Former Arsenal Star Robert Pires joins Aston Villa

Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has signed a six month contract to join Aston Villa until the end of the season.

The former French international becomes Gerard Houllier’s first signing since arriving at Villa Park.

The 37-year-old, who has been training with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal for the past two months,  will add valuable experience to a young squad.

The one-time left-wing star, now moved to the central ground, signed for Villa as a free agent after being released by Villarreal in the summer.

The world cup winner, who will wear the number eight shirt, will meet his new teammates tomorrow and hopes to make his debut for the club against Blackburn on Sunday.

Pires told AVTV: "I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting.

"I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England.

"I am also thrilled to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him.

“I spoke with Gerard Houllier and like me he is very happy because I need him and he needs me to play with experience because the team is young. We need a good mix.

"Now this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me. I am very happy to start.

"I can't wait to put that
 shirt on and play for Aston Villa. I am proud to play for Villa and to the fans, I'd like to say 'see you soon at Villa Park.”

Pires who spent six years with the Gunners and played 236 times for the North London club insisted playing in England was a big factor in signing for Houllier’s men.

He said: “For me it’s a good surprise but I’m very happy here because I like English football and  it was important for me to work here again.”

Assistant manager Gary McAllister is delighted the club have captured such a decorated player and believes believes the new recruit can have positive influence on the whole squad. 

He said: "He is a proven winner. It gets thrown around a lot these days when people say they are a winner but he is a genuine article. 

"He's a European champion and he has won the World Cup as well. He has vast experience and was a fantastic player in the Premier League for Arsenal. 

"People thought he was coming to the end of his career but he went to Villareal and done well there for several seasons. 

"For all the younger players - what a tremendous addition. The younger players can only learn from watching a guy like Robert on the training field. 

"He will gain respect. But I am sure Robert Pires isn't coming here just to be a player that everyone is going to stand back and admire. He will want to gain the respect of the fact that he is still competitive and still able to do a job at this level." 

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Crouch out to shoot down Gunners

Tottenham striker Peter Crouch wants to target any weaknesses in Arsenal's defence during the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side conceded late goals against AZ Alkmaar and West Ham before defeatingin Liverpool the Carling Cup this week, with the Barclays Premier League clash against Spurs next up.

"You saw at the start of the (West Ham) game when they went 2-0 up that they play great football, as they always do," Crouch said. "Hopefully we can keep that to a minimum and, as West Ham proved, you can come back and you can score goals against them. Hopefully we'll be tight at the back and get a good result."

Crouch is relishing Spurs' role as potential top-four gatecrashers, although he feels Arsenal are showing resilience to stay in the hunt after being written off by critics following the departures of Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure to Mancheste City in the summer. and

"I think at the start of the season a lot of people wrote off Arsenal," Crouch told the Tottenham Journal. "They've got a young squad but they seem to have shown everyone that they can still play.

"But I think we've also surprised a few people by the way we've started. We're in the top four at the minute and we want to stay there as long as we possibly can."

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Crouch out to shoot down Gunners

Tottenham striker Peter Crouch wants to target any weaknesses in Arsenal's defence during the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side conceded late goals against AZ Alkmaar and West Ham before defeatingin Liverpool the Carling Cup this week, with the Barclays Premier League clash against Spurs next up.

"You saw at the start of the (West Ham) game when they went 2-0 up that they play great football, as they always do," Crouch said. "Hopefully we can keep that to a minimum and, as West Ham proved, you can come back and you can score goals against them. Hopefully we'll be tight at the back and get a good result."

Crouch is relishing Spurs' role as potential top-four gatecrashers, although he feels Arsenal are showing resilience to stay in the hunt after being written off by critics following the departures of Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure to Mancheste City in the summer. and

"I think at the start of the season a lot of people wrote off Arsenal," Crouch told the Tottenham Journal. "They've got a young squad but they seem to have shown everyone that they can still play.

"But I think we've also surprised a few people by the way we've started. We're in the top four at the minute and we want to stay there as long as we possibly can."

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Rob rage over Manu stamp

FURIOUS Robin Van Persie has let rip at Emmanuel Adebayor, raging: You set out to hurt me on purpose.

The bloodied ace reckons he was lucky not to have been BLINDED during Man City's fiery clash with the Gunners.

Van Persie was left clutching his face after Adebayor lashed out during City's thrilling 4-2 win.

And he laid into to his former team-mate for deliberately smashing his face.
He fumed: "I am sad and disappointed by my former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's mindless and malicious stamp on me during today's match.

"We are both professional footballers and I know that the game is physical, I too have made hard and sometimes mis-timed challenges but never with the intention of hurting an opponent. He set out to hurt me today.

"I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.

"I do feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury. The contact was only centimetres from my eye."

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Rob rage over Manu stamp

FURIOUS Robin Van Persie has let rip at Emmanuel Adebayor, raging: You set out to hurt me on purpose.

The bloodied ace reckons he was lucky not to have been BLINDED during Man City's fiery clash with the Gunners.

Van Persie was left clutching his face after Adebayor lashed out during City's thrilling 4-2 win.

And he laid into to his former team-mate for deliberately smashing his face.
He fumed: "I am sad and disappointed by my former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's mindless and malicious stamp on me during today's match.

"We are both professional footballers and I know that the game is physical, I too have made hard and sometimes mis-timed challenges but never with the intention of hurting an opponent. He set out to hurt me today.

"I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.

"I do feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury. The contact was only centimetres from my eye."

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Bendtner aims to grow with Gunners

Nicklas Bendtner is determined to go on to bigger and better things with Arsenal after committing his long-term future to the Gunners.

The 21-year-old striker, along with young Brazilian midfielder Denilson, has agreed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium club."It means a lot that I can commit my future to Arsenal because I have a great affection for this club," he said.

Manager Arsene Wenger has long championed the potential of his young side, and Wednesday's announcement follows agreements to secure the continued services of Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie as well as fellow youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs.

The Gunners may have added only Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen to the squad over the summer, while selling Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City, but still impressed during the opening games of the new campaign - the only loss a narrow 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

Following the departure of Adebayor, Bendtner has looked to cement himself in Wenger's attacking plans.

Bendtner chalked up some 50 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 15 goals.The 6ft 3in frontman is determined to continue his progression.

"I've been here for five years now, and my development both on and off the pitch as a player and person is thanks to Arsene Wenger and the team here," he added.
"We've got a group of players that is capable of achieving great success, and I am really excited to be a part of it."

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Bendtner aims to grow with Gunners

Nicklas Bendtner is determined to go on to bigger and better things with Arsenal after committing his long-term future to the Gunners.

The 21-year-old striker, along with young Brazilian midfielder Denilson, has agreed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium club."It means a lot that I can commit my future to Arsenal because I have a great affection for this club," he said.

Manager Arsene Wenger has long championed the potential of his young side, and Wednesday's announcement follows agreements to secure the continued services of Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie as well as fellow youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs.

The Gunners may have added only Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen to the squad over the summer, while selling Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City, but still impressed during the opening games of the new campaign - the only loss a narrow 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

Following the departure of Adebayor, Bendtner has looked to cement himself in Wenger's attacking plans.

Bendtner chalked up some 50 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 15 goals.The 6ft 3in frontman is determined to continue his progression.

"I've been here for five years now, and my development both on and off the pitch as a player and person is thanks to Arsene Wenger and the team here," he added.
"We've got a group of players that is capable of achieving great success, and I am really excited to be a part of it."

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Arsenal fixtures 2009/10

Arsenal's 2009/10 Premier League fixtures.

Saturday 15 August: Everton v Arsenal 15:00

Tuesday 18 August: Arsenal v Bolton 19:45

Saturday 22 August: Arsenal v Portsmouth 15:00

Saturday 29 August: Man Utd v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 12 September: Man City v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 19 September: Arsenal v Wigan 15:00

Saturday 26 September: Fulham v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 03 October: Arsenal v Blackburn 15:00

Saturday 17 October: Arsenal v Birmingham 15:00

Saturday 07 November: Wolverhampton v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 21 November: Sunderland v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 05 December: Arsenal v Stoke 15:00

Saturday 12 December: Liverpool v Arsenal 15:00

Tuesday 15 December: Burnley v Arsenal 19:45

Saturday 19 December: Arsenal v Hull 15:00

Saturday 26 December: Arsenal v Aston Villa 15:00

Monday 28 December: Portsmouth v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 09 January: Arsenal v Everton 15:00

Saturday 16 January: Bolton v Arsenal 15:00

Wednesday 27 January: Aston Villa v Arsenal 19:45

Saturday 30 January: Arsenal v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 20 February: Arsenal v Sunderland 15:00

Saturday 27 February: Stoke v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 06 March: Arsenal v Burnley 15:00

Saturday 13 March: Hull v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 20 March: Arsenal v West Ham 15:00

Saturday 27 March: Birmingham v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 03 April: Arsenal v Wolverhampton 15:00

Saturday 17 April: Wigan v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 24 April: Arsenal v Man City 15:00

Saturday 01 May: Blackburn v Arsenal 15:00

Sunday 09 May: Arsenal v Fulham 15:00

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Arsenal fixtures 2009/10

Arsenal's 2009/10 Premier League fixtures.

Saturday 15 August: Everton v Arsenal 15:00

Tuesday 18 August: Arsenal v Bolton 19:45

Saturday 22 August: Arsenal v Portsmouth 15:00

Saturday 29 August: Man Utd v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 12 September: Man City v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 19 September: Arsenal v Wigan 15:00

Saturday 26 September: Fulham v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 03 October: Arsenal v Blackburn 15:00

Saturday 17 October: Arsenal v Birmingham 15:00

Saturday 07 November: Wolverhampton v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 21 November: Sunderland v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 05 December: Arsenal v Stoke 15:00

Saturday 12 December: Liverpool v Arsenal 15:00

Tuesday 15 December: Burnley v Arsenal 19:45

Saturday 19 December: Arsenal v Hull 15:00

Saturday 26 December: Arsenal v Aston Villa 15:00

Monday 28 December: Portsmouth v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 09 January: Arsenal v Everton 15:00

Saturday 16 January: Bolton v Arsenal 15:00

Wednesday 27 January: Aston Villa v Arsenal 19:45

Saturday 30 January: Arsenal v Man Utd 15:00

Saturday 20 February: Arsenal v Sunderland 15:00

Saturday 27 February: Stoke v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 06 March: Arsenal v Burnley 15:00

Saturday 13 March: Hull v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 20 March: Arsenal v West Ham 15:00

Saturday 27 March: Birmingham v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 03 April: Arsenal v Wolverhampton 15:00

Saturday 17 April: Wigan v Arsenal 15:00

Saturday 24 April: Arsenal v Man City 15:00

Saturday 01 May: Blackburn v Arsenal 15:00

Sunday 09 May: Arsenal v Fulham 15:00

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Eboue eyes Arsenal exit

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue could be on his way out of the Emirates after revealing he is unhappy at the Premier League club.

The Ivory Coast international, who can also play on the right wing, has grown frustrated by his failure to hold down a regular starting spot. And, despite only having signed a new deal last summer, the 26-year-old admits he could be set to leave England.

"It would be hard," Eboue told France Football. "But I think it would be harder to experience another season like this one, too far off the pitch... In any case, if I leave Arsenal, it would be for another league because it is out of the question that I develop elsewhere in England."

Eboue moved to Arsenal from Beveren in January 2005 and became a first-team regular in the second half of the following season.

However, inconsistent form saw him overtaken by Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott in the pecking order.

He was booed by the Gunners fans back in December after coming off the bench against Wigan and was himself substituted.

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Eboue eyes Arsenal exit

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue could be on his way out of the Emirates after revealing he is unhappy at the Premier League club.

The Ivory Coast international, who can also play on the right wing, has grown frustrated by his failure to hold down a regular starting spot. And, despite only having signed a new deal last summer, the 26-year-old admits he could be set to leave England.

"It would be hard," Eboue told France Football. "But I think it would be harder to experience another season like this one, too far off the pitch... In any case, if I leave Arsenal, it would be for another league because it is out of the question that I develop elsewhere in England."

Eboue moved to Arsenal from Beveren in January 2005 and became a first-team regular in the second half of the following season.

However, inconsistent form saw him overtaken by Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott in the pecking order.

He was booed by the Gunners fans back in December after coming off the bench against Wigan and was himself substituted.

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Arsenal linked with Ozil

Arsenal,Manchester city and Juventus have been linked with Mesut Oezil

Germany U21 playmaker Oezil plays for Werder Bremen and his favoured position is in the hole behind the strikers but he is happy to pull out wide and seems comfortable in an even more advanced role.

He moved to Bremen from Schalke in January 2008 a £4.3 million deal and it is almost unthinkable that the Gelsenkirchen club should let such a talent go so cheaply.

Like Mehmet Schoell and Yildiray Basturk, he is of Turkish descent and is a similar type of player, with superb close control clever movement off the ball.

The best player on the park, Bremen playmaker forward Oezil tore his opponents to shreds with some magical dribbling and quick-witted runs but was unable to find a finish to match his excellent build-up play.

Here is the look at the Ability of the GermanU-21 talent:

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Arsenal linked with Ozil

Arsenal,Manchester city and Juventus have been linked with Mesut Oezil

Germany U21 playmaker Oezil plays for Werder Bremen and his favoured position is in the hole behind the strikers but he is happy to pull out wide and seems comfortable in an even more advanced role.

He moved to Bremen from Schalke in January 2008 a £4.3 million deal and it is almost unthinkable that the Gelsenkirchen club should let such a talent go so cheaply.

Like Mehmet Schoell and Yildiray Basturk, he is of Turkish descent and is a similar type of player, with superb close control clever movement off the ball.

The best player on the park, Bremen playmaker forward Oezil tore his opponents to shreds with some magical dribbling and quick-witted runs but was unable to find a finish to match his excellent build-up play.

Here is the look at the Ability of the GermanU-21 talent:

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Dzeko vs Pandev vs Martins vs Ben Arfa

Here is what all the fans will love comparisions between the future signings of ARSENAL....

1.The below video is of Edin Dzeko : the Wolfsburg Target-Man and ARSENAL Summer Target..



2. The video of Goran Pandev



3. The video Obafemi Martins



4. last but not the least Hatem Ben Arfa




now plz vote on who should be signned...(right side)

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Dzeko vs Pandev vs Martins vs Ben Arfa

Here is what all the fans will love comparisions between the future signings of ARSENAL....

1.The below video is of Edin Dzeko : the Wolfsburg Target-Man and ARSENAL Summer Target..



2. The video of Goran Pandev



3. The video Obafemi Martins



4. last but not the least Hatem Ben Arfa




now plz vote on who should be signned...(right side)

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Rumours!!

Arsenal are believed to spend a lot in this summer transfer market after the backing given by Usmanov (A Russian billionaire and a Stake holder at arsenal) to Wenger.

If the rumours are to be believed then ARSENAL are wanting to get some quality players from Across the Europeans map.

They are willing to spend big on the likes of Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax); Yaya Toure (Barcelona); Brede Hangeland (Fulham); Cristian Zapata (Udinese); Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg); Obafemi Martins, Sebastien Bassong (both Newcastle); Goran Pandev (Lazio) players.

There are also rumors of players going out which is a concern for all GUNNERS FAN. the rumours are to believed then players like Emmanuel Adebayor to Chelsea or Milan; Kolo Toure to Manchester City; Emmanuel Eboue to Internazionale; William Gallas to Juventus or Milan; Gael Clichy to Real Madrid. Which will be a very very bad loss to Arsenal football club.

Lets hope that the rumours of players coming to Arsenal get true and then we can find a very strong arsenal side playing on the fields of the English and European Clubs.

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Rumours!!

Arsenal are believed to spend a lot in this summer transfer market after the backing given by Usmanov (A Russian billionaire and a Stake holder at arsenal) to Wenger.

If the rumours are to be believed then ARSENAL are wanting to get some quality players from Across the Europeans map.

They are willing to spend big on the likes of Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax); Yaya Toure (Barcelona); Brede Hangeland (Fulham); Cristian Zapata (Udinese); Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg); Obafemi Martins, Sebastien Bassong (both Newcastle); Goran Pandev (Lazio) players.

There are also rumors of players going out which is a concern for all GUNNERS FAN. the rumours are to believed then players like Emmanuel Adebayor to Chelsea or Milan; Kolo Toure to Manchester City; Emmanuel Eboue to Internazionale; William Gallas to Juventus or Milan; Gael Clichy to Real Madrid. Which will be a very very bad loss to Arsenal football club.

Lets hope that the rumours of players coming to Arsenal get true and then we can find a very strong arsenal side playing on the fields of the English and European Clubs.

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Fabregas fancies Barca move

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has said he would consider an offer to return to Barcelona should he receive a call from the Catalan club's coach Pep Guardiola.

Fabregas also said however that he is keen to win titles with the North London club.

"It's very obvious that it (an offer from Barca) would be special, but I am also clear about the fact that Arsenal made me captain in the middle of last season," he told Catalan daily Sport.

"That gives me extra responsibility and ties me closer to the club and I would be excited to win a trophy as captain of the Gunners."

He added that if Guardiola - who won the Champions League, Spanish title and Copa del Rey in his first season as coach, having coached the club's 'B' team with success prior to that - called him, "it would be different".

Fabregas left the Blaugrana as a 16-year-old in 2003 to sign professional terms with the Gunners.

Arsenal have failed to win a trophy since 2005, when they triumphed in the FA Cup, leading to some frustration among the club's supporters.

There is, however, still massive support for manager Arsene Wenger.

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Fabregas fancies Barca move

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has said he would consider an offer to return to Barcelona should he receive a call from the Catalan club's coach Pep Guardiola.

Fabregas also said however that he is keen to win titles with the North London club.

"It's very obvious that it (an offer from Barca) would be special, but I am also clear about the fact that Arsenal made me captain in the middle of last season," he told Catalan daily Sport.

"That gives me extra responsibility and ties me closer to the club and I would be excited to win a trophy as captain of the Gunners."

He added that if Guardiola - who won the Champions League, Spanish title and Copa del Rey in his first season as coach, having coached the club's 'B' team with success prior to that - called him, "it would be different".

Fabregas left the Blaugrana as a 16-year-old in 2003 to sign professional terms with the Gunners.

Arsenal have failed to win a trophy since 2005, when they triumphed in the FA Cup, leading to some frustration among the club's supporters.

There is, however, still massive support for manager Arsene Wenger.

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AIM: To recover from EURO exit

A sense of anti-climax will hang heavy over the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal and Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday after their dispiriting exits from the Champions League in midweek.

Although the manner of Arsenal's comprehensive semi-final defeat to Manchester United couldn't have contrasted more with Chelsea's agonising stoppage time loss to Barcelona, the end result was same; a nine-month quest to be crowned king of Europe for the first time terminated with the holy grail within touching distance.

Although Chelsea were closer to reaching the Rome final, the consequences for both these London rivals will be felt long after the bitter memories have started to fade.

While the history books will record that Andreas Iniesta's away goal was the cause of Chelsea's exit, no player or supporter at Stamford Bridge blamed anyone but Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who turned down four strong penalty claims by Guus Hiddink's team.

Defeat in such controversial circumstances was too much to take for Didier Drogba, who harangued Ovrebo as he left the pitch and continued his foul-mouthed rant to a live television audience before running down the tunnel to continue his verbal assault of the referee.

Hiddink insists Drogba, who could miss Sunday's game with an ankle injury, won't be punished by Chelsea because he apologised publicly.

But the Ivory Coast striker and team-mate Michael Ballack, who is also accused of abusing Ovrebo, could face lengthy European bans and it remains to be seen if either will even be at Chelsea next season.

With Hiddink set to return to his role as Russia coach, there are likely to be substantial changes on the horizon for an aging team that once has fallen short in Europe once too often and Drogba and Ballack could lead the departures.

Hiddink knows Chelsea, six points behind leaders United, must refocus because a win this weekend would stretch their lead over fourth-placed Arsenal to nine points with only two games to play, giving the Blues a guaranteed place in the Champions League next season, while Arsenal would have to endure the qualifying stages. We must be strong. The players must put what happened behind them and be very energetic," Hiddink said.

Wenger expects Chelsea to find it harder to get back on track quickly than Arsenal because Hiddink's team suffered a more crushing exit.

I believe Chelsea have the right to be more disappointed than us because they were qualified and you could not see how Barcelona could come back," Wenger said. The game on Sunday will be down to the team who deals best with the disappointment, who wants it more and who has more strength of character.

While Chelsea try to recover their equilibrium, Wenger stubbornly refuses to let the obvious gulf in class between his side and United change his philosophy of youth development.

The Arsenal boss will look to strengthen his squad in the close-season but he has no intention of bringing in new faces at the expense of the club's emerging talent.If you look at our team on Tuesday, our oldest player in midfield was 22. They were in the best four teams in Europe, so why should we panic?" Wenger said. I believe we have to take on the chin the critics, but it is down to how strongly we believe in ourselves and how good I think the team is. You cannot imagine that we work as we did with young players and give them a chance, then let them go.
"We are criticised because we play young players, then we are supposed to let them go when they are in a position where they start to perform at the top level? That is not acceptable."
Wenger's hopes of closing the gap on Chelsea will be dented if Andrey Arshavin fails to recover from a virus that forced the Russian midfielder to miss two days training this week.

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