Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was visibly delighted with the performance away at Birmingham on Saturday as the Gunners consolidated third place in the table.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, the midfielder declared the Christmas period would have been better had the Gunners kept the lead against Wigan on Wednesday and managed to get all three points adding it is a very difficult period of the season and how the players are quiet fit going into the busy month of January.

Asked about the 0-3 win against Brum, the 23-year old confessed the players were a little bit nervous after failing to score the second goal but also how the defensive department played a very solid game allowing the home side to be dangerous only once with Fabregas referring to Roger Johnson’s chance.

Asked about new year’s resolutions, the Spaniard replied with a smile saying how he has none but has two important wishes for himself and the Club: to stay injury free and lift trophies for Arsenal.

After Birmingham, Fabregas said:

Quote:

[The Christmas period] could have been better but it’s not bad, not bad at all. We know it’s a very difficult period, some games were cancelled which meant we had a bit more rest, but more games [are coming] in the future. We have to be ready for it, but at the moment we look quite fit. We knew that [today] we were creating many many chances, playing well but when you don’t score the second and third you become a little more nervous. But we did quiet well, defensively we were very good, they only had one chance that I can remember. We have a unique style of play, always want to go forward and create chances and play one-twos, sometimes maybe a little bit too much but that’s the way we were taught to play football and we like it this way. I have a wish [for 2011]. No more injuries and being able to lift trophies for Arsenal, that’s all I wish.

Arsène Wenger has said once again that it is a real boost to be playing most of the remaining big teams this season at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger is relieved to have got trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Eastlands out of the way.

Arsenal have lost some surprising games at home this season, but will take confidence from their recent win over Chelsea when they play Man City this Wednesday.

Wenger explained: "We have played 20 games, with 11 away and nine at home. We have a good opportunity to take advantage of the number of games we have to play at home, especially against the big teams.

"It is a big game [against City]. We have known since the start of December that the games at home against the big sides will have a big impact on the league. We started well with Chelsea and I think that win lifted the team and we can go into the Manchester City game with confidence.

"We are in a race where every game becomes important. You cannot choose your games. We have learnt two things since the start of the season: the most consistent team will win it and you can drop points anywhere. West Brom, who are in the second half of the table, play outstanding football and that has changed in the Premier League."

It has been reported from various sources in the English and German press that Per Mertesacker will be sold in January, if a figure near the £10million mark is bid. Arsenal have entered with an initial bid of £8.5million to prise the 26 year old international away from Werder Bremen, however today it has emerged that Liverpool are trying to hi-jack our attempts, by bidding £10million. We do have time on our side, as before a Merseyside deal can be concluded they will have to sell Daniel Agger, to fund a move.


The report seems to have a lot of credibility as according to ‘The Goon Blog’ we have one transfer target this month, who is German, and insiders will tell you that although Wenger says he is publicly happy with his centre backs, he does want one more. Seeing our recent defensive performances a GOOD centre back is vital to our league success. We simply cannot rely on Squillachi to be the rock in our defence, Djourou is a top quality player but he cannot play back to back games and Koscienly, although very good one on one, needs to work harder before becoming a good centre back for Arsenal. However just a imagine a defence of Djourou and Mertesacker in the Arsenal back line! Now that would scare annoying attackers like Kevin Davies…

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is looking forward to the midweek clash with Manchester City after beating Birmingham.

The Gunners had beaten City 3-0 at Eastlands earlier in the season - but with City hitting their straps, this game is expected to be far closer.

Van Persie said:"It is a big game.

"Man City has a great side and we have a great side as well so it's game on"

The Dutchman was heavily involved in the Birmingham game - which Arsenal won 3-0 - and not for all the right reasons. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season via a deflected free-kick but Alex McLeish's men felt he had dived to win the free-kick in the the first place.

They also claimed that Van Persie had handled the ball in the area - which should have led to a penalty. When asked later about the incident, the Gunners forward skirted the issue, saying: "I can't remember that, sorry."

He was however adamant that he had been fouled for the free-kick that led to Arsenal's opener.

"No [I wasn't surprised the free-kick was awarded], not really, because there was contact before the moment, and I went down. In my opinion it's a clear free-kick."

Overall, it was very impressive performance against a side that had held league leaders Manchester United to a 1-1 draw just three days ago," said Van Persie

Very impressive in my opinion," he added. "Birmingham is a great side, they work unbelievably hard and they've got points from big games.

"We knew that before the game, that's why we had to be at this level, and I think everyone worked quite hard for each other and we got some good goals."

Meanwhile, team-mate Samir Nasri who scored his 13th goal of the season revealed his confidence was sky-high at the moment.

Nasri said "I think this season I had a normal pre-season [without injury].

"My partners make me in a good position, and then I can score and I have a lot of confidence so I try and take my chance and I'm confident at the moment and it's good for the team."

Arsenal are looking in good shape at the moment with no major injury concerns. If they can do the double over Manchester City, it would put them in a great position to launch a serious title challenge this season.

Итальянский "Кьево" добавился к числу команд, которые желают видеть в своем составе форварда лондонского "Арсенала" Карлоса Велу.

Напомним, что "канониры" намерены отдать мексиканца в аренду до конца нынешнего сезона. Основным претендентом на Велу считается испанская "Валенсия", однако веронский клуб готов к борьбе за футболиста со столь солидным конкурентом.

Действующий контракт Велы с "Арсеналом" рассчитан до 2015 года, поэтому лондонцы пока не хотят продавать нападающего, предпочитая расстаться с ним лишь на некоторое время.

Лондонский "Арсенал" рассчитывает уже в январе усилиться уругвайским нападающим "Аякса" Луисом Суаресом.

"Канониры" готовы заплатить за 23-летнего форварда 29 млн евро. Отметим, что в услугах Суареса помимо "Арсенала" заинтересованы многие европейские гранды, включая "Манчестер Юнайтед", "Реал" и миланский "Интер". Сам же футболист признался, что хочет продолжить карьеру в испанской Примере.