Arsenal have continued the building for the future process by snapping up Moritz Volz from German side Schalke 04. He is supposed to be one of the most promising young players in the German league.
The youngster cost Wenger just £150 000 and had this to say: "I am not just going to London for the money. All hell broke loose when the news got out but determination is an essential part of becoming a professional and that is something I have got."
Sounds like another bright prospect, keep going Arsene!
16/3/99 - Petit future uncertain
Right, This story is not going to go away now, although I don't believe that Manu will go it seems the media will stay with this one.
The latest club to be linked to signing the French world cup winner are Inter Milan. The main links seem to be coming from Italy where numerous clubs as well as Inter have reportedly shown an interest. Petit's dissmisal and his comments that he had had enough with English football have sparked off all this speculation. One thing is for sure Wenger will not be keen at all to part with such a talent and Petit should seriously consider what Arsene Wenger has done for his career before he decides to leave Arsenal. When Petit arrived no one had heard of him, he failed to make an early impact but is now regarded by many as our best player.
15/3/99 - Don't go Manu
The Arsenal players have vowed to get behind Petit after he said he would quit the English game after his sending off (third this season) against Everton. Martin Keown seems to be leading the campaign and had this to say "We'll have a word with him and try and pick him up this week. I'm sure we will be able to talk him around when he feels better. The last thing we want is to lose him and I'd hate to think he's being driven out of English football."
It was reported that Petit said this as he walked down the tunnel at Everton "That is it. I am finished with English football."
Wenger cool, and reassuring as ever had this to say "I am not worried. I don't believe it is a problem for Arsenal. He has just come back after a long lay-off and was a bit rusty. He was penalised for two mistimed tackles and his comments reflect his frustration.
"I certainly will not be fining him because neither tackle was malicious. They were a bit late but it is hard on us to lose him for another three games just when he has come back after injury."
In my opinion both Petit's yellow cards that led to his sending off were a bit harsh, but they were clumsy errors. Let's just hope he doesn't go because to be honest he is one of our most important players.
14/3/99 - Everton duo eyed
Everton, near enough bottom of the league, but we want two of their players. Michael Ball and Don Hutchinson are supposedly being closely watched by Arsenal officials. I doubt anyhting will come of either of them to be honest. Hutchison (midfield) we don't need, but Ball (Left-back) is an under-21 international and might be a good replacement for Lee Dixon. He is also wanted by a host of others including Man U, Spurs, and Liverpool.
14/3/99 - Wenger blasts Rennie
Le boss has blasted the referee yesterday saying: "It was really unlucky for Petit. They weren't what you would call bad fouls," and he's right if you ask me. Petit will miss our game at Blackburn and, more importantly, our semi-final against Man U. It was reported in the papers a few weeks ago that Petit was getting tired of the Premiership because Refs were ganging up on him, let's hope this is not the last straw.
13/3/99 - Everton 0 - 2 Arsenal - we keep on winning but so do Man U (match report)
12/3/99 - New Frenchman targeted
Arsene Wenger is negotiating with the Bordeaux midfielder, Johan Micoud, with a £3M move set to be completed at the end of the season in mind. He is yet to be capped for France but this is only bacause of the quality they already have in this position. He is supposed to an excelent passer and have alot of skill. But do we need another midfielder? I think that if he arrives then Hughes will go, I mean he already has to compete with Ljungberg who seems to have preference as well as Garde and Vivas.
12/3/99 - Prieview Vs Everton
It appears likely after his mid week apperance as a substitute against Sheefield Wednsday, Manu Petit will make his proper return for Arsenal. If Petit plays he is likely to replace Freddy Ljungberg in midfiled.
Martin Keown in near fitness again and Luis Boa Morte is avalible at last for selection. The Gunners have long term injury problems with Garde and Hughes.
12/3/99 - Marseille confirm Anelka interest
Marseille have said they want Anelka for their champions league campaign, but will not get him as they are only offering £11M. "We have good forwards but need more for the Champions League.
"It is true that we are interested in Anelka. I'm ready to go up to £11m and I'll offer him more than he earns now at Arsenal." But Anelka says this:"I'm very flattered but for now I'm happy here." HAHAHAHA maybe £30M and we'll consider it.
9/3/99 - Arsenal 3 - 0 Sheffield Wendnesday (Match report)
11/3/99 - Belgian link up deal close
It has been reported that Arsenal want to expand farther into Europe in a link up deal with Belgian club FC Kapellen. Last year Arsene Wenger arranger a link up deal with St. Etienne, which has already seen the signing of David Grodin take place. This move would involve swapping of youth players with this side who average only 1000 fans per game. This is very good news though as Wenger appears to be very much planning for the future.
11/3/99 - Petit now wanted by Lazio
Ok so a few days ago they denied it but now they're president says he wants Petit for their European bid next season, frankly I don't know whats going on. But one thing is for sure, the reported bid is just £6M for him, an absolutely insultingly low price, they will have to do a lot better if they want Wenger to even consider.
9/3/99 - Wenger backs Parlour for England
Midfielder Ray Parlour has been given full backing by coach Arsene Wenger for a recall to the England side.
Wenger is urging new national coach Kevin Keegan to consider Parlour for the Euro 2000 qualifier against Poland at Wembley on March 27, given the fact that regular midfielders Nicky Butt and Paul Ince are suspended, while David Batty is still out injured.
Parlour has been having a fantastic season on the wing for the Gunners however, Wenger is in no doubt that if Keegan were to select him in central midfield he would not let anyone down.
"I have not spoken to Keegan about him, but if I did I would encourage him to pick Ray. He could do a great job in the central area but for us we do not want to sacrifice him as a wide player."
9/3/99 - Dome move a possibility!
Amazingly it seems that the millenium dome could be the new 80 000 seater home for Arsenal. Originally a stadium was going to be built to boost Englands Olympic bid but Arsenal have refused to rule out the option of playing there.
8/3/99 - Wembley set to stage Semi
Arsenal and Chelsea will meet at Wembley in next month's FA Cup semi-final, providing Chelsea make the last four.
The game would be at the Twin Towers if it is an all-London affair - the replay of the sixth round tie is at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
That match would be played on Monday, April 12 at 7.45 as Wales play England in a Five Nations Rugby Union match at Wembley on the Sunday.
If United win, they will face Arsenal at Villa Park on Sunday April 11 at 12.30pm.
Newcastle will take on either Spurs or Barnsley at Old Trafford on April 11 at either 2pm or 3pm.
8/3/99 - Tuesday Team news vs Sheff Wed
Patrick Vieira is back from suspension but Petit will be out for another couple of weeks. This means that Vieira will probably start along with Ljungberg as Hughes broke his arm against Derby and will be out for a month.
A win tommorow will leave us four points behind United; so if we win it is realistic to say that the title could still be ours.
8/3/99 - Wenger on Anelka
Arsene Wenger has sent Europe's moneybags clubs a blunt reminder that his Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka is not for sale - at any price. Despite being told the Gunners' top scorer is unavailable, Juventus, who have just signed Anelka's French international team-mate Thierry Henry for £11 million, refuse to give up.
Anelka underlined his value to the champions by scoring six of their 11 goals in February to earn the nomination as Carling Footballer of the Month.
Asked if every player has his price Wenger replied: "No. If you have a good bank account and no team, you are a poor club. At the moment we have a normal bank account and a good team, and the target of professional football should be to have a strong side with balanced finances. If you are going to sell any player just for the money at this level, you are going nowhere fast."
"The rest of your squad will get the impression that you are not really ambitious, so it would be sending the wrong signal to part with Anelka. If we wanted to sell we could always pay £30million to buy Gabriel Batistuta as his replacement. That wouldn't be a gamble because everyone knows Batistuta is a world class player. But it means there would be no money left to strengthen other areas of the team."
7/3/99 - Arsenal given hardest cup draw
We have been handed the ominous task of Chelsea or Manchester United in the FA cup semi-final. The draw was made by Peter Beardsley and our game is with out a doubt the tie of the round. Arsenal could now face either arch-rivals Spurs or last years runners up Newcastle in the final, providing we make it there.
7/3/99 - Keown on his way back to Villa?
The latest transfer speculation surrounding the club is reports suggesting that Aston Villa boss John Gregory could make a surprise move for England defnder Martin Keown.
The 32-year-old who left Villa for Everton ten years ago has since gone on to become a regular fixture in the Highbury rear-guard.
With England U-21 ace Matthew Upson patiently waiting in the wings in North London, it is reported Arsene Wenger may be prepared to off-load Keown in order to appease his young deputy, with Villa preparing to step in with a pay deal of £30,000 a week for the veteran.
However, there has been much talk in recent years of the famous Highbury back five being split up and it would take a substantial sum for Wenger to consider selling him.
Apart from Upson the Highbury boss has little quality defensive cover under the age of thirty.
6/3/99 - Seedorf on his way to Highbury?
Clarence Seedorf has once again been linked with a move to the Gunners after a reported fight with a team mate has led to a record £20 000 fine. Wenger has prieveiously stated his admiration of the quality of Seedorf and would probably have signed him in the summer had it not been for a now reduced £12M price tag. Seedorf may also be keen on the move as he would link up with other former Ajax players, Kanu and Overmars. We await development.
6/3/99 - Anelka "gagged" from media
Reports suggest that the club have banned Nicolas Anelka from talking with the press - after his series of embarrassing gaffes.
The Frenchman's stories of unhappiness have alerted the attentions of Juventus and Barcelona, keen to give Anelka a new home away from the capital.
Public outbursts about team mate Marc Overmars have also caused rifts at Highbury.
Now Vice Chairman David Dein has warned the star to clear any future interviews with Arsenal chiefs and barred the player from conducting interviews after his Carling Player of the Month Award.
The club later issued approved quotes from the player and now look certain to shield Anelka from the press.
