Eduardo will miss next Clash

Arsenal striker Eduardo will miss Birmingham's visit to the Emirates Stadium with an thigh injury.
The last time these two sides met Eduardo suffered a horrific leg-break after a heavy challenge from Birmingham's Martin Taylor, who will also miss out on Saturday with an injury.

First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is a doubt with a chest infection, meaning Lukasz Fabianski may deputise in the Spaniard's absence.

Gael Clichy (ankle) remains doubtful, while Samir Nasri may also be rested by boss Arsene Wenger as he has just returned from a lengthy-lay off and is not yet match fit.

Defender Johan Djourou (knee) and midfielder Denilson (back) have both been ruled out for the clash with the Blues.

Vermaelen - Player of the Month again

The Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was full of praise for Thomas Vermaelen, as the Belgian defender became the first ever new signing to win the Arsenal Player-of-the-Month award twice, in his first two months at the club.

I’m a big fan of him. He’s been doing so well,” Fabregas said on the official Arsenal website

“It’s difficult in this position, especially from centre back because you will always be compared to some other players, or if you know that your defence is one of your weaknesses then you have to do even better to be loved by the people, and I think the fans clicked straight away with him since his first game.

We can win silverware - Captain

Cesc Fabregas is determined to win the Premier League having learnt to appreciate just how important domestic success is to English supporters.

The Arsenal midfielder grew up in Spain with the belief winning World Cups and European titles was the pinnacle for any player.

But since swapping Barca for Arsenal as a 16-year-old the schemer has learnt the psyche for English supporters is markedly different.

Kroenke buys more shares

American billionaire Stan Kroenke has upped his share in Arsenal to 28.9%.

The businessman has purchased 90 additional shares at £8,500 each to add a further 0.2% to his existing holding. If he reaches a 29.9% threshold it will trigger a formal takeover bid.

A club statement read: "Stan Kroenke has a beneficial interest in, and controls voting rights over, 17,957 ordinary shares in the company."

Nasri back to face Reds - Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed French star Samir Nasri could return to action in the game with Liverpool at the end of October.

Nasri has not featured this season, having broken a leg in pre-season, but has been making good progress and said on Wednesday he could even be back for the game at West Ham on October 25.

Wenger feels that game will come too soon, but expects to have his fellow countryman available to face Liverpool three days later.

Fabianski back and Almunia '50:50' to return

Arsène Wenger may be able to recall his No 1 and No 2 goalkeepers into the Arsenal squad for the home game with Birmingham on Saturday.

Lukasz Fabianski will be included for the first time this season after recovering from knee surgery. Manuel Almunia is 50:50 to return after missing more than a month with a chest infection.

Wenger praises defensive duo

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has hailed the central defensive partnership of William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen. Last season Frenchman Gallas' Arsenal future was in doubt after he was stripped of the captaincy but Wenger has praised his compatriot for his attitude and quality.

Alex Song is“key to Arsenal’s success - Ray Parlour

The Arsenal legend Ray Parlour thinks that Arsene Wenger’s team is playing brilliantly throughout the side, and will prove it again on Saturday in the Premier League game against Birmingham, but he wanted to give Alex Song as special mention for his performances so far.
“I expect us beat Birmingham comfortably at the weekend,” he said.
“Arsenal are really playing well with great confidence – and I have been particularly impressed with our attacking. It’s incredible. Tomas Rosicky has been brilliant since coming back from injury.

Why I'm a big fan of Vermaelen - Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas is not surprised that Thomas Vermaelen is already a big hit with the Arsenal fans.

The Belgian defender has followed up his EA SPORTS Arsenal.com Player of the Month award for August by winning the September prize - the first time a new Arsenal signing has pulled off that particular double.

Vermaelen has been an obvious choice for the Club's official award after a flying start to his career in English football. The 23-year-old has added steel to the Arsenal defence but has exceeded all expectations by getting forward to net five times and top the Gunners' scoring charts.

Fabregas happy with Rosicky's return

Captain Francesc Fabregas says that he is happy winger Tomas Rosicky has gotten over his injury troubles and is now back in the first team.

The Czech Republic international was out of action since January 2008 with various injuries, but has made a successful return to the squad this season and has even opened his goalscoring account.

According to Fabregas, Rosicky provides the team with plenty more options in attack with his creativity, and it is likely that some of the burden of being the creative matrix in the team has been lifted from our captain's shoulders.

Nasri closes on Gunners return

Samir Nasri is making good progress from his broken leg and hopes to return for Arsenal against West Ham on October 25th.

The midfielder has not played for the Gunners this season after he broke his leg in the summer but is now closing in on his much-anticipated return to action.

This weekend's game against Birmingham and the trip to AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Champions League next week look to have come too soon for him but the clash against the Hammers could be the game that marks his return.

Agent talks up Gunners swoop

Arsenal are hot favourites to land midfielder Stephane Sessegnon if the player leaves Paris Saint-Germain in the future.
The 25-year-old has impressed for the French outfit since joining from Le Mans back in 2008 and Arsenal along with Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for him.

PSG managed to fight off interest in the player during the summer but a move could still happen in the future and Arsenal would be favourites to land him according to his agent Rudy Rabba.

"I was contacted this summer by England's top clubs and some other clubs from Europe, like Spain. But Paris Saint-Germain wanted to keep him in the summer so they rejected," he told Sport.co.uk.

"I think a transfer in January would be difficult because he will be playing for Benin in the African Cup of Nations, and therefore I cannot see an English club coming in and paying the money PSG want for the player.

"I think if he leaves France it will be for England. All the French and African players would love to play for Arsene Wenger."

I want to stay - Clichy

Defender Gael Clichy says he is fully focused on having a successful season with Arsenal following reports linking him to Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old was linked with a £16million switch to the Bernabeu over the weekend amid claims the big spending Spanish giants were set to get their chequebook out again next summer. However Clichy insists he is just looking to concentrate on trying to bring silverware to the Gunners and ensure he is in the France squad should they make next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Clichy said: "At the moment I am focused on Arsenal and France.

"This season could be very important to me and I desire to be focused in my work. The summer of 2010 is still very far away."

Matuidi to snub Arsenal and sign new contract at St. Etienne

The long-time Arsenal target Blaise Matuidi still has 18 months left on his contract with French Ligue 1 side St.Etienne, but with Arsenal and other big teams trying to pesuade him to move, St. Etienne have decided to offer him a new improved extension to his contract.

According to Sky Sports, the negotiations are close to completion and the French U21 international is set to to sign his new contract in the next few days.

Hopefully this will stop any further rumours regarding Arsenal buying him!

Gallas earns Wenger plaudits

Arsene Wenger has hailed William Gallas' influence on Arsenal's defence.

Gallas, stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, has been one of Arsenal's most consistent performers and has quickly struck up an impressive partnership with Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger said: "It can happen that any player has highs and lows, but his form is a consequence of the way he behaves every day. He behaves 100%."

Ogbonna plays down move talk

Italy Under-21 international Angelo Ogbonna has insisted he knows nothing about reported interest from England.
The 21-year-old defender has come through the youth system at Serie B Torino and is now attracting admiring glances from both Italy and abroad.

I expects Arsene to deliver a trophy this season - Ivan Gazidis

International week always feels a bit odd when the season has just got going.  You’ve just about got used to two games a week, Premier League, Champions League, Carling Cup plus whatever else you can find to watch and then it all stops for the internationals.

Luckily for England it wasn’t a crucial match over in the Ukraine and Rio Ferdinand has to count himself lucky that yet another mistake was only seen by a few that bothered to pay £10 to watch the game on the internet.

I regret leaving Arsenal! - Hleb

The ex-Arsenal midfielder Aleksandr Hleb has spoken out about his nightmare move to Barcelona last summer after he forced Arsene Wenger to sell him.
He spent most of his time warming the bench at the Camp Nou as his team went on to win La Liga and the Champions League, and he now knows that it was a terrible decision.
Hleb said: “I regret leaving Arsenal. I was playing every week for one of the most exciting sides in Europe.

Real Madrid Wants Gael Clichy

Real Madrid are reported to be lining up a £16million bid for Arsenal defender Gael Clichy.

The Spanish giants are struggling at left-back following an injury to Alvaro Arbeloa and rumours have again resurfaced suggesting that a swoop for Clichy could be on the cards.