Robin van Persie's All 37 Goals in 2011/12 season for Arsenal

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Arsenal Sign Lukas Podolski for Undisclosed Fee

Germany striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal for the start of next season, his current club Cologne have confirmed.

Arsenal bound: Lukas Podolski will move to the Emirates in the summer Photo: REUTERS

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By Telegraph Sport

1:35PM BST 30 Apr 2012

9 Comments

The 26 year-old, who has 95 caps for the national team, will move to the Emirates for an undisclosed fee after both clubs and the player reached agreement over the deal.

Podolski said: "The move to Arsenal provides a great opportunity for me to gain experience in international competitions at a top European club."

Podolski, who started his career at Cologne before rejoining them in 2009 after an unhappy three-year spell at Bayern Munich, added on the club's official website: "I have made this decision not against Cologne but for this great opportunity and the good of my own individual development.

"This was not an easy decision for me at all, as Cologne, our fans and the city are something special for me. I will always carry Cologne in my heart. We need to pool our strengths now and have to be fully focused on our survival in the Bundesliga."

The Poland-born forward, who had one year left on his contract with the Bundesliga strugglers, has scored 18 league goals for a side battling relegation so far this term, his best ever top-flight return.

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Cologne chairman Claus Horstmann admitted the club were sad to see such a popular and influential figure at the club go.

He said: "Lukas Podolski is a player of world class standing with a special relation to FC Cologne's fans and to the city.

"We are proud of the development Lukas Podolski has taken at Cologne within the last years.

"From his early days at our youth squads, via his first competitive match for our professional team, through to a highly renowned Germany international

"That's why we deeply regret his step, which is not a decision against Cologne but for the good of his own career.

"Cologne were prepared to extend Lukas Podolski's contract on the basis of a competitive offer. Nonetheless, this early transfer decision offers scope and planning security for the next season.

"We will jump at this opportunity to reinvest these transfer earnings back into our team's quality and into the promotion of our youth squads.

"Lukas has helped the club in many difficult situations, Lukas has left a mark on Cologne's reputation and we feel the need to thank him for numerous great football experiences at Cologne."

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via telegraph.co.uk

Premier League - Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

<blockquote class='posterous_long_quote'> <div class="sp-article-additional"> <img src="http://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20120416/25/b07d961f04e8a9d340a63c1b4873b31f.jpg" height="196" alt="Kieran Gibbs Arsenal - 0" width="377" /> <div class="mod alt nofoot inner sp-mod-link-list"> <div class="hd"> <div class="wrapper"> <h3>Related links</h3> </div> </div> <div class="bd"> <p> </p><div class="bd content"> <ul> <li>Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: LIVE at 8pm</li> <li>Watch Premier League highlights</li> <li>Premier League photos</li> <li>Premier League fixtures/results</li> <li>Premier League table</li> <li class="last">More news from your team</li> <li class="betting">Bet on Football - Get £25 Free</li> </ul> </div> <p> </p></div> <p> </p></div> </div> <p><b>TEAM NEWS</b></p> <p>Full-back&nbsp;Kieran Gibbs&nbsp;has a 50-50 chance of returning against Wigan as his groin injury is healing fast, according to Arsenal&nbsp;manager Arsene Wenger. Midfielder&nbsp;Gervinho&nbsp;(ankle) is also likely to be back while midfielders&nbsp;Abou Diaby&nbsp;and&nbsp;Francis Coquelin&nbsp;(both hamstring) are set to return to the squad next week for full training. Defender&nbsp;Per Mertesacker&nbsp;is continuing his rehabilitation in&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;after suffering an ankle injury against&nbsp;Sunderland in February. Defender&nbsp;Laurent Koscielny&nbsp;is suspended.</p> <p>Striker&nbsp;Hugo Rodallega&nbsp;is Wigan's only injury concern ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium. Rodallega has not played for the Latics since March 11 due to a knee problem but is back in training and will be assessed before the trip to north London. Otherwise, manager&nbsp;Roberto Martinez&nbsp;has a full squad to select from.</p> <p><b>MANAGER QUOTES</b></p> <p>Arsene Wenger: "That is the impression they got out of the Chelsea game because they played well and showed it again against Manchester United. Victor Moses is a threat. They are solid at the back now with three centre-backs and two protective midfielders. Overall I believe it is a team which is well balanced. Any team who fights not to go down finds some momentum. Every year they find it just before they are out of the league. They have found a structure of the team that is better suited for them maybe than before."</p> <p>Roberto Maritnez: "Probably this is an even tougher task (then beating Manchester United at home). We are going away from home and playing against a side who have been as successful as ever at home. If you look at the last few performances they have been untouchable in the way they are playing their football, controlling games and scoring goals. But we know that if we are at our best, we can be competitive against anyone."</p> <p><b>MATCH FACTS</b></p> <p>Arsenal have scored 19 goals in their last six league meetings with Wigan (3.16 per game).</p> <p>The Gunners have won 10 of their 13 PL meetings with the Latics (D2 L1).</p> <p>Arsenal have won all nine matches at home to Wigan in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last six.</p> <p>The Latics are the only Premier League side to have played at least five times at Arsenal but never taken a point there (W0 D0 L6).</p> <p>Arsene Wenger’s men have won their last five league games at home, and have lost only one of their last 15 (W12 D2).</p> <p>Arsenal have not won six in a row at home in the league since the start of October 2009.</p> <p>Wigan have only lost one of their last four league matches on the road (W2 D1): 1-2 atChelsea.</p> <p>To date,&nbsp;Manchester United&nbsp;are the only side against whom&nbsp;Robin van Persie&nbsp;has scored in two different league matches this season.</p> <p>All but three of Arsenal’s 35 league goals at home this season have come from open play (two direct free kicks and one goal from a corner).</p> <p>Robin van Persie has scored or assisted 59 goals in his last 50 Premier League appearances.</p></blockquote>

via uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Mancini Arsenal

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Arsenal 1 Manchester City 0: Mikel Arteta wonder goal wins it for Gunners

<blockquote class='posterous_long_quote'><p>Mikel Arteta all but ended Manchester City's title challenge with a brilliant long range effort to leave Roberto Mancini's men eight points behind rivals Manchester United.</p><p>Arteta struck in the final ten minutes as Mario Balloteli was sent off after earlier escaping a sending off for an x-rated challenge one Alex Song.</p><p>Arsenal had the better chances with top scorer Van Persie going close only to be denied by the post in the second half.</p><p>Theo Walcott and Yossi Benayoun then somehow managed to miss when it looked easier to score.<br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">More to follow...</span><br /></p><p><div class="artSplitter"><p /><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844A35000005DC-762_634x434.jpg" height="434" alt="Lucky to escape: Mario Balotelli's high tackle on Alex Song" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Lucky to escape: Mario Balotelli's high tackle on Alex Song</p> </div></div><div class="floatRHS art-ins sport"><h3 class="wocc"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MATCH FACTS</span><br /></h3><div class="ins cleared xolcc bdrcc"><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arsenal: </span>Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Benayoun, van Persie. <br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subs:</span> Fabianski, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Djourou, Jenkinson, Chamakh.</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Man City:</span> Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Barry, Milner, Aguero, Nasri, Balotelli. <br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subs: </span>Pantilimon, Richards, Pizarro, Dzeko, Kolarov, Tevez, De Jong.</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Referee:</span> Martin Atkinson<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p></div></div> <p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-1284326D000005DC-892_634x440.jpg" height="440" alt="Battle of pace: Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott fight for the ball" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Battle of pace: Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott fight for the ball</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844084000005DC-81_634x415.jpg" height="415" alt="Caution: Balotelli was later booked for a challenge on Bacary Sagna" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Caution: Balotelli was later booked for a challenge on Bacary Sagna</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844CA5000005DC-864_634x481.jpg" height="481" alt="Getting in the way: Robin van Persie has an effort on goal that hits team-mate Thomas Vermaelen and goes over" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Getting in the way: Robin van Persie has an effort on goal that hits team-mate Thomas Vermaelen and goes over</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12843816000005DC-462_634x487.jpg" height="487" alt="Sliding in: Clichy makes a challenge on Walcott" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Sliding in: Clichy makes a challenge on Walcott</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-12844415000005DC-924_634x417.jpg" height="417" alt="Frustrating afternoon: Roberto Mancini saw Manchester City fall further behind rivals Manchester United in the title race" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Frustrating afternoon: Roberto Mancini saw Manchester City fall further behind rivals Manchester United in the title race</p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-1284603A000005DC-293_634x386.jpg" height="386" alt="Battle for the ball: Vermaelen collides with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero " width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Battle for the ball: Vermaelen collides with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero </p> </div><p> </p><p><div class="artSplitter"> <img class="blkBorder" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/08/article-2126805-128454C7000005DC-956_634x456.jpg" height="456" alt="Taking the ball: Tomas Rosicky wins the ball from Gareth Barry" width="634" /> <p class="imageCaption">Taking the ball: Tomas Rosicky wins the ball from Gareth Barry</p></div></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></blockquote>

via dailymail.co.uk

Arsenal vs Manchester City [Premier League]

Arsenal

Subs from Almunia, Fabianski, Jenkinson, André Santos,Miquel, Djourou, Benayoun, Ramsey, Squillaci, Gervinho, Chamakh, Park

Doubtful None

Injured Coquelin (ankle, 16 Apr), Diaby (hamstring, 21 Apr), Wilshere (ankle, 21 Apr), Mertesacker (ankle, May), Frimpong (knee, Sep)

Suspended None

Form guide LWWWWW

Disciplinary record Y55 R4

Leading scorer Van Persie 26

Manchester City

Subs from Pantilimon, Taylor, K Touré, Barry, Zabaleta, Savic, Kolarov, Milner, Pizarro, Johnson, Hargreaves, Tevez, Dzeko

Doubtful None

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide DDWLWW

Disciplinary record Y41 R4

Leading scorer Agüero 17

Match pointers

• Since their last league win at Arsenal in October 1975, City have scored just nine goals in 26 visits to north London

• If he scores in this match, Robin van Persie will become only the fourth player to score against 17 different teams in a Premier League season – after Andy Cole (1993-94), Alan Shearer (1995-96) and Ian Wright (1996-97)

• There have been three red cards in the last three league meetings between these sides

• Arsenal have failed to score in five of their last six games against City in all competitions, including the last three at the Emirates Stadium

• Before Christmas David Silva scored five goals and provided eight assists but since Christmas he has not scored any goals and has managed just four assists.

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