England Premier League Media

Italian Serie A club Juventus have signed defender Armand Traore on a season-loan deal from Arsenal.

The Frenchman, who has had limited opportunities at Arsenal, also spent a season on loan at Portsmouth in 2008.

“Juventus have strengthened their left flank with the arrival of Traore. The player arrives on loan for the 2010-11 campaign,” said a club statement.

The 20-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Monaco in 2005, made nine league appearances for Arsenal last term.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Nacer Barazite has joined hometown side Vitesse Arnhem on a season-long loan.

Barazite previously spent the entire 2008-09 campaign on loan at Derby.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be sidelined for “at least a few weeks” with an ankle injury, according to the Dutch Football Association.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Blackburn in the Premier League on Saturday.

Van Persie will miss Netherlands’ European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland.

He missed five months last season after damaging ankle ligaments while on international duty.

In Van Persie’s absence, Hamburg’s former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been called up by the national team for the first time in two years.

After missing much of last season through injury, Van Persie was an ever present as the Netherlands reached the World Cup final, but he has had a frustrating start to the current campaign.

Lacking full match fitness, he made only brief appearances in Arsenal’s opening fixtures against Liverpool and Blackpool before his first start of the campaign was curtailed by injury after 35 minutes on Saturday.

Marouane Chamakh, who led the line after replacing Van Persie on Saturday, is likely to continue to play as Arsenal’s sole forward with Denmark international

Nicklas Bendtner also unavailable because of a groin injury.

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Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has joined German club Werder Bremen.

“For me, Werder Bremen is a new adventure,” said the 33-year-old Silvestre, who was a free agent.

The defender had been looking for a club since his deal with Arsenal expired in the summer and has agreed a two-year contract with Werder.

The Frenchman, who has won 40 caps, began his career at Rennes before joining Inter Milan and then United.

He came to Old Trafford in 1999, where he enjoyed a successful nine-year spell, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup as well as the Champions League.

“I want to be one of the leading players in the team and to help guide the younger players,” added Silvestre, who could make a quick return to north London as Bremen are in the same Champions League group as Spurs.

Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said: “He is still hungry for success. I’m sure our players will benefit from him being here. He’s an asset.”

Andrey Arshavin grabbed the winner for Arsenal as they showed the steel needed to overcome a committed Blackburn.

Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the lead at Ewood Park, powering an angled shot past Paul Robinson after a slick move.

But Mame Biram Diouf tapped in from an El-Hadji Diouf pass as Rovers impressively equalised.

Arshavin threaded in the winner after a Cesc Fabregas effort was deflected into his path and the north Londoners held on to complete a hard-fought win.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had wanted his side to send out a message that they were capable of dealing with the type of physical approach Blackburn would adopt.

And, after weathering the Rovers onslaught and earning the right to play, Wenger will be encouraged by the character his team showed to come out on top and enhance their title credentials.

Blackburn did not take long to test Arsenal’s resolve, with the visitors nervously clearing when goalkeeper Robinson launched a free-kick into their box, before his Gunners counterpart Manuel Almunia caught a long throw hurled into his six yard box.

It set the tone for an aerial bombardment on the Arsenal goal although, in the opening skirmishes, the visitors almost dealt Blackburn a blow when an Abou Diaby shot pin-balled off an unwitting Vince Grella and Robinson to safety.

But Blackburn were in forceful mood and defender Ryan Nelsen had a header cleared off the Arsenal line by Fabregas, while Almunia had to palm away from under his crossbar after Christopher Samba headed on another long throw.

The clash of styles made for a fast and furious game with some unrelenting action as both teams strived to wrest the upper hand.

Samba headed just over from a near post corner before the visitors matched the substance they were showing with the type of play that makes them so pleasing on the eye.

Almunia played the ball out and, six passes later, Walcott ran on to Van Persie’s measured ball and took a touch before sending in a shot at the far post.

However, while Wenger might have been fearing the type of ‘rugby’ tactics he talked about ahead of the game, Rovers produced the type of penetrating move of which the Gunners would have been proud.

Samba showed some nifty footwork belying his 6ft 4in stature before releasing El-Hadji Diouf, who surged past Laurent Koscielny on the left and passed for Mame Biram Diouf to tap in.

Robin van Persie became Arsenal’s first casualty as he was forced off with an ankle injury but the visitors’ passing game was slowly coming to the fore against the more direct manner of Rovers.

The Gunners restored their lead when Fabregas had an effort blocked from Bacary Sagna’s cross before Arshavin pounced to drive in the crucial goal.

Arsenal had a degree of control as they dominated possession and, although Blackburn were struggling to impose themselves, they still carried a threat.

Nikola Kalininc blazed high after a mistake by Thomas Vermaelen but the home side’s attacks had become few and far between.

Jack Wilshere missed a great chance late on, although it would only have put the gloss on Arsenal’s first away win since March.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his side’s win at Blackburn shows the Gunners have the stomach to mount a Premier League title challenge.

“If you have ambition in this league you have got to win at Blackburn,” said Wenger after the 2-1 victory.

“If you fail to win at Blackburn – if you go to clubs like that and don’t win – your ambition will not be respected by the other teams.

“In that regard, it was a important test for us.”

Arsenal went ahead through a Theo Walcott goal and, despite Mame Biram Diouf hauling Blackburn level, Andrey Arshavin’s effort earned Wenger’s men the three points.

The north Londoners were beaten 2-1 at Ewood Park last season and Wenger added: “The players are committed and we had that little bit more experience, even if on just one or two occasions we were a bit lucky.

“Last year we had bad memories here and because we knew they would play the kind of game we don’t like we had not enough confidence to deal with that.

“In the second half I felt we were calmer. We put the ball well on the ground and controlled it better and it was just a question of time. We had the right resilience and commitment.”

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce cited his team’s failure to take their chances during the first half as the key to the defeat.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get something out of the game and from my point of view the first half was our opportunity to get our noses in front,” said Allardyce.

“Because we didn’t take those opportunities we paid the price for that.

“At some stage Arsenal were going to take control of the game. You switch off for a split second and they are very, very good at punishing you.

“The pass and Walcott’s finish were top quality and while we might try to criticise our defenders it’s very difficult to stop that sort of quality of football.”

He added: “We played to our maximum as a team, which you’ve got to be reasonably satisfied with, but the game is about results and we’ve lost two games on the trot.

“It’s put us in a difficult position in terms of points on the board. While our performances over the three games have been very good, we’ve only got three points and that’s the danger.”

Tottenham will host north London rivals Arsenal in the pick of the Carling Cup third-round ties to be played in the week commencing 20 September.

It gives Spurs new boy William Gallas an early chance to face his old side.

Holders Manchester United are away to Championship side Scunthorpe while last season’s beaten finalists Aston Villa host Blackburn.

Premier League champions Chelsea entertain Newcastle and big-spending Manchester City visit West Brom.

Draw for the third round of the Carling Cup:

Brentford v Everton
Portsmouth v Leicester City
Stoke City v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
Millwall v Ipswich Town
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Notts County
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Birmingham City v MK Dons
Liverpool v Northampton Town
Scunthorpe United v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Peterborough United v Swansea City
Wigan Athletic v Preston North End

Ties will be played in the week commencing 20 September.

Arsenal have completed the signing of France defender Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla for an undisclosed fee.

Reports suggest the 30-year-old was offered a three-year deal, despite manager Arsene Wenger usually giving players in their 30s shorter contracts.

Wenger said: “We needed a centre-back of quality and experience and at the right price – he was all of that.”

The 6.5m-rated former Lyon star will not play at Blackburn on Saturday but is eligible for the Champions League.

Squillaci will help to bolster the Gunners defence, with Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre having all recently departed.

Wenger added: “He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well. I believe he will be suited to the English game.

“He will train with us on Friday morning but will not be involved on Saturday. I made a bid on the day Sevilla played in the Champions League, so he did not play as he was waiting for the transfer.”

The centre-half joined Spanish club Sevilla from Les Gones two years ago and asked to be left out of the side for the Champions League play-off against Braga last week to avoid being cup-tied for European competition.

With Philippe Senderos also leaving the Emirates during the summer, centre-back Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh were summer recruits for Wenger, who has also been encouraged with the news of Johan Djourou’s return from long-term injury.

Squillaci was part of France’s miserable World Cup campaign in South Africa, playing in the defeat against the hosts that resulted in the nation finishing bottom of their group.

In an injury-interrupted campaign, he made 14 league starts for Sevilla last season having been a near ever-present the year before.

Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has also been linked with a move to the Gunners, with Fulham reportedly turning down two bids for the 37-year-old.

Wenger was unable to confirm whether he would be involved in the transfer market again and stated: “We are where we are – we have four great keepers and it is important we give confidence to them for the next game.

“I do not rule it out but at the moment I say I am not in a position to sign anybody. At the moment, it is all dead.”

Arsene Wenger said football must be prevented from becoming like “rugby” ahead of Saturday’s possible physical battle between Arsenal and Blackburn.

The Gunners boss criticised Rovers for “no purpose to play the ball” as they blocked keeper Lukasz Fabianski during last May’s loss at Ewood Park.

“I saw pictures last Sunday – you can’t say any more it is football, it is rugby on the goalkeepers,” said Wenger.

“The referees cannot go on and accept that anymore.”

He added: “When you see how Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross kicked Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, how Robert Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football any more.

“If the referees allow that you cannot accept that because that has nothing to do with the game.

“Apart from that, when a team play long ball and head the ball and become physical I accept that completely and I respect that – but it has to be in respect of the rules, that is all.”

Chris Foy will be the man in the middle for Saturday’s televised lunchtime encounter and Wenger believes he will be need pay close attention to the treatment of his keeper.

“I believe that in some situations the goalkeepers are not protected,” the Arsenal manager said.

“You cannot have players whose main role is to stop the goalkeepers from catching the ball and not even go for the ball.”

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been named in England’s Under-21 squad for their two European Championship qualifying games in September.

Wilshere, 18, featured for England’s senior side against Hungary two weeks ago but Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has been allowed to recall him.

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has not been called up by Pearce and could retain his place in the senior squad.

The U21s first travel to Portugal and then face Lithuania in Colchester.

Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell have also been named in Pearce’s 24-man squad, dashing their hopes of featuring in the senior England squad for the opening Euro 2012 qualifying matches.

Fabio Capello’s side face Bulgaria on Friday 3 September before taking on Switzerland on Tuesday 7 September, the same dates as the Under-21s are in action.

Pearce insisted Wilshere, who has started both of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season, should not be overly disappointed at being brought back into the Under-21 squad having played for the senior side.

“Jack’s had the experience of an international cap with the seniors and his development will come,” said Pearce.

“Like Theo Walcott, I think having the experience of playing with the Under-21s and seniors will be a help to him and is something he will have to come to terms with.

“He shouldn’t feel disappointed that he’s been in the senior squad and then come back to the Under-21s and that’s the mentality he has to come to the squad with.”

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly, Blackburn defender Phil Jones, Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, Wigan striker Victor Moses and Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton have retained their places after making their debuts against Uzbekistan in the last game.

“It’s the strongest squad we could have got at this stage of the season. Kieran Gibbs aside, we’re looking pretty strong,” Pearce added.

“I was very impressed with the contribution of the players in the last match and the majority of those players are in, with one or two additions on top of that.”

Albrighton’s Villa team-mate Nathan Delfouneso is also back in Pearce’s squad, while Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who has previously been capped at Under-17 and Under-19 level, has received a first call-up.

Pearce explained: “He’s had a lot of experience at Huddersfield over the last couple of years and is a goalkeeper who can play again in the next campaign for us.

“We feel he has done extremely well when we’ve seen him and even though he’s young, he’s played a lot of matches, which is similar to Joe Hart when he was playing for Shrewsbury for a couple of years before he went to Manchester City.”

England Under 21 squad.

Frankie Fielding (Blackburn), Scott Loach (Watford), Alex Smithies (Huddersfield); Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea – on loan at Nottingham Forest), Phil Jones (Blackburn), Martin Kelly (Liverpool), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Man City), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), Kyle Walker (Tottenham);
Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverly (Man Utd), Jack Cork (Chelsea – on loan at Burnley), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Victor Moses (Wigan), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal); Andy Carroll (Newcastle), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd – on loan at Sunderland)