M'Vila to Arsenal - "Not True" says Wenger

Reports that Arsenal are "seriously considering" a club record deal for Rennes' French midfielder Yann M'Vila are premature and untrue according to Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger.

Rumours have been growing that not only had Arsenal made signing the highly rated 21 year-old defensive-midfielder a priority, but that the player had told friends that he wants a move to Wenger's side even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.

However, Wenger has countered this speculation by insisting that no such interest exists, no contact has been made and no player is close to signing for Arsenal at the present moment. He said:

''It is not true. There is not any interest at the moment." 

"We have not been in touch with anybody, we have not made any offer to anybody and we are nowhere near to buying anybody at the moment. We are focused on our final game of the season."

That final game of the season is away to West Brom, and a win must be achieved to secure third position in the League and therefore a Champions League spot next season.

Both Tottenham and Newcastle are close behind fighting for a third place finish, all well aware that because of Chelsea's chances of winning the Champions League trophy and therefore automatic qualification for next season, fourth place may not guarantee European football.

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Arsenal Must Focus - Wenger

Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger was quick to praise his side after another valuable victory over Everton, but he also attempted to keep the side grounded, emphasising the importance of the players to stay focussed in order to secure a Champions League place next season.

The Arsenal manager said that despite the desperately poor start to the season, the players have turned it around with hard work and an excellent upsurge in form. He warned against Arsenal from now becoming complacent in their position and encouraged his men continue to work and stay on track for a successful season. He said:

“We were in disarray after the first few games [of the season] and the club needed to be strong to turn it around."

“We did that but there is still a lot of work to do. We need to stay focussed because as soon as you ease off the in the Premier League it’s over for you."

“At the moment you play under pressure and every game is a like a cup final. Six points in two games in two weeks on Merseyside [against Liverpool and Everton] is fantastic. I’m proud of the players."

“We need to keep focussed. We’ve gone through a difficult patch and, if we’ve learned something, it’s to stay humble and focussed and work hard.”

Arsenal are now third in the League table having overtaken Tottenham, who could only manage a draw against Stoke City at White Hart Lane. Wenger's men have now won their last five games, scoring an impressive 18 goals, and it is this form which Arsenal will hope to continue to stay above Tottenham, who have won only one of their last six games.

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Wenger Considering Several Signings

While many will be unwrapping presents and digging into a generous helping of turkey and pudding on Christmas day, Arsenal's devoted manager will meticulously be going over and over in his mind who he should bring in to the London club during the January transfer window. He may not be very good company around the dinner table for the 25th, but come the 1st January, he could well have a vintage Thierry Henry to unwrap, and perhaps even a brand new left back in the form of Wayne Bridge, and the French manager will surely be a lot more satisfied and relaxed going into the new year. He may even be filled with enough festive cheer to spend some money.

Having no recognized left backs in his side at present is a headache cured only by the approaching January transfer window, with the similarly troublesome departures of Marouanne Chamkh and Gervinho to the African Cup of Nations also prompting Wenger to act in the market. He has Christmas day off thanks to Arsenal's boxing day fixture against being moved back to the 27th due to tube strikes, and will put it to good use with a period of thinking time.

His comments yesterday confirmed that he has already established players need to be brought into the club, and that they will most likely be short term loan deals simply to keep the squad strong in the face of current injuries. The thinking time set aside for the Arsenal manager is there for him to ponder on who specifically would be available and suitable for the job at hand. He said:

"It can only be a short-term solution for us because we have bought [Andre] Santos, we have Gibbs, we have [Thomas] Vermaelen who can play there, so we do not need a long-term solution."

"Long-term, I am sticking to Santos and Gibbs, I love both of them because they have a quality I like, which is to attack. I haven't made any enquiry yet [for Wayne Bridge], so for the moment not him or anyone else." 

Manchester City's out of favour left-back, Wayne Bridge has been the one player rumoured as most likely, and as he is not needed at City having played only once this season, and forced to train with the youngsters rather than the first team, it is understandable if he wished to move to Arsenal for some action. However, Wenger has, as he emphasizes, time to decide on exact personnel.

Talk of Wenger attempting to turn back time and re-introduce club legend, Thierry Henry to the adoring Arsenal fans may yet turn into a reality, but again, Wenger needs to think about it and make the decision as to whether it would be beneficial to him to bring back the clubs all-time leading goalscorer to help Robin van Persie with his goal-getting duties. As is known, Henry is currently training with the London side while his current MLS side, the New York Red Bulls enjoy the end of their season. Wenger said yesterday:

"That's why I have Christmas Day off. I have to think about that. Short-term is ideal for us, but I haven't made any enquiry yet. Thierry is not here at the moment. It has never come up in conversation."

"The 1st of January is the vital date for us. We are at the 23rd of December today, so we have seven days to make decisions and I will make a decision in the next seven days on players. I promise you will know." 

While Henry may be a popular option for Arsenal fans, and a big moral boost for the squad, some may prefer to remember the legend as exactly that - a player who was unrivaled in his time with the club, and that is something perhaps in Wenger's mind. Other more expensive options like Lukas Podolski who has also been linked to Arsenal recently would give the side an exceptional boost in quality but would damage Arsenal's bank balance - another thing on Wenger's mind.

Wenger will use Christmas to decide on Arsenal's transfer activity, and whether or not it will be a happy new year will rest upon those decisions. Bridge, Henry, Podolski, with murmurs of the French midfielder Johan Gourcuff being offered to Wenger. Who comes in and how much will be spent will be decided over Christmas dinner at Mr Wenger's house.

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Wenger in the Market for a Full-Back

Arsene Wenger will search the transfer market for a full-back suitable for Arsenal this January in light of the injuries which have blighted the club in that position so far this season.

Injuries to Bacary Sagna, Andres Santos, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkisnon - all full-backs - as well as an injury to Johan Djourou, a centre back whose versatility has been utilized in the full-back position, has forced Wenger's hand.

The Arsenal manager confirmed that if the situation with Kieran Gibbs worsens or does not improve, the likelihood of him delving into the market will increase, confirming that he has already started looking for new recruits, saying on Tuesday:

"It depends now on Gibbs. He sees a specialist again today and if something happens there that he has had a real setback then possibly, yes. It is not a shop, you just take a good opportunity that is on the market when you can. Overall that's what we are doing at the moment. We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back."

Already there are reports that Arsenal have their eye on former Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, who currently plays very sparingly - if not at all - for Manchester City. Arsenal are reportedly lining up a loan move for the 31 year-old English defender who recently had a spell out on loan with Championship side, West Ham United.

Bridge is hardly in the form of his life; he rarely plays with the City first team, having been restricted to only 1 first team appearance in the Carling Cup this season, and he trains with the youngsters rather than the actual squad. While any move for Bridge may be questioned by Arsenal fans, it is an understandably cheap and short term option which takes into account the possible return of the other Arsenal full-backs coming close to recovery.

However, at the present moment, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and perhaps Sebastian Squillaci will be forced to play out of position, with the young midfielder Francis Coquelin, who has been complaining about his lack of use in the first team, also a possibility for Arsenal, but this is a huge inconveniance for the side tactically. Wenger explained:

"It's difficult because first of all we have centre-backs who do not like to play at full-back. We are a team who likes to go forward through the full-backs, so of course, they are in a position where they have to produce different games. That is much more demanding physically."

"That exposes us even more to injuries, so I try to rotate people – one time right-back, one time centre-back. I can use Sebastien Squillaci, I can use Ignasi Miquel, I can use Francis Coquelin. Let's be frank and honest, no solution will be ideal because whatever we do, two players will have to play out of position."

Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Wednesday evening, and a weaker defensive line is likely to be sent out, but because of injuries, and until the January transfer window, it is the only solution.

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Wenger "Will Die With Arsenal"

Arsene Wenger has been with Arsenal for 15 years, managed over 850 games, and won close to 500 of them. He is currently the clubs longest serving manager, and, based on the three Premier League trophies and four FA Cups, the most successful one too. However, as of late, he and his club have been experiencing something of a crisis; a summer in which their best players left, a disastrous start to the season, and the overbearing burden of the unfortunate but all to obvious fact that Arsenal are without a trophy in six years.

The 'crisis' now seems to be over, with the side unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions, with a striker in superb goalscoring form, and despite rumblings over the future of Arsene Wenger because of the aforementioned troubles, former Gunner Robert Pires believes the manager will be at the London club for life.

The retired French midfielder, who played under Wenger through their greatest ever season in which the side remained unbeaten to win the League of 2003/04, suggested he could hardly envisage Arsenal without Wenger and spoke of the so called crisis which rocked the Emirates early in their season:

“I think he will die with Arsenal. He is the same as Ferguson at Manchester United or Guy Roux at Auxerre. He will stay with Arsenal, that is my opinion, because Arsenal need him and he needs Arsenal. C’est l’amour.” 

“It has calmed down now and things are more relaxed for Arsène. In August he lost three important players for the club in Nasri, Clichy and Fabregas and I think that was a shock for Wenger. And for the fans too, of course."

"Every club in England has a period of crisis. At the beginning it was Arsenal and now it is Chelsea. I remember the day after Man Utd had lost 6-1 to City when everyone was saying United were finished. That is football, especially when you play for the big teams.”

Pires joined Spanish side Villarreal after leaving Arsenal in 2006, and recently returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa, but throughout his time away from the club where he played 284 times and scored 84 goals, he has remained in contact with his former manager, and remains close.

Pires' comments will therefore give hope to those Wenger fans worried by his recent ambiguous comments about his future when he said: "We'll look at things at the end of this one [this season]. For me we're now talking short-term, it's obvious."

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Wenger on Mertesacker's Defensive Struggles

Per Mertesacker is gaining a reputation at Arsenal, and so far, it isn't a good one. The German international has found it difficult in England so far and has been caught out on a number of occasions by the pace of the League, making some costly errors at the back which have not gone unnoticed.

This week-end he will have been counting his lucky stars that a man named Robin van Persie exists and plays up front for Arsenal, as he was able to cover up the calamitous blunder which saw Mertesacker gift the ball to Norwich's Steve Morison who gave the Canaries the lead. Van Persie grabbed a double to come from behind and win the three points, but it was another error which has Arsenal worried.

However, Arsene Wenger is well known for his unwavering faith in players whom he believes can improve, and the 27 year-old summer signing is no different. In fact, the French manager believes that he can learn from another defender who took some time to settle in at the Emirates; Laurent Koscielny. Wenger said:

“He had not completely recovered [fromthe internationals]. It is a different game in England, a very demanding gamefor the defender. In every second of the game you arereally tested with full commitment, and it takes some time to adapt." 

“We have seen that with [Laurent]Koscielny, who played at right-back and was exceptional. Last year he would not have delivered this kind ofperformance because you learn that from fighting in every game. That is why itis so difficult to buy defenders from abroad.”

Arsenal have conceded only seven goals in their last 8 matches in all competitions - a vast improvement to the beginning of the season which saw them concede 8 in just one game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The side are improving and growing in confidence with every game, but tightening up at the back and ironing out individual errors would go nicely with the sides recent form to propel them further up the table and add even more consistency to their play.

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Wenger: No New Centre Back Signing Needed

Ten games into the Premier League season, and Arsenal sit in seventh position in the table - 10 points behind the leaders, Manchester City. Other than the obvious difference in the amount of points gathered by both teams, there is one other glaring divide between Arsene Wenger's side and Roberto Mancini's: goals conceded.

It is a fundamental rule of football; if you don't concede, you will not lose, but unfortunately for Arsenal, their defending from the very start of the season has been quite embarrassingly awful. At the Emirates, Wenger's side have conceded an acceptable amount of four goals in five game, but away from home, it has been a whole different story. In just five away matches, the Arsenal defence has conceded an astonishing 17 goals - eight of those coming at Old Trafford.

Compare those figures to the Premier League leaders', who have conceded just two at home and six away, and you can clearly see where Arsenal need improving if they want to at least break into those Champions League places. Tightening up that defence must be a priority for the team if they stand any chance of success this season - especially considering that they have already conceded almost half the amount of goals they did in the whole of last season (they have already let in 21 and allowed the opposition to score 43 last year).

However, Arsene Wenger is confident that the central defenders, who are now all back from varying problems are sufficient enough to help Arsenal to success. He believes that balance at the back is crucial, and he has finally found that balance with Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, with Johan Djourou and Sebastian Squillaci also available if needed. He said:

"The balance is vital. I must say that all the three can play with each other. Koscielny and Vermaelen can play together and Mertesacker can play with Vermaelen and Koscielny. It gives us a bit of an opportunity to rotate a bit when needed and people are tired." 

"Ideally, Vermaelen will play on the left [of the centre-back pair]. But Koscielny can play on the left as well so we have a good potential and balance there. I think that all the three can play at any moment, and we still have Djourou and Squillaci as well."

"People wanted us to buy a centre-back so much and then suddenly you realise we have plenty."

Arsenal fans will probably be hoping that injuries stay away from their back line for a while, with luck in that department very thin on the ground, having seen Vermaelen - a integral part of the defence hampered with injuries for a long, arduous period of time.

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Arsenal In New Jagielka Bid - Wenger Wants Respect

Arsenal's second bid for Phil Jagielka in as many summer transfer windows was once again rejected by Everton, but the Gunners will now apparently make a third bid, and raise the stakes in the hope of coming closer to the Merseyside clubs valuation of the England defender.

Many reports have suggested that Everton would be willing to listen to an offer if it was closer to £20 million, especially as David Moyes knows he must sell before he buys, and Arsene Wenger is now willing to up his £10 million offer for Jagielka.

Wenger has said that he will "certainly" purchase another defender in this window and is working very hard to do so, and his previous bid for the 28 year-old may have been simply a sign of his interest, as he surely could not have imagined a £10 million would be accepted.

According to the Express, the Everton manager would encourage the board to accept a £17 million bid for his star defender, but whether or not Arsenal would offer that much is debatable, especially considering the players age and Wenger's strict policy for younger players.

Wenger refuses as a matter of principle to discuss his targets, because he doesn't wish to sink as low as Barcelona have in attempting to purchase Cesc Fabregas through various comments and gestures.

However, he has also been angered by Manchester City's interest in Samir Nasri, with Roberto Mancini openly discussing his desire for the Frenchman to be a City player, or at the very least giving large hints to the media about it. The Arsenal manager has had enough, and demands some respect be shown to the transfer rules and that the rules be reviewed. When asked whether or not he believes City have broken any rules regarding Samir Nasri, Wenger said:

"I would like to return the question to you. What do you think? We live in a realistic world. I do not want to assess what I cannot prove." 

"I know how things happen. It doesn't necessarily go through the player or the agent but I think it is a rule that has to be reviewed. It's not really respected."

He also commented on the players he has at the club, and who he is prepared to let go. Both Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue have been allowed to talk to other clubs about a move, but everyone else, Wenger continues to "fight" for them to stay:

"How many will leave the club? I said from the start I will fight to keep everybody. Nicklas Bendtner might go and Emmanuel Eboue might go. They can talk to clubs, but the rest I will fight." 

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Wenger Needs A Big Signing

As Arsenal struggle to keep hold of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the club also faces losing out on potential transfer targets, with the latest £10 million bid for Everton's Phil Jagielka being turned down and the young Costa Rican striker, Joel Campbell putting a move to Arsenal on hold.

Gael Clichy has already left the Arsenal door, and slammed it in Wenger's face on the way out by claiming he left so he would have more chance of winning a trophy with Manchester City. It may be considered as a low blow. It may also be considered as the truth; Arsenal's title winning chances have been fading for a while.

In the past six years, the club has no silverware to it's name and has instead come only excruciatingly close. That isn't what players want. Nowadays, football players, especially in their mid twenties, or approaching that age who are ambitious and know that time may not be all on their side, need immediate success. They need to be winning games and winning trophies, as a footballing career, on average, is not very long.

The likes of Manchester United and Manchester City are spending big this summer, and they are able to attract the best players through a few reasons in which Arsenal simply cannot or will not compete in.

First of all, a bigger wage is always more attractive to a footballer. As Arsenal offer Nasri a £115,000 per week deal which would make him their highest earner, Manchester City have offered the same player £45,000 more, and he still wouldn't be close to City's highest weekly wage packet.

However, money is only one small feature of the attraction at clubs like United, City and Chelsea who are willing to pay large sums that Arsenal are not. The main attraction is surely the potential to win trophies and the top class players already at the club who can help achieve that. Arsenal currently face letting their best players go - what message does that send to players subject of interest from Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger must change that view. He must move in the transfer window to bring in a player who can not only help to win trophies at Arsenal, and make the team all around more clinical, but who also has the star attraction for other footballer.

Manchester United have Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Ferdinand, Vidic - all players who are known throughout the world, who many younger players look up to and aspire to be like on the pitch. Even City have their fair share through Yaya Toure and David Silva, and apart from the anomaly Carlos Tevez, who wants to move to a new club every two seasons, the players want to stay as they have a good chance of success.

I believe one big signing for Arsenal could do wonders for the morale of both the team and the fans. It would take pressure off of Wenger, and allow him to continue his job without calls for him to spend a lot of money. If Wenger can get the trouble positions sorted, a big signing of a big player, world renowned would certainly refresh Arsenal's world wide popularity, and perhaps they can look forward to bringing more of the same in, rather than see them leave looking for success.

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Wenger Has Vowed to "Fight" Before - And Lost

Arsene Wenger is facing a miserable transfer window ahead. Top players are likely to leave, including his captain and his player of the season, and despite Wenger's rallying cry and vow to fight to keep those players at Arsenal, it doesn't look as if the French manager can do very much about it. He said:

"Our position is always the same – we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him."

But does it fill Arsenal fans with confidence? I wouldn't think so. Of course Wenger wants to keep the players at Arsenal. Nasri and Fabregas are vital to Arsenal's future success - but if the players want to leave - which they do in both cases, Wenger can do little to stop them.

It is well known that Cesc Fabregas has been waiting patiently and respectfully for his move back home to Barcelona. In the meantime, he has played well as Arsenal's captain - a young man for others around him to look up to - but his mind is very clearly made up about where he wants to be. He wants to be playing with Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, in the sun of Spain, back home winning trophies and thriving on success, rather than failing miserable to carry this Arsenal team to success or any form of silverware for six years.

Nasri meanwhile has apparently "demanded" to be let go from the Arsenal shackles after he discovered like the rest of us that Manchester United had placed a £20 million bid for him. Nasri, in talks with Arsenal has reportedly made it clear of his intentions to leave London in search of silverware, and Manchester United is his favoured destination.

Wenger may be hugely reluctant to let any other players leave for fellow English clubs, competing against Arsenal next year, but it looks as if he will have little choice. His calls to "fight" for the players to stay mean little when it was only a few months ago, in the midst of Arsenal's collapse in the Premier League title race that the Arsenal manager vowed to "fight like mad" to win the Premier League.

Manchester united finished the fight victorious, and with a lot left to spare. It may end up like that again this time round with Nasri. Unless Nasri ends up "doing a Rooney" and signs the improved contract offer Arsenal have now placed on the table of £115,000 a week, then he will either be leaving this summer for £20-25 million or departing next summer for free.

Wenger is unfortunately fighting a losing battle, and one that he knows deep down he will lose. If he can persuade the pair to stay it will arguably be Arsenal's biggest success story since their last trophy back in 2005. If not, Wenger's long rebuilding process will begin again, and he will be hoping that this time it will be a little more fruitful.

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Walcott: Benzema Signing Would be Good - Wenger Knows

While Arsenal prepare for their busy summer, Theo Walcott discussed the possibility of some new additions to the Arsenal side. With Wenger open about the prospect of a summer which involves more transfer activity than usual, naturally, there are more rumours to contend with, one of which is Arsenal's link to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

Wenger has already expressed his interest in Benzema, but the young French striker is unlikely to be looking for a move away from Spain after his successful second season under Jose Mourinho in which he scored 26 goals in all competitions and assisted 9Not only that, but Benzema, who has a long term contract with Madrid would cost Arsenal and Wenger a lot of money - money that, although Wenger probably has, would not be willing to spend. Walcott has heard about these rumours:

"Its always nice to see new additions to the squad but maybe one player will attract more players and keep players." 

"I've heard rumours of Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. Someone like that would help you hold on to your best players, get the crowd on their feet as well."

Meanwhile, as his manager comes under increasing pressure to bring big names to the club, the 23 year-old English winger was quick to defend his transfer policy and past record in the market, citing Thomas Vermaelen as a fantastic signing. It is true, Arsenal missed the Belgian centre back hugely over the season, and will gain a lot of confidence at the back thanks to his recovery and place back in the side. Walcott said:

"The manager knows what he's doing, it's up to him. He brought in Thomas Vermaelen and we've missed him because he's a great signing."

"The boss knows what he's doing and he says he is going to spend so it will be interesting."

Interesting it will be, but it will also be disappointing if Wenger fails to live up to the expectations he gave the Arsenal fans when he said  there would be a busy summer. Arsenal fans want to see some experience, some solidity, some more quality in their team that was lacking in much of this last season where they ended up withering away and finishing in a poor, poor, fourth place for Arsenal's standards.

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Arsene Wenger Watching Real Madrid Ace Karim Benzema

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger cannot hide his interest in Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

The French tactician has confessed his admiration for the 23 year old France international and could move for the striker.

Wenger also revealed admiration for Lille striker Gervinho.

“Benzema? Gervinho? Both are very interesting players. Everyone is always looking to reinforce their attack,” said Wenger yesterday on French radio.

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Wenger intends to spend

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has moved to ease fans' concerns about the club's spending plans, by insisting the Gunners will be busy in the summer transfer market.



Wenger said: "We can't buy players for £50 million. Even if we try to strengthen our team and spend money if needed, that is a fact.



"The market will be hyperactive because everyone believes financial fair play will happen soon," Wenger said, referring to UEFA's plans to limit club spending.



"So we are quickly doing the last buying before the stores will be closed. And for the first time for a while, I will be very active, too."



Despite admitting he will be "very active", Wenger remains unonvinced that the squad needs a major overhaul.



"The club is in a healthy financial situation and we have got the basis of the team but we know we want to be stronger next year," Wenger told French television.



"The fans need to trust us because the club is in a strong position. I share their disappointment because a few weeks ago we were in a position to win the league and in the end we play for qualifying in the Champions League.



"Whether we deserve to come fourth or not, it is the points which count. The team has given a lot this year, we will be active and busy certainly and will try to make the right decisions. We have to take it on the chin and come back stronger next season."



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Arsene Wenger Wants To Strengthen Every Position At Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he plans to strengthen across his team.

He was understandably coy about his plans however it did suggest every area would be scrutinised.

Wenger told arsenal.com : “It is down to availability and quality,”.

“We don’t rule out any position and we don’t target any special position before the transfer market.

“We look to strengthen every year of course. But first we look not to weaken because we want to keep all our players, and then we try to strengthen.

“It’s not about the number [of players], it’s the quality. I don’t want to give out a number [we’ll go for].

He told journalists: “I promise you that if we sign a player we will inform you and when we sell a player we will inform you as well. I would like to keep out of all the other speculation before that.”

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Arsene Wenger Not Ready To Change His Principles

Arsene Wenger has sensationally declared that he will not change his approach, despite defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

The Arsenal manager conceded their title tilt is over after the loss.

The French tactician told arsenal.com: “If you can convince me that the principles are wrong, then I am ready. But I feel we try to play football the proper way. When you don’t win, your principles are questioned. You always have to take the right distance to see what is right and wrong in what you do. I think if something is wrong in our team, it is not the principle of playing our football.

“I am convinced we are a very good footballing side. We have not been stable enough defensively. The numbers are the numbers, we have conceded six goals this week at a moment where you cannot afford to conceded six goals in three games and win the championship. We were too frail defensively during the season.”

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Real Madrid Chasing Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger

Interesting news are out and it has been revealed that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Arsene Wenger’s situation at Arsenal.

The Sunday Mirror has reported that the French tactician is at the top of Real Madrid’s wanted list as they prepare for life without Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho’s controversial reign at the Bernabeu has seen the Portuguese boss openly invite a move back to the English Premier League and that has prompted senior officials inside the Spanish club to review their options if the Special One does move on.

In recent years Arsenal boss Wenger has often been courted by Real when they have been searching for a new coach or facing presidential elections.

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Arsene Wenger To Consider Jens Lehmann For Blackburn Clash

Reports are out claiming that veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could be back playing for Arsenal the next time they step out in the Premier League.

It is said that the 41-year old has a chance to be selected by Arsene Wenger when the Gunners take on Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates on April 2.

The French tactician admitted that a player such as Lehmann could be brought in as the Londoners try to get their season back on track after just one win their last six matches in all competitions.

“I’m not going to make a decision on who I will pick for the next game, we have two weeks to think about it,” Wenger said ahead of the international break this weekend.

“In training Jens Lehmann has looked like a guy who has not been involved for a long time but has kept his body fit.

“He has the basic physical fitness but he needs a bit of decision-making and practice in goal.

“Competition exists in every position and when they player is ready or when I judge better than the player who plays, they play.

“If it is goalkeepers or strikers, it is exactly the same.”

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Wenger and Nasri given bans

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri have both been handed one-match suspensions by UEFA for improper conduct.



The punishments stem from remarks made to the referee by the duo following the Gunners' last-16 Champions League knock out to Barcelona at Camp Nou last month.



Wenger, who will serve a touchline ban, has also been fined €10,000 by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body.



The suspensions will apply to the next UEFA club game for which either man is eligible, while Arsenal have been given three days to appeal the decision.



Uefa said in a statement: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and midfield player Samir Nasri have both been suspended for one UEFA club competition match following charges of improper conduct.



"The Arsenal manager has also been fined 10,000 euros.



"An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision."



Wenger, speaking this afternoon before UEFA's announcement, insisted he had done nothing wrong.



The Arsenal manager said: "If I am punished it will be one of the very few times that I feel I don't deserve it, because I don't feel I did anything wrong.



"I have no chance to speak my mind and I will have to accept it, but frankly I don't feel wrong and you don't feel at ease if you know you have done something wrong.



"This time I am quite relaxed, I don't even listen to what they have to say because I know what I've done and what I have said. I don't feel in this story I will have to be the one to be punished."



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Wenger backs Arsenal's durability

Man United are now a best price 11/10 for the FA Cup after drawing Man City in the semi-finals…



Arsene Wenger is confident of his players' winning mentality despite seeing Arsenal eliminated from a third competitions in the space of a fortnight.



Arsenal lost to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final at the end of February, before losing to Barcelona in the Champions League and Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday.



The losses mean the Gunners are now only in contention for the Premier League and it has been suggested that Wenger's squad is lacking the steel required to win trophies.



Arsenal lie in second place in the league, three points behind leaders United with a game in hand.



Asked about his players' mental strength, though, Wenger retorted: "We still have it. I don't question that.



"It's been very difficult for the players, but they have never shown any sign of weakness mentally. Even on Saturday they have put absolutely every effort in and I can only be proud of how much they did fight.



"The only thing I can say is that I'm ready to give absolutely everything to win the title. Let's hope, and I'm confident we will, but we need now to work to recover.



"I believe we can do it. It's a good test now for us to show we can regroup, show mental strength, togetherness and respond quickly.



"We will have this kind of questioning for the next two, three weeks and we have to show we have an answer to that. We are used to being questioned - and we have to show we are strong enough to deal with that.



"We have a week without midweek games. That's the first time for a long, long time.



"We have steel. I don't question that. We played Wednesday against Leyton Orient, Saturday against Sunderland, Tuesday against Barcelona with 10 men and now against Man United.



"It's been very difficult for the players, but the players have never shown any sign of weakness mentally."



Wenger believes that, even if Arsenal do fail to win the title, they will still have surpassed expectations this season.



"If I listened to everybody then it is a miracle that we are playing for the title with ten games to go," he said.



"Nobody in England believed we could even fight for the top four. The fact we are in the position we are in, I think, deserves a lot of credit."



Arsenal face United on May in what has already been labelled a title showdown, but Wenger said that game would be irrelevant if Arsenal failed to win their games in the interim.



"I believe it will strengthen our resolve at home," he added. "The Man United game is only important if we win our games before that.



"I'm convinced if that game is decisive we will have a good chance to do it at home. But before that it's very important we respond very quickly. We have West Brom on Saturday. I think now what is most important for us is the next game."



Man United are now a best price 11/10 for the FA Cup after drawing Man City in the semi-finals…




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