By James Dall Last updated: 21st August 2008
Silvestre: Arsenal new boy
I left United especially because I didn't want to spend anymore time on the bench.
Mikael Silvestre
Quotes of the week
Mikael Silvestre hopes his transfer to Arsenal from Manchester United will present him with more first-team opportunities this season.
The French defender secured a shock move to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for an undisclosed fee, penning a two-year deal.
Silvestre spent the majority of last campaign at Old Trafford on the sidelines through injury, but is now looking to push for a regular playing role at his new club.
"I am very glad to be here and it is an honour to finally sign for Arsenal," the 31-year-old told Arsenal TV.
"It was a big surprise, but a very good surprise in the end. I left United especially because I didn't want to spend anymore time on the bench.
"I was looking for a new challenge and when Arsenal come you cannot say no. Hopefully I can look forward to a fresh start without any injuries."
Meanwhile, United centre-back Nemanja Vidic has admitted he was shocked to hear that Silvestre had completed a switch to the Premier League champions' rivals.
"It surprised me. In fact I think it has come as a surprise to everyone," he said.
"It is not often a player leaves one big club to go to another like Arsenal or Liverpool. It does not tend to happen.
"But Mikael did not play much last year and I think he just wanted to go somewhere where he would, so in that sense I am happy for him.
"Mikael has given so much to this club. I am just surprised he is going to Arsenal. But he has made the choice."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs West Brom |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 23rd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Tottenham vs Blackburn |
| 16:00 | Sunderland vs West Ham |
| Monday 24th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Wigan vs Everton |
| Saturday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs West Brom |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man City vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Everton |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Monday 1st December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs West Ham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 16th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Hull 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Newcastle 2 - 2 Wigan | |
| Fulham 2 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Arsenal 0 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Man Utd 5 - 0 Stoke | |
| Blackburn 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| West Brom 0 - 3 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 0 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Man City 1 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 2 Middlesbrough | |
| Fulham 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Wigan 0 - 0 Stoke | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Portsmouth | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Bolton | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 West Brom | |
| West Ham 1 - 3 Everton | |
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