We look back at the events of January 2013 for Arsenal FC.
We look back at January, the opening month of an interesting 2013 for Arsenal, as the year comes to an end.
What were the big stories from that month?
1st January
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Southampton. Gaston Ramirez gave The Saints a lead before Guly do Prado scored an equaliser into his own net.
Arsene Wenger confirmed Thierry Henry would not be returning to Arsenal in 2013. The legend had been rumoured to be set for another loan return to the club.
2nd January
Arsenal reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Wesley Sneijder for free. The Dutch international went to Galatasaray instead.
They were also linked with signing Adrian Lopez for £15 million from Atletico Madrid.
4th January
Marouane Chamakh was allowed to join West Ham on loan. He flopped at Upton Park but is now coming good at Crystal Palace.
5th January
Johan Djourou joined Hannover 96 on loan for the rest of the season.
Wenger apparently rang David Villa to try convince him to join from Barcelona.
6th January
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Swansea in the FA Cup. Late goals from Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs seemed to have sealed it for The Gunners – but a late Danny Graham goal took it to a replay.
The Gunners were said to be looking at snapping up James McCarthy from Wigan for £8 million.
8th January
The David Villa deal was crushed by Sandro Rosell, Barcelona president.
Rumours began circulating that Theo Walcott was set to get his long protracted contract renewal.
12th January
Arsene Wenger announced his belief that Cesc Fabregas would one day return to Arsenal.
13th January
Arsenal lost at home to Manchester City. Laurent Koscielny was sent off and goals from James Milner and Edin Dzeko did the job at The Emirates.
15th January
Arsenal were being linked with Momo Diame of West Ham United.
16th January
Jack Wilshere’s late winner proved enough as Arsenal beat Swansea 1-0 in their FA Cup replay.
17th January
Wenger was talking about signing Edinson Cavani, admitting he was a player he ‘liked’.
18th January
Theo Walcott signed a new deal at Arsenal.
The England international finally put pen to paper on a long-term deal that saw his wages rise to £100k-a-week after weeks of negotiations.
19th January
PSG were reported to be interested in snapping up Arsene Wenger as their boss.
20th January
Arsenal lost again, this time to Chelsea. Goals from Juan Mata and Frank Lampard did the trick despite a consolation from Walcott.
Arsenal were said to be interested in Yoann Gourcuff and Victor Wanyama.
21st January
Arsenal’s ‘fine list’ went viral. The list included punishments for phone calls in building, newspapers in dressing rooms and wrong kit on match days.
22nd January
Wenger insisted the club were never interested in Manchester United’s recent signing Wilfried Zaha.
Robin van Persie put the boot in – suggesting Arsenal was a great club but he was surrounded by champions at Old Trafford.
23rd January
Arsenal finally won their first league game of 2013 – beating West Ham 5-1. Santi Cazorla stole the show and bagged a goal alongside Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Walcott – despite The Gunners going 1-0 down through Jack Collison.
25th January
Emmanuel Frimpong joined Fulham on loan.
Wenger warned fans not to expect big transfers in the window.
26th January
Arsenal scraped past Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round. A late Walcott goal sealed a dramatic 3-2 win.
27th January
Momo Diame apparently ‘hoped’ of an Arsenal move.
28th January
David Beckham arrived at the club to keep fit and train after leaving MLS side LA Galaxy.
29th January
Wenger confirmed Beckham would not be signing permanently.
30th January
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool. They came back from two goals down in a thrilling encounter which saw goals from Giroud and Walcott.
Liam Brady, club legend and academy director, announced he would be stepping down in 2014.
31st January
Arsenal snapped up Nacho Monreal on transfer deadline day. The deal went through late for an undisclosed fee from Malaga.
David Villa did not make his anticipated move to London – staying at Barca instead.
image: © wonker
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