Hillwood: We won’t axe Arsene from Arsenal

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has denied suggestions that Arsene Wenger’s job is in doubt. A barren run and a devasatating result at OT gave AW’s detractors more ammo to call for his head but PHW says it won’t happen.

“It’s complete and utter rubbish and absolute nonsense. I think he is happy enough and we are happy enough,” Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.

 “We have brought some new players in and although I don’t know that much about many of them I think, generally speaking, they are going to improve the squad,” he added.

And Hill-Wood also responded to Barcelona vice-chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu’s claim that Fabregas was a bargain, saying: “He is absolutely right – they did get him on the cheap. But he wanted to go back there and we respected that.”

Elsewhere, reports claim we are in for highly-rated Norway international striker and Hannover frontman Mohammed Abdellaoue. And that er facing midfield problems in January after Emmanuel Frimpong opted to turn his back on England in order to play for Ghana. He is now in contention to be selected for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, the crocks continue. Theo Walcott missed England’s game against Wales last night and now it emerges that we wouldn’t be able to send for Kyle Bartley as cover for TV5 as, according to the Mirror, Bartley, 20, currently on loan at Rangers needs a hernia operation.

CARL ELDRIDGE – Follow me on Twitter @eldomedia