Arsenal Football Club

Arsenal Team 2-2 Man Utd Team

2007-11-04T21:45:00.000-08:00

William Gallas equalised in injury-time to salvage a draw and keep Arsenal Club on top of the Premier League after an absorbing clash with Manchester United Club.

Gallas turned Wayne Rooney's half-hit effort into his own goal on the stroke of half time to give United Football club the lead.

Cesc Fabregas' cool finish put Arsenal Club level two minutes after the break, but Cristiano Ronaldo slid home Patrice Evra's cross nine minutes from time. But Gallas then scrambled in Gael Clichy's cross to earn a point.

Arsenal still on the top of the Premier League.

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

Lehmann Banks on Arsenal Club Recall

2007-10-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Keeper Jens Lehmann expects to return to the Arsenal team for the Premier League game against Bolton on Saturday. The 37-year-old's mistake in his last Arsenal appearance on 19 August led to a Blackburn equaliser and he has not played the last 10 games in goal.

He played for Germany in the draw with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and claims his absence for the Gunners was an injury and not a selection issue. "I am fully fit and expect to be back against Bolton," said Lehmann.

"Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has not told me anything but I am here now and I expect him to play me, so no worries."

Manuel Almunia has played in nine of the last 10 games for the Gunners, with Lukasz Fabianski featuring in the Carling Cup win over Newcastle.

Lehmann aggravated an Achilles tendon problem when on international duty for Germany in August but has since has treatment for an elbow problem.

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

Arsenal 3-0 Sevilla in Champions League

2007-09-21T04:17:00.000-07:00

Arsenal made a confident start to their Champions League campaign with a comfortable win over Sevilla.

Cesc Fabregas' shot deflected in off Julien Escude to put Arsenal ahead at the break, with Jesus Navas and Freddie Kanoute going close for the visitors.

Robin van Persie made it 2-0, tapping in from Fabregas's free-kick and Sevilla never threatened to come back.

Eduardo sealed the points in injury time with a cool finish after good work by Alexander Hleb and Fabregas.

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

Striker Da Silva Gets Work Permit to Arsenal

2007-08-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva has been granted a work permit by the Home Office following a hearing on Thursday.

The Gunners signed the 24-year-old Brazilian-born Croatian international striker from Dinamo Zagreb in July.

His application for a work permit went to an appeal because he had not met the criteria of 75% of international appearances over the past two years.

But Thursday's appeal proved successful and he celebrated by scoring the winner in a 2-1 friendly win over Lazio Club.

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

Auxerre's Sagna Signs for Arsenal Club

2007-07-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Arsenal have signed Auxerre defender Bacary Sagna for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old, who was in the last France squad but is uncapped, has signed a long-term deal and said: "It is great to be joining Arsenal."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told the club's website: "He is a very capable defender and has played consistently well for Auxerre in recent seasons. "He plays mainly at right-back, but can also play along the defence or in midfield. He is strong and quick."

Sagna, who will wear the number three shirt, has been a regular in the Auxerre team for the last three seasons and won the French Cup in 2005. And Sagna added: "I know Abou Diaby from our time together at Auxerre and also Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini from the French Under-21 team.

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

Goodbye Henry

2007-06-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

Arsene Wenger had already managed Thierry Henry at Monaco before bringing the striker to Highbury from Juventus in 1999.

It proves a prosperous reunion and Henry's disappointing spell in Italy is soon a distant memory as the goals start coming.

All that changes in 2002 when victory over Chelsea in Cardiff completes a League and Cup double for the Gunners

Then in 2004, Henry's electrifying form - 39 goals in the season - leads Arsenal to a historic undefeated League title

Henry's part in the Gunners' spectacular League triumph is acknowledged with the 2004 Player of the Year award

And it's business as usual at Arsenal's new ground when Thierry Henry scores the winner against Man Utd in January.

Henry Agent Dismisses Barca Claim

2007-06-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Thierry Henry's management group has rubbished reports from France that the Arsenal star has agreed a provisional three-year contract with Barcelona. France Football magazine says Henry's agent met with Barca's sporting director Txiki Beguiristain last week.

But Jeff Weston, from the SEM Group which looks after Henry, told BBC Sport on Tuesday: "No such meeting took place. That is absolute rubbish. "There's never been any question of him not being at Arsenal next season."

Henry 29, signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners last year but appeared to cast doubt on his future last week when he said he was flattered by interest from AC Milan.

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

Cesc Fabregas Hits a Stunning 25-yard Volley

2007-04-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Club moved up to third above Liverpool Club in the Premiership table after sinking hard-working Manchester City Club at the Emirates Stadium.

Tomas Rosicky fired the Gunners Team into a 12th-minute lead when he slotted home Emmanuel Eboue's right wing cross. But Man City hit back when DaMarcus Beasley finished well just before the break.

The visitors looked the better side early in the second half but were undone when Cesc Fabregas and Julio Baptista netted with two fine strikes.

Arsenal Football Club 3-1 Man City Football Club

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

Newcastle Football Club 0-0 Arsenal Football Club

2007-04-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

Newcastle Football Club and Arsenal Football Club were both well below their best in a dull draw. The closest Newcastle Club came to breaking the deadlock was when James Milner's looping cross cannoned back off the bar with Jens Lehmann groping the air.

Arsenal Team were just as poor, but almost snatched a win when Gilberto Silva had two successive efforts cleared off the line by Nolberto Solano.

A major concern for Newcastle will be the groin injury to keeper Shay Given, which forced him off after 25 minutes.

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

Wenger Denies Misconduct Charge

2007-03-31T23:40:00.000-07:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct. The charge related to comments Wenger made after the Carling Cup final fracas and defeat to Chelsea at Cardiff. He was asked to explain his claim "the whole system is not honest", a reference to FA disciplinary rules.

Wenger also suggested the assistant whom referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off striker Emmanuel Adebayor was a "liar". This was not the first time Wenger had been at odds with the Football Association this season. A date for his personal hearing into an improper conduct charge after a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett during the Portsmouth match at the Emirates Stadium in December has still not been finalised.

And Wenger was fined £10,000 and warned about his future conduct for a touchline bust-up with then West Ham manager Alan Pardew at the end of November.

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

Wenger - Persistent Injuries Were such a Blow to Gallas

2007-03-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger laments the loss of William Gallas for so much of this season. The central defender arrived on transfer deadline day in August and seemed the perfect replacement for Sol Campbell, who had left the Arsenal Club in the summer.

He slotted in quickly but his season changed with the last kick of training on the eve of the Champions League game with Hamburg in November. Gallas hurt his groin in the process of striking a ball. He would not play again until February 17.

“He was out for three months at a very important period of the season,” said Wenger. For me he is very big player for us. Firstly because he is a winner and he is ready to die on the football pitch to win.

“Secondly because he is good reader of the game, good tactically and can bring a lot to this team “He was very unsettled by his injury and he was desperate to play and come back. It was a big, big blow to him.”

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Arsenal Football Club 1-1 PSV Football Club (agg 1-2)

2007-03-08T23:33:00.000-08:00

PSV Eindhoven defender Alex threw Arsenal Club a Champions League lifeline with an own goal - then sent them crashing out with a superb late header.

Arsenal Team needed to score twice to reach the last eight, and looked on course when Alex diverted Denilson's corner into his own net after 58 minutes. Arsene Wenger's side then paid the ultimate price for missing chances.

Alex, on loan from Chelsea Club, headed in Edison Mendez's free-kick with eight minutes left for the vital away goal.

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

Hot Shot Between Arsenal VS Chelsea

2007-02-26T01:24:00.000-08:00

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium gradually fills up prior to kick-off but many fans endure frustrating journeys after rail delays

The Gunners take a 12th-minute lead when Theo Walcott beats Petr Cech after exchanging passes with Abou Diaby

Chelsea equalise eight minutes later when Michael Ballack finds Didier Drogba who beats the offside trap to score

Disaster strikes for John Terry in the 56th minute - Diaby's attempted corner clearance accidentally hits him in the face

With the game in injury time, a mass brawl erupts and Mikel Jon Obi, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are all sent off

Arsenal Team Join Queen for Tea

2007-02-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

The Queen has hosted a reception for the Arsenal squad at Buckingham Palace, four months after she cancelled plans to open their new Emirates stadium.

Captain Thierry Henry and other players swapped the Gunners strip for suits as they toured the State Apartments. They then sipped tea with the Queen, whose bad back forced her to miss the opening of the new stadium in October. The reception marked the first time a football club has been invited to the royal residence.

Theo Walcott, Freddie Ljungberg and manager Arsene Wenger were also in attendance, spending 40 minutes viewing the palace's historic rooms.

'Very international'

"The Queen was disappointed about not being able to officially open the new Arsenal stadium due to her back strain," said a Buckingham Palace spokesman.

"Her Majesty therefore decided to host a tea to thank those involved in the project for all their hard work and to have a chance to meet some of those she would have seen on the day."

The Queen, whose place at the Emirates opening was filled by the Duke of Edinburgh, complimented Henry on his "very international side".

The Gunners moved to their new stadium over the summer after leaving Highbury, which had been their home for 93 years.

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

Arsenal Football Club 2-1 Wigan Football Club

2007-02-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

Tomas Rosicky's first Premiership goal broke Wigan hearts as Arsenal Team fought back from a goal down in the last 10 minutes to move back into fourth spot.

Wigan Team took the lead when Denny Landzaat crashed home a superb strike from 35 yards that gave Jens Lehmann no chance.

Emile Heskey hit a post and missed another good chance to extend the lead, while Thierry Henry was also wasteful.

But Fitz Hall put into his own net to concede the equaliser, before Rosicky headed in Julio Baptista's cross.

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

Arsenal captain Henry rarely got a look-in before his goal

2007-02-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry rescued a point for his side after they were reduced to 10-men at Middlesbrough.

The game had been dominated by defences but sparked into life when Philippe Senderos was red-carded for hauling down Yakubu, who scored from the spot.

Boro Team threatened to increase their lead before Henry finished off a counter-attack with a shot across goal after 77 minutes. Arsenal Club pressed for a late winner but Boro held firm to earn a deserved draw.

Middlesbrough Football Club 1-1 Arsenal Football Club

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

Toure Struck to Keep Arsenal's FA Cup Hopes Alive

2007-01-29T01:45:00.000-08:00

Kolo Toure's diving header cancelled out Kevin Nolan's opener and denied Bolton progress in the FA Cup.

Nolan struck in the 50th minute when he collected Kevin Davies' cross-cum-shot and clipped the ball into the net.

The midfielder was denied a second when he had the ball expertly flicked from his feet by the diving Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal Club increased the tempo after that and the intense pressure told when Toure dived to meet a cross and bounced a header over Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Arsenal Football Club 1 - 1 Bolton Football Club

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

Wenger Praises Arsenal Team Fightback

2007-01-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Arsenal Club boss Arsene Wenger paid tribute to his "lions" for fighting back from a goal down to beat leaders Manchester United Football Club 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

"We won by never giving up," he said after Thierry Henry's stoppage-time winner gave his side victory.

"We began nervously and Manchester United Club started with maturity but I knew after the break we would have a go.

"They got their goal with their only chance of the half, but we fought back because we have lions in our team."

Arsenal Football Club 2-1 Man Utd Football Club

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

Henry Scored a Superb Goal to Seal the Win for Arsenal Club

2007-01-14T22:57:00.000-08:00

Arsenal Team made light of the 12th-minute dismissal of Gilberto to deservedly beat Blackburn Team, thanks to goals from Kolo Toure and Thierry Henry.

Gilberto was shown a straight red card for flicking a leg out at Robbie Savage after the pair had tangled.

But the visitors managed to cope with the loss, and the swirling wind and rain, to go in front when Toure superbly headed in Henry's free-kick.

And Henry sealed the win when he unleashed a drive into the top corner.

Blackburn Football Club 0-2 Arsenal Football Club

Arsenal Win Over Liverpool Again in Carling Cup

2007-01-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

It was the first time in nearly 77 years that Liverpool Club had conceded six goals at home and followed a remarkable contest, one that few would have predicted even despite the fact that, against expectations, Rafael Benitez opted to field a weakened starting XI.

Julio Baptista notched four as Arsenal routed Liverpool to seal a Carling Cup semi-final clash with rivals Tottenham. Jeremie Aliadiere ran on to Kolo Toure's pass to score the first, before Robbie Fowler flicked in to level. But a Baptista free-kick and tap-in either side of Alex Song Billong's smart finish made it 4-1 at half time.

Two more from Baptista, the first from 20 yards, sealed it after he had missed a penalty, though Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia notched late consolations.

Liverpool Football Club 3-6 Arsenal Football Club

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

Eboue ready to return for FA Cup trip to Liverpool

2007-01-05T02:20:00.000-08:00

Liverpool v Arsenal
Anfield
Sat, Jan 6, 2007, 5.15pm

Slowly but surely, Arsenal's injury problems are clearing up.

LIVERPOOL begin their defence of the FA Cup against Arsenal, in front of live BBC television Match of the Day cameras in a teatime encounter at Anfield, which could turn out to be a classic. Both clubs are seemingly out of the running for the Premiership title and chasing consolation Champions League spots at third and fourth in the table. Their best chance of domestic silverware will therefore lie in the two Cup competitions. Should one or other get knocked out here, the pair meet again on the same ground on Tuesday in the rearranged League Cup quarter-final.

The Merseysiders are one point superior to the Gunners in the League, but will want to complete the job here, as they were thrashed 0-3 at the Emirates Stadium in November. Rafael Benitez' side have lost their last two clashes with the Gunners in north London, but won the last two on home turf.

Arsene Wenger's men prevailed in their most recent FA Cup meeting (1-0 in the fourth round at Highbury on 27 January 2002). Prior to that, the Merseysiders turned the tables in no uncertain terms in the first final to be staged at the Millennium Stadium in 2001. They were trailing 1-0 and seemingly down and out, when two goals in the last seven minutes from Michael Owen ensured the Cup headed north to Merseyside.

ARSENAL and Liverpool have won the oldest, and arguably the greatest knock-out competition in world club football on 17 occasions (10 for Arsenal, seven for Liverpool). The last two were the first to be decided on penalties. Arsenal beat Manchester United 5-4 on spot kicks after a goalless 120 minutes in 2005. West Ham were just seconds away from lifting the trophy in May, when Steven Gerrard fired home a first-time drive from 35 yards to take the match into extra time, at 3-3. A massively exciting final was decided in favour of the Reds by three spot kicks to one in the shoot-out.

The Gunners travel north on a run of five wins in eight games, including Tuesday's 4-0 crushing of Charlton, when Thierry Henry made a surprise return and opened the scoring with a 30th minute penalty.

An Arsenal player has lifted the FA Cup in three of the last five years, and on four occasions in the tenure of Wenger. They've reached the final in four of their last six attempts, and the semi-final on one of the other two occasions. Last season the Gunners were knocked out by Bolton in the fourth round. They will not want to fall even earlier this time around, or become the 15th club in 17 League and Cup matches this season to lose at Anfield. They would be delighted if they could be the first to win on the Reds' hallowed turf since Benfica in the Champions League on 8 March last year.

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

Henry happy with van Persie

2007-01-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

Returning captain Thierry Henry said that he's happy with the progress shown by Robin van Persie.

The Frenchman praised van Persie's hot scoring form and said that the Dutch striker's hard work in training has paid off.

van Persie has scored 12 goals so far this season and has more or less been a permanent fixture in manager Arsène Wenger's team this season.

Henry said: "He's shown ever since he arrived here that he is a scorer of great goals.

"He's done it this season but also in previous years - every goal he scores is a smashing one.

"He has the ability to be one of the best players in the league. He has matured a lot and he does stuff in training that I have rarely seen before."

[ Source form : arsenal-mania.com ]

Arsenal 4 Charlton Athletic 0: Henry returns to punish Pardew

2007-01-02T23:44:00.000-08:00

Arsenal 4-0 Charlton Athletic
Emirates Stadium
Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 7.45pm

Henry slotted home the opener from the penalty spot after Osei Sankofa was sent off for fouling Robin van Persie.

Henry then played a fine one-two with Justin Hoyte for the defender to slot past Scott Carson, who had already magnificently saved fabrom Cesc Fregas.

With Henry back after his well-documented 34-day absence, the skipper's team-mates appeared keen to welcome their leader back with a goal glut.

Arsenal poured forward from the first whistle and after Gilberto Silva and Van Persie went close, Fabregas was denied by a contender for save of the season.

Played into the area, he fired in a shot from 10 yards towards the top corner that Carson somehow stuck out his left hand to and tipped over.

As Charlton began to get more of a footing in the game, an encounter with lots of potential was suddenly dead in the water.

A Fabregas shot from 30 yards got a wicked deflection and looped up on to the crossbar and as Van Persie surged towards the ball, Sankofa bundled him over.

The right-back was harshly dismissed by referee Mike Riley on just his seventh Premiership start and Henry nonchalantly sent Carson the wrong way from the spot.

Just before the break, Hoyte got his first Gunners goal with an effort so beautifully crafted any of his illustrious team-mates would have been proud to call it theirs.

Cutting in from the right he played a sumptuous one-two with Henry and ghosted into the box to expertly slot past Carson into the far corner.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew's main task at half-time must have been trying to prevent a rout, which looked increasingly difficult as Tomas Rosicky fired against a post not long after the restart.

Some of Arsenal's passing was a joy to behold and Henry had a goal ruled out for offside after a sublime move involving the impressive Hleb down the inside right channel.

It was a procession on the Charlton goal and only a mixture of Carson, dogged defending and Arsenal trying to walk the ball in kept the score at 2-0.

Rosicky burst on to a Van Persie pass to force another fabulous save from Carson before the keeper was in the right place again to deny Fabregas 12 yards out.

Henry then shot straight at Carson from inside the box before the disbelieving Frenchman saw the on-loan stopper wonderfully tip away his top corner-bound curler.

Van Persie finally got his name on the scoresheet from the spot with 14 minutes left after Henry bamboozled Diawara and was blatantly tugged to the ground in the box.

The Dutchman made it 4-0 in stoppage time, latching on to a Mathieu Flamini pass and delaying before executing a fine lofted finish over Carson and into the net.

The effortless victory moves Arsenal up to fourth, while Charlton remain a distant six points away from Premiership safety.

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

Eboue to miss Blackburn and Flamini looks doubtful

2006-12-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-21T01:04:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-18T00:17:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-14T00:16:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

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'

2006-12-12T02:07:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-05T21:54:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-30T22:06:00.001-08:00

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

2006-11-29T21:53:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-21T19:40:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-11-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-15T22:37:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-14T00:28:00.000-08:00

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

2006-10-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-11T01:38:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

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'

2006-09-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

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]

Big Match Champions League; Arsenal v FC Porto

2006-09-25T23:06:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football club have slight doubts over midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (knee) and centre-back Johan Djourou (foot).

However boss Arsene Wenger said he is optimistc that Ljungberg, who missed training training on Monday, and Djourou will both be available.

Captain Thierry Henry is expected to start after playing on Saturday.

But Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Gael Clichy (foot), Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still a few weeks away from a return.

Head to Head

Arsenal and FC Porto have never met before. Arsenal have hosted Portuguese opposition twice, winning once and losing once. Most recently they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Benfica in the 1991-92 Champions Cup.

FC Porto travel to England for the ninth time. They have failed to win in their eight previous trips, drawing once and losing seven. Honours were even in the 2003-04 CL match at Old Trafford, when they drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Emirates Stadium in London
Tuesday, 26 September

Wenger delighted with Arsenal win

2006-09-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded that defeat at Manchester United could have been "decisive" as far as their title chances are concerned.

However, the Gunners won 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.

"A loss could have been decisive but this win reinforces the belief that we are a very strong side," said Wenger.

"I would never have thought that our challenge would have been over if we had lost but psychologically it might have been difficult for the players."

The Gunners had a great chance to take the lead earlier in the match but Gilberto had his penalty saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Brazilian slipped as he took the kick, making it easier for the keeper to save the effort.

"I've seen a lot of big football players miss penalties," said Gilberto.

"Afterwards a lot of my team-mates came over and gave me support. It helped me keep calm.

"A lot of reports said that we were out of the title race but those people are completely wrong."

Meanwhile, Manchester United skipper Gary Neville said Arsenal made his side pay for their sloppy play.

"We are disappointed. When you make mistakes in midfield they are as good as anybody in making you pay," he said.

"Our passing wasn't good and we looked tired. We gave the ball away too many times. We would have accepted 0-0.

"We had two or three clear-cut chances, but didn't take them. They had three good chances too."

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

Fabregas to sign new Arsenal deal

2006-09-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will sign a new eight-year contract.

Fabregas, 19, recently signed a new contract that was agreed when he penned his initial deal with the football club.

But Wenger said: "The real new contract is now. Nineteen plus eight is 27. There are not many longer contracts.

"But when you are 19-years-old and are already a regular football player in the team, I do not have a problem. It is a wonderful commitment from him."

Spanish side Real Madrid expressed an interest in signing the midfielder during the summer - but Fabregas made it clear he was happy in London.

Fabregas, who played for Spain at the World Cup in the summer, joined Arsenal from the youth ranks at Barcelona in July 2003.

And Wenger added the willingness of Fabregas to sign such a long deal was a reflection of the investment and work they have done with the player.

"It is a reward for us because we brought him over at 16 years of age," said the Gunners boss.

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

Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough

2006-09-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club were forced to come from behind again at their new Emirates Stadium to rescue a point against Middlesbrough Football Club.

James Morrison curled in on 21 minutes after a one-two with Jason Euell - and keeper Mark Schwarzer kept Boro ahead with a number of fine saves.

But Boro had skipper George Boateng sent off on 64 minutes for two cautions and then Thierry Henry scored from the spot after Emanuel Eboue was fouled.

Arsenal Club poured forward after that but Boro withstood the intense pressure.

William Gallas made his Arsenal debut and was employed at left-back - a position he was supposedly reluctant to play at with former club Chelsea.

And he was caught napping for Boro's goal, admittedly along with the rest of the Arsenal defence, when Boro took an unexpected lead.

Schwarzer was easily equal to efforts from Henry and Robin van Persie - and made one outstanding reflex save to tip over a fierce shot from Alexander Hleb.

Boro's doggedness in defence was typified by Jonathan Woodgate, making his debut following his loan move from Real Madrid.

Tough in the tackle and bossing his team-mates with authority, Woodgate led Boro's backline with a genuinely classy performance.

And in midfield, Boateng performed similarly, until he got himself sent off.

His first yellow card was unnecessary as he argued with the referee following a quick free-kick taken by Henry, which clipped the outside of the post.

Moments later Boateng clipped Freddie Ljungberg, appeared to hurt himself in the process and his misery was compounded when he was booked again.

And then it got even worse for Boro, as they conceded a penalty after Stewart Downing was judged to have tripped Eboue.

Henry converted with ease to bring his side level - and immediately Arsenal made three changes to their line-up.

Among those to come on was new signing Julio Baptista, the muscled Brazilian seemingly introduced to add steel to Arsenal's silk.

But he could not help Arsenal find a way through, and their usually measured approach play became increasingly frantic.

Boro will be delighted to have come away with a point, while Arsenal continue to misfire and the concerns must be growing in north London with the side fourth bottom of the Premiership table.

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

Julio Baptista is New Player of Arsenal Football Club

2006-09-05T04:25:00.000-07:00

Born; October 01, 1981
São Paulo, Brazil
Position; Attacking Midfielder
Squad Number; 9
Joined Arsenal; August 31, 2006
Previous Club(s); Real Madrid

Baptista (24) can play in midfield or as a forward and has been a target of the Club for some time, attracting attention with performances in Spain with Sevilla where he scored an impressive 38 goals from 63 appearances in two seasons, including five goals in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup campaign.

Nicknamed ‘the Beast’, Julio joined Real Madrid last season and scored nine goals in 45 appearances which include the Champions League fixtures against Arsenal.

The 24 year old has also made 18 international appearances for his country scoring three goals, and while not called up for the 2006 World Cup was a member of Brazil’s winning squads at both the 2004 Copa America and also last year’s Confederations Cup.

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Arsenal Swap Reyes for Baptista

2006-09-01T03:13:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club and Real Madrid Football Club have agreed a deal to swap midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes for forward Julio Baptista.

The terms agreed are for a season-long loan deal but the switch could become permanent at a later date.

Reyes, 22, had long campaigned for a move back home and Real and Atletico Madrid had both been linked with swoops for the forward.

Arsenal Club had hoped to sign Brazil's Baptista a year ago, but he chose Real where he has failed to settle down.

Baptista did not train with Madrid on Thursday, with reports suggesting he was in London taking a medical and processing a work permit.

Reyes joined Arsenal Team from Sevilla in January 2004 and last year extended his contract to 2011.

Last month, the midfielder told the Spanish player press he was keen to leave Arsenal for Madrid, saying he had not adapted to life in England.

Reyes has not played for Arsenal so far this season with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believed to have not used him in the Champions League in order not to cup-tie the midfielder and reduce his value.

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

Thierry Henry is Captain Team of Arsenal Football Club

2006-08-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

Name; Thierry Henry
Born; August 17, 1977, in Paris, France
Position; Striker
Squad Number; 14
Previous Club(s); Juventus
Joined Arsenal August 03, 1999

"This is my last contract. It is where I belong." Those words, uttered by Thierry Henry as he committed his future to Arsenal in May, were music to the ears of anyone associated with the Club.

Quite simply, Thierry is one of football's most electrifying talents. The French striker's skill, pace, eye for goal and selfless team play would improve any side on the planet but he is happy to remain the jewel in Arsenal's crown.

Last season brought another deluge of goals and some notable individual achievements. Henry succeeded Patrick Vieira as captain and grew into the role, ultimately leading Arsenal out in Paris for their first-ever Champions League Final. He eclipsed Ian Wright's Club scoring record last October and broke the 200-mark at Birmingham in February, a little over three years after completing his first Arsenal century at the same ground.

The Arsenal.com Player of the Season didn't do badly at international level either. He scored three times as France advanced to the World Cup Final in Germany and is likely to be his country's talisman for a few years to come in the wake of Zinedine Zidane's retirement.

According to Arsène Wenger, Thierry is approaching his peak. The good news is that he will enjoy those golden years at Emirates Stadium.

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Wenger - We must find the mental strength to be clinical

2006-08-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

"We lost and that is difficult to swallow. But there are a lot of positives in the game for us. We are not completely fit yet to finish what we create and we lack a little bit of experience in the back. There is a lot of disappointment in the dressing room because we want to do well and have a great spirit but I hope this will not affect our belief and our confidence. We will quickly start to win these sorts of games but we are not quite ready physically at the moment."

on the fitness of his side
"After the World Cup we knew we could suffer at the start of the season, especially with the Champions League qualifier. We have had a disappointing start also there was a lot of hope in the way that we play and we approach the game. We have to push that through and be strong enough mentally to continue with the way that we play and be clinical."

on not creating chances despite so much possession
"Yes we lack that a little bit at the moment. When you are as not as sharp as you should be that is where you see it the most. You could say that we overelaborated a little bit. Sometimes we could take our chances earlier and quicker. That was the case against Villa and Zagreb. It happens when you do not score early. But we know we have the quality to score goals."

on losing ground on the leaders
"It is very early. If you want to nominate a champion after three games then it is up to you but we have only played two. We will come back into the race don’t worry."

on the Ashley Cole situation
"This situation does not affect our preparation and our spirit. At a big club you have to be strong enough to cope with that. If it happens then it happens, it does not excuse our result today. It is not annoying. When a player wants to go, he wants to go. When we decide to let him go then we decide to let him go. We will have to live with that decision."

on City targetting Hoyte
"They went for long balls to Corradi and Sinclair. They targeted him but overall Justin had a good game. He had two misjudgements on long balls but he had quite a good game."

on the penalty decision
"I feel it was a penalty, I cannot argue with that. Just before that it was a foul on Fabregas I don’t think you can argue with that. Also there was a penalty on Robin van Persie. I have seen it on the tape and it is difficult to argue with that too."

[Source from; arsenal.com]

Arsenal 2-1 D Zagreb (agg 5-1)

2006-08-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club resisted the challenge of Dinamo Zagreb Football Club to book their place in the Champions League group stages.

The visitors went ahead when Eduardo reduced Dinamo's deficit to 3-1 when he fired in after Kolo Toure's attempted clearance fell into his path.

Robin van Persie almost ended Dinamo's feint hopes only to see a shot steered on to the woodwork and to safety.

But Freddie Ljungberg's late header and Mathieu Flamini's tap-in saw Arsenal to victory and a place in Thursday's draw.

There was an air of co-ordinated adventure about Dinamo's play early on as they looked to engineer an unlikely comeback in the second leg of the third round qualifier.

And the Croatian side were rewarded with an early goal to give them hope.

Eduardo thrust in from the left and played the ball wide to Etto before continuing his run into the Arsenal box.

Etto slipped the ball back to his fellow Brazilian and, after Toure could only steer his clearance into the run of Eduardo, the Dinamo striker pounced to slot in an angled shot.

Arsenal heeded the warning and exerted some pressure to go along with their superior possession and they were only denied by the frame of the goal.

Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina missed a Cesc Fabregas cross and Dutch forward Van Persie seemed set to score.

But his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Mario Cvitanovic before the ball cannoned off the underside of the bar and to safety.

The influential Van Persie then produced a sublime piece of skill and had an acute-angled strike saved.

Ljungberg had an excellent chance after Adebayor's knockdown but placed his effort too close to the legs of grateful keeper Turina.

But Dinamo remained a threat and Luca Modric went close with a shot across goal and a deflected Etto strike just before half-time.

Arsenal striker Emanuel Adebayor should have put the home side beyond reach after 53 minutes but blazed high from 12 yards.

The game started to open up as the Croatian side became stretched in their attempts to score again and send a ripple of anxiety around the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal could not take advantage of the extra space in attack and manager Arsene Wenger introduced star striker Thierry Henry.

Henry's arrival gave his side more of a threat up front and Ljungberg headed in a Van Persie cross to mark his first game as captain with a goal.

Theo Walcott then set up his second goal in as many games as he crossed for Flamini to give the Gunners a win in their first European game at their new stadium.

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

Wenger: Real Must Pay For Reyes, Gallas Must Take Pay Cut

2006-08-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

LONDON: Manager Arsene Wenger was adamant that Spanish striker Jose Antonio Reyes will stay at Arsenal Football Club unless Real Madrid offer the right price for the football player.

As for Chelsea's William Gallas, the French defender is welcome at Stamford Bridge – provided he accepta a pay cut.

Gallas has been frozen out by Blues boss Jose Mourinho after rejoining the squad late for pre-season training and publicly voicing his desire to leave.

And Arsenal's England left-back Ashley Cole is in exactly the same position. His protracted transfer negotiations with English Soccer Premiership champions Chelsea have become increasingly strained.

Now it seems the two London clubs are set for a hectic spell of negotiations over the two ostracised football players before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

“I like the fact he (Gallas) is a good defender. He can play right-back, left-back, centre-back,” Wenger said.

“We want the player because we made an offer for him. That is clear.”

However, the Arsenal manager stressed: “We have not spoken to the player yet. You need to agree personal terms. We have a salary cap here and he comes from a club with no salary cap.

“I do not know if it is possible to agree personal terms and agree with Chelsea.

“If he comes here, frankly, he will have to come for less money.

“We can make one exception (captain Thierry Henry) – but we cannot make five or six.”

“As you know there is always a lot happening in the last few days - but he is a player we have a chance to get.

“He wants to leave Chelsea, Ashley Cole wants to leave us.”

Wenger insisted there was no deal on the table from Real for Reyes.

“There is no deal with Madrid, I can assure you,” the Frenchman said.

“His agent flies 2,000 feet in the air - but he must come down to earth again.

“If you want to buy a player, you go in, 'I want this football player, I have so much money', if you like it, you take it or not ... but if you say 'I like a player, but sorry I have no money' - stay at home.”

Reyes has publicly said he would like to join the Spanish giants and Real are reported to have offered £8.5mil for the 22-year-old. But the figure falls way below Arsenal's valuation of the player.

[Source from; thestar.com.my]

Head to Head - Cesc Fabregas v Steven Davis

2006-08-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Barclays Premiership

Emirates Stadium

Sat, Aug 19, 2006, 3pm

Two of the brightest young midfield talents in the Premiership Soccer go head to head when Emirates Stadium hosts its inaugural Premiership encounter on Saturday.

Cesc Fabregas, 19, lit up this summer’s World Cup with a series of mature displays for Spain and began the new campaign in style last week, scoring twice as Arsenal Football Club beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in their Champions League qualifier.

Aston Villa’s Steven Davis, meanwhile, has declared himself fit for what will be Martin O’Neill’s first competitive game in charge of Villa.

Both players made 35 league appearances for their clubs last season although the Villa man clocked up over 300 more minutes than his Arsenal counterpart. Despite the shortfall in playing time, Fabregas [5] created four more goals for his team-mates than Davis [1].

But the 21-year-old Davis did manage one more goal - contributing a quartet of strikes to the Villa cause.

The end-of-season statistics for the 2005/06 campaign also indicate that Davis was marginally the better tackler last season, achieving a success rate of 67 per cent compared with the Spaniard’s 65 per cent.

But Fabregas leaves Davis in his wake in most other departments according to the stats. The Spaniard had a shot accuracy of 71 per cent compared to Davis’ 52 per cent and made more passes, [207] in less time, with a higher success rate [54] than the Villa man [196 and 51 per cent respectively].

Fabregas also comes out on top in the dribbling stakes with a success rate of 49 per cent compared to Davis’ 38 per cent. The Arsenal teenager did however pick up five bookings in the league last term while Davis avoided seeing yellow all campaign long.

[Source from; www.arsenal.com]

Francesc Fabregas is the Best Midfielder of Arsenal Team

2006-08-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

Name; Francesc Fabregas
Born; May 04, 1987, Vilessoc de Mar, Casal de Curacion, Spain
Position; Midfielder
Squad Number; 4
Previous Club(s); Barcelona
Joined Arsenal; September 11, 2003
Arsenal Debut; Rotherham United (h), Carling Cup 3rd Round, October 28, 2003, Drew 1-1. Won on pens

Cesc has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two seasons and is now one of Arsenal's greatest assets - at the tender age of 19.

After a promising breakthrough season at Highbury, Cesc Fabregas stepped into the void left by Patrick Vieira's departure last summer and was a revelation in the centre of midfield. Technically excellent, Cesc rarely wastes a pass and dictates the pace and rhythm of Arsenal's attacks as he probes for openings and picks out the runs of Thierry Henry and company.

Cesc is not just a creator though. He scored five times last season, including the goal which broke the deadlock on the night Juventus were humbled at Highbury and the young Catalan eclipsed his former team-mate, Vieira.

The teenager was rewarded for his outstanding displays with a call-up to the Spanish national side. He kept his place for the World Cup and emerged with his reputation enhanced after coming off the bench to inspire a comeback victory against Tunisia in the group stage.

Fabregas became the Club's youngest football player and youngest goalscorer shortly after joining the Gunners in 2004. On the evidence of last season, Arsenal's 'Fab 4' will be an influential figure at Emirates Stadium for years to come.

[Source from; www.arsenal.com]

Player of Arsenal Football Club 2006-2007

2006-08-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Culb have the best football player in Premier League Football Club (The Best England Football Club)

STRIKER

THIERRY HENRY(14), JOSE REYES(9), ROBIN VAN PERSIE(11), EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR(25), JEREMIE ALIADIERE(30), THEO WALCOTT(32)

MIDFIELDER

FREDRIK LJUNGBERG(8), GILBERTO (19), CESC FABREGAS(4), TOMAS ROSICKY(7), ALEXANDER HLEB(13), MATHIEU FLAMINI(16), ALEXANDRE SONG(17), VASIRIKI ABOU DIABY(2)

DEFENDER

ASHLEY COLE(3), KOLO TOURE(5), LAUREN(12), GAEL CLICHY(22), PHILIPPE SENDEROS(6), PASCAL CYGAN(18), JUSTIN HOYTE(31), EMMANUEL EBOUE(27), JOHAN DJOUROU(20)

GOALKEEPER

JENS LEHMANN(1), MANUEL ALMUNIA(24), MART POOM(21)

The Best Superstar of Arsenal Football Club - Henry

2006-08-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry signed a new four-year contract on Friday, pledging his future to the north London club just two days after they lost the Champions League final to Barcelona.
"At one point the thought (of leaving) crossed my mind. My heart told me to stay," the 28-year-old France international, who had been linked with a move to the Spanish champions, told a news conference.

One of the most coveted strikers in the world, Henry has kept Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and fans on tenterhooks for months by postponing his decision until after the season's end. "The club, the fans - I couldn't let them down. The love that the fans showed me was more than amazing," he said.

The best striker in the world, according to Wenger, Henry joined Arsenal from Juventus in 1999. He is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer and has been the Premier League's top scorer in four of the past five seasons. Last season he scored 27 league goals to ensure Arsenal play in the Champions League next season by finishing fourth.
He will now also lead the club out at their new 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium after they ended a 93-year association with Highbury. The brave Arsenal performance in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in Paris, when they played most of the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off, was instrumental in helping make up Henry's mind.

"I wanted to get into the Champions League final. Once that was done I was pretty quick to make up my mind," said Henry, who has an English wife. "There is a lot of potential here."
Team's Heart "My team showed me I didn't have to leave. They showed me they had heart," he told Friday's edition of The Sun newspaper.

"Everything was up in the air for a very long time. But at the end of the day, the team raised their game.
"Don't get me wrong, I love Barcelona. But on Wednesday night, Arsenal showed me they had heart.
"After we lost on Wednesday, I went over to our fans and clapped them and they clapped me."
Wenger, who coached Henry at his first club, Monaco, made him captain after Patrick Vieira left for Juventus in the 2005 close season.

"I cannot think of a single player in the Premiership who is more exhilarating, dynamic and exciting to watch than him," Wenger said last week.
"He is a wonderful athlete who not only decides crucial games with outstanding individual skill, he is also paramount to team play ... at times, I believe he is close to being the perfect footballer."

Henry was named the English Football Writers' player of the year last month, the only man to claim the award three times. Arsenal have won two league titles and three FA Cups with Henry.
[Source from : xtramsn.co.nz]