While Real Madrid might like the chance to see Wenger in charge, would it be reciprocated at Arsenal? i was reading Ian Wright’s column today and he thinks not.

I personally agree with Wrighty when he states:

Mourinho has brilliant tactical ability but also a nose for an argument.

He always seems to be in conflict with his players, opposing managers, fans or the board. The Premier League is where he is happiest. Perhaps over here, the fans understand what he is all about.

But I just do not think he would be suited at Arsenal, who have a history of doing things the right way.

I cannot imagine any Gunners manager celebrating a goal by sliding on his knees in the Emirates technical area.

Equally, I do not think Mourinho will ever get the chance of managing Manchester United for much the same reasons as why he will not manage Arsenal. More here.

I think Ian Wright has some valid points to consider and although there is no doubting The Special One’s ability having won leagues in England, Portugal and Italy and being 7 points ahead of mighty Barcelona, Mourinho wouldn’t gel at Arsenal for the reasons that Wrighty has stated above.

It would be a magnificent feat to win the league in Spain and would certainly cement his success as a great trainer. Sometimes clubs don’t need great trainers, they need someone that understands the players, the fans and the board at the same time. Good luck with you job hunting Jose!

Thierry Henry capped his fairytale return to Arsenal with the winner to sink Leeds.
It was just like the good old days as the Gunners legend, 34, came off the bench to light up the Emirates with his ‘va va voom’ and the only goal of this FA Cup tie.

It was the 227th goal of his stunning Arsenal career. And an emotional Henry admitted: “It’s incredible. I never thought I would play for Arsenal again, let alone score the winner.

“I love this club and I wanted to help out.

“It was an amazing feeling when I scored and hopefully it won’t be the last one.
“I will always remember this night. It’s kind of weird, 15 days ago I came back from holiday in Mexico and it wasn’t the plan to be the hero.

“But it was very important to take that first opportunity because you never know if you are going to get a second and I took it well.”

Henry, who is on loan from New York Red Bulls until the end of February, raced straight into the arms of a delighted Arsene Wenger as he celebrated his 78th-minute strike.

The Gunners boss beamed: “It was a dream comeback, the kind of story you tell young kids about football.

“He was already a legend here but tonight he has added just a bit more to the whole story.

“He is a special player who has seen and done it all yet is still focused, motivated and has an immense desire to do well. That’s what champions are all about.

“There was a lot of pressure on him because he’s a proud guy and he didn’t want to come back and disappoint people.Read the rest on The Sun here.

So, after an amazing fairytale return for the former frontman, everyone seems to be talking of amazing comebacks. With Manchester United bringing Paul Scholes back into action against Manchester City in the FA Cup and now Henry getting in on the act poor old Ian Wright is o so jealous and quite rightly so! These guys face a lot of pressure by coming out of retirement or coming back to their old team and they don’t want to disappoint their fans. Who knows, Thierry Henry may be just the ticket to lift the Gunner’s morale and propel them forward just like the old days!

Robin Van Persie has ordered Arsenal to forget about pretty football.

The Gunners have not won a trophy since 2005 while often being accused of putting style above substance.

And, ahead of their visit to Aston Villa tonight, striker Van Persie said: “Nobody can play beautiful football all the time.

“When that happens I tell our lads ‘If it’s not happening for you, just try to kill off the game so we can move on’.

“I am still a lover of the beautiful game and always will be but I have become more realistic.

“It is too romantic to think that you can win matches by playing beautiful football alone.

“Barcelona are the exception — and I have to admit they and Arsenal are the only teams that I often watch on TV.”

And Van Persie applies his ‘ugly’ rule to his own goals too.

He added: “I have felt more like a centre-forward recently.

“In the beginning I had to get accustomed to the idea, I was not convinced that I could play in this position.

“Since then I have become clear in my mind, and grown into the role. I enjoy scoring more now these days.

“You can see it from my goals — some come about from willpower pure and simple.

“You can see it in my face, ‘OK, the ball’s got to go in no matter how’.

“I used to think about other options when faced with the goal — looking to find team-mates with a clever pass, going for a hook shot or blasting it. More here at The Sun.

With that off Van Persie’s chest, maybe Arsenal can get on and keep up the good record. Who knows, the Dutch scoring machine may have a point and we’ll certainly see if it produces the goods in the coming games!

“What does Arsenal mean? It means class.” Those were the words of Charlie Nicholas ahead of this, a celebration of 125 years of football at the North London club. It is testament to Robin Van Persie then that a crowd who have witnessed Henry and Bergkamp leave mouths agape in years gone by, will have seen few strikes classier than today’s decider at The Emirates.

The control, the power, the ease with which the imperial Dutchman guided home his 70th minute volley was not what most impressed about the goal. That Van Persie had been largely absent in an end to end affair before breaking Blue hearts by striding from anonymity to snatch all three points, shows the Arsenal marksman as more than just that, he is a predator, and one who now looks ready to take his place among the pre-match precession of Henry, Wright and Nicholas himself.

For Everton, the journey will be one as taxing to their legs as it is their morale. David Moyes’ men held out stoically before brilliance denied them. Riding their luck in the first half, they rebuffed the advances of Gervinho, a one time target made unattainable by money, or a lack of. They even managed to curtail Theo Walcott who was a game runner for the scythe passing of former Toffee Mikel Arteta.

Defending has not been Moyes’ problem though, had that cost him the points, it might have been easier to take. Instead the travelling Evertonians watched along with their manager as another ninety minute exposure of their toothless attack painfully played out.

Louis Saha recovered from a thigh strain to be available for the trip, but his minimal impact was clear in one stat: Everton couldn’t muster a single shot on target at The Emirates. More worryingly, it is the second successive game this has happened, a fresh approach in attack is becoming a matter of desperation more than desire. The show of sublime striking at one end was cruel on the goal starved.

It also spared Arsenal from the nil all draw which could have given home fans, longer in tooth, mind of times less fast inside the Highbury library, before a French revolution took hold. The Gunners squandered good chances in the first half, Gervinho and Aaron Ramsey inexplicably neglecting to sort out an easy tap in between them, before the Ivorian slammed a one on one shot straight at Tim Howard.

After Ramsey found room in the box, minutes before the break, to craft a lob over Howard which dropped agonisingly onto the roof of the net Arsene Wenger might have felt it one of those days. His readying of Rosicky and Arshavin on the hour confirmed those fears but, on a day which was all about history in north London, a flying Dutchman proved the future, as well as the past, is orange. The subs sat down and zipped their jackets back up, the victory, and Everton’s fate, was sealed. Original article here

A great game by both sides and it was the brilliance of Arsenal’s Dutch superstar that broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.It was a truly beautiful strike from an awesome pass and Arsenal deserved the win at the Emirates. The Robin Van Persie volley will go down in history for sure!

There were tears from Thierry Henry today as Arsenal unveiled a bronze statue of the club’s record goalscorer outside the Emirates Stadium.
Henry has been immortalised in familiar goalscoring pose, on his knees, fists clenched, as part of the Gunners’ 125th anniversary celebrations.

He’s joined by two further bronze statues, one of boss Herbert Chapman, who is regarded as the founding father of the club’s success from the 1930s, and a third featuring inspirational captain Tony Adams.
As his statue was unveiled, Henry launched into an Oscars style acceptance speech, complete with tears.

The weepy Frenchman said: “I know I don’t show emotions often. Some of the time some of the press used to kill me for not showing emotion.

“But there you go I’m showing emotion right now for the club I love.

“I just wanted to say thanks to my family for being here, my best friends also, my daughter, my mum.”

Henry bagged 226 goals in his time with the Gunners, helping them lift two Premier League titles and the FA Cup twice. Original article here.

It was a nice tribute by a great club to honour someone like Thierry Henry who gave so much to the Gunners. I’m sure the statue will be admired and cherished for years to come.

Arsenal have reportedly made an enquiry about signing Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on loan in January.

Gourcuff has been linked with Arsenal throughout the year and was a target for the Gunners during the summer transfer window.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted back in October that he decided against signing the France international during the summer over concerns about his fitness.

The 25-year-old has struggled for form this season but is still on Wenger’s radar ahead of the transfer window reopening next month, and according to Goal.com, the north London club have approached Lyon about a loan deal.

Arsenal are said to believe they can help revive the career of the playmaker, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Ligue 1 club this season, and according to the report, the player himself is believed to be open to a short-term move in a bid to regain his place in the France squad ahead of next summer’s European Championships – something which backs up a similar report last week.

Gourcuff recently admitted that he was “very, very happy” to learn that Arsenal were showing interest in signing him. Original article here.

Yoann Gourcuff would be a welcome addition to Wenger’s squad and if the player is happy about moving then it’s a good sign as far as I am concerned.

FA general secretary Alex Horne confirmed the possibility of using it yesterday and Arsenal boss Wenger has lent his support to the idea.

When asked when the FA should introduce the technology, the Frenchman said: “The sooner, the better for me.

“The sooner they go further, the better. I have always been a big fan of it and given it every support.

“There are no doubts for me. The concern of course is that the technology can make mistakes but still statistically we will improve a lot.

“Overall we all have memories of when this technology would stop an injustice, so let’s go for it — as quickly as possible.” See original here

So there we have it. If this was used in the last World Cup who knows what would have happened when England played Germany. Frank Lampard’s clear goal would have stood and it might have made all the difference.

Petr Czech seemed to have a nightmare with the Gunners as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-5 at Stamford Bridge.And it was Robin Van Persie who smashed a stunning hat-trick to knock out the blues stone cold.

Van Persie cancelled out Frankie Lampard’s opener before John Terry gave the blues a half-time lead.

But after the break Arsenal were raring to go with Andre Santos levelling the game and then Theo Walcott firing them ahead.

Ex Valencia star Juan Mata held them back with a fantastic long-range effort before Robin Van Persie struck twice in the last five minutes to secure a much needed victory for the Gunners.

It handed Arsenal their first Premier League away win since April and left the home side trailing behind league leaders Manchester City who play Wolves today.

This win spelled misery for the Blues, who have been under siege in the past week.

They have suffered a humiliating defeat at QPR, three red cards, the Terry racism storm, two FA fines and a fan revolt over their stadium plans to boot. Manchester United have also won their game at Everton with a strike by Mexican hotshot Javier Hernández on 19 minutes. This comes as a confidence boost for United after their 6-1 drubbing by noisy neighbours Manchester City.

The injury was confirmed by the French Football Federation and the 28-year-old will be out of action until the new year.

The French Football Federation statement read: “The doctor of the France team, Fabrice Bryand, was informed by Arsenal of a fracture to the right fibula of Bacary Sagna.

“The player (Baccary Sagna) was hurt during the match lost 2-1 by his club against Tottenham on Sunday. The defender will be operated on and is not expected to be available for at least three months.”

This is a great misfortune for the Arsenal and England star who underwent ankle surgery yesterday in London.

Wilshere has yet to play a competitive match this season and the Gunners’ official website said he would be out for 4-5 months.

But the midfielder was told he would be six months before being able to play again, which means a return to football in April at the earliest.

And just a small hiccup in his progress would mean that he wouldn’t be able to participate until the last few weeks of the current season.

Wilshere, 19, said: “I had my surgery and everything went well my ankle is a little sore, but I’m already looking forward to working hard to get in shape and play again ..

“I would also just like to say thanks for the many messages of support I have received from you — the fantastic Arsenal supporters. See you all soon at the Emirates.”

Wilshere, who has suffered the problem for two years, broke down with the problem at the Emirates Cup pre-season match.

After wearing a protective boot, there was no improvement and he was told Friday that he would need surgery – but could be back for Christmas.

Theo Walcott also crocked with a knee problem, is certain to miss tomorrow’s Champions League match against the Greek side Olympiakos.

And the striker, who suffered the problem during the 3-0 win against Bolton, is listed as 50-50 for Sunday’s derby against Spurs, north London.

Olympiakos coach Ernesto Valverde is confident that the Gunners are still a major force in Europe.

He said: “Arsenal is one of the best in Europe and are the favorites at the top of our group.”