Prospect: Serge Gnabry

Age: 17 (14th July, 1995)
Position: Attacking Midfielder/ Winger
Nationality: German

Serge Gnabry is one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents, a powerful and strong midfielder who combines that with pace and an eye for goal, the youngster is certainly developing into an exciting prospect for Arsenal.

Gnabry is a player who excels through the midfield, he’s at his most competent playing an attacking midfield role however the player is also very handy down both wings.

Serge Gnabry is one of Arsenal’s hottest prospects.

Raised in Stuttgart, Gnabry was an ace for his local youth team before joining Bundesliga side Stuttgart’s youth ranks, despite his father previously turning them down preferring his son to develop away from an academy.

During his time at Stuttgart the young German won Player of the Tournament at the 2010 Nike Cup, which spurred Arsenal to offer Gnabry a trial, where he impressed and was subsequently signed to a youth contract.

Gnabry was an instant success in the youth team, scoring six times in eight games for his side and then once he was promoted to the reserve level he cored twice in six appearances and as well as his club performances Gnabry has represented Germany’s U16 and U17 teams.

Gnabry could also be a future star for Germany.

The childhood Barcelona supporter has shown immense talent and this has been recoginised by Arsenal who offered him his first professional contract in July of 2012, which he signed.

Gnabry was given his biggest opportunity yet this summer when he was chosen to be part of Arsenal’s German training camp where he will be alongside first team regulars like Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and compatriot Per Mertesacker.

He told Arsenal’s official website: “It is a very big chance and I hope I take it. At the beginning I was a bit nervous but I settled down after some time. You just get into training, try your best and then learn a lot from the other players.”

“The boss tells me that I have a good chance and I have to use it. This season I hope to get some appearances in the Capital One Cup and even in the Premier League. I just have to try my best and hopefully train with them every day to develop myself.”

This season will be a huge opportunity for the rising star and with the chance to appear on League Cup games as well as possibly Premier League games throughout the year Gnabry could be Arsenal’s surprise package of the 2012-2013 season.

Spotlight: Bould strengthening Arsenal defense

Arsenal’s young keeper Wojciech Szczesny has hinted that he expects new assistant manager Steve Bould’s work with the defense the summer to pay off next season.

The Gunners defense was a huge concern last season as it conceded 49 goals in the Premier League last season, a record worse than Sunderland and Everton who both finished outside the top 6 in the league.

Szczesny has singled out Bould as a key reason why he feels like the club could be in a stronger position in the coming season.

“This club always has the same aims and that’s winning trophies,” Szczesny told Arsenal.com.

“We obviously haven’t done it in the last few years and that’s disappointing for the players and the fans but I believe we will be that little bit stronger than we were last year.

“We have a couple of quality signings already. And we’re confident we can fight for the trophies more than we did last year.

“I think the players who were lacking experience last year now have that experience. We have a couple of signings, more players who can score goals. And Podolski’s goal record speaks for itself.”

“We’re strong offensively and Steve Bould has been doing some fantastic work with the defence. That seems to be working very well. It all makes me believe we’ll be that little bit stronger.

“We’ve done a lot of shape work in training, work on when we lose the ball and a lot of defending on crosses.

“It’s all very sharp as well. Steve likes to shout at players and keep them on their toes – so it’s looking positive. I don’t think we can concede more goals than we did last year.

“I was the one in goal, I was the one who conceded all those goals, and I’m just disappointed because it shows our defending was a big problem for us last season.

“We’ll do everything we can to make it better.”

Certainly the young keeper’s words will be reassuring to many Arsenal fans and Bould’s approach would appear to be having a positive effect on the players, but with the likes of Gibbs, Santos, Jenkinson and Djourou still raising eyebrows some defensive reinforcements would be eagerly welcomed to the Emirates this summer.

Spotlight: Wenger hints at imminent departures and fitness concerns

Unwanted Gunners will be allowed to leave

Today the Daily Mail reported that Arsene Wenger expects Arsenal misfits Nicklas Bendtner, Sebastian Squillaci and Chu Young Park to leave the club this week, freeing up a sizable amount of wages.

“Bendtner, Squillaci and Park will be on their way to go somewhere” Wenger told reporters on Sunday, meaning that the wages as well as transfer funds will be added to spend on Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin.

Reports are suggesting that Cazorla and his agent will tell his current club Malaga today that he wishes to join Arsenal, with a deal set to be completed on Tuesday when Cazorla is expected to have a medical.

Meanwhile various news outlets expect the loan deal of Nuri Sahin to be completed by the end of the week, with a deal being knocked out by both Real Madrid and Arsenal on Sunday.

Fitness fears may blight new Gunners

Wenger dropped the bombshell today that he fears many of Arsenal’s first team players are unlikely to be ready for full games when the Premier League season starts, with new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski especially lacking in match fitness.

Over a dozen players remained in London as Arsenal went on their Asian Tour, meaning that Wenger has not had a chance to work properly with all of his first team players which is shedding serious concerns over the sides Premier League campaign preparations.

A friendly had been planned for this weekend in Nigeria, however this was cancelled due to concerns about the facilities not being ready for a game, leaving many players with just one full length game in a friendly against Koln before the start of the season.

Wenger said: “The players who were out here will have had enough games but some players will have only one game.

“I decided to have one game behind closed doors to try and get a good opponent but at the moment it will be behind closed doors against ourselves.

“I have organised a training camp in Germany ahead of the Cologne game. It is a little bit unusual for us.”

Prospect: Thomas Eisfeld

Age: 19 (18th January, 1993)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Nationality: German

Having joined Arsenal in January 2012 as an unknown entity to many fans, Thomas Eisfeld has quickly established himself as one of Arsenal’s brightest stars for the future and a player who could muscle his way into the first team in the next few years.

Eisfeld is one of Arsenal’s top young talents

Eisfeld learned his craft in his home nation of Germany at none other than Borussia Dortmund’s famed ‘BVB Academy’ which has also produced upcoming stars Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Nuri Sahin and Marcel Schmelzer where he showed great promise.

The German youngster was also an ace at the youth international level having captained the Under-15 national side, however a cruciate ligament injury in 2009 could have potentially ended the players career, setting his development back.

Following month of scouting in a season which saw Eisfeld dominate the Bundesliga’s Under-19’s league with six goals  nd six assists in only 12 appearances Arsene Wenger was ready to make a move for the player.

Arsenal then ran an almost endless amount of medical examinations to assess the players fitness following his injury, he passed them all and joined Arsenal on January 31st and fulfilled a life long dream of playing alongside Tomas Rosicky.

“My hero was Tomas Rosicky. I have a picture of him in my room and it’s fantastic to play with him,” Eisfeld said earlier this year.

“In my opinion, he’s a great player and I focus on his game. But I play a little bit differently. I think I can read the game very well and my technique is quite good.”

“I feel proud because to train with players like Thierry Henry is a dream of each player. It’s like a dream come true for me.”

Eisfeld has truly made a name for himself on Arsenal’s 2012 Asian Tour with the youngster scoring twice for Arsenal, scoring more goals than any other player on the tour, and showing great development as he makes a push for the first team.

Eisfeld embraced by Yennaris after scoring against the Malaysia XI

Our German starlet is likely to be a key man in our League Cup campaign next season and if he fulfills his potential we might be looking at the player who can challenge for a first team place next season.

Take a look at our favourite video of Thomas Eisfeld here, where he dominates Swansea’s reserves earlier this year.

Spotlight: Bendtner, Arshavin and Walcott all attracting interest

Nicklas Bendtner

Arsenal’s big Dane Nicklas Bendtner has caught the eye of Russian side Spartak Moscow  who are pondering a move for the striker who struggled to break into the first team at Arsenal.

The 24-year-old is also being eyed by Turkish giants Galatasaray and Italian powerhouse AC Milan who are in desperate need of attacking option following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to PSG.

Arsenal hope to offload the Dane for £7.5 million, freeing up wages and putting cash into Arsene Wenger’s transfer kitty as he looks to pull off a whopping £16million move for Santi Cazorla.

Andrey Arshavin

Arsenal misfit Andrey Arshavin is being closely monitored by fellow London side Fulham who hope to take the Russian star after he admitted he would prefer to stay in England where his family is settled.

Fulham have reportedly contacted Arsenal about a transfer as well as approaching the 31-year-old’s agent to express their interest.

Arsenal will accept an offer of around £1.5million for the player as they will be very keen to cut Arshavin’s hefty wages from their wage bill, freeing up cash for further moves.

Theo Walcott

Finally, perhaps the strangest rumour surrounding Arsenal for a while is the report that newly promoted Southampton have inquired about the availability of ex-Saints teenage sensation and current Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.

Arsenal are due to reenter talks with the 23-year-old this week as the England international enters the final year of his contract, and hope to see of interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton.

Southampton have not been put off by the player’s £15million price-tag or by the players excessive wage demands of £100,000 a-week and are desperate to resign the player as they aim for European qualification in the next 3 years.

Walcott however is thought to be leaning towards staying at the Emirates, however he is yet to be convinced of Arsenal’s ability to challenge for silverware next season.

Transfer Roundup: July 29th

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal hope to have completed the £16million transfer of versatile Malaga and Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla by Tuesday, setting a new club transfer record and clearly highlighting the clubs ambition for the coming season.

Cazorla has agreed personal terms with Arsenal in principle, however no bid has been officially submitted by the North London club for the player yet, although this is thought to change in the next few days.

Malaga are running out of time to sort out their financial woes before the August 1st deadline and it is thought that the Spanish club may be forced to sell Cazorla for below their €20million asking price to balance the clubs finances.

Nuri Sahin

Continuing the strengthening of their midfield Arsenal are hopeful of signing Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin on loan, with Madrid boss José Mourinho suggesting that the Turkish midfielder go out on loan for a season.

The midfielder is not completely happy with the idea of a proposed loan move, especially as Arsenal will not be given an option to buy him when the loan expires, however it is thought that Mourinho may convince him that a loan is in Madrid career’s best interests.

TalkSport’s Spanish reporter Sid Lowe is confident that Sahin will be wearing an Arsenal shirt next season and the Gunners will hope to convince both Sahin and Cazorla to join before their final pre-season friendly away at Koln on August 12th.

Robin van Persie

Again from TalkSport, Dutch reporter Marcel Van Der Kraan has given Arsenal fans hope that their captain and star striker Robin van Persie will be staying at the club next season.

He told the radio station: “I’ve always thought Robin van Persie has been very happy at Arsenal and there is one thing which everybody forgets in England,

“Robin van Persie has never said I want to leave Arsenal the only thing he has said, just before he went to the European Championships in Poland, is I wont sign a new contract at this moment,

“I understand he has been training really well at London Colney, he has been happy with the players, the other players have been happy that he was there and I have been in contact with him,

“He has been sounding very positive, there is no bitterness or nastiness.”

Van der Kraan went on to say that he does not see the Dutchman leaving if things carry on the way they are, maybe van Persie has been impressed by the ambitious signings his club are making and is ready to commit his future to the team.

Transfer Target: Nuri Sahin

With Arsene Wenger facing a dilemma with injuries to two of his attacking midfielders, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky, paired with a deal for Santi Cazorla looking unlikelier by the day Nuri Sahin has emerged as the Frenchman’s unlikely midfield savior for the upcoming season.

Sahin currently plays for Real Madrid, where he transferred from Borussia Dortmund last season, but despite being voted the Bundesliga player of the season in 2010-2011 the Turkish midfield ace has struggled to break into the first team at the Bernabeu.

The Madrid midfielder’s ability to assist an attack by launching killer balls to players with pin point accuracy makes him one of the stand out passers in Europe, paired with excellent vision and a flair for dead ball situations makes the Sahin a valuable asset to any side.

As well as extraordinary vision Sahin has a great shot on his left-foot, with the player possessing the ability to carefully finesse the ball in a pass or shot past a keeper, or to power the football like a rocket from outside the penalty area.

Sahin’s role would be very similar to that of Cesc Fabregas, who his style of play is regularly compared to, in the sense that he would be a creative player in the midfield slotting balls through to forwards while also taking a shot at goal himself, something Arsenal certainly lacked last season and lack even more now.

A one-year loan deal looks the most likely option, without a view to buy the player after that period, as it is thought hat Arsene Wenger is only trying to fill the hole that Wilshere has left since his injury, which is expected to take even longer to recover from.

Sahin would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal and would add great quality to a midfield which is in desperate need of creative flair while Wilshere and Rosicky regain fitness.

Check out Nuri Sahin’s immense passing ability here and make up your own mind about the Turkish ace.

Transfer Roundup: July 27th

Santi Cazorla

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has put the brakes on an Arsenal move for highly-rated Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla and has told any club interested in the player that they must pay more than £15million.

The Spanish sides financial troubles were thought to be putting Arsenal in a position to acquire the player for a cut-price deal, however it now looks as if Malaga will hold out for big money for Cazorla.

An offer was confirmed to have been made my Pellegrini, thought to be Arsenal, however he went on to say that selling one of the teams stars for such a price does not represent the clubs mentality, especially considering they will have Champions League football next season.

Pellegrini said: “there is an offer, they say, for Santi Cazorla, to sell him for €20 million would be to give him away. I don’t think the club intends to do that.

“I’ve talked a lot with [vice-president] Abdullah Ghubn and with the Sheikh and this would not be representative of their mentality. It would send out the wrong signal ahead of our Champions League campaign.

“If significant offers come in for players they are worthy of consideration, but I don’t think Santi will be leaving for €20 million.”

Robin van Persie

On Thursday reports were suggesting that the Italian champions Juventus were in pole position to sign Robin van Persie, however Arsenal’s demands are now starting to put the side off of a move for the player.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he want’s to keep hold of the Dutch striker, which is starting to put off Juventus’ director of sport Giuseppe Marotta.

He told Sky Italia: “A top player is not only judged by how much he costs,”

“It can also mean a player who costs less but on the pitch shows an absolute value.

“Van Persie is a great player but Arsenal do not intend to lose him. And you cannot indulge in a player if the owners don’t want (to sell).

“Talk of our real interest in him seems excessive to me.”

The comments will leave the door wide open for Manchester United and Manchester City to take advantage of the situation and potentially make further bids for the Premier League’s top scorer.

Nuri Sahin

Reports from Spanish newspaper AS are reporting that Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin is currently in London finalising a loan deal with a top Premier League club thought to be Arsenal.

Sahin is not in Madrid squad that will be travelling to Lisbon where the side will play a friendly against Benfica, and will be spending the next season on loan in the Premier League although further details on where he will be moving to are vague.

Rumours are suggesting that he will either be joining North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal with the Turkish midfielder’s destination likely to be known by the end of today or at some point tomorrow.

Sahin moving to Arsenal could suggest that Malaga’s new price for Santi Cazorla has put the Gunners out of the running for the player, with Sahin coming into the side as a short term replacement as Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky return to full fitness.

New signing Lukas Podolski has a bit of a history with the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder as you can see here, hopefully if the two are reunited in the same team they can put past differences aside.

Transfer Roundup: July 26th

 

Robin van Persie

An end finally looks in sight for the frustrating transfer saga with Arsenal’s beloved captain Robin van Persie as undefeated Serie A champions Juventus are reportedly preparing a £20million bid for the Dutchamn, a bid Wenger is expected to accept.

Although Arsene Wenger has expressed his desire to keep his star striker at the club next season, a contract extension between the Gunners and van Persie looks very unlikely.

Juventus have already had two bids for the player rejected, an insulting £8million opening offer and a follow up bid of £10million also rejected, but Juventus are prepared to finally splash the cash to land their number one transfer target.

Despite bringing in top talent like Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, while Arsenal are on the verge of sealing a deal for Spanish international Santi Cazorla van Persie is still unimpressed with Arsenal’s lack of ambition and will earn £190,000 per week (after taxes) if he accepts a move to Turin.

Santi Cazorla

In more positive news, Santi Cazorla is very close to signing according to multiple sources including The Guardian, Metro and The Daily Mail.

According to these sources personal terms between the player and club have been agreed and all that needs to happen now is for Arsenal to launch a bid for the player

Unfortunatley though the longer Arsenal wait the more complicated matters will become with Malaga’s owner visiting the club this week to sort out their financial mess which could see the side face relegation from La Liga and miss out on Champions League football.

If Qatari Sheikh Abdulla Al Thani smooths out the clubs debts and pays Cazorla’s unpaid wages the Spaniard may be willing to stay at the club where he is settled, which would clearly be a giant blow to Arsenal’s transfer plans.

The experience and talent of Cazorla would add so much to Arsenal’s midfield next season which is why it is critical for Arsenal to pounce on the opportunity to sign such a class act as soon as possible.

 

Spotlight: Wenger – “We will still bring players in”

Arsene Wenger has told reporters that he is still hoping to bring players into his team before the transfer window slams shut in September, while keeping tight lipped over who his potential transfer targets might be.

The Arsenal boss said: “I am ready to talk a lot, but not a lot about transfers, because it is a very fragile subject and a very secret subject.

“We bought Giroud and Podolski and I hope that we bought Diaby and Wilshere too, who didn’t play at all last season. We will add Wilshere to the squad as soon as possible. But we are not at the end of it [transfers] – we will still bring players in.”

The Gunners have been strongly linked with Malaga’s versatile midfielder Santi Cazorla over the past week and rumours circulated on Tuesday that personal terms had been agreed between the club and player while no bid had been officially lodged with the Spanish side.

Also thought to be on Wenger’s radar is Rennes defensive midfield star Yann M’Vila who has been persistently linked with the club for over a year, although Rennes have received no bids for the player so far this summer.

Wenger is also hoping to persuade Theo Walcott into signing a new contract as the winger has just one year left on his contract and is attracting attention from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

Walcott, who is currently with Arsenal’s Asian Tour squad, told reporters: “The money in football is good but that is not why I turned proffesional.

“As a player, you want to win titles, which Arsenal have not been doing, but I believe we will do so soon. It is more important than anything else in football.

“I hope to win many titles as I want to be remembered after retirement. I want to show my children and grandchildren what a good player I was.”

With the likes of Podolski and Giroud joining Arsenal’s ranks and the stream of top talent Arsenal are being heavily linked with the clubs ambition is certainly clear and looks to be impressing the 23-year-old.

Contract talks with the club are reportedly “progressing smoothly” which will be a relief to both Arsenal fans and Arsene Wenger as keeping hold of the winger, who the same amount of assists as Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta, is of great importance to the team’s 2012/2013 campaign.