DONE DEAL: Arsenal Agree £24m Fee and Personal Terms Ahead of Move to Sign Fiorentina Striker Stevan Jovetic
Emirates Stadium side to sign ‘New Robin Van Persie’.Arsenal have reportedly moved a massive step closer to securing a deal to sign long term target Stevan Jovetic.Arsene Wenger has been in negotiations to complete a move to capture the in-form 23 year old dubbed the ‘New Robin Van Persie’ after agreeing personal terms with the Fiorentina striker.The Gunners boss has successfully moved to secure funds to offer the Montenegro international a four year deal worth an estimated £100k a week and have reached a tacit agreement with the Stadio Artemio Franchi side over a fee for the young attacker.Fiorentina had been angling for a fee of as much as €35m (£29m) but appear ready to accept an offer of £24m, which will see the North London side smash their club transfer record. Vincenzo Montella has apparently insisted that any completed move would not be made public as he doesn’t want to disrupt his side’s push for to secure a Champions League berth.Montella’s side currently sit in fourth spot just a point off a top three finish that would help Fiorentina return to Europe’s premier cup competition for the first time in four seasons. The young Viola manager may fear that news of a confirmed deal could lead to a backlash from the club’s supporters at a key stage of the season. Indeed the Serie A manager may recall that Lukas Podolski was unable to prevent his Koln side from relegation from the Bundesliga in his last season at the club, with his future move to Arsenal having been all but agreed some months earlier and perhaps having a knock on effect in the club’s battle to beat the drop.
Montella has already brought in a long term replacement for Jovetic in the form of former Man United and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi, who Fiorentina were happy to sign in January despite the 26 year old still being sidelined with a long term knee injury.
Arsene Wenger has been keen to supplement his Arsenal attack and has been monitoring Jovetic for the best part of a year and has been pleased with his consistent Serie A form. The Fiorentina forward has scored an impressive 26 goals in his last 53 top tier starts.
Wenger will not look to offload Olivier Giroud to make room for Jovetic, despite the French international’s average, if not spectacular, first season with the club. Rather the Arsenal boss will look to make room for the Fiorentina man by offloading a myriad of strikers in his squad that are seemingly very much surplus to requirements.
The likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young will all be permanently moved on this summer whilst a number of other peripheral members of Arsenal’s playing staff will be sold to help ease the wage burden on the club’s balance sheet.
Jovetic is said to be a target of a number of sides but has set his sights on a Premier League switch over apparent interest from other Serie A sides.
Fiorentina purchased the talented forward from Partizan Belgrade in May 2008 for a fee in the region of £8m and Jovetic has gone on to become something of a cult hero with the club’s supporters.
After initially struggling for consistent form and then suffering a lengthy absence with a cruciate ligament injury Stevan Jovetic has grown to become one of the club’s top performers over the past two years.
Arsenal confirm officially the arrival of Olivier GiroudSo the second worst-kept Arsenal transfer rumour secret has finally been brought out in the open at last, as Olivier Giroud has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player on the official website.Arsene Wenger was understandably pleased to secure his second top international striker of the transfer window: He said: “We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic. We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.“He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt.â€Giroud himself is looking forward to being successful at Arsenal and in the Premier League after ending last season as Ligue 1′s top scorer. He said: “I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It’s a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League.“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsène Wenger’s ‘touch’ at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans.â€Wenger has now got two top class strikers for one half of a Torres! And shown yet again his great ability in the transfer market.Now who’s next on Arsenal’s list?
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie wins PFA fans' player of the year
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Robin Van Persie
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been voted the Professional Football Association's fans' player of the year for 2011-12.
It is the third award won by the Holland international for his prolific form last season, having already landed the PFA players' and writers' awards.
Van Persie scored 37 goals in 48 appearances for Arsenal and is now recognised as one of Europe's top players.
"Robin had an exceptional season and has established himself in the mould of previous top quality Dutch strikers such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Marco Van Basten," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.
"He's very much in demand and Arsenal fans will be worrying whether Arsenal can get him to stay or whether he will move on to the likes of Manchester City.
"Many of his goals were the best of not just this season, but any season when you think of the quality of some of his volleys.
"He really has been a talisman for Arsenal and as captain has lifted them into qualifying for the Champions League again when all looked lost."
Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez, who signed for Southampton last week, scooped the npower Football League Championship award following his 21 goal-haul last season.
"Burnley born, Jay had some limited experience in their time in the Premier League but has really come good for the club," said Taylor.Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jose Semedo won the League One award while Lewis Grabban, the Rotherham United forward, was recognised in League Two.
Arsenal Transfer News: Why Yann M'Vila Is a Must-Sign for Arsene Wenger
DONE DEAL: Arsenal Agree £24m Fee and Personal Terms Ahead of Move to Sign Fiorentina Striker Stevan Jovetic
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Emirates Stadium side to sign ‘New Robin Van Persie’.
Arsenal have reportedly moved a massive step closer to securing a deal to sign long term target Stevan Jovetic.
Arsene Wenger has been in negotiations to complete a move to capture the in-form 23 year old dubbed the ‘New Robin Van Persie’ after agreeing personal terms with the Fiorentina striker.
The Gunners boss has successfully moved to secure funds to offer the Montenegro international a four year deal worth an estimated £100k a week and have reached a tacit agreement with the Stadio Artemio Franchi side over a fee for the young attacker.
Fiorentina had been angling for a fee of as much as €35m (£29m) but appear ready to accept an offer of £24m, which will see the North London side smash their club transfer record. Vincenzo Montella has apparently insisted that any completed move would not be made public as he doesn’t want to disrupt his side’s push for to secure a Champions League berth.
Montella’s side currently sit in fourth spot just a point off a top three finish that would help Fiorentina return to Europe’s premier cup competition for the first time in four seasons. The young Viola manager may fear that news of a confirmed deal could lead to a backlash from the club’s supporters at a key stage of the season.
Indeed the Serie A manager may recall that Lukas Podolski was unable to prevent his Koln side from relegation from the Bundesliga in his last season at the club, with his future move to Arsenal having been all but agreed some months earlier and perhaps having a knock on effect in the club’s battle to beat the drop.
Montella has already brought in a long term replacement for Jovetic in the form of former Man United and Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi, who Fiorentina were happy to sign in January despite the 26 year old still being sidelined with a long term knee injury.Arsene Wenger has been keen to supplement his Arsenal attack and has been monitoring Jovetic for the best part of a year and has been pleased with his consistent Serie A form. The Fiorentina forward has scored an impressive 26 goals in his last 53 top tier starts.
Wenger will not look to offload Olivier Giroud to make room for Jovetic, despite the French international’s average, if not spectacular, first season with the club. Rather the Arsenal boss will look to make room for the Fiorentina man by offloading a myriad of strikers in his squad that are seemingly very much surplus to requirements.
The likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young will all be permanently moved on this summer whilst a number of other peripheral members of Arsenal’s playing staff will be sold to help ease the wage burden on the club’s balance sheet.
Jovetic is said to be a target of a number of sides but has set his sights on a Premier League switch over apparent interest from other Serie A sides.
Fiorentina purchased the talented forward from Partizan Belgrade in May 2008 for a fee in the region of £8m and Jovetic has gone on to become something of a cult hero with the club’s supporters.
After initially struggling for consistent form and then suffering a lengthy absence with a cruciate ligament injury Stevan Jovetic has grown to become one of the club’s top performers over the past two years.
Arsenal confirm officially the arrival of Olivier Giroud
So the second worst-kept Arsenal transfer rumour secret has finally been brought out in the open at last, as Olivier Giroud has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player on the official website.
Arsene Wenger was understandably pleased to secure his second top international striker of the transfer window: He said: “We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic. We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.
“He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt.â€
Giroud himself is looking forward to being successful at Arsenal and in the Premier League after ending last season as Ligue 1′s top scorer. He said: “I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It’s a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League.
“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsène Wenger’s ‘touch’ at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans.â€
Wenger has now got two top class strikers for one half of a Torres! And shown yet again his great ability in the transfer market.
Now who’s next on Arsenal’s list?
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Robin Van Persie |
Van Persie scored 37 goals in 48 appearances for Arsenal and is now recognised as one of Europe's top players.
"Robin had an exceptional season and has established himself in the mould of previous top quality Dutch strikers such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Marco Van Basten," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.
"He's very much in demand and Arsenal fans will be worrying whether Arsenal can get him to stay or whether he will move on to the likes of Manchester City.
"Many of his goals were the best of not just this season, but any season when you think of the quality of some of his volleys.
"He really has been a talisman for Arsenal and as captain has lifted them into qualifying for the Champions League again when all looked lost."
Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez, who signed for Southampton last week, scooped the npower Football League Championship award following his 21 goal-haul last season.
"Burnley born, Jay had some limited experience in their time in the Premier League but has really come good for the club," said Taylor.Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jose Semedo won the League One award while Lewis Grabban, the Rotherham United forward, was recognised in League Two.
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| Yann M'Vila |
Arsenal have already upgraded their team with the acquisition of Lukas Podolski. Add to that the rumors that Olivier Giroud will be signing with the Gunners, and you can see that Arsene Wenger is doing his best to put together a team to compete with the two Manchesters, City and United.
The third piece of the puzzle for Arsenal is Yann M'Vila. The 21-year-old midfielder will help to balance strength and speed for Arsenal.
Finalizing a deal for M'Vila will be no simple task though, as Inter Milan and Barcelona have both shown interest in the young defensive midfielder.
M'Vila is a defensive midfielder who is more than capable of shutting down opposing teams' players. He is sought after by so many clubs during this transfer window because he is considered to be one of the best midfielders available this summer.
What makes M'Vila so impressive is really two main abilities: his passing and his marking. They are by far his best qualities, though he has many other great qualities as well.
He shows great composure for being so young and his anticipation of how a play will develop is probably only second to fellow French defender Laurent Koscielny.
If Arsenal can continue to bring in top-tier talent like M'Vila it will also make it much easier for them to re-sign Robin van Persie. At 29 years old, the leading scorer in the Premier League last season will want to win.
For a team that hasn't won the Premier League since the 2003-2004 season, it is imperative to spend during this transfer window.
The Gunners have consistently been in the top four since the 2005-2006 season, but that type of track record is exactly what can get a team in trouble. It shows players you want to compete, not win.
Once that type of idea is placed in the minds of players, it becomes very difficult to retain the team's top players and even harder to go out and sign new players.
If Arsenal doesn't want to be trapped in mediocrity for the foreseeable future, they must spend on young midfielder Yann M'Vila to show players they want to win, not just compete
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Arsenal Debate: Is Aaron Ramsey the new Eduardo?
An Unfair Situation For Aaron Ramsey
I am curious to know what the overall disposition towards Aaron Ramsey’s current predicament is (from the readers on this site). What is the overall consensus about Aaron Ramsey? Should we have a zero tolerance approach, one of absolutely no compassion and heartlessness? Or should we give him a second chance?
Seriously though, what is the difference between Eduardo Da Silva and Aaron Ramsey? Eduardo was a very exciting prospect back in 2007, and looked like the next superstar for the gunners. Many of our rivals were very aware of what Eduardo’s potential impact for Arsenal could have been. He was a very dangerous player showing an immediate gelling with the Arsenal squad providing assists and some quality goals.
Then Alex Ferguson ordered a hit out on Eduardo, and paid Martin Taylor £2 million to destroy one, or both, of his legs. Okay, so that was an embellishment, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true!
Eduardo was never quite the same after his game-changing injury and Arsenal reluctantly decided to let him move on. Some football experts say that Arsenal were not able to hold onto their lead at the top of the league that season, because of losing Eduardo.
In regards to his injury, could the same outcome be possible for Ramsey? Will Arsenal decide to keep him as a quality bench option for midfield? Or will they decide (by watching his progress in training/matches) that he has lost that spark that he once had before his injury indefinitely?
Hard to tell, and such an unfair situation for Ramsey, because just like Eduardo, he was on the verge of becoming a global sensation.
I think some fans have forgotten how bloody impressive Ramsey was before Shawcross came crashing in recklessly (unintentionally). There is a great video on youtube that shows everything Ramsey did for us leading up to his injury, if you need your (quick to hate) memory refreshed.
I say keep him and bring in some quality back-up in place of the want-away Denilson. Someone who won’t mind waiting behind Wishere and Ramsey for his chance to shine. That rules out big names like Dzagoev (the new flavor of the month), Eriksen, Belhanda, Dempsey etc. etc.
This situation could be the reason why Thomas Eisfeld was brought in…we could be seeing him in the first team very soon (and don’t say that this is a bad idea if you haven’t even seen Eisfeld’s skills). Exciting season coming up, have patience, trophies are on the way.
Let us know what you think. (and remember to be respectful in your comments)
ARSENAL FOR LIFE
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A sudden rumour has appeared in regards to Llorente moving to Arsenal from Athletic Bilbao
A sudden rumour has appeared in regards to Llorente moving to Arsenal from Athletic Bilbao. The story took the internet, especially Twitter by storm last night after a spanish journalist working for El Mundo Deportivo claimed that a deal between Arsenal and Athletic Bilbao in regards to the purchase of Llorente had been struck, with a press conference called for Tuesday 29th May. Is it true? The sudden nature of it seems like a typical Arsenal move, however with a £30mil buy-out clause, it seems unlikely and only time will tell.
This season, Llorente has managed to score 28 goals in 53 games for Bilbao, which isn't a bad ratio at all, especially when you consider that Bilbao finished the season 10th in La Liga. He also has 6 assists to his name. He is the target man that Arsenal need and if the story is to be believed would be the kind of marquee signing that Arsenal fans have been craving. However it does pose the question, would he be signed in order to work with/convince RVP as well as play with Podolski, or signed as RVP's replacement?
With the high price tag and the kind of striker he is, I fully expect he would be RVP's replacement with the funds from the sale being used to sign Llorente. The question thus would be, where would RVP be headed? My guess would be City due to the price, however I would hope that he would actually head abroad. I would not be able to stomach the idea of Van Persie heading toward the blue side of Manchester. I would even dare say I would prefer to see him play for Man United than City.
However, if the story is true and he has been signed as a convincer, what a convincer it is. A strike force of RVP, Podolski and Llorente is a deadly one and then with Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain and the potential development of Miyaichi to go along side, you would be hard put to find a deadlier strike force when you ignore the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The signing would also show that Arsenal mean business for next season and the future. It will show we aren't afraid of a big signing and that we still remain a club fighting for the title.
Ultimately though, it all comes down to whether it is just one of those twitter stories that has spun more out of control than usual or the real thing. I can safely say that I will be keeping an eye out hoping that the story is true and a convincer for Van Persie. We can only but wait and see really.
Until next time.....
Robin van Persie will not be sold if Lukas Podolski joins - Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says they do not plan to sell captain Robin van Persie, even if Cologne forward Lukas Podolski joins the club.
Van Persie is yet to agree a contract extension beyond summer 2013, while BBC Sport understands Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Podolski, 26.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said this week that he was interested in signing the Dutchman.
Wenger said: "Our plan is to keep Robin van Persie even if we buy any player."
Discussing Manchester City's interest in Van Persie, he added: "What is said of you by other clubs is part of the job.
"What is important is how much you want to win the next game. All the rest is basically not important.
"Robin is the leader of our club. He is under contract until 2013. You do your job, which he does very well, and enjoy your games."
The German will have to pass a medical and agree personal terms before any move can be completed in the summer.
Wenger said: "I don't have a lot to say about that because, if we sign a player, we will inform you. At the moment we have not signed anybody.
"There is still no agreement. Podolski is a good player. I wouldn't deny that."
The Arsenal manager told German media that he thinks highly of Podolski's passing and shooting ability - and is also impressed by the way he can integrate himself into a team's pattern of play.
Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will not sell Robin van Persie
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists striker Robin Van Persie will not be leaving Arsenal, even if they sign German striker Lucas Podolski.
In-form Dutch forward Van Persie has yet to agree a contract extension while BBC Sport understands that Arsenal have agreed to sign Podolski from Bundesliga side Cologne.
The Frenchman also says that he is not concerned by comments from Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini that he is interested in signing Arsenal's top scorer
by:Arsenalwiki
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by:Arsenalwiki
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Lukas Podolski set for German goodbye tour before Arsenal move
Lukas Podolski could sign for Arsenal in the next few weeks, but before then his farewell tour of German football begins on Saturday with a Bundesliga relegation battle between his Cologne side and Hertha Berlin.
Podolski, affectionately known as "Prinz Poldi" at Cologne, missed training on Thursday with a stomach bug but is likely to recover in time for a game that has been widely billed as the opening leg of his goodbye tour.
Even in the absence of official confirmation, no one in Germany is left under any illusion that the 26-year-old might still feature for the "Goats" next season. "He's moving to Arsenal," local paper Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger wrote ruefully on Friday, "to the big, wide world."
Since his return to his hometown club in 2009, after a less than successful spell at Bayern Munich, Podolski has experienced "a kind of quasi-religious admiration that's only comparable to the adulation heaped on Francesco Totti in Rome," [German football magazine] 11 Freunde editor Christoph Biermann told BBC Sport.
But this week's reports about his imminent departure have, remarkably, failed to result in a fierce backlash from disappointed fans. Cologne supporters have grudgingly realised that their favourite player has simply outgrown their team.
A little over a year ago, it looked as if the Poland-born forward, so successful in a Germany shirt with 43 goals from 95 caps, would remain an unfulfilled promise at club level.
Two seasons at the RheinEnergieStadion had only returned 15 league goals and his development - on and off the pitch - seemed to have stalled.
However, this season he has been in prolific goalscoring form. He has scored 16 goals out of Cologne's total of 31 - a sensational figure if you consider that his side spend most of their time defending deep in their own half.
"He's an extraordinary player, we need to keep him quiet," warned Hertha Berlin manager Otto Rehhagel ahead of the game at the Olympiastadion this weekend.
Tony WoodcockFormer Arsenal striker“He's at the best age and will find excellent conditions. Playing with better players will make him better, too”
The son of a football professional, Waldemar Podolski, and a handball player, Krystyna Podolska, has mostly operated as sole striker this season. He is happy to hold up the ball or use his pace to chase after quick vertical balls on the shoulder of the last defender.
Podolski loves being direct and taking shots early and from distance, but he is equally at home in deeper areas, linking up with midfield and looking to play in the wide players.
He is a playmaking forward, fairly similar to Robin van Persie - if not quite as skilful. Such versatility has enabled him to feature as a shadow striker-cum-number 10 behind a more orthodox centre forward in the past.
Wenger is renowned for scouting players extensively but the Frenchman himself will mostly have seen Podolski in action for Germany, where he has impressed wide on the left in the last two tournaments.
Joachim Loew has been able to instil a higher work-rate and tactical awareness, and it is perhaps no wonder that Podolski looks at his best when he is surrounded by the likes of Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Mueller.
Podolski's experience as a winger would enable Wenger to play him in place of Gervinho or, perhaps, even try him as a wide player on the right, where he could cut in on to his splendid left foot.
Podolski, like many continental strikers before him, might need some time to adjust to the hurly burly nature of the Premier League.
But former England international Tony Woodcock, who had successful spells with both Cologne and Arsenal in the 1980s, is convinced "The Prince" can rule in London too.
"He's at the best age and will find excellent conditions. Playing with better players will make him better too," Woodcock told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger on Friday.
"He can win titles and will live in a great city. I'm sure he will have a great time there."
BY:arsenalwiki
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