“Arsenal can win the Champions League” – Klopp

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, has said that Arsenal can go on to win the Champions League, if they avoid Bayern Munich.

Klopp watched on as the Gunners defeated his team 1-0 at home on Wednesday, thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s second-half header and he is of the opinion they can go all the way.

“Yes (Arsenal can win the Champions League). They are young, healthy and good technicians,” he said.

“They won a clever game tonight and could go to the final and win it – as long as they don’t play against Bayern Munich.”

Reflecting on the match, where they feel to convert their chances, Klopp explained: “We had 11 shots before they scored and sometimes it was like they were defending with four legs, but football is a game of results,” he said.

Corinthians confirm they will sell Pato to Arsenal or Spurs in January

Corinthians have revealed they could sell midfielder Pato in the January transfer window amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Premier League clubs were linked with a move for the Brazilian last week and recent reports have Spurs in pole position to make a play for Pato in January.

Andre Villas-Boas’ interest in the 24-year-old is likely to gather momentum with Corinthians director Roberto de Andrade confirming they will listen to offers from abroad.

“Considering his value, I think it’s hard that he moves to another Brazilian club,” he told Radio Bandeirantes. “If those two clubs [Arsenal and Tottenham] are interested in Pato, we don’t rule out selling him in the winter transfer market.”

Although Pato only moved to Corinthians from AC Milan in January, Spurs were keen to sign him in the summer and he shed light on his decision to remain in Brazil.

“Tottenham had called Corinthians to ask for my transfer,” he told Brazilian TV station SporTV. “I sat at the table with the club and my agent and I decided I wanted to stay.”

Ancelotti: It's Ronaldo's time to win Ballon d'Or

The Italian says he has been surprised by the Portuguese's professionalism since his arrival in Spain and says he prefers Angel Di Maria to Mesut Ozil

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes it is Cristiano Ronaldo's time to win the Ballon d'Or this year, ahead of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery.

The Portuguese star has played second fiddle to Barcelona ace Messi since winning the prize for the first time back in 2008, with the Argentine claiming the last four titles in a row, but Ancelotti believes he deserves to win the latest crown for the all-round impact he has on the Spanish giants.

"It's Cristiano's moment to win it ahead of Messi and Ribery," Ancelotti told TV programme El Larguero. "He has surprised me the most with his professionalism. He's very serious, he has amazing attention to detail. It's that which helps us the most - he doesn't just score."

Ancelotti went on to explain his decision to allow Mesut Ozil to join Arsenal this summer, claiming he prefers Angel Di Maria for the balance he brings to the team alongside €100 million signing Gareth Bale.

"It was a technical decision [to sell Ozil]," he continued. "I prefer Di Maria for the balance of the team. 

"He has less quality than Ozil but, for his character and the way he helps the team, I wanted him. With the arrival of Bale I thought it was more important to have Di Maria than Ozil.

"[Bale] wasn't cheap but that's the price of the market. It was the wish of the player that brought him here. Tottenham offered him more money."

Bale has struggled with injuries in recent weeks, but Ancelotti feels he is now fully fit and could start the Clasico against Barcelona this weekend.

"Since he's been here, he has not had a back problem. The problem was his physical condition, as he hadn't trained. Now he's good, he's ready to play from the start. He could start against Barcelona.

"I asked him and he told me he prefers to play from the right. I think he likes playing from the right so he can shoot from his left foot."

Iker Casillas started the Champions League win over Valencia, but Ancelotti hinted that Diego Lopez will keep his place for Saturday's clash - though he insisted the club captain does not want to leave the club in January.

"It's a question for Iker, but I don't think he thinks like that," he said when asked if the Spain veteran would ask for a move.

"I have spoken with him to explain the situation. When he wants to talk to me, my door is always open. For a coach, to explain the situation is the most difficult. 

"I already knew Diego Lopez. In 2006 I wanted to bring him to AC Milan… He started before the pre-season and was very strong. It wasn't an easy decision. Casillas gives me confidence and so I play him in the Champions League, these games are as important as La Liga. 

"He is the captain, he has a lot of experience and he maintains the harmony in the team. Iker wants to stay at Madrid and this is good for us. But I've made my decision."

Finally, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss claims his side will face a tough challenge against a confident Barcelona side this weekend, and added that he is closer to Vicente del Bosque as a coach than Madrid predecessor Jose Mourinho.

"Barca play with a lot of confidence because they've changed practically nothing," he added. "When Mourinho was here there were problems but they played fantastically there [at Camp Nou]. I will try to play like the semi-final of the Copa del Rey last year, the 3-1, and not change anything.

"I'm closer to Del Bosque than Mourinho."

Fabregas: 'Spectacular' Ozil will bring out the best in Arsenal

The Barcelona midfielder has lauded his one-time La Liga rival, saying he can elevate the ability of his new Gunners team-mates and hinted at a return to the Emirates Stadium
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised the club's capture of Mesut Ozil and believes the Germany international can take the Gunners to another level.

Arsene Wenger already had a wealth of playmakers to choose from, with many suggesting Arsenal did not really need Ozil, but Fabregas has quashed those notions and is convinced the 25-year-old will galvanise the north London outfit.


“If you have the chance to sign Mesut Ozil then you can’t let it pass you by,” the Barcelona man told The Daily Mail.

“He wanted to play for Arsenal. Wenger won him over and when you have the chance with a player like that it doesn’t matter if you already have seven or eight who are similar, you have to take it.

“Ozil is the man who makes the difference in the final third. He will find so much space in the Premier League and he’s a player who with space kills you. His final pass is brilliant. And he will score more goals in England than he did in Spain. He is a spectacular signing.

“Ozil will bring the best out in [Aaron] Ramsey and [Jack] Wilshere. They understand football the same way.

“The only player who maybe is a bit different is Theo Walcott but you also need that type of player because it’s true that at the end of pass, pass, pass you need a Pedro — someone who will get behind the opposition. Someone who gives depth and hits space.”

Fabregas was linked with a move back to the Emirates Stadium during the summer, though remained at Camp Nou, but says he would welcome a return in a coaching capacity.

“I’m sure they would give me the option to help out there,” the Spaniard added.

“Sol Campbell is there at the moment. Dennis Bergkamp also went there two or three times a week to train when he was doing his coaching badges. It’s a great club in that sense.
”

Flamini to miss Borussia Dortmund clash

The Arsenal midfielder suffered a concussion following a clash with Alexander Tettey on Saturday so Arsene Wenger has decided to leave the player out of the Champions League game



Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini for the visit of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French midfielder was substituted after 37 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 Premier League victory over Norwich City following a clash of heads with Alexander Tettey.

And, despite the 29-year-old training on Monday, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he will not feature for the visit of Jurgen Klopp's men.

"Flamini is doing well," he told reporters. "He's practiced normally, but we won't play him [on Tuesday]. There is a five-day rule [with concussion] that we will respect."

Wenger also claimed that the clash with last season's runners-up would not be the deciding factor in who wins Group F and insisted his side will go into the game without fear after an impressive start to the season.

"It is not a decider but it's an important one," he added. "It's an 80 per cent game."

"The feel-good factor is down to the quality of the spirit of the team, the solidarity of the players, and their desire to do well.

"We know we are a team that looks for being of course successful, for that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.

"What is important is that we go into the game and focus on our quality, on our performance. For me that is more important than focusing on Dortmund.

"[We want to] come out of the game tomorrow and feel that we have played at our best. If we do we will be difficult to handle for everybody."

And on the subject of his own German contingent, which includes record-signing Mesut Ozil, the French manager said: "Germans have a reputation for being 100 per cent professional and we have not been disappointed."

The loss of Flamini will come as an added blow to Arsenal, with Theo Walcott having been ruled out for a further three matches following a setback in his recovery from abdominal surgery
.

Wenger: Giroud can fire Arsenal to Napoli success

The Gunners manager has backed the France international to find the back of the net when Rafael Benitez's Serie A side come to north London this week



Arsene Wenger wants striker Olivier Giroud to extend his goal-scoring form when Arsenal take onChampions League Group F opponents Napoli at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The France international has been in lethal form for the Gunners this season, scoring four goals in six Premier League games, and Wenger believes there is still more to come from the 27-year-old. 

"I think he will improve and be better in all aspects of his game. At 27, you always think the best years are coming for him now," Wenger told The Mirror. 

Giroud joined Arsenal last summer from Montpellier – a transition which Wenger believes was difficult for the Frenchman.

However, team-mate Bacary Sagna believes the striker has now adapted to life at Arsenal and feels Giroud has played a vital part in the Gunners' strong start to the season. 

"If we are on top of the league today, it is because [Giroud] made a lot of improvement and he is an important part of the team," said Sagna.

"We need to give him time and I think he will improve even more, and be more decisive.

"He questions himself every day, wants to learn and improve, even on his English which helps a lot."

Mesut Ozil's First Picture at Arsenal's Training Ground Emerges

Arsenal's club photographer Stuart MacFarlane posted this photo today from the club's North London training ground. While there have been other photos taken of Ozil in an Arsenal strip, this is the first picture to emerge from the training ground itself.  Ozil is seen with Arsenal winger Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain who is currently recovering from injury. 

Benzema will not go to Arsenal, says Real Madrid striker's agent

Karim Benzema's agent insists the striker will not leave Real Madrid for Arsenal this summer. Goal exclusively revealed on Friday that Arsene Wenger is considering a move for the France
international, although any potential deal hinges on whether Madrid will launch an offer
for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez before the
close of the transfer window .
But the 25-year-old's agent claims the player
does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu
this summer despite the speculation
surrounding his future.
"We can not fight against the rumours, but I assure you Karim will not go to Arsenal," Karim
Djaziri told French newspaper Le Journal du
Dimanche.
"There has never been any discussions and no
contact has been established."
The Gunners, yet to make a major summer signing, have also been in talks with Real Madrid over Benzema's team-mate Angel Di
Maria. The Argentine will be allowed to leave the club
as they prepare to announce the world-record
transfer of Tottenham's Gareth Bale to the
Spanish capital.

Arsenal in Valencia for talks over €20m Guaita

The north London club sent a representative to Spain on Tuesday night with a view to signing the talented 26-year-old goalkeeper, who was recently on the radar of Barcelona
Arsenal sent a representative to Valencia on Tuesday to discuss the signing of goalkeeper Vicente Guaitafor a fee of around €20 million.

Valencia had planned to keep Guaita, but the shot-stopper was furious at being left on the bench for the weekend win over Malaga (when coach Miroslav Djukic picked Brazilian Diego Alves instead) despiteclaiming only last week that he would fight for his first-team future at Mestalla. 

Guaita, who has previously been linked with Barcelona as a replacement for Victor Valdes next summer, has a release clause of €30 million but is likely to be available for around €20m.

The 26-year-old met with his representatives after he was left out by Djukic on Saturday, when Valencia beat Malaga 1-0, and Arsenal appear to have moved quickly for the highly-rated goalkeeper.

Chief negotiator Richard Law travelled to Spain on Tuesday evening to discuss terms with Valencia president Amadeo Salva and, although an agreement has not yet been reached, further talks are expected on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Salva claimed Guaita would only be allowed to leave if he requested a transfer. 

"It will have to be he who says he doesn't want to stay at Valencia [because] we don't want to sell him and we will protect the interests of our club," he said.

"If he wants to leave, he will have to say so. We want him to renew his contract, but it is up to him whether he accepts or rejects our offer. Nobody has told me anything about Arsenal, but if anyone wants to sign him his clause is €30m."

However, it is believed Valencia will sell for considerably less than that figure, with the Costa Blanca club also now having retracted their offer of a new contract.

Meanwhile, Spanish station Cadena Ser reported on Tuesday that the goalkeeper has already said goodbye to his team-mates.

If the move goes through, Guaita will be the second star to leave his local club this summer for north London after Roberto Soldado joined Tottenham earlier in August.

Oxlade-Chamberlain ruled out for three months with knee injury

The England midfielder picked up the knock during the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the weekend and Goal understands he will now be out until mid-to-late November
Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for three months with medial knee ligament damage, Goal can reveal.

The club's medical team have received the results of the scan the England international had on his injured left knee on Monday.

Goal understands it showed that Oxlade-Chamberlain has strained his medial ligaments and the doctors expect he will be out until mid-to-late November.

The news represents a further blow to manager Arsene Wenger, who has already lost skipper Thomas Vermaelen (back), vice-captain Mikel Arteta (thigh) and Abou Diaby (knee) to lengthy absences.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was carried off at Emirates Stadium last Saturday following a collision with Aston Villa's Antonio Luna during the 3-1 defeat.

Wenger admitted afterwards that it looked to be a "bad injury" but the extent of the damage could not be fully assessed until the swelling on the midfielder's knee had diminished.

It is a shattering blow for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had got the nod over Lukas Podolski to start for Arsenal last weekend and had been earmarked for more playing time this season, his third at the club.

It is also a setback for England manager Roy Hodgson, who would have been expected to select the 20-year-old for the crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October.

Wenger has been forced to step up his efforts in the transfer market following the injuries to Arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain, and on the back of a summer in which he has failed to make a single senior signing.

Arsenal had a £10m bid rejected by Newcastle for Yohan Cabaye on Monday, and as revealed by Goal,also enquired about Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and made a €7m bid for Schalke right-back Atsuto Uchida.

Wenger is also weighing up whether to offer a one-year contract to Mathieu Flamini, who is training with Arsenal after being released by AC Milan at the end of last season.

Arsenal supporters warn against offering Wenger new deal

Disgruntled Arsenal fans have stoked up the pressure on their under-fire manager Arsène Wenger by telling the club’s board it would be “inappropriate” to offer the Frenchman a new contract.

Wenger’s deal expires at the end of the season but having failed to win a trophy in the last eight years, the 63-year-old is facing more heat than ever before in his 17 years in north London.

Many of the grievances come from Wenger’s recruitment policy, with the young French forward Yaya Sanogo the only addition of the close season so far despite the board’s assurances the club had money to spend and could compete financially with the elite.

Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger looks on during the match . Photo: AFP.

Fans called for investment throughout the disappointing 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa in

their Premier League opener on Saturday, with the Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST) saying contract talks for the manager must be put on hold.

“In recent weeks [chief executive] Ivan Gazidis has spoken of the club’s intent to offer Arsène Wenger a new contract. The AST believes this is inappropriate,” the group of more than 800 members, who own a handful of shares in the club, said in a statement on Sunday.

“There remain important questions about the way player identification, recruitment and remuneration processes are managed at Arsenal.

“The failings we highlighted in Arsène Wenger holding too much power have only been amplified in recent weeks. These must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Wenger, who has won three league titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, told reporters after Saturday’s defeat that he and his team “work 24 hours a day” to try to identify new recruits and that they analyse “every single player in the world”.

Arsenal were heavily linked with the Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuaín before he moved to Napoli, the Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo, who went to VfL Wolfsburg, while Liverpool have so far rejected all advances for the Uruguay forward Luis Suárez.

ManchesterCity, Chelsea and Tottenham, who all have board members assisting on deals, have invested heavily, with the transfer window closing on 2 September.

“The fact that there is money available for squad strengthening is not disputed. The AST’s independent analysis suggests that the amount is somewhere between £70m to £100m,” the AST said.

Wenger intent on pursuing Suarez despite Liverpool's stance

Anfield owner John W Henry has insisted the Uruguayan will not be sold this summer, although the Arsenal boss is hopeful a move could still be completed

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal will continue their "amicable" pursuit of Luis Suarez despite Liverpool's insistence that the striker will not be sold this summer.

Liverpool owner John W Henry claimed on Thursday that his side would not sanction the Uruguay international's move to the Emirates Stadium, regardless of the bid from the north London club.

Wenger, who said on Wednesday that a move for Suarez is on "standby", has reiterated that the club will be honourable in their bid for the 26-year-old but claims a change of heart from Liverpool could allow the deal to be completed.

"There is nothing to add to what I said already about the transfer of Suarez," Wenger told the club's official website. "If it will be done, it will be done in a respectful and amicable way with Liverpool.

"I didn't read [Liverpool owner John W Henry’s] statements but we'll be faithful to the way we want to behave.

"To make a transfer happen, you need the agreement of three parties - the buyer, the seller and the player.

"We know what we want to do. The player, if I look at the statements [does] as well. Liverpool at the moment do not agree. If they change their minds or not, I don't know. We'll respect that.

"We are looking at possibilities to strengthen our squad. Suarez is one of the targets. If he's not for sale, he's not for sale. We have to accept that.

Arsenal flop Gervinho joins Roma

LONDON  (AFP) – Gervinho ended his disappointing spell at Arsenal on Thursday as the Ivory Coast striker joined Roma for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old scored just 11 goals in his two years with the Premier League club and failed to convince boss Arsene Wenger he was worthy of a regular place in the Gunners’ forward line.

Gervinho

When Roma made their bid, reported to be in the region of 8 million euros (£6.8 million, $10 million), Wenger quickly agreed the deal and Gervinho flew to Italy last weekend to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

He will link up with Roma coach Rudi Garcia, who he played for earlier in his career at Lille.

“Gervinho has joined Italian Serie A side AS Roma for an undisclosed fee,” a statement on Arsenal’s website confirmed.

“Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gervinho for his contribution to the club and wish him well for his future career.”

Before his frustrating stay with the Gunners, Gervinho, who learnt his trade at the famous ASEC Abidjan academy in his homeland, had been a player on the rise.

He started his professional career with Belgian outfit Beveren and then had stints with French teams Le Mans and Lille, where he won the Ligue 1 title in his second season with the club before joining Arsenal in 2011.

Luis Suarez to miss Liverpool's Norway trip through injury

Unsettled Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will miss
the club's pre-season trip to Norway with a foot
injury. The Uruguay international, 26, has been the
subject of two bids from Arsenal and may request a transfer to force a move away from Merseyside. Suarez has played in three of the Reds' pre-
season matches - against Melbourne Victory,
Thailand and Olympiakos. Top summer deals so far 1. Edinson Cavani (Napoli to Paris St-Germain) £55m 2. Falcao (Atletico Madrid to Monaco) £50m 3. Neymar (Santos to Barcelona) £48.6m 4. James Rodriguez (Porto to Monaco) £38.5m 5. Fernandinho (Shaktar Donetsk to Man City) £30m Fees according to reports, except Neymar and
Rodriguez Liverpool meet Valerenga on Wednesday in their
penultimate friendly before the start of the
season. Suarez will have a scan on his foot injury in the
next 24 hours, joining Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson
and Martin Skrtel in staying in England to receive
treatment. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted
Arsenal, whose latest offer was a pound more than £40m in an attempt to trigger a release clause in Suarez's contract, remain well short of
the Reds' valuation. "If Arsenal want the player they have to produce
the value for the player," Rodgers said last month. "I don't think it [their latest bid] is anywhere near
the value of what he is worth." Suarez, who joined the club in January 2011 from Ajax for £22.7m and signed a long-term contract extension in August 2012, scored 30 goals in 44 appearances for the Reds last season. He has told Rodgers he wants to leave in order to
play in the Champions League. Liverpool conclude their pre-season preparations
with a friendly against Celtic in Dublin on Saturday
before starting their Premier League campaign a
week later against Stoke City at Anfield.