[Prodigy]

Arsenal football club are pleased to announce the link between ourselves and Aberdeen football club.

After established links around the world, with links to other clubs in Thailand, Spain, England and the United States of America, the board was delighted to establish a link with Scotland.

The details of the arrangement are the following:-

• Arsenal will be able to send players on loan to Aberdeen. During the loan the players wage will be paid in full by Arsenal. Aberdeen have no obligation to the play the player and he may be recalled at any time.
• Arsenal will have the first option to buy players from Aberdeen. In practice this means once a bid for a player is accepted by Aberdeen, a bid of the same value must be accepted. It is then up to to the player to decide his fuutre.
• Arsenal will pay Aberdeen an annual fee of £118K.

Chairman of Aberdeen football club, Stewart Milne, spoke on the opportunity of linking up with Arsenal football club.

"This is a great opportunity for both Aberdeen and Arsenal football clubs. For Aberdeen, we have the opportunity to be able to take young talent on loan from one of the best academy's in the world, whilst Arsenal will be able to loan players to a fantastic Scottish club and allow them to gain vital experience."

[Tuesday, July 14, 2009]

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[treva]

Cracking story you got here mate. Presentation is absolutely superb. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with Arsenal, going to be a tough season.

[Hibee]

Superb story mate, the writing and layout are first class, the graphics and fan feedback are really good too. :thup:

This post has been edited by Hibee: 22 May 2009 - 09:47 PM

[saladguy]

Wow, loved that Adebayor picture. How come Ranieri is back at the Bridge? What happened to Scolari or Hiddink?

[Prodigy]

Page last updated at 11:25 GMT, Saturday, 18 July 2009

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Arsenal win race to sign Asenjo

Arsenal have completed their third signing of the summer, with highly rated Valladolid goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo joining the club on a three-year contract.

Asenjo, who has been linked with Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, Manchester United and a Villarreal side which had Pellegrini in charge, has completed the move to Arsenal today for a fee believed to be around eight-million pounds, after triggering a release clause in Asenjo's contract.

The Spanish 20 year-old, who started his career at Real Valladolid, soon emerged as one of the most promising goalkeepers in European football, after making his debut at the age of eighteen, keeping a clean sheet against Pellegrini's former side Villarreal. Conceding one goal in his first five games for Valladolid, and being the youngest goalkeeper playing in La Liga for the first team, he signed his first professional contract in 2008, agreeing a three year contract.

An arsenal club statement read "Arsenal are delighted to announce the signing of Real Valladolid goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo on a three-year contract. Sergio has a growing reputation in European football after gaining a first team place for Real Valladolid in La Liga, and playing for the U17's, U19's and U21's for Spain, all at the age of twenty. This reputation, at such a young age, has seen some of the biggest clubs in European Football try to sign the young goalkeeper, and we are ecstatic that he has decided to join us."

Manuel Pellegrini added "Sergio is a goalkeeper I've been following closely for some time. I tried to sign Sergio whilst at Villarreal, but for various reasons I wasn't able to complete the transfer. Soon after joining Arsenal, and assessing the goalkeeping options, I think it was for everybody to see that we needed a new goalkeeper, especially after the departure of Vito [Mannone] on a permanent transfer last week, and to sign someone who in my view is the most talented goalkeeper in Europe at the moment is exciting for everyone involved with Arsenal."

The signing of Sergio Asenjo has cast doubt over current first team goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, as it is likely that the twenty year old Asenjo would of only accepted a move to Arsenal if he could be guaranteed first team football, with a host of other clubs vying for his signature. Almunia aged 32, recently stated in an interview himself that he would seriously consider leaving Arsenal if he became a number two again, as he simply has to be playing football at this stage in his career, where he considered himself in his "prime".

Asenjo also spoke on his transfer, being helped by a translator after being able to speak limited English "I'm very happy to be here, it is a dream come true. Arsenal are a big club, with very good youth, and to join the youth at Arsenal makes me very happy."

[shan0811]

Brilliant signings of Matias Fernandez and Marcos Senna. Both are great players and yeah even Asenjo he is wonder keeper. Quality graphic of Adebayor and the story is also sensational.

[KD.]

Quality story!

[DaGunnerz]

hopefully you win something
thats something wenger forgot how to do

[Telegram Sam]

Enjoying this.

[Felton]

Brill layout here, loving this, KIU! :evil:

[Prodigy]

Arsenal football club are delighted to announce the signing of former Arsenal captain, and current Arsenal top goal scorer Thierry Henry.

Thierry has agreed a two-year contract at the club for a disclosed fee of £6.25 million pounds. Speaking to Arsenalfc.com, Manuel Pellegrini was ecstatic to announce the signing of Henry.

"For Thierry to return to Arsenal is just wonderful, amazing, exciting, breath-taking -- I'm running out of superlatives. Thierry is a legend in world football, but more so a legend here at Arsenal. He has done amazing things for this club, and when I was saw the chance to sign Thierry, and he was willing to return, I simply couldn't turn this opportunity down."

Henry, aged 32, joined Arsenal from Juventus in 1999, and quickly became a fan favourite, and in the long term, a club legend, becoming Arsenal's all time top goal-scorer, and the first and only Arsenal player to score one-hundred goals at former ground Highbury. Winning the Premier League twice, FA Cup three times, and Community Shield twice, plus over 30 individual awards, he became one of the World's greatest strikers.

In 2007, Henry joined Barcelona, in which despite a mixed first season -- his second season was far greater, winning La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, scoring twenty-seven goals despite being played as left winger in a 4-3-3 formation.

Talks had started with Henry last week, after Arsenal and Barcelona agreed a fee of £6.25 million for the forward. Arriving in London Friday, Thierry held further talks with representatives from Arsenal, and completed his medical yesterday.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis added "Thierry isn't a marketing ploy, or a commercial figure to bring in money. He is in my opinion, still one of the greatest strikers in Europe. To have him back at Arsenal is sensational. Manuel spoke to the Arsenal board, and we spoke thoroughly about the different options we could bring in up front. A name that stood out from the start was Thierry, and after making contact with Barcelona, who were willing to sell, Arsenal were left mesmerised, as we didn't imagine in a wildest dreams we'd have a chance of bringing Thierry back, who is still in his prime and an outright legend."

An official press-conference with Thierry is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, July 27, at 10:00am, where Thierry Henry and Manuel Pelegrinni will both be open to questions from the press before they meet up with the rest of the team as they prepare to fly out to Italy ahead of their next pre-season game with Reggina.

[Sunday, July 26, 2009]

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[Prodigy]

Page last updated at 13:48 GMT, Monday, 27 July 2009

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Henry up for the challenge

Thierry Henry sensationally completed his return to Arsenal yesterday for a fee of £6.25 million pounds, on a two-year contract, leaving Europe stunned. BBC Sport can show you Thierry Henry's first press-conference back in England in full.

Q: Firstly Thierry, on behalf of the rest of the people here welcome back to England. How does it feel to be back at Arsenal?
A: It's wonderful. Everybody knows how much I love this club, and even though I left in 2007, this club has been so close to my heart ever since. I've followed Arsenal as a supporter for nearly three years now, but to be back here is quite amazing, it's so surreal to be back.

Q: How did the move come around, considering you've had quite a good season at Barcelona?
A: My agent told me that Barcelona and Arsenal were in talks a week and a half ago and I didn't really know what to think -- I think I was in more disbelief than anything. I didn't think much would come of it, but then only a few days later, my agent told me that Arsenal and Barcelona had agreed a fee, and I was able to hold talks with Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis and Manuel Pellegrini.

Q: Was you surprised that Barcelona agreed, in current transfer terms, a relatively low fee of six-million pounds?
A: Is six million a low fee? I'm not sure.

Q: Was you even more surprised that Barcelona agreed a fee at all?
A: Yeah, I guess I was. I thought I had quite a good season at Barcelona, making over 30 appearances and getting a good amount of goals and assists. I didn't think they would let me go, and I didn't have any warning that Barcelona were even thinking about accepting a fee for me. I didn't demand a move away, I was happy at Barcelona, and was told that I could stay. However when your team agrees a fee for you, it's hard to say you want to stay, as you're obviously not in the managers plans.

Q: Were there any other offers on the table?
A: My agent told me other teams were willing to match the fee, but as soon as I was told that Arsenal were the team which had the bid accepted, I had made my decision. I didn't care about other teams. I obviously respect other teams, but if I was going to leave Barcelona, and the Arsenal offer was there -- Arsenal was the only team I wanted to move to.

Q: Why was Arsenal the right team to go back to, considering that Arsene Wenger has now gone, and in the past you said whilst at Arsenal you would of left if Arsene left?
A: I was extremely close to Arsene whilst I was at Arsenal. He was the man who brought me to Arsenal, and he was the man who turned me into the player I am today. After speaking with Arsene, he doubted at the time whether he would sign a new contract, and I couldn't at the time of imagined myself playing under a different manager than Arsene, so I wanted to leave with him.

Now, Arsene has gone obviously, but I have moved on now. After seeing what has unfolded at Arsenal since I have left, where Arsenal have struggled to win a trophy in four years, maybe it was right Arsene left, and moved to another club. He doubted whether he would stay in 2007, therefore I feel in 2009 he just grew tired at the club. Now though we have to forget about Arsene. He has done wonderful things for Arsenal, but Manuel is the man to take this club forward. I respect him greatly and he has done a fantastic job at Villarreal, and will do a fantastic job here. We've got to win a trophy this season for the fans, and I'm up for the tough, tough challenge which lays ahead.

Q: Talking of retirement, you are nearly thirty-two -- how long have you got left, and could a move to Arsenal this late in your career put a mark slightly on your past success if things don't go well?
A: What I achieved at Arsenal will never be ruined. If I come to Arsenal, get injured, and never score another goal, sure people may remember that, but I still feel that no matter what happens they'll remember the invincibles era, the era where we kept winning trophies, and the era where I became Arsenal's all time goal-scorer. I'm nearly thirty-two yes, but I still hope to have many years in me yet. I'm fit, and still feel I'm in my prime, as I'm still scoring goals at the highest level. Adjusting from Spain to England again will be hard of course, but I'm up for the challenge, and I hope to add to my goals at Arsenal, and make sure that my record is never broken, but more importantly Arsenal win a trophy. My main ambition is to win the Champions League, and I feel we can still do that.

Q: Finally Thierry, any messages for the fans?
A: You, the fans, are one of the main reasons I'm here again. I'm here to score goals, and lots of them, and I know this will be the year we end that four-year spell without a trophy.

[RFC]

Wow, didn't see that coming at all.

Brilliant story so far. It looks excellent too.

[saladguy]

Well I never! Henry is a good replacement for Adebayor even though he isn't as good as he used to be.

[shan0811]

Great to see Henry back at Arsenal. He was dearly missed by the Gunners and hopefully they will be back and can win a title with Henry. Great story as usual. KIU.

[Prodigy]

Page last updated at 14:38 GMT, Wednesday, 29 July 2009

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Arsenal announce departures of Rosicky and Eboue

Arsenal have announced the departures of Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Eboue, leaving to Manchester City and Olympique de Marseilles respectively.

Rosicky, who joined Arsenal in 2006 from Borussia Dortmund for a fee believe to be around €10 million euros, has joined Manchester City for £8 million pounds.

The Czech Republic international, who has been plagued with injuries for the past 15 months at Arsenal, told mcfc.com that the arrival of new Arsenal player Matias Fernandez was the last straw of his Arsenal career.

"Did I enjoy my time at Arsenal? For the first two seasons, I really enjoyed it at Arsenal. However, the past 15 months have been extremely hard for me to take. To miss so much time, at a time where I should be playing the best football of my career was so demoralising. I can't blame Arsenal of course, but I feel a fresh start is best for everyone, and when my place was put under even more threat, I simply had to take Manchester City's offer."

Mark Hughes added "Tomas Rosicky is a very good signing for us. I know he's been injured for a long time, but you can look at that in two ways -- will he be as good coming back from injury, or will he be even more hungrier, and more fresh, in which my coaches assure me he is fully fit for next season. I wouldn't of taken the chance if I didn't think he could play a lot of games, and if he does keep playing football, then he is a very good player, who will offer us a lot attacking wise."

The second player to leave Arsenal today was Emmanuel Eboue, who has joined Olympique de Marseilles for a fee believed to be around four and a half million pounds.

Joining Arsenal in 2005 from Beveren, Emmanuel Eboue had a mixed time at Arsenal, with fans in recent seasons cristicising some poor performances for the team. Despite this, Eboue went on to make 30 appearances for the club last season, yet admitted to BBC Sport that he was told he wasn't in Manuel Pellegrini's plans.

"I'm very happy to be at Marseilles. For sure, I didn't want to leave Arsenal, but after numerous offers from various clubs, some even in the Premier League, Marseilles offered me the best chance of playing first team football and playing at the highest level."

He added "I simply wasn't in Manuel Pellegrini's plans. He told me that I would be second choice, and wouldn't be getting regular playing time, and I simply couldn't take sitting on a bench, I'm not that kind of player. I did well last year, and made a lot of appearances for Arsenal, however I respect Manuel's decision, and again I'm happy to be here."

[craguuscool]

The graphics and detail are absolutely superb. I like how you re-signed Henry. KUTGW though

[treva]

Henry is a class player, even now, and hopefully he'll score a bag load of goals on his return to Arsenal. Brilliant stuff mate.

[Prodigy]

Thierry Henry will hope to score against Rangers once again

_______________________________________________________________

Arsenal meet Rangers in Champions League Third Qualifying Round

It's a battle of North versus South as the Champions League draw sees Arsenal take on Rangers, in what many are anticipating the return of former Gunners forward Thierry Henry, who is likely to make his first appearance since his six million pound move back to North London.

Rangers manager Walter Smith spoke on the draw "It's a tough draw of course, but at this qualifying stage, any team you get will be tough, with the likes of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich being possible opponents as well. I do feel we could have the advantage here though. It will be Manuel Pellegrini's first game in charge, with some change of persona in his team, and at the Ibrox Stadium, with our fans in full force, I have a view that we can beat any team, and if we can get a win in the first leg, then the pressure will be all on Arsenal."

Rangers, who were eliminated last year in the Qualifying stages, will be looking to overcome an Arsenal team which under the guidance of Arsene Wenger became Champions League semi-finalists, losing to London rivals Chelsea.

Here is the draw in full:

Olympique de Marseilles vs Bayern Munich
Spartak Moscow vs Inter Milan
Sevilla vs Shakhtar
Rangers vs Arsenal
Porto vs Fernebahce

The first legs are scheduled to be played August 12th.

[KD.]

Loving this story. fb.