Wenger has never re-signed a player during his 13 years in charge at Arsenal but Campbell is set for a surprise return for his former club. Campbell, who last played for Arsenal in the Champions League final in 2006, played the first half of the reserves’ 4-2 win over West Ham.

The 35 year-old has been training at the club’s Hertfordshire base since quitting Notts County last year and has thanked Wenger for giving him another chance. “Arsene Wenger has been an inspiration,” he said. “He has watched me closely after letting me train at Arsenal for nearly two months now.

“He’s not stupid – he wouldn’t have taken me back if he didn’t like what he has seen, and I have worked and worked. I do believe I can contribute. “I really have my confidence and fitness back and I believe I can make a big, big contribution.

original text here at The Telegraph

Chelsea’s 1-0 win, sealed by John Terry’s late header, allowed Ancelotti’s men to open a five-point lead at the top and left his United counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson, once again aggrieved over his side’s treatment at the hands of a referee.

While Ferguson admitted his side now face a tough task in attempting to close the gap on a Chelsea squad that is becoming as rich in confidence as it is in experience, Ancelotti was quick to underline the unexpected vibrancy of Arsenal’s challenge as a reminder of the dangers of complacency.

“If Arsenal win their game in hand, they will be within two points of us,” he said when asked to speculate on whether the title race was now a two-horse affair.

“I think also Arsenal is doing very well.

“A five-point lead is important, but at the same time, not so important. We have 30 points in 12 matches but we know the season is very long. We have to stay focused.”

Chelsea fans’ optimism that Ancelotti could emulate Jose Mourinho in wresting the Premier League trophy away from Old Trafford will have been encouraged by the fact that, three months into his first season in England, the Italian has now master-minded wins over both United and Liverpool.

more here at eurosport

FEW Gunners fans need reminding that the past four years have been pretty barren as far as silverware goes.

And there has been little to suggest this summer that manager Arsene Wenger is ready to ditch his policy of nurturing young talent in favour of buying league-winning superstars.

The Frenchman even admits one fan described last season to him as a “disaster”.

But he has moved to dispel the doom by claiming that despite the lack of big arrivals – and the departures of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City – the bare minimum is success both at home and in Europe.

Wenger said: “What is acceptable anymore? With Arsenal, acceptable means winning the championship and the Champions League.

full story here at the london paper

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Kolo Toure could leave Arsenal as talks continue over a possible move by the Ivory Coast defender to Manchester City.

Toure played for Arsenal on Monday night in a pre-season friendly in Hungary but could move to City in a £15 million transfer later this week. Wenger said the next 24 hours will be decisive.

He told Arsenal TV: “We will see what’s happening in the next 24 hours, nothing is decided yet. We have seven centre-backs and I am in the position where I have to play some in midfield but of course Kolo is a very good player and we will see what will happen in the next 24 hours.”

original source: eurosport