojciech Szcsesny who has a rib problem but Lukas Fabianski returns from a back problem in case he is unavailable. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the side whilst Laurent Koscielny is losing his battle to be fit for the Britannia clash. Long term absentees Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Frimpong and Bacary Sagna remain on the sidelines.
The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal will be offering Theo Walcott a new deal within the coming weeks. After seeing two of his key men leave the club in the form of Alex Song and Robin Van Persie; Arsene Wenger is determined not to lose Walcott who has entered the final year of his contract. There has been interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Southampton and Juventus for the England international but Wenger is adamant that the forward wishes to remain at The Emirates.
Arsene Wenger has admitted there could be more incoming transfers to the club in the final week of the transfer window. Arsenal have bought in Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla this summer but have also seen the untimely exit’s of Robin Van Persie and Alex Song. They have been linked with numerous players and whilst the Frenchman would not be drawn on specific targets he did admit if the right player becomes available he would consider more arrivals.
This could be news in response to the general belief that Arsenal have lost out to Liverpool in the race for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin. The Turkey international is expected to complete a deal to Anfield this weekend after a seemingly done deal fell apart over an option to buy clause’s insertion into any deal.
Another target Arsenal may miss out on is Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia who according to Skysports is in talks with Norwich over a potential loan move to Carrow Road. Belgian side Anderlecht are willing to let their midfield man leave on loan for a season with an option to buy at the end of the contract and it is believed Chris Hughton has spoken to the international about a potential switch to Norfolk.
And finally it has emerged today that Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has announced his retirement from professional football. One of the ‘Invincibles’ Freddie was well liked for his tireless work rate and colourful hair styles. He had stints with Celtic as well as in the USA and Japan and despite injury being a factor he attributes falling out of love with football as the main motivation behind his decision.
What are your thoughts on everything happening at Arsenal FC today and any tributes to legend Freddie Ljungberg following his retirement to the game?
images: © Ronnie Macdonald, © Ronnie Macdonald
Mathew Nash
@hitcmathewnashGoogle+more stories from Mathew Nash
I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.
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