The Australian Telegraph has interviewed the Australian international keeper after their 2-0 friendly defeat to Slovenia, and has got some direct quotes which seems to indicate that it is very very likely to happen after all.

“I need it to happen,” said Schwarzer. “I’ve had a couple of chats with Mark Hughes. It’s delicately poised.

“Who wouldn’t be keen to go to Arsenal? At this stage in my career it’s an amazing opportunity to play at that level and one I really want to take.

“Only time will tell whether that happens or not.”

It seems that Mark Hughes is not at all happy about him leaving Fulham, and Schwarzer was asked if he would go on strike if he was refused the opportunity, and he replied: “I have never sat out a game to prove a point and never would,”

“But it needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

“I’m not sure whether I’ll play for Fulham at the weekend. I’ve got a few little injury problems but we’ll have to wait and see how I pull up when I return to London.”

He then went on to admit that talks had been going on for some time, and he now wanted it sorted out very quickly. “It’s taken a long time and the season’s very close,” he said. “On one hand you understand them not wanting to disrupt too many things but I want things resolved as quickly as possible.”

Томас Вермален полагает, что "Арсенал" может извлечь опыт из своих ошибок и составить серьёзную конкуренцию в борьбе за чемпионский титул.

"Взгляните на все игры, которые мы проиграли, у каждого поражения есть своя история", - сказал бельгиец Arsenal TV online.

"В футболе, очень сложно выступать на высоком уровне в каждой игре - и это именно то, что мы должны делать регулярно".

"Сейчас мы на один год старше, опытнее".

"Я многому научился в прошлом году и надеюсь, что смогу стать лучше".

"Чувствую то же самое давление, что и в прошедшем сезоне. То есть, быть максимально полезным команде, показывать свой лучший уровень футбола и выигрывать трофеи".

"Сейчас единственная разница - так это то, что для меня данный сезон не является дебютным. Хотя иногда второй год бывает тяжелее первого".

"Мы все очень позитивно смотрим в будущее, мы провели хорошую предсезонку, упорно тренировались".

"Мы мотивированы и готовы к первой игре с Ливерпулем".

В свою очередь, одноклубник Вермалена вингер Тео Уолкотт описывает этот сезон как "ключевой" для него и говорит, что настало время сделать шаг вперёд и показать, насколько он может быть хорош.

"Это ключевой сезон для меня", - сказал Уолкотт.

"После разочарования, постигшего меня нынешним летом, я знаю, что должен делать".

"Мне нужно играть как можно больше игр за "Арсенала", из недели в неделю, и показать всем, на что способен".

"Сейчас мне 21 год, настало время сделать шаг вперёд. Я предвкушаю его".

"Я провёл очень хорошую предсезонку, сейчас счастлив снова играть в футбол и хочу показать в этом сезоне, на что я способен. Желаю показать самого себя, расслабиться, наслаждаться и играть в свой футбол".

"Думаю, много людей не видели, чтобы я играл весь полноценный сезон. В предыдущие годы я возлагал на себя много давления, говоря, что не хочу травмироваться и всё в этом духе".

"Но когда что-то идёт не очень хорошо, тебе просто нужно забыть об этом и идти дальше. Это я и буду делать в предстоящем сезоне".

Полузащитник "Арсенала" и сборной Уэльса Аарон Рэмси сможет вернуться на поле после двойного перелома ноги уже в ноябре.
Напомним, что в февральском матче Премьер-Лиги защитник "Стоука" Райан Шаукросс пошел в жесткий отбор мяча у Рэмси и сломал своему противнику 2 кости ноги. В бессознательном состоянии молодой футболист был унесен с поля.

С момента своего прихода на "Эмирэйтс" Рэмси провел 29 матчей за "канониров", продемонстрировав стремительный прогресс. В июне 2008 лондонский клуб заплатил "Кардиффу" 5 миллионов фунтов за Аарона, буквально уведя его из под носа у "Манчестер Юнайтед".

Сейчас 19-летний Рэмси продолжает проходить интенсивный восстановительный курс. Впереди недели упорных тренировок, но конец этому уже виден. Медицинский персонал "Арсенала" считает, что Рэмси будет по силам вернуться к играм за клуб уже через 3 месяца.

"Рэмси вернется в ноябре", - сообщил Арсен Венгер в интервью официальному веб-сайту клуба.

Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia is ready to quit Arsenal with his position as No.1 keeper no longer guaranteed.

It is understood the Spaniard has become increasingly upset at seeing the club linked with several replacements.

Early in the summer, Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood confirmed they had bid for Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer. The clubs were unable to agree a fee and since then Arsene Wenger has reportedly made inquiries about Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Manchester City duo Joe Hart and Shay Given.

Even though Arsenal have failed to make a signing, it has left Almunia, 33, feeling unwanted at the club where he has made 161 appearances – 36 of them last season.

He was seen as so important by Wenger he was made captain in the regular absence of Cesc Fabregas.

But it appears Almunia – who had some indifferent performances last season – is being made something of a scapegoat by Wenger for another disappointing campaign.

Starsport understands Almunia is looking at a move abroad, probably back to Spain.

Theo Walcott has hailed David Beckham for taking him under his wing in the England camp.

The Arsenal winger was shocked to hear that coach Fabio Capello had called time on Beckham's international career on Wednesday night without even telling the former captain in person.

Beckham, 35, is recovering from the Achilles injury that ruled him out of the World Cup but overcame that heartache to join the England set-up in a non-playing capacity.

Despite being denied a fourth World Cup appearance, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star offered plenty of words of wisdom to Walcott over the summer.

And although the 21-year-old ultimately missed out on the World Cup squad, he is grateful for Beckham's support as he aims to inherit the No.7 shirt Beckham made his own during his 115-cap England career.

"David is one of those guys I have so much respect for and any young player growing up should look at him," said Walcott. "He is one of the perfect professionals in the game.

"He's a fantastic, experienced player with so many caps and it's great he wants to pass on his knowledge to help players coming through.
Special player

"David has been that special player who has always been there for me.

"The amount of e-mails he has sent and phone calls he has made to me throughout the summer has been fantastic. His words were very supportive.

"Every time I go away with England, I always sit next to him for dinners.

"And I have kept my e-mails just to wind up my sister, who is quite jealous Becks was in regular touch with me!"

Walcott was taken off at half-time in Wednesday's friendly win over Hungary but played far more positively than he did in England's final World Cup warm-up games against Mexico and Japan, which cost him a ticket to South Africa.

The ex-Southampton trainee feels he is stronger for the experience, though, and is determined to show what he is capable of this season.

"There is a lot more to come from me," Walcott added. "I think a lot of people haven't seen me play throughout a whole season.

"In previous seasons, I've put a lot of pressure on myself, saying I don't want to get injured and things like that.

"This season, I am just going to go out and express myself, enjoy it and show everybody what I can do. I've learned to relax a bit.

"When something doesn't go well, I know you've just got to forget about it and move on to the next one.

Pivotal season

"That's what I'll do this season. I'll try to produce some similar performances to the one against Hungary.

"This is a massive season for me, a pivotal season. After the disappointment of the summer, I know what I must do.

"I need to play as many games as I can for Arsenal - week-in, week-out - and show everyone what I can do. I am 21 now and it is time for me to push on. I am looking forward to the next step.

"Will I ever go close to achieving what Beckham has done? Only time will tell on that one. I have to concentrate on the future."

Arsenal target Mark Schwarzer has spoken of his desire to leave Fulham and move to the Emirates this summer. The Gunners have been linked with Schwarzer heavily during this transfer window and had a £2m bid turned down several weeks ago.

Arsene Wenger was put off by Fulham’s £4m asking price but the 37-year-old goalkeeper has his heart set on the move and is due to hold talks with Mark Hughes when he returns from international duty with Australia. Schwarzer has even rescheduled his flight back to the UK from Slovenia to meet with Hughes and will make it clear he wants to move to Arsenal.

“I need it to happen,” Schwarzer told the Australian Daily Telegraph. “I’ve had a couple of chats with Mark. It’s delicately poised. Who wouldn’t be keen to go to Arsenal?

“At this stage in my career it’s an amazing opportunity to play at that level and one I really want to take. Only time will tell whether that happens or not.”

Despite his eagerness to join the Gunners, Schwarzer has denied he will refuse to play this weekend for Fulham against Bolton, but revealed he may miss the game through injury.

“I have never sat out a game [to prove a point] and never would,” Schwarzer said. “But it needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. I’m not sure whether I’ll play [for Fulham] on the weekend. I’ve got a few little injury problems but we’ll have to wait and see how I pull up when I return to London.”

So the ‘Schwarzer to Arsenal’ transfer gathers pace and it seems highly likely this one will go through shortly. So far, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-wood has confirmed a £2m bid was rejected so we know our interest is concrete, now the player himself has expressed his desire to join, plus the fact we are hardly talking about a huge transfer fee here….it’s £2-£4m, so a compromise at around £3m seems a sensible solution.