Arsenal News

By Chris Harris Kieran Gibbs believes that English players are closing the gap on their foreign counterparts when it comes to technical ability.

Robin van Persie claims playing the role of striker is not something that comes naturally to him despite having found the back of the net eight times for Arsenal already this season.

The former Irish midfielder is thus quite aware of the challenge that his charges will face over the next few days across both legs of the game.

Indeed, ahead of the Champions League clash against AZ Alkmaar at Emirates Stadium, coach Ronald Koeman hailed the 26-year-old as the best player in the current Oranje squad.

Arsne Wenger believes that his Arsenal side boast one of the most vibrant attacking forces in the club's history but that they still have some way to go before they can match the calibre of the unbeaten "Invincibles" of the 2003-04 season.

A satisfying dismantling of AZ Alkmaar ensures that we go into the match against Wolves in a rich vein of form and scoring quite freely in the Premier League.

WITH Arsene Wenger recommending Kieran Gibbs to England coach Fabio Capello, we decided to analyse his performance in Arsenal's 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday.

Prem 2009/10 Win Outright: Man City 22/1 Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook has admitted the Blues have lost their way since that stormy Premier League win over Arsenal in August.

As European leagues take a break for a raft of World Cup qualification play-offs and friendlies, the Belgian defender is bullish about the club's title chances.

Prem 2009/10 Win Outright: Arsenal 3/1 Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Eduardo is ready to put Croatia's World Cup disappointment behind him by helping fire Arsenal to both Barclays Premier League and European success.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is to undergo surgery on his injured groin. By Telegraph staff Published: 10:27AM GMT 10 Nov 2009 Setback: Nik Bendtner will require surgery Photo: AP The 21 year-old picked up the injury in last month's 3-0 derby win over Tottenham and had been expected to miss around a month.

Julio Baptista is unlikely to leave Roma during the January transfer window despite limited playing time, according to his agent.

Jens Lehmann turns 40 on Tuesday, but sometimes he still acts like a boy. During this season alone he went to Munich's beerfest without informing his club VfB Stuttgart, had a scuffle on the pitch with Dortmund player Neven Subotic and an argument with a ballboy in Hanover.

Mark Hughes insists Manchester City's current dip in form will prove to be temporary.

Chelsea took a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after beating champions Manchester United 1-0 in Sunday's show piece match.

Prem 2009/10 Win Outright: Arsenal 3/1 Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen claims the Gunners have delivered a clear message to their rivals that they are in the title race for the long haul this season.

Prem To Be in Top 4 Win Outright: Man City 8/11 Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Manchester City captain Kolo Toure would love his brother Yaya to join him at Eastlands after admitting his sibling has had "hard times" at Barcelona.

ARSENAL romped to a 4-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday to move into second place in the English Premier League while Manchester City's hopes of threatening the top four were hit by a fifth consecutive draw.

In recent weeks there has been much talk about the emergence of Abou Diaby in the centre of Arsenala TMs midfield.

Arsenal played stunning, easy on the eye, quick football, which stunned a doughty AZ Alkmaar.