Arsenal Season 2010/11

[Dodomeki]

Arsenal v Chelsea: Ashley Cole warns former club Chelsea are back to their best

Ashley Cole has warned Arsenal that Chelsea are ready to fire after finally getting all their big names back ahead of Monday's night's derby clash.

Watch your back: Ashley Cole insists Chelsea's slump is behind them and they are back to their best in time to play Arsenal Photo: EPA

By Telegraph staff and agencies

The faltering Premier League champions will be at full strength for the first time in four months at the Emirates Stadium, where they romped to a 3-0 win last season.

Chelsea are on their worst run in the league for more than a decade, having won just one of their last seven games and slumping from top to fourth spot. Injuries to the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien hit them hard but all three are back, with star midfielder Lampard set to start his first game since August.

And England left back Cole is confident Chelsea can reignite their title defence with a victory over his former club.

"We've been disappointing in our last six games and it's a big contrast to how we started the season, but we have a lot of big players back to fitness and it's going to give us a boost," he said.

"Any team who has their top players out is going to be affected.

"The players who have come in have done a good job but you're always going to miss JT, Lamps and Essien. We seem to play better when they are all in the team; hopefully we can start to push on.

"They're major players for us and we have missed their personalities, desire, will to win and leadership. "We have been unlucky in games, even though we haven't been playing well. We have still had a lot of shots and chances.

"It has not gone our way but, now the big guys are back, hopefully we can turn our season around because it is getting to the important part. "We're fourth in the table; we have to get back on track and start winning again."

Manager Carlo Ancelotti yesterday claimed Arsenal were "afraid" of Didier Drogba, who has scored 13 goals in 13 games against them.

The Ivory Coast striker has not been in top form this season following a malaria scare and also had to cope with the pressure of the captaincy in Terry's absence.

Cole added: "It was hard for Didier to get the guys' morale up and focused. But now everyone is back, everyone is going to come together again and push on."

Arsenal are a point better off than Chelsea in the table but this did not stop Manchester United winger Nani dismissing their title chances this week.

Ancelotti disagrees with that assessment, saying: "Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have an opportunity and the skill to fight for the title until the end.

"It will be a race with balance because a lot of teams have the ability to win, not just United."

And despite Chelsea boasting five wins in their last five meetings with the Gunners, Ancelotti will take nothing for granted on Monday.

"Either team can win this game," he said. "It will be an exciting game in this period. I'm happy to play this game because we've moved on from the bad moment and we're able to come back and fight for the title."

Ancelotti yesterday bemoaned a fixture schedule that sees his side play Bolton less than 48 hours after Monday night's match.

He is understandably reluctant, therefore, to set a points target for the hectic festive period, saying: "It's difficult to think about this.

"It's easier to think that we have to do our best to win against Arsenal and then against Bolton."

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 3 Chelsea 1

28 December 2010

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Arsenal landed a stunning blow in the title race and left rivals Chelsea on the canvas following a 3-1 victory at The Emirates on Monday.

Goals from Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott helped the Gunners end their 'big two' hoodoo - which had seen them draw one and lose 10 of the last 11 games against championship rivals Chelsea and Man United - and moved them to second on the English Premier League table.

And it means they are now United's closest rivals at the top of the league - just two points adrift of the summit and right back in the title hunt.

In contrast, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is under severe pressure, with his team lying fourth in the table, only one point above fifth-placed Tottenham and two ahead of sixth-placed Bolton - who visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Ancelotti can have no complaints about the result at the Emirates after Arsenal dominated for long periods and stormed into a three-goal lead before Branislav Ivanovic grabbed a consolation goal.

It was a drastic contrast to last season, when Chelsea won 3-0 at Arsenal on their way to the title in a match that was described by pundits as 'men against boys'.

It certainly did not look that way this time as Arsenal's youngsters proved they have come of age with an energetic and confident performance.

Wenger opted for an attacking line-up, bringing in Walcott and Robin van Persie to join Samir Nasri in a front three and pairing Jack Wilshere and Fabregas in midfield. But he was rewarded for his ambition.

Chelsea, with Frank Lampard making his first start since August after finally recovering from hernia surgery, remained cautious and strangely quiet. That was all the encouragement Wenger's side needed.

The fact that Arsenal had not defeated Chelsea since November 2008 and lost the last five encounters added to the sensation that this was a pivotal game in the season, and when the opening goal came after 44 minutes it was richly deserved.

Drogba had sent one early chance narrowly wide but Arsenal had by that staged dominated possession, with a 20-minute spell eventually rewarded when Alex Song - meant to be the one defensive midfielder in Arsenal's line-up - played a one-two with Jack Wilshere and spun to fire home an excellent low, left-foot effort.

Many would have expected Chelsea to respond in the second half but, with only a collection of reserves and youngsters on the bench, they had little available in their armoury to change the game.

The arrival of substitutes Gael Kakuta, Ramires and Jose Bosingwa hardly had Arsenal shaking in their boots and Wenger's men roared into a three-goal lead with a dramatic and inspirational period of attacking football at the start of the second period.

The second goal was gifted to them when Essien's attempted tackle saw the ball run straight into the path of the inspired Walcott, who shuffled it to the left for captain Cesc Fabregas to side-foot home in the 51st minute.

Within 90 seconds it was 3-0. This time, the woefully out-of-form Malouda dithered as Walcott stole the ball from him, played a one-two with Fabregas and finished expertly across Petr Cech.

Chelsea did respond quickly as Ivanovic heading home a Drogba free-kick to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute, but despite a late burst they never looked likely to turn the game around.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Birmingham 0 Arsenal 3

2 January 2011

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A game of contrasting styles at St Andrews saw Arsenal's flair triumph over Birmingham's brawn in a 3-0 victory.

Robin van Persie set the Gunners on their way after 13 minutes and they sealed the victory with another two goals in the second half courtesy of Samir Nasri and an own-goal by Roger Johnson.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger again made eight changes, recalling the eight who were dropped midweek against Wigan.

Alex McLeish named an unchanged Birmingham side.Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster was the first to be tested, saving well from Van Persie's drilled effort from a free kick in the 11th minute.

But the Arsenal man had another chance from a free kick just two minutes later, this time the wall deflected the ball past Foster and into the net for the opener.

Birmingham's Sebastian Larsson, formerly of Arsenal, had a similar free kick five minutes after that, but goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski reacted superbly to push the ball away.

Then Roger Johnson missed a golden chance to level, blazing over from close range after latching onto Cameron Jerome's flick.

Birmingham were again under pressure from the start of the second half, with Jack Wilshire lifting a volley over the cross bar, while Nasri was thwarted by a Foster save.

But Nasri did grab the second in the 58th minute after a clever passing move between him and Cesc Fabregas presented the Frenchman with a chance from 18 yards which he took with aplomb.

Another fluid Arsenal move brought the third as Nasri and Fabregas again linked up well.

Fabregas' close range effort was saved by Foster, but the goalkeeper parried into the path of Johnson who deflected the ball into his own net.

The Gunners had several chances to make it four - Fabregas shot over after a fine three man move and both Walcott and Andrey Arshavin tested Foster with low drives - but they will be more than happy with the three points which keep them in touch with league-leaders Manchester United.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 0 Manchester City 0

6 January 2011

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Arsenal wasted the chance to close the gap on leaders Manchester United after failing to break down Manchester City in a 0-0 draw.

Arsene Wenger's side dominated at the Emirates and struck the post twice in a frantic first half which they dictated from start to finish.

But, even in the face of almost constant Arsenal pressure, second-place City somehow managed to hang on to claim a point.

Both sides finished the match with 10 men as full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna saw red for a confrontation in the second half that ended in a clash of heads.

Although Roberto Mancini's side might be happier with the point, their cross-city rivals United will be the happiest.

United stay two points clear of City and four points clear of Arsenal in the table.

Arsenal started with the fluidity which saw them sweep Birmingham aside 3-0 on New Year's Day.

They should have scored within two minutes of kick-off after some brilliant work from Samir Nasri.

The Frenchman found Jack Wilshere inside the area but the youngster got caught in two minds with his angled shot flashing wide of the post and evading the onrushing Robin van Persie.

But Van Persie himself would go even closer six minutes later after wriggling free of former Gunner Kolo Toure on the edge of the area before drilling a low effort against Joe Hart's post.

And the upright had barely stopped shaking when Cesc Fabregas struck it with a sliding effort from the edge of the box as Arsenal continued to dominate.

City, meanwhile, were operating mainly on the counter-attack and Carlos Tevez linked nicely with Jo but then fired his strike a yard over Lukasz Fabianski's bar.

The first half belonged to Arsenal and they emerged from the interval still very much in control.

Van Persie drilled an effort just wide, nine minutes after the break. The Holland international then forced Hart into a flying save with a sizzling 25-yard strike.

But City managed to get to grips with Arsenal's pressure and the home side were unable to find a way through.

The only real incident in the final 20 minutes of the match came between Zabaleta and Sagna, who were both dismissed for an altercation in stoppage time.

 

[Dodomeki]

West Ham 0 - Arsenal 3
Van Persie Roars Over Rusty Bridge

17th January 2011

By Paul Brown

THEO WALCOTT claims Arsenal’s firepower is the best in the business now that Robin van Persie is gunning for goals again.

Van Persie tore West Ham apart, scoring twice and making another as the Gunners kept the heat on Manchesters United and City in the title race. But he got a huge helping hand from Wayne Bridge, who endured the debut from hell at Upton Park.

The Hammers are paying loan signing Bridge around £70,000 a week to help keep them up after rescuing the former England left-back from the City bench. But he didn’t look worth a tenth of that and was at fault for all three goals before being forced off with cramp in the dying moments.

In fairness to him, he has hardly played for City this season and was understandably rusty having spent only one day training with his new club. But dear, oh dear! First, he allowed Walcott too much space to cross for Van Persie’s opener. Then he played the winger onside as Van Persie set up Arsenal’s second.

To make matters worse, Bridge then hacked down Walcott to concede a penalty which Van Persie scored, and his nightmare was complete when he limped off. Van Persie, who also hit the post, couldn’t believe his luck and now has four goals in six games after nearly three months out injured.

Walcott said: “Robin van Persie is so important to us. It’s great to have his presence up front. I love playing with him. “It’s a great asset for us. He’s scoring goals and is on a nice run because he’s fully fit again. We have so much strength on the bench as well.

“We had Arshavin, Bendtner and Chamakh on there and we’ve got a great squad. We’ve got to stay fit because it’s going to be busy, busy until the end of the season. “The likes of Tottenham have got a very good forward line as well. But, playing for this team, I believe we’ve got the strongest. This could be a great year for us.

“We’ve got different options as well. Everyone is different and that’s the great thing with this Arsenal team. “If it’s not going well for you, then there’s someone on the bench to come in. That’s the whole point of using the squad.”

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has vowed to rotate again for Wednesday’s FA Cup third-round replay with Leeds at Elland Road. But with such an embarrassment of riches up front, the Frenchman is convinced Arsenal can still go for four trophies this season.

He said: “I will go for it, but we will have to rotate. We could do without the game, but it is down to us. We didn’t manage to beat them at home. “Our success depends on the way the whole squad can focus on the different competitions. I believe we have the quality no matter what I do on Wednesday to qualify.”

Defeat left West Ham rock bottom, and they have now conceded eight goals in two games. But defensive coach Wally Downes leapt to the defence of Bridge, who the Hammers remain convinced will be a top-drawer signing for the club.

Downes said: “I saw Wayne for the first time on Friday for an hour. He has obviously got a bit of ‘reserveitis’! He has been playing in the reserves. “He would have been better off playing anywhere in Aldershot or Preston’s first team. First-team football is first-team football.

“You could see towards the end that he was struggling with his fitness. He was f****d. He came in on Thursday and did the running great with the fitness guy. “His stats were up and it was terrific what he did, but it is not playing in a Premier League game chasing after the Arsenal all day.”

There was a sombre atmosphere around Upton Park with rumours that Avram Grant would be sacked after the game. You had to feel for him. His best player, Scott Parker, was injured, his top scorer Frederic Piquionne had a dental problem, and his big-name signing Bridge was having a nightmare.

Then there was the merciless stick he got from the away fans, who went from singing “You’re getting sacked in an hour” to “You’re getting sacked in a minute”. But midfielder Jonathan Spector insisted the intrigue had no bearing on the result despite an abject display.

Spector said: “It was business as usual. In any job, your boss can change at any time and you just have to adapt and get used to it. “It’s a credit to the manager that he just got on with it. I think that goes for the players as well.

“We’re not far away. A couple of good results and we’ll be mid-table.”

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 3 Wigan 0

23 January 2011

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Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick - and missed a penalty - as Arsenal romped to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Wigan on Saturday. The Dutch star struck after 21, 58 and 85 minutes for the revitalised Gunners who have now lost only once in their last nine league games.

Arsene Wenger's side created a number of chances and van Persie could even afford to fire a penalty over the bar after Gary Caldwell had been sent off for bringing down Cesc Fabregas in the 69th minute.

That Arsenal went into the half-time break only one ahead was down almost completely to remarkable goalkeeping from Wigan's Ali Al Habsi, who made six excellent saves in the first 45 minutes.
The Oman star made his first save from Samir Nasri after only two minutes and was barely out of action for any length of time after that.

He made perhaps his best stop when van Persie met Theo Walcott's fine cut-back with a thunderous shot, only to see the Wigan goalkeeper make a remarkable reflex stop. But he also kept out Fabregas twice and tipped a Nasri effort over the bar in spectacular fashion.

Unfortunately for Wigan it was not enough and although Caldwell did superbly to block a Fabregas effort after yet another Walcott break-away, they found themselves behind after 21 minutes. This time Alex Song found van Persie with an excellent through-ball and the Dutch striker fired home emphatically with his left foot.

Walcott should have made it 2-0 when clean through but Arsenal fans did not have to wait too long for the strike that clinched three points. With 58 minutes on the clock Fabregas produced a wonderful cross-field pass from deep that sailed over the Wigan defence where van Persie met it with a first-time left foot shot on the half-volley to wrap up victory.

Van Persie's missed penalty denied Wenger's side a chance to improve their goal difference and he also hit the post with a curling effort from 20 yards. But when Walcott superbly held up a long ball into the box the Dutch star was on hand to tap home his hat-trick goal.

It was fit-again van Persie's seventh goal in the last five games and confirms Arsenal as serious title contenders.

 

[Dodomeki]

Soccer - Mature Arsenal wear down Ipswich to reach final

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal battled to overcome a resilient Ipswich Town 3-0 on Tuesday and reach the League Cup final where Arsene Wenger's men will hope to end a six-year wait for a trophy.

Two second-half goals in three minutes from Nicklas Bendtner and Laurent Koscielny broke the Championship (second division) side's resistance in the second leg of the semi-final which gave Arsenal a 3-1 aggregate victory and a place in next month's final at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas added the third after 77 minutes and they will now meet West Ham United or Birmingham City who play the second leg of their semi on Wednesday with the Hammers 2-1 ahead. The victory kept alive Arsenal's hopes of winning at least one of the four competitions they are still involved in this season and picking up their first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

Manager Arsene Wenger, who has now guided the Gunners to nine cup finals in 14 years in charge, praised his team's display. "We showed great spirit, it was a mature, calm and patient performance and it was important not to concede a goal," he told reporters. "We want to win every competition we are in and this team deserve to be rewarded for their outstanding attitude and spirit."

SURPRISINGLY TRAILED
Arsenal surprisingly trailed 1-0 after the first leg at Portman Road, but if they thought they were going to brush the underdogs aside, they were mistaken.

Ipswich, buoyed by 9,000 travelling fans, proved for the first hour at least, they were well worth that first leg lead and with the 17-year-old Connor Wickham, tipped as a future England international, proving a handful with his muscular performance in midfield, Ipswich were far from being a pushover.

The mood at the Emirates became more and more tense as Arsenal wasted a succession of chances and Ipswich manager Paul Jewell was delighted with his team's performance.

"We stopped them from scoring for 90 minutes at Portman Road and for an hour here, even though we rode our luck a little bit. They were always going to have more possession, but my players were not disgraced," he said.

It took Arsenal just over an hour to make the breakthrough when Bendtner scored with a goal of the highest quality, controlling the ball superbly with the outside of his right foot before cutting inside and curling the ball past Ipswich keeper Marton Fulop.

Koscielny scored the second when he powerfully headed home a corner after a rare mistake by Fulop and Fabregas made it 3-0 when he shot through Fulop's legs after a swift breakaway. The only blot on an otherwise great night for Arsenal was a nasty injury to defender Bacary Sagna who was taken to hospital suffering from concussion after a collision with his own goalkeeper in the first half.

"He was sick, and concussed and has gone to hospital tonight" Wenger said. "We shall see how he is in the morning."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

 

[Dodomeki]

Almunia back for Arsenal

29 January 2011

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Arsenal will receive a massive boost on Sunday with the return of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia for their FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town.

The fourth-round tie at the Emirates will also see midfielders Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky join defender Sebastian Squillaci in the Gunners' squad, while Bacary Sagna will be rested after receiving a knock to the head in their Carling Cup win over Ipswich on Tuesday.

Almunia has not featured for the Londoners since September after incurring elbow and ankle injuries, but manager Arsene Wenger assured fans he was fit and firing to tackle the Towners. "Definitely back in the squad is Diaby, Squillaci, Almunia and certainly Rosicky," Wenger said.

"Sagna will definitely not be used because of his head injury. I will rotate (the squad), that is what I do now in every single game." Wenger said he would not sign players prior to the transfer deadline on Monday just for the sake of it, suggesting his squad has enough depth to win at least one trophy this campaign.

"I focus on my squad and I feel we have 22, 23 outfield players who can cope with what we need," he said. "Vermaelen looks to be making good progress, Squillaci is back available, so that was the only position we were short, at centre-backs."

"If I don't make any signings it is because I have not identified a special player who could strengthen our squad at the moment."

 

[mollusk]

Ryo Miyaichi completes move to Arsenal

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that young Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi has joined the Gunners on a long-term contract.

18 year-old Miyaichi has just completed taking part in the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament in his home country, where he represented Chukyodai Chukyo High School.

In order to gain valuable experience, Miyaichi has joined Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord on loan for the remainder of the 2010/11 season to further develop his game.

Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted that Ryo Miyaichi has joined us. He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world. We wish him luck in Rotterdam with Feyenoord and we look forward to helping him with his continued progression when he returns to Arsenal.”

Everyone at the Club welcomes Ryo to Arsenal and wish him the best of luck during his time with Feyenoord.

 

[shOUTloud]

Re: Ryo Miyaichi completes move to Arsenal

This is why Arsenal is in a virtuous cycle. Spend a few million on youngsters and wait for them to bloom. 35m on Caroll! OMG!

 

[Gallego99]

Re: Ryo Miyaichi completes move to Arsenal

This is why Arsenal is in a virtuous cycle. Spend a few million on youngsters and wait for them to bloom. 35m on Caroll! OMG!

If you have 'em, flaunt 'em. That's exactly what they did. I dun think we've heard the last of these ridiculous deals. Lionel Messi could be the mother of all target next season, if Mancini have his way.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 2 Everton 1

2 February 2011

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Arsenal produced a stirring comeback at the Emirates, surviving a controversial opener from Louis Saha to beat Everton 2-1.

Saha handed Everton the lead after 24 minutes in north London even though he looked well offside, but second half goals from substitute Andrey Arshavin and defender Laurent Koscielny handed Arsenal a hard-fought and deserved victory.

The result keeps Arsene Wenger's side second in the Premier League table, five points adrift of Manchester United but still very much in the title race. The Gunners started the game in lively fashion with Cesc Fabregas shooting wide from a Robin van Persie back-heel when perhaps he should have done better.

Saha was offside when Seamus Coleman tried to find him when a through-ball but, perhaps unaware of that fact, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny attempted to clear it anyway. That proved a big mistake because his miss-hit effort deflected straight to Saha who fired home left-footed with Arsenal's defence nowhere to be seen.

Referee Lee Mason struggled to control proceedings as the game grew tetchier, making a string of questionable decisions to draw the ire of the home crowd. He booked six players in all as tackles flew in from both sides, especially when Arsenal poured forward in the second half in search of an equaliser.

Theo Walcott and van Persie had both gone close when it eventually came in the 70th minute, Arshavin latching onto a fine Fabregas through-ball and firing home sweetly. Van Persie then forced Tim Howard into a fine save from a free-kick before the Dutchman sent over a corner for Koscielny to head home in the 76th minute.

The goal was greeted with delirium by the home crowd and it was hard to say Arsenal did not earn it given their pulsating second-half display.

 

[Dodomeki]

* Arsenal expect to be without Alex Song for Saturday's game at Newcastle United (1500) after the midfielder came off at halftime in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Everton with a thigh injury.

Midfielder Samir Nasri is out for three weeks with a hamstring strain while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will be out for the rest of the season after surgery on a shoulder injury.

Central defender Thomas Vermaelen is still sidelined with an Achilles problem but should be back within a month.

 

[Dodomeki]

Wenger stunned at draw, Pardew proud

6 February 2011

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A shell-shocked Arsene Wenger refused to be discouraged despite Arsenal failing to protect a four-goal lead at Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Gunners were in unstoppable form early at St James' Park, with Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and a Robin van Persie brace combining to put the visitors up 4-0 before the half-hour mark.

But a red card to Abou Diaby in the 50th minute changed the complexion of the game, and 10-man Arsenal were run off their feet by a desperate Newcastle outfit.

Joey Barton, whose rough challenge led to the outburst that got Diaby sent off, added a brace from the penalty spot, Leon Best nabbed another and Cheik Tiote sealed the remarkable comeback as Newcastle snatched a famous 4-4 draw.

Wenger refused to be drawn on the long-term implications of Arsenal's capitulation, and said there was still reason to be pleased by his side's sheer dominance in the opening half.

"It was a good game with top intensity. Overall I have to say we played great football and we have to take a lot of positives out of this game," the Gunners boss told Sky Sports.

"It is difficult at the moment to swallow. But time will help and we will get over that." "Overall I think we have to take a lot of encouragement from our first-half performance. We dropped two points, that's all."

Wenger admitted Diaby deserved to be sent off for shoving Barton and Kevin Nolan, but said referee Phil Dowd should have shown consistency and shown Barton red for his part in the tackle.

"I think Barton should have been sent off for the same tackle. I don't think (Dowd) made the right decision - the first foul from Barton was quite bad," he said. "What changed is that they got a penalty, 4-1, and from then on we were under pressure."

Magpies boss Alan Pardew said his players showed tremendous spirit to rebound from a difficult week that included a 1-0 loss at Fulham on Wednesday and the loss of Andy Carroll to Liverpool. "We went out there and played like lions," Pardew said.

"At half-time you have to make a call. What I said was that if you want to go out there and feel sorry for yourselves after losing at Fulham and losing a really good young player (Carroll) then you're going to get embarrassed, but we more than made up for it in the second half."

"That's what we've been about all year, even before I came here, we've shown character." "Making a challenge and putting people under pressure. We did that and we got a goal, and that can change any game."

"It's one of the most remarkable games I've ever been involved in. I'm looking forward to one day looking back at this game and it filling me with pride." "The way the fans reacted, the way the players reacted, it was unbelievable."

 

[mollusk]

Arsene Wenger: Samir Nasri May Be Fit For Barcelona Clash

Arsene Wenger: Samir Nasri May Be Fit For Barcelona Clash


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Samir Nasri could be fit to return to the Gunners' line-up for their crucial Champions League tie against Barcelona.

The French midfielder strained his hamstring in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Huddersfield in FA Cup just under two weeks ago.

After assessing the injury Wenger revealed the playmaker, who has scored 14 goals this season, could be out for two to three weeks, but speaking after his side's 2-0 win against Wolves the Gunners boss did not rule Nasri out of the clash with the Spanish champions.

On being asked whether Nasri was out of the game, he replied: "I wouldn't say no. I can't say no chance because there is a chance [he is fit to play]."

This would give the north London club a massive boost as they attempt to tackle the 'best side in the world' and the team whom they succumbed to 6-3 on aggregate in last season's competition.

But after overcoming Wolves with relative ease, thanks to Robin Van Persie's double, Wenger was delighted with the performance, which came hot on the heels of last week's 4-4 draw with Newcastle.

He added: "It wasn't easy to read about the Newcastle result in the media and we needed a response today.

"With the number of chances we created and the quality of our game we did that. We we're defensively solid and that was important after the four goals we conceded last week.

"We created many chances and if there is one criticism maybe it is we did not score enough goals but I think that is down to their goalkeeper and all the keepers who are inspired here. Hennessey had an outstanding game."

Van Persie

Arsenal had Van Persie to thank for the win after his double, and his ninth and 10th goal in his last seven league games, helped them to a straight forward win.

Wenger said: "He scored two different goals. Personally I like the two.

"One was with his right foot, which he doesn't normally like to do, and one following a counter-attack with one touch and shot. We know we can be very dangerous on the counter."

While Wolves did not supply a stern test for Arsenal, Wenger believed his side stayed focused and that the match was good preparation for the tests that lie ahead.

He said: "We had to stay focused. For us it is important to go in strong against the best team in the world.

"It is important for us to go in strong because psychologically it builds confidence and as well gives us a strong position in the league.

"We are in the race for the Premiership and we believe we can do it. We have the hunger and we can focus on every single competition.

"It was good that the team showed they could focus today and not on Barcelona."

Wenger can now turn his attentions to how to shackle Barca and he insists that while he side are not favorites they have a good opportunity to beat Pep Guardiola's team.

"We are not favorites in this game but I think we can do it," he added.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 2 Wolves 0

13 February 2011

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Arsenal kept pace with Premier League leaders Manchester United with a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

Robin van Persie struck twice to keep the Gunners three points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side in second place, while the loss sends Wolves to the foot of the table after West Ham's draw at West Brom.

Arsenal dominated the opening period of the game and captain Cesc Fabregas had the ball in the net with less than five minutes gone, however referee Chris Foy had already blown his whistle for an earlier foul on England starlet Jack Wilshere.

In-form striker van Persie sent the resulting free-kick high and wide of Wayne Hennessey's goal, while the Dutchman sliced a shot wayward moments later from a good position after Alex Song's lay-off.

However it proved third time lucky for van Persie who broke the deadlock with a fine acrobatic effort. Fabregas was given far too much room on the edge of the box and clipped a precise cross to van Persie in the area, the forward angling his body and connecting with a scissor kick to send the ball low into the corner.

Andrei Arshavin then missed a great chance to double the lead from five yards, failing to connect with van Persie's corner after the ball had evaded everybody, including Hennessey.

But the Welsh keeper made amends for his error by blocking superbly from Theo Walcott after Arshavin's cut-back, the shot-stopper throwing himself across his goal and palming the ball away one-handed.

Richard Stearman then cleared the ball off the line from Fabregas' follow-up shot to give Arsenal just the one-goal advantage going in at half-time. Arsenal flew out of the traps for the second 45 minutes and Walcott offered his nomination for miss of the day after Arshavin's blunder in the first half.

Wilshere, excellent all day, tricked his way into the box but unselfishly squared to Walcott, however from six yards he somehow managed to screw his shot wide of the mark instead of increasing Arsenal's lead.

It was left to van Persie to show Walcott how to put the ball in the back of the net and the 27-year-old made the points safe with 60 minutes gone. Fabregas released Walcott down the right flank with a glorious first-time pass over the Wolves' back line and the winger slipped in van Persie with a neat delivery.

The Dutch ace was then left with the job of lashing the ball past an over-exposed Hennessey for his eighth goal in the league this season, completing a fine win for Arsene Wenger's side.

 

[Dodomeki]

Arsenal slap £80million price tag on Cesc Fabregas to ward off Real Madrid interest - report

13 Feb 2011 16:20:00

EPL : Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal v Manchester City (Getty Images)

Arsenal are determined to keep Cecs Fabregas at the Emirates unless suitors pay a staggering £80million cash with no player swaps or instalments included in the deal, as Real Madrid have put the midfielder in their wishlist.

Barcelona’s hopes of returning the starlet to Catalonia were hampered by the Gunners’ prohibitive asking price in the summer.

According to The People, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants to recruit fresh stars and would offer a £55million deal together with 19-year-old sensation Sergio Canales, who is being snubbed by Jose Mourinho, in exchange for the Arsenal skipper.

However, his efforts will be ignored by the North London team who are seeking to land a record deal equivalent to that which saw Cristiano Ronaldo join the Estadio Santiago Barnabeu in 2009.

 

[jw5]

To all Arsenal fans:

It's now one day before the first leg of the champions league last 16 tie against Barcelona.
Do you think Arsenal can win over 2 legs?

Arsenal's style of play is very similar to Barcelona's, but it appears that teams which have overcome Barca in the past all play very defensive with the occasional counter attack or set piece to score.

 

[Dodomeki]

Arsenal will have to change strategy and their style of play against the Catalans. Play defensive and counter, like some of the spanish teams that were able to beat Barca.

My prediction :

Arsenal will be lucky if they pull off a draw later tonight.
Score : 1 - 1 or 2 - 2

Second leg match Barca will thrash them
2 - 1
3 - 1
4 - 1

 

[Gallego99]

Maybe Wenger should pen a column for the SUN or write a book on 'how to lose 3 Cup competition in 15 days'.