Chu-Young poised for Premier League after League Cup goal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that South Korea international Park Chu-Young is ready for the Premier League.

The striker played the full 90 minutes in the Gunners’ 2-1 Carling Cup win over Bolton, grabbing his first goal for the club in the process.

Wenger admits that Chu-Young, who signed from Monaco over the summer, needed to time to adjust to the pace of the English game, and didn’t play to his best in a previous Carling Cup encounter with Shrewsbury, his first live football of the season.

However, after a few more weeks training the 26-year-old is set to give Arsenal a much needed boost in the Premier League.

After a shaky start to the season the goal-scoring exploits of Robin van Persie have helped pick up some valuable points in recent weeks, but Chu-Young’s presence will give the Dutchman some much needed support. Plus with the league out of the question, you can bet on the FA Cup and Carling Cup taking greater priority for Wenger this year as he bids to end his six-year trophy drought.

Speaking after the Bolton game Wenger said: "Compared to the player who played in the first match [against Shrewsbury] where he was a bit inhibited, tonight I felt he played with freedom and has showed what a good player he is."

"He had a very, very good game. His movement was exceptional and his finishing is absolutely fantastic,"

"He is ready to play in league games.

"We want to just keep going and I think it is down to us to change the mind of people," the Frenchman continued.

"We have a good spirit, a good attitude and there is still some room for improvement of course. We are getting better and better."

Vermaelen deal welcome relief for Wenger

The news that Thomas vermaelen has signed a new, long-term contract at Arsenal is a welcome boost for Arsene Wenger after what has been a difficult first two months of the season for the Gunners boss.

Vermaelen's time at the Emirates has been dogged by injury but he showed enough during his first season in the Premier League in 2009-10 to earn a place in the PFA Team of the Season that year and weighed in with eight goals to help the Gunners finish third. Those following the latest football odds will know the side need him to shore up the defence.

He has only managed two Premier League appearances so far this term and Wenger has certainly missed the Belgium international as Arsenal have struggled at the back.
The 8-2 shocker at Manchester United was definitely the low point but other damaging defeats at Blackburn and local rivals Spurs have left many pundits suggesting
they are now the real outsiders among the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and even Newcastle to secure a top-four finish.

But the imminent return of centre-back Vermaelen will come as a welcome relief and is sure to add solidity to a back-line that has leaked far too many goals this season. People who bet Premier Leauge money should bear this in mind.

Vermaelen's long-term commitment is also a shot in the arm for Wenger, who is still hoping Robin van Persie will follow suit and pen a new deal at some point over the next 12 months.



Wenger knows exactly how important he is to his plans and was delighted with the development.

"Our plan is always to sign top-quality players and with Thomas extending his contract, we have done just that," he said.

"Thomas is a special player, who has always made a huge contribution on the pitch and we are looking forward to him being a part of our future at Arsenal Football Club."

Sunday's 2-1 win over Sunderland has lifted the gloom at the Emirates somewhat and, following Vermaelen's new deal, a win in Marseille in the Champions League will raise the mood further.