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 ]