Former Players Views

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Former Arsenal player Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger has now dealt with the club’s problems in defence.

The centre-back made over 300 appearances for the club, winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups under the French manager, in addition to the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup in 1994.

The Gunners’ last match finished in disappointment as Fulham seized victory with two late goals to overturn Laurent Koscielny’s opening goal, however, the club's form towards the end of 2011 was a substantial improvement from the start of the season when they were routinely shipping goals and losing games.

The team re-grouped and have now risen to fifth place, a point behind Chelsea, and have qualified from the Champions League group stages.

“I know they were caught by a pair of late sucker punches at Fulham, but I am less concerned by Arsenal’s defence now,” Keown told The Mirror.

“They have looked pretty solid, even with a big injury list, and Wojciech Szczesny, apart from one uncharacteristic mistake the other night, has been outstanding.

“A year ago people were screaming at Arsene Wenger to go out and buy a world-class keeper, but Szczesny looks like he’s going to be the solution after all. The other demand was for a commanding centre-back, and Per Mertesacker has settled in well.”

It has in fact been at full-back that the Gunners have looked short this season, as left-backs Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos, along with right-backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson, have all been out through injury. The club have recently deployed of a back four consisting entirely of centre-backs.

Turning to the Gunners’ attack, Keown added: “Bringing Thierry [Henry] back, even on a short-term basis, is a gamble but it’s a real treat for the fans and he has obviously looked sharp in training so he deserves that opportunity.

“[Robin] van Persie is a magnificent striker, but he can’t win football matches on his own every week.”

The Dutch international has scored almost half of his side’s goals in the Premier League with 17 out of the Gunners’ 36.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...wn-praises-per

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that the return of former captain Thierry Henry could see theGunners end their silverware drought.

The last time that the north London club won a trophy was during his first stint with the club, when they beat Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final on penalties.

Arsene Wenger's men have since endured a barren period that has lasted six years, but the former England international reckons the return of the club's top goalscorer could bring about a change in fortunes.

For now, the Gunners take on LeedsUnited in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday.

"He has been magnificent against Leeds in the past," Keown is quoted by The Sunday Mirroras saying, in reference to the Frenchman's tally of nine goals in his last five matches against the west Yorkshire club.

"It will be a treat for the fans, the manager and the player *himself. It’s like being transported back in time — a fantasy come true for everyone.

"He may be a bit slower. And it might not be till the end of the two-month loan that we see glimpses of what he did before.

"But I think his return will restore Arsenal’s pride. It will energise *Arsene Wenger and he’ll be a huge influence on the young stars such as Jack Wilshere and Theo *Walcott. Theo idolises him. It could certainly *galvanise the team into winning a *trophy."

Keown also insists that he had a feeling that Wenger would bring Henry back into the fold after watching him train during the MLS off-season.

"I saw him train with Arsenal on a corporate day and I saw the reaction from Arsene," he said.

"There was a glint in his eye and I wondered if he would bring him back.

"At the beginning of the season, Arsenal had lost a gumshield and were lying on the floor on their backs. Now, they’re on their feet and I think Thierry can deliver a knockout punch. He is the best athlete I’ve ever seen with a pair of boots on."

Concerning the upcoming game against Leeds, Keown added: "It’s one of the big games in Englishfootball.

"It’s a shame what’s happened to Leeds since they were in the Champions League semi-final 10 years ago.

"The Premier League has missed them."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2900/...ide-at-arsenal

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Keown

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Former Arsenal captain and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has expressed his delight at Thierry Henry’s goal on returning to the north London side.

The Frenchman netted the winner against Leeds united in the FA Cup third round after coming on from the bench in his first match since joining on a two-month loan deal from MLS outfit New York Red Bulls.

Henry’s goal was the 227th of his Arsenal career and former team-mate Fabregas congratulated him on his successful comeback.

The Spaniard said via Twitter: “Just seen Thierry's goal last night. Only he could have done something like that... Special players for special moments. Fantastic!”

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ry-henry-after

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Robert Pires has ruled out a possible return to Arsenal, insisting he is only training with the club to maintain his fitness levels.

Having seen his old team-mate Thierry Henry enjoy a fairytale return when he netted the winner for the Gunners against Leeds United, there have been suggestions that the former France international could be tempted for a similar return to his old club, with whom he has been training recently.

Jack Wilshere took to his Twitter account to add weight to the rumour, stating: “Super, super Robert Pires is training today........return of another king?!? How amazing would that be!”

But the 38-year-old has moved to quash any such talk of a return, insisting on his own account on the social networking site: “And of course i am training just to maintain my fitness level! But thanks I appreciate you all want me back at Arsenal!”

Pires has been seeking a new club since his departure from Aston Villa over the summer, and it was believed in some quarters that the winger was contemplating hanging up his boots.

But the former Villarreal man was rumoured to have been approached by French side Valenciennes last month, and with the January transfer window now open, he would be free to seal a move to the club.

Pires won three FA Cups and two Premier League titles in an illustrious career with Arsenal, and was part of the famous 'Invincibles' side which went unbeaten in the 2003-04 league season.

He also earned 79 caps for France, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...-training-with

Pires

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Frank McLintock has praised Thierry Henry for his ‘brave decision’ to return to Arsenal - and claims it's paid off.
The New York Red Bulls star has agreed a six-week loan deal at the Gunners and scored on his return to the side he spent eight years with to earn Arsene Wenger's side a 1-0 win over Leeds in the FA Cup Third Round.
It’s been five years since the Frenchman’s move to Barcelona and he has since had a statue erected outside the Emirates to celebrate his achievements at the club.
“
I thought it was a brave thing for Henry to come back
”
Frank McLintock
Many have claimed the 34-year-old’s comeback could have harmed his legacy at the club but former captain McLintock insists Henry has lifted the crowd and the whole squad.
“I thought it was brave thing for Henry to come back,” McLintock told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “He could have damaged his reputation so much.
“Last night made a huge difference, it gives Arsenal a great boost. Henry wasn’t in the game much but his movement is still terrific.
“Chamakh was facing up all the time and Leeds were just compressing him and compressing him, there wasn’t any room. As soon as Henry came on he was on the shoulder of the defenders and he was stretching them immediately. That made it much easier and gave them more space.
“That’s what Robin Van Persie and Henry give [the team]. He’s so brave to come back. It could have gone a different way for him and everyone could have shaken their heads and said no – he's not the same player as he has been.
"I was so pleased for him last night and he did lift the crowd and the players as well.”

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...arsenal-return

Paid off?

[LDG]

Adams - Mertesacker is making good progress
Tony Adams has given his seal of approval to Per Mertesacker.

The legendary centre-back, who made 669 appearances in 19 years as an Arsenal player, is an admirer of the German international who moved to Emirates Stadium at the end of the transfer window.

Adams believes Mertesacker is forging a strong understanding with Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny at the heart of defence. This pool of talent reminds the former captain of his halcyon days in north London when the Club was renowned for its defensive solidity.

“I've seen Per Mertesacker a few times now, he interests me and I think he is a good player,” Adams told Arsenal.com. “I think he is very intelligent and he knows how to play central defence.

“I'm really looking forward to seeing more of him because I don't think Thomas Vermaelen has actually played enough with him just yet. But they could be a fantastic central defensive partnership and would certainly excite me.

“It'd be like going back to the days of Adams, Bould, Keown maybe.”

Tony

If he says it; It's right

[Syn]

That's true enough.

Adams: Vermaelen not good enough for Gunners

Legendary Arsenal defender Tony Adams has warned manager Arsene Wenger not to splash out on rumoured target Thomas Vermaelen this summer.

The 23-year-old has made more than 80 league appearances for the Dutch giants since joining in 2003 - scoring against Aston Villa in last season's UEFA Cup - and has established himself as one of the most highly-rated stoppers in the Eredivisie.
And his form has led to speculation linking his name with a possible move to the Emirates Stadium during the close season, with the Gunners' faithful keen on Wenger to sign several experienced heads to compliment their vast array of talented youngsters.
However, Adams - who spent several years coaching in Holland - does not believe the Belgian stopper is ready for the rough and tumble of the Premier League yet.

"I think Thomas is a very good player but I don’t think he’s ready for the Arsenal," said Adams, who made more than 500 league appearances for the Gunners, winning four league titles.

"I don’t think the punters at Arsenal would like another small one.

"I don’t know whether he’ll end up going for a bigger player. We’ll see how much money we’ve got first.

"I have been looking at the Dutch league, but to be honest with you it’s been decimated.

"It’s a poor league at the moment, there’s one or two players but they’re leaving too early."

http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/32015/default.aspx

[LDG]

Like I said.

If he said it; It's bullshit

[LDG]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...arsenal-return

Paid off?

Exactly. Where did it say that in his quotes. Awful journalism.