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15 July 2012, Last Updated 13:55 GMT


Arsene Wenger painted a stark picture of Arsenal's future unless the London club make some drastic changes and big strides next season.

Wenger was hardly in a joyous mood during his first press conference of the new season, the Frenchman overseen his first training session of the pre-season, one that did not include Robin van Persie who moved to bitter rivals Manchester United, and Alex Song who followed the Dutch striker out of the Emirates to Barcelona. The silver lining was Wenger ran the rule over his new recruits Lukasz Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud.

"We lost our best player during the close season and sadly that has become a common occurrence in recent years." Wenger said. "Arsenal are in danger of becoming a selling club, we cannot allow that to happen. We are too big a club to find raw talent and develop it, only to see clubs come along and take our best players."

When Wenger was questioned on why this seems to happen the Frenchman was frank in his summary. "We're not winning things, we have everything that a club the size of Arsenal should have, a world class stadium, training facilites, fantastic fans and great players and coaches. What we lack is silverware, the best players in the world are ambitious, if we're not winning we won't keep our best players or be able to sign them in the near future."

Wenger went on to insist the board would have to work harder to ensure Arsenal's trophyless spell did not stretch to an eighth year. "We've not been strong enough in the transfer market, we have to learn how to say 'no' when clubs want our best players, even if it has an effect on our accounts. Not winning trophies will have a bigger financial effect in the long run.

"We have to approach the transfer market with renewed vigour, we are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and I think we should start acting like it."

The manager did not absolve himself of any blame stating, "I have signed some players below the level expected of an Arsenal player to help our situation financially. I won't be doing that anymore, I expect a lot of players to be leaving during the summer. We have too many players on big wages who aren't contributing and it's time that they move on."

It's evident the loss of van Persie has angered the Arsenal manager, but the renewed hunger shown by Wenger today may soften the blow. "We're in danger of going backwards, we could be out the 'big four' if we continue this way, I won't let that happen while I'm at this club."

16 July 2012, Last Updated 13:55 GMT


Arsene Wenger has stuck to his guns and handed the clubs board a list of players he wants off the books and out of the club.

Yesterday, Wenger said he would be looking to sell on a host of fringe players who he said were contributing little but taking vast wages out of the club. The preliminary list is thought to include Marouane Chamakh, Andre Santos, Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou and Vito Mannone. If the rumours proved to be true then it could show a new tact from the Gunners boss who has often stood by his players through thick and thin.

If Wenger can rid the club of those five players then he would wipe £195,500 extra a week in his wage to bring in the big players he so desires, it's thought the combined fee's could bring in an additional £20million, taking his transfer war chest to somewhere in the region of £50million.

Arsenal refused to confirm which players would be leaving but several reports have stated that all five players have been touted around Europe. Meanwhile Wenger's scouts have been dispatched across the world as he frantically looks to re-build his squad after the crippling departure of Robin van Persie.

It's thought the wages freed up could be used to offer Theo Walcott an improved deal, Wenger is keen to avoid another van Persie debacle as Walcott enters the last year of his contract.

Best of luck with this buddy, certainly love your careers!

Lovely and well-written story. All the best!

16 July 2012, Last Updated 13:55 GMT


Arsenal are looking to exploit a £7million release clause in Demba Ba's contract with Newcastle United. The Senegal striker's agent had the release clause entered into his contract when he moved to St James' Park on a free last summer from West Ham.

Ba turned out to be one of the signings of the season last year after he finished his first season with Newcastle with 16 goals, making him joint sixth top goalscorer in the league, the feat is all the more impressive considering Ba missed part of the season due to international duty in the African cup of nations. Available at a snip of his true market value Ba has been attracting a number of high profile suitors. FC Porto have lodged a bid, while current European Champions, Chelsea, are monitoring the situation alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The Senegal striker has made not effort to hide his desire to play Champions League football, and it is expected to be a mere matter of time before he departs. Newcastle released a brief statement on their website today, “We have been forced to accept two bids for Demba Ba, those offers have come from Arsenal and Porto and match the release clause in his contract.

“Demba has been in fantastic form since arriving last season, we hope to enter contract talks with him and his agent in the next few days to ensure that next season he will remain with Newcastle.”

The strikers agent though seems intent on bringing about a third move in as many years, “Demba is a Champions League level player, it’s always been his goal to play on the biggest stage in European football. Sadly he won’t have that chance with Newcastle next season. We are in early talks with Arsenal and Porto.

“Ideally he would like to remain in England but if he goes to Europe he would welcome a return to Germany or Spain.”

16 July 2012, Last Updated 13:55 GMT


Arsenal's chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, announced talks have begun with Theo Walcott over an improved contract.

The England international has had several Premiership on red alert since he entered the last year of his contract. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been keeping tabs on Walcott and hoping to either secure a cheap deal, or even approach Walcott for free in January if no new contract is signed. Wenger is not willing to have another Robin van Persie situation on his hands and has tasked Gazidis's with securing Walcott's future.

Walcott's agent is reportedly seeking a vastly improved contract for his client, currently Walcott is one of the lowest earners at the club with the likes of Sebastien Squillaci and Marouane Chamakh on better deals, Walcott's agent is looking to remedy that situation with this next round of talks.

Ivan Gazidis was present at London Colney, Arsenal's training ground, to kick-start the contract talks. "Today, I met with both Theo and his agent to begin talks on an improved deal. As Arsene said recently we are not a selling club, we want to keep our best players and Theo is one of them. He already has a vast amount of talent but he's still young and will continue to improve.

"We want to keep Theo at Arsenal and the talks have begun in a positive mood. I'm confident we can reach a conclusion very soon."

Wenger has remained silent on the situation although behind closed doors it is thought Walcott has pressed that any new deal would hinge on more chances to play in his preferred position as a striker through the middle.

Walcott spoke briefly about the talks and seems keen to remain at the London club. "Talks are in the early stages, my agent is doing most of the work. I'm in pre-season training at the moment, it's really important to have a good pre-season if you want to hit the ground running, so that's my main focus at the moment."

Good luck

By David Ornstein BBC Sport

Theo Walcott has put to bed any rumours about his departure from the Emirates after the England international penned a new deal with Arsenal.

Arsenal have been in talks with the striker for much of the close season. Wenger was keen to avoid another van Persie situation as Walcott was also entering the last year of his contract. Rumours suggest that Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City were all ready to pounce if the London club failed to agree terms with the striker.

I hope you're back for a more permanent stay!!

Really good start, best of luck...