Arsenal Agree £10.9million Striker Signing

Arsenal have had a £10.9 million bid for Koln's German international striker, Lukas Podolski accepted according to the Mail.

The 26 year-old, whose contract with his current Bundesliga side expires in 2013 and has been actively pursuing a move away from Germany for the good of his career has apparently agreed a four year deal with Arsenal worth £100,000 per week and will join Wenger's squad at the end of the current season.

The striker, who has cored 16 goals in 20 League games this season for Koln, has been linked to a number of clubs of late, with big monetary deals supposedly in the offing for him to gobble up, but Podolski recently stated a move would not be for the money: "Money is not the most important thing for me. What is crucial is the development of my game."

Coincidentally, Arsenal would not be able to compete with clubs with backing from billionaire owners willing to spend huge amounts on players wages, which suggests Podolski has had his heart set on a move to Arsenal. This notion has indeed been supported by a current member of the Arsenal squad, who has played with Podolski in the German national team - Per Mertesacker.

The Arsenal defender explained that Podolski has been in contact and has been eager to find out about Arsenal, saying: “He has been very interested in the past few weeks and has sent me a number of text messages. I’ve told him that this is a great place to work and that Arsenal are an amazing club. Nothing has been agreed on yet, though, and Lukas hasn’t given me a ring yet."

Perhaps Mertesacker's praise of Arsenal tipped the balance in Arsenal's favour in terms of persuading Podolski to Arsenal. If reports are true and the left footed striker is on his way to the Emirates at the end of the season, it will certainly boost Robin van Persie's cause as well as adding a reliability and power to the Arsenal attack which is crucial to the sides progress.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Arsenal Earn Respect & Restore Pride

Officially, Arsenal's aim going into the second leg of their Champions League knock-out round tie against AC Milan was of course, to overturn the four goal deficit suffered last month at the San Siro and progress into the next stage. Realistically however, few people believed it would happen or considered it even possible. On Tuesday night, that notion was painfully close to being shattered by a roaring Arsenal side, out to prove a point and earn some respect.

Having been blown away by Milan just a few weeks ago, with the Arsenal display described harshly but accurately as a "disaster" by even there own very supportive manager, an inevitable wave of whispers regarding a comeback of epic proportions began to circle. At first they were said tongue firmly in cheek, but as the second leg grew closer, and rallying cries were delivered, Arsenal began to grasp a "good feeling" about the tie.

Wenger himself claimed to have a "gut feeling" about Arsenal's possible success despite the monumental challenge they faced, and on the night, it was the minuteness of the expectations placed upon Arsenal which helped them so greatly in releasing the shackles and going after the seven time European Champions.

As soon as the first whistle blew, the men in red were after the Italians with the tenacity and determination that they lacked so evidently in Milan during the first leg. Often, this positive and dogged attitude can count for nothing in football, especially with a four goal disadvantage to overcome, but in this case, the early first goal was exactly what was required. Laurent Koscielny's header set up the rest of the game to be a memorable one.

The Arsenal players celebrated quietly, mentally boosted by the opportunity which had so generously presented itself - the opening goal, an early framework to build upon and most importantly, the small glimmering possibility of a way back into this all but lost tie. Indeed, when Tomas Rosicky managed to drive the second goal past the Milan goalkeeper, the Gunners were halfway in achieving their goal, as unbelieving eyes across Europe watched in an impressed and questionable glare as to whether the comeback was really possible.

It most certainly was possible, and it was unfair on Arsenal to think that it wasn't, so when the home side won a penalty, which Robin van Persie so reliably converted before half time, Arsenal fans had finally taken their tongue out of their cheeks and begun to believe that this epic comeback could and would happen. It didn't, but the effort and passion that the Arsenal players showed to fight back as they did was to anyone, quite admirable, especially when their chances had been dismissed before a ball had been kicked.

While it may not be a very meaty or meaningful consolation to a club which has gone around seven years without a trophy, they can take great solace in such an improved performance in their final European game of the season, as well as their recent impressive domestic form. Perhaps if Arsenal had played this well in the first leg, the desperation and panic would not have been present in the second, and perhaps Arsenal would be through to the next stage, but that is not giving this performance enough credit.

Arsenal go out pained with the knowledge of leaving once again, empty handed, but full with the knowledge that they defeated the seven time winners and possibly the future European Champions by an incredibly impressive three goals to nothing, and only one or two kicks of a ball away from a previously thought of impossible victory.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Watch Goals: Arsenal 3 - 0 AC Milan

Arsenal's 'mission impossible' proved to be far more possible to complete than many had originally anticipated thanks to a fantastic display against Milan at the Emirates in the second leg of their Champions League knock-out round.

Goals from Laurent Koscielny and Tomas Rosiscky as well as a Robin van Persie penalty all in a first half display of huge courage and determination, gave Arsenal huge hope that this incredibly difficult challenge of overcoming a four goal deficit from the first leg could be done.

Unfortunately, the second half was far less succesful, with Milan finally awakening from a temporary slumber of complacency, and controlling the game in a far more composed manner than which they displayed earlier in the game. Watch the goals below:

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Arsenal may Play 6 Strikers vs Milan

To many, overturning the four goal deficit carried over the first leg in Italy seems an impossibility for Arsenal to achieve against AC Milan. Few teams could even contemplate scoring at least five against the seven time European Cup winners inside 90 minutes, but Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will dare to dream.

There is one overwhelmingly expected outcome for Tuesday nights game at the Emirates, but with a "gut feeling" and nothing to lose, Arsene Wenger will send an Arsenal team out to battle with the order to attack relentlessly and at least come some way to scraping back some dignity in Europe after their abysmal showing at the San Siro last month.

Wenger's injury problems in midfield have left him with just two fit players available in the middle, but it also leaves him with little option but to fill in the blanks with forward thinking, attacking players with an eye for goal. Wenger describes his situation as one in which he has "no choice" with and therefore can take the risk of playing a very attacking formation despite being up against such a potent attacking force in the form of Milan. Wenger said:

"Basically, I have only two midfielders fit, that is Alex Song and Tomas Rosicky, which means we have to play with four strikers."

“I can play six strikers if I want. I have enough strikers. I can take a risk because I have no choice. Even if they should score, we have to ignore it and continue going. We have to gamble a bit and go forwards, opening ourselves up a bit."

Opening up at the back and allowing vulnerability against a side with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Kevin Prince-Boetang is hardly the ideal tactic for such an important game in such a prestigious tournament, but as Wenger says, his side have little choice in matters. Either Arsenal go out of the competition without a fight, or they battle the Italians in London until the very end, and squeeze as much pride and joy from the situation as they can.

Indeed, Wenger has a gut feeling which despite meaning little and doing nothing to fill Arsenal fans with a considerable or meaningful amount confidence and positivity heading into the game does suggest the positive mentality in the Arsenal camp. A mentality of underdogs of whom many are expecting very little from them which could certainly work in Arsenal's favour. He said:

"I have a gut feeling they can do it and my job until kick-off is to convince them they can do it. In the last two home games against Tottenham and Blackburn we scored 12. There is a real possibility.”

Those worried that Wenger is all talk and will leave the clubs top scorer and in form captain, Robin van Persie on the bench in order to spare his energy for upcoming Premier League games can put their minds to ease, with Wenger's recognition of possible hypocrisy. “It would not be very credible to tell you we want to score five goals and then leave Van Persie out,” he said.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Wilshere Back in Arsenal Training Very Soon

Arsenal are hoping and perhaps expecting that Jack Wilshere will play a part in Arsenal's improving Premier League campaign before the end of the season having been boosted by the latest scan results on the midfielders troubled ankle.

The 20 year-old has played absolutely no part in Arsenal's season so far due to the stress fracture he suffered before the footballing year began and the persistent and most unfortunate set-backs he unexpectedly suffered as a result of the recovering injury.

However, Arsene Wenger has revealed that Wilshere is hoping to be back before the end of the season having received positive information regarding his rehabilitation and the state of his ankle from doctors.

While the Arsenal manager warned that a cautious approach will be taken with the young English midfielder, he did admit that the player is most certainly on his way back. Wenger said:

“The last scan was good and he can start to jog, so he is on the way back. We have to be very cautious with him, though I hope to have him back by the end of the season. We go step by step.”

He may not be back in full, competitive training just yet, Wilshere is starting to train on the ankle once again which is progress in itself. Having worked hard to stay fit all season without any game time, Wenger will slowly work him back into first team action without aggravating the previous problem or piling too much pressure on the youngster too early on in his return.

Sooner or later, Wilshere will return which is a huge bonus for Arsenal's push to secure a top four spot which is looking increasingly likely with their closest competitors Chelsea only recently parting company with their manager.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Villas-Boas Sacked as Chelsea Look to Guardiola

The list of former Chelsea managers grew another famous name longer today with news that Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with the club, less than nine months after being appointed in the incredibly challenging role of pleasing the expectant billionaire Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich.

Villas-Boas, who cost Chelsea £13.3 million to buy out his FC Porto contract last year, managed just 40 games with a 47.50 win percentage compared with the impressive 88.24 win percentage he managed at Porto. Chelsea's poor form has left them in fifth place - three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Roberto Di Matteo, who was Villas-Boas' assistant manager for his short time in charge will take the role of interim caretaker manager until the end of the season as the Chelsea board attempt to persuade a new name to the Chelsea dugout to take charge of a troubled Chelsea side.

Already, Abramovich has apparently set his sights on Barcelona's hugely successful manager, Pep Guardiola who is yet to commit his future with the current La Liga and European Champions. Abramovich is well known for his dogged desire to see his Chelsea side lift the European Cup, with no manager since his takeover managing the achievement, but 41 year-old Guardiola has already won the illustrious trophy twice in his short managerial career.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who famously won the Champions League in his first season with the club reportedly had a 5 hour interview earlier in the week with the Chelsea board. However, discussions fell through due to Chelsea's desire to have the Spaniard until the end of the season which was in conflict with Benitez's demands for a contract of at least two years.

There had also been talks of Villas-Boas being sacked before the week-end, but to give the young manager one last chance, he was allowed to lead the side into the game against West Bromwich Albion. Having lost the game by a single goal which meant the side were left in fifth place in the table, the decision was taken to part company, with Chelsea saying in a club statement:

"The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early. Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season."

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball    

Watch Goals: Van Persie Double vs Liverpool

Arsenal made an impressive comeback at Anfield against Liverpool in the early kick off thanks to someone very familiar to the Arsenal score sheet this season, Robin van Persie.

The Arsenal captain managed to haul Arsenal back into the game having seen his side concede an own goal through Laurent Koscielny in the 23rd minute, scoring a diving header seven minutes later from a Bacary Sagna cross. He then won the game in injury time with a stunning volley at Reina's near post to the delight of the travelling Arsenal fans. Watch the goals below:

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball