Arsenal win against Celtic 2-0

Arsenal beat Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park on a night when nothing went right for Tony Mowbray's side.

Arsene Wenger's side scored two fortuitous away goals to leave Celtic with everything to do in order to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

The Gunners opened the scoring two minutes before half-time when Cesc Fabregas’ free kick deflected into the goal off William Gallas’ back.

And Celtic's bad luck continued when captain Gary Caldwell but the ball into his own net after a fast, low cross from Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy.

TEAMS
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Fox, Donati (Fortune), N’Guemo (McCourt), McGeady, Brown, Maloney, Samaras (McDonald). Subs: Zaluska, Naylor, McDonald, Fortune, Flood, McCourt, O'Dea.

Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelan, Sagna, Denilson, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin (Diaby), Bendtner, Van Persie. Subs: Mannone, Diaby, Eduardo, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, Gibbs.
Arsenal beat Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park on a night when nothing went right for Tony Mowbray's side.

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Arsenal eye £6m Rafael van der Vaart

Arsene Wenger saw his Arsenal side produce a stunning riposte to doubters with a 6-1 win at Everton and then prepared to spend a portion of the £38million raised in the transfer market after Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart revealed he hopes to move to the Premier League.

Goals from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas (2) and Eduardo saw Wenger's side romp to victory on the first day of the season as title rivals Chelsea recorded a last-gasp 2-1 win over Hull and Manchester City won 2-0 at Blackburn.

Despite Arsenal's dazzling start, Wenger is considering strengthening the squad with 26-year-old midfielder Van der Vaart, who is available for just £6m after becoming involved in a bitter dispute with Real.

Wenger has allowed Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to leave for £38m and has been criticised for spending only £8m on centre-half Vermaelen.

Van der Vaart would be a welcome addition, with Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri injured, and yesterday the Dutchman said: 'I really want to come to England.

'There are a number of clubs with offers, where I can go in Germany, Spain and Italy. I have also had a request from Martin Jol to go back to Ajax. But none of those options appeal to me. I want to go to the Premier League and I know where I want to play.'

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Arsenal trash Everton by stunning 6 goal

Arsenal got their season off to a great start as they tore poor Everton apart at Goodison Park with a stunning display.

The visitors were three ahead at the break through Denilson - from the edge of the box - and two headed goals from Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas.

Things got worse for the Toffees in the second period when Fabregas grabbed two for himself to underline an outstanding personal performance.

Eduardo netted the sixth before Louis Saha scored a consolation goal in injury-time for Everton.

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arsenal has been bid for subotic

NEVEN SUBOTIC has had no contact from Arsenal regarding a move away from German side Borussia Dortmund.

The highly rated central defender, 20, was reported to be on Arsene Wenger's shopping list following Kolo Toure's £16million move to Manchester City.

But Subotic's agent, Stephen Kelly, claims he knows nothing of the Gunners' interest in his client.

Kelly said: "There is nothing in the reports linking Neven with Arsenal.

"I don't know where this has all come from.

"He only recently signed a new five-year deal at Dortmund and it would take big money for any move to happen.

"I have had no contact with Arsenal and I have spoken to Dortmund and they have told me that they have had no contact with Arsenal whatsoever."

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Uche joins Etuhu at Fulham

Nigeria midfielder Kalu Uche is set to join English Premier League club Fulham for a reported fee of around GBP2.5 million.
The London club agreed the fee with the midfielder's Spanish club Almeria on Monday night, according to The Times.

Uche, 26, has had spells in Europe with Espanyol, Wisla Krakow and Bordeaux.

He won two league titles with Poland's Krakow before being farmed out on loan to Bordeaux and will join his compatriot Dickson Etuhu.

The former Enyimba man made his international debut for Nigeria in a 2-2 draw with Angola in 2003, and has gone on to make 15 appearances.

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Premier League - Countdown: Arsenal

POSSIBLE STARTING XI:

- Manuel Almunia -

Bacary Sagna - William Gallas - Thomas Vermaelen - Gael Clichy

Theo Walcott - Cesc Fabregas - Denilson - Samir Nasri

Robin van Persie - Andrei Arshavin

BACK-UPS FROM: Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone, Philippe Senderos, Mikael Silvestre, Johan Djourou, Armand Traore, Kieran Gibbs, Alexander Song, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Nicklas Bendtner, Emmanuel Eboue, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Eduardo, Carlos Vela

TRANSFERS:

In - Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax, undisclosed)

Out - Kolo Toure (Manchester City, £16m), Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, undisclosed), Havard Nordtveit (Lillestrom, loan), Fran Merida (Levante, loan), Amaury Bischoff, Rui Fonte, Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers, Rene Steer (all released)

POSITIVES: Arsene Wenger's ability to rebuild a side is unparalleled, and if any manager can cope with the loss of senior players Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, it is him. He has some outstanding youngsters, including 17-year-old Jack Wilshere, while Andrei Arshavin might just be the most entertaining player in the Premier League.

NEGATIVES: Four years without a trophy is too long, and Wenger knows it. Patrick Vieira has never been adequately replaced, and while Alex Song has the physique he needs to prove he has the intelligence and the temperament. Nearly slipped out of the top four last season - Manchester City's massive spending means that it could be a long way back if they miss the Champions League this term.

VERDICT: Wenger continues to make the most of the resources at his disposal, but without a big cash injection the Gunners will not contend for major silverware. They are too canny to lose fourth place to City, however. 4th.
Mario Hajiloizis / Eurosport

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Bordeaux await Wenger contact

Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud has rejected reports claiming that Arsenal have made an increased bid for Marouane Chamakh.

The two clubs have so far failed to agree a fee for the Morocco international, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Ligue 1 this summer.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is unwilling to meet Bordeaux's current asking price of around £10.2million as Chamakh has entered the final year of his contract.

It has been suggested a renewed bid of £7.7million has been offered by Arsenal, but Triaud claims he has not spoken with Arsenal for some time.

He told L'Equipe: "I have not had any sign of life from Arsenal. I am waiting. If Arsene Wenger really wants Marouane, I suppose he will finally get in touch.

"Contrary to what has been said, I am not aware of a €9million offer.

"Will Chamakh stay one more season? I don't know. In front of me I have a player that wants to leave.

"Possible replacements? (Manager) Laurent Blanc has got his list, and he will use it if needed."

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Roman Jets Out For £40million Ribery Raid?

Getting a bit lively in The Transfer Tavern as Ian McGarry from The Sun tells us, that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic is set to fly out to Germany to “make a £40million raid” on Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for Franck Ribery.

It said, that the Blues chief called Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness over the weekend and made his intentions clear on luring French International Ribery to Stamford Bridge from the Allianz Arena, with Abramovic prepared to smash the British transfer record to land the winger.

“Uli was taken by surprise by the phone call but was very honest and courteous with Mr Abramovich,” a senior Bayern source is quoted as saying.

“We are still resolved to keep Ribery but Hoeness agreed to meet with Abramovich in Germany to discuss any offer.”

Ian claiming, that Sunsport revealed last month, Premier League champions Manchester United along with Chelsea would make offers for 26-year-old Ribery this summer. Abramovic said to have taken the lead as the Red Devils are yet to make a bid.

It said new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti had been promised a big-name signing by the Russian billionaire this summer, but has seen offers for Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Kaka end in failure.

Ribery apparently favouring a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, with Bayern afraid the French star might have signed a similar pre-contract to that of Cristiano Ronaldo and make the switch to the Bernabeu next summer.

So what sort of liquid lubrication helped this one along? Will Abramovic manage to lure Ribery to the Premiership in a £40million deal? Should this rumour Fly or Die?

Player Profile & Video Franck Ribery>>

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Arsenal Boss To Test Boards Commitment With £15 million Defender Bid?

Rumours flying everywhere in The Transfer Tavern as someone from the Daily Mail tells us, that Fulham have “put a £15million price-tag” on defender Brede Hangeland to ward off interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Sportsmail claiming, that the Cottagers are set to demand £15million for the Gunners target as the fight for Norwegian International Hangeland is set to hot up this week.

It said Fulham boss Roy Hodgson could have found a defender to fill any void left by Hangeland in Magnus Troest at Serie A side Genoa, with the Premiership club also interested in Robert Huth at Middlesbrough, but Stoke are also in the hunt for the Boro defender.

So what sort of liquid sauce was at the source of this tale? Are Fulham really going to tell Arsenal to cough up £15million for Hangeland? Should this rumour Fly or Die?

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Arsenal Bid €7m for 6ft.5in Argentine defender

Arsenal has failed with a €7m bid for Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio.

Fazio (22) is a giant at 6ft.5in and Arsenal wanted the big Argentine defender to replace Kolo Toure & Phil Senderos who is due to sign for Everton before the weekend.

Fazio is contracted until 2012 and his agent Eduardo Gamarnik insisted: “The situation’s clear. Federico doesn’t want to be sold or loaned.”

Gamarnik has confirmed that Sevilla have rejected a bid of €7m from an unnamed club (Arsenal) for the defender.

Fazio had an injury-plagued second season in Spain during 2008/09, but coach Manolo Jimenez is an admirer of the Argentine’s ability and wants to retain him, as the club returns to the Champions League.

Gamarnik, told newspaper La Razon, “Fazio will play in Sevilla next season. [Chairman] Del Nido has had offers, one of seven million, but it was not accepted. He will play more games this season.”

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arshavin double safe gunner to beat atletico madrid

Andrey Arshavin came off the bench to net a late brace as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid in the Emirates Cup.

The Russian, introduced in the second half, produced two superb finishes as the Gunners maintained their promising build-up to the new campaign.

There was also a welcome home return for Czech winger Tomas Rosicky, who had been out of action for some 18 months with a string of niggling injuries -- and his availability for the build-up to the new campaign will be a welcome boost to manager Arsene Wenger following the loss of Samir Nasri to a broken leg. Wenger had named a mixed side, which included Vito Mannone in goal and Robin van Persie, last season's leading scorer, as captain with Cesc Fabregas one of 10 subs.

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De Rossi rules out Arsenal switch

ROME (AFP) – AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi on Saturday ruled out a possible move to English Premier League side Arsenal.

The Londoners were rumoured to be interested in signing the 26-year-old but De Rossi claims he has had no contact from the Gunners and has no intention of leaving his home town club.

"Arsenal? I haven't heard anything. Roma said I'm untransferable and I want to stay here," he said.

"If they wanted to sell me everything would change but they've always shown faith in me."

De Rossi is looking forward to an improved showing from his team in the Serie A title race this season after they finished a disappointing sixth in 2008-09.

That followed three successive seasons as runners-up but Roma looked to have lost ground on the top three in the last campaign.

"We have to do very well because a gap has opened up between us and the top three," he said.

"Right now we're fighting with Fiorentina, Genoa and Lazio. We have to rediscover a certain mentality and work culture that we lost last year, me more than anyone else."

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