Arsenal drop Interest in Naismith

Arsenal have dropped their interest in prolific Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith.

The 20-year-old has become a top target of a host of clubs including Arsenal where he was on trial, however it now appears the striker will stay at Kilmarnock for the remainder of the season.

Source: (Daily Record)

Fiorentina confirm Lupoli capture!

Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli will join Fiorentina at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Gunners in 2004 from Parma but made just one Premiership appearance for them, has agreed a five-year deal.

Lupoli is midway through a season-long loan spell at Championship high-flyers Derby County.


The Rams had been hoping to tie up a permanent deal for the 19-year-old striker after his 10 goals so far this season, but Lupoli had been keen to return home after first moving to England in 2004.

After moving from Parma the predatory front-man only managed to make a single substitute appearance for The Gunners in the Premiership, with all of his three goals for the club coming in the League Cup.


He had shown an interest in a move to Napoli and even hinted he would consider staying with Derby if they were to be promoted to the Premiership.

But the Italy Under-21 international, who scored on his debut for Pierluigi Casiraghi's men in their friendly against Luxembourg in December, has decided to join Serie A side Fiorentina instead.

Arsenal Set To Compete With AC Milan For CSKA Moscow Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev

I know I just posted a report I heard about the possibility of Arsenal signing Scot Carson however it seems that there is another candidate on the table. Igor Akinfeev, as arsenal fans will remember, was the very keeper arsenal faced on that cold and unfruitful night in Moscow...

Arsenal are interested in signing CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, according to the player himself.

With AC Milan also interested to sign the 20-year-old Russia international, the Gunners face stiff competition for the services of the highly rated goalkeeper.

The Gunners are looking for a possible long-term replacement of 37-year-old Germany international Jens Lehmann who is out of contract at the end of the season and is not ready to accept an extension of one-year deal on the table. The young Russian would fit in with Wenger's team building ethos especially given his champions league experience, Akinfeev who has made 147 appearances for CSKA first team since graduating through their youth academy in 2003 said:

'I am delighted that a club of such calibre are interested in me. You can't have too many chances like that in your career.

'Of course, if they make an offer, I'll take it seriously and will think about it.'"

The Arsenal eye turns to David Nugent

Arsenal scouts watched 6 million rated Nugent in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in this weekend's FA-cup draw. Nugent put Preston North End 1 nil up in after 7 minutes but was unable to help his side through to the next round. The under 21 England star and Championship player of the month is the subject of considerable interest and is certain to leave Deepdale in the summer should Preston not gain promotion to the Premiership.

"The day will possibly come where he may have to go," said Simpson. "But until that day, I want to keep him."

Arsenal Tracking Scot Carson, Carig Gordon and Steve Mandanda

Arsenal are tracking England Under-21 keeper Scott Carson, who is currently on loan to Charlton from Liverpool. Other reported targets include Craig Gordon of Hearts and Steve Mandanda of Le Havre.


Source:(Various)

Henry and Eto'o - dream partnership

Barcelona superstar Samuel Eto'o has stated his deep admiration for Arsene Wenger, whilst confirming he has had the chance to join Arsenal in the past.

The Gunners were keen on signing the Cameroon international in 2004, but Los Cules managed to secure his signature after some intense negotiating with Real Madrid and Real Mallorca - who both had rights over the exemplary striker.

Eto'o has since shown Wenger exactly what he missed out on by scoring Barca's equaliser in their victorious UEFA Champions League final clash against Arsenal in 2006.

Whilst Eto'o is proud to be plying his trade at Camp Nou, the reigning African Player of the Year admits he would have relished the chance to work under Wenger in North London.

"I love Arsene Wenger, he is one of the best coaches in the world," Eto'o told L'Equipe.

"I could have played for Arsenal some years ago, I would have loved to have had Arsene Wenger as my coach.

"In the end I am at Barca and I am proud to wear that shirt."

Eto'o is also a great admirer and a close friend of Gunners captain Thierry Henry and still rues the day the French star chose to remain at Arsenal rather than move to Catalunya over the summer.

"If Titi would have come to Barcelona, people would have seen how two real friends have fun in a stadium," Eto'o added.

"I dreamt about that, to be a partner with him in attack.

"Titi chose to stay in England and I am happy for his coach, but…"

Celtic Keeper Boruc considers his choices

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has admitted he would consider a move to a top European club. Click here for really cheap prints

The Poland international has regularly been linked with a move away from Celtic but he insists he has no plans to leave Glasgow, despite longing for his homeland.

"I really miss Warsaw. Sometimes I get terribly nostalgic and I do get homesick," he told Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

"But I'm going to hold on and stay at Celtic."

Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Boruc in the summer as a long-term replacement for Jens Lehmann, whose Emirates Stadium future is unclear.

And Boruc has refused to rule out the possibility of a move should the right offer come along.

"Obviously, if something comes up, and by that I mean a really big side coming in for me, I'd maybe think about," he said.

"But I would not leave for a smaller side. I'd only leave Celtic for a really top European side."

Sunu to shine in North London

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool to the signature of yet another high profile youth player Gilles Sunu. Sunu (pictured) was being tracked by Liverpool in December but has opted to head to North London. Sunu joins an illustrious list of young footballers which include Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Denilson and Fran Merida Perez. The vice-President of Chateauroux has confirmed that Arsenal will sign 15-year old French prodigy Gilles Sunu.

Patrick Trotington said: “He plays as an out-and-out striker like Thierry Henry, but he also can play in midfield. Click here for really cheap prints

“Gilles is lightning quick and he has great technical skills. But the key is that he is very intelligent, older than his years.”

The deal will be sealed next month when Sunu turns 16.

If Sunu could be the next Thierry Henry, then he’ll be hoping that Henry keeps his word and stays at Arsenal.