Joe Cole will not decide his future until after the World Cup is over. The out-of-contract Chelsea midfielder has attracted interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Man City but it is thought Arsenal are the favourites to sign him

Van Persie has stated that trophies aren’t everything and he would rather play at a better style in football. Here’s what he said.

“I’ve always said that I want to win as many trophies as possible in my career, but not at any price.

“What I am trying to say is that I will work my socks off to get the maximum out of my career, but I won’t move to a club which does not play my style of football.

“Dennis Bergkamp is, in my eyes, still ‘The Master’. The fact that he never won the Champions League, the European Championship or the World Cup does not take anything away from his greatness as a player.

“Of course I love silverware in my football career. But sometimes you can’t rush from A to Z.”

van Persie also prefers the stability at a club like Arsenal, as opposed to the constant change of managers at Real Madrid.

He added: “Van der Vaart has said that, if Arsenal don’t sign him, I’ll have to join him in Madrid.”

“But I don’t think that is for me. Real is a fantastic club but the speed of managers and players coming and going is frightening. It must give them neck ache, looking who is coming in and going out.

“They have this philosophy: You did not win anything this year. There is the door and here is a couple of million to buy you off. Ready for the next purchase.

“I prefer the philosophy of Arsenal and Barcelona.”

Well said Robin,.

In other news, Irish goalkeeper Sean McDermott has signed his first professional contract with the club. I would be interested in seeing how well his goalkeeping skills are. He can either be a David Seaman, or a Fabianski. You really never know with goalkeepers because some games they can just be world class and not catch the ball.

Francis Coquelin could be on his way out to Lorient on loan. I think a loan will be really good for him. He is a great talent and to play in France at a young age could be very helpful to a long career with Arsenal.

Yes it’s true! Arsenal have signed an Irish international goalkeeper called Sean McDermott, but of course in true Arsenal fashion he is only 17 years old. He was actually born in Norway, but has represented the Republic of Ireland at U16 and U17 levels.

It was announced on the official Arsenal website with this statement: Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce young goalkeeper Sean McDermott has signed his first professional contract with the Club.

McDermott (17) was a regular in Steve Bould’s Under-18s goal last season, making 12 appearances to help the team finish top of the FA Academy League Under-18 table.

Everyone at the Club is looking forward to the continued contribution and development of Sean with Arsenal in the forthcoming years.

Well Arsenal have been linked with every available goalkeeper in England and Europe in the last few weeks, but as usual Mr Wenger is keeping everybody guessing……….

He is back, free from injuries and enjoying the best form of his life ahead of the 2010 World Cup Finals. And next season, it will be even better.

Speaking ahead of the South African Competition, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie – who made his comeback from injury against Spurs in the Premiership – was speaking about Arsene Wenger’s remark when the Frenchman said that if not injured, the Dutchman can be as good Lionel Messi.

The Dutchman, 26, explained that he cannot be compared to other top class players unless he goes a long period without suffering any injuries. If he does, he is capable of scoring 30 goals in a season and providing 20 assists to his team mates.

Van Persie also revealed how one of his dreams is to be on the same level of Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, adding how he would rather do it in the immediate future then having to wait a couple of years to fulfill his dream.

In pre-World Cup friendlies, the Arsenal man was on target against Mexico, Ghana and Hungary and is one of the hot favourites to win the top scorer award in South Africa. The Netherlands were drawn in Group E, together with Denmark, Cameroon and Japan.

Van Persie said:

Quote:

Arsene Wenger said at the end of this season, once I’d come back into the team, that people would have been talking about me like Lionel Messi if I had not been injured. I can see what the manager meant when he said those things. But I still think I am not in the same class until I have gone a long period without an injury. And I want to go through next season where I score 30 goals and have 20 assists. Only then I will turn around to the manager and say, ‘Yes boss, you are right’. But I admit that I have a massive desire to get to the level of Messi, Rooney and Ronaldo. And I’d rather do it today than tomorrow.

Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin revealed he supported Barcelona as a child but how he has no intention of leaving Arsenal to join the Spanish giants.

Reports last month suggested that the Russian was considering leaving the North London Club to play for Barcelona next season but speaking to his official website, the 29-year old explained how he didn’t hesitate when he was offered the possibility to join the Gunners and how he is satisfied with everything at the club.

By his standards, the midfielder was very disappointing last season and seemed to suffer badly after his National side failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup Finals.

Never shy to speak about his emotions, the Arsenal man did in fact admit last week how his season was nothing special, describing it as pitiful when speaking to The Sun and in a previous interview, he also explained how manager Arsene Wenger told the players before the summer break that trophies need to be won in the future.

Arshavin said:

Quote:

As a child I supported Barcelona, I do not deny that. Actually I continue to root for Barca in the Spanish championship. As for the English championship, I’ve always liked Arsenal, so when I had an opportunity to join this club, I happily agreed. So I’ve never seen myself as a player of any other English club. Again, I am a Gunner, and I am satisfied with everything.

Jens Lehmann is an optimist when it comes to matters about his old club.

The 40-year-old finally hanged up his gloves last month after 22 long years as a goalkeeper. And despite ending his career at Stuttgart, Arsenal is still fresh in Lehmann’s memory.

The poor form of Manuel Almunia has caused concerns over who should be Wenger’s first choice shot-stopper next season, but Arsenal’s former No. 1 feels his one-time rival looked good enough when he last saw him.

Lehmann admits he missed much of Almunia’s campaign but witnessed the bright side of the Spaniard during the home clash with Barcelona.

Quote:

“To be honest, I did not follow Arsenal that closely but I did see Almunia’s performance against Barcelona and it was absolutely world class for me. But I can’t really judge because I did not see the rest of the season”

Another cause for concern at Arsenal this summer is Cesc Fabrgeas’ future, but Lehmann is certain Wenger will find a replacement should his skipper leave.

[quote]“Of course, it would be a disappointment for the Arsenal fans and the club (if Fabregas was to leave) because he was the main man during recent years but you have to move on as a club and if players want to move, you can’t force them to stay.”

“I think Arsene Wenger will find a good replacement if he leaves – probably some more matured players – and they will be up for the title again.”[quote]

24-летний защитник "Лорьяна" Лоран Косьелни может стать игроком лондонского "Арсенала" еще до начала Чемпионата Мира в ЮАР, который стартует в ближайший уикенд.

Как сообщает Metro.co.uk Косьелни является едва ли не главной трансферной целью "канониров" на период межсезонья. Оборона - самое проблемное место "канониров". Сам футболист не только хочет попробовать свои силы в Англии, но и выступать именно за команду Арсена Венгера.

В данный момент сделка выглядит весьма вероятной. Клуб с "Эмирэйтс" улучшил свое предыдущее предложение за Лорана и теперь готов выложить 8 миллионов фунтов. По слухам, защитник уже согласовал 4-летний контракт с "Арсеналом".

В новом сезоне Косьелни, который имеет 2 паспорта - французский и польский, предстоит стать партнером Томаса Вермалена по центру обороны, ведь Вильям Галлас клуб, наверняка, покинет. Ожидается, что сделка может состояться до конца недели.