Wenger will get it right - Henry

Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has backed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to construct a strong team this season, even if some faces will be unfamiliar.

Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva have left, while only Premier League newcomers Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been signed.

But Henry remains confident Wenger will be able to get a new-look side to gel.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Arsene always does it somehow. And hopefully they will win silverware next season."

The Gunners will have to do it with considerably less experience in their squad.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto, 31, left for Panathinaikos, Hleb, 27, joined Barcelona and Flamini, 24, sealed a switch to AC Milan.

And so far this season, Wenger has only brought in 21-year-old winger Nasri from Marseille and Ramsey, 17, who played in the Championship last season with Cardiff.

But Henry pointed to Wenger's knack of unearthing little-known players and making them stars - the French striker was himself transformed under his compatriot after a torrid time in Italy with Juventus.

Henry added: "I don't know how Arsene does it when he brings in some players who make people think ‘I don't know if they are going to be ok'.

"People wonder if Arsenal are going to do anything.

"But suddenly, like last year, everyone starts raving about how Arsenal are playing and what a great team they are.

"Unfortunately for them they were really close but did not win anything last season.

"Hopefully this time they can bring some silverware back to the Emirates."

Wenger has stated that he will definitely make one more signing in the close season.

And it could be that he will need to buy a striker to replace Emmanuel Adebayor, who still refuses to commit his future to the club amid speculation he will join AC Milan or Barcelona.

You can watch the video of that interview here.

Kolo only has 'mild' malaria strain

Concerns over the health of Arsenal defender Kolo Toure have eased, following the Ivorian's malaria diagnosis earlier this week.

It is now understood that Toure has contracted a mild strain of the virus and has been able to return to the Gunners' training camp in Austria.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the one player he wants to sign before the new season is a midfielder.

"We will need one more body in there," Wenger acknowledged. "At the moment, we do not have Alex Song who is going to the Olympic Games, Abou Diaby was not here [against Szombathelyi] and nor was Fabregas.

"If we find a reasonable target, then we will do it - but there is no special name on the list. We have some time. We have until August 31."

Nasri 'honoured' to work with Wenger

The 21-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners earlier this month on a long-term contract following protracted transfer negotiations with Marseille, the club he had represented since he was nine years old.

Nasri also reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid and Roma, but opted for a club with a long-term project in place.

"(Wenger) personifies stability and continuity," Nasri told France Football magazine on Tuesday.

"We know that with him we're going to be working for the long term. I think he's been at Arsenal for 13 years - that says it all.

"To perfect my game I was looking for those kinds of guarantees. I didn't want to leave for a club, however legendary, where everything could change the next day.

"Working under a coach like Arsene Wenger is an honour. I know he'll help me to progress."

As well as interest from Italy, England and Spain, Nasri confirmed French champions Lyon had also tried to sign him.

"Lyon made an approach. I spoke with president (Jean-Michel) Aulas by telephone. But it didn't go much further than that," Nasri added.

"At that point my choice had practically been made. I'd given my word to Arsenal and I couldn't see myself at any French club other than OM."

Wenger - I am in the market for a midfielder

Arsène Wenger is aiming to bolster his midfield for the new campaign but, as yet, he does not have a specific target in mind.

After the Barnet game on Saturday the Arsenal manager said that he would bring in “one player certainly... maximum of two” before the window closed at the end of August. After the 1-1 draw at Szombatheyli on Tuesday he was more specific about the position but not the person.

“We will need one more body in there,” said Wenger when asked about his midfield. “At the moment we do not have Alex Song who is going to the Olympic games, Abou Diaby was not here tonight and nor was Fabregas.

“If we find a reasonable target then we will do it. But there is no special name on the list.

“We have some time. We have until August 31. We left 11 players back in Austria for this game. They will play in Stuttgart [on July 30].”

Before that, on Monday, Arsenal go to Ritzing to play a Burgenland XI. Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see this game live.

Wenger - Eduardo back to watch team in Emirates Cup

Arsène Wenger is delighted that Eduardo will be back at Arsenal for the start of August but, while his recovery remains on target, the striker is some way away from first-team action.

The Croatian has been undertaking his rehabilitation in Brazil since the serious injury to his ankle at Birmingham in February 2008. The Club’s initial estimate was that the 25-year-old would be sidelined for nine months and his current progress suggests that target will be met.

He is set to return to England and watch his team-mates in the Emirates Cup on August 2 after which he will be assessed by the medical team before starting his final rehabilitation. Once he has successfully completed this final stage he will return to training with the full squad.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Szombathelyi on Tuesday night, Wenger said: “It is difficult to assess. He will be back for the Emirates Cup, at the moment he is in rehabilitation.

“We hoped he would be back earlier but it is very difficult to say. It will be three or four weeks more [until he comes back to England] but I don’t really know yet.”

Szombathelyi Haladas v Arsenal

Szombathelyi Haladas 1-1 Arsenal

Szombathelyi Haladas 1-0 Kenesei
MediaFire

Arsenal 1-1 Walcott
MediaFire

Extras

Denilson Hits the Bar
Mediafire

Clichy Free-Kick
Mediafire

First Half Highlights here

Credit:Arsenalist and Iker91

Theo Walcott was on target for Arsenal as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium.

The England international rescued Arsene Wenger's men from a surprise defeat when he cancelled out a Krisztian Kenesei opener three minutes before the interval.

The hosts had taken a deserved lead in the 25th minute when former Hungary international striker Kenesei broke through a static Gunners defence and chipped delicately over the on-rushing Manuel Almunia.

Justin Hoyte believed he had hooked the ball clear on the line but he was over-ruled by the assistant referee.

To rub salt into the defender's wounds, he then sliced a volley over from five yards just minutes later with the goal gaping.

But Arsenal equalised in the 42nd minute when Walcott - urged by manager Wenger to stake his claim for a regular place this season - rifled the ball home.

The former Southampton forward collected Nicklas Bendtner's short pass on the edge of the area and slammed a low shot across the goalkeeper and in off the far post.

An inexperienced Arsenal team struggled to create many clear-cut chances after the break, although Gael Clichy fired a free-kick narrowly over with 12 minutes remaining.

Toure contracts malaria

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has contracted a mild strain of malaria, but is not expected to miss the start of the new Premier League season.

It is thought Toure, 27, contracted the disease while on holiday in his native Ivory Coast.

Reports on Wednesday stated that Toure was diagnosed with malaria during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Austria and Hungary.

Toure is now receiving treatment but should be fit for The Gunners' opening game of the new season against West Bromwich Albion on 16th August.