Arsenal FC: A Bould Move

Jord: Thanks Jord, I'm sure you will!

AaronHJFT96: Thanks. Hopefully all can have an impact this year. The squad list was the quickest and easiest bit of the update, they were only from about 5 different countries! Although the update did just f*cking ages!

joethequin: N'aww, little cutie :') Good to see you back!

Jamesg237: Well that's an achievement!

Central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has sensationally announced today that he turned down a contract offer from North London club Arsenal FC. The 22-year-old has a blinding season in 2012, featuring regularly and becoming a vital player in big wins over clubs such as FC Bayern and Real Madrid.

Valued at £19.25 million, the 22-year-old has recently broken into the German national side, deciding against playing for the Turkish national side with Turkish links, with combined with his recent performances to invoke interest from many clubs, including FC Bayern, Manchester United and Juventus. It is believed that both FC Bayern and Manchester United had bids of up to £20 million rejected immediately by the club, but Gundogan has now revealed the interest from Arsenal.

He claimed that his side [Borussia Dortmund] accepted a mega £30 million offer for the midfielder, allowing him to begin talks about a move to England. Nevertheless, Ilkay immediately declined, saying Germany was the only place he wanted to live in.

Currently earning £65k per week, Ilkay would have had his wages doubled, telling Sky Sports News he received wage offers of up to and including £130k per week, which would make him the second highest paid star at the club, just behind fellow German Mesut Ozil.

Arsenal are yet to comment on the suggestions, with fans believing the offer may have been placed before the capture of Spaniard Javi Garcia from Manchester City. Gundogan is also yet to comment on whether a move to FC Bayern would be on the cards if the offer was there, after previously suggesting Germany would stay his home.

Gundogan's contract with Borussia Dortmund ends in the Summer of 2017, but is expected an improved offer from Dortmund soon due to interest.

Ouch, would have been a great signing. Maybe next time.

BayernAmerica: Was very annoying!

August 2013 saw the kicking off the eagerly awaited Barclays Premier League, as well as the UEFA Champions League Play-Offs. It may only be half the month played due to pre-season action, but teams will still have plenty of games, and will want to get off to the perfect start!

Match Results:

Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal

Saturday 17th August 2013 | The Stadium of Light | Att. 41,241 | C. Pawson

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud Subs: None used

Aaron Ramsey secured the first three points of the campaign for Arsenal with a respectable 3-1 victory over Sunderland. Frenchman Olivier Giroud got the Gunners off the mark with a pin-point effort beating Keiran Westwood after 19 minutes.

Santi Cazorla soon doubled the lead with just minutes remaining of the first half, his cross floating above the defender and magnificently curling into the top corner, giving the away side an extra boost going into the half time break.

Adam Johnson gave his side a glitter of home with 15 minutes remaining, tapping in an easy effort from 6 yards following a dashing run from Jack Colback. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as Aaron Ramsey found the net just one minute later, a long strike blasting past Westwood to give Arsenal all three points.

Arsenal Goals: Olivier Giroud (19), Santi Cazorla (41), Aaron Ramsey (76)
Sunderland Goals: Adam Johnson (75)
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla (ARS) 8.3

Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool

Saturday 24th August 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 60,338 | M. Jones

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Arteta, Garcia, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud Subs: None used

Arsenal had their midfield to thank on a mild summer's afternoon at Emirates Stadium as they showed their strikers how to finish.

Tenacious midfielder Javi Garcia gave Arsenal the lead with a close range header in the 29th minute. Cultured winger Santi Cazorla doubled Arsenal's lead with a thumping effort from range which beat the keeper before going in off the post on 50 minutes.

World class winger Mesut Ozil completed the rout with a placed shot on 80 minutes.

Arsenal Goals: Javi Garcia (29), Santi Cazorla (50), Mesut Ozil (80)
Liverpool Goals: None
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla (ARS) 9.1

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

Saturday 31st August 2013 | Villa Park | Att. 35, 772 | N. Swarbrick

Line-up: Szczesny, Davies, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Arteta, Garcia, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud Subs: Ramsey

Arsenal once again had their midfield to thank, grabbing the goals to retain a point away from home.

Strong centre-back Jores Okore gave Aston Villa the lead with a powerful effort in the 24th minute. Experienced midfielder Mikel Arteta then equalised for Arsenal in the 27th minute with a nice effort from 17 metres.

Santi Cazorla then put Arsenal in front after 62 minutes with a free kick from 23 metres. Aston Villa were nearly gifted a goal on 78 through Cazorla's lapse in concentration but they failed to capitalise on the opportunity presented.

Nevertheless, with time rapidly running out, midfielder Chris Herd then scored a thumping effort from range to equalise fro Aston Villa. Better late than never for Aston Villa as the fans were clearly delighted with Herd's impact.

Arsenal Goals: Mikel Arteta (27), Santi Cazorla (62)
Villa Goals: Jores Okore (24), Chris Herd (86)
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla (ARS) 8.7

Arsenal 2-2 P. Ferreira

Wednesday 21st August 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 60,338 | F. Meyer

UEFA Champions League Best Placed Play-Off First Leg

Line-up: Viviano, Davies, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Garcia, Flamini, Januzaj, Bellerin, Ramsey, Bendtner Subs: Shaw, Giroud

P. Ferreira managed to take a shock draw away from home against a youthful Arsenal side on a breezy evening at Emirates Stadium.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner got Arsenal off to a flyer by scoring a real poacher's effort from 21 metres on 2 minutes. Midfielder Daniel Veiga then equalised for P. Ferreira in the 4th minute with an accurate finish.

An error from Arsenal's Emiliano Viviano allowed midfielder Hugo Barbosa to score a tame effort from close to goal. It was a superb solo effort and Barbosa looked delighted. Young winger Hector Bellerin, playing in his first team debut, equalised for Arsenal after 84 minutes with a placed shot.

Arsenal Goals: Nicklas Bendtner (2), Hector Bellerin (84)
Ferreira Goals: Daniel Veiga (4), Hugo Barbosa (18)
Man of the Match: Hugo Barbosa (FER) 8.5

P. Ferreira 0-2 Arsenal

Tuesday 27th August 2013 | Estadio de Figueiredo | Att. 15,000 | C. Balaj

UEFA Champions League Best Placed Play-Off Second Leg

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Nastastic, Koscielny, Carvajal, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla, Januzaj, Ozil, Lacazette Subs: Bendtner

Arsenal followed up their first leg draw against P. Ferreira with a second leg victory at Estadio Abel Alves de Figueiredo on Tuesday which secured a 4-2 aggregate victory.

An error from P.Ferreira's Jacinto Monteiro allowed striker Alexandre Lacaeztte to score a deftly executed finish. Lacazette completed the scoring for Arsenal with a placed shot from close range on 42 minutes.

Goalscorer Lacazette was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner due to injury, which has seen been confirmed as a small knock that won't keep the Frenchman out for any longer.

Arsenal Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (28, 42)
Ferreira Goals: None
Man of the Match: Alexandre Lacazette (ARS) 8.7

Monthly Review:

Not a bad month at all. Three wins and two draws mean we are still undefeated this season, but if performances continue like this, picking up draws against both Aston Villa and P. Ferreira, I can't see it lasting long. Nevertheless, the dominating victory over Liverpool was a great one, showing the squad do have what it takes to do all the way after so long. Despite the first leg draw in the Champions League Play-off, progressing was enough to please myself and fans, so onwards and upwards we go in the Champions League!

League Table:

Due to the season having only just started, judging our league position can be hard. Despite sitting in second, I feel we will drop following the draw against Aston Villa, with other teams still only having played 2 games. With the potential to drop down to 6th, we can't judge our performances much yet, needing the season to develop more.

UEFA Champions League Draw:

We've certainly stumbled across a top group! Juventus will be a tough side to play, but I feel it could be two great games, where three points would be enough to satisfy me. Schalke are the next strongest, who can also put up a fight, where I would be happy to take four points across two games. FC Kobenhavn are certainly the weak link of the group, where I will accept no less than six points, as neither will the other two, it would should be a great group!

Player of the Month:

Santi Cazorla has been phenomenal this month. Picking up the Man of the Match awards on three occasions (Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool) after four games played, the Spaniard has already shown his threat in front of goal, especially in the league. After 3 league games, Cazorla has also scored three, and assisting a further three, making him the only contender this month, with a league average rating of 8.70 and an overall average rating of 8.23.

Barclays Premier League Awards:

Santi Cazorla has also scooped the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month Award. Due to his fine performances and a 100% goals to game ratio, the 28 year old beat Everton's Darron Gibson and Fulham's Askhan Dejagah to the award, having been in scintillating form.

Elsewhere This Month:

What other big news has been around these last few weeks, and was shocked the footballing world?

• Nathan Dyer helped Swansea sink Liverpool 1-0 in the Barclays Premier League.
• Arda Turan gained a 100% goals to game ratio as a Manchester United regular.
• The Champions League saw Real Madrid, Leverkusen, Shakthar and Napoli drawn together.
• The draw also saw Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund drawn together.
• Werder Bremen sit in the Relegation Zone in Germany following 4 games.
• Atletico Madrid sit bottom in the La Liga having lost their first two games.

Under-18 Transfer News:

Arsenal FC Under-18 manager Steve Gatting has announced the arrival of three new youngsters. Ruairi Croskery, Roman Macek and Jose Angel Pozo all join from Manchester United, Juventus and Manchester City respectively. The club have welcomed all signings to the club and wish them the best for the future.

Fantastic update, loved it. Some great and unique things there as well

A great update that is full of detail. Keep it up.

Amazing update mate, and some pretty good results

Fantastic update with some good results

Pauker: Thank you. My Head of Youth Development seems to be unreal, captured some brilliant players when asked!

Jamesg237: Thanks, will do!

Lucas: Cheers buddy!

pompeyblue: Thank you!

Both Arsenal fans and Steve Bould himself have been left shocked by the actions of the Board of Directors, with just 20 minutes of the transfer window remaining. Having already acquired Luke Shaw and Ben Davies, with Spaniard Naxto Monreal already at the club, the board decided to take full control in the purchasing of 18-year-old Jose Luis Gaya.

Signing from Spanish side Valencia for a fee of £4.2 million, Gaya is now the fourth left back in the first team, a move that has left fans bewildered, asking why the move was made. It is also understood that manager Bould was against the move, feeling the player was unneeded, and a waste of the transfer budget.

Nevertheless, the former Valencia man has already expressed his determination to do well for the club and impress his new manager.

He told BBC Sport "I understand the manager wasn't all too happy about me being signed, due to the number of other players in my position. I think it could provide some healthy competition, and I hope I can prove to Bould that the board were right in signing me. I am very happy I have been given this opportunity, and delighted the board were so fond of me."

Gaya's departure recieved mixed reactions back in Spain amongst supporters, but there was a general agreement that the club did exceptioanlly well to recieve such a healthy progit from the full-back.

Whether Gaya will feature regularly or be left as a bench warmer is yet to be seen, but Arsenal fans seem to be taking to the promising defender.

Stupid board....
Bring in Joe Kinnear, he'll show you who to sign!

The UEFA Champions League kicks-off, while we also see the third round of the Capital One Cup in September, topped off with a mass of Barclays Premier League matches. Should be a good month!

Match Results:

Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United

Saturday 14th September 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 60,338 | P. Dowd

Line-up: Szczesny, Gaya, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Garcia, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud Subs: Ramsey, Lacazette, Pozo

A potentially serious injury suffered by Arsenal's Olivier Giroud overshadowed events on what was a breezy afternoon at Emirates Stadium.

Flamboyant winger Arda Turan gave Manchester United the lead with a well timed finish from close range in the 24th minute. Experienced midfielder Mikel Arteta then equalised for Arsenal in the 43rd minute with a well timed close range finish.

Arteta had no trouble in scoring from the spot when Vidic conceded a penalty. Full-back Jose Luis Gaya suffered the agony of putting the ball into his own net on his debut after 74 minutes, denying his team the win.

Then followed controversy as Manchester United were denied claims by midfielder Wayne Rooney for a penalty.

Arsenal Goals: Mikel Arteta (43, 67 pen)
United Goals: Arda Turan (24), Jose Luis Gaya OG (74)
Man of the Match: Wojciech Szczesny (ARS) 8.8
Injured: Olivier Giroud will be out for 4 to 5 weeks with Fractured Ribs.

Arsenal 5-1 Hull City

Saturday 21st September 2013 | Emirates Stadium | Att. 58,271 | M. Atkinson

Line-up: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky, Januzaj, Ozil, Pozo Subs: Shaw, Ramsey, Sanogo

Arsenal pulled off a 5-w1 win over Hull City at Emirates Stadium in their latest Barclays Premier League match.

Centre-back Laurent Koscielny gave Arsenal the lead with a well timed finish from close range in the 11th minute. Promising striker Jose Angel Pozo doubled Arsenal's lead with a nice effort from 14 metres on 23 minutes.

Nastasic scored with a well timed finish from close range in the 36th minute to extend the lead further. Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky then added to the lead with a powerful effort on 37 minutes.

Centre-back James Chester pulled one back for Hull City after 65 minutes with a tidy finish from 14 metres. An error from Hull City's Robbie Brady allowed flamboyant winger Adnan Januzaj to complete the rout from 12 metres.

Arsenal Goals: Laurent Koscielny (11), Jose Angel Pozo (23), Matija Nastasic (36), Tomas Rosicky (37), Adnan Januzaj (73)
Hull Goals: James Chester (65)
Man of the Match: Adnan Januzaj (ARS) 9.3

Fulham 1-4 Arsenal

Saturday 28th September 2013 | Craven Cottage | Att. 25,700 | L. Probert

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Arteta, Garcia, Wilshere, Cazorla, Januzaj, Jese Subs: Davies, Ozil, Ramsey

Fulham enjoyed a considerable size advantage, weighing on average 11 lbs more per player, but were unable to overcome their lighter opponents, perhaps proving that on a fine summer's afternoon at Craven Cottage at least, brains are more important than brawn.

An error from Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny allowed striker Hugo Rodallega to score a cleanly struck effort from close to goal. Arsenal captain Jack Wilshere then equalised for Arsenal in the 55th minute with a well timed close range finish.

Full-back Dani Carvajal's red card for a vicious foul on 68 minutes put Arsenal's position under question. Wonderkid Jese Rodriguez then put Arsenal in front after 76 minutes with a well executed finish.

Ramsey scored with a placed shot in the 79th minute to extend their lead further. Cultured winger Santi Cazorla completed the rout with an incisive finish from 19 metres on 85 minutes.

Arsenal Goals: Jack Wilshere (55), Jese Rodriguez (76), Aaron Ramsey (79), Santi Cazorla (85)
Fulham Goals: Hugo Rodallega (30)
Man of the Match: Santi Cazorla (ARS) 9.0

Juventus 1-1 Arsenal

Tuesday 17th September 2013 | Juventus Stadium | Att. 41,000 | I. Bebek

UEFA Champions League Group D Game 1

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastastic, Carvajal, Ramsey, Flamini, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ozil, Lacazette Subs: Arteta, Jese

Thomas Vermaelen was the focus for the media as his new club Juventus drew with Arsenal, Vermaelen's former club.

Enthuiastic midfielder Aaron Ramsey gave Arsenal the lead with a shot from distance in the 13th minute. Powerful striker Fernando Llorente equalised for Juventus after 73 minutes with a well struck effort which found the back of the net via the goalpost.

Arsenal Goals: Aaron Ramsey (13)
Juventus Goals: Fernando Llorente (73)
Man of the Match: Wojciech Szczesny (ARS) 7.7

Notts County 0-2 Arsenal

Wednesday 25th September 2013 | Meadow Lane | Att. 18,500 | A. Marriner

Capital One Cup Third Round

Line-up: Szczesny, Shaw, Koscielny, Nastastic, Bellerin, Ramsey, Garcia, Ozil, Macek, Crowley, Pozo Subs: None used

Notts Co's defeat against Arsenal on a breezy evening at Meadow Lane saw a number of players continue their ever-present runs for The Magpies this season.

Things turned sour for Notts County when centre-back Gary Liddle earned himself an early bath for ungentlemanly conduct, receiving the first yellow card after 1 minute and the second just 2 minutes later. Promising winger Roman Macek gave Arsenal the lead on his debut, a long range effort deflecting off the inside of the post before crossing the line in the 28th minute.

Wonderkid Luke Shaw completed the scoring for Arsenal with a good header from just inside the six-yard box on 38 minutes. Mesut Ozil had the chance to seal the win from the penalty shot, but placed the ball wide on the 56 minute mark.

Arsenal Goals: Roman Macek (28), Luke Shaw (38)
Notts Goals: None
Man of the Match: Wojciech Szczesny (ARS) 8.3

Monthly Review:

Almost the perfect month. Draws against Manchester United and Juventus show we are able to compete with the big boys, and solid wins in the Premier League and Capital One Cup is great. A special mention has to go to Jose Angel Pozo. Having signed last month for the U18 side, he was needed due to the Giroud injury, and stepped up enough to get called up again, and score! A great month for the team, will help morale a lot.

League Table:

Sitting solidly in second place, it could become a race to catch up to Chelsea very soon. However, besides from Tottenham, Chelsea have played very weak teams, meaning we should have a patch were taking every point could matter. Besides from Spurs sitting down in 12th place, the table is roughly how it would be expected to be, with little surprises so far.

UEFA Champions League Draw:

Just one game in, the table has little relevance. The table will have little effect until everyone has played three games, where the competition can then kick in. Schalke may have hoped for a bigger goal difference, but playing away, the table is as expected. Good to be sitting in second though.

Player of the Month:

Wojciech had a cracking month! Picking up the Man of the Match award no less than three times, he has ultimately been the difference between a win and a loss, three points or no points. Despite conceding twice against Manchester United, another keeper may have conceded 5 or 6, topped off with a phenomenal performance away to Juventus, earning the Pole an average rating of 7.74

Barclays Premier League Awards:

We were unfortunate to have any winners this month, but two players reached the top three. In the Young Player of the Month, Matija Nastasic came second, behind Romelu Lukaku, with fellow defender Dani Carvajal finishing closely behind in third.

Elsewhere This Month:

What other big news has been around these last few weeks, and was shocked the footballing world?

• Kolarov helps City sink Barcelona with a 94th minute winner at the Nou Camp.
• Ibrahimovic saw red and Alex scored a 90th minute winner as PSG beat AS Monaco 3-2.
• 10 men Notts Forest knocked Fulham out of the Capital One Cup Third Round.
• While Hull also beat Manchester City in extra time of the same round.
• Liverpool and Chelsea were drawn against each other in the COC Fourth Round.

Lol, Kolarov XD. Great results, drawing Juve away, without Giroud is pretty good.

Good results, Fantastic story, keep it up;D