Arsenal FC: The Pride of London

Everton midfielder, Ross Barkley, has publicly stated that it would be a "dream come true" if he was to join Arsenal FC, following Dragan Stojkovic declaring interest in the 18 year old. Barkley has been good form recently for Everton and has caught the eye of everyone. The midfielder, who has Nigerian heritage, will be one of England's brightest prospects if they can keep up the good work.

Other clubs are said to be interested in the midfielder and it will be interesting to see if Everton eventually let him go, especially after the sale of Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United. That sale was said to be a boost of morale to Barkley as it would mean more game time, but would a move to Arsenal be wise?

A few weeks ago, Barkley revealed that Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, had told him despite the Merseyside rivalry, it would be best if he stayed at Everton. So far this season, Barkley has been given the title by the Everton fans as the "New Wayne Rooney". When Rooney was of Barkley's age he was doing wonders for the Blue side of Merseyside and no Everton will forget his cracking goal vs Arsenal.

Speaking to Sky Sports news, Barkley said:

"I've heard about the speculation concerning myself and Arsenal and a possible move. I'm not going to lie, it would be a dream come true if I could play for such a great club, hopefully everything works out well. I know I've been told if I want to be successful in my career, I should never leave Everton but Arsenal have produced/ helped such quality youn players such as Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Oxlade Chamberlain. I think my name could be added to the list, but for now I am still an Everton player and most focus on helping the team. "

So if Arsenal were to pull this deal off, their midfield would consist of:

Mesut Ozil, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Geidon Zelalem, Mathieu Flamini and Ross Barkley .

As you can see, Arsenal's midfield would be full of quality and depth too, something they have lacked over the past few years. Many fans are excited to see the combination of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley in the future. However, the signing of Barkley would mean one midfielder or even two would depart. Reports suggest that it is Tomas Rosicky who will make way for Barkley as the player is one his last year of his contract. There is speculation that he may even be involved in a player + cash deal.

Is the signing of Ross Barkley needed? How much will Arsenal have to pay? Is this just a stint from the midfielder for more money? I'm afraid we don't know any of the answers to those questions. What we do know is that this is the beginning of an exciting transfer saga.

Sky sources can confirm that Arsenal have bid for Everton midfielder, Ross Barkley accepted. The fee is undisclosed but we believe the bid is around 12m -14 million. After days of negotiations, Arsenal will be pleased to have had their bid accepted.

Everton fans will be disappointed to see Barkley go as he looks to be an amazing player in the future. However, Arsenal fans will be happy with the arrival of Barkley in January, even though he is expected to be a rotation player and not a key player.

As far as we're concerned, no other team has made a bid for the England international and it looks like Arsenal will definitely get his signature as he is reported to have accepted a contract seeing him earn 25,000 k p/w. Barkley's agent, today released a press statement saying:

"A bid has been accepted by Everton Football Club from Arsenal FC for an undisclosed fee. Also personal negotiations are underway between Ross and Arsenal. We are hoping that the negotiations go smoothly and we can agree a deal with Arsenal."

Should Ross Barkley leave Everton, or should he remain faithful to Everton and develop either further?

your updates are amazing, so indepth and make a very good read..barkley will be a great signing :).. i wanna start doing updates like you but dont think i can anyway keep up the great stuff

Great stuff, but dunno why would you buy him...

2013-09-21 17:22#135426 Pauker : Great stuff, but dunno why would you buy him...

Thanks and he's one for the future

2013-09-21 17:22#135426 Pauker : Great stuff, but dunno why would you buy him...

Unfortunately I have to agree with Pauker...that's if he is seeing it as a negative signing. I don't think Barkley is all that on Football Mananger. However, with your guidance I am sure he will come good.

2013-09-21 17:56#135436 Jamesg237 :

2013-09-21 17:22#135426 Pauker : Great stuff, but dunno why would you buy him...

Unfortunately I have to agree with Pauker...that's if he is seeing it as a negative signing. I don't think Barkley is all that on Football Mananger. However, with your guidance I am sure he will come good.

Well it may turn out to be a good signing in the end, just have to wait and see.

Seni I love your update style, no doubt you've inspired me for my next story

2013-09-22 08:13#135493 Walter : Seni I love your update style, no doubt you've inspired me for my next story

That is the first time I've ever inspired someone Thank you very much

2013-09-22 12:05#135518 Seni :

2013-09-22 08:13#135493 Walter : Seni I love your update style, no doubt you've inspired me for my next story

That is the first time I've ever inspired someone Thank you very much

I'm sure it isn't It is just your updates are so clean and professional. I will definitely be using the same one for FM14

2013-09-22 12:07#135519 Walter :

2013-09-22 12:05#135518 Seni :

2013-09-22 08:13#135493 Walter : Seni I love your update style, no doubt you've inspired me for my next story

That is the first time I've ever inspired someone Thank you very much

I'm sure it isn't It is just your updates are so clean and professional. I will definitely be using the same one for FM14

No problem! Seriously it is the first time :p

Arsenal manager, Dragan Stojkovic has clearly stated he is not concerned about Robin Van Persie, but he is more concerned about Arsenal picking up points ahead of their fixture at Old Trafford. Robin Van Persie is set to face the club he once captained and some will say, guaranteed them a champions league spot thanks to his 30 goals.

In his pre-match interview at the Emirates, Stojkovic talked about the team news, Robin Van Persie and David Moyes.

"We will put out a strong squad to face Manchester United, but we must bare in mind we have quite a few players who will miss out this game. Lukas (Podolski) has been out for a few weeks now. Meanwhile, Theo and Mathieu have picked up knocks and will not be able to feature at Old Trafford."

When asked if he had come up with a way to stop Van Persie from scoring, Stojkovic replied:

"No we don't have a tactic and don't need a tactic. If we defend well as a team, then we should limit amount of goals scored. Robin Van Persie is a world class player and striker. He is also a dangerous player but I'm confident in my defenders. "

Knowing the pressure that David Moyes is under, the Arsenal manager decided to try and pile even more pressure on the former Everton manager:

"Moyes' work at Everton can't go unnoticed. Last year they nearly got champions league football which is amazing for a team of Everton's calibre. Taking over at such a big club is not easy, but taking over from Mr.Manchester United himself is not very easy. There is a lot of pressure on you and you will have people criticizing you for every little thing you do wrong. There will always be comparisons between the two which may annoy Moyes. "

Last season, Robin Van Persie faced Arsenal twice and scored twice, much to the disgust of the Arsenal fans. One thing that angered the fans last season, apart from the sale of Van Persie was the fact that they had to watch him score at the Emirates, as well as watching their players give United a guard of honour.

With Van Persie set to face his old club for the third time since leaving, will he make it 3 out of 3? All Arsenal fans will hope not. Van Persie will hope so. Arsenal are currently top of the league but United are just one point behind them. No team will want to lose this fixture but United are the favourites, being the home side. What will happen when the two sides clash? Who will get the points, who will get the bragging rights? We'll have to wait and find out.

Great story mate.Keep up your hard works.I will follow this story.

United and Arsenal had to share the points as their game finished 1-1, although the result favoured Chelsea and not either of the two teams playing. Going into the game, United were the favourites but Arsenal had the momentum. Not only did Arsenal have the momentum but they had memories of that certain game that all fans will never be able to forget. It was in August 2011, when Arsenal were sinfully beaten my Manchester United 8-2, it was a day that most Arsenal fans covered their faces in shame, but since then Arsenal have progressed and improved.

In last year's encounters, United defeated Arsenal 2-1, at Old Trafford. Robin Van Persie scored for United vs his former club,alongside with Evra picking up a goal, Jack Wilshere was sent off and Spanish maestro Santi Cazorla scored a very nice goal. You could say the build up towards the game at the Emirates was more interesting than the game itself. Man United had the chance to either, receive a guard of honour from Arsenal at the Emirates, or win the title at the Emirates if they failed to defeat Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Luckily for all Arsenal fans, the Red Devils beat Aston Villa to win the league title.



Before the start of the game at the Emirates, the Arsenal players had to give United a guard of honour, much to the disgust of the Arsenal fans who booed throughout. Theo Walcott gave Arsenal an early lead, but thanks to sloppy challenge from Sagna, Robin Van Persie converted a penalty to make it 1-1 and that is how the game ended.

Going into this game, David Moyes was very confident with his side and positive with their chances:

"We have a very good chance of winning here today. Arsenal are a great side but currently they have a thin squad which has been hampered by injuries. I think we can capitalize on that and get the three points if we play well that is. Arsenal like to pass the ball so we must make sure we press as much as possible."

Meanwhile, Dragan Stojkovic wasn't too confident, but this could have been mind games:

"We haven't got the strongest squad today due to injuries and illnesses. I'm a bit concerned about the fitness of some of our players and I think we will just have to see how the game goes. The key today will be to keep possession of the ball, try and frustrate United and possibly hit them on the counter. They are a good side without Sir Alex or not. "

The first half of the game saw both teams having chances but failing to score. It took quite a while for both teams to settle in but both certainly showed they wanted to win. Robin Van Persie went closest to scoring but he dragged his shot wide.

The second half was the half with all the action. In the 56th minute, Tomas Rosicky was controversially sent off as the referee believed that he purposely struck a United player across the face. The Arsenal players were furious and so was Dragan Stojkovic who had to be calmed down by the fourth official.

Arsenal had to drop Jack Wilshere into a deeper role and had to play on the counter. This payed off as in the 76th minute, Jack Wilshere himself, gave Arsenal the lead with a pile-driver inside the 18 yard box, 1-0 to Arsenal. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they couldn't hold out as Wayne Rooney equalized in the 87th minute and United more or less stole a point.

As the final whistle was blown, various Arsenal players were quick to question the referee's controversial decision to send off Tomas Rosicky, a decision that arguably prevented Arsenal from getting the three points. In the end, both Arsenal and United will be satisfied with the result, but Arsenal will be disappointed that they didn't get the three points.