Jack Wilshere says Theo Walcott's return is a Huge Boost

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Jack - I’ve never played with someone before who times their runs so perfectly and keeps doing it, time after time

Jack Wilshere says Theo Walcott's return will give Arsenal's attacking play an added dimension.
Walcott has recovered from knee ligament damage and is working his way back to full fitness after playing 45 minutes for the under-21s on Friday.
Wilshere has praised his England team-mate’s movement and says it is a “dream” to play with someone who times his runs so well.

“He gives us something different - he gives us pace,” Wilshere told Arsenal Player. “I know we’ve got Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who gives us pace but Theo gives you something different without the ball.
“I’ve never played with someone before who times their runs so perfectly and keeps doing it, time after time. It’s tough in a game to repeat those sprints 15 or 20 times but he does it, and it’s a dream for a midfielder.
“People questioned his finishing before but he’s improved so much. He can run in behind and he’s good on the ball, he’s improved that too. When you get someone back of Theo’s quality it’s going to give everyone a boost.
“He’s got physically stronger and he looks quicker than he did before - that might seem impossible but he does. He’s done a lot of work on his quads and his power so he’s going to come back fine.”

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Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen injury blow

Barcelona have said new signing Thomas Vermaelen is out of action with a hamstring injury suffered at the World Cup.

The Belgium international, who moved to the Camp Nou from Arsenal earlier this month, will have physio treatment, with its progress determining the kind of training he is able to do, a club statement said.

The statement added: "New signing Thomas Vermaelen injured his right hamstring while playing at the World Cup in June. His presence in training sessions will depend on how his recovery progresses."

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Thomas Vermaelen joins Barcelona

Thomas Vermaelen has agreed to join Barcelona in a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
Belgium international Vermaelen, 28, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in June 2009, made a total of 150 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, during which time he scored 15 goals.
Vermaelen had been club captain for the past two seasons and was no stranger to the captain’s armband, having previously held the role with Ajax, where he spent nine years after joining from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot. Vermaelen has also skippered the Belgium national team and has now made 47 appearances for his country.
Vermaelen passed his medical in Barcelona on Saturday. His transfer is subject to the completion of the normal regulatory process.

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Gedion Zelalem draws comparison to Xavi and Iniesta

'He dribbles like Iniesta and passes like Xavi' – Expert Eye on Arsenal's latest midfield starlet

Arsenal starlet Gedion Zelalem is set to play a part in their pre-season clash with New York Red Bulls after travelling with the squad to America.
It could potentially be a huge season for the highly-rated 17-year-old – who has been compared to Cesc Fabregas – should he be able to break into a Gunners side full of talented midfielders.
But what have the great and the good had to say about him?

He dribbles like Iniesta and he passes like Xavi. I've thought like that for the past few years but I've been wary about saying it. I don't worry now.
People have talked about his weight of pass but what you haven't seen yet is his dribbling ability. He can sail past guys at pace. He can do stuff that is just mesmeric.

Matt Pilkington who coached Zelalem at former club Olney Rangers

He is a player with a good eye and good technique and is very agile. He has the ambition to find the ball on the field.
He is potentially an international player, for sure. But the next two or three years he will have to show he has the mental qualities to fill that potential. That's what's at stake for him now. If he grows physically, since he's slim, and continues to develop his mentality, the potential is there for him to be a top professional player.
Right now, I don’t think he's ready [for first-team football]. I don't think he's ready in the next six months. Next season, I hope to say yes but, if things go quicker than expected, maybe from January onwards.
He's with us and he practices with us a lot and we have high expectations for him.

Arsenal's manager Wenger

He sees passes that not a lot of players can and he's so comfortable on the ball. Even in training, he's a nightmare to play against. He keeps the ball away from you and shields it. He's not very big but he's strong. He drifts in and out of players.
Technically, he's right up there. He can use his left and right and he sees so many passes.

Arsenal and England Midfielder Jack Wilshere

I have heard he’s a big talent and I can’t wait to see him more.
I’m sure he’s at the right club with the right manager and when the right time comes I’m sure he will put him in and then maybe I will be able to answer if he’s the new Cesc Fabregas or not!

Former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas

There’s no doubt he’s a great talent. He’s a very good footballer. He’s still a young lad and he’s going to have to wait for his chance at a club like Arsenal – but with our boss he’ll definitely get it.
When he trains with us we can see what a talent he is. He’s a good kid as well, he’s a good lad and he approaches the game in the right way. In my eyes, there’s no doubt that he’s going to have a very good career.

Team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

So many of the young players impress me but if I had to choose one it would be Gedion. He is very gifted on the ball, he is a midfielder that it is difficult to get the ball off, he has great balance and good feet and has great vision.

Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson

[Zelalem is] quality and good on the ball with great vision. Everybody's talking about him. It's not an easy place to break into the first squad, Arsenal, but he has the quality and the right boss to make sure that he can do it. Hopefully for us – as an Arsenal fan – he can perform and be a great player for us.

Club legend Thierry Henry

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Transfer news: Arsenal 'still in market' but Arsene Wenger coy on Sami Khedira and admits Thomas Vermaelen may go

 

Arsene Wenger is planning to bring more new players to Arsenal this summer but admits captain Thomas Vermaelen may leave.

Vermaelen, who spent most of last season on the bench as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny formed a centre-half partnership, has been linked with a move to Manchester United.
And speaking after Arsenal's pre-season opener at Boreham Wood, where his side won 2-0, Wenger said: "I cannot guarantee he will stay, but should he go I would bring another centre-back in for sure."
 

Thomas Vermaelen: Could leave Arsenal this summer

 Wenger has already recruited Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy this summer and will "definitely" bring in a goalkeeper to compete with Wojciech Szczesny.
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is another reported target, and Wenger said: "It's not over, there's still a long way to go.
"I can't give you any names because you're never sure if you can do what you want, but we're still out there to strengthen our squad."
Aaron Ramsey was among the senior players to feature in Saturday's friendly - decided by Kris Olsson's goal and a Benik Afobe penalty - and there was an appearance for Abou Diaby, who missed all but the tail-end of last season with a knee injury.
Wenger said: "We have big competition in midfield, but we have many players who didn't play many games last year - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby.
"They're back now but it's very difficult to predict how fit they will be at the start of the season."

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Wenger confirms Arsenal will definitely bring in new goalkeeper

16/08 ARS 17:30 CRY  

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted they have not finished their business in the transfer market and will bring in a new goalkeeper.
Unlike previous transfer windows the Gunners have acted early this summer and have, arguably, made the most exciting signing - the £33million acquisition of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona.
Mathieu Debuchy has also made a £12m move from Newcastle to the Emirates but Wenger is convinced there will be more arrivals.
Speaking after Arsenal's first pre-season match - a 2-0 win over Boreham Wood - he said: "I'm very happy with what we've done up to now. It's not over, we've still got a long way to go [in the transfer window].
"I can't give you any names because you're never sure but we're still out there to strengthen our squad."
Colombia's World Cup star David Ospina and Real Madrid veteran Iker Casillas have both been linked with moves to north London and Wenger added: "I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure."
Ospina, 25, is the more likely to arrive at the Emirates and the Gunners boss added they will certainly replace centre-back and club captain Thomas Vermaelen should he leave leave and join Manchester United as is expected.

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Walcott recovery is going well, says Wenger

Arsenal manager believes forward will be back in training by the end of August

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott's recovery from a serious knee injury is progressing well and is expecting the England forward to be back in full training by the end of next month.
Walcott has been out since January after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Although Walcott will miss the start of the season, Wenger believes Gunners fans will not have to wait too long before they see the 25-year-old back in action.

"It is just about building up that stability and strength again"
Theo Walcott

"He's progressing very well," Wenger told www.arsenal.com. "He's worked very hard during the summer and we expect him to be back in full training at the end of August.
"It's difficult to predict [on how long it will take for Walcott to return to the first team]. Once he's back in full training it can be very quick. He has a good basis, which is what he's working on now."
The injury came as Walcott was enjoying a fine run of form, having scored five goals in five Barclays Premier League matches to help the Gunners move to the top of the table.
"The knee is going really well, I am doing some good stuff with the physios and fitness coaches and we have worked really hard throughout the summer,” added Walcott. "Things are looking really good and I have worked very hard for the last five months now.
"The most important thing is getting the strength back and it has pretty much nearly healed - it is just about building up that stability and strength again. It is coming along nicely and I am really pleased."
Arsenal begin the pre-season campaign with a match away to Boreham Wood on 19 July.
Wenger's side open the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League campaign with a home match against Crystal Palace.

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'Wenger best be lining up Falcao for Arsenal after snubbing Liverpool-bound Remy'

Arsenal have enjoyed a pretty successful transfer window so far by bringing in Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy but supporters always want more from their club.
And when it emerged Liverpool had agreed an £8.5million bid for long-term target and QPR striker Loic Remy, it left quite a few Gooners unimpressed with boss Arsene Wenger.
Despite their big signings, Arsenal fans questioned why they let the France international head to Anfield and demanded they sign a bigger name like Mario Balotelli or Radamel Falcao.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans celebrated getting one over their rivals and pointed out the good business in selling Fabio Borini to Sunderland for £14m and replacing him with Remy.

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I'm disappointed Fabregas went to Chelsea - Flamini

The Frenchman admits he would rather the Spain international - with whom he forged a great partnership at Arsenal in his first spell - had returned to north London

EXCLUSIVE
By Liam Twomey

Mathieu Flamini says he is “disappointed” that Cesc Fabregas will be playing for Chelsea rather than Arsenal next season and admits it will be “strange” to compete against him on the pitch.

The Blues wrapped up a £30 million deal for the Spain international last month after Arsene Wenger passed up the chance to exercise a first-option clause and bring his former captain back to the Emirates Stadium.

And Flamini – who forged a formidable midfield partnership with Fabregas before leaving Arsenal for AC Milan in the summer of 2008 – admits he would rather have seen the Spaniard return to the Gunners.

“I had an amazing time with him at Arsenal and he stayed a very close friend of mine,” Flamini told Goal at the launch of Arsenal's new PUMA kits.

“I’m a bit disappointed that he’ll be playing with Chelsea rather than us, but I respect his decision.

“That’s football, and I’m very happy for him because I’m sure that if he’s moving back it’s because he wanted it.

“I’m also very happy that he’s coming back to London because he’s going to be my neighbour, so I’ll see him a lot!

“It will be very strange to play against him, and it won’t be easy - we were laughing about it when I saw him a few days ago - but I’m happy because it will give me the opportunity to see him a bit more than when he was in Barcelona.”

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Prem giants want Song - Man United & Chelsea chasing ex-Arsenal star

Manchester United and Chelsea are both looking to draft in former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song this summer, according to reports from the Daily Star.
The Cameroonian ace only left the Gunners to join Barcelona in 2012, but has endured a thoroughly underwhelming spell at the Camp Nou.
Limited appearances and below par displays when called on have seen the enforcer deemed surplus to requirements, with the Catalans ready to sell.

Even though he has flopped in Spain, Chelsea and United are keen to bring him back to the Premier League.
Barca are thought to be demanding close to £20m, yet both English sides are unlikely to stump up such a sum for a player who made only 39 outings in two years.
The 26-year-old is also ready to make a comeback, with his spell at his current club having been a disappointment.
Song has been away with his nation at the World Cup recently, where he received a red card in the third of three losses in Group A.

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Stoichkov laments Alexis Barca exit

Ex-Barcelona star Hristo Stoichkov says Barcelona's directors have proved they "know nothing about football" by selling Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal.
- Sanchez 'can win Arsenal the title'
- Mangan: Sanchez deal shows ambition
- Tomas: Change in the air at Barca
Chile attacker Sanchez has joined the Gunners for a fee of around 30 million pounds, with the move having been sanctioned by the Barca board as part of a general shake-up of the squad ahead of the new season.
Most fans and pundits around the Camp Nou have accepted the move given Sanchez never quite settled during his three seasons at the club, and the Catalans are set to use the money raised to part-finance an 80 million euro move for Liverpool's Luis Suarez.
However former Bulgaria international Stoichkov, currently working as a TV pundit at the World Cup in Brazil, said in AS that for him the transfer did not make sense as Alexis had proven he deserved a place in the Barca team.

Barca are expected to use finds raised from the Alexis Sanchez transfer to buy Luis Suatez.

"Because of those who do not understand football we must sell the best player we have at Barca," Stoichkov said. "The policy of Barca was always like this, they do not like great players. [Alexis] is the best player for his pace, his battling qualities. He fights for every ball, he plays for the team. I like his mentality. He is leaving with his head high. He is a decisive player."
Stoichkov himself won five La Liga titles and the 1992 Champions League as a Barca player, but left the Camp Nou amid much bitterness after he fell out with then coach Louis Van Gaal during the 1997-98 campaign.

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