Wenger may seek new signings

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted that he is still in the market for a number of new faces ahead of the closure of the transfer window on Friday.

The Frenchman has been uncharacteristically active in the market this summer, bringing in the talented trio of Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud in an apparent u-turn from his traditional policy of promoting from the youth team.

This maybe down to him growing tired of his side’s almost constant failure, which has remarkably seen them fail to lift a trophy for the last seven seasons.

His lack of ambition in the transfer market has often been criticised, most notably by a string of players that have left the Emirates Stadium, complaining that they didn’t believe they had a chance of winning anything in North London.

Despite his activity, he has once again been powerless to stop some of his players heading for the exit in the close season, most notably captain Robin van Persie and talismanic midfielder Alex Song.

The Gunners are still to score since the departure of Van Persie and fell to their second successive goalless draw at Stoke on Sunday, in a game where both sides struggled to create any real chances and the odds betting still puts them as outsiders for the title.

However, the latest sport updates are suggesting that following his side’s average start to the campaign, Wenger will now be looking to bring some fresh faces to the club, but only if they compliment his existing squad.

"I'm pleased with what we've done but I anticipate we will do something and we are still on the market," Wenger told Sky Sports. "It depends on the quality of players who are available. If we can find somebody who can strengthen our squad with the quality we want we will do it in any position."

Arsenal Fire Warning Shots

Do not be fooled by the recent murmurings of unrest in north London; despite not having won the Premier League since the 2003-4 season, Arsenal will be this season’s surprise package and the biggest threat to the Etihad.

Manchester City boss, Roberto Mancini, should fear red this season, but not that of their cross-city rivals, Manchester United, who remain eternally popular with fans placing a football bet.  

As United look to complete the signing of Robin van Persie, Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger, has been astutely recruiting this summer.

In stark contrast to his haphazard approach last season, which saw the last minute panic buys of Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker, following the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the French man has used his cheque book wisely.

Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla, and Oliver Giroud are all fantastic additions to a squad that finished last season so strongly. Wenger has not messed up this time and, with just over two weeks till the transfer deadline closes, the Emirates club have made the soundest purchases of any top flight team.

Podolski has proven his worth at the highest level of football, shining in German colours. Cazorla is a class act who has shone in La Liga with Malaga and Villareal, drawing comparisons with a certain Fabregas. Giroud is a striker who has the muscle and presence that Wenger’s team have lacked in recent years.

Theo Walcott is maturing into a fine winger and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be a year older. The future’s bright, but this year it will be red.

Meanwhile, title hopefuls, Chelsea, have lumped their money on skilful ball players, but not replaced the might of Didier Drogba.

With a style of football that does not suit ‘tikka-takka’ football and an obscene amount of pressure on Roberto Di Matteo, the Blues will plummet this year.

Last year’s runners-up, Manchester United, have done little to bolster an average side – who were lucky to be going into the final game of the season with a chance of winning – and Liverpool are simply nowhere near the level of Manchester City.

For more Arsenal news and opinion, visit the dedicated Gunners page on Bet Victor.

Wenger wants Arsenal title challenge

Arsene Wenger has said that he is ready for his Arsenal side to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.

Anyone checking out the latest Arsenal news will note that the Gunners finished in third place last campaign which when you consider the awful start they had, with the 8-2 defeat to Manchester United as well as other poor performances, it was a good return in the end.

Now though, the Frenchman believes his squad have the capability to not only get off to a good start, but to maintain it throughout the season.

With Wenger showing his intent in the summer transfer window, signing Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Oliver Giroud – the North London side to look to be in good shape. Of course there is still the doubt over where Robin Van Persie will be playing his football come the end of August.

Van Persie was a substitute in the comfortable 4-0 victory over FC Koln over the weekend and he was given the captains armband when he came on. There then is course Jack Wilshere who is set to return from an injury that kept him out of the whole of last campaign.

Podolski seems to have settled in to life at Arsenal very well as he scored a brace against his former club. Those interested in Arsenal betting will certainly be looking at him for a top goalscorer pick this season.

When asked if he thinks he side can end their trophy drought this time out, Wenger said: "We are up for it, and we want to come out of the season and know we have given our best.

"I feel we did that last year, finishing third with the start we had. "The first target is to do as well as we can in every single game and see where we stand at the end of the season, but of course we want to fight for the championship."

Arsenal lost two of their star men last summer as Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas both left the Emirates Stadium. Although the speculation over Van Persie has gone on for a while now, he is still a member of the squad and as it stands Wenger has only strengthened his team.

Their Premier League campaign gets underway with a home tie against Sunderland, which will be a game they will want to take three points from and show they really mean business.

Podolski happy with Arsenal fans

Lukas Podolski was left delighted with how the Arsenal fans reacted to him during the team’s last pre-season friendly against Cologne at the weekend. The summer signing scored two goals against his former club on his Arsenal debut and there is no doubt that the Gunners faithful enjoyed what he had to offer. In fact, he looks set to be a fans favourite from the very beginning. Commenting on the reaction he had, the German international said: “First match and first goals. I was very surprised by the reaction of the Arsenal fans. I heard them chanting my name and it was crazy.” “I have felt part of Arsenal from the first day, to score in my first match was great. I need another two weeks to be fully ready.” Big things are certainly expected of Podolski. Those assessing the football betting markets note how he is a top class striker and one who many think will fit into English football very well. Now, after a flying start, he will want to hit the ground running too. Part of the Arsenal’s fans reaction could have been to do with Robin Van Persie of course. The Dutchman came on for Podolski and got a far less positive reaction. This is after Van Persie said he wouldn’t be signing a new deal at the club as he searched for a move away. However, he is still an Arsenal player at the moment and looks set to be for the start of the new season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants him to stay too, saying: “Robin scored 30 goals last season and you want to keep your best player.” “He was player of the year in England. We want to keep him. I cannot tell you more at the moment because I don’t know more.” “There’s no news on Van Persie. Our fans want him to stay so you can understand they are excited. Anything I could say about Van Persie would be a lie because he’s our player and that’s it.” Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign against Sunderland this weekend with the home crowd set to get fully behind Podolski and this new-look Arsenal team. As for Van Persie, who knows what his involvement will be.

Diaby excited by Arteta partnership

Abou Diaby has hailed fellow Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta and is looking forward to teaming-up with the Spaniard to help the Gunners end their trophy drought.

The French international has had a nightmare couple of seasons due to injury and hasn’t started a Premier League match for almost a year, meaning he could only look on as his team-mates once again failed to win silverware last term.

However, one of the brightest spots of Arsenal’s season was the form of Arteta, who after to signing from Everton on the final day of the summer transfer window, immediately established himself in the North Londoners’ midfield.

His creativity from the centre of the park was one of the main reasons for captain Robin van Persie’s superb season, which saw him comfortably win the golden boot with 30 goals.

With Diaby now back to full fitness, boss Arsene Wenger has even more options in the engine room and punters betting on sports predict the Gunners will enjoy a much smoother start to the season than they endured last year.

Diaby is looking forward to linking-up with the talented Arteta in order to help their side end their trophy drought.

"Mikel is a great player and he showed last season that he is a very important player in our team." Diaby told news sport reporters."I am looking forward to playing next to him.

"I personally prefer to play with three midfielders because I can go forward and I can also defend. I think it is the position that will suit me the best.

"Of course the midfield is different now because we are all different. The most important thing is to bring out singularities into the team to make it better. If we have a mix of all that, it can be a very good thing," he added.

Patience is Key for Wilshere

Jack Wilshere’s injury nightmare is spiralling out of control, with experts and supporters alike wondering if the midfielder will ever reach his top-class standards again.

The talented midfielder, a product of Arsenal’s blooming youth academy, has failed to fully recover from the knee and ankle problems that kept him out of Euro 2012. His expected return date is now October, but cynics on the Betfair football betting website are already wondering if this deadline will be extended.

Wilshere’s injury problems have dogged what promised – and still promises – to be a glittering career. The 20-year-old still has a long future ahead of him, but his recent injury record at such a young age does not bode well, should problems persist.

Having missed a large amount of his four seasons as a full professional, Wilshere didn’t play any part of Arsenal’s 2011/12 campaign. Arsenal and England fans must be praying the youngster can soon return to action, or his career may crash land before it even takes off.

For a young player to have suffered such a long time away from the game is very concerning. His comeback – whenever it does happen – will be closely monitored by Arsenal’s backroom staff. Questions over his fitness will coincide with concerns his playing ability has been hampered by such a long exile.

Wilshere must be careful that he does not lose the standard Arsenal fans expect of him. The road back to full recovery will not stop when he is fully fit; it will take a long time for the England star to regain his sharpness.

Gunners fans must be patient when their prodigal son returns, and not expect immediate results from a player absent from the game for almost 15 months.

Catch up on the other Premier League teams expected to make a splash, next season, on the Betfair website. Liverpool and four other clubs are currently enjoying Olympic upsets, owing to the exit of Uruguay, Switzerland, and Spain.