News, views, and gossip relating to Arsenal over the past 24 hours…
Wojciech Szczesny will feature for Arsenal’s under-21 side tomorrow, Arsene Wenger has confirmed. The manager added that if the Pole comes through unscathed he may include him in the matchday squad against Fulham on Saturday, although Mannone is more likely to start.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will undergo a late fitness test and could feature, as will Aaron Ramsey, while Gibbs, Gervinho and Diaby are confirmed absentees.
Lukas Podolski is said to be unhappy at playing out wide on the left for Arsenal, and is hoping for a chance to play as a central striker. His stance echoes that of Theo Walcott, and Arsene Wenger may want to consider his options before delving into the transfer market in January.
Will Thierry Henry return to Arsenal in January? That is the question we are posing today, considering the legend will likely return to the Gunners in the MLS off-season in December and January to keep fit. The question is simply whether Arsene Wenger decides to register him to play again like last year.
Jack Wilshere has also pleaded with Theo Walcott to stay with the Gunners. The Arsenal midfielder described his teammate as a great lad and good to have around, and hopes the saga will be sorted out ahead of the January transfer window.
Wilshere himself has also been called into England’s squad for their friendly against Sweden next week. Carl Jenkinson will also be called up if his international clearance is approved. Jenkinson is a Finnish youth international.
Arsene Wenger is thought to have relaxed his stance on Wilshere being called up in light of his suspension and need for match fitness, but he will be concerned that the friendly is just three days before Arsenal’s clash with Tottenham. The boss said he has reached a compromise with Roy Hodgson, which is unlikely to see the midfielder play beyond 45 minutes. You can see how Arsenal fans reacted to the news here.
Loanee Sanchez Watt could return early to the Gunners, but it is not for good reasons. The 21-year-old is halfway through his three month loan with Colchester United, but after pulling a hamstring at the weekend it looks like he will not play again before his loan spell ends, and so will head back to his parent club for treatment.
Adel Taarabt has emerged as surprise target for Arsenal, with the club said to be lining up the QPR attacking midfielder if they are unsuccessful in signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. The signing would be especially notable considering the Moroccan’s spell at Spurs earlier in his career.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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