Eboue to miss Blackburn and Flamini looks doubtful

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
Emirates Stadium
Sat, Dec 23, 2006, 3pm


Emmanuel Eboue will miss the Premiership game with Blackburn on Saturday.

The right back has not recovered from an ankle injury he collected against Portsmouth last weekend. However Arsène Wenger will resist the temptation to use fit-again Lauren. Instead Justin Hoyte will slot in. Mathieu Flamini (shoulder) is also a doubt while William Gallas is still “one or two weeks” away.

“Eboue came off with an ankle injury in our last game against Portsmouth,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon. “We thought it would be a matter of days but he will certainly be out on Saturday against Blackburn. It will be Justin Hoyte who plays.

“There was a small injury to Mathieu Flamini that meant he could not travel to Liverpool. So I don’t know whether I will have him in the squad or not on Saturday.”

Meanwhile the wait goes on for three of Arsenal’s most experienced players.

“There is no way back yet for William Gallas [thigh],” he said. “He’ll be one or two weeks more. It is difficult to set a time on Thierry Henry [hamstring]. Freddie Ljungberg’s hamstring injury was 21 days so it is two more weeks from now.”

[ Source form : arsenal.com ]

Wenger: Title looks far away but we have not given up

Arsène Wenger says that he hasn't given up hope on regaining the Premiership title from Chelsea, even though the Blues and Manchester United are so far ahead in the league table.

Wenger said: "It looks far away, and that is why I believe at the moment it would look a bit pretentious to say that we will be champions this time - but on the other hand, I have not given up.

"I feel there is potential in the team and we are not missing a lot.

"Perhaps we are lacking that bit of concentration and the games at home where we are always 1-0 down at set-pieces.

"I am confident we can get that out of the squad.

"Overall what makes me positive is this team can make a great comeback because they have a special character and special qualities."

[ Source form : arsenal-mania.com ]

Carling Cup: Liverpool v Arsenal - Match Postponed

Liverpool v Arsenal
Carling Cup Q/F
Tue, Dec 19, 2006, 7.45pm


Tuesday night's Carling Cup Quarter Final between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield has been called off due to heavy fog.

Referee Martin Atkinson decided to postpone the game at 6.45pm after a second pitch inspection found conditions unsuitable for play.

The match had been in doubt from late-afternoon with Anfield shrouded in a thick mist, but hopes were raised when Atkinson undertook his first inspection at 6.15pm.

However by the time a second pitch inspection took place half an hour later conditions had worsened and Atkinson, concerned about visibility for both officials and players, decided the situation was unlikely to improve and postponed the match.

There is no news yet on when the rearranged game will be played.

< Edit >

Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Arsenal will now take place on Tuesday, January 9th 2007 at 7.45pm.

The re-arranged game comes just three days after the FA Cup 3rd round tie between the two sides at Anfield.

[ Source form : arsenal.com ]

Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth: Gunners comeback

Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth
Barclays Premiership
Saturday, December 16, 2006, 3pm


Arsenal ensured their unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium remained intact - but had to again settle for a draw after coming from 2-0 down against Portsmouth.


With Liverpool leapfrogging both these teams into third place in the Barclays Premiership earlier this afternoon, the pressure was on.

However, after Robin van Persie saw two close-range efforts saved by David James, the Gunners again found themselves chasing the game when Noe Pamarot headed Pompey in front during first-half stoppage time.

A stunning effort from Matthew Taylor a minute after the restart put the visitors in total control.

However, Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor was brought off the bench just before the hour and had soon pulled a goal back - before Gilberto equalised as the Gunners struck twice quickly themselves.

Despite plenty of pressure during the closing stages, it was another afternoon of frustration for the home side and their manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal started brightly and almost snatched an early lead.

Following good work from Alexander Hleb down the right, Emmanuel Eboue's centre picked out van Persie in the six-yard box.

The Dutchman's downwards header looked to be going in - only for a wrong-footed James to stick out a boot and make a brilliant reaction save.

The Gunners continued to press, but failed to find a telling pass around the Pompey penalty area.

Arsenal were dominating, with Theo Walcott - who replaced injured Freddie Ljungberg on seven minutes - proving a handful.

The England teenager dashed into the right side of the area before drilling a low ball across goal, which James deflected clear.

On 23 minutes, the Pompey keeper pulled off a fine double save.

First the former England man beat away Cesc Fabregas' low 25-yard drive, and then got up quickly to block Van Persie's follow-up at the far post.

As the half-hour mark passed, Pompey finally enjoyed a decent spell of possession.

However, the visitors failed to make the most of some promising build-up and several corners.

As the first half drew to a close, neither team were able to keep possession for any decent spell.

Then, in stoppage time, the visitors took the lead.

A deep free-kick from the left from Matthew Taylor was flicked on by David Thompson.

The ball came back off the inside of the post and Pamarot was on hand to head into an empty net.

It did not best please Wenger, who had words with the match officials at half-time, just days after he was fined by the Football Association for his touchline bust-up with former West Ham boss Alan Pardew.

No sooner had the Gunners coach sent his side out for the second half, than they were 2-0 down.

The Arsenal defence failed to clear their lines - and the loose ball dropped to Taylor on the edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder, who scored a stunner against Everton last week, sent an exquisite left-foot strike back over Jens Lehmann and into the far corner.

The home side immediately upped the tempo in an attempt to get back into the match.

With talisman captain Thierry Henry watching from the stands because of a hamstring problem, any inspiration would have to come from another source.

And with 35 minutes left, Arsenal turned to Adebayor - who had netted the winner at Wigan in midweek - with the big Togo striker replacing Jeremie Aliadiere.

It was not long before that turned out to be an inspired substitution.

Walcott got away down the right to send over a teasing low cross.

Adebayor timed his run to perfection, arriving on queue at the penalty spot to lash the ball first-time past James on 58 minutes.

Before Pompey had time to regroup, it was 2-2.

Centre-back Kolo Toure charged forwards to unleash a stinging 25-yard drive, which James could only parry.

Adebayor was first to the rebound, and cut the ball back across goal.

It was only partially cleared, which allowed Walcott to tee-up skipper Gilberto and he drove the loose ball low into the bottom left corner from close range.

Those two goals in as many minutes had turned the match on its head, with the Gunners faithful now in full voice - and the Pompey chimes silenced.

Arsenal continued to look dangerous - and van Persie could have won it when he waltzed through the Portsmouth defence, only to stab a left-foot shot inches wide.

[ Source form : sportinglife.com ]

Wenger escapes ban over Pardew spat

Arsene Wenger has escaped a touchline ban for his part in last month's pitch-side spat with former West Ham boss Alan Pardew after an FA disciplinary committee decided instead to fine the Arsenal manager £10,000.

Despite avoiding a ban, Wenger was also severely censured and warned about his future conduct by English football's governing body.

Wenger admitted a charge of improper conduct for his "aggressive and confrontational behaviour" after he became involved in an unseemly pushing and shoving match with Pardew after West Ham striker Marlon Harewood's late winner against The Gunners at Upton Park.

Pardew, sacked by new West Ham owner Eggert Magnusson on Monday, has yet to have his fate decided by the FA disciplinary committee after denying his own charge of improper conduct and requesting a personal hearing.

Pardew immediately apologised after the match for his "overzealous celebration" which saw him enrage Wenger by shaking his fist in the direction of the Arsenal bench.

Wenger, by contrast, refused to speak to speak to the media for over a week in the wake of the incident and would only admit to regretting the incident when he finally broke his silence.

It is not the first time the normally restrained French coach has fallen foul of the FA for his touchline antics.

In October 2000 Wenger was handed a 12-match touchline suspension and fined four weeks' wages for allegedly pushing fourth official Paul Taylor near the Arsenal dressing room after then skipper Patrick Vieira was dismissed for a challenge on Sunderland's Danny Williams on the opening day of the season.

The ban was subsequently lifted after Wenger successfully appealed against the charge of of using violent and threatening behaviour after arguing he had simply intervened to prevent a fight breaking out between Thierry Henry and Williams. However, a charge of improper conduct was upheld resulting in a £10,000 fine.

[ Source form : myfootballnews.co.uk ]

Adebayor's late strike secures Arsenal victory

Emmanuel Adebayor hit a dramatic late winner as Arsenal moved into the Premiership's top three after a 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic.

Arsene Wenger's frustrating domestic season looked set to continue as the mid-table Wigan looked good value for a point.

But Togo striker Adebayor - who hit the last minute winner to sink leaders Manchester United earlier in the season - showed great composure to beat keeper Chris Kirkland in the 88th minute after a fine pass by substitute Cesc Fabregas.

Adebayor's fifth goal of the campaign saw Arsenal, who started the evening in sixth spot, move three places up the table although Wenger's side still have a lot of catching up to do if they overhaul United at the summit.

They are still 15 points adrift of the top although this victory will lift confidence after a bad run away from home.

Arsenal arrived at the JJB Stadium looking to end a dreadful run of form on the road. The London club had managed just one point out of the last 12 available away from the Emirates Stadium since crushing 4-0 win at Reading on October 22.

Their first-half performance against a mid-table Wigan side summed up their recent struggles as they struggled to cope with the homse side's physical style.

This was Arsenal's 12th game in six weeks and with a meeting with third-placed Portsmouth awaiting on Saturday, Wenger made four changes to the side which delivered a blow to Chelsea's title ambitions three days earlier.

Swiss defender Philippe Senderos, Dutch striker Robin van Persie, Belarus international Alexander Hleb and Spanish teenager Fabregas - who all started the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge - were rested while 17 year-old Theo Walcott was handed a rare start.

In his side's previous home game to Liverpool, Paul Jewell had watched in despair as his side conceded four first-half goals yet he cut a satisfied look as he trooped off down the tunnel after his side frustrated the visitors an even first 45 minutes which badly lacked flair and craft.

Without seven-goal French striker Thierry Henry, who is sidelined until the New Year with a damaged hamstring, Arsenal struggled to carve open a resolute home defence.

Indeed Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, who had been cleared to play shortly before kick-off after spending Saturday night in hospital with concussion, did not have a serious save to make until the 49th minute.

The England keeper spread himself to block Julio Baptista's powerful effort after the hosts had spurned a great opportunity to break the deadlock a minute earlier.

Senegal striker Henri Camara's defence-splitting pass left Emile Heskey with only the keeper to beat.

But the former Liverpool and England international, back in the side after serving a one-match suspension, was thwarted by Jens Lehmann who had spotted the danger and had come rushing off his line to make a vital save.

The second-half was a much more entertaining contest with Arsenal looking dangerous on the break while Wigan continued to look for a winner right up to the last kick.

Despite his tender years, Walcott impressed and the teenager looked to have teed-up the winner for Adebayor after a powerful 57th minute run. But Adebayor failed to connect as another chance went begging.

Wenger sent on van Persie and Fabregas for the final 15 minutes yet it was Wigan who almost snatched the points.

Josip Skoko forced Lehmann to fling himself across his line to beat away the Australian midfielder's stinging effort with Camara - five goals in his previous nine outings - unable to put the rebound in the net.

Then with two minutes remaining Adebayor had the final say to deny the hard-working hosts.

Wigan Athletic 0-1 Arsenal


[ Source form : wldcup.com ]

Toure back for Wigan game, Gallas and Rosicky nearly fit

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal
Barclays Premiership
Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 7.45pm


All the latest injury news ahead of the Barclays Premiership game at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday


Kolo Toure is the only addition to the Arsenal squad for the trip to Wigan on Wednesday night.

The centre back sat out the 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday with a one-match suspension. With that served, Arsène Wenger has drafted him straight back into his squad for the long journey north.

Thierry Henry (sciatic nerve/hamstring) is still out while there is better news about the return of Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and William Gallas (thigh).

“We have Kolo back,” said Wenger on Tuesday. “But he's the only one from Sunday. Gallas is still out, Henry is out but Rosicky looks very, very promising and has a small, small chance for the weekend. Gallas too, maybe.”

[ Source : Arsenal.com ]

Arsenal 'do not depend on Henry'

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Stamford Bridge
Sunday, December 10, 2006 , 4pm


Henry will be sidelined until the new year as he recovers from a sciatic nerve problem but Hill-Wood insists there is no panic at Ashburton Grove.


"Thierry has not played all that much this season and the boys have proved that they can play whether he is with them or not," he told the club website.

"You miss a player of Thierry Henry's talent but the others have done well."

Arsenal trail Premiership leaders Manchester United by 18 points.

Hill-Wood added: "We've had one or two disappointing results this season when we have drawn but we should have won. That would have put us up the table.

"However, they are a very young side and I am delighted at the way we have played our football, which has been hugely entertaining."

The Gunners were boosted by the 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday but keeper Jens Lehmann was left seething about the behaviour of Blues midfielder Frank Lampard.

Lehmann clashed with Didier Drogba during the game but said he respected the Ivory Coast striker.

"I like Drogba. I think the handshake between us says it all," said the 37-year-old German international.

"You can have passion in the game but, as long as you get on with people nicely, it's OK.

"He didn't insult me in comparison to his team-mates and I can't complain with him.

"Some of his team-mates insulted me terribly but Drogba never does that so I have no problem with him.

"Lampard is a specialist in insulting people very badly but Drogba is a nice guy - he doesn't insult people."

[ Source : news.bbc.co.uk ]

Gunners in injury quandary

Arsenal are facing up to the alarming prospect of travelling to Chelsea on Sunday with just a single recognised centre-half in their ranks.

With Kolo Toure suspended and William Gallas given only a one-in-five chance of returning to first-team action against his former employers, Arsene Wenger will anxiously await news of the hamstring injury Johan Djourou suffered against Porto. The youngster was, though, able to complete the tie.

"We can focus on the game on Sunday now, but Gallas is 80 per cent unlikely to play," the Arsenal manager confirmed. "Djourou is also a problem because he has a hamstring strain."

If Djourou is ruled out then Wenger will have little option but to deploy Gilberto Silva as an emergency centre-half alongside Philippe Senderos, who has previously suffered against Didier Drogba on more than one occasion.

Thierry Henry and Tomas Rosicky will definitely miss the trip to Stamford Bridge along with long-term injury casualties Lauren and Abou Diaby.

[ Source : myfootballnews.co.uk ]

Henry and Rosicky Out For Gunners

FC Porto v Arsenal
Champions League Group Stage
Wed, Dec 6, 2006, 7.45pm


Arsenal travel to the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal to play FC Porto in the next of their UEFA Champions League Group Stage fixtures.


Tomas Rosicky has picked up a hamstring injury and is likely to be out of the Arsenal side for “three weeks”.

The Czech midfielder picked up the injury ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Porto and was omitted from Arsène Wenger’s 18-man squad.

“It is a bit of a shame for him because it’s his third injury so far,” said the Frenchman. “What is surprising is that it is exactly the same injury that he’s had before, except on the other side. It is a muscle tear between his hamstring and his groin.

“Perhaps I played him a little too early against Fulham and I tried to take him off after 60 minutes against Tottenham.”

Meanwhile, Thierry Henry is suspended and William Gallas is still working his way back from a thigh injury.

Wenger does not expect to make major changes. “The game is so big we need stability, especially defensively,” he said.

( Edit Score )

FC Porto 0 Arsenal 0

[ Source : Arsenal.com ]

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premiership
Sat, Dec 2, 2006, 12.45pm


Arsenal play local rivals Spurs in this Premiership football match at the brand new Emirates Stadium


Arsène Wenger is waiting on the fitness of Thierry Henry ahead of the North London derby on Saturday.

Th Arsenal captain has a problem with his sciatic nerve and tests will be conducted on Friday. Apart from that there were no new injuries in the defeat at Fulham on Wednesday.

“Thierry has to be assessed and we’ll make a decision on him tomorrow,” said Wenger in an exclusive interview with Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. “It is a problem with his sciatic nerve. Everybody else has come through the game well.”

The Frenchman rotated his squad for the fixture at Craven Cottage and pledged further changes for Tottenham's first visit to Emirates Stadium. He remain tight-lipped regarding the players who will go in and out but promised that the crucial Champions League game against Porto would have no influence.

“Not at all,” said Wenger. “The Tottenham game is the important game of the week now. It is in front of us. We must give everything to win this game then see what we do afterwards for the Porto match.”

( Edit Score )

Arsenal 3 Tottenham 0
Adebayor 20, Gilberto 42 (pen), 72 (pen)

[ Source : Arsenal.com ]

Arsenal face 'moment of truth', says Wenger

THE next 12 days could make or break Arsenal's season, manager Arsene Wenger said.

Arsenal, sixth in the table and 13 points behind leader Manchester United, plays London rival Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the Premier League as well travelling to Portugal to face Porto in the Champions League in that time.

"The period that comes up now for us is the moment of truth," Wenger said on Tuesday.

"We must not hide. There is a big obstacle in front of the players but I feel they are ready to jump it. If they are not, we have no chance to do it. They will try, I am confident."

Arsenal has played some entertaining football this season but inconsistency has left the Londoners well adrift of United and champion Chelsea, which is three points behind the leader.

Wenger also said he was disappointed that striker Thierry Henry had not picked up the European Footballer of the Year award.

Arsenal captain Henry finished third behind Real Madrid's Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was second.

"It is a mistake," Wenger said. "It shows that the people who vote look only at the World Cup ... They make their decision on that."

Wenger also said he was disappointed that striker Thierry Henry had not picked up the European Footballer of the Year award.

Arsenal captain Henry finished third behind Real Madrid's Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was second.

"It is a mistake," Wenger said. "It shows that the people who vote look only at the World Cup ... They make their decision on that."

[ Source : newsnow.co.uk ]

Trio return to the squad for trip to Craven Cottage

Fulham v Arsenal
Barclays Premiership
Wed, Nov 29, 2006, 7.45pm


Fulham play Arsenal in this Premiership football match at Craven Cottage.


Arsène Wenger will welcome back three first-team players for the trip to Fulham on Wednesday.

Thierry Henry (neck) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) have recovered from injury while Robin van Persie served his one-match suspension in the defeat at Bolton at the weekend.

“Henry is back in the squad,” said the manager in his pre-match press conference. “Van Persie and Rosicky are back as well. But Abou Diaby, Lauren and William Gallas are still injured.”

The French centre half is the closest to a return. He looks likely to miss the North London derby against Tottenham yet should be fit for the visit to Portugal next week.

“He’ll be short for Saturday but he will make Wednesday,” said Wenger. "He has a good chance to make the game at Porto.”

The manager also revealed that Julio Baptista would be rested for the game at Craven Cottage.

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Henry back to lift Arsenal after Bolton loss

Arsenal will be hoping the return of star striker Thierry Henry will inspire them to a much-needed victory in Wednesday's London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The France frontman, who was beaten into third spot in the European Footballer of the Year Award announced Monday, is expected to take his place in the starting line-up after a neck injury forced him to miss the Gunners' 3-1 defeat away to Bolton on Saturday.

But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger warned against becoming overly reliant on the 29-year-old captain as his north London side bid to stay in the title chase.

"Thierry Henry has played a lot of games up front on his own this year and that is a lot of work to get through," said Wenger.

"However, I always think you should not focus on just one footballer. We know that Thierry is an essential player for us, but on individual occasions we can win without him."

Wenger will have noted that Arsenal's best Premiership result of this year's campaign -- a 1-0 victory at leaders Manchester United in September -- came without their talisman and Wenger will also be looking to Robin van Persie to provide some attacking flair with the Netherlands international due to return from a one-match suspension for Wednesday's game.

Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky could feature after being sidelined with a hamstring problem but Arsenal will have to do without defender William Gallas, who is out with a thigh strain.

The Gunners' reverse at Bolton leaves them in sixth spot in the Premiership and trailing leaders Manchester United by a mammoth 13 points, after the Red Devils drew 1-1 on Sunday with visiting champions Chelsea.

Wenger will be looking for an upturn in his sides' away form at Fulham, with the Gunners having gleaned just one point from a possible nine in their last three league games away from home, and the size of the challenge is not lost on midfielder Gilberto.

"Now it is time for us to realise every match must be like a final if we are to win the title," said the Brazilian, who scored at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

"When you let the other team score first, then it is even more difficult especially when you have been playing well and they hit you on the break."

Arsenal do, however, have a game in hand on all their rivals and could go third if they win on Wednesay and other results go their way.

They will be hopeful of gaining maximum points as hosts Fulham go into the game on the back of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to promoted Reading.

The Cottagers, now 12th in the table, have gained just one victory in their last six Premiership games and will be wary of being sucked into the relegation mire as they face four away fixtures out of six in December.

Manager Chris Coleman will also have to face going into Wednesday's game with an injury-depleted side.

"We are fully stretched now," Coleman said after the loss at Reading. "We lost Franck Queudrue today, and Michael Brown and Papa Bouba Diop are only 60-70 percent fit. We have got to do a bit of work in January (in the transfer market)."

However, victory over Arsenal could the west Londoners climb into 10th spot, and defender Zat Knight knows what a good week could do for the club.

"At the moment the Premiership's very tight," he told the club's official website.

"You can win one and be in the top ten, or you can lose one and be near the bottom. We know that we're not out of it and we've got a tough game on Wednesday against Arsenal followed by a tough game against Blackburn.

"If we can get at least four points from those games, we'll be delighted."


[ Source from : espnstar.com ]

Wenger hints at transition for first time

Bolton Wanderers 3 Arsenal 1

Transition has become a dirty word in football, particularly among the managers of the top clubs. Perhaps, above all, because it smacks of a defeatist attitude, an indirect way of saying to the fans: “We’re not going to win anything meaningful this year.”

For a long time, Sir Alex Ferguson had trouble admitting that Manchester United were in transition and only now, as his team appear to be emerging from a three-year hiatus, does he seem happy to embrace the word.

Whether Arsène Wenger accepts it or not, a period of transition is what Arsenal are going through. It has been happening for some time, it is just that an unexpected appearance in the Champions League final last season clouded the reality and gave the misleading impression that Arsenal were ahead of where they are.

Wenger was initially reluctant to entertain suggestions that a slow evolution is unfolding at the club, but reflecting on another chastening experience at the hands of Bolton Wanderers that left Arsenal’s title hopes in tatters, the manager seemed only to contradict himself and point, instead, to a work in progress.

“We made it hard for ourselves and it shows we are not mature enough to deal with it at the moment,” Wenger said. “The target is to get the best out of our potential and we just want to do that and see where we finish at the end of the season.”

Given that Arsenal are four points worse off than at this stage last season, when they clambered into fourth place at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur only on the final day, a repeat of that feat would probably constitute an achievement now that Wenger has given up hope of overhauling United and Chelsea in the Premiership.

“It is too many points to bridge,” the Frenchman said. “It is very pretentious to say we can be champions. We cannot claim to be title contenders when we have had lapses like we have had today.”

It was almost inevitable that Nicolas Anelka would end a 3½-month wait for his first Premiership goal for Bolton to put his former club to the sword, but the omens were never good for the visiting side, the average age of whose ten outfield players was less than 23.

Even with a full-strength team, Arsenal are beaten before they arrive at the Reebok Stadium these days, so without Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, and no William Gallas or Lauren to call upon, their task was huge.

Credit must go to Bolton, nonetheless, who overcame the loss of both their full backs to first-half injuries to produce a performance that married silk and steel and one that belied Wenger’s belief that Sam Allardyce’s players are nothing but practitioners of rough-house tactics. For the record, Arsenal chalked up four bookings to Bolton’s three.

If Anelka’s first goal — a thunderbolt — was a contender for goal of the season, his second, a fine finish from an even better pass by Iván Campo, was that of a masterful poacher. “Nicolas was the difference,” Wenger said.

Arsenal hit the woodwork three times, but they were chasing the game from the moment Abdoulaye Faye headed Bolton in front in the ninth minute, and seldom looked like adding to Gilberto Silva’s goal. With Anelka firing, Kevin Nolan, the captain, believes that Bolton can stay third. Arsenal cannot hope for any better.

[ Source from : timesonline.co.uk ]

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal Preview

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal
Barclays Premiership
Sat, Nov 25, 2006, 5.15pm


Arsenal tries to put aside its recent misery at The Reebok Stadium on Saturday when it squares off against Bolton trying to keep sight of the Premiership frontrunners.



The Gunners have not won at Bolton since a 2-0 victory April 29, 2002, on goals by Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord en route to their last Premiership title. The last two matches have seen the Wanderers emerge with 1-0 victories on both occasions during the season as well as an FA Cup victory by the same margin.

Arsene Wenger's squad enters this match in fourth place with 22 points through 12 matches, but Arsenal is 12 points behind first-place Manchester United and nine in back of reigning two-time champion Chelsea, who are playing each other in a titanic clash at Old Trafford.

While the Gunners played Newcastle to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home last weekend, Wenger is hoping the momentum of Arsenal's 3-1 Champions League win Tuesday over Hamburg will provide some needed confidence.

"I feel we showed against Hamburg great character, great spirit.

"We want to fight for the Premiership championship,'' Wenger said. "We have dropped too many points against the so called smaller teams but the team is young and they have learned from those games.''

It is uncertain if Wenger will include teenager Theo Walcott in his first 11 after his brilliant performance as a reserve Tuesday. Walcott sent pinpoint crosses that set up goals by Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista that propeled Arsenal to three points.

"Theo at the moment is in a kind of mental state where he knows he can affect the game when he comes on, and you know he has the physical ingredients when the game needs some pace,'' Wenger said.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is hoping his team can use the psychological advantage of its recent home mastery of the Gunners to its advantage and pass them in the standings. The Wanderers have scored just two goals in their last five matches and have slipped to sixth in the Premiership, one point behind Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Bolton has just one point from its last four domestic matches and is coming off a 1-0 defeat last Saturday at Everton. Despite strikers El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka having quality scoring chances, the Wanderers were unable to find the back of the net.

Allardyce also quashed recent speculation that Anelka would sign with Lyon during the January transfer window after the French team's president publicly said he wanted to sign the mercurial French striker.

"If the comments made by the Lyon president are true, then he is out of order,'' Allardyce told the team's Web site. "We have had no dialogue with Lyon or any other club for that matter. Nicolas is a quality player and he is going nowhere.''

Wanderers will have the services of captain Kevin Nolan, who missed last week's match due to his fiancee giving birth to the couple's first child, Jasmine Elizabeth.

[Source from : sportsillustrated.cnn.com]

Fabregas: Walcott Has Messi Magic

Cesc Fabregas believes fellow teenager Theo Walcott is as good as Barcelona's young star Lionel Messi after watching his team-mate inspire Arsenal to move within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

With Tuesday night's match against Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium locked at 1-1 and the Gunners in real danger of seeing their European dreams fade, the 17-year-old came off the bench to light up the clash.

Walcott’s electric pace and dynamism helped set up full-back Emmanuel Eboue to put Arsenal ahead before the teenager’s run and cross gifted on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Julio Baptista his first goal for the club two minutes from time.

Manager Arsene Wenger has promised the former Southampton trainee will be 'given more games now'.

He has more than proved himself after his selection for the ill-fated World Cup squad, when he did not play at all in Germany.

Spain international Fabregas, 19, has developed a close bond with Walcott off the pitch and is in no doubt as to just what an impact his friend can have.

“If I had to choose two players, it would be Theo and Lionel Messi. For me they are the two best players I have seen at 16 or 17,” said the midfielder.

“I was surprised how good Theo was because I had never heard of him as I do not follow the [Coca-Cola] Championship.

“But when he came to Arsenal, you could see he has the quality.”

Fabregas added: “Theo is showing everyone that he is a great player.

“I know from my own experience it takes time when you are young, and in England their own young players are under pressure - but he is able to handle it, like Wayne Rooney, and that is why he is so good.

“Sometimes the manager uses him sparingly so people do not have a go at him, and he will play for Arsenal many times I am sure.”

The Gunners’ victory moved them back to the top of Group G, ahead of Porto who beat CSKA Moscow and host Arsenal - who will be without the suspended Thierry Henry - on December 6.

A draw would be enough to see last season’s runners-up safely through to the knock-out stages - a position which should have already been secure after opening the European campaign with successive victories.

Fabregas, however, insisted: “We will go there and we try to win as usual - we are Arsenal and we have to always play to win the games.

“First of all, though, we have Bolton, Fulham and then Tottenham, all difficult games in the Premiership.”

The Gunners will be out to get their domestic campaign back on track at the Reebok Stadium, having again dropped two points at home against Newcastle United last weekend.

Given the difficulties faced by Wenger’s men on previous visits to the north west, there is likely to the no quarter given by the Trotters on Saturday.

Fabregas said: “In the last two seasons it is the type of game that I have suffered most in when I played in the Premiership.

“I hope this season I am a bit stronger.

“It is a really important game and because Manchester United play Chelsea, it is a good chance to catch up the top teams.”

Arsenal are currently in fourth place and trail the leaders by some 12 points, albeit with a match in hand.

On the clash at Old Trafford, Fabregas said: “Probably the best result would be a draw.

“You know you have to fight really hard and win a lot of games if you are going to catch them.”

[ Source : from news.bbc.co.uk ]

Wenger confident despite Henry blow

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can get the point they need to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase despite losing Thierry Henry for the crunch clash at Porto.

Gunners captain Henry will be suspended for his sides decisive Group G match on December 6 after being booking in the 3-1 win against Hamburg on Tuesday.

The France striker was yellow carded by Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen for barging into Hamburg's Joris Mathijsen following Robin van Persie's equaliser at the Emirates Stadium.

But Wenger is adamant Arsenal are strong enough to overcome the loss of their talismanic leader and get the draw they need to reach the last 16.

Arsenal are top of Group G with ten points from their five matches and lead second-placed Porto by virtue of their better head-to-head record against the Portuguese team.

Wenger, who claimed he would not go to Porto with the sole intention of playing for a draw, said: "It is a blow because we would like to go there with Thierry, but this team is strong enough to win without him.

"I haven't spoken to him yet so I don't know what happened. It would not be right to say he will be fined (by the club)."

He added: "Both teams will play the game to win but if it finishes in a draw no-one will be disappointed."

Although Henry's absence will be keenly felt in Portugal, Wenger could take comfort from the display of young substitute Theo Walcott, who could replace Henry against Porto.

England striker Walcott came on from the final 15 minutes as Arsenal huffed and puffed in their attempts to get a winner against a resilient Hamburg side.

The teenagers pace and trickery breathed new life into Arsenal and Emmanuel Eboue put Arsenal in front before Walcott set up Julio Baptistas late goal.

Wenger said: "At the moment Theo is in the kind of mental state where he knows he can affect a game.

"He has the right ingredients of pace and skill. I have involved him a lot and he has played a few games.

"I am watching him closely and he will soon get a start because we have so many games to play.

"Every time he plays he looks more mature. He is learning a lot from playing with a team that are always under pressure."

Arsenal can take great credit from the way they refused to throw in the towel on a night when it seemed they might slip towards the Champions League exit.

They were never at their best but managed to find a way to win after being frustrated so often at home this season.

Wenger added: "The important thing was we did not feel sorry for ourselves when we hit the bar and the post.

"We needed to be more direct and when we started to play like that I felt we would take over physically. This can help the players believe in themselves more now."

Hamburg were already eliminated before their trip to London but they took the lead in the third minute through Rafael van der Vaarts stunning goal.

Van Persie levelled soon after half time and Eboue and Baptista struck late on to send the Germans home empty-handed.

But Hamburg Thomas Doll believes his side can improve from their experience at the Emirates Stadium, even though they have now won just one of their last 22 matches.

Hamburg pushed Arsenal all the way despite having nothing to play for and Doll wants them to carry that into this weekends clash with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

"We are very disappointed because we played a good match tactically," he said.

"We are still fragile and there were some moments when we lost our organisation and composure.

"The players are disappointed but they can be satisfied that we put some pressure on them on them.

"Our first half performance can make us happy and it will help us get better."

[Source from; wldcup.com]

Champions League or busted?

Perhaps it shows how far Arsenal have moved under Arsene Wenger, that a few seasons ago to win at Highbury was something to crow about, lately opposing supporters have been cock-a-hoop at simply at getting a draw at the Emirates!

Two big questions seemed to have risen from Saturday’s game at the Emirates.

Firstly, did the outcome raise that question that no club fans like to be pressured to answer, namely, to satisfy their top money spending which are the most important, results or entertainment?

No-one would argue that a combination is by far the most desirable, but if only one can be more guaranteed which would it be? Which one does the club anticipate will constantly fill 60,000 seats? Massive possession, dozens of attempts but dodgy results seems to suggest the answer.

Secondly, did the starting line up provide evidence of Arsenal’s pre-occupation with winning the Champion’s League, ahead of domestic glory?

The boss made has made a fuss about the practicalities of fixture overload on players and has rightly criticized the fact that France played Thierry Henry for the full 90 minutes in a mid-season friendly. But if the club’s no.1 priority was the Premiership would he have rested TH from the starting line-up on Saturday?

The club seemingly has put their placed their silverware dreams in the CL but progress from the Group stages are still in doubt. Hamburg are third from bottom in their league and managed only a 0:0 at the weekend, normally Arsenal would fancy their chances, but as the German’s cannot even qualify for the UEFA Cup, pride is their only motivator and worryingly a draw would surely suffice that!

If that is the outcome bye bye Champions League and maybe the whole season could be busted even before the end of November!

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Trio fit to return but Gilberto unlikely to face Newcastle

Arsenal v Newcastle United
Barclays Premiership
Sat, Nov 18, 2006, 3pm


Arsenal play Newcastle United in this Premiership football match at the brand new Emirates Stadium.


Arsène Wenger will welcome back three players to his squad for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday - but Gilberto will be missing.

The Brazilian midfielder has returned to his country for “family reasons” and, according to his manager, has an 80 per cent chance of missing the match at Emirates Stadium.

On the upside, Julio Baptista is available after six weeks out with a hamstring injury and Jens Lehmann is back despite missing international duty on Wednesday with a throat infection. Freddie Ljungberg had recovered from his calf injury and was due to figure for Sweden in midweek before he went down with a late case of food poisoning. But the midfielder called on Thursday morning to reassure the manager he’ll be OK to play.

“It looks quite good,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. “We have quite a good choice. Nobody has come back from the internationals with any trouble. We have Julio Baptista back in the squad and Freddie Ljungberg is available too. We have had him on the phone and he says he is perfectly alright. Jens Lehmann is available again.

“But I believe we have a family problem with Gilberto. He has had to go back to Brazil. We hope he will be back in time [for Saturday] but we are not completely sure. He had to pull out of the Brazil squad this week and I’d say there is an 80 per cent chance he’ll miss the Newcastle game.”

Arsenal TV Online subscribers can see the full video interview on Friday morning. In it, Wenger talks about: the strange goalkeeping problem ahead of the Liverpool game, scoring the crucial first goal on Sunday, the first truly massive game at Emirates, Newcastle’s struggling start and his memories of Obafemi Martins.

[Source from : news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger - Contenders will emerge next month

The next few weeks will determine the frontrunners in this season’s title race according to Arsène Wenger.

Arsenal joined leaders Manchester United and second-place Chelsea at the top of the Premiership with a 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday at Emirates Stadium.

The defeat leaves Rafa Benitez’s side well off the pace in ninth. Wenger does not discount them yet but he argues we should know more by the middle of December. By then Chelsea will have visited Old Trafford and entertained Arsenal.

“At the moment Manchester United have a particular advantage,” said Wenger, “but Chelsea have had some impressive scores recently. With the goal difference between the teams it is very tight and it is very, very early as well.

“In a few weeks we will know more. Chelsea play Manchester United and afterwards we play against Chelsea. There are Champions League games in between as well. Once that little marathon is over, the ones who survive this period will be No 1.”

[Source from : arsenal.com]

Arsenal Football Club 3-0 Liverpool Football Club

Arsenal club brushed aside Liverpool Club in clinical fashion to keep in touch with the Premiership pace-setters.

Mathieu Flamini put Arsenal ahead from close range five minutes before the end of an evenly contested first half.

But Arsenal team moved into top gear after the interval, Kolo Toure racing on to Robin van Persie's clever pass to slide home a cool finish after 56 minutes.

William Gallas was then left completely unmarked to head in Van Persie's corner to seal the win with 10 minutes left.

Arsenal Hit by Triple Injury Blow

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been hit by the news that Freddie Ljungberg, Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista are all facing spells out through injury.

"Freddie has a calf injury, Emmanuel will miss three to four weeks with a medial knee ligaments injury and Julio has a hamstring problem," said Wenger. "Unfortunately when you have so many players away on international duty you can have some bad news."

However William Gallas is set to be fit for Saturday's game against Watford. Wenger also had some positive news on the progress of Philippe Senderos and Gael Clichy, who have yet to figure in the first-team this season.

"They are making good progress, but I do not know when they will be in the team," added the Frenchman. "They could be in the squad for one of the next two games - but they are still a little bit short of match fitness really."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Wenger Hits Out at Coaches

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has compared international managers to joy-riding car thieves. Wenger has often expressed his frustration at seeing his players return tired or injured after international duty.

"Gerard (Houllier's) thoughts on the matter echo mine," Wenger said. "He thinks that what the national coaches are doing is like taking the car from his garage without even asking permission. "They will then use the car for 10 days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank.

"We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. Then a month later they will come to take your car again, and for good measure you're expected to be nice about it."

Wenger also complained that international managers fail to contact their club counterparts, with one notable exception. "Sven-Goran Eriksson was the only one who used to come and talk to me regularly," Wenger added.

[Source from; football365.com]

Arsenal Club wait on Ljungberg Injury

Arsenal midfield player Freddie Ljungberg will have tests on Monday to determine the extent of the calf injury he picked up during Sweden's 2-0 win over Spain.

Sweden skipper Ljungberg, 29, was forced off in the second half of his side's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.

He is "highly doubtful" to face Iceland on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Swedish Football Association.

If the tests show Ljungberg cannot play, he will return to England to be treated by Arsenal's medical team.

The Gunners Club will be hoping he recovers in time to feature in their next Premiership game, which is against Watford at home on Saturday.

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]

Dein offers Wenger 'job for life'

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has promised Arsene Wenger a job for life as he celebrates his 10th anniversary as manager of the Gunners.

Dein said: "We want him for the rest of his career. If he wanted to give up the tracksuit he'd be invaluable in the boardroom in a technical role."

Wenger, 57, insists he has no thoughts of retiring, saying: "We have a young team and want to continue developing.

"Reaching the Champions League final last season gave us belief."

During his time with Arsenal, Wenger has won the Premiership three times and lifted the FA Cup on four occasions - including two Doubles.

He has also seen the club move to their new 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

Wenger added: "I listened to Tony Blair on the television and when he said that '10 years ago we started' I thought for a moment he was talking about me!

"He talked about how the world had changed in that time and our world has changed here too. The stadium is a concrete sign that we are going in the right direction."

[Source from; news.bbc.co.uk]