LONDON, Sept 26, 2007 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger could barely disguise his delight after seeing his youthful second string Arsenal team knock Premier League high-fliers Newcastle out of the League Cup.

The French coach claimed that any player in his team could now be counted upon to help his team win domestic and European silverware after his team's stylish 2-0 victory at Emirates on Tuesday sent his team into the fourth round.

MOSCOW, Sept 21, 2007 (AFP) - Russian metals billionaire Alisher Usmanov said on Friday that his recent investments in British football club Arsenal would give him a blocking stake in the company.

'I've made a strategic portfolio investment. This position will allow me to have a blocking package of shares and I will calmly wait for the price to increase,' he told the Echo of Moscow radio station, in a transcript provided by the station.

Usmanov suggested he would steer clear of controversy, saying he did not intend 'to fight with the club's board of directors.'

LONDON, Sept 20, 2007 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger declared his Arsenal team better equipped to win the Champions League than at any time in the last two years following a 'near perfect' start to the group stage.

Wenger praised his team's attitude after a stylish 3-0 win over highly rated Spanish outfit Sevilla at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday which sent them to the top of Group H.

LONDON, Sept 2, 2007 (AFP) - Curious investment moves by a Russian billionaire and the return of a former manager of the Arsenal football club in England have fired speculation that a takeover operation is brewing for the iconic concern.

Alisher Usmanov's announcement Thursday that he had bought a 14.58 percent stake in Arsenal from ex-vice-chairman David Dein, and installed the latter as chairman of his Red and White investment company, triggered the questions.

LONDON, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has hinted France defender William Gallas could captain Arsenal this season despite publicly criticising the club.

Gallas, 29, launched a stinging attack on Arsenal's failure to sign enough top quality players but Wenger still gave him the skipper's armband for Wednesday's 1-0 friendly defeat against Salzburg in Austria.

LONDON, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal defender Gael Clichy insists Freddie Ljungberg was wrong when he claimed that the London club lack ambition.

Ljungberg marked his departure from the Emirates Stadium this week by accusing the Gunners of breaking their promise to spend enough money to keep pace with Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Swede hinted that his departure to West Ham so soon after Thierry Henry left for Barcelona signalled the end of a glorious era for Arsenal.

PARIS, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has completed his move to fellow London club West Ham.

The 30-year-old Swede, the Gunners` longest-serving player since joining in 1998, follows star French striker Thierry Henry, who moved to Barcelona, in leaving the Premiership club this summer.

The midfielder played 325 times for Arsenal, scoring 72 goals, but lost his grip on a starting spot last season. No transfer fee or length of contract was immediately given.

LONDON, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman on Sunday warned fans that a takeover by an overseas investor may not be good news for the club, amid mounting speculation that American billionaire Stan Kroenke is set to launch a bid.

Kroenke, who currently owns just over 12 percent of the club`s parent company, is thought to be keen to increase his financial involvement.