Report: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland

REPORT

Arsenal could not find a way past a resolute Sunderland defence as they opened the new campaign with a goalless draw.

Van Persie’s replacements Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud failed to score on the latter missing the best chance of the game in what was a frustrating afternoon for the Gunners.

tsinepa - FourFourTwo

tsinepa - FourFourTwo

BYE BYE SONG

Alex Song attended training this morning ahead of Arsenal’s opening game of the season against Sunderland. The Cameroon international will not be playing, however. Arsene Wenger had a meeting with Song and was told that the midfielder is determined to leave, so he has sanctioned the sale.
Song has now collected his personal belongings and told his team mates that he is off. The transfer fee has apparently been agreed at £17 million, and Song has already sorted out his personal terms with Barcelona.
This situation comes about after Wenger heard about Song being offered to a number of top European clubs, Metro reports. Despite having three years left on his contract, Wenger has agreed to the sale in order to bring in a replacement sooner rather than later. The deal for Song should be closely followed by the arrival of Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid on loan.
Wenger may also be ready to re-invest the money on a permanent deal for Yann M’Vila, Lucas Biglia or Etienne Capoue who are all long term targets for the club.
There are rumours that Song did not actually want to leave Arsenal, but Wenger and the club wanted to sell him, either to balance the books or to free up money for other signings. Whatever the truth is, it seems as if Arsenal fans will not see Song play for the club again.

Barcelona Set to Complete £17m Deal to Sign Arsenal Midfielder Alex Song Within 24 Hours

Emirates Stadium star set for Nou Camp move.


Alex Song set for £17m Barca transfer after demanding to leave Arsenal
Alex Song is on his way to Barcelona in a deal worth £17million after telling Arsenal he does not want to stay at the club.
The news comes after manager Arsene Wenger spent the last seven days deflecting questions about the future of the 24-year-old, who is a subject of interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.
SOURCE: Metro
Speculation is certainly growing over Alex Song’s expected move to Barcelona. After Arsene Wenger stated earlier today that the Cameroon international could indeed be set for a Nou Camp move it would appear that the deal is indeed set to be completed.
Having already seen Robin Van Persie leave for Man United Gunners fans will not be pleased to see another first team regular depart this summer. Clearly if Arsenal want to keep hold of Song then they could do so, unlike the Dutch striker the midfielder has three years to run on his contract and therefore there is no imperative to sell the former Bastia man.
Alex Song has grown into a more complete midfielder over the past year and finished the last campaign as the North London club’s top assist-maker. The 24 year old has made 204 appearances for the Gunners since he joined the club seven years ago.
Barcelona have been relatively quiet in the transfer window, their only notable signing thus far being that of Jordi Alba from Valencia. One would have thought that new boss Tito Vilanova would be looking to ring the changes after the Catalan club lost both their La Liga and Champions League crowns last season.

Arsenal out to hijack Liverpool move For real

Arsenal have made a last minute attempt to stall Nuri Sahin’s loan move from Real Madrid to Liverpool as they consider selling Alex Song to Barcelona for £15m, according to the Daily Mail.
The Gunners asked Sahin to delay any move until the future of Song had been resolved, a request which the 23-year-old Turkish international has agreed to. It is believed that Sahin would prefer a move to a club that can offer Champions League football, a lure which Arsene Wenger hopes will sway the midfielder’s mind.
The centre midfield star was considered the best player in the Bundesliga two seasons ago but has failed to adapt in the Spanish capital under Jose Mourinho. After barely featuring in Real Madrid’s triumphant La Liga campaign in the 2011/12 season and a pre-season of playing in a left-back role, it is obvious both player and club are keen to see a loan move. Sahin has five years remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu, and even a ‘sell and buy-back’ clause is included. There is no lack of confidence that the young midfielder can fulfill his potential and play regularly for the Spanish champions in the future.

Wenger Confirms Sahin Interest & Admits Song Could Go

With the summer transfer window in full swing, Football Talk will be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer news throughout the summer. Today, Arsene Wenger discusses Alex Song and Nuri Sahin.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed his interest in Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin and admitted Alex Song could be sold this summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports News at his weekly press conference ahead of this weekends Premier League opener against Sunderland, Wenger was quizzed on whether he would be making any further additions to his squad and also if Song would be sold this summer, to which he replied:

“Both could happen, but my focus is on the Sunderland game (on Saturday).”

Song has been strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona in recent weeks with the Catalans looking to replace the departed Seydou Kieta.

The Cameroon midfielder has been at the Emirates for over seven years and clocked up over 200 appearances for the club but it’s understood boss Arsene Wenger would be open to selling if a suitable offer came in.

Speaking to Arsenal.com later on, Wenger conceded he had not made his mind up on the future of Song, but revealed no bid had been tabled as yet.

“This decision is not made [on Song],”

“No bid has been made and I cannot tell you more.

“I don’t know [about Song] at the moment, my focus is more on tomorrow’s game.”

The Frenchman was then quizzed about reported interest in Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin, who Wenger is believed to be keen to bring in should Song depart, and Wenger confirmed he is tracking the Turkish ace:

“He is one of the players we are following,”

Wenger is quoted as saying on Arsenal.com

So it looks very much like the papers have this one correct, and Wenger is considering selling Song and may very well bring Sahin in to replace him.