Red London | by Randy Osae

VIDEO: Per Mertesacker’s best performance in an Arsenal shirt

Randy Osae — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:29:33 +0000

After witnessing the goals he conceded away at Norwich and Aston Villa and his substandard show at Chelsea along with a few heart-in-mouth moments at the back, you might have feared that Sunday’s showdown with Manchester United would be a big ask for Mertesacker.

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But Arsenal’s German summer signing stood up to the occasion and put in a show – alongside Koscielny – which was worthy of being on the winning side.

Enjoy the highlights of Mertesacker’s solid performance against United.

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Wigan reject Arsenal’s inquiry for Hugo Rodallega

Randy Osae — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:33:47 +0000

Hugo Rodallega is in Arsene Wenger’s sights.

The Wigan striker has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal who have had an inquiry for the player denied.

The Gunners are indeed long-time admirers of Rodallega after the Colombian star was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates stadium during the 2009/10 season.

And after Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho’s temporal departure to the African Cup of Nations, Wenger has been left with Park-Chu Young as the only natural striker to back up Robin van Persie.

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Following Sunday’s frustrating defeat to Manchester United – Arsenal’s third in three league games – the Gunners boss appears to have made a move to restore Arsenal’s fire power.

According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Wigan are unwilling to sell the 26-year-old striker to Arsenal at the moment.

“The latest from the DW Stadium is that Wigan have rejected an inquiry from two Premier League clubs for Hugo Rodalllega. The clubs are understood to be QPR who have also requested for Victor Moses and Arsenal FC.” Sheth reported.

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Bacary Sagna claims he’s a fan of rappers Rick Ross and 50 cent

Randy Osae — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:51:10 +0000

One of the premier features of Red London is the ability to bring you those scarce but noteworthy talking points about the Gunners.

And revealing his favourite choice of music today is the almost forgotten Arsenal man Bacary Sagna who has been out of action since the north London derby in October.

The French defender was spotted at the ‘GB2B Cup Promo’ this week for a fundraising football tournament along with the likes of fellow football stars Jermaine Defoe and Ashley Young.

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Sagna was pulled aside the pitch for a relaxed interview about several topics and when asked which kind of music he prefers to listen to when riding the Arsenal bus ahead of matches, the 28-year-old revealed he was a fan of Hip-Hop.

“I am more into American rap. The artists which I like to listen to are 50 cent and Rick Ross.” Sagna said

But do not bother asking Bacary to ‘spit’ a few rhymes for you when you come across him because the former Auxere man admits his quality in that area does not match the one he displays at right-back for Arsenal.

“I do rap sometimes but I am not good at rapping because my English is not good” he chuckled.

Ever since being stretched off at White Hart Lane, Sagna has been sorely missed by an Arsenal defence which has seen an astonishing six players all tried and tested in his full-back position without making any convincing impression.

Carl Jenskinson, Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin, Johan Djourou, and now Yennaris have all been deployed at right-back during Sagna’s lay-off, and with the news that the Frenchman is back in training for Arsenal, Wenger will be much relieved.

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Forgotten Gunner returns to challenge Szczesny and sink Almunia

Randy Osae — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:12:48 +0000

Lukasz Fabianski is available for selection again.

The Polish goalkeeper has been missing since the 3-1 defeat at Olympiakos in the Champions League during early December.

On that night, Fabianski conceded the home side’s first goal but was later substituted after a nasty collision with defender Thomas Vermaelen.

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The 26-year-old recovered from his woeful form during the beginning of 2010 and after a tremendous performance at Stamford Bridge, he even seemed to have snatched the spot as Arsenal’s No.1, only for an injury to hand current first choice Wojciech Szczesny the chance to impress.

Fabianski has been in and out of the team this season but after a solid outing against Fulham for the Arsenal reserves yesterday, the Pole is ready to return to full action according to coach Neil Banfield.

“It’s great to see Lukasz back.” Banfield said after a 1-0 loss to Fulham

“He’s done fine, is a good professional and he helped out a young back four tonight. He’s done well. “

Fabisnki’s return means Manuel Almunia’s place on the bench over the past month is now under threat and with Szczesny conceding seven goals in his last three league games – including a blunder against Fulham – Fabianski could fancy his chances.

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VIDEO: Arsenal celebrate winning Europa League

Randy Osae — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:20:52 +0000

Arsene Wenger’s negligence towards Arsenal’s problems has certainly helped secure the club’s first run of three straight defeats in the Premier League since 2007.

At this rate, the Gunners fear being excused from the Champions League soon with the amount of mediocrity available in the current squad. That may allow Wenger’s men to excel in Europe’s second tier club tournament, the Europa League.

So below is a look into the future as the Gunners celebrate victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League final.

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Some fans who have ran out of patience during the long trophy drought might just take this virtual footage to be reality.

Disclaimer: None of this is real

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PICTURE: Arshavin and what should rather be his new teammates

Randy Osae — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:47:04 +0000

Judging from the effort he gives on the pitch – which fails to make up for his size – it will be hard to spot the difference between Andrey Arshavin and little school boys.

Maybe the Russian’s level of dedication on the football pitch (invisible, lazy and not ready to get stuck in) will suit a junior league side rather than the Premier League where Arsenal fans have had to deal with the sight of a disinterested man carrying a sofa in his shorts every week.

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VIDEO: Gary Neville tells Arshavin to return to Russia

Randy Osae — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:29:06 +0000

When the liability that Andrey Arshavin has become to Arsenal is so obvious that even Gary Neville, a Manchester United fan, can realize and complain about it, then it must be more serious than what the negligent Arsene Wenger is making it out to be.

According to Neville, Arshavin should go back to where he came from if his show of lack of interest continues.

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Listen as the former United defender says what he thinks about Arshavin following the Russian’s infamous cameo on Sunday.

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PICTURE OF THE DAY: Ferguson must be in love with Arsene

Randy Osae — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:30:33 +0000

From never seeing eye-to-eye to getting partial hugs and a pat on the back.

If the fire between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson’s was still burning at some point, it looks to have been extinguished now after United’s commanding ‘double’ of league wins over the Gunners – ending in a score aggregate of 10-3 from the home and away meetings.

With Arsenal now 15 points adrift of the red devils and the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham posing the closest threat to United, gone are the days when the Scot man envied the Frenchman.

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Below is a shot of Wenger’s confrontation with Ferguson after the final whistle yesterday. You are now free to come up with your caption to this one…

“Oh Arsene, thank you very much for this one too, my kind fella!”

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Wenger: I’m not looking to spend money

Randy Osae — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:51:01 +0000

Arsene Wenger is intending to keep his cheque book closed until the availability of “good players”.

The Arsenal boss claims he is maintaining his miserly approach in transfer market despite constant suggestions by fans, pundits and even fans of rival clubs to add to his declining squad.

The Gunners have now lost three straight games for the first time since 2007 where they lost to Everton, Liverpool and then West Ham in a period from mid-March to mid-April.

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Arsenal’s collapse has come even at an earlier phase this season as consecutive defeats to Fulham, Swansea and Manchester United sees the Gunners five points from a place in the top four and 18 points behind leaders Manchester City.

But despite his side’s obvious need for strengthening due to their current form – along with injuries/suspensions to nearly ten players – Wenger insists he is no hurry to add to his squad during this January transfer window.

“Spending the money is not the target, to buy good players is the target. We need our players back. People are not conscious that we miss 10 players.” Wenger said

“When you see what we created in the second half without [those injured] players, it is important to get the players back.”

“One tactical mistake lost us the game”

Randy Osae — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Arsene Wenger has hinted his regret over the substitution of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The English youngster’s replacement Andrey Arshavin was booed by the Arsenal faithful during his introduction after last week’s discouraging show at Swansea.

That move from the Gunners boss backfired in painful fashion as Manchester United went on to win the game through a goal in which Arshavin was culpable – allowing Valencia the freedom to find Welbeck who scored the late winner.

And after witnessing the disappointment which followed his decision to substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain on Sunday, Wenger did not hide from the truth that he had made a tactical error.

“I feel we were a bit nervous in the first-half but in the second-half we created chances to win the game. We had a great second-half but we were unlucky.” Wenger told Sky Sports

“When it was 1-1 it looked like it would be us to win the game and in the end, one tactical mistake lost us the game”

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