Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
The Gunners have joined Liverpool in the pursuit of Manchester United target Fabio Coentrao, Real Madrid's £25million rated left-back.
Coentrao joined Real Madrid from Benfica for a reported £23.5million in 2011 but has failed to settle in Spain according to the Express, and is now deemed surplus to requirements at the Champions League holders, fuelling speculation of a January exit from the club.
Manchester United narrowly missed out on signing the 26-year-old during the summer of 2013 at the start of David Moyes ill fated tenure but their interest has since cooled after signing Luke Shaw. Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers have since entered the market for Coentrao with both clubs in need of defensive reinforcements.
It is thought the Portuguese international would be open to a move to the Premier League but Italian giants AC Milan and Turkish outfit Besiktas are also interested in the player meaning both Premier League sides will have a fight on their hands in their bid to secure Coentrao's signature this winter.
He is the Polish kid with a bright future at Arsenal should his promise blossom in the years to come. His talent is enough to convince Arsene Wenger to gamble £1.6million next month from Legia Warsaw to the Emirates.
Reports claim the move is at an advanced stage with the player present for talks in London on Wednesday to finalise the details with his parents stating the move is the best step for their 16-year-old son.
Bielik, who has been dubbed the next ‘Patrick Vieira’ has made a great start at Legia Warsaw and the only lose ends seem to be the start date with the club and his parents preferring a close season switch to make it easier for the 6’ 2” teenager to settle. The club could therefore loan the player back to Legia for the remainder of the season.
The 16-year-old has made six senior starts for Legia including a Europa League debut against Trabzonspor. The deal is thought to be worth £2000-a-week for Bielik who currently earns just £125-a-week and Wenger wants the deal tied up quickly say reports in the Standard.
Arsene Wenger has vowed Arsenal will empty the tank in the second half of the season as they seek to capitalise on an easing injury crisis.
Wenger expects Mesut Ozil and Mikel Arteta to return to action in January, while Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny are due back imminently to help reignite the Gunners' quest for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
The Christmas schedule features fixtures against QPR, West Ham and Southampton and Wenger believes Arsenal, who occupy sixth place in the table, will soon be in a position to realise their potential.
"To give absolutely everything in every single game until the end of the season," replied Wenger when asked to outline his aspirations for his team heading into the festive period.
"I believe that with the injuries coming back we will have a much stronger squad than we had for the past two months.
"I believe 2015 can be very exciting if we manage to get our injured players back and have a good run.
"Finishing in the top four is always the minimum required here. We have the Champions League and we have the FA Cup and we want to come back in a much stronger position in the Premier League, and I think we will.
"Our Christmas is not an easy schedule - it's a tough schedule. There are three games in a very short period of time and we can make up points.
"It's a period where you have an opportunity to make points. Our opponents will think that as well, but let's just put the performances in and capitalise on it."
Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez is like Luis Suarez and "made for the English game".
Wenger takes his Arsenal side to Liverpool on Sunday with Sanchez in his team, rather than among the opposition.
The Frenchman's pursuit of the Chile forward began at the end of May and he snared his target, signing him from Barcelona, despite Liverpool being linked with Sanchez as a replacement for the Nou Camp-bound Suarez.
"Sanchez, he looks like he is made for the English game," said Wenger, who attempted to sign Suarez from Liverpool in 2013.
"Sanchez has settled very quickly. But Sanchez has a kind of game that is instinctive and tough.
"They (Sanchez and Suarez) have similarities. They are South Americans, they are provoking players, they go with the ball.
"They are very determined as well, both of them. They have plenty of similar attitudes."
Wenger believes Arsenal's consistency in the Champions League was a factor in Sanchez choosing the Emirates Stadium over Anfield, but the Chilean had other options, too.
"I thought Liverpool was a serious candidate because they had Suarez going there (to Barcelona), so you could think that's an easy way to do the deal but at the end of the day, the player has always the decision," Wenger said.
"There were some other clubs that were in for him as well. The fact that today the transfers at that level take always time to get every detail right, so because it takes time, you think always that somebody else can come in. Paris St Germain ... I don't know, Bayern (Munich) ... to do the deal as well."
Wenger is happy that fate dealt him the hand that saw Sanchez, and not Suarez, join the Gunners.
"Sometimes it's coincidence that decides your destiny," he said.
"Maybe if (Nicolas) Anelka had stayed (Thierry) Henry would not have become the player he became. Anelka would have played centrally and Thierry wide."
Wenger denied Arsenal had pursued Mario Balotelli during the summer and declined to comment on why the Italian has struggled at Liverpool.
"He's been in England before," Wenger said.
"He is a very sensitive subject, because it's an interesting subject.
"I don't know him at all."
Liverpool have struggled this term, but Wenger is not discounting them from challenging for the top four.
"They can still come back and I don't rule them out to fight for the top places," he said.
Arsenal battled to a 2-1 win at West Ham to close in on the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Irons, who had started the day in fifth place, saw an early long-range effort from midfielder Alex Song ruled out for offside before Arsenal went ahead on 41 minutes through a penalty from Santi Cazorla.
The visitors doubled their lead before half-time with a close-range finish from Danny Welbeck.
A header by Cheikhou Kouyate reduced the deficit at the start of the second half and Arsenal had to withstand plenty of pressure, but they also forced a string of fine saves from Adrian on the break as they held out to move level with Southampton, whom they play on New Year's Day.
Song looked to have fired the Irons ahead on five minutes as he rifled a 25-yard strike into the net following a corner, choosing not to celebrate against his former club.
The assistant's flag was raised immediately, though, as three West Ham players were standing offside in front of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal looked to use their pace on the break. Santi Cazorla floated in a free-kick, but Laurent Koscielny got in Alexis Sanchez's way as he stooped for a header, which went wide.
On 35 minutes, Andy Carroll caught Mathieu Debuchy in the face with his forearm as they jumped on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, flooring the defender.
Referee Neil Swarbrick showed the striker a yellow card - another official might have gone with a red.
James Tomkins, making his 200th appearance for the Hammers, curled his shot over from 10 yards after being picked out by a floated cross from Joey O'Brien.
Arsenal took the lead on 41 minutes. Cazorla darted through a crowded left side of the area, where he was tripped by Winston Reid after the defender fell backwards.
The West Ham players protested, but the referee was unmoved, and Cazorla, who had allowed Sanchez to take a penalty against QPR, which was saved, dusted himself down to roll the ball into the bottom left corner.
No sooner had the home fans burst into renditions of "1-0 to the referee" than Arsenal doubled their lead.
A neat exchange of passes between Cazorla and Debuchy released Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain down the right and his low cross went through Reid's legs before Welbeck slid in ahead of Tomkins to slot home on 44 minutes.
West Ham were much more positive at the start of the second half, with a deep cross from Diafra Sakho headed behind at the far post by Per Mertesacker as Carroll closed in.
The Irons maintained the pressure and pulled a goal back on 54 minutes.
Tomkins got to the byline and floated a high ball into the six-yard box, where Kouyate got up above Debuchy to head past Szczesny, who was wrong-footed by a slight deflection.
Arsenal were prevented from restoring their two-goal cushion when Adrian produced a strong left-handed save to beat away a fierce drive from Cazorla following more good work from Sanchez.
Home boss Sam Allardyce made a change on 62 minutes when Enner Valencia replaced Sakho.
Arsenal looked to counter quickly, with Welbeck driving down the left channel and clipping a low shot across the face of goal.
Adrian was again in the right place to make a superb reflex save with his feet from a bullet header by Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Welbeck then blazed over after latching onto a stray pass from Stewart Downing and darting into the area.
Oxlade-Chamberlain blasted wide and then tumbled in the box after what looked like a push from Reid, but still a third Arsenal goal proved elusive.
During the closing moments of five minutes of stoppage time a looping header from Valencia dropped onto the roof of the net, but the Hammers could not find a leveller.
Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal team to use their Christmas fixtures to prove they are in a false position in the Barclays Premier League.
The sixth-placed Gunners face QPR on Boxing Day and then travel to West Ham and Southampton, clubs who sit directly above them in the table and rivals for Champions League qualification.
"We have to make sure that over Christmas we take advantage of the schedule we have and put the performances in," Wenger said.
"We have a good opportunity over Christmas to show that we are much better than people think we are.
"Every team has difficult games, so it is the consistency in that period that will matter."
QPR have yet to register an away point this season, but Wenger refuses to take victory at the Emirates Stadium on Friday for granted.
"We expect a QPR with nothing to lose. They will come and have a go at us," Wenger said.
"You focus on your own performance and don't expect any weakness from your opponent. In the Premier League every game is difficult and you just want to turn up.
"We played QPR two years ago and they were very difficult games. West Ham at the moment are in very good shape.
"We go away to Southampton, which is a very difficult as well. Again, it's down to our performances."
Arsenal will welcome back playmaker Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper David Ospina after they recovered from thigh problems.
Laurent Koscielny (calf) and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will miss out against Harry Redknapp's side, but could return against the Hammers.
Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are sidelined.
QPR's main threat will be supplied by Charlie Austin, who fired a hat-trick against West Brom last weekend to increase his goalscoring record for the season to 11 in 15 Premier League appearances.
Redknapp insists the 25-year-old, who was signed from Burnley for £4million in August last year, will definitely complete the season at Loftus Road and will hopefully stay beyond that.
"Charlie has got 18 months left on his contract so he is going nowhere in January," Redknapp said.
"Once he gets into the last year of his contract it is a different proposition. We will have to wait and see what happens then.
"We want to keep him here long term but we have to stay in the division this year, which I am confident we will do.
"If we do that I am sure that we can tie him down longer and secure his future at QPR.
"Charlie has proved he's a Premier League player and he wants to play in this division, but he has to keep scoring goals. He will keep his feet on ground as he's a very level-headed lad."
Arsenal 2-1 QPR: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.
Arsenal win despite Giroud red card
Arsenal survived the sending-off of striker Olivier Giroud for a reckless headbutt to beat QPR 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium and close back up on the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Gunners were in cruise control following Alexis Sanchez's 10th league goal on 37 minutes, the Chilean having seen a tame early penalty saved.
However, a rush of blood from France striker Giroud at the start of the second half reduced Arsenal to 10 men. The Frenchman charged into Nedum Onuoha, the defender hitting the ground in front of the referee.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, making a first start of the season, swept in a second on the break before Charlie Austin set up a tense finale when he converted a penalty with 11 minutes left.
Unlike at Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal held on under late pressure to move within two points of Southampton and one behind fifth-placed West Ham, whom they play on Sunday.
Arsenal, who had lost only one of their 17 previous Boxing Day Premier League matches, made an electric start and were awarded an early penalty when former Gunners defender Armand Traore tripped Sanchez.
The Chilean held onto the ball, and Santi Cazorla, who scored from the spot here against Newcastle, gave way.
However, Sanchez's effort lacked any real pace towards the bottom right corner, and Robert Green got down to make the save.
Arsenal's tempo dropped after the penalty miss, but the home side remained dominant in possession nevertheless as the conditions worsened.
Onuoha looked to have wrestled Danny Welbeck to the ground just inside the QPR penalty area, but this time referee Martin Atkinson was not interested.
Rio Ferdinand, making his first start since October, pulled back former United team-mate Welbeck to concede a free-kick 25 yards out in a central position and was cautioned.
Giroud whipped the ball over the wall, but Green made a smart diving save.
QPR, who had lost all eight of their Premier League away matches so far, continued to defend deep, with six men sitting around the edge of the 18-yard box.
The visitors' rearguard was, though, breached on 37 minutes.
Cazorla pushed the ball out to Kieran Gibbs on the overlap down the left.
The defender looked up before chipping a cross back through the six-yard box, where no-one had picked up the run of Sanchez as the diminutive Chilean guided a cushioned header into the far corner.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men on 53 minutes following a moment of red mist by Giroud.
The France striker was bundled over by Onuoha on the edge of the area as they chased a long ball forwards.
Giroud, incandescent with rage, scrambled to his feet to confront the defender, pushing his forehead into the defender's face. Onuoha went to ground and the referee, who was right on the spot, reached for his back pocket to brandish a red card.
The Arsenal striker, who will now serve a three-match suspension, knew what was coming and headed straight down the tunnel as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger glared on.
Arsenal looked to respond by continuing their pressure, but QPR had been handed a lifeline and manager Harrry Redknapp made a change on 62 minutes as Karl Henry was replaced by Leroy Fer and Traore by Junior Hoilett.
The Gunners, though, soon doubled their lead.
Sanchez made another penetrating run to the edge of the QPR penalty area, where he played in Rosicky on the overlap and the Czech midfielder dispatched a low, first-time shot past Green.
QPR then grabbed a lifeline with 11 minutes left after Mathieu Debuchy tripped Hoilett just inside the penalty area, with the referee again expertly placed although replays suggested the defender did get a touch on the ball.
Austin made no mistake from the spot, blasting the ball down the centre for his 12th goal of an impressive season.
Wenger sent on defender Calum Chambers for the closing stages, replacing Rosicky, and Mathieu Flamini bundled a goal-bound effort off the line as the Gunners battled to victory.
Thierry Henry could be the right man to unearth the next great talent, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the man who helped transform the France forward's career.
The 37-year-old former Gunners' striker is to return to England to take up a new role as a media pundit having left the New York Red Bulls after the MLS season finished.
Henry will also work on his coaching badges, which could well involve some sort of link up again with Arsenal, for whom he scored a club record 228 goals.
Wenger signed Henry from Juventus for £11million in 1999 and converted the player he coached at Monaco from a wide midfielder to one of the most feared strikers on the planet.
While Henry feels he still has so much to learn before he can consider taking on a management position, Wenger believes the Frenchman already possesses one of the most important traits of the job.
"As well as his extraordinary passion for football, he always showed an incredible insight in his judgement of players. He has a real ability to unearth talent," Wenger told L'Equipe.
The Gunners boss believes Henry's determination will help him succeed in the dugout. Wenger added: "Thierry is blessed with a strong personality and he could get angry, but once he had refound his calm, he was always very clear-headed.
"Ninety per cent of the time, it was a pleasure and 10 per cent we could feel the little differences in our view of things."
After winning the Premier League title twice with Arsenal, including the Invincibles campaign of 2003/2004 and three FA Cup triumphs, Henry left for Barcelona in 2007, going on to win the Champions League, which had eluded the Gunners despite their domestic dominance.
There is already a bronze statue of Henry, who returned for a short loan spell from New York in January 2012, outside the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger, though, suggested France also needed to properly honour one of Les Bleus greatest ever players, who netted 51 goals in 123 appearances, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
The Arsenal manager added: "We will organise something in his honour and I hope the France team will also give him the recognition that he deserves.
"We cannot just end it like this. He deserves a proper tribute. It is very important."
Henry has made no secret of his desire to rejoin Arsenal in some capacity going forwards, and labelled being their manager his 'dream job'.
Wenger added: "He will end up at Arsenal one day. Coach? Manager? Director? I don't know.
"I think that first he has to take a step back and think about what he really wants to do in his new life.
"To be a coach you need to sacrifice your life. What is certain is that Thierry will stay in football. He will be a pundit of huge quality in the media."
Arsene Wenger has hinted Alexis Sanchez chose to move to Arsenal ahead of Liverpool due to a near-guarantee of Champions League football.
Wenger's Arsenal, who have qualified for the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition for a 15th consecutive season, on Sunday face a Liverpool side who were Barclays Premier League runners-up last term but are toiling this season.
The Reds are out of the Champions League, having qualified for the first time in five years, and 11th in the Premier League entering this weekend's fixtures.
Much of the difference between Liverpool last term and this has been attributed to the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
While Wenger declined the opportunity to appraise Sunday's opponents, he offered an opinion on why Sanchez moved to the Emirates Stadium, rather than swap places with Suarez.
The Gunners boss said: "All the players want to play in the Champions League. It's quite simple. We have quite a good continuity on that front."
Sanchez has adapted well to life in the Premier League, but many of Liverpool's signings have struggled to make a similar impact and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is facing a stern examination of his calibre.
Wenger, who has been Gunners boss for 18 years and survived his fair share of challenges, said: "Everybody goes through periods where it goes a bit less well.
"Our job is to survive crises. Part of the job, not all the job.
"When you want to make a long career, you cannot only win, unfortunately."
Criticism of Wenger resurfaced after their most recent Premier League away match, when he was booed at a train station following the 3-2 loss at Stoke.
Arsenal responded by beating Galatasaray and Newcastle, scoring four goals in each match, but return to Anfield, where last season they lost 5-1.
The Gunners conceded four goals in the opening 20 minutes against a rampaging Reds as their title challenge unravelled.
"We've won five of our last six games," Wenger said.
"Sunday is a good game for us to show that we can have continuity in finding a good balance between attacking well and defending well.
"Liverpool are always very strong at home and that's why we want to continue to be faithful to our philosophy and play our game, but as well be solid defensively."
Asked if the pain of last year's loss at Anfield lingers, Wenger added: "Every defeat hurts. Every defeat is a scar in your heart forever. We have as well very good memories at Liverpool. We won many games at Liverpool as well.
"And even last year, we lost against them. A week later against the same team we won 2-0 at home in the FA Cup.
"Liverpool last year scored over 100 goals in the championship, they were very good going forward.
"This season they've scored 19 until now so they are not on the same trend offensively, but I must say they started out the blocks very strong and we were too late to get into the game."
The match is between two top-four contenders, but Wenger is not yet looking to the end of the season.
"When you get over the hill to January, you look towards the end," he said.
Sanchez will experience the hectic Christmas calendar for the first time.
"He benefited from the fact I didn't take him to Galatasaray," Wenger said.
"He needed a little breather. It will have helped him.
"Players are used to a break over Christmas. The players from South America used to go home and in England they cannot do it.
"It's a shock for the system for everybody. Many of them suffer physically."
Wenger persuaded Sanchez to move to Arsenal after meeting his agent during the World Cup last summer and then spoke with the Chile forward.
Wenger said: "I just tried to convince him that the way we play football would suit him."
Sanchez has been likened to Thierry Henry, who announced his retirement this week.
Henry has spoken of his desire to enter coaching, with a warning from Wenger.
The Gunners boss added: "He has enjoyed it now. It's time to suffer as well for him. Coaching is of course enjoyable, but it is as well suffering.
"He will see it's not easy to get everybody to score the goals that he scored."
Wenger's latest challenge is managing a busy treatment room.
Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both groin) and Nacho Monreal (ankle) face fitness tests to determine if they can play at Liverpool, but Wenger fears midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be out until the new year with his hamstring problem.
The Frenchman said: "I'm scared that he will miss the Christmas period. He should be back end of December, early January."
Thierry Henry still feels he has unfinished business at Arsenal and wants to one day help the club win the Champions League.
It will not be as a player, after the Frenchman announced his retirement on Tuesday aged 37 and ruled out a second on-field comeback at the Emirates Stadium.
But having lost the 2006 Champions League final with the club, one of the greatest regrets of his career, Henry would love to return to help them right that wrong.
Reflecting on his career in an interview with Sky Sports, Henry said: "I think about the stuff that I missed. How can I forget about the Champions League final?
"Hopefully I can go back in some capacity and finally be part of a team that can lift that trophy.
"That's something I think about. We didn't win the Champions League with Arsenal. With that team that we had, we failed."
Arsenal had goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off early in the game against Barcelona in Paris and though Sol Campbell gave them the lead, Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti gave the Spanish side victory.
Henry believes he has a lot to learn before he can consider returning to the game as a coach.
He said: "I don't have the pretension to know right now if I can be a good coach or not, but the desire is there, we will see.
"First and foremost, you want to learn about the game. Because you know the game, it does not mean you can teach it or see the game the same way when you are on the other side, being able to deal with egos, preparing a season, handling a defeat.
"I knew how to handle it before, because if I played well in the next game, it was okay, but as a manager, it is not the same thing.
"The desire is there, but we will see what is going to come next."
There was speculation Henry may look to continue his playing career at Arsenal, for whom he is the club-record goalscorer.
But he said: "You kind of never leave Arsenal Football Club. People want to know about the playing side, but we did not talk too much about that - how many comebacks do you make?
"At one point it will turn out to be a bad movie. We all love the first Rocky, but then I don't know about the last one.
"I feel I never left Arsenal, although I did. I had one comeback, and I guess that was enough."
Henry was initially signed from Juventus for £11million in 1999 by Arsene Wenger - his former boss at Monaco and a man he admits is "like a dad" to him - and was converted to a potent central striker who notched 228 goals in 377 games across two spells with the Gunners.
After winning the Premier League title twice, including the unbeaten season of 2003/2004, as well as the FA Cup three times, Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and joined Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2009 along with two Spanish League titles and the Copa del Rey before moving to the United States.
"I cried when I left Arsenal, I'm not ashamed of saying it," he said.
"I love Arsenal but I'm a competitor and I didn't see the team going the way I wanted to go so it was a bit difficult.
"When I arrived: Deco. Ronaldinho. (Lionel) Messi, Eto'o, (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi. Yaya Toure. I went there for a reason.
"I was part of one of the most successful teams in the history of the game and I was proud to be. My Barcelona time completed what I was looking for."
Henry, who scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, felt the time was right to hang up his boots.
In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Henry said: "After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football.
"It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team-mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French national team that have made my time in the game so special.
"It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.
"I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience.
"I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.
Arsenal V QPR - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Wenger has Christmas wish
Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal team to use their Christmas fixtures to prove they are in a false position in the Barclays Premier League.
The sixth-placed Gunners face QPR on Boxing Day and then travel to West Ham and Southampton, clubs who sit directly above them in the table and rivals for Champions League qualification.
"We have to make sure that over Christmas we take advantage of the schedule we have and put the performances in," Wenger said.
"We have a good opportunity over Christmas to show that we are much better than people think we are.
"Every team has difficult games, so it is the consistency in that period that will matter."
QPR have yet to register an away point this season, but Wenger refuses to take victory at the Emirates Stadium on Friday for granted.
"We expect a QPR with nothing to lose. They will come and have a go at us," Wenger said.
"You focus on your own performance and don't expect any weakness from your opponent. In the Premier League every game is difficult and you just want to turn up.
"We played QPR two years ago and they were very difficult games. West Ham at the moment are in very good shape.
"We go away to Southampton, which is a very difficult as well. Again, it's down to our performances."
Arsenal will welcome back playmaker Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper David Ospina after they recovered from thigh problems.
Laurent Koscielny (calf) and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will miss out against Harry Redknapp's side, but could return against the Hammers.
Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are sidelined.
QPR's main threat will be supplied by Charlie Austin, who fired a hat-trick against West Brom last weekend to increase his goalscoring record for the season to 11 in 15 Premier League appearances.
Redknapp insists the 25-year-old, who was signed from Burnley for B#4million in August last year, will definitely complete the season at Loftus Road and will hopefully stay beyond that.
"Charlie has got 18 months left on his contract so he is going nowhere in January," Redknapp said.
"Once he gets into the last year of his contract it is a different proposition. We will have to wait and see what happens then.
"We want to keep him here long term but we have to stay in the division this year, which I am confident we will do.
"If we do that I am sure that we can tie him down longer and secure his future at QPR.
"Charlie has proved he's a Premier League player and he wants to play in this division, but he has to keep scoring goals. He will keep his feet on ground as he's a very level-headed lad."
When football managers talk about injuries in their press conferences they’re usually referring to a twisted ankle or dodgy knee.
But today put all that into perspective as coaches from across the Premier League used their time in front of the cameras to wish a speedy recovery to Clarke Carlisle.
The former player and ex-chairman of the Professional Footballers Association is currently in a “stable” condition in hospital following a road collision with a lorry.
Clarke’s wife Gemma has been overwhelmed by support since her husband’s crash. She took to Twitter to thank all those that have offered their kindness.
Clarke's very poorly but he's alive and stable. Best Christmas gift we as a family could wish for. Thanks again.
— MrsC (@gemmacarlisle) December 23, 2014
Clarke’s popularity has been shown by the sheer variety of those wishing him well, from players, coaches and fans to TV personalities and even Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alistair Campbell.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the frantic Christmas schedule can expand the Barclays Premier League title charge beyond a two-horse race.
The Gunners trail leaders Chelsea by 15 points and while it appears to be a straight shootout between Jose Mourinho's side and reigning champions Manchester City, Wenger insists the landscape can change over the next week.
Three games in seven days has convinced Wenger that if Arsenal and those trailing the pacesetters can stitch together a series of results, a new contender could emerge.
"It can still change. Let's see how the schedule goes over Christmas. We'll have a much better idea at the beginning of January," Wenger said.
"The next three or four games are important. Chelsea will be in the fight for the title, for sure, but will it only be Chelsea and Man City?
"Today you can say maybe, but it is still a long way off. Chelsea are in the Champions League, Man City as well.
"Then you have the FA Cup and Chelsea play in the League Cup. There is still a long way to go.
"But what is for sure is that the teams like us and those around us need to be massively consistent to have a chance of coming back."
Arsenal topped the table on January 1 of this year only to finish the season fourth, seven points adrift of City. Wenger denies his team have regressed, however.
"I don't think we have gone backwards in the quality of our squad because if you look at the five players that we bought, you cannot say that one of the five is a failure," Wenger said.
"I can't deny we are behind much more than last year, but we have had a depleted squad since the start of the season and no stability.
"The fact that we got so many important injuries at the back has cost us too much."
Wenger would like to see the Premier League's traditional festive schedule preserved, but has called for the introduction of the type of winter break seen in Germany.
"Maybe it would be good for the English national team to have a break in January. Respect the English tradition and give a winter break in January," he said.
"If you look at the history, is it a coincidence that the German national team has always done well in the big tournaments when England hasn't done so well?
"It is just Germany who has the longest winter break in Europe, among the big countries.
"And by coincidence, they always do well in tournaments because they have refreshed players."
29 reasons why we love Thierry Henry (and one reason why we don't) - Arsenal News from football.co.uk window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({article: 'auto'}); !function (e, f, u) { e.async = 1; e.src = u; f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); }(document.createElement('script'), document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0], '//cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/dsgmedia-network/loader.js'); skip to content football.co.uk 29 reasons why we love Thierry Henry (and one reason why we don't)16 Dec 2014 10:31:00
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry – striker extraordinaire and killer of Irish dreams – has called it a day.
So here, we salute King Henry for all that he was and is.
1. Because he has impeccable taste in headwear(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 2. Because he made Phil Neville look silly(Sean Dempsey/PA) 3. Because he made life simple… 4. …but he had a taste for the spectacular(Adam Davy/EMPICS) 5. Because he made us love football 6. Because he stood up to John Terry…(Rui Vieira/PA) 7. …and towered over Ashley Cole(Nick Potts/PA) 8. Because he was invincible 9. Because he’s suave…(Tony Marshall/EMPICS) 10. …but even he didn’t look cool all the time…(PA) 11. …especially not in a string vest…(AP) 12. …although this vest was a different matter(Rebecca Naden/PA) 13. Because of these stats 14. Because nobody put him in the corner(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 15. Because he did his bit for charity(PA) 16. Because he was the king 17. Because he loved the fans…(Jon Buckle/EMPICS) 18. …and the fans loved him(Neal Simpson/EMPICS) 19. Because of this20. Because of his partnership with Dennis Bergkamp(Nick Potts/EMPICS) 21. Because he has seal skills(Manu Fernandez/AP) 22. Because he scored his best goals against the best teams23. Because he’s a kung fu master(Chris Young/PA) 24. Because he’s one of the guys(Nigel French/EMPICS) 25. Because he was at home with the greatest(Stefan Rousseau/PA) 26. Because he was the best 27. Because he was a champion of England(Sean Dempsey/PA) 28. Because he was a champion of Europe(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 29. Because he was a champion of the world(Panoramic/PA) But however good you were, Thierry, we haven’t forgotten this…
PA (function() { var mc = document.createElement('script'); mc.type = 'text/javascript'; mc.async = true; mc.src = 'http://api.matchchat.co.uk/comments/js/universal.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(mc); })(); Sponsored links PokerOnline GamingCasinoHolidaysFootball Tickets
advertisement
Related Arsenal News Arsenal 2-1 QPR: Match ReportArsenal win despite Giroud red cardArsenal V QPR at Emirates Stadium : LIVEWenger targeting title raceWenger backs Mertesacker ahead of QPR visitWenger has Christmas wishArsenal V QPR at Emirates Stadium : Match P...Premier League managers wish Clarke Carlisl...Wenger eyeing strong Arsenal finishArsenal and Liverpool join race for 25milli...Wenger: Sanchez and Suarez are alikeWenger hails Arsenal continuityArsenal looking to finalise deal for 'next ...Walcott could make Anfield returnArsene Wenger's Santa Wish List LetterOzil nearing Gunners return Related LinksArsenal ResultsArsenal NewsArsenal Fixtures
Privacy & Cookie Policy Terms AdvertiseContact Us (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=150259888399901&xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Follow @footballuk!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");Leagues & CompetitionsBarclays Premier LeagueSky Bet ChampionshipSky Bet League OneSky Bet League TwoScottish PremiershipSelect a teamBarclays Premier LeagueArsenalAston VillaBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonHull CityLeicester CityLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedQueens Park RangersSouthamptonStoke CitySunderlandSwansea CityTottenham HotspurWest Bromwich AlbionWest Ham UnitedSky Bet ChampionshipBirmingham CityBlackburn RoversBlackpoolBolton WanderersAFC BournemouthBrentfordBrighton and Hove AlbionCardiff CityCharlton AthleticDerby CountyFulhamHuddersfield TownIpswich TownLeeds UnitedMiddlesbroughMillwallNorwich CityNottingham ForestReadingRotherham UnitedSheffield WednesdayWatfordWigan AthleticWolverhampton WanderersSky Bet League OneBarnsleyBradford CityBristol CityChesterfieldColchester UnitedCoventry CityCrawley TownCrewe AlexandraDoncaster RoversFleetwoodGillinghamLeyton OrientMilton Keynes DonsNotts CountyOldham AthleticPeterborough UnitedPort ValePreston North EndRochdaleScunthorpe UnitedSheffield UnitedSwindon TownWalsallYeovil TownSky Bet League TwoAccrington StanleyAFC WimbledonBurton AlbionBuryCambridge UnitedCarlisle UnitedCheltenham TownDagenham RedbridgeExeter CityHartlepool UnitedLuton TownMansfield TownMorecambeNewport CountyNorthampton TownOxford UnitedPlymouth ArgylePortsmouthShrewsbury TownSouthend UnitedStevenageTranmere RoversWycombe WanderersYork City football news Liverpool hammer SwanseaLiverpool 4-1 Swansea: Match ReportFulham 0-2 Brighton: Match ReportYeovil 0-3 Leyton Orient: Match RepMurphy apologises for postMontero misses a monthFormer Leeds chief Silver diesEagles could be set to land PardewRigg leaves FA for Fulham roleCisse charged by FAFootball News Rss football results Liverpool 4-1 Swansea CityFulham 0-2 Brighton and Hove AlbionYeovil Town 0-3 Leyton OrientNewcastle United 3-2 EvertonQueens Park Rangers 0-0 Crystal PalaceBristol Rovers 4-0 Macclesfield TownAirdrie 0-2 Chester CityGrimsby Town 1-3 Lincoln CityAston Villa 0-0 SunderlandHull City 0-1 Leicester CityManchester City 2-2 BurnleyStoke City 2-0 West Bromwich AlbionWest Ham United 1-2 ArsenalBlackburn Rovers 0-0 Middlesbrough Football Football NewsFootball League News Scottish League NewsOther News Premier League NewsChampions League NewsEuropean Football NewsScottish Premiership NewsInternational Football NewsChampionship News League One News League Two News Scottish Division 1 News Scottish Division 2 News Scottish Division 3 News Other Sports NewsFixturesResults Tables Players ForumStatsTransfersLive Scores Extras MoreInformation GlossaryFootball KitsWagsFootball VideosWorld CupFootball WritersPFA Fans Player of the monthFootball WidgetsRSS Feeds InformationFootball TeamsStadiums
Arsenal V QPR - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.
Wenger has Christmas wish
Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal team to use their Christmas fixtures to prove they are in a false position in the Barclays Premier League.
The sixth-placed Gunners face QPR on Boxing Day and then travel to West Ham and Southampton, clubs who sit directly above them in the table and rivals for Champions League qualification.
"We have to make sure that over Christmas we take advantage of the schedule we have and put the performances in," Wenger said.
"We have a good opportunity over Christmas to show that we are much better than people think we are.
"Every team has difficult games, so it is the consistency in that period that will matter."
QPR have yet to register an away point this season, but Wenger refuses to take victory at the Emirates Stadium on Friday for granted.
"We expect a QPR with nothing to lose. They will come and have a go at us," Wenger said.
"You focus on your own performance and don't expect any weakness from your opponent. In the Premier League every game is difficult and you just want to turn up.
"We played QPR two years ago and they were very difficult games. West Ham at the moment are in very good shape.
"We go away to Southampton, which is a very difficult as well. Again, it's down to our performances."
Arsenal will welcome back playmaker Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper David Ospina after they recovered from thigh problems.
Laurent Koscielny (calf) and Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will miss out against Harry Redknapp's side, but could return against the Hammers.
Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are sidelined.
QPR's main threat will be supplied by Charlie Austin, who fired a hat-trick against West Brom last weekend to increase his goalscoring record for the season to 11 in 15 Premier League appearances.
Redknapp insists the 25-year-old, who was signed from Burnley for B#4million in August last year, will definitely complete the season at Loftus Road and will hopefully stay beyond that.
"Charlie has got 18 months left on his contract so he is going nowhere in January," Redknapp said.
"Once he gets into the last year of his contract it is a different proposition. We will have to wait and see what happens then.
"We want to keep him here long term but we have to stay in the division this year, which I am confident we will do.
"If we do that I am sure that we can tie him down longer and secure his future at QPR.
"Charlie has proved he's a Premier League player and he wants to play in this division, but he has to keep scoring goals. He will keep his feet on ground as he's a very level-headed lad."
Reports this morning suggest that William Carvalho could be a realistic transfer target for Arsene Wenger and a holding midfielder is just what Arsenal need to protect a back line too often exposed and undone.
The 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon star was a target in the summer but Arsenal were unsuccessful on their first attempt to lure the player to the Emirates.
This time there is greater confidence that a deal can be done. Negotiations broke down in the Autumn but a new £20million bid is reported to be in the preparation stage which will likely address areas of the original bid that failed to tick the right boxes.
To start with the exit of Sporting Lisbon at the group stage is an obstacle out of the way and their lack of serious European competition could see them open to the negotiating table.
The midfielder who was born in Angola but moved to Portugal after just a few years, plays for the Portugal national side and has become a defensive mainstay for Sporting Lisbon after a period on loan with Brugge.
Olivier Giroud has apologised for his mindless red card in Arsenal's 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over QPR, with Arsene Wenger admitting the France striker deserved to be sent off.
Giroud was dismissed early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium for head-butting Nedum Onuoha right in front of referee Martin Atkinson and Wenger gave his forward an icy glare as he stalked off the pitch.
Arsenal, who had opened the scoring through Alexis Sanchez, added a second through Tomas Rosicky but faced a nervy finish when Charlie Austin pulled one back from the penalty spot.
"It was a deserved red card. Madness is a strong word - he didn't kill him. But he touched him and should not have done it. He should have been in control," said Wenger, who confirmed that Giroud has apologised.
"Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again.
"He told me he was pushed in the back and that projected him into the keeper. Usually he's a guy who's in control of his response."
Giroud now begins a three-match suspension that includes Premier League appointments with West Ham and Southampton and the FA Cup tie against Stoke City.
"Honestly, you never need that. In my job you sometimes have to deal with the strengths and sometimes the mistakes of people," Wenger said.
Wenger celebrated his 400th Premier League victory and 600th as Arsenal manager, but was almost denied the milestones when QPR poured forward in the closing minutes.
"We were nervous and the opponent pushed forward. Our game is about psychology and the mental aspect. In the final part of the game when the result is not settled, it's always very important," Wenger said.
"I'm happy I could win 400 and it's not as easy as it looks. The next 400 will be much more difficult!"
Sanchez missed an early penalty, awarded after he had been tripped by Armand Traore, and QPR's defending was feeble throughout.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp described Traore's defending for Sanchez's opener as "atrocious" but Rangers were denied a second spot-kick after Kieran Gibbs tackled Bobby Zamora without the ball.
"It was a blatant penalty. I've looked at that and when Bobby came in he couldn't believe he didn't get the decision. It was a penalty. He got dragged down," Redknapp said.
"It wasn't until we got back to 2-1 that we suddenly started to take the game to them. I felt we weren't positive enough at 1-0 against 10 men. For them to score was the worst possible thing. To go two down was a massive blow.
"You have to come away with something. This was a good opportunity against 10 men to pick up a point here. We've got two home games now (against Crystal Palace and Swansea) and we have to pick up some points in those."
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott could make a long-awaited return to action at Liverpool on Sunday.
Manager Arsene Wenger revealed the 25-year-old, who has made just two appearances this season following recovery from a long-term knee injury, is set to resume full training after a groin problem suffered while on international duty with England.
While Wenger will take no chances on Walcott's rehabilitation, the imminent availability of the jet-heeled forward will come as a welcome boost ahead of the hectic Christmas schedule, which could also see both defender Nacho Monreal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shake off their fitness problems.
"There is a slight chance of (Nacho) Monreal being available and a very slight chance for Walcott. We hope that Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit. We will see that on Saturday," Wenger told Arsenal Player.
"He (Walcott) is back in training today (Thursday), but only today. I might take him (to Liverpool), I don't know yet until he is back to full training. Let's see."
Oxlade-Chamberlain limped out of the closing stages of Arsenal's 4-1 Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle last weekend with a groin problem which the club hope will prove to be minor.
"That's what we'll see on Saturday after a test. He is not in training at the moment," Wenger said.
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is another who is stepping up his rehabilitation, having been out since the defeat at Chelsea on October 5 because of a knee problem.
Wenger confirmed both goalkeeper David Ospina and midfielder Tomas Rosicky are also close to being available again following their respective thigh problems.
However, captain Mikel Arteta (calf), midfielder Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and centre-back Laurent Koscielny (calf) are still out, but "progressing as planned", according to the Gunners boss.
Arsenal will be looking to remain within striking distance of the top four with a positive result at Anfield to continue their upturn in form, which has seen five wins from six across all competitions.
The knock-out stages of the Champions League await Arsenal, who have been paired with Monaco, the French club where Wenger made his name as a young coach.
Wenger won the Ligue 1 title in 1988 and the French Cup in 1991, as well as reaching the European Cup Winners' Cup final and then the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1994, and went on to have a spell managing in Japan before being a surprise choice for the Arsenal job in October 1996.
He has never since faced Monaco in a competitive fixture, and is looking forward to his return to the Stade Louis II stadium for the second leg of the tie in March next year.
"We had very few chances to get Monaco and I think it's a strange coincidence in life because I have spent 25 years of my life at Monaco and Arsenal together, so it's a little bit like my life meets my life," the 65-year-old said.
"It is good as well because I go back to basically where I started.
"I have never [been back], because I was always very busy and since I have been here in England we have played every three days basically throughout the whole season. I have been back to the city a few times but never to the stadium."
Monaco were considered one of the weaker seeds, having come through Group C ahead of Bayer Leverkusen but scored just four goals - two of those coming in the final tie with Zenit St Petersburg.
"Overall it is an opportunity for us to get through to the quarter-final," said Wenger, whose side were knocked out of Europe by Bayern Munich in the past two seasons.
"Having said that, Monaco is a tough draw because they have come top out of a very tough group and that means it is a signal for us to be ready to meet a tough team who defend very well and are very quick on counter-attacks. We need a good defensive performance against them."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended under-fire centre-back Per Mertesacker ahead of his side's Premier League home game with Queens Park Rangers on Friday.
Mertesacker was criticised after apparently ducking beneath the ball to allow Martin Skrtel to net a 97th-minute equaliser for Liverpool in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday.
But Wenger says the former German international -- he retired from international football after winning the World Cup in July -- was not to blame for his side's failure to hold on and claim three points.
Wenger concedes Mertesacker has struggled to find form during the opening months of the campaign following the World Cup in Brazil.
But the Frenchman is convinced that the 30-year-old defender is nearing a return to his best form and will only get better when Laurent Koscielny, his regular centre-back partner, returns from an Achilles problem next month.
"I believe he's on the way up. He had a difficult start to the season, but he's been much sharper lately," Wenger said.
"Many people had a go at him for the corner at Liverpool, but I looked at it and he had no chance to get that ball in the zone where he was.
"It's not easy for him. When Koscielny comes back and with Mathieu Debuchy being back, we will be more stable. Even in midfield we need to get our players back and to defend better.
"We had no stability at the back and when you look at the number of players who played centre-back this season, it's not easy."
The failure to beat Liverpool means Arsenal trail leaders Chelsea by 15 points going into the festive programme and now have their sights set on forcing their way up from sixth and into the Champions League places.
Striker Olivier Giroud will be expected to make a significant contribution if Wenger's side are to progress during the second half of the campaign.
The France international has scored twice in three games and is once again looking sharp after missing three months of the season with a broken leg, but he believes he must improve his strength in the air despite scoring an excellent headed goal against Newcastle United recently.
- Redknapp defends Wenger -
"It's surprising to hear, but headers aren't my best quality. I have the timing, but I still need to work on the technique," Giroud said.
"You always have a side you prefer more than the other one, so I try to work on it every week and it's something I can improve."
Arsenal will again be without midfielders Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta, but could welcome back Tomas Rosicky and Yaya Sanogo.
The north London club's difficulties this season have led to calls from a minority of supporters for Wenger to leave, but QPR manager Harry Redknapp has backed the Frenchman to turn things around.
"I can't believe why Arsene Wenger would get any stick. Arsenal are a good side. I still think they will finish in the top four," Redknapp said.
"They do it every year and I don't see why they won't do it again this year."
Redknapp's side are attempting to build on their excellent home form and continue their movement away from the bottom three.
QPR are keen to bring in more forward power during the January transfer window to support leading 11-goal scorer Charlie Austin, but Redknapp says he is only able to consider loan deals.
"We're not looking to spend money," he said.
"That's where we are at. We spent money to bring in players in the summer and now we have a good squad. But we can't be buying players or spending big money in the transfer window."
Yun Suk-young, the South Korea left-back, is missing with an ankle injury picked up during the 3-2 home win over West Bromwich Albion last weekend.
Forward Danny Welbeck has stressed Arsenal cannot afford to get ahead of themselves despite having clawed their way back into striking distance of the Barclays Premier League top four.
The Gunners battled to a 2-1 win at West Ham on Sunday to leapfrog the home side and move level with Southampton, whom they play at St Mary's Stadium on New Year's Day.
It was a fifth victory from the last six matches in all competitions, as despite all of their defensive shortcomings, Arsene Wenger's men are building some momentum, with only one defeat since the end of November.
Welbeck, who scored Arsenal's second goal just before half-time, insists focus must be completely on the here and now.
"The most important thing for us is to concentrate on the next game because we can't afford to look too far ahead," Welbeck said.
"We have just got to make sure that we're ready for each and every game."
Welbeck, quoted on www.arsenal.com, continued: "The win (at West Ham) puts us back in amongst it and we need to be further up the table.
"We want to be gaining points and put the pressure on the teams around us."
After seeing an early 25-yard effort from former Gunners midfielder Alex Song somewhat controversially ruled out for offside, Arsenal took the lead through a penalty from Santi Cazorla on 41 minutes, with Welbeck sliding in a second at close range just before half-time.
Even though Cheikhou Kouyate reduced the deficit at the start of the second half and West Ham had plenty of pressure, the Gunners should have put the result beyond doubt, but were denied several times by in-form goalkeeper Adrian.
"We missed a couple of chances - I had one and some of the other players had one where we could've maybe won the game earlier. That is something we need to improve on," Welbeck said.
Arsenal have played the Saints twice already this season, losing in the Capital One Cup, before winning the league match at the start of December.
Welbeck said: "Southampton gave us a difficult test at home and we know how well they have been doing this season, so we have to prepare physically, mentally and tactically right for this game.
"Going into the new year, we want to start it off well."
Arsenal will again be without suspended forward Olivier Giroud at Southampton, where Theo Walcott could be set for a long-awaited start having recovered full fitness.
Francis Coquelin, recalled from a loan spell at Charlton, impressed in a defensive midfield role against West Ham, while Tomas Rosicky was given a breather having suffered calf and hamstring cramps after a rare start on Boxing Day, so could be available again.
Wenger, meanwhile, insisted there was "nothing concrete" in reports German forward Lukas Podolski was set to leave for Inter Milan in January.
"At the moment nobody goes out," the Arsenal manager said.
"We have (Mesut) Ozil coming back now at the beginning of January, so of course there is a lot of competition up front."
Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football and will return to London to take up a role in the media.
The 37-year-old former Arsenal striker left the New York Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs, but there was speculation he might choose to play on at another club - with a return to the Gunners mooted.
However, the former France international and World Cup winner has instead called time on a trophy-laden career which included spells with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Red Bulls.
In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Henry said: "After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special.
"It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.
"I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience.
"I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.
"See you on the other side..."
Henry will always be most closely associated with Arsenal, where he is the all-time goalscorer with 228 goals in 377 games across two different spells.
Arsene Wenger, who had known him as a young player at Monaco, signed him from Juventus for £11million in 1999, and immediately shifted him from the wing to a central striking position.
His blend of pace and power made him one of the most feared forwards in English football, and Henry won the Premier League title twice with the Gunners, as well as the FA Cup three times.
Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and joined Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2009. He also added two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to his honours list in three seasons at the Nou Camp.
His medal collection also includes a Ligue 1 title and Trophee des Champions with Monaco, his first professional club.
He spent the final five years of his playing career with the Red Bulls, returning to Arsenal to make four appearances on loan in early 2012.
With France, Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances - only Lilian Thuram has more caps with Les Bleus. He was a member of the 1998 World Cup winning squad, while also being a runner up in 2006. Henry was a European champion in 2000 and was part of the team that won the Confederations Cup in 2003.
First of all I must say "Thank You". Your gift of silverware finally arrived halfway through this year, and most welcome it was, albeit somewhat later than expected, given that I'd written to you for several years running requesting something of that ilk! However, I can understand what with covering the whole of the globe, consuming copious amounts of sherry, and of course filling up on other alcohol laced offerings, it's entirely possible things would, could, will, and do go missing. The fact remains that I had unwavering faith in its imminent arrival throughout this time, although it should be said I had begun to refer to your head of postage as, "A bit of a Bendtner", as the years passed and he failed to deliver.
So.... about this year! I'm not a greedy man, Mr Claus, although my much vaunted war-chest might suggest otherwise. In truth I find myself in a position where I find it hard to make requests of you which I deem reasonable. My cup runneth over in terms of players in my view, and as such I am stumped for what to wish for. There are many who say I need a couple of world class defenders, and a defensive midfielder but,to me it's not a requirement. It's like a new phone. Why would I buy this year's model for a massive initial outlay, (not to mention ongoing costs), when last year's still functions well enough to get by with? Flamini and Arteta may lack the speed to deal with the very high end applications when attempting to run a Chelsea or a Real Madrid, but it's so rare those encounters happen that the extra outlay isn't justifiable. They can deal with the majority of things, are robust, and crash only occasionally.
Cotton Wool! That's it Santa! Cotton Wool! I know I know, it's Christmas and gifts traditionally consist of things which are wrapped, rather than the wrapping itself being used as a suitable gift, but I think it would be ideal for some of my more fragile assets. I recently purchased a German talisman but every time I try and put it out on display it breaks. In truth I suspect it's not designed for quite such a robust environment but, now that I have it, it seems senseless not to use it. Currently, of course, it's in for repairs, something which could perhaps be avoided in the future with skilful cotton wool deployment. I have a similarly delicate Welsh trinket which cost less but tends to sparkle more, which could also do with some padding. If you can find it within you to furnish me with cotton wool.. please..don't skimp on the volume. The aforementioned two are just the tip of the iceberg, but as I said earlier, I'm not greedy.
It would be nice if you could gift me Champions League football again next year. It's the only thing of fiscal value I really ask for. I've been good, having qualified for the latter stages again and I know.. i know.. you've already given me Monaco and I thank you for it, but Champions League is just that cherry on the little cake I allow myself to enjoy while at Arsenal. I am aware I never actually finish it, but it always feels so good, even if I only make it through the initial layers only to be overwhelmed by the powerful flavours making progression only a thing of fantasy.
Thank you once again for taking these things into consideration. if you could deliver Tottenham Europa league football again next year that would also be fantastic. I mean this to show my generosity in using my letter to gift something to others and the idea is in no way meant to impede my neighbours League progress with regular Thursday night games.
Yours forever a fan of your Red and White strip!
Arsene.
P.S. Santa, I nearly forgot. I still require a fully functioning Diaby! I don't know who your supplier is but you need to have a word with him. Each year I send him back broken and each year he returns, only to have either the same issue reoccur, or a new one crop up. It's becoming a race to see who is going to be too old to play with who, and it's doing neither of us any good.
Arsenal paid a fitting tribute to Thierry Henry, as did a number of his soon-to-be new colleagues, after the former Gunners striker announced his retirement from football on Tuesday morning.
The 37-year-old confirmed he will return to London to take up a role in the media with Sky Sports "as a football expert and ambassador" from the start of 2015.
Henry will always be most closely associated with Arsenal, where he is the all-time highest goalscorer with 228 goals in 377 games across two different spells. His time at the club included winning the Premier League title twice with the Gunners, as well as the FA Cup three times.
Arsenal paid tribute to Henry with a link on the home page of their website www.arsenal.com with a 45-page gallery highlighting his incredible career with the Barclays Premier League club, entitled "Pictures: Thierry Henry's best moments".
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had known him as a young player at Monaco, signed him from Juventus for £11million in 1999, and immediately shifted him from the wing to a central striking position.
Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and joined Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2009. He also added two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to his honours list in three seasons at the Nou Camp.
His blend of pace and power made him one of the most feared forwards in English football, and former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who came up against the fearless forward on numerous occasions during his career, admitted life against Henry was tough.
"Defenders everywhere will be breathing a sigh of relief that he has hung his boots up," Carragher, whom Henry will join as a Sky Sports pundit, said.
"He was certainly the toughest opponent I ever faced and possibly the best player the Premier League has seen.
"I would have loved him to be on the same team as me during my playing career, I'm delighted we're finally on the same side."
Henry spent the final five years of his playing career with the New York Red Bulls, returning to Arsenal to make four appearances on loan in early 2012. Henry left the Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs.
Another player he came up against whilst in England on the field, who he will also work alongside in his new career, is another ex-rival in former Manchester United captain Gary Neville.
The former defender praised Henry for his outstanding playing career and admitted he is looking forward to working with the Frenchman.
He said: "We were blessed in this country to see Thierry playing at his peak, potentially one of the greatest players in the world and even if you supported another team you couldn't help but enjoy watching him play.
"It's always a shame when such a career comes to an end, but it's very much Sky Sports' gain and I look forward to working with him."
Former Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who played at north London rivals Tottenham while Henry was at the Gunners, said: "I know from playing against Thierry how good a player he was and Sky Sports viewers are in for a treat.
"His game was built around incredible pace, power and finishing, not to mention the ability to read the game better than most. His views will be fascinating and I can't wait to work alongside him."
After the Gunners linked the announcement on their Twitter feed just after 7am, they posted some photographs marking some of the highlights in Henry's glittering career at the club.
That was before they posted a message asking for former players and fans alike to post their thoughts on the Frenchman's retirement with the hashtag #KingHenry, which was re-tweeted over 900 times in the next three hours.
Their tweet read: " What's your reaction to the news of @ThierryHenry's retirement? Post your messages using #KingHenry"
BBC pundit Gary Lineker, a former striker at White Hart Lane, commented on Henry's decision on Twitter with a message, saying: "Congratulations to @ThierryHenry on a truly wonderful career. One of the great footballers of our time and a top bloke. Bonne chance."
Current Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey tweeted: "Congratulations on an outstanding career @ThierryHenry. Top player. Top guy. #Legend"
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel wished him luck as he tweeted: "@ThierryHenry congratulations on an amazing career...one of the best I've faced over the last 23 years! Good luck with ur next adventure!"
Barcelona also honoured their former player with a short article detailing his career at the Catalan club, ending poignantly with "Merci, Henry".
Meanwhile, French national newspaper L'Equipe is running a poll to determine where Henry should be ranked in their list of the nation's greatest ever players.
After just over 30,000 votes, 23 per cent think he is third while one in five people have placed him fifth.
Only four per cent of voters believe he is outside the top 15.
Henry was ranked 15th in an identical poll conducted by bi-weekly magazine France Football in 2004.
As the tributes continued to pour in for Henry, Gunners midfielder Theo Walcott, who made his debut for the north London club a year before Henry departed the first time, said he was truly inspired by his former team-mate.
England winger Walcott posted a photograph of himself with Henry from their playing days together below a tweet, which read: "A true inspiration to me in my career. Thank you @Thierryhenry & good luck in your new path with @skysports"
Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara, who will work alongside Henry when he takes up his position next year, tweeted: "Seen on @SkySportsNewsHQ Arsene Wenger's best ever signing @ThierryHenry officially retired, thanks for the memories"
Gunners and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil posted a fitting tribute as he took to Twitter to say: "Once you enchanted all of us - now I can only say: Thanks for everything! @ThierryHenry #ArsenalLegend"
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil feels his recovery from a knee problem is now 'on the right path' and cannot wait to get back into action.
The German international has not featured since suffering a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint against Chelsea on October 5.
The initial prognosis for a likely return was for early in 2015, and Ozil suggested he could soon be back in contention, having been pictured walking out for a session at the Gunners' Hertfordshire training base in the build up to last weekend's Barclays Premier League match against Newcastle.
Ozil said on Arsenal Player: "I am working every day to get myself fit and I am on the right path now. It won't be much too much longer before I am back on the pitch.
"I hope to be back training with the whole team again as soon as possible."
It has been a testing spell on the sidelines for Arsenal's club-record signing, with Alexis Sanchez impressing after his transfer from Barcelona.
Ozil added: "After a time, you really miss playing football. You miss the ball and just want to play.
"When you watch the games and think that you could have been playing, and playing well, it makes you miss it, but that's the way things are."
Arsenal thumped Newcastle 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium and are in sixth place, but only two points off West Ham, who are fourth, while they have also secured a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Ozil is confident the Gunners can pull themselves into contention, provided they tighten up at the back.
"When you watch the games, we have dominated a lot of them, but have conceded unnecessary goals. That can't happen, because in the Premier League, every team is capable of beating one another," he said.
"We have to get our points by playing the game our way and I am convinced that we will finish the season near the top of the table."
Arsenal head to Liverpool on Sunday and are hopeful midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have shaken off his groin problem to feature.
Forward Theo Walcott could also travel following treatment on his groin injury sustained while training with England during the last international break, which hampered his return from a long-term knee problem.
Centre-back Laurent Koscielny, though, remains doubtful because of a calf problem, but Calum Chambers will be available again after suspension.
Arsenal survived the sending-off of striker Olivier Giroud for a reckless headbutt to beat QPR 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium and close back up on the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Gunners were in cruise control following Alexis Sanchez's 10th league goal on 37 minutes, the Chilean having seen a tame early penalty saved.
However, a rush of blood from France striker Giroud at the start of the second half reduced Arsenal to 10 men. The Frenchman charged into Nedum Onuoha, the defender hitting the ground in front of the referee.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, making a first start of the season, swept in a second on the break before Charlie Austin set up a tense finale when he converted a penalty with 11 minutes left.
Unlike at Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal held on under late pressure to move within two points of Southampton and one behind fifth-placed West Ham, whom they play on Sunday.
Arsenal, who had lost only one of their 17 previous Boxing Day Premier League matches, made an electric start and were awarded an early penalty when former Gunners defender Armand Traore tripped Sanchez.
The Chilean held onto the ball, and Santi Cazorla, who scored from the spot here against Newcastle, gave way.
However, Sanchez's effort lacked any real pace towards the bottom right corner, and Robert Green got down to make the save.
Arsenal's tempo dropped after the penalty miss, but the home side remained dominant in possession nevertheless as the conditions worsened.
Onuoha looked to have wrestled Danny Welbeck to the ground just inside the QPR penalty area, but this time referee Martin Atkinson was not interested.
Rio Ferdinand, making his first start since October, pulled back former United team-mate Welbeck to concede a free-kick 25 yards out in a central position and was cautioned.
Giroud whipped the ball over the wall, but Green made a smart diving save.
QPR, who had lost all eight of their Premier League away matches so far, continued to defend deep, with six men sitting around the edge of the 18-yard box.
The visitors' rearguard was, though, breached on 37 minutes.
Cazorla pushed the ball out to Kieran Gibbs on the overlap down the left.
The defender looked up before chipping a cross back through the six-yard box, where no-one had picked up the run of Sanchez as the diminutive Chilean guided a cushioned header into the far corner.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men on 53 minutes following a moment of red mist by Giroud.
The France striker was bundled over by Onuoha on the edge of the area as they chased a long ball forwards.
Giroud, incandescent with rage, scrambled to his feet to confront the defender, pushing his forehead into the defender's face. Onuoha went to ground and the referee, who was right on the spot, reached for his back pocket to brandish a red card.
The Arsenal striker, who will now serve a three-match suspension, knew what was coming and headed straight down the tunnel as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger glared on.
Arsenal looked to respond by continuing their pressure, but QPR had been handed a lifeline and manager Harrry Redknapp made a change on 62 minutes as Karl Henry was replaced by Leroy Fer and Traore by Junior Hoilett.
The Gunners, though, soon doubled their lead.
Sanchez made another penetrating run to the edge of the QPR penalty area, where he played in Rosicky on the overlap and the Czech midfielder dispatched a low, first-time shot past Green.
QPR then grabbed a lifeline with 11 minutes left after Mathieu Debuchy tripped Hoilett just inside the penalty area, with the referee again expertly placed although replays suggested the defender did get a touch on the ball.
Austin made no mistake from the spot, blasting the ball down the centre for his 12th goal of an impressive season.
Wenger sent on defender Calum Chambers for the closing stages, replacing Rosicky, and Mathieu Flamini bundled a goal-bound effort off the line as the Gunners battled to victory.
Championship: Charlton's Wales striker Simon Church faces a spell on the sidelines | Wales Football Club News, Fixtures, Results | Football365 // google ads set up var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.adSlots = {}; Search enhanced by Football 365 TwitterFacebookRSS HomeThe Football+Premier LeagueHomeNewsTableFixturesResultsChampionship Home News Table Fixtures ResultsLeague OneHomeNewsTableFixturesResultsLeague Two Home News Table Fixtures ResultsChampions LeagueHomeNewsFixturesResultsEuropa League Home News Fixtures Results FA CupHomeNewsFixturesResultsCapital One Cup Home News Fixtures Results Scottish FootballHomeNewsTableFixturesResultsScottish Cups Home News Fixtures Results La LigaHomeNewsTableFixturesResultsSerie A Home News Table Fixtures ResultsGossipF365 Faves+F365 FavesMediawatchMailboxF365 SaysJohn NicholsonSpanish ThingWinners & LosersBig WeekendTopical Top 10Cheeky PuntMusic 365F365 FeaturesProfile365Featured FavesF365's January Transfer Window Guide - Part One
We bring you the first part of our massive guide to the transfer window...
Top Ten PL Managers Of 2014
There's no room for 2013's No. 1 Arsene Wenger, but there is room high...
The Famous MailboxO
ne Man United fan isn't happy with the rate the team is progressing under Louis...
Van Gaal's Half-Term Report Card... MediawatchH
ow do you sell a match report for a 1-1 draw? And why does Thierry Henry need putting...
The Page That Is Full To The Gills Live Teams+Premier League Arsenal Aston Villa Burnley Chelsea C Palace Everton Hull Leicester C Liverpool Man City Man Utd Newcastle QPR South'ton Stoke Sunderland Swansea Tottenham West Brom West Ham Championship Birmingham Blackburn Blackpool Bolton Bournemth Brentford Brighton Cardiff Charlton Ath Derby Fulham Hudds Town Ipswich Leeds Utd Middlesbro' Millwall Norwich City N Forest Reading Rotherham Sheff Wed Watford Wigan Wolves Scottish Football Aberdeen Celtic Dundee Dundee United Hamilton Inverness Kilmarnock Motherwell Partick Thistle Ross County St Johnstone St Mirren Hearts Hibernian Falkirk Rangers Home Nations England Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Scotland Wales TablesPhotosVideosCompetitionsForumLog InEmail:Password:
Forgotten your details? Not already a registered member? Register Here Not received your activation code? Re-send Activation Email
Register .base-head.team-head {background: url("/images/team-headers/wales.png") no-repeat scroll left -2px transparent !important} Wales Newslist Fixtures Results Table Next Game Israel v Wales
Saturday, 28 March 2015, 19:45
European Qualifiers Group B
Last Game Belgium 0 - 0 Wales
Sunday, 16 November 2014, 17:00
European Qualifiers Group B
ArticleComments (0) Shoulder woe for Charlton star
Charlton striker Simon Church faces a spell on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder playing for Wales.
Last Updated: 14/10/14 at 21:12 Post Comment Wales RSS FeedBookmark with del.icio.usSave to iGoogleSave to My YahooSubmit to redditShare on StumbleUpon
Simon Church: Injured his shoulder playing for Wales More of the games that matter
Upgrade in minutes or watch with a NOW TV Day Pass.
The 25-year-old had to go off after landing awkwardly just four minutes into Monday night's 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Cyprus.
Church is now praying he will not have to spend too long in the treatment room.
He wrote on Twitter: "Hopefully not out for too long, the boys were great again, good start need to keep it up, support was brilliant."
Church has made just three substitute appearances for the Addicks this season, with his only goal coming in the 4-0 Capital Cup win over Colchester in August.
Wales RSS FeedBookmark with del.icio.usSave to iGoogleSave to My YahooSubmit to redditShare on StumbleUpon Post CommentView all Comments More of the games that matter
Upgrade in minutes or watch with a NOW TV Day Pass.
Related NewsUEFA unveils Nations League'Shawcross should pick Wales' Bale: Confidence at a highRamsey defends Arsenal formSaunders: Wales on right pathColeman: Wales have learnt a lotBattling Wales hold BelgiumWilliams hails Wales' displayVertonghen impressed by WalesColeman wants 'bolshie' Wales Most Commented Andi And Alex's Best Of 2014 Awards... (46) 16 Conclusions On Chelsea 2 West Ham 0 (15) Our Person Of The Year: Alan Pardew (6) Stop Getting Carried Away, Brendan... (6) Backing Spurs To Thrash Leicester... (3) Readers' Comments W
e have the personnel. The trick is keeping them fit. Carrick and Blind have missed large chunks of the season, while the defence has been one muddled mess of intermittent stooges, all coming and going at various intervals thus far. We may be just short of title winning quality, but we're half way through. An injury crisis to either of the top two could change things. Optimistic, yes, but not unrealistic.
HarryBoulton One Point And One Conclusion For United P
arish is the man to blame for this shambles. Pulis must be chuckling into his left over turkey sandwich. I pray this doesn't mean the Neil Warnock media machine will kick in now and he'll be back on the telly box.
magicfuller Warnock sacked by Palace W
e almost found a new way to lose, just when I thought it was getting boring Giroud does that. Although Arsenal are deservedly called 'soft' the entire midfield is out injured. Still must admit MU are managing to win despite a similar raft of absentees. Think the Gunners have good players but poorly coached.
gettalong Wenger: Giroud deserved red Footer 365 Follow us on Twitter Join our Facebook Page Premier League: Sam Allardyce accuses referee of guessing wrongly over disallowed Alex Song goal
Sam Allarydce criticised referee Neil Swarbrick for disallowing a goal after West Ham were defeated 2-1 by Arsenal.
Premier League: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are showing signs of consistency after West Ham win
Arsene Wenger said Arsenal are heading in the right direction after seeing them hold on for a 2-1 win over West Ham.
Premier League: Newcastle overcome Everton 3-2 thanks to Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback
Newcastle overcame Everton 3-2 at St James' Park thanks to goals from Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback.
Mail Box Van Gaal's Half-Term Report Card...
One Man United fan isn't happy with the rate the team is progressing under Louis van Gaal, while the mailbox also wishes Liverpool fans a Merry Mid-Table Christmas...
Hang On, Rafa's Success Is No Fluke...
The afternoon mailbox kicks the morning mailbox's arse after claims that Rafa Benitez has fluked his success. Plus, big talk about Liverpool's progress and lots more...
/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/InulPoker%20Climbing/Arsenal/rss-article.gif "arsenal rss news feed")
29 reasons why we love Thierry Henry (and one reason why we don't)16 Dec 2014 10:31:00 
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 
(Sean Dempsey/PA) 
(Adam Davy/EMPICS) 
(Rui Vieira/PA) 
(Nick Potts/PA) 
(Tony Marshall/EMPICS) 
(PA) 
(AP) 
(Rebecca Naden/PA) 
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 
(PA) 
(Jon Buckle/EMPICS) 
(Neal Simpson/EMPICS) 
(Nick Potts/EMPICS) 
(Manu Fernandez/AP) 
(Chris Young/PA) 
(Nigel French/EMPICS) 
(Stefan Rousseau/PA) 
(Sean Dempsey/PA) 
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS) 
(Panoramic/PA) /ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/InulPoker%20Climbing/Arsenal/copyright.png "digital sports group")
Football 365
F365's January Transfer Window Guide - Part One
Top Ten PL Managers Of 2014
More of the games that matter/ABS/Auto%20Blog%20Samurai/data/InulPoker%20Climbing/Wales/post-icon.png){kind=icon}
Post CommentView all Comments 
Premier League: Sam Allardyce accuses referee of guessing wrongly over disallowed Alex Song goal
Premier League: Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are showing signs of consistency after West Ham win
Premier League: Newcastle overcome Everton 3-2 thanks to Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback
