News and gossip from The Emirates in the past 24 hours.
Andre Santos has been left more red-faced then when he received a double nutmeg from Antonio Valencia at the weekend after he was defended for his half-time shirt swap with Robin Van Persie… by his wife. The left-back played poorly at Old Trafford but most of the anger toward the Brazilian came following the swap with former Gunners hero Van Persie at halftime, considering the Dutchman had earlier fired United into a lead added weight to the fans anger. In a twist his wife claimed the incident was nothing and was based on cultural misunderstandings. The former Fenerbahce player is however set to be dropped for the Champions League match in Germany with Schalke this week.
Arsenal will reportedly pursue Lyon’s transfer listed star Yoann Gourcuff in January. The French international is considered redundant at the Ligue 1 side as they require major funds in the wake of financial problems brought on by the prolonged building of a new stadium. The inconsistent playmaker has been a long term target of Arsene Wenger since he was at Rennes and the Frenchman wants to bring in his compatriot, once dubbed the ‘next Zidane’ in a cut price deal come January.
Tony Adams has had another go at his former club over their transfer policy. He believes Arsene Wenger does not have a chance at winning the league title if the club continues to sell their prized assets and highlighted the fact they have once again let a big name in Theo Walcott see their current deal run into its final year.
Arsenal will continue to chase Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha in January but it is believed they will not go over the £9 million mark for the talented winger. Ian Holloway has recently taken over at Selhurst Park and admits losing Zaha is a worry for him but he is insistent he will not be sold for cheap. Palace have previously stated a fee of £15 million as being much more close to their valuation of their prime asset.
Arsene Wenger’s 18-man-squad for the game with Schalke tomorrow does not include Aaron Ramsey who is carrying a groin injury. The Welsh international picked up the problem against Manchester United this weekend and has been replaced in the squad by Swiss international Johan Djourou. You can see the whole squad at Arsenal.com.
Lewis Holtby has played down speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal by declaring his overwhelming loyalty to Schalke 04 until the end of the season. The half-English German international has been in great form this season and with his contract running out in the summer he has been linked with a move to many Premier League sides including Arsenal. However he believes that it is a problem for the agents to deal with and he is more than focused on the job with his Bundesliga side.
An Arsenal protest group named ‘Where has our Arsenal gone?’ will march in protest at the running of the club before the game with Swansea at The Emirates on the 1st December. The protest is believed to be aimed at the board rather than the manager.
And finally despite his brace against Reading in the League Cup last week Maraoune Chamakh could be on his way out in January. The Moroccan could move on if he does not receive first team football very soon with former club Bordeaux the current frontrunners.
What are your thoughts on everything and anything happening at Arsenal FC in the past 24 hours?
image: © wonker
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