AC Milan Blog

Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for Gael Clichy.

The News of the World says Clichy is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season with both AC Milan and Real Madrid ready to pounce.

Clichy has two years left on the contract he signed two years ago and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is considering cashing in on the 23 year old French left-back.

Last summer, Real Madrid were reportedly prepared to pay £16 million for Clichy.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects the three Premiership clubs to progress from this round of Champions League games.

Manchester United defeated AC Milan 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League clash last night, and Arsenal manger Wenger believes the English trio will all be in the draw for the next round.

"I expect the three English teams to go through, yes, but I'm not a fool. I know that it will be difficult for all the three teams," he said.

"Maybe Man United have a small advantage over Milan, but in the other two games it will be very tight."

AC Milan are eyeing a move for Arsenal defender William Gallas.

Gallas faces leaving the Gunners in the summer as manager Arsene Wenger will not meet his demands for a new two-year contract.

The Daily Star Sunday says Milan are ready to pounce for the Frenchman.

Only this week, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted the days of spending big on transfers were over for the Italian giants.

AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini wants to beat Champions League opponents Manchester United and eventually meet Arsenal in the final.

Flamini is not only keen to beat United, he is desperate for a dream final against the Gunners.

“I still have many friends at Arsenal and I talk to them a lot. Especially Cesc Fabregas who is a very special player. I would love to play against him – and them – in the final in Madrid.

“When I left it was a great opportunity to play for one of the biggest teams in the world.

“But I will never forget my time with Arsenal. Arsene Wenger developed me as a player and I will always be in his debt.

“Arsenal are in my heart – and will be in my heart for ever. But I’m very ­happy at Milan now.”

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira admits his move to Arsenal almost never happened.

Vieira signed for £3.5million from AC Milan and became the first building block in Arsene Wenger's quest to lead his new side into an exciting new era.

But first there was that glimpse back into the past, from where Adams set the example for Vieira to follow.

"I'd often run into Arsene in the stands in Milan," Vieira told the News of the World.

"In a way, we were both spectators who were not doing very much. His season at Nagoya finished in October, he knew he was going to join Arsenal and I was hardly ever in the AC Milan team. So he asked if I was interested in moving.

"I was supposed to sign for Ajax, who were beginning to lose the players that had won them the Champions League two years earlier.

"I only found out recently that the Ajax deal didn't go through simply because of agents' fees. It's funny how a career can swing on such a detail.

"So anyway, - I ended up signing for Arsenal. I was completely out of my depth and didn't know what was happening.

"The first thing that happened was on one of my first days when Tony Adams started talking to everyone in the changing room.

"I could see that there was a lot of emotion among the players but I didn't understand a word and I wondered what on earth was happening.

"I learned later in the day that Tony Adams was, in fact, telling everyone that he was an alcoholic."

 
Check out the latest episode of 'Gunner Talk' as fans plead for a new striker, welcome back Sol Campbell and send a message to Chelsea captain John Terry:

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira admits his move to Arsenal almost never happened.

Vieira signed for £3.5million from AC Milan and became the first building block in Arsene Wenger's quest to lead his new side into an exciting new era.

But first there was that glimpse back into the past, from where Adams set the example for Vieira to follow.

"I'd often run into Arsene in the stands in Milan," Vieira told the News of the World.

"In a way, we were both spectators who were not doing very much. His season at Nagoya finished in October, he knew he was going to join Arsenal and I was hardly ever in the AC Milan team. So he asked if I was interested in moving.

"I was supposed to sign for Ajax, who were beginning to lose the players that had won them the Champions League two years earlier.

"I only found out recently that the Ajax deal didn't go through simply because of agents' fees. It's funny how a career can swing on such a detail.

"So anyway, - I ended up signing for Arsenal. I was completely out of my depth and didn't know what was happening.

"The first thing that happened was on one of my first days when Tony Adams started talking to everyone in the changing room.

"I could see that there was a lot of emotion among the players but I didn't understand a word and I wondered what on earth was happening.

"I learned later in the day that Tony Adams was, in fact, telling everyone that he was an alcoholic."

 
Check out the latest episode of 'Gunner Talk' as fans plead for a new striker, welcome back Sol Campbell and send a message to Chelsea captain John Terry:

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is coming under pressure to satisfy fans and make a plunge in the winter transfer market.

The Mirror says Wenger has just three days left and has resisted moving into the transfer market even though the board have told him there is money to spend.

The club’s hierarchy - major shareholder, US tycoon Stan Kroenke is expected at Arsenal this weekend - know that shareholders will be appeased if Wenger does a deal at the last minute with a striker and centre half on his shopping list.

Arsenal bid £10million for Fulham Chris Smalling but were outbid by Manchester United.

While AC Milan yesterday insisted that Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar was going nowhere after Arsenal were rumoured to be interested.

Manchester City are going for AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

The Sun says French international Flamini is looking to revive his career having fallen out of favour at AC Milan.

The midfielder was offered to the Gunners but boss Arsene Wenger snubbed the deal.

Yet City chief Roberto Mancini believes the tough-tackling Flamini, 25, can do an important job for him at Eastlands.

Mancini's move for Flamini raises questions about Vieira's role at City, where he has been handed a £130,000-a-week contract for the rest of the season after signing on a free transfer from Inter Milan.

Vieira, 33, has been struggling with injury but Mancini feels he will be a huge influence in the dressing room.

Flamini, 25, succeeded Vieira at the heart of the Arsenal midfield before signing for AC Milan as a free agent in 2008 on a £90,000-a-week deal.

He is unhappy though at being played out of position at full-back.

Mancini wants Flamini on loan for the rest of the season with the option of a permanent deal.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed interest from Celtic in defender Philippe Senderos.

The Swiss defender, 24, almost joined Everton in the summer having spent last season on loan at AC Milan.

Wenger revealed: "There is an interest from Celtic, yes. It may happen.

"We have Sol Campbell and we have four centre-backs.

"Philippe needs to play. He has not played for a long time and he needs to if he wants to go to the World Cup."

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has told BBC Sport that he wants a permanent move away from the Emirates.
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The 24-year-old centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal, and has only made only two appearances in the League Cup this season.

"I want to go, I want and need to be playing ahead of the World Cup," said the Switzerland international, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan.

"I don't want to play in the reserves, I just want to go," he added.

Senderos revealed he has already had contact with clubs in England and abroad but said he has no preference where he moves.

He expects to hear more about his future in the next couple of weeks.

 
Click here for more Arsenal news and comment from Arsene Wenger

Tottenham are making a surprise move for AC Milan's former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.
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The Daily Mail says Flamini has struggled to command a regular place with AC Milan this season and has been asked to play out of position at full-back.

Reports in Italy suggest Tottenham have made enquiries about the talented midfielder - with manager Harry Redknapp ready to bring him to White Hart Lane.

Flamini produced the best form of his career playing for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger was desperate to keep him, but he ended up leaving on a free transfer.

Flamini has not ruled out a return to England and is determined to show his best form playing in his favoured midfield position. Flamini said: "I don't want to play as a full-back, I am a midfielder."

Blackburn Rovers are interested in Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

The Daily Star says Senderos, 24, has fallen out of favour with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, having spent all last season on loan at AC Milan and only featuring twice for the Gunners this season – with the kids in the Carling Cup.

Everton – who failed with a £3m bid for Senderos in the summer – Blackburn, and Bayern Munich are all interested in him.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger bought and sold Patrick Vieira as revenge on Italian football, it has been revealed.
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The Daily Mail says not only did the Arsenal manager sign the then 20-year-old Frenchman before AC Milan realised how good he was, luring him for the bargain price of £3.5million in 1996, but he then spotted nine years later that those gangly legs were starting to go.

Wenger, sources at Arsenal now say, saw it as an opportunity to settle a score with the Italians on behalf of the English game. Too often English clubs had caught a cold, paying well over the odds for over-the-hill Italians.

Now Wenger would be sending such a player to them, and thanks to the negotiating skill of former vice-chairman David Dein they succeeded in persuading Juventus to part with £18m for the pleasure.

The veteran is now returning to England at Manchester City, with former teammates like Lee Dixon questioning the wisdom of the deal.

Philippe Senderos is desperate to get a move away from Arsenal.

The Daily Star says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had wanted the centre-back for his for the FA Cup clash at West Ham. But Senderos had an inflamed foot and he did not train yesterday.

He spent last season on loan at AC Milan and last played in the league for Arsenal in May 2008. The 24-year-old was set to join Everton for around £3m in August, but the deal fell through when Arsenal upped the price.

Goodison boss David Moyes could come back in for the Swiss international to ease his defensive crisis.

Arsenal are seeking loan talks with AC Milan for striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
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The London Evening Standard says the Gunners are in the market for a striker after Arsene Wenger admitted he is planning for the second half of the season without Robin van Persie, who is recovering from an operation to repair torn ankle ligaments.

The Arsenal manager baulked at the asking price as Huntelaar joined the Italians for £14million from Real Madrid in August but the 26-year-old Dutchman has struggled to break into the first team at the San Siro.

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has warned the player that his place in his squad for next summer's World Cup will be under threat if he is not playing regularly.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is determined to secure William Gallas to a new deal.

The Sunday Express says Gallas is out of contract in the summer and is free to talk to interested clubs come January and leave on a free transfer in the summer.

But Wenger, who is hardly flush with centre-halves, has yet to tie down the former Gunners skipper and his age and the length of a new contract may be the stumbling block.

Both AC Milan and Inter Milan were linked with Gallas when he appeared to be on the brink of quitting after losing the captaincy last year, while he has in the past hinted at a return to France.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he won't be moving for Edin Dzeko unless Wolfsburg drop their asking price.

Phillipe Senderos is hoping to bring an end to his troubles at Arsenal by securing a move elsewhere in order to safeguard his place in the Swiss national team at the World Cup next year.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists they deserved the three points after their 3-0 win at Arsenal.

Anderlecht boss Herman Van Holsbeeck admits the club are yet to receive a concrete offer for in-demand teenage Romelu Lukaku.