Wenger expects Adebayor stay

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects star striker Emmanuel Adebayor to still be a Gunner for the start of the new season.

Adebayor has been strongly linked with a summer move to Milan, although Arsenal have always maintained their desire to retain the Togo international.

Speaking after Arsenal's 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Barnet, Wenger stated he expects Adebayor to make his first appearance at training.

"Adebayor is under contract," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "We expect him to turn up on Monday and practice with us."

"Of course," he replied when asked if Adebayor will be with Arsenal at the start of the new Premier League season.

Wenger has lost Alexander Hleb although the French tactician was anticipating his exit to Barcelona by admitting they planned on signing Samir Nasri as his replacement some time ago.

"He had an opportunity to leave. He's done three years. I'd loved him to stay but on the other hand he was in a strong position," he continued.

"We had to accept that and we anticipated that by bringing Nasri in. So that was planned for a long, long time ago."

Arsenal have snapped up Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff this summer and Wenger has confirmed he is looking to add to his squad prior to the transfer window closing.

He said: "Yes you can expect signings. I don't know where and how many, but we're in the market. If there's a good opportunity we'll take it."

Barnet V Arsenal 19th July Friendly

Barnet 1-2 Arsenal


1-0 Gillet (15') View/ Download

1-1 Simpson (63') View/ Download

1-2 Barazite (74') View/ Download

Match Highlights here

Credit: arsenalist and Iker91



It was a match of two half's. In the 1st Half, it was the Arsenal Reserves(except a few) v Barnet and in the 2nd Half, it was Arsenal U-18 v Barnet.

It was the U-18 side that won the game for us. Jack Wilshere was the Hero for the team. He created the goal for Jay Simpson and started the move that gave us the 2nd goal(Barazite scored).He should be given the the man of the match for his impact.

First half was boring, Ramsey looked lively, passing precisely and making some in roads into Barnet's defense.He looks like a really good buy. Sagna was solid as ever. but the rest looked a bit out of sorts.They need to get match practice and will be getting it in the weeks to come.

Barnet scored from a free-kick. Almunia cannot be blamed for that. It was a well taken free-kick.

Second Half saw us make 11 changes to the side that started. Wenger replaced the reserves with the U-18 team. The kids vindicated Wenger's view on youngsters. They played brilliant football at times. Its astonishing to see even the U-18 players play similar to the way seniors team.Jack Wilshere has a very good left foot and made good use of it. The assist to the first goal and the pass to start the move for the 2nd goal was breathtaking. He looks like the one to watch out in the coming season.

Jay Simpson scored the first goal and Barazite slotted the 2nd goal giving us the winning start to the season.It always pays to start the season on the winning note.

We cannot read too much into the game as it was the first game after a long break and players were not match fit. Overall it was a good game to get some practice and build on for the new season.

Match Reports

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Wenger hints at key Ramsey role

Arsenal Wenger has hinted that Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey could play a key role in Arsenal's central midfield.

Winger Ramsey, 17, who is set to make his debut against Barnet on Saturday, made the £5m switch to the Emirates from Cardiff last month.

And with Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva leaving, there is a need for a midfielder.

"I think in the future he will be a central midfielder," said Wenger.

"How is down to him and down to us on how well we work with him.

"In my mind though there are no restrictions on his development because he has played a lot already."

Wenger also told the club's official magazine, Arsenal, of his joy at capturing the Caerphilly-born youngster who attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

"We watched him throughout the whole season," said Wenger.

"We were always on the case, but unfortunately we weren't the only ones because Liverpool, Man United and Everton were strongly behind the case.

"It was a big satisfaction for us that we were able to beat these teams to signing him."

Rosicky to miss season's opener

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has confirmed he will miss the start of the new season, with his slated return to the first team not until September.

The Czech Republic star missed the second half of last season because of various ailments.

He underwent a knee operation in May which precluded his involvement at Euro 2008 but he had originally hoped to be fit in time for the kick off of the new season.

However West Bromwich Albion on August 16 is a bridge too far for the 27-year-old.

“I know I’ll miss the start of the club season,” Rosicky told the Czech newspaper Sport.

“According to plans I should be back on the field in September.”

Clichy: We've got our very own Ronaldo

Gael Clichy has compared Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst suggesting summer recruit Samir Nasri could, in the future, be mentioned in the same breath as a certain Zinadine Zidane.

A succession of injuries have ensured that Van Persie has endured a truncated last couple of years at Emirates Stadium that have put the brakes on his Premier League progress.

However, he was fit enough to gain some significant game-time with Holland at Euro 2008 and, Clichy feels, could now be ready to start the new campaign with a bang.

“He was unlucky to be injured last season so it was good to see him play game after game,” said the Frenchman.

“It was a big blow to lose him and I'm certain that his return is going to be a great bonus for us this season.

“At Arsenal we have lots of players who can make a difference, but Robin is a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, the kind who, even if they aren't playing fantastically, can change things from one free-kick, corner or pass.”

Nasri finally completed his move to North London from Marseille this week and Clichy is tipping his fellow countryman to make sizeable waves in England.

“He is certainly a great player but we have to judge him over the coming years and then afterward we can talk about Zidane or whoever,” he added.

Arsenal sign Francis Coquelin

Arsene Wenger has signed his third player of the summer and his second French midfielder with Francis Coquelin joining from third division side Laval.

The 17-year-old experienced a promising trial with The Gunners last season and was expected to put pen to paper in the last two months.

Coquelin reportedly passed a medical in North London in May but his move has just been officially announced on the club’s official website.

Laval revealed in June that the player, who did not sign a first professional contract with Les Tangos, was allowed to move on as a free agent.

As a consequence, Arsenal are believed to have signed the Frenchman without paying any fee.

“Arsenal have signed French midfield player Francis Coquelin on professional terms,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

Werder Bremen youngster Amaury Bischoff could be The Gunners’ next signing.

Wenger wary of spending big

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is wary of spending the transfer money he has at his disposal.

Wenger has been linked with big-money moves for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso following the recent departures of Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb.

The Frenchman has already brought in Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri, but is cautious over limiting the chances of the current youngsters at the club by recruiting experience.

He told the club's official website: "Of course I am in a position where I can spend the money.
Wage structure

"But every time we have done such a great job with the young players that you are concerned 'do we kill a young player or not by bringing another player in?'

"It is a very sensitive subject which is not specially linked with money."

Wenger went on to reject criticism over the club's unwillingness to disrupt their wage structure, amid rumours that Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor has demanded improved contract terms.

"There is a lot of talk in the press, but we have always managed at this club by balancing the budget," he said.

"We should not be criticised for that and should be respected for that."