News and gossip from Arsenal FC from the past 24 hours.
Arsenal chief executive has made a strong indication that a new contract is in the offing for Arsene Wenger despite their recent barren spell in terms of silverware. The Frenchman himself has denied being in any rush to sign a new deal, instead insisting, despite wanting to stay at the club, that team affairs would come first in the midst of a season. Gazidis however claims the club are now in a position to offer the 62-year-old a new deal in extension to his current contract that runs until the summer of 2014.
Arsenal defender Andre Santos has been formally charged by Scotland Yard with dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention in relation to an incident a month ago. He was apprehended by police in Mill Hill North London after reportedly clocked doing 130mph in a residential area and then failing to stop for police officers in his Maserati Gran Turismo. He will appear before magistrates later this month and the Brazilian international could face up to two years imprisonment if he is found guilty of the allegations. Santos is an avid fan of sportscars but it now seems his need for speed may land him in serious hot water with the law.
Arsene Wenger remains very positive about the future of French international full-back Bacary Sagna despite his announcement of being unhappy at the departures of Robin Van Persie and Alex Song from the club as well as his green eyed jealousy at the success of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri at Manchester City since their respective Emirates exits. Wenger however appears assured that the Frenchman will stay despite his contract running out in 2013. Arsene says he spoke with Bacary about the comments and told how he got a sense of Sagna’s love for the club and therefore doubted he would leave The Emirates.
Barcelona are reportedly interested in three more of Arsenal’s star names, and would have made moves for them this summer if not for concerns over each of their injury records. Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are the players in question and reports in Spain insist another raid on The Emirates could be on in 10 months’ time.
Theo Walcott is still a major interest for Italian giants Juventus, according to The Mirror today. His contract is running to its end and The Old Lady will make a cut-price £5 million bid for the England international in January of Arsenal do not tie him down to a new contract by then.
Arsenal’s youngsters were defeated in Greece last night as Olympiakos scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game and Arsenal were forced to finish the game with 10 men after Hector Bellerin’s straight red card.
And you may not believe it, but Marouane Chamakh holds a Champions League goalscoring record that Lionel Messi is yet to break. Find out more here.
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image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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