OFFICIAL: YAYA SANOGO HAS BEEN ADDED. GOOD NEWS!!!

Yesterday evening, 1st July 2013 at around 8-30pm GMT, Arsenal Football Club announced the signing of French youth international Yaya Sanogo, who has joined on a long-term contract.

Of course he is not a huge name yet, but there is no one more equipped than Arsène Wenger at identifying talent. He clearly has a plan for him and it will indeed be exciting to watch him in an Arsenal shirt!

For a further insight into Yaya Sanogo, why not take another look at Le Groove’s recent blog!
The following statement is reproduced with the kind permission of the Communications Department at Arsenal Football Club, as it appeared on http://www.arsenal.com – Thanks guys!
French striker Yaya Sanogo joins Club

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that French youth international Yaya Sanogo has joined on a long-term contract.

The 20-year-old striker, who joins as a free agent after leaving Auxerre, made a total of 24 appearances and scored 11 goals during his time with the Ligue 2 side.

Sanogo, who joined Auxerre as a 14-year-old, has represented his country at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels, and is currently playing for France in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Sanogo has impressed during the tournament, scoring in two of his country’s three matches, helping France qualify for the knockout phase.

Arsène Wenger said: “Sanogo is a good young signing for us. He has shown that he has potential with his recent performances for Auxerre and also for the France Under-20 side. We are looking forward to Yaya joining us and continuing his promising development.”

The deal is subject to the completion of formal registration processes, with Sanogo joining up with his new team-mates after his participation in the Under-20 World Cup.

Sanogo’s shirt number will be revealed on the Club’s official Twitter account @Arsenal in due course.

Everyone at Arsenal looks forward to welcoming Yaya to the Club.

Ardiles: Higuain can be Arsenal’s new Van Persie

The former Tottenham player and manager believes the French-born striker could have as big an impact as the Dutchman had in his final few seasons at Emirates Stadium should he sign

Former Argentina international and Tottenham manager Osvaldo Ardiles believes that Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain could emulate Robin van Persie at Arsenal.

Speaking to Goal, Ardiles was keen to emphasise the similarities between Higuain and former Arsenal star Van Persie, whose departure left the Gunners lacking in firepower last season.

“Van Persie is a super player, one of my favourites and one of the best in the Premier League last season, along with Gareth Bale,” Ardiles said.

But the 1978 World Cup winner suggested that, given time, Higuain could be as good, if not better, than the iconic Dutchman.

“As good as Van Persie? Of course he can, that’s how good Higuain is. You remember when Van Persie arrived he was not exactly, immediately, the best player, it took a bit of time. But he was younger – Higuain is much more experienced.”

Goal revealed last Friday that Arsenal officials travelled to Madrid in order to finalise a move for the 25-year-old, while Higuain’s father admitted talks with the Gunners are at an advanced stage.

And Ardiles believes Arsene Wenger can be sure of a fantastic return on his investment should the French-born Argentina international make the switch to north London.

“He’s a top, top player. He will always score goals. He likes to be in the box all the time and he works hard for his team – wherever he goes he’s going to be great for the team he’s joining,” he continued.

Referencing his former club, Ardiles remarked: “I’d love to welcome him to White Hart Lane to be perfectly fair!”

Ardiles was speaking at the launch of the Fans All Star Global Vote 2013, offering football supporters the opportunity to pick their ultimate European and Rest of the World XI’s.

Arsenal Launch Formal £1.5m Bid for QPR Keeper Julio Cesar

The Gunners want to add an experienced goal keeper to their squad this summer.

Arsenal look set to bid £1.5 million for QPR’s Brazilian goal keeper Julio Cesar as the Gunners seek an experienced keeper to help them keep more clean sheets, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Cesar was one of the positives that came out of QPR’s season, making a number of excellent saves despite the Hoops leaky defence.

However, despite Cesar’s efforts the club were still relegated from the Premier League and it looks like the Brazilian will be playing elsewhere next season.

Cesar is known to have enjoyed living in London and would like to stay there if possible so a move to Arsenal would certainly interest him.

The Gunners want to sign an experienced goal keeper who can provide competition to current keepers Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski.

With Cesar being 33, Arsenal could probably expect to pay around £1.5 million for the goal keeper, a bargain considering his quality and experience and Cesar would probably start the season as the Gunners number one despite impressive performances from Szczesny towards the end of last season.

Roma are also reportedly interest in Cesar but with the goal keeper settled in London it looks like Arsenal will be front-runners for his signature.

Image: Arsenal’s rumored signing’s Higuain’s super hot WAG

 

Arsenal are rumored to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid this summer. Here is a picture of Super hot WAG of Higuain. Her name is Daniela Saurwald.

Arsenal favourites to sign Brazil international after the Confederations Cup

 

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Cesar likely to make Emirates Stadium switch.

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, reports the Daily Mail.

The 33-year-old is expected to complete his switch across London after Brazil face World Champions Spain in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday.

 

Talks between the Gunners and Cesar’s representatives have already taken place but the move has been placed on hold due to the experienced shot-stopper’s international commitments.

Cesar joined the Hoops from Inter Milan last summer and is one of the few Rangers players to emerge from their diabolical season with his reputation still in tact.

Roma are interested in bringing the Selecao international back to the Serie A but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is thought to be confident of tying up a deal for the player.

The Frenchman considered swoops for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Asmir Begovic of Stoke but does not want to spend a significant chunk of his £70m summer transfer kitty on a goalkeeper, particularly when Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid, Everton’s Marouane Fellaini and Swansea centre-half AShley Williams remain targets.

Rangers will listen to offers of around £2m for Cesar, while his £70,000-a-week wage demands are unlikely to deter Arsenal.

Arsenal facing a battle to land top target Marouane Fellaini

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Everton midfielder demanding big bucks to make Emirates Stadium switch, with Gunners unwilling to meet £24m buy-out clause.

Arsenal are facing an uphill struggle to sign top target Marouane Fellaini this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners are reportedly keen to sign the Everton midfielder, who has just enjoyed a fine campaign for the Toffees.

 

Fellaini admitted as early as September last year that he would consider leaving Goodison Park for Champions League football, with former Everton boss David Moyes admitting at the time that the Belgium international would be sold for the ‘right’ price.

But Arsenal are currently refusing to meet the 25-year-old’s £100,000-a-week wage demands and are also reluctant to meet his £24m release clause.

The former Standard Liege player is under contract until 2016 and it is understood his advisors have told Arsenal that Fellaini is willing to spend another season on Merseyside, in the hope of securing an ever better deal next summer.

Arsenal Picture Special: Podolski Meets Rihanna After Her Concert In Cologne

Lukas-Podolski.com         ✔ @Podolski10

How can someone be a rude boy in the arms of @rihanna? 😉 it was a pleasure to meet u after your concert in #Cologne pic.twitter.com/sphnWOMEHi

12:22 PM – 28 Jun 2013

Arsenal’s German attacker Lukas Podolski, tweeted this image yesterday after he attended Rihanna’s concert in Cologne.

Wilshere – Japan can be a major force

 

Jack Wilshere believes Japan have the potential to become a major force in world football.

Arsenal will play two matches in the country later this month – against Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Reds – as part of this summer’s Far East tour.

Wilshere on Asia Tour Digital Membership is coming

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Wilshere is looking forward to testing himself against some of the best players in the J-League and says the national team is improving all the time.

“Without a shadow of a doubt [there could be a future World Cup winner from Asia],” he told Arsenal Player. “They have great players and there are more and more in Europe these days.

“Japan can be a force to be reckoned with. They have a great national team and it will be interesting to go over there and face their teams. When we play against them with England we know we are in for a tough game.

“The players are more technically gifted than physically gifted. They keep the ball well and they cover a lot of ground, so they are tough opponents.”

Ox – We’re proud to be first in Vietnam

According to Arsenal.com, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has spoken of his pride at being part of the first visit to Vietnam by a Premier League club.

The Gunners will face the Vietnamese national team on July 17 in Hanoi as part of the Asia Tour, which will also see them play in Indonesia and Japan.

Oxlae-Chamberlain is eagerly anticipating the trip, and is looking forward to giving something back to the Club’s passionate supporters.

To be able to go to different parts of the world and experience different cultures is fantastic

“To be able to go somewhere where they haven’t experienced an English team coming over, especially a big club like Arsenal, is brilliant,” he told Arsenal Player.

“For them to be able to show their support for us, because they don’t get to come to many games, is really good [and for us] to go to a beautiful country like Vietnam and say hello to the fans is a really good thing to be a part of.

“I am really excited. Last year was my first experience of Asia and it was a very good one. The people out there are really friendly and excited to see us, to give back to them what they give to us is brilliant.

“We are venturing into different parts of Asia, which is also really exciting. To be able to go to different parts of the world and experience different cultures is fantastic and they are all Arsenal mad out there, too. Hopefully we can go out there and put on a good show for them. We can’t wait to go.”

Podolski – Going on Asia tour is vital

 

posted by Arsenal.com

Lukas Podolski believes that visiting the Club’s fans around the world is a crucial part of the modern game.

Arsenal set off on the Asia Tour next month and will take part in sponsorship events, training sessions and matches in Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan.

Podolski on Asia Tour Digital Membership is coming

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 Podolski is looking forward to the trip and connecting with the Club’s passionate supporters in the region.

“I’m very excited,” he told Arsenal Player. “I went before when I was with Bayern Munich, and this will be my first time with Arsenal. I am very happy because the people there are crazy about Arsenal and football!

“When you arrive at the airport there are a lot of young fans there. They are so happy that you are there and I am very happy to go there.

“Here in London we don’t have fans at training but over there we will have open sessions and play some matches, so the fans are close.

“They never [get to] see us up close so it is very important to go there, train and play matches in front of them – and also pose for pictures and sign some autographs.

“It is crucial [to go to see] the fans who support us a lot on Twitter, Facebook or other platforms.”