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Premier League : Arsenal 3-0 W.B.A.

2011-11-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

Arsenal racked up their fifth straight Premier League win at Emirates Stadium with a comfortable 3-0 success over West Brom on Saturday.

As ever, Robin van Persie was at the hub of the action, scoring the first himself before setting up strikes for Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta.

West Brom offered very little and allowed Arsenal to stroll to possibly the easiest three points they will obtain this season.

Wenger’s men have now won their last four Premier League games and, at full time this afternoon, were level on points with Liverpool and Tottenham. The other north London side have a couple of games in hand but, like the rest of the top six, they should sense that a resurgent Arsenal side are now breathing down their neck.

A second successive clean-sheet also suggests the Emirates Stadium men are on the march.

Before kick-off, the ground fell silent as the Club honoured Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. Captain Van Persie held a wreath that will be laid at Islington Town Hall in the coming days.

The Dutchman returned to the starting line-up having been rested against Marseille in midweek. The move was no surprise. Ahead of this game, the 28-year-old had picked up two Player of the Month awards and in the Arsenal.com poll he had taken a thumping 88 per cent of the vote.

The trickier decision was at centre-back where, for the first time, Per Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny were all fit and available.

It was the German who missed out.

Emirates Stadium had been very much the foundation of Arsenal’s recent rise up the table. And the building blocks appeared to be in place from the start this afternoon.

The first 15 minutes were all Arsenal, even if they could not conjure up a shot on goal. The visitors had arrived with all-too-typical tactics of keeping it tight at the back and grabbing what they could on the break.

But in truth, they would offer little in the opening 45 minutes.

Arsenal scored with their first shot on goal and never looked back. Aaron Ramsey’s vision sent Walcott sprinting down the right. His shot was half-saved by Ben Foster and Van Persie swept the ball home from close range. It was his 13th goal of the season and his eighth in the last seven games.

The strike merely confirmed what the game was clearly telling us – Arsenal were in control.

They continued to hold a firm but hardly vice-like grip on the game until they got their second six minutes before the break.

Van Persie cut the ball back form the byline and Vermaelen thumped home his first goal since the fateful day Aaron Ramsey broke his leg at Stoke in February 2010.

It also put Arsenal into positive goal difference for the first time this season.

The first half had been comfortable for an Arsenal side that had barely got out of third gear. The stats said they had enjoyed 71 per cent of possession and had three shots on target, scoring two goals. West Brom had not mustered a shot.

Vermaelen nearly killed off any comeback just before the hour when he slid a header wide from Van Persie’s corner.

Just after that Chris Brunt fly-kicked a shot high over the bar. A decent chance, poorly executed.

But for all Arsenal’s control they had much more left in them. On the hour, Gervinho darted in from the left and Ramsey hooked a shot across the face of goal.

Roy Hodgson brought on Somen Tchoyi for Zoltan Gera to strengthen his front line. They had had precious little joy this afternoon.

However, by now, Arsenal were stirring again. Foster was forced to make a couple of solid saves in quick succession. First from Gervinho’s low drive and then after Song tried to find the top corner from the edge of the box.

In the 70th minute, Walcott drove in from the right flank and Van Persie hoisted his effort over the bar.

Wenger then brought off Ramsey and Gervinho for Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun. It seemed he wanted this game closed off – and that is just what he got.

Sixteen minutes from time, Van Persie touched the ball back for Arteta to sweep home a third. Game, set and match.

Tchoyi escaped shortly afterwards but Vermaelen chased him down all too easily and blocked at the second attempt. It was West Brom’s best chance of the game and also a microcosm of the 90 minutes.

If anything, the visitors had the best period in the final 10 minutes when the game was up.

Steven Reid’s header and James Morrison’s drive were both held by Szczesny.

However, nothing would dent a super (and straightforward) afternoon for Arsenal.

UEFA Champions League : Arsenal 0-0 Marseille

2011-11-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

Arsenal inched towards qualification for the Knockout Stages of the Champions League with a goalless draw against Marseille at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

At the Stade Velodrome at fortnight earlier, Aaron Ramsey’s last-gasp goal had split two evenly-matched sides in a sterile game. This was a much more lively affair but the deadlock could not be broken.

Andre Ayew spurned Marseille’s best chance in the opening minutes while Ramsey sidefooted wide the standout opportunity for the Arsène Wenger’s outfit.

Both teams displayed energy and enterprise in pursuit of a winner, with the visitors enjoying a territorial advantage in the latter stages.

But, with Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker in tandem for the first time, the home defence stood firm.

Even in-form Robin van Persie, who had been bench-bound at kick-off, could not find the net after his introduction.

Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Olympiacos leaves Arsenal a point clear of their opponents this evening and four beyond the German side in third.

They visit Emirates Stadium on November 23 and a home victory will secure safe passage to the Knockout Stages of the Champions League for the 12th successive season.

In his pre-match press conference, Wenger had revealed that he was tempted to stick with the side that swept past Chelsea in the second half on Saturday.

In the end, he resisted.

The talismanic Van Persie was a substitute so, with Marouane Chamakh (knee) out injured, Ju Young Park was the spearhead striker.

Carl Jenkinson replaced Johan Djourou at right-back and Vermaelen came in. Laurent Koscielny, a star at Stamford Bridge, was rested.

The first game between this sides at fortnight ago had been a pretty flat affair and the sides had been separated by a late Arsenal flourish.

The match began in exactly the opposite fashion.

Marseille had strung together three straight wins since then. As a result, they were sparky and penetrative from the opening whistle. But most importantly, they were prepared to gamble going forward.

The Ayew brothers might have grabbed a goal apiece in the opening minutes.

First Jordan’s backheel went wide of one post then Andre stabbed Loic Remy’s cross inches wide of the other.

The supplier also fired over the bar.

Arsenal had to responded – and they did. Gervinho fed Walcott on the right and the winger, whose goal had instigated the comeback at Chelsea, saw a low drive tipped past the far post by Steve Mandanda.

By the midway point of the half the home side had not restored equilibrium and they might have gone ahead when Santos stormed forward and clipped a cross to the far post for the onrushing Ramsey.

The Welshman steered his shot wide and then thumped the ground at his own profligacy.

However, Remy was still a pest on the right. He cut in and raced onto Benoit Cheyrou’s flick before firing wide.

Still, by the half-hour, Arsenal had a measure of control and spurned a couple of solid chances with Ramsey and Park both dithering when they had a glimpse of goal.

The Welshman was having another impressive game in midfield as Arsenal successfully began to turn defence into attack successfully.

However, they could not find the opener before the break.

Within four minutes of the restart, Van Persie began to warm-up. It was an incentive for the Arsenal XI on the pitch and a threat for their opposition. Before that, Vermaelen had headed over for the home side.

However, as they had in the first half, Marseille started well. When Cheyrou’s cross flashed past Szczesny and spliced the six-yard box on the hour, Wenger had seen enough.

On came Van Persie. Park’s workmanlike game was over. Shortly afterwards, Tomas Rosicky replaced Ramsey.

The manager was freshening up his side and looking for the victory which would secure qualification.

It did not have an immediate effect.

In fact, as we entered the final 15 minutes, Marseille still had the edge and Van Persie was employed clearing up chances in his own area rather than making them at the other end.

In fairness, on 77 minutes, the Dutchman did find space beyond the visiting defence but his chip was snaffled by Mandanda.

It had been a half of few chances but both sides began to gamble as the minutes ticked away.

Andre Ayew headed wide and Morgan Amalfitano drove off target as Marseille grew in confidence. Arsenal were pretty much playing on the break at the end.

A goal never came and Marseille’s celebrations suggested they were the happier side at the final whistle.

Premier League : Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal

2011-11-06T20:36:00.001-08:00

Arsenal are back – emphatically, completely, utterly.

Arsène Wenger’s side snatched a stunning 5-3 comeback win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday with Robin van Persie grabbing a sumptuous hat-trick.

Chelsea led at the break as goals from Frank Lampard and John Terry sandwiched a well-made strike by the Dutchman.

However the second half would belong to one man and one team.

Andre Santos and Theo Walcott turned the scoreline around before the hour. After Juan Mata equalised, Van Persie confirmed the points with a breakway goal after Terry slipped five minutes from time

In injury time, the captain completed this huge injection of confidence by thumping a fifth goal past Petr Cech. It was his 28th strike in 27 Premier League games in 2011.

This was a huge test of character for Wenger’s side and they passed with flying colours. The Emirates Stadium side have won eight of their last nine fixtures and, crucially, now have a marquee scalp within that run.

This was the result everyone at the Club has been waiting for.

Hopefully Arsenal's season can kick on from here.

Ahead of the game, Wenger’s main decision concerned the right-back position. With Thomas Vermaelen returning from injury, there were now options. However, the manager decided to retain the back four – and indeed the entire XI - from the 3-1 win over Stoke a week earlier. Djourou was on the right, the Belgian began on the bench.

Going into the game, Arsenal’s form had been as bright as the sunshine that drenched Stamford Bridge for this lunchtime kick-off.

A solid run had put them in the top seven, the Quarter-Finals of the Carling Cup and top of their Champions League group.

However, as the manager acknowledged when speaking to Arsenal Player earlier in the week, this would be a proper test.

The opening minutes proved just how much.

Within seconds of the whistle, Ashley Cole got beyond Djourou on the left and squared for Fernando Torres, who fired wide when he should have scored.

In the following couple of minutes, Cole and Daniel Sturridge would escape into dangerous positions on either flank but their crosses did not find their intended targets.

Arsenal were struggling to settle and would not properly find their feet until they carved out a couple of chances just before the quarter-hour.

In the 12th minute, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta combined in midfield to set Walcott haring down the right. His cross was inviting but Gervinho slid his shot beyond the far post. A glaring miss.

Seconds later, there was another superb opportunity. But this time, Walcott’s cross reared up on Van Persie and the Dutchman hoisted in over the bar at the far post.

But just as it seemed that Arsenal had turned the tide, Chelsea snatched the lead.

Mata’s early cross from the right wing caught out the visiting defence and Lampard pulled away from his marker before steering in his header.

In the circumstances it was a bitter blow and Chelsea looked to take advantage.

On the half-hour Sturridge stormed through to go one-on-one with Szczesny. Fortunately for Arsenal, he flicked his shot beyond the far post.

This was turning out to be a curious game – one with huge pace, minimal midfield control and a raft of spurned chances. So perhaps we should not have been surprised that Arsenal equalised when they looked at their weakest. Though it was a wonderfully-crafted goal.

Ramsey’s pass sent Gervinho scurrying through the heart of the Chelsea defence. When he came face-to-face with Cech the Ivorian cut the ball back for the unmarked Van Persie to turn home.

The home side might have regained the lead immediately when Sturridge darted inside and Ramires converted at the near post. The offside was both rightly-raised and a relief.

However, it seemed that Arsenal had ridden a rough start and would go into half-time all-square.

But this game was never open to confident prediction.

In injury time, Ramsey conceded a corner which Lampard whipped in. Terry bundled home the ball from close range.

Arsenal might have restored parity twice within 55 seconds of the restart. Van Persie’s shot was kicked away by Cech and then Ramsey lifted his effort over the bar from close range.

The visitors’ optimistic start was rewarded a couple of minutes later when Song spread the ball wide to the marauding Santos, who drove a low shot through the legs of Cech and into the net.

Szczesny clattered Cole shortly afterwards as the former Arsenal left-back went through on the left. As there was a covering defender and the tackle was outside the area, the keeper got away with a yellow card and free-kick, which he dealt with himself.

But overall, the visitors had been a different side after break – incisive and determined.

In the 55th minute, their third goal would prove it.

Walcott collected on the right-hand side and drove inside. He stumbled and the Chelsea defence hesitated expecting a whistle. It did not come so, quick as a flash, Walcott picked himself up, weaved inbetween a couple of defenders and fired home his fourth goal of the campaign.

It was just what Arsenal needed and, on the strength of their second-half salvo, thoroughly deserved.

In the 15 minutes that followed Chelsea would pour on the pressure – but created very little. In fact, Ramsey came closest to scoring with quarter of hour remaining but hooked his effort wide.

Wenger made changes with defence in mind – Carl Jenkinson for Djourou, Tomas Rosicky for Walcott – as Arsenal looked towards the final whistle.

However, almost immediately, Chelsea equalised. The long-range strike from Mata was wonderful and well-placed. However, in the immediate build-up Santos had been bumped off the ball by substitute Romelu Lukaku.

It was less than Arsenal were worth this afternoon and, with only 10 minutes left, threatened to steal back two points - but today the visitors would not be denied.

With five minutes left, Van Persie raced on to Terry’s slip, rounded the keeper and restored the lead.

Then, in injury time, he rifled a rasping shot past Cech to make it five.

At full time, the Arsenal team ran arm-in-arm to celebrate in front of their supporters.

This was a famous win, a crucial win, a timely win.

And Arsenal will be all the better for it.

Carling Cup : Arsenal 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

2011-11-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

Arsenal showed character and class to come from behind and beat Bolton in the Carling Cup.

The young Gunners were heading for a Fourth-Round exit when a former young Gunner, Fabrice Muamba, fired the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half.

But Andrey Arshavin – one of Arsène Wenger’s elder statesman – slammed in an equaliser and Ju Young Park completed a 10-minute turnaround with a fabulous finish from Arshavin’s pass.

It was enough to preserve Arsenal’s unbeaten League Cup record at Emirates Stadium and take them into the Quarter-Finals for a ninth consecutive year.

There are some big names left in this competition. But Wenger’s class of 2011 are in the mood to make amends for their Wembley heartbreak last February.

What's more, this was Arsenal's seventh win in eight games. Confidence should not be in short supply when they arrive at Stamford Bridge for their next big test in the Premier League.

Much of the pre-match talk had centred on the return of Thomas Vermaelen, back from injury and back in the starting line-up for the first time in two months. The other stand-out name on the teamsheet was Nico Yennaris – the versatile 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut at right-back.

Their inclusion was typical of Wenger’s Carling Cup policy as youth rubbed shoulders with experience. Bolton also rested a number of established stars but, in contrast to Wenger, visiting manager Owen Coyle parked his big names on the bench.

Arsenal’s creative pricing policy for Carling Cup matches tempted 56,628 fans – a record for this season’s competition – into Emirates Stadium and they saw the home side dominate the opening exchanges.

Arshavin, stationed behind the main striker as he is for Russia, almost capitalised on a hesitation by Gary Cahill in the third minute. Then an expansive pass from Francis Coquelin freed Park, only for the Korean to lose his footing.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, hero of the Third-Round win over Shrewsbury last month, was next to squander a presentable opening. Ignasi Miquel’s floated cross sat up nicely for the 18-year-old but his miscued volley took two ricochets and bounced behind for a corner.

The same man had a much better chance three minutes later. This time Emmanuel Frimpong’s raking diagonal pass found Oxlade-Chamberlain racing through the right channel. He neglected an early shot and tried beat Zat Knight but a heavy touch took him wide of goal and he could only manage a cross that floated meekly out of play.

Bolton had offered very little at this point – indeed, they looked every bit the confidence-drained Premier League strugglers – but Darren Pratley awoke them from their slumber with a driving run through midfield and a fierce shot that required a strong arm from Lukasz Fabianski.

That prompted a spell of Bolton pressure and a chance for Tuncay, Ivan Klasnic and the lively Gael Kakuta to link up. The latter tested Fabianski again with a low left-footed effort.

This was now a much more even encounter but, as driving rain began to fall, Arsenal gradually drove Bolton back.

Yossi Benayoun twisted and turned past Gretar Steinsson before whipping a shot just past the angle and Vermaelen almost secured a dream return with a venomous free-kick that had Bogdan at full stretch. Then Park, growing into the game in his second start for the Club, showed his eye for goal with a clever placed effort towards the bottom corner. Once again Bogdan got across to make the save.

Arsenal welcomed the half-time whistle on Sunday – it gave them a chance to regroup against Stoke – but tonight’s interval broke their momentum and Bolton caught the hosts cold two minutes after the restart.

Coquelin found Frimpong deep inside Arsenal territory but Muamba was on the Ghanaian in a split-second and nicked the ball away. He found Klasnic, the Croatia striker returned the favour and Muamba crashed a shot into the roof of the net.

The Bolton midfielder is, of course, a graduate of Arsenal’s academy. The irony would not have been lost on Wenger.

Fortunately the Frenchman’s latest crop of youngsters turned the tie on its head within 10 minutes – although it was a veritable veteran who did most of the damage.

Arshavin, revelling in his roving role behind the striker, drifted to the right to collect a pass from Benayoun and, as Knight backed off, he drilled an unerring shot beyond Bogdan and into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later the Russian turned provider. This time he picked up the ball in a central position and drove forward, eschewing a pass to Park because the Korean had strayed offside. Arshavin waited and then found his team-mate inside the box and very much onside. Park did the rest with a flourish, curling the ball past Bogdan.

Wenger insisted before the game that his lesser-known late-summer signing would soon endear himself to the home fans. He has been proved right.

Bolton weren’t finished. Vermaelen made a brave block to deny Klasnic a clear sight of goal and Fabianski had to get down quickly to keep out a well-placed free-kick from Kakuta.

With 20 minutes left Coyle brought on Chris Eagles to give the hosts another problem and he almost embarrassed Fabianski with a vicious, swerving shot.

Wenger also used his bench, throwing Ryo and Oguzhan Ozyakup into the fray. But by now Arsenal were playing on the break as Bolton pushed for an equaliser.

Cahill got above Squillaci to force another save from Fabianski with a downward header but that was as close as the visitors came in the closing stages.

So Wenger will take his team into the Quarter-Finals for a ninth consecutive season. Not bad for a man once accused of not taking the Carling Cup seriously.

Premier League : Arsenal 3-1 Stoke City

2011-10-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Substitute Robin van Persie grabbed a late brace as Arsenal continued their revival with a 3-1 win over Stoke at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Dutchman slotted home cut-backs from Gervinho on 73 and 82 minutes as Arsène Wenger’s side registered their third win inside eight days.

But while the victories over Sunderland and Marseille had been tight affairs, this was more like the old Arsenal. Yes they had to rely on Van Persie’s late introduction after he had been rested at kick-off, but their overall performance was arguably the best of the season so far.

Gervinho had given them the lead just before the half-hour when he cleverly converted from Aaron Ramsey’s scooped pass. However, seven minutes later, Stoke were on level terms when a well-worked free-kick saw Peter Crouch convert from close range.

In previous games this season the equaliser had been prelude for doubts to creep in. Not this afternoon.

Arsenal fought the physical with the physical but retained their grace and guile. They ground down one of the most robust sides in the top flight and fully deserved the three points.

This was a sixth win in seven games for Wenger's men and moved them up to seventh place in the table.

Arsenal are not quite back yet – but they are clearly on the way.

Wenger made four changes from the side that had gleaned that last-gasp victory at Marseille in midweek.

The most eye-catching omission was Van Persie in favour of Marouane Chamakh. However, at his pre-match press conference, the manager had hinted the Dutchman needed a break.

“On Monday I decide always to rest him and on Friday I play him again,” he joked.

Elsewhere Gervinho and Aaron Ramsey came in, pushing Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky to the bench.

Johan Djourou started at right back - the position in which he had ended the game in France after Carl Jenkinson went off with a knee injury.

This was the 100th Premier League game at Emirates Stadium. The first 99 had been a statistician’s dream - W66 D22 L11.

It was also the 150th game in all competitions and two goals this afternoon would bring up a double century in five years at the new ground.

However the opening quarter-hour this afternoon never looked like bringing up that landmark.

Chamakh nudged a header beyond the far post from Mikel Arteta’s corner, then the Spaniard himself drove wide.

Perhaps the closest Arsenal came was when Gervinho raced into the area to collect Ramsey’s pass, but Asmir Begovic scooped up the ball before he could convert.

Maybe it was the European exploits of both clubs, perhaps it was shadow created by the Manchester derby - but this was tame stuff.

The first time the crowd had cause to leave their seats was midway through the half when Arteta’s free-kick fell to Gervinho at the far post. He pushed a pass back into the path of Ramsey, who cracked an effort just wide.

Having said all that, Arsenal had the copyright on creativity up to this point. So, when the goal came in the 27th minute, it had to go to the home side.

Arteta made headway down the left and, after Walcott was dispossessed, Ramsey shovelled a pass over the Stoke defence for Gervinho to collect and then convert.

It was the Ivorian’s second for the Club and had been based on his speed of thought to avoid running offside.

However, within seven minutes, it would be Stoke’s quick thinking that carved out an unlikely equaliser.

Glenn Whelan pumped a seemingly aimless free-kick down the right flank but Shawcross escaped the Arsenal defence to race round the back and nod the ball into the area from the byline. Matthew Upson prodded it on and Jon Walters headed down for Crouch to convert from close range.

It was a soft equaliser and acutely disappointing given the graft required to put the home side in front.

The goal changed the flow of the game and suddenly Stoke began to sustain their attacks on the Arsenal goal. However, they never really looked like grabbing a second.

Just before the whistle, Upson nodded Arteta’s left-wing cross away from Chamakh and then Gervinho fired over.

As the players went down the tunnel it seemed like the first half had been a microcosm of the season so far – decent going forward, punished for mistakes at the back.

Once again Arsenal were making hard work for themselves.

In contrast, Wenger’s men began the second half on the offensive. Walcott and Gervinho both popped up in penetrative positions on the right. Although their crosses were dangerous, both came to nothing.

But it would be a case of ‘possession without penetration’ from then until the midway point of the second half. Wenger’s response was to bring on Van Persie for Chamakh.

The introduction of the captain put the home side into another gear. His first touch was to whip in a cross which was just too tall for Koscielny at the far post.

The rest of the side seemed to be a yard faster just by having the Van Persie on the pitch. Arsenal started to set up camp just outside the Stoke area. The introduction of Arshavin – on for Walcott – only added to the attacking intent of the home side.

Wenger’s men were starting to look irresistible and, in the end, they were.

In the 73rd minute, Gervinho darted to the right-hand byline and cut the ball back for Van Persie at the near post. His stabbed sidefoot shot was fumbled over the line by Begovic – but the scorer celebrated like it was a virtuoso 25-yarder.

Van Persie knows his side are scrapping their way back to form and nothing succeeds like success – however it arrives.

In the wake of the goal, Tony Pulis made immediate attacking changes. They nearly paid dividend when Wojciech Szczesny snatched a Kenwyne Jones nod-down away from Cameron Jerome.

However, Arsenal gave themselves some breathing space eight minutes from time when Gervinho sprinted down the left and cut the ball back for Van Persie to sweep home his second.

It was Dutchman’s 25th goal in 26 Premier League games this calendar year.

Some might argue Arsenal are over-reliant on Robin – and use this afternoon as a prime example.

But the performance without the skipper was enough to instill confidence.

Arsenal are going in only one direction right now – upwards.

UEFA Champions League :Marseille 0-1 Arsenal

2011-10-23T09:17:00.001-07:00

An injury-time winner from Aaron Ramsey saw Arsenal snatch a sensational win at Marseille on Wednesday night to take control of Champions League Group F.

A tense, tight stalemate seemed to be meandering to a close when Johan Djourou’s raking cross from the right was nudged on by Gervinho to the unmarked Welshman at the far post.

He took a touch to steady himself then fired his side to the top of the table.

It was a goal out of nothing. Before then both defences had been on top and there had been little to split the sides.

Both had seen solid penalty shouts turned down, as well as enjoying one decent chance apiece – Walcott for Arsenal, Lucho Gonzalez for Marseille.

Still, you get what you grab in the Champions League and Arsenal now lead Group F with seven points. Marseille have six, Olympiacos three and Dortmund one.

With two of their three remaining games at Emirates Stadium, Wenger’s side have the fate firmly in their own hands.

And, as far the 'recovery' goes, this was Arsenal's fifth win in their last six matches.

Wenger had promised to field his strongest possible side in, along with the trip to Dortmund, their toughest fixture in Group F. He made two changes from the team that had edged out Sunderland 2-1 at the weekend.

Kieran Gibbs (stomach muscle) was replaced by Andre Santos at left back while Andrey Arshavin was preferred to Gervinho on the left. With Theo Walcott retained on the right and Rosicky in central midfield, it was an attacking selection.

The Stade Velodrome is known for possessing one of Europe’s most partisan atmospheres. It was loud enough this evening despite one of the stands being empty - apart from the 1,400 travelling supporters. The stadium is in the middle of reconstruction work ahead of Euro 2016.

Uefa’s official previews had described Marseille’s 3-0 over Dortmund last time out as “a counter-attacking masterclass”. Certainly the feeling was that they had ceded ample possession to the German champions, ridden their luck but, most importantly, taken their chances.

There was an indication of that last quality after only three minutes this evening when Loic Remy pounced on hesitation by Alex Song just outside the area. The Arsenal midfielder hauled down the winger in a desperate attempt to regain possession and picked up a booking for his troubles. Andre Ayew barely tested Wojciech Szczesny with the free-kick.

At the other end Van Persie dived to nod wide a Theo Walcott cross, unaware that he had been already flagged offside.

However, it was an isolated effort as Arsenal struggled to settle. Marseille bossed the first quarter-hour. Benoit Cheyrou fired over then a left-wing cross from Jeremy Morel hit the hand of Carl Jenkinson at the near post. On another night, it would have been a penalty - Ayew was booked for protesting the decision.

The let-off only served to inspire Arsenal. They staged a five-minute siege on the Marseille goal midway through the half.

First Arteta’s corner had to be punched clear by Steve Mandanda. Then the Spaniard flung in another that Mertesacker nodded back into the area and Van Persie’s header was cleared off the line by Souleymane Diawara. Replays later confirmed the same defender had clearly handled when the initial ball had been played in.

It was now 1-1 in solid penalty shouts.

On the half-hour, Remy shone again on the left for Marseille. He nudged the ball past Mertesacker on the byline then fooled Jenkinson before sending a deflected effort across the face of Szczesny's goal.

Shortly afterwards, Lucho Gonzalez nudged an effort just beyond the far post from Mathieu Valbuena’s clipped in cross.

They were Marseille’s best efforts so far but, in an open game of many half-chances, neither side had really carved out anything clear-cut.

The second half began in similar fashion. A melee in the goal area on the hour typified a game in which the attacking elements had never quite clicked into place.

Remy hoisted the ball into the area where Ayew and Lucho tussled Jenkinson and Mertesacker for a five-second period in which no-one had control of the ball.

Song stepped in with a fine challenge and eventually Jenkinson hacked the ball clear. However, he injured himself in the process and hobbled off. Johan Djourou replaced him.

In the 63rd minute, Arsenal created perhaps their first clear chance at goal. Walcott squeezed the ball past Alou Diarra but could not prod an angled shot past Mandanda from six yards out.

It was the winger’s last act. Two minutes later he was replaced by Gervinho.

The substitutions had done little for Arsenal going forward. As time ticked away both sides seemed to have settled for a point apiece.

Valbeuna fooled Mertesacker on the right but his cross amounted to nothing. All Gervinho’s energy came to no avail.

Ramsey’s strike came with virtually the last kick of the match and was as unexpected as it was welcome. Djourou's searching ball eventually landed at the feet of the Welshman, who cut inside before finishing coolly to seal the points for Wenger's side.

It seems that all Arsenal’s good fortune is reserved for the Champions League at the moment.

But this was a welcome win for a fast-recovering side.

Premier League : Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

2011-10-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Robin van Persie reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal then fired his side to a crucial 2-1 win over Sunderland on Sunday.

Before kick-off this afternoon, the captain used his programme notes to assure the Emirates Stadium faithful that his full focus was on hauling Arsène Wenger’s team back up the table.

Within half a minute of the opening whistle he set about doing just that by putting Arsenal in front. The home side, and Van Persie, looked like grabbing more in the wake of the goal but an excellent free-kick from Seb Larsson on the half-hour undermined their early confidence.

Arsenal went on the offensive after the interval but it looked like being another one of ‘those’ afternoons before Van Persie fired home a late free-kick that matched Larsson’s for quality.

This was not the most convincing victory but, nonetheless, a victory it was.

In the end, it will be those – and only those – that bring Arsenal back into contention at the top of the table.

And three points this afternoon lifts them back into the upper half of that list.

Wenger made three changes from the side beaten at Tottenham a fortnight earlier. Bacary Sagna had suffered a fractured fibula in that game so Carl Jenkinson made only his fourth first-team start at right back.

Aaron Ramsey had suffered a muscular injury playing for Wales in midweek so Tomas Rosicky returned to central midfield. Laurent Koscielny was fit again so Alex Song moved back into his familiar role as the defensive shield. Francis Coquelin had belied his years to fill that role with aplomb at White Hart Lane. This afternoon he dropped out of the squad.

Sunderland were without Nicklas Bendtner due to the terms of his loan spell from Arsenal. Surprisingly Steve Bruce employed midfielder Stephane Sessegnon as his lone front man.

As the home crowd settled down into their seats at Emirates Stadium they may have read the matchday programme – and Van Persie’s notes in particular - with interest.

In the first 15 minutes the Dutchman played like he was making a point.

Inside 30 seconds he put Arsenal ahead by cleverly allowing a pass from Gervinho to run across his body on the edge of the area before firing low past Simon Mignolet.

It was Van Persie’s sixth of the season and he celebrated with relief as much as joy. Then he set about adding to the total.

In the 12th minute he came closest. The captain shielded Arteta’s pass away from his marker down the right-hand channel then, with Mingolet off his line, tried to execute a Bergkamp-style chip over the keeper and into the net. However, his effort hit the inside the of the far post and bounced across the goal-line before Sunderland managed to snaffle away the danger.

A couple of minutes later he thundered a shot just wide from the edge of the area.

On another day Van Persie would have had a hat-trick inside 15 minutes – and a high quality one at that.

In the 21st minute Gervinho muscled in on the skipper’s one-man show by cutting inside from the left and firing over from range.

Up to this point it was all Arsenal. Sunderland were being overrun and in acute danger of conceding more.

However, by the half-hour they would be level. Just before the equaliser, Sessegnon beat the Arsenal offside trap - and then the charging Szczesny - but the hosts managed to get enough bodies back to defend the open goal.

A couple of minutes later Arsenal failed to clear their lines and the jumping Mikel Arteta handled a high, hanging clearance.

Larsson had perfected his free-kick technique as a Reserve-team player with the home side. He displayed just how much he had learnt by curling a pin-point effort past Szczesny from 25 yards.

It was less than Sunderland deserved but the visitors quickly sought to capitalise. Sessegnon found space on the left of the area and he was given enough space to reach Lee Cattermole four yards out. The midfielder’s header was from point-blank range but Szczesny threw himself to his left to make the save. A brilliant and crucial stop.

Suddenly Arsenal looked nervous. They tried to rally but Sunderland carved out another clear chance in injury time when Larsson nodded down for the unmarked Jack Colback to whip a volley inches over the bar.

Wenger sent his side out with a different mentality after the break. In the opening stages, Song had a goal-bound shot charged down then Walcott forced a fine save from Mignolet at the near post.

Although Arsenal lost Kieran Gibbs in the 53rd minute, fortunately they had a direct replacement in Andre Santos.

The change did not upset the home side’s charge for a second goal. As a result, Sunderland picked up a flurry of yellow cards trying to stop Arsenal breaking through.

In the 65th minute, Van Persie’s low effort was kicked away by Mignolet at the near post. Despite dominating territorially, it was the closest Arsenal had come in the second half.

Not surprisingly, Wenger made an attacking change shortly afterwards – Andrey Arshavin for Gervinho. The Russian was quickly in the game.

In the 73rd minute, he weaved through four Sunderland defenders before poking a shot just wide.

After that, Wenger threw on Yossi Benayoun for Rosicky. The pattern of the game was now set – Arsenal attacking, camped in the visitors’ half; Sunderland defending, working hard to snuff out their hosts’ attacks.

It seemed like one of those days when individual brilliance or good fortune would decide the three points.

In the end, it was the former.

Eight minutes from full time, Wes Brown upended Van Persie just outside the area to the right of goal. The Dutchman stepped up to curl home a fine free-kick. Yet again, relief was the only response.

Sunderland substitute Ji Dong-Won had the ball in the net seconds later but was rightly flagged offside. However Arshavin, who was having a fine cameo, stung the hands of Mignolet in reply.

The visitors had now performed an about-face. They were pouring forward and Arsenal were defending for their lives.

But, by hook or by crook, the home side got the win they so needed.

Premier League : Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal

2011-10-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

Arsenal went down 2-1 in a thunderous North London derby on Sunday.

Rafael van der Vaart fired the home side in front five minutes from half-time. There was a hint of handball as the Dutchman controlled a chip from Emmanuel Adebayor but the finish was emphatic.

Arsenal were resurgent after the restart and quickly restored parity when great work from Alex Song allowed Aaron Ramsey to crash home from close range. It was his first goal since scoring the winner against Manchester United last season.

The visitors sensed another immediately but, gradually, Tottenham would take control in the latter part of the second half.

Their winner came in the 73rd minute when Song's block fell to Kyle Walker 25 yards out. His low, swerving shot beat Wojciech Szczesny down to his right and found the corner.

It was a bolt from the blue, a rocket-fuelled drive, and reminiscent of Tottenham's last derby win on this ground, which was set up by a similar effort from another young unknown full-back - Danny Rose.

This is another defeat and, given its location, hard to take. But it was not a mismatch as some had predicted.

Arsenal must just lick their wounds over the international fortnight, get their chins back in the air and dig in for the season ahead.

Wenger's team news was always going to be crucial. In all there were six changes from 2-1 win over Olympiacos on Wednesday.

The manager had said Gervinho's muscular injury would tested on the morning of the game if necessary. Whenever the examination was made, the Ivorian clearly passed.

Theo Walcott was also back from a knee problem while Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs returned after being rested in midweek.

Due to injuries elsewhere, Song reprised his centre back role alongside Per Mertesacker. However Francis Coquelin, not Emmanuel Frimpong, was handed the job of protecting the back four from midfield.

As expected, the atmosphere was cooking inside White Hart Lane at kick-off. However a similarly sizzling temperature was unusual for North London in early October.

There is always a special buzz about this game but this afternoon it was multiplied. Arsenal had started the season slowly and the home fans were hoping to capitalise.

A fast start was expected and Tottenham duly delivered.

In the sixth minute, Emmanuel Adebayor escaped from Song the right and reached the byline. Arsenal gave the ball away in trying to clear their lines and Scott Parker went clear one-on-one eight yards out. Thankfully for the visitors his finish was faltering and the effort was blocked by Szczesny at the near post.

But, at the same time, it was a major opportnuity and Arsenal grew in confidence from riding it out.

In the 15th minute, they registered their first chance when Walcott curled a low shot through a crowded area and just beyond the far post. Then, from Arteta's corner, Ramsey sent a backward header across the face of goal.

However, overall, the tide was still with Tottenham. Ramsey gave the ball away in midfield and Bale sprinted clear on the left. His cut back was behind Van der Vaart, who hoisted his effort over the bar.

After 28 minutes, Jermain Defoe fled down the right and his low cross was touched toward goal by Van der Vaart at the near post. Again Szczesny came to Arsenal's rescue, this time with his knee.

By now Arsenal were starting to have more joy going forward and, seconds later, they would carve out their best opportunity of the half.

Van Persie escaped from Younes Kaboul down the left and darted into the area. His cut back found Gervinho just inside the area. However his contact was not confident and the shot flew wide.

Then just past half-hour, Gervinho cut inside and fed the ball to Walcott weaving in from the right. The Englishman's drive had power but he could not keep it down.

Arsenal had evened up the encounter after a difficult start. But derby day is often decided by capitalising on small errors and that is how Tottenham took the lead five minutes before the break.

Adebayor drifted a ball over the head of Mertesacker to the unmarked Van der Vaart. The Dutchman chested the ball down and fired into the corner.

The German claimed the ball had rolled off Van der Vaart's shoulder and he had actually controlled it with his arm. However the goal stood.

Bale crashed a shot wide as Tottenham tried to turn the screw. But, at the break, the hosts were ahead.

They carried that tempo into the second half and, in the opening minutes, the Welshman fizzed a shot just over the bar.

It would not last. Suddenly Arsenal stepped on the gas and grabbed an equaliser.

Song drove into acres of space down the left-hand side. His fierce near-post cross was crashed into the roof of the net from close range by Ramsey. It was not just a goal, it was a tonic.

Arsenal laid a mini-siege to the Tottenham goal in search of a second. But as is the way on derby day, there was nearly a goal against the run of play.

Bale profited from defensive confusion in the centre to put Adebayor clear. It was one-on-one, all the Togolese striker had to do was pull the trigger.

However Szczesny pulled off a stunning save low to his left.

The chance gave Tottenham fresh impetus and, once again, they piled on the pressure. However the keeper was unduly tested.

Midway through the half, Sagna was forced off after damaging his ankle in landing after an aerial challenge with Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Carl Jenkinson came on.

Wenger then withdrew Walcott for Yossi Benayoun and the Isreali took a role on the right to protect the youngster.

Then came the goal. Song blocked a drive from Modric on the edge of the area. It fell to Walker, whose low, rocket-fuelled drive found its way past Szczesny.

Arsenal were rattled and nearly conceded again when Mertesacker's hesitation allowed Bale to steal in and trickle a shot just wide.

Wenger brought on Arshavin and the visitors tried to respond. However Tottenham would carve out the better chances in the final stages.

Bale gave Jenkinson problems down the left and Defoe forced a flying save from Szczesny.

Wenger threw Mertesacker forward in the dying minutes and Szczesny joined him for the final few corners.

But Tottenham held on for victory.

UEFA Champions League : Arsenal 2-1 Olympiacos

2011-10-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Arsenal secured their first win in Champions League Group F with a tense 2-1 victory over Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired home the first in the eighth minute - a goal that made him the Club’s youngest-ever English scorer in the competition. Andre Santos added a second midway through the half.

It was a platform upon which Arsenal might have built. But Olympiacos were never granted planning permission this evening.

The Greek champions were impish and inventive throughout. A clever corner routine saw David Fuster power home a header just before the half-hour and they would worry their hosts for the remainder of the game. They came closest to equalising midway through the second half when Vassilis Torossidis curled a wonderful effort against the bar.

Straight after that let-off, Pat Rice brought on the big guns who had been rested at kick-off. Arsène Wenger, who was seeing out his touchline ban, might have shifted uneasily in his Directors’ Box seat in the final stages but his team got the job done. As Basle proved the previous evening at Manchester United, no-one at this level should be underestimated.

Marseille's win against Dortmund mean they top the Group with six points but Arsenal are tucked in just behind with four.

Wenger’s men take on the French side in their next two ties.

That 180 minutes will have a profound effect on the outcome of Group F.

Before kick-off, Wenger rotated by half-a-turn. Key players were benched - Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and, most notably, Robin van Persie. Andre Santos, Marouane Chamakh and Oxlade-Chamberlain came in.

The manager may have had Sunday’s north London derby in mind – although in his final pre-match interview the Frenchman said playing Van Persie might have risked injury.

Laurent Koscielny was already out so Alex Song deputised at centre back alongside Per Mertesacker. Emmanuel Frimpong filled the sizeable hole left by the Cameroonian in front of the back four.

This game had been declared a sell-out earlier on Tuesday and, after the 3-0 win over Bolton at the weekend, a straightforward victory this evening would help build confidence still further ahead of Sunday’s big game.

And it would take Arsenal only eight minutes to break the deadlock.

Song’s diagonal ball was collected by Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right. He took it in his stride, received a stroke of luck when his miscue bounced back into his path off Ivan Marcano but the rest was class.

The 18-year-old raced through, threaded his shot between the legs of Olof Mellberg and into the net off the base of the post. Oxlade-Chamberlain raced off in a carefree celebration that suggested he had somewhat surprised himself with the strike.

No-one who had seen the early stages of this player’s promising Arsenal career would have raised an eyebrow.

After the goal, Mikel Arteta took centre stage for a while. He supplied the corner from which Chamakh thundered a header just wide.

The deadline day signing then threw himself towards the near post to block Rafik Djebbour’s shot following a corner by Ariel Ibagaza.

It had been a reasonable response by the Athens side but they would be stung again in the 20th minute.

Tomas Rosicky sent Andre Santos marauding down the left. His initial cross towards Chamakh was returned to him. The Brazilian cut inside his marker and sneaked a shot inside the near post.

Chamakh might have put clear daylight between the two sides after Arshavin’s chip sent him clear but he shanked his shot wide.

However, just before the half-hour, Olympiacos got the goal they probably deserved. A short corner routine ended with Ibagaza’s pinpoint delivery for the onrushing Fuster, who planted a header into the corner.

In the minutes that followed, the visitors threatened parity. Szczesny tipped over from Djebbour and blocked low at his near post from a Torossidis drive.

Arsenal regained their composure somewhat as half time approached but there remained a nervousness about their game. Olympiacos had been caught out twice but there was an attractive optimism about their offensive game and they were inventive from set-pieces.

Seven minutes from the break, Kevin Mirallas weaved his way down the left-hand channel but his powerful shot bounced off the legs of Sczcesny at the near post.

At the break, Arsenal had the lead but they did not have control of the game.

The points were very much in the balance.

Olympiacos might have stolen an equaliser in the opening minutes of the second half. Ibagaza squared a right-wing free-kick to Fuster five yards outside the area. Despite the attentions of Frimpong and a narrow space for a short backlift, the Belgian crashed a shot just wide.

In reply, Chamakh, who was having one of his most effective games in 2011, played an intelligent ball inside Jose Holebas for Oxlade-Chamberlain to collect.

This time the winger had time to steady himself but his shot could not beat Franco Costanzo.

The game was now end-to-end. The second half had been similar at Dortmund on Matchday One when, again, Arsenal had been defending a one-goal lead.

It seems that Wenger’s side are intent on doing things the hard way in Europe this season.

Just as the early storm began to blow itself out, Olympiacos conjured up a marvelous effort from virtually nothing. Torossidis weaved inside Santos and unleashed a swerving, dipping effort that beat the outstretched hand of Szczesny before battering the bar.

The chance prompted changes. Ramsey replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Welshman immediately prodded Arshavin clear on the breakaway. His shot was half-blocked by Costanzo – but it was enough.

Van Persie replaced Chamakh shortly afterwards as Arsenal tried to end strongly.

The Greek side were now pushing for a point but Frimpong was muscular in midfield and Mertesacker commanding at centre back.

We expected a final push from the visitors – but it never really came.

Arsenal held on and placed another firm footstep on the road to recovery.

Premier League : Blackburn Rovers 4-3 Arsenal

2011-10-02T00:04:00.000-07:00

Robin van Persie hit the 100th goal of his Arsenal career as Arsène Wenger’s side hit form with a 3-0 win over Bolton on Saturday.

The Dutchman squeezed home the opener a minute after the break to relieve the tension after an uneasy first half.

His second – touched home after low cross from the excellent Theo Walcott – put paid to Bolton. They were already down to 10 men after David Wheater had fouled the Englishman just before the hour.

When Alex Song curled home a gorgeous third in the final minute, Emirates Stadium could relax for perhaps the first time this season.

Van Persie becomes the 17th Arsenal player to hit three figures. His late substitution drew a massive ovation. Those same fans followed that with a rendition of “There’s only one Arsène Wenger” in the final stages.

Arsenal are not back but they might be ‘on the way’.

Before kick-off, there was palpable pressure on Wenger’s side. The mood had been lifted somewhat by the Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury in midweek. However, when it came to the Premier League, the memories of the 4-3 defeat at Blackburn were lingering.

The manager made two changes from the side beaten at Ewood Park. Both were straight swaps - Kieran Gibbs for Andre Santos at left back, Walcott for Andrey Arshavin on the flanks.

Bolton were below Arsenal in the table and had lost all their League games since that 4-0 win at QPR on the opening day. So, while the build-up had been all about Wenger’s men, both teams at Emirates Stadium were desperate for three points.

And it was Bolton who nearly got off to the best possible start.

In the second minute, Laurent Koscielny gave away a free-kick in midfield which Martin Petrov floated to the far post. Wheater headed it back into the heart of the area and Darren Pratley beat Gibbs to prod goalwards. Szczesny flew to his left to bat the ball away.

Bolton had begun this game in the relegation zone but they were confident in the opening stages. A couple of minutes later, Petrov’s chip skimmed off the head of Wheater and went wide.

The visitors had clearly come to capitalise on any Arsenal anxiety. Wenger's men needed to wrestle the initiative and, in the following five minutes, they did.

Gervinho broke away but a heavy touch allowed Jussi Jaaskelainen to rush out and smother the ball at the crucial moment. In the 10th minute, Van Persie fired wide from a twice-taken free-kick.

Arsenal were in the ascendancy and starting to dictate. Bolton were forced to make a change midway through the half when David Ngog hobbled off and Kevin Davies came on. The latter had been a surprising omission from the visitors’ starting line-up.

The burly former England striker was a different type of threat to Arsenal and, as ever, he made his presence felt. But, by now, the home side seemed to have a measure of control.

Gervinho sent a rasping effort inches over the bar and, just before the break, Walcott’s shot deflected into the path of Koscielny who ‘shinned’ a spectacular effort well wide.

Wenger’s men fancied a goal before the break and poured on the pressure. In the dying seconds, Walcott darted to the byline and, although his cut-back found Van Persie, the Dutchman’s shot was blocked. With the final meaningful kick, the Englishman fired just over.

In truth, it had been a turgid half. Arsenal were superior but it was clear that both teams were lacking confidence.

However, Van Persie would start the rebuilding process within 40 seconds of the restart.

Gretar Steinsson clipped Gervinho in midfield but, after referee Mark Clattenburg had allowed an intelligent advantage, Ramsey stormed through and fed Van Persie. The Dutchman beat Fabrice Muamba on the outside and squeezed his shot between Jaaskelainen and the post. Stunning, stirring stuff.

Shortly afterwards Walcott’s touch sent Van Persie clear again but this time the keeper blocked the Dutchman’s drive.

In the 55th minute, Ramsey slid a pass for Walcott through the middle. Wheater’s touch brought him down and, as it was a clear scoring chance, the Bolton centre-back saw red. Van Persie whipped the free-kick straight at Jaaskelainen.

The game had taken a major swing toward Arsenal. Around the hour, Mikel Arteta tried to make the change irrevocable but first he slid a shot just past the post then a drive was blocked.

A similar effort from Sagna suggested the home side were going for the kill. Chris Eagles nearly caught them on the break but, with no support, Gibbs pushed him wide and Szczesny held his shot safely.

Midway through the half, Arsenal were starting to lay siege on the Bolton goal. Within a minute, Jaaskelainen made look-a-like saves from Van Persie’s far-post header and Koscielny’s cross-shot.

Arsenal sensed this was the time and their captain would seize the moment. Walcott raced into space on the right and Van Persie touched home his cross from close range.

It was a century for the striker but, just as importantly, it was breathing space for the home side. The relief was evident.

Walcott should have eased any lingering tension when Song sent him sprinting clear. He went one-on-one with Jaaskelainen but the keeper stood up well to pull off a fine save.

Bolton were beaten and looking for the final whistle. Just before it sounded, Arsenal did grab a third.

Sagna’s cutback found Song on the edge of the area. He darted inside Pratley and curled a sumptuous effort into the top corner.

Walcott went off with a knee injury late on but its effects are not expected to be long-lasting. All in all, a morale-boosting day for Arsenal.

After a stumbling start this was a massive step in the right direction.

Carling Cup : Arsenal 3-1 Shrewsbury

2011-10-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

Arsenal secured a safe passage to the Fourth Round of the Carling Cup with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

A shock seemed possible for a period in the first half when James Collins nodded the visitors in front after only 17 minutes. However, Arsenal were level just after the half-hour when Kieran Gibbs headed home the first goal of his career and they took control after the break.

The outstanding Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain crashed home the first goal of his Arsenal career from long range just before the hour and Yossi Benayoun completed the scoring 12 minutes from time.

Shrewsbury did themselves proud but Arsène Wenger’s side cruised home in the end.

They are in the hat for Saturday’s draw.

As ever, Wenger ran the changes for the Carling Cup. He handed full debuts to Ju Young Park and Oxlade-Chamberlain. The likes of Francis Coquelin, Ignasi Miquel, Lukasz Fabianski and Marouane Chamakh also got a run-out. Ryo was left on the bench along with a host of talented youngsters.

All that was expected; perhaps the bigger surprise was the formation. Park and Chamakh seemed to be dual front men with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Emmanuel Frimpong, Coquelin and Benayoun stretched across midfield. This was 4-4-2 once more.

Emirates Stadium was not full this evening – a rarity in itself. But, as usual, this fixture was not included in the season tickets and the Club had priced seats modestly. Of course, the Shrewsbury end was packed. The Shropshire side were riding high in League Two and had nothing to lose. And the visitors would give them something to shout about during the first half.

That said, they could have been 2-0 down inside five minutes – and both chances fell to Chamakh.

First Gibbs sent over a high, hanging cross from the left and the striker’s towering header was expertly tipped over by keeper Ben Smith.

The corner eventually found Coquelin on the far side. He burst to the byline and his cut-back found the Moroccan once again. This time Chamakh chose placement but his sidefoot shot was saved by Smith once again.

It was a confident start but Shrewsbury would respond and then go ahead.

In the 13th minute, Mark Wright darted through and rolled a shot past Fabianski but against the post. The sliding Collins put the rebound into the sidenetting.

Two minutes later they would steal the lead. Marvin Morgan fired over a cross from the right and the unmarked Collins plundered a simple header.

Suddenly the confidence drained from Arsenal while Shrewsbury began to break with speed and intelligence. One such move saw Wright’s cross-shot deflect off Johan Djourou and fly past the diving Fabianski then the far post. Just past the half-hour only an excellent interception from Carl Jenkinson prevented Morgan profiting at the far post.

Coquelin did test Smith from distance but, when the equaliser arrived, Shrewsbury looked as lively as they had all evening.

In the 34th minute, there seemed little on as Jenkinson sent a fizzing, flat cross in to the area and touched on to Gibbs. His header was instant and powerful enough to see Smith fumble the ball into the net at the near post. It was the Englishman’s first goal for Arsenal in his 57th game for the Club.

The goal lifted Arsenal, of course, but it did not dent Shrewsbury too much. Lionel Ainsworth flashed a low pass across the face of goal and the sliding Collins could only deflect the ball just wide.

But a tough half ended with Arsenal on top. Park controlled Coquelin’s 50–yard pass and crashed a shot beyond the far post then Frimpong stung the hands of Smith with a free-kick.

However, the home side went into the break with work to do.

In fairness, their reply was emphatic. In the opening stages of the second half, Frimpong tested Smith once more and Oxlade-Chamberlain’s clipped cross just failed to find Chamakh.

The former Southampton midfielder, just 18, was fast-becoming the stand-out star of the evening. Just before the hour, he pretty much sealed the award.

With little on 25 yards out, Oxlade-Chamberlain let fly with a low shot. Smith allowed it to squirm underneath him and find the net. Like Gibbs, it was his first goal for the Club.

Ten minutes later, Oxlade-Chamberlain tried his luck from an angle. The shot was so powerful it simply bounced off Smith at the near post.

Arsenal had now assumed control though Shrewsbury were still looking for an equaliser on the break.

Wenger replaced Park with Ryo for the final quarter of the game. The Japanese youngster took up his regular role on the left wing and Benayoun moved into a central role.

However, it would be another substitute, Oguzhan Ozyakup, who set up the third for Benayoun. The Isreali stabbed home from the Dutchman’s cut-back.

That finally put paid it Shrewsbury’s challenge. They had performed admirably this evening but Arsenal’s youngsters showed their class in the end.

Premier League : Blackburn Rovers 4-3 Arsenal

2011-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Blackburn staged a second-half comeback to consign Arsenal to a 4-3 defeat at Ewood Park on Saturday. 

At the break, Arsène Wenger’s side seemed set to record a confidence-boosting victory. Gervinho and Mikel Arteta both notched their first goals for the Club; inbetween Yakubu briefly equalised with a cute finish. 

However, everything changed after the interval. Alex Song turned a free-kick into his own net, then Yakubu stabbed home from close range. The revival was completed in the 68th minute when Laurent Koscielny conceded another own-goal, this time from Martin Olsson’s cutback. 

Substitute Marouane Chamakh steered in a header with six minutes left to set up a grandstand finish. 

Robin van Persie and, most notably, Per Mertesacker spurned opportunities in added time.  But the equaliser just would not come.

It was another disappointing day for Arsenal.

Ahead of this game, Wenger handed Andre Santos his debut at left lack. Gervinho and Song were back after domestic suspensions. Aaron Ramsey had recovered from his ankle injury and was restored to central midfield. Andrey Arshavin replaced Theo Walcott.

Both these sides were under early-season pressure but while the visitors seemed to be on the rise, Blackburn were rock bottom. The first half did nothing to ease the situation.

The visitors were lively and attacking from the first whistle, exploiting any nervousness in the home dressing room. 

It took them just 10 minutes to go ahead. Song was allowed the carry the ball forward in midfield and nudge a perceptive pass to Gervinho inside the area. The Ivorian swiveled and dribbled a low, angled shot across Paul Robinson and into the far corner. All too simple. 

It was a blow to Blackburn’s seemingly fragile confidence but they tried to respond via a traditional method when Christopher Samba slid a header wide from Ruben Rochina’s free-kick. 

However, overall, Arsenal were in the ascendency. Arshavin’s volley forced the best out of Robinson. The Russian had previously seen a rising drive deflected over. In the 24th minute, Sagna’s cutback found Gervinho in space in the area but this time hasty shot was hacked over the bar. 

It seemed that Arsenal were about to take over but, in fact, the visitors got themselves level. In the 25th minute, Junior Hoilett’s clever pass found Yakubu, whose finish was equally adroit. Like Gervinho’s strike it was about placement not power. 

The lead would not last long. In the 33rd minute, Ramsey escaped down the right-hand channel – an area Arsenal have already exploited to great effect – and cut the ball back for Arteta. 

The midfielder met it with a sweet sidefoot finish high into the net. 

Having got the lead again, this time Arsenal were more purposeful about killing off the game. 

Ramsey robbed the ball and led a four-on-two breakaway. Had Gervinho’s raking crossfield pass been controlled by the outstretched foot of Arshavin then surely Arsenal would have extended their lead. 

But the visitors would spurn an even better chance just before the whistle. Arshavin outpaced Jason Lowe on the left and cut inside before finding Gervinho. The Ivorian went for goal but Scott Dann charged down his effort. The unmarked Van Persie was in a much better position.

Arsenal were on top but it seemed that half-time did them damage.

Blackburn came out with greater intent and, within four minutes, had grabbed another equaliser.  

Arshavin fouled Lowe on the right. Ruben Rochina’s chip to the near post hit the inside of Song’s right knee and trickled past the flat-footed Szczesny. 

Matters got more difficult for Arsenal when Sagna limped off and Djourou had to fill in at right-back. Left winger Hoilett had been Blackburn’s most effective outlet all afternoon. 

The impetus was now with the home side. They went in search of the lead and, eventually, found it. 

Mario Formica went through one-on-one and drew a fantastic save from Szczesny and, just before the hour, Blackburn got a third. Hoillet’s long corner fell to Steven Nzonzi way beyond the far post. He drilled a low ball into the area and Yakubu tapped home from close range. Replays suggested he may have been offside. 

Walcott replaced Arshavin as Arsenal sought parity. And it was that offensive attitude that saw them concede a fourth. 

After an Arsenal attack brokedown in the 68th minute, Nzonzi’s clearance eventually found its way to Olsson on the right. He skipped past the sliding Djourou on the touchline and the Song on the byline. His cutback hit Koscielny at the near post and found the net. 

Arsenal were stunned and again went in search of a response. Song was withdrawn in favour of Chamakh. 

With 10 minutes left, Robinson tipped over Van Persie’s header from point-blank range. In the 84th, Chamakh rose between two Blackburn defenders to head home the Dutchman's left-wing cross. 

It set up a frantic finale and Arsenal might have snatched a point in the first minute of added time when Mertesacker steered a header over the bar from Santos’ deep hanging cross. 

Van Persie also saw a shot charged down by Robinson and Chamakh steered a late header wide. 

But it was just not Arsenal’s day.

Wenger - The big games could be decisive

2011-09-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger believes the destination of the Premier League crown could be decided by results of the games between the traditional ‘bigger sides’ this season.

Chelsea travel to Manchester United this weekend for the first meeting of two title rivals and the Arsenal manager feels the outcome of these games will be decisive come May.

“Certainly,” he told Arsenal.com. “Of course, they will have an impact at the end of the season.

“Both teams are lucky because they play against someone who has also played in the Champions League.

“I believe Chelsea have a little advantage having 24 hours more rest but Manchester United have such a big squad now.”

The full interview with Wenger is now available. He discusses: the team's search for confidence, Laurent Koscielny's encouraging form, a new system for set-pieces, confidence in his transfer window captures and Blackburn's start to the season.

UEFA Champions League : Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Arsenal

2011-09-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

An 86th-minute equaliser from Ivan Perisic denied Arsenal victory at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

For the majority of this Champions League Group F opener, Arsène Wenger’s side looked like taking all three points back to North London.

They soaked up significant pressure from the Bundesliga champions in the opening stages but fought their way back into the game and grabbed an all-important goal three minutes before the break when Robin van Persie lashed home.

After that, Arsenal defended deeply and doggedly while Dortmund were pretty but without penetration. Wenger, watching in the stands due to his UEFA ban, may have smiled at the irony of it all.

In the end, Perisic’s strike was not one of the home side’s more fluent moves, it was a speculative effort excuted with excellent technique. But it was perhaps the only way this organised, efficient Arsenal defence were going to be beaten this evening.

And, if Wenger’s men are disappointed with a point in arguably their toughest Group game, then it augurs well for the European adventure ahead.

Before kick-off, Wenger’s main decision had seen him opt for experience and guile over youth and power. Yossi Benayoun made his debut in the hole behind Van Persie when the manager could have pushed up Mikel Arteta and brought in Emmanuel Frimpong alongside Alex Song.

Like Gervinho, the Cameroonian was back after serving out his domestic suspension. Like many, Theo Walcott had thought he was banned after picking up a couple of yellow cards in the two legs against Udinese. However all disciplinary points were wiped clean for the group stages and the Englishman began on the right.

The BVB Stadion was a sight to behold as the teams kicked off. Normally 80,000 fans help to create one of European football’s most intense atmospheres. The capacity was reduced tonight as, for the Champions League, seats had to be installed to replace some of the terracing. However this was still an imposing arena in which the decibel level rarely deteriorated - even when the visitors were in front.

The opening quarter of the game was like the crowd - raucous and lively. In the fifth minute, Van Persie’s half-blocked shot fell to Gervinho. The Ivorian hooked an effort goalwards but Roman Weidenfeller blocked.

Immediately, Dortmund replied. Shinji Kagawa was denied by Laurent Koscielny on the edge of the area but his tackle only nudged the ball to Robert Lewandowski. With Bacary Sagna sprawling to recover, the Pole spotted Kevin Grosskreutz on the left. The 23-year-old had time to select a corner but hoisted his effort high over the bar. Wasteful.

Kagwaga went through and did likewise in the ninth minute. It was a clear chance but not as clear as the one Lewandowski spurned shortly afterwards.

Mario Gotze robbed Kieran Gibbs and his clever flick sent the Polish striker skipping across the area, past Wojciech Szczesny, to leave himself a shot from a narrowing angle. Fortunately he could only pick out the backtracking Sagna, who booted his effort off the line.

As at Udinese in the Play-off, this was an open game - perhaps too open given its magnitude. But Jurgen Klopp’s young side had won the German title last season with a bright, brave passing game. Like Arsenal, it was they only football they knew.

The hosts continued to hold the upper hand even when the game calmed down and Arsenal obtained a greater grip.

The visitors carved out a chance in the 33rd minute when Benayoun’s first-time ball freed Van Persie on the left. He went for his shot early and Weidenfeller touched the ball behind at his near post.

But Dortmund were still the more imposing presence with right-back Lukasz Piszczek looking to get forward at every opportunity. In the 38th minute, one of his centres saw Lewandowski head into the hands of Szczesny.

However, ,Dortmund pressure, Arsenal pace, was the recipe for a goal on the counter. Although speed of thought - not feet - was behind the visitors’ strike three minutes before the interval.

Van Persie slid in to push Sebastian Kehl’s weak pass to Walcott in the centre circle. The Dutchman then got up and sprinted forward in hope of a throughball. Walcott was on the same wavelength and Van Persie raced through before unleashing a venomous shot past Weidenfeller.

Dortmund pushed forward once more at the start of the second half however, before the hour, the only noteworthy effort was Kagawa’s blocked drive.

Naturally, Arsenal had been settled by the goal and were happy to let the home side play their game in non-threatening areas. They knew there was always a chance to counter.

That nearly worked in the 59th minute when Van Persie’s raking ball forward was controlled by Gervinho on the edge of the area with only the keeper to beat. However he stumbled at the crucial moment and Weidenfeller blocked his toe-poke.

The chance was the exception, not the rule. Dortmund were pushing back Arsenal but the visitors were digging in defensively this evening. Koscielny and Mertesacker were clearing the aerial danger and the excellent Song was winning possession on the floor.

The latter’s tackle on Gotze midway through the second half, with the young German in full flow and bearing down on goal, was exquisite.

In one way Arsenal were doing to Dortmund what had been done to them with regularity in the past - defending cleverly and allowing the opposition to play their passing football in front of them but, crucially, allowing nothing to go through them.

The one time the visitors were stretched going forward Piszczek raced onto Gotze’s pass and flashed a ball across the face of goal.

However they were nearly breached nine minutes from the whistle when Gotze’s corner fell to Subotic five yards. His shot thumped in to the grateful arms of Szczesny, a foot either side and it was all-square.

It seemed like Dortmund were spent and Arsenal would hold on. But it is just not going that way for Wenger’s men at the moment. Four minutes from time, Marcel Schmelzer’s free-kick was headed clear by Gibbs and Perisic swung his left foot at it. The ball flew into the top corner past the stranded Szczesny. Incredible.

In the final minute of normal time, the keeper made a crucial save from Lewandowski to preserve a point.

But Arsenal were worth at least that this evening.

'It's too early to speak about winning it'

2011-09-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger believes it is premature to talk about Arsenal as potential winners of the Champions League but feels his side will be contenders for European glory this season.

The manager kicks off his latest quest for the Continent's biggest club competition against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Tuesday night.

“I wouldn't rule it out yet,” he said. “But it’s too early to speak about winning it.

“Saying that would raise a lot of scepticism about the team at the moment and I don't think any one would believe it.

“But we have to do as well as we can and we have to form a team in the next two months. It's too early to have that kind of ambition.”

'Football roots are the deepest in the world'

2011-09-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger feels the pedigree of German football may be the strongest on the planet.

The Arsenal manager was born in Strasbourg and grew up in the village of Duttlenheim in north-east France, close the German border. From there it was Bundesliga football that surrounded him, providing the basis of a rich footballing education.

Ahead of the trip to Dortmund on Tuesday, Wenger said there was no better classroom.

"Maybe there the football roots are the deepest in the world,” said the Gunners boss. “Schalke, Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach - this is the triangle in German football.

"When I was a kid, we had eight teams in the Bundesliga within 100km. You had Schalke, Dortmund and Monchengladbach. Dortmund now have 80,000 people at every game.

"They have a similar style to us so it will be a very interesting game.”

Wenger was also quick to praise Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp, a man the Arsenal boss says can easily be likened to himself.

"He's a younger version for sure,” said Wenger. “He's a man with personality who has done extremely well in the German football temple.”

Wenger delighted with Arsenal debutants

2011-09-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger was full of praise for Arsenal new boys after Saturday’s first win of the Premier League season against Swansea. 

The manager handed full debuts to deadline day signings Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta at Emirates Stadium while Yossi Benayoun was given a late cameo from the bench. 

“Mertesacker was calm and composed - he just needs to adapt to the pace of the game,” he said. “He looks very intelligent in his positioning. 

“Arteta played very well, especially in the first half. In the second half it was more difficult for him but you can see he will give us some technical security that this team needs and wants to play like we play. 

“He [Benayoun] brought us something when he came on because he was mobile, he was dynamic and he did well.” 

It was a deadline day acquisition from 2009, Andrey Arshavin, who got the only goal of the game three minutes before half-time to give Arsenal all three points against the Premier League newcomers. 

Following disappointing results against Liverpool and Manchester United, Wenger knows the confidence a victory will bring. 

“It was vital for us to win the game,” he said. “I think we started quite well but slowly the nerves took over. 

“We played with the handbrake on and were restrictive in the second half. It is not often that we pass the ball back to our goalkeeper when we are at halfway. 

“You could see in the second half that we just wanted to get over the line and we didn't make a mistake.”

Premier League : Arsenal 1-0 Swansea

2011-09-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

Arsenal registered their first victory of the Premier League campaign with a 1-0 success over Swansea on Saturday.

In the build-up to this fixture, Arsène Wenger had suggested that - after arrivals, departures and a couple of disappointing defeats - this was the start of the season for his side.

As curtain-raisers go, it was hardly compelling. But Arsenal were worth their win. And a victory - of any shape or form - was requisite this afternoon.

The deciding goal arrived five minutes from half-time when an errant throw from Swansea keeper Michael Vorm landed at the feet of Andrey Arshavin. The Russian converted from a narrow angle.

The home side never quite kicked on from there and Swansea were always threatening. The experience of new signings helped Arsenal hold them off but at the same time it was clear Wenger’s men need a little time to gel.

However, let’s be clear, this is a fillip for everyone whose heart is held at Emirates Stadium.

The pressure was on and the team responded with the one panacea for a football problem - victory.

Arsenal’s season is underway.

The previews had painted this as a massive game for Wenger and his team. The despondency that immediately followed that 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford had been dissipated by a two-week break for international matches and five new signings in 48 hours before the transfer window closed.

With Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) likely to be out for a while, Wenger started two of the new additions - Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta - at centre back and in central midfield respectively. Ju Young Park, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun began on the bench.

Meanwhile Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna were back from injury. Emmanuel Frimpong returned after suspension.

This was Swansea’s first League meeting against Arsenal since New Year’s Day 1983. Brendan Rodgers’ side were the first Welsh outfit to grace the Premier League but this afternoon their manager was not with them. Sadly, his father had passed away on the morning of the game.

Despite a lively start from the home side, Rodgers would have been proud of his men in the first half.

However, within a minute of the first whistle, Arsenal might have been in front via, ironically, a Welshman. Arteta stormed through centre midfield before laying on a pass for Aaron Ramsey who slid his shot over the bar.

But Rodgers has built this Swansea side on solid footballing principles and hard work. Despite the early let-off, that shone through.

In the sixth minute, Wojciech Szczesny used all of his 6ft 3ins frame to claw in a prod from Danny Graham when it appeared to be heading just inside the near post. It would be arguably the clearest chance before the goal.

That said, Arsenal might have gone in front in the 13th minute when Arshavin’s pass inside left back Neil Taylor allowed Theo Walcott to nip in and clip the ball past the advancing Vorm. The ball trickled towards the empty net but Steven Caulker raced back to deal with the danger on the line.

Arteta had a free-kick blocked and Frimpong dragged his shot down as Arsenal looked to take control. But 10 minutes from the whistle Swansea carved out a couple of decent chances. First Taylor’s penetrative cross was missed by Graham at the near post and Gibbs had to the ball out for a corner. That fell to Joe Allen 12 yards out but Mertesacker timed his slide perfectly to block.

It was then, just as Swansea were levelling up the game, that Arsenal scored. In the 40th minute, Walcott’s shot looped high and wide only for Vorm to intercept and bowl out the ball on the far side of the area. His effort hit the heel of Angel Rangel and fell nicely for Arshavin, who converted in to the empty net from an acute angle.

It was horribly hard on Swansea but then Arsenal had been overpunished against Liverpool last time out at Emirates Stadium.

Football is forever unforgiving.

The goal did not affect Swansea at the start of the second half. Eight minutes in, Laruent Koscielny clipped Sinclair on the edge of the area. The Englishman got up and took the free-kick. It was powerful and goalbound but Szczesny tipped the ball onto the bar.

Van Persie responded by beating Rangel and Leon Britton before planting a low, curling shot against the outside of the post. Then Arshavin thundered over from distance and Van Persie skied a shot when well-placed.

Up to this point, it had not been vintage Wenger but his team were worth their lead. Arsenal sides throughout history had soothed painful periods with solid 1-0 wins. Surely that would be enough this afternoon.

With minutes 63 gone, Wenger replaced Arshavin with Benayoun. Certainly the home side needed a little lift. They were hardly under pressure but, at the same time, they were not comfortable.

Arteta had a shot deflected wide then, after replacing Van Persie, Marouane Chamakh produced a towering header from Gibb’s high, hanging cross. Vorm held on.

As the minutes ticked away, Arsenal looked relatively comfortable until Swansea chanced their arm in injury time. The Welsh side continued to play their game and might have grabbed a last-gasp point with Graham hooked a shot over the bar from close-range following a corner. Gibbs dribbled forward and tested Vorm by way of response.

At the whistle, Arsenal fans were relieved as they were happy.

But they had all three points.

Premier League : Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal

2011-09-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Arsenal suffered a painful 8-2 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsène Wenger took his side to Old Trafford troubled by suspensions and injuries. And they would take their toll as the visitors were overwhelmed by Sir Alex Ferguson’s team on a difficult afternoon for everyone associated with the red-and-white half of North London.

Danny Welbeck started the scoring then, after Robin van Persie’s penalty was saved, Ashley Young contributed the first of two cracking curlers. Wayne Rooney grabbed a dead-ball hat-trick (two free-kicks and a penalty). Between that treble, Ji-Sung Park and Nani added goals while Theo Walcott and Van Persie briefly reduced the arrears.

This was a blow for Arsenal’s aspirations this term but, despite the flak that will come the team’s way, after three games nothing should be written off.

Certainly the constant songs from the travelling supporters throughout the second half suggests they still have faith in their side despite this difficult, difficult afternoon.

Arsenal had been hit hard ahead of the toughest trip of their domestic campaign. Gervinho, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong were all banned. Meanwhile, following that rousing victory at Udinese in midweek, Thomas Vermaelen had picked up a thigh injury while Bacary Sagna had fallen ill.

Wenger had had given Premier League debuts to teenagers Carl Jenkinson, Frimpong and Ignasi Miquel in their opening two games.

This afternoon, Francis Coquelin, 20, was given his top-flight bow in central midfield. In addition, left-back Armand Traore started his first Premier League game for Arsenal since May 2010.

In all, there were six players 22 or younger in the Arsenal team. The average age of Manchester United side was, in fact, younger but they had considerably more experience.

On paper this was going to a huge test for Wenger’s side and Manchester United started like they meant business.

In the opening minutes, Chris Smalling got beyond Traore on the right and cut the ball back for Tom Cleverley who cracked a shot wide.

Then Young’s ball sent Welbeck clear and he drifted his shot wide when he should have hit the target.

The home side were in control but their failure to convert early opportunities saw Arsenal grow in confidence. But the best the visitors had to show for it was a drive from Tomas Rosicky, which was deflected wide.

However, it must be said that by the time Manchester United took the lead, they had taken on an ominous quality. They were finding space all too easily around the Arsenal area and attacking with incisiveness.

In the 21st minute, one such move broke down and the ball fell to Anderson outside the area. The Brazilian lifted a pass over the Arsenal backline and, as the visitors retreated, Welbeck stole in to nudge home a header.

Arsenal needed an immediate response and should have got one when Jonny Evans needlessly hauled back Walcott when he was going nowhere in the area.

Referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot but Van Persie’s spot-kick was not his best. David De Gea dived low to his right to turn the ball aside.

Within seconds, Manchester United would make Arsenal pay. Young picked up the ball in the left-hand channel with little on but produced a sumptuous curling effort that found the net via the inside of the far post with Szczesny left groping the air.

It would be a long way back from here.

On the half-hour Andrey Arshavin started the journey by drilling a low shot towards goal. De Gea was down late and pushed the ball out to Van Persie on the left. The Dutchman drove in a first-time shot but the keeper diverted the ball away.

Welbeck sent a diving header wide from Rooney’s deep cross to the far post and, four minutes from the break, the home side got their third. Jenkinson clumsily brought down Young a couple of yards outside the area on the left-hand side. Rooney stepped up to take it and curled a right-footed effort into the top corner. A wonderful finish.

Arsenal needed something. Anything. And Walcott provided it in injury time by latching onto Rosicky’s cute throughball and drilling a shot through De Gea.

The goal changed the equation just a little and, even though Young might have ended the argument in the opening moments of the second half, the visitors were the better team after the restart.

Rosicky drifted a pass to Van Persie on the edge of the area. His volley was finding the corner before De Gea thrust out his left-hand to make an excellent save.

Then Arshavin muscled his way past Phil Jones to go clear momentarily. But the Russian dragged his shot when he should have hit the target at least.

However those efforts only seemed to spur on Manchester United. Szczesny saved point-blank from Young on two occasions then Cleverley played a one-two only to scuff his effort straight into the arms of the keeper.

And, in the 64th minute, the home side grabbed a fourth when Rooney curled home a free-kick with Szczesny, this time, flat-footed.

Their resistance broken, Manchester United added a couple in quick succession. Rooney fed Nani, who beat the offside trap and chipped his shot over the keeper.

The game won, Ferguson brought on Ryan Giggs and Park, two players who have hurt Arsenal in the past. The Korean immediately got involved by trickling a low shot in to the far corner.

Arsenal were now playing for pride and a little was restored when Jenkinson’s header found Van Persie at the far post. The Dutchman drove the ball high past De Gea.

With 13 minutes left, Jenkinson bundled over Javier Hernandez as the Mexican went clear. Having been booked already the Englishman’s dismissal was sadly inevitable.

This time Rooney’s free-kick wandered just wide.

However the Englishman’s hat-trick was not far away. Walcott was adjudged to have brought down Patrice Evra in the area and Rooney completed a dead-ball treble.

Ramsey curled an effort just wide and Hernandez nearly turned in Park’s low cross at the near post.

In injury time, Young completed the scoring with a carbon copy of his first.

It was the final act of a sobering day for Arsenal.

* A word for the travelling fans, who sang throughout the second half when their side were struggling. They did their Club proud.

UEFA Champions League : Udinese 1-2 Arsenal

2011-08-25T03:07:00.000-07:00

Arsenal are through to the Group Stages of the Champions League for the 14th successive season.

They beat Udinese 3-1 on aggregate thanks to a 2-1 win at the Stadio Friuli on Wednesday evening.
It was comfortable in the end but, before that, Arsène Wenger’s side had to endure 70 tension-filled minutes in north-east Italy.

Antonio Di Natale wiped out Arsenal’s first-leg lead with a clever header six minutes from half-time.

Robin van Persie finished off excellent work from Gervinho to give the visitors the comfort of an away goal 10 minutes after the restart.

But, almost immediately, Udinese had the chance to regain the lead on the night when Thomas Vermaelen was penalised for handball in the area.

Di Natale, scorer of 57 Serie A goals in the past two seasons, stepped up. But Wojciech Szczesny flung himself to his right to palm the ball over the bar. A sensational, tie-turning save.

Theo Walcott added a breakaway goal in the 69th minute to kill the tie. It was a shame in one way. The first 160 minutes of this tie had been superb entertainment. The final 20 were pedestrian by comparison.

But then who cares? This was a pressure game for a team already under scrutiny from all quarters - and they got the job done.

As they have been ever since season 1998-99, Arsenal are a Champions League side.

Before kick-off, Wenger welcomed back Alex Song, Gervinho and Johan Djourou from Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool. Van Persie returned after missing the first leg at Emirates Stadium last week. Wenger was back on the bench too, his suspension had been… well… suspended.

Tomas Rosicky’s thigh problem had cleared up but he only made the bench. Despite his sending off at the weekend, Emmanuel Frimpong retained his place in central midfield.

Last week’s game had been wide open given its importance. The second leg took about 100 seconds to suggest it would be the same.

The opening salvo saw Mauricio Isla attack down the right but his shot drifted beyond the far post. Then, at the other end, Gervinho ghosted inside his marker and, from the tightest of angles, Samir Handanovic snatched his cross-shot.

The early flurry ended with Walcott driving at the keeper. As he had so significantly in injury time at Emirates Stadium, the Slovenian saved from the Englishman.

In the eighth minute, Di Natale hooked home a shot but the offside flag was entirely expected - and merited. Ramsey had a shot deflected wide and then Gervinho popped up on the right to test Handanovic from the tightest of angles once more.

Arsenal were going for the goal that would put the tie firmly in their hands. But at Emirates Stadium, Udinese had been quick and clever on the break. In the 16th minute, that combination nearly drew them level in the tie.

Di Natale found space on the right of the area and chipped a cross into the middle. Pablo Armero got a scrambled head to it and the ball bounced against the outside of the post before Kwadwo Asamoah was flagged offside following up.

Udinese were threatening. Midway through the half, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu drove through midfield and sent Isla into space on the right. His near-post cross was made for a poacher like Di Natale. Fortunately for Arsenal, he swept the ball against the post from six yards out. A huge let-off.

The visitors found some composure in the minutes that followed and then renewed their search for a goal.

It really should have arrived in the 32nd minute. Gervinho tricked and teased the Udinese defence and cut the ball back for the unmarked Walcott 12 yards out. His sidefoot effort was superbly saved by Handanovic. The rebound fell to Van Persie but the recovering keeper saved once more.

Di Natale was living up to his exalted reputation and, seconds later, his near-post drive was deflected into the danger area by Szczesny but no-one was one hand to convert the trickling ball.

Both goals were living a charmed life. The game could not stay scoreless forever.

It didn’t - and it was Arsenal who blinked first.

Six minutes from half-time, Giampiero Pinzi. chipped in a lofted cross towards Di Natale just inside the area. He peeled off Djourou and steered in an expert header off the far post.

It was just what the home side required and before the break Armero fired from distance following fine work from Di Natale once more.

Wenger replaced Frimpong with Rosicky at the break - an offensive move. In the early stages, Arsenal showed greater purpose going forward - but it only brought a pot-shot before the goal arrived.

The strike owed much to the brightest aspect of the visitors’ game so far - Gervinho’s ability to beat weave past full backs and reach the byline.

He did it again in the 55th minute and, this time, Van Persie was on hand to volley home at the near post.

For the first time since Udinese had taken the lead the Stadio Friuli was hushed. It would be very loud and very quiet in turn over the course of the next five minutes.

It began when Rosicky cleared Di Natale’s corner and, as Arsenal raced out of the area, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. It seemed an incredible decision at the time but the official booked Vermaelen and indicated handball.

Di Natale, top scorer in Serie A for two straight seasons, stepped up and his contact was decent. Szczesny thurst out one of his huge bucket hands to deflect the ball over the bar.

If this was a ‘money game’, one upon which millions of pounds rested, then what was that save worth?

Just for added value Szczesny saved a follow up overhead kick from Danilo Larangeira.

Udinese were wounded and Arsenal rubbed in the salt when, in the 69th minute, Walcott raced clear on the left and thumped a low shot past Handanovic.

By this time even the excellent Di Natale was starting to falter; as he did on 77 minutes when put through by Agyemang-Badu.

Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin and Armand Traore all had chances but the closing stages were relatively lame and listless. The fight had gone from Udinese, Arsenal played keep-ball.

When the whistle went, Wenger’s men had retained their Champions League status too.

Premier League : Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

2011-08-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

Arsenal went down 2-0 to Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime at Emirates Stadium.

That is the result of this match but it is not the story.

Arsène Wenger came into this game with a couple of debutants due to suspension and injury elsewhere. He brought on another rookie midway through the first half when Laurent Koscielny hobbled off.

And yet the performance was one of pride.

It was bitterly ironic that the epitome of that emotion, Emmanuel Frimpong, saw red 18 minutes from time.

Then, to add insult to injury and ill-fortune, Liverpool took the lead when Ignasi Miquel’s clearance bounced off the chest of Aaron Ramsey and flew in past Wojciech Szczesny.

Luis Suarez added another at the death but, by then, the damage was done.

The record books will suggest this was a solid away win but the applause that greeted the home team as they went off, and the songs from the stands throughout, smacked of something different.

If you can have pride in defeat then this was it. Arsenal lost the game - and we know what will follow that - but they have not lost their spirit.

At his pre-match press conference, Wenger had been bullish about including Samir Nasri this afternoon.

“Samir is in the squad,” said the manager. “If I decide to play him he will play. When you are professional you play until the last day.”

In the end, the Frenchman started just behind Robin van Persie.

The absence of Kieran Gibbs meant Bacary Sagna filled in at left-back. There were full debuts for Jenkinson at right-back and Frimpong in central midfield.

Van Persie returned from suspension and took the armband for the first time as a full-time captain. Andrey Arshavin was recalled.

Liverpool surprisingly left Suarez on the bench but their attack had the sizeable figure of Andy Carroll at its spearhead. All the summer acquisitions - Jose Enrique, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam - started the game.

This was the first of three massive games for Arsenal in nine days. Trips to Udinese and Manchester United completed that tough, tough triumvirate. It might have been only the second week of the season but it was one of the most important.

Arsenal started the game like they were well aware of that. They were pacy and positive, making in-roads down the right flank especially.

Little clear-cut was created but the attitude was spot on. However Liverpool had levelled matters by the time Koscielny was injured.

In the 13th minute, under no pressure, the French defender held his back and nudged the ball out of play. He went down on his haunches and hobbled off.

Miquel come off the bench to make his Premier League debut.

The substitution changed the tide. Arsenal were now on the back foot and, midway through the half, only Szczesny stopped them going behind. Downing’s cross was met by Carroll at the far post and the Pole flung himself to his left to paw the ball aside.

A few minutes later Dirk Kuyt’s cutback was nodded goalward by Henderson but Szczesny saved on the line.

Arsenal were under pressure and Adam tried to catch out Szczesny with a pot-shot from range. The keeper studiously shepherded it over the bar.

To this point, Frimpong, along with Thomas Vermaelen, had been Arsenal’s stand-out player. On the half-hour, it was his effort that heralded their resurgence.

Arshavin’s free-kick came to nothing and the 19-year-old strode forward before letting fly. It was a low, curling effort that looked to be headed towards the corner only for Pepe Reina to thrust out his right hand at the last moment.

Nine minutes before the break, Nasri picked up the ball deep in his own half, outpaced Lucas Leiva, jinked inside the last defender and fired. His shot was a whisker wide.

Downing thundered another effort wide but as the game reached half-time the equilibrium had returned. Walcott broke clear and went right towards Van Persie when Arshavin, on the left, was the better option.

Arsenal were cheered off at the break. An already young side had got younger during the first half through no fault of their own - and they were wearing the shirt with pride. To their credit, the crowd realised that and were pitching in help.

But both still had a job to do.

In the opening stages of a rain-soaked second half, Carroll cut the ball back to Martin Kelly and his rasping drive hit the outside of the near post.

It might have been the conditions, it might have been match, it might have been the opponents, it might have the whole situation. But the third quarter of this encounter was played in an incredible atmosphere.

The pace was frenetic and action intense. The only real chance came when Arshavin muscled off Kelly and cut the ball back for Van Persie six yards out. Reina made a messy save at the near post.

Frimpong had been carrying a booking since the eighth minute but, most of the time, it had barely seemed a burden. In the 70th minute it came back to haunt him. He flicked out a leg, clipped Lucas in a 50:50 and referee Atkinson brandished another booking.

The youngster held his head in his hands as he went off. Apart from that highly significant set-back, it had been a magnificent debut.

Liverpool sensed weakness and brought on Suarez. Wenger tried to shore up the midfield by replacing Henri Lansbury for Arshavin.

It would be easy to say it did not work because that is just when the visitors scored. However the strike had little to do with Liverpool.

Raul Meireles tried to find Suarez on the right of the area but Miquel intercepted and cleared. However Ramsey was on the way back to help. The ball bounced off the chest of the Welshman, looped over Szczesny and found the net.

The Arsenal fans sensed the injustice once more and found their voice.

But their side was a goal and a man down. There was no way back.

Suarez slotted home a simple second on full-time and at the whistle it was hard to know what to feel.

But the points went to Liverpool.

UEFA Champions League : Arsenal 1-0 Udinese

2011-08-25T03:03:00.000-07:00

Arsenal go to Udinese next week for the denouement of the Champions League Play-Off with a narrow but crucial 1-0 lead.

Theo Walcott’s fourth-minute strike decided a bright, pacy first leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Both sides had their chances in a match which, given its importance, was wide open. Despite losing a couple of defenders to injury, Arsenal’s backline remained resolute and secured a second successive clean-sheet.

And had Samir Handanovic not saved wonderfully from Walcott in the dying seconds, Arsenal may have stolen the tie.

However, as it stands, there is work to do in Northern Italy next Wednesday.

But by then Arsenal will have their captain back on the pitch and their manager back on the bench.

However, right now, their fate is in their hands. And really that is all you can ever ask for.

It may have been only the second competitive game of the season but it was one of the most important. Arsenal had been in the Champions League Group Stages every season since 1998-99.

It was one of Wenger’s proudest achievements but it was now expected.

This was the first game in the post-Fabregas era but the Barcelona effect was wider than that this evening.

Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Arsène Wenger were all suspended following the defeat at the Nou Camp in last season’s Knockout Round tie. Marouane Chamakh replaced the Dutchman up front meanwhile Walcott came in for Andrey Arshavin on the right. Tomas Rosicky recovered from his thigh problem to retain his place in central midfield.

This was Arsenal’s fifth appearance in the Qualifying stages and, in truth, the first four opponents had been easily dispatched. Despite losing their own star turn to Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez, Udinese were expected to be a different proposition.

And, despite suffering a nightmare start, they were.

In the fourth minute, Aaron Ramsey escaped down the right and whipped in a low ball to the near post where Walcott touched home.

The Englishman celebrated with a golf swing and certainly the early goal was like stroking your opening tee-shot straight down the fairway.

The rough would come a little later.

In the sixth minute, Walcott’s corner was nodded to the far post by Laurent Koscielny but Gervinho miscued from just a few yards out. The flying Thomas Vermaelen may well have drawn his attention.

At this point, Arsenal were bright, aggressive and looking for goals.

However, as we soon found out, so were Udinese.

In the 11th minute, Kwado Asamoah escaped on the right with the Arsenal defence stretched. Fortunately, Alex Song stuck out a leg to block the cross and smuggled away the danger.

Then Udinese won a free-kick on the left. It was 30 yards out but Antonio Di Natale tried his luck and, with Wojciech Szczesny beaten, rattled the bar.

There was a massive amount of money and pride resting on the next 180 minutes so you might have expected a tense, taught and perhaps negative affair. Not a bit of it.

The first 30 minutes were like the last 10 minutes of a blood-and-thunder FA Cup tie.

Udinese had to soak up pressure but were lightning on the counter with Asamoah their spearhead. On 26 minutes, Song was robbed on the edge of the visitors’ box and the Ghanaian sprinted almost 50 yards before seeing his shot beaten away by Szczesny. The rebound eventually found its way to Mauricio Isla on the edge of the box but Song, who had raced back to atone for his error, flew in to block.

The game lost some of it energy as we approached half-time. The only real opportunity came when Di Natale rippled the sidenetting.

Arsenal had to reshuffle at the break. Left-back Kieran Gibbs was forced off so Vermaelen moved out to the position he plays for Belgium. Johan Djourou came off the bench and into the centre-back position.

The Swiss defender’s first intervention was timely. He rushed in to deny Di Natale after Koscielny had given the ball away.

However minutes later Djourou had to limp off and 19-year-old Carl Jenkinson made his debut as a makeshift left back. It was his first competitive game since March 19 when Charlton had visited Dagenham and Redbridge.

It was a tough baptism for the Finnish Under-21 international and he learnt an early lesson when Isla forced his way past and fired a dangerous drive just beyond the far post.

Midway through the half Pablo Armero found space on the left and fired inches over the bar from distance.

Udinese had now taken control of the game. Their football was insistent and Arsenal were on the backfoot, defending at times with any part of the body they had available.

That did mean Arsenal had opportunities on the break. In the 69th minute, Ramsey’s pass split the Udinese defence and sent Walcott clear.

The Englishman tried to open his body to steer a shot in to the far corner. Unfortunately he scuffed his effort.

Szczesny threw himself to his left to bat away another free-kick from Di Natale. Giampiero Pinzi then rattled a stanchion.

But the best late chance fell to Arsenal. At the start of injury time, Gervinho slipped a clever ball to Walcott on the left of the area. The striker hit it first time but Handanovic fingertipped the ball past the post. A stunning - and vital - save.

Armero flashed a shot just over at the death but Arsenal had their goal and, just as importantly, their clean-sheet.

The advantage is a narrow one but it is significant.

** Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou suffered minor hamstring problems during the game and could miss Saturday's Premier League fixture with Liverpool.

Ramsey happy with opening-day display

2011-08-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

Aaron Ramsey saw many positives in Arsenal’s performance against Newcastle on Saturday and was happy with a point after playing out the final 15 minutes with ten men. 

The controversy surrounding Gervinho’s red card has taken media attention away from what was a very promising display from Arsène Wenger’s side in their first outing of the new season. 

Arsenal barely gave Newcastle a sniff at the back, were fluid going forward and Ramsey, who was himself hugely impressive in midfield, was pleased. 

“I thought we performed well, defended well and looked solid from set-pieces,” he told Arsenal.com. “We created chances as well but just didn’t take those opportunities. 

“All in all, we are very pleased with our performance today. Especially when we went down to ten men, it was good to get a point out of the game in the end. 

“The players adapted well to going down to ten men and we even created one or two chances at the end. We are pleased with the result. “

Arsenal agree terms with Barca for Fabregas

2011-08-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

Arsenal announces today that they have reached an agreement in principle with Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas to move to Spain.

It signals the end of the midfielder's eight-year spell at Arsenal. Fabregas joined the Club from Barcelona as a 16-year-old in September 2003 and made 303 appearances, scoring 57 goals in all competitions.

He holds the records for the youngest Arsenal first team player (16 years and 177 days v Rotherham United (h), 28 October 2003) and the youngest Arsenal first team goalscorer (16 years and 212 days v Wolves (h), 2 December, 2003).

Named as Arsenal Captain in November 2008, Fabregas also became a regular in the Spain national team, making 58 appearances to date.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: "We have been clear that we didn't want Cesc to leave and that remains the case. However, we understand Cesc's desire to move to his home town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona. We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success."

The transfer is subject to the completion of formal legal agreements and registration processes, together with Fabregas agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

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Premier League : Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal

2011-08-15T03:24:00.001-07:00

Ten-man Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Arsène Wenger’s side bossed the game and seemed set for a late charge before Gervinho was sent off in the 75th minute.

The debutant raced into the area from the left-hand flank, cut inside Cheik Tiote and tumbled over his challenge. Referee Peter Walton refused the penalty but Joey Barton took issue with the Ivorian.

After a brief skirmish, Gervinho was dismissed and Barton saw yellow.

The point was scant reward for Arsenal, who dominated in both possession and territory.

Robin van Persie whisked a free-kick inches over the bar and Theo Walcott saw a low shot saved by Tim Krul.

The red card denied everyone the crescendo this open game deserved. However, if Arsenal continue to perform at this level throughout the campaign, they will be challenging at the top once again.

It had been a difficult few days for the Club. One of those annoying periods when the stories seem to overtake the football.

Wenger’s men just need to play – and win – a game. Here was an opportunity.

Gervinho was handed his full debut on the left of midfield with Andrey Arshavin on the opposite flank. Tomas Rosicky was just behind frontman Robin van Persie. New signings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson were on the bench.

Newcastle had been under scrutiny themselves and the main focus was Barton. The midfielder had been made available for a free transfer but was still selected in midfield this afternoon.

The Englishman had been in the limelight during that incredible game last season. It was his tackle which had elicited the melee after which Abou Diaby had been sent off. Later on, Barton had scored two penalties in that incredible comeback.

Both sides could probably do without that sort of drama this afternoon – but a better result.

And in the first half only Arsenal looked capable of achieving that.

Wenger’s men found their feet early on and, bar the odd pocket of Newcastle pressure, never slipped up.

In the opening minutes, Kieran Gibbs and Arshavin combined to put Gervinho momentarily clear on the right however the ball got stuck under his feet and Tomas Rosicky’s follow-up shot flew wide.

Arsenal were direct going forward and strong in the tackle when they did lose the ball. And the new signing from Lille was catching the eye.

In the 18th minute, Gervinho’s cross fortunately fell to Van Persie six yards out but his shot deflected wide.

For Newcastle, Jonas Gutierrez thundered a volley well wide and Wojciech Szczesny snaffled the ball after Danny Simpson’s cross was deflected towards the near post by Gibbs. But that was about it.

On the half hour Laurent Koscienly beat Tim Krul to Rosicky’s corner but the header was booted away from danger by Simpson.

Arsenal continued to ask all the questions. They were profligate at times – like when Arshavin found Fabricio Coloccini, the only covering defender, as he sought out Gervinho. But mostly Arsenal were slick and incisive with only the final ball sometimes lacking.

Two minutes from the break, Arshavin’s shovel pass set Van Persie free for a second but – as it had a couple of times a few times in the first half - the ball would not settle for Arsenal and chance went begging.

The start of the second half was all Arsenal once more. Nine minutes in, Gutierrez clipped Sagna on the right and Van Persie sent a free-kick inches over the bar.

At the other end, Gabriel Obertan’s flick sent Yohan Cabaye clear for a second but Arsenal smothered the danger.

Wenger replaced Arshavin with Walcott and, within minutes, the Englishman nearly put Arsenal ahead. He received Ramsey’s pass on the left of the area, cut inside his marker and let fly. Krul gathered at the second attempt.

Arsenal were now penning Newcastle back in their own half and looking for the winner.

Then, in the 75th minute, the game changed

Gervinho sped down the left, darted inside the area and cut back on Tiote. The Arsenal winger went down under the trailing leg of the Newcastle midfielder and referee Walton waved play on.

However Barton took issue with Gervinho and a momentary melee ensued. Once the dust had settled referee Walton handed a red card to the Arsenal combatant and a yellow to the Newcastle one.

The dismissal sucked the life out of the game. Newcastle barely mustered a notable chance and Arsenal were reluctant to go forward for fear of finishing with no points.

They had deserved all three.

Arsenal announce squad for Play-Off Round

2011-08-09T19:44:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club has announced its squad for the Champions League Play-Off Round.

The Club has submitted an A list (List A) and a B list (List B) of players, all of whom will be eligible for the Play-Off Round tie with Udinese.

List A for the Play-Off Round is final, although a single change to the squad can be made by Monday 15 August (the day before the first-leg game).

Should the Club progress to the Group Stage of the competition, an updated List A will be submitted by September 1, which will apply for the remainder of the competition.

Under UEFA rules, Arsenal is eligible to register 25 players to List A for the Play-Off Round and an unlimited number of players to List B.

A player qualifies for inclusion in List B if he was born on or after January 1, 1990 and has been eligible to play for the Club for an uninterrupted period of two years or more since his 15th birthday.

Arsenal's Champions League squad:
List A…
Manuel Almunia
Andrey Arshavin
Nicklas Bendtner
Marouane Chamakh
Abou Diaby
Johan Djourou
Emmanuel Eboue
Lukasz Fabianski
Cesc Fabregas
Gervinho
Kieran Gibbs
Carl Jenkinson
Laurent Koscielny
Vito Mannone
Samir Nasri
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Tomas Rosicky
Bacary Sagna
Alex Song
Sebastien Squillaci
Armand Traore
Robin van Persie
Carlos Vela
Thomas Vermaelen
Theo Walcott

List B...
Aaron Ramsey
Wojciech Szczesny
Jack Wilshere
Benik Afobe
Chuks Aneke
Zak Ansah
Daniel Boateng
George Brislen-Hall
Francis Coquelin
Craig Eastmond
Luke Freeman
Emmanuel Frimpong
Sead Hajrovic
Conor Henderson
Gavin Hoyte
Jernade Meade
Ignasi Miquel
Rhys Murphy
Nigel Neita
Oguzhan Ozyakup
Gilles Sunu
Sanchez Watt
Nico Yennaris

Miyaichi granted work permit to play for Club

2011-08-09T19:43:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Ryo Miyaichi has been granted the work permit he requires to play first-team football for the Club this season.

The 18-year-old arrived in January and spent last season on loan at Dutch club Feyenoord in order to help his adjustment to European football, while awaiting the clearance needed to represent Arsenal in the UK.

An FA panel met on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium to decide the case and heard from Arsène Wenger, who was in attendance, before granting the work permit on the grounds that Ryo is an ‘exceptional talent’. Supporting testimonials were also sent by the Japan Football Association, which significantly helped the process.

Miyaichi has impressed greatly during pre-season and featured in all matches played outside the UK, but now he has been authorised a work permit which means that he is free to play for Arsenal in the UK.

Upon hearing the news, Arsène Wenger said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ryo has been granted a work permit. This is almost like a new signing for us, as we weren’t completely sure we would be given the authorisation. Ryo has worked extremely hard in pre-season and performed very well during the matches in Asia, Germany and Portugal.

Wenger continued: “Ryo has natural technical ability. He has good balance and phenomenal pace, and his passing and crossing is consistently of a high quality. He is a very exciting player. He had a successful time with Feyenoord in the Netherlands last season, who gave him the opportunity to play regularly, and we’re looking forward to his contribution this coming season with Arsenal.”

Miyaichi will be eligible to play for the first team as soon as the formalities of the paperwork are completed.

Win Oxlade-Chamberlain's shirt on Friday!

2011-08-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Take part in our first Fans' Forum of the new season and you could get your hands on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's signed photocall shirt.

The Club's latest signing posed in his new colours at the training ground on Monday after completing his move from Southampton.

Alex kindly signed the shirt (pictured above) and we'll be giving it away on this week's Fans' Forum.

Our Friday Night schedule starts at 6pm (UK time) and the Forum ends at 8pm. It's available on Arsenal Player to all Members and existing subscribers - or you can buy a Day Pass.

Vermaelen - We’re in good shape for kick-off

2011-08-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

Thomas Vermaelen says Arsenal are feeling good after working hard during pre-season and insists they are ready to hit the ground running when the new campaign starts this weekend.

Arsène Wenger’s side begin their Premier League season with a trip to Newcastle on Saturday before hosting Udinese in the first leg of their Champions League Play-Off three days later.

In a tough start to 2011/12, Liverpool then visit Emirates Stadium before the return leg in Udine and a mouthwatering game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“We have worked hard and I feel we are ready for it because the fitness is good in the team and we feel good,” Vermaelen told the Official Arsenal Magazine.

“We have had a good pre-season over the past few weeks. In pre-season, the most important thing is training hard and getting your fitness back.

“We worked really hard in Germany, as hard as we did in Austria, so that was a tough week for us to get our fitness back. I think that week was really important and we were very pleased with that.”

Miquel wants Arsenal spot after Euro success

2011-08-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Ignasi Miquel says winning the European Under-19 Championships with Spain over the summer has renewed his confidence to push for greater involvement in the Arsenal first-team this season.

The 19-year-old defender was ever-present for his country during the tournament in Romania and, upon returning to north London ahead of the new campaign, was drafted straight into Arsène Wenger’s squad for Saturday’s friendly against Benfica.

Miquel enjoyed a breakthrough season last term, making his debut against Leyton Orient while playing an active role with the senior side, and has set his sights on making further inroads during 2011/12.

“Coming back from winning it is really big and I am coming back confident,” he told Arsenal.com.

“Winning the World Cup and being called up for the first-team without training with them – I am really happy. I go back now trying to improve myself to become better.

“The boss has said congratulations to me but now I have to forget about it and focus on Arsenal. 

“I obviously want to get more minutes with the first-team. I know it’s going to be hard but I’m going to fight for it.”

Arsenal.com has 800,000 Twitter followers

2011-08-09T19:36:00.001-07:00

Arsenal.com now has over 800,000 followers on Twitter!

Our official page - @Arsenal - is also the most popular Twitter account in the Premier League.

We launched the page in the summer of 2009 and have tweeted over 4,000 times since then.

@Arsenal brings you all the latest news from Arsenal as soon as it breaks. On matchdays we tweet team news, goal alerts and the full-time score instantly.

And on home matchdays our journalists deliver the team news FIRST - direct from Arsène Wenger. That means @Arsenal is the first place to find out who is in and who is out each week.

Our 800,000 followers receive the breaking news first - including injury updates and news of transfer deals as soon as they are signed.

Arsenal Player is also on Twitter, bringing subscribers the latest news from our on-demand video service.

Click here to visit @Arsenal and click here for @ArsenalLive

Pre-season Friendly : Benfica 2-1 Arsenal

2011-08-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

Arsenal’s unbeaten pre-season record fell at the final hurdle when they went down 2-1 to Benfica on Saturday night.

The visitors had one hand on the Eusebio Cup at half-time. Arsène Wenger’s side had started slowly but cruised into the break thanks to Robin van Persie’s clinical strike - a late present on his 28th birthday.

Both sides made significant changes at the interval and their effect undoubtedly shaped the final result.

Argentinean international Pablo Aimar stabbed home the equaliser four minutes after the restart and Nolito fired home a fine second on the hour.

Benfica were now the more experienced side and it showed. Arsenal tried to battle their way back into the game but the home side stayed firm.

This result was a blow on the night but nothing too troubling given the changes at the break.

However the serious stuff is now just a week away.

This was the fourth Eusebio Cup. Benfica's previous opponents in the event had been Inter, Milan and Tottenham, who were the holders thanks to Gareth Bale’s solitary goal last season.

For those of you unaware of Eusebio’s legend, let’s throw you two simple statistics about his 15-year Benfica career - 638 goals, 614 games.

No wonder Wenger had called him the European Pele.

Before the game, the manager had suggested the Arsenal team this evening would be close to the one starting at Newcastle next Saturday. He had left a number of key players back in London with injuries of various lengths (all short-term). Barring those returns, it was worth wagering the team beginning at Benfica tonight would form the basis of the one at St. James' Park.

The first 15 minutes were full of energy from the Portuguese side but the quality came from the English outfit.

The home side claimed a penalty in the opening stages when Franco Jara went down under the challenge of Wojciech Szczesny on the right of the area.

Arsenal responded with Gervinho fooling his marker before firing low into the sidenetting. Then Andrey Arshavin stretched keeper Eduardo with a low drive across the face of goal.

As the half wore on, Benfica began to impose themselves. Just before the half-hour, Bruno Cesar thumped a cross-shot just wide and Oscar Cardozo fired over on the turn.

There was pride at stake for the Lisbon side who had invested heavily in the summer and were desperate to reclaim from Porto their position as ‘top dogs’ in Portugal.

However Arsenal had all the bite in the first half this evening

In the 31st minute, Alex Song split the Benfica defence with a wonderful throughball and Van Persie’s chip beat the keeper before drifting past the far post.

The Dutchman only had to wait a little longer for his birthday goal.

On 33 minutes, Arshavin set Kieran Gibbs overlapping down the left and the defender’s cut-back was converted with lethal simplicity by the Dutchman. It was another strike on the road for Van Persie, whose Premier League record of nine away goals in consecutive game is still ongoing.

The striker needed treatment shortly afterwards when he was caught on the ankle by Ezequiel Garay. He was back on his feet after treatment and, buoyed with confidence, Arsenal saw out the half.

After the restart, Wenger brought on Chamakh, Miyaichi, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Squillaci and Fabianski for Arshavin, Van Persie, Song, Djourou, Sagna and Szczesny.

They had barely settled by the time Benfica were level. Nico Gaitan escaped down the left and his long, rangy cut-back meandered its way to Nolito at the far post. His one-touch pass found Aimar unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. The experienced Argentine international was never going to miss.

The goal changed the game. Arsenal had been so composed after they scored but now they were on the back foot.

Shortly afterwards, Luisao clipped the bar with a rising drive from close range.

There was an intensity about Benfica after bringing on their more famous names at half time.

The second goal outlined that. Aimar found Joan Capdevila on the left. He crossed inside to Nolito who skipped past Squillaci before beating Fabianski at the near post with a powerful low drive.

Shortly afterwards, the keeper scrambled aside a thunderous, swerving free-kick from Javi Garcia.
Arsenal would now have to scrap their way back into the game - and scrap they did.

This had been a ‘no-holds-barred’ friendly throughout and the tackles continued to fly in from both sides.

Fourteen minutes from time, Gaitan stung the hands of Fabianski from distance. Late on the keeper also made fine stops from Jonathan Urretaviscaya and David Simao.

Arsenal’s only real chance of an equaliser came from substitute Henri Lansbury but he fired a free-kick high over the bar.

Afobe striving for first-team opportunities

2011-08-01T21:18:00.001-07:00

Benik Afobe is hungry for more first-team opportunities after making in-roads into Arsène Wenger’s squad this summer and impressing at the Emirates Cup.

The highly-rated forward has joined up with the senior squad in recent weeks and replaced Jack Wilshere after just seven minutes against New York Red Bulls on Sunday, fitting seamlessly into the side on the right flank.

Afobe spent last term on loan at Huddersfield Town but has set his sights on breaking through at Arsenal this season, though he knows it will be tough. 

“My aim is to play for Arsenal’s first team,” he told Arsenal Player. “I’m not thinking too far beyond that but we will have to see what the boss thinks is best for me.

 “When the pre-season games are finished we will talk about what is going to happen with me. I’m delighted with how the pre-season has gone so far.

“The more I train with them and the more time I spend with them, I get more comfortable with the team. I feel relaxed with all the lads.

“They are a young group so it is much easier for me and I can speak to quite a few of the lads in the team.”

The full interview with Benik is now available on Arsenal Player. He discusses: his senior debut, coming on after just seven minutes against Red Bulls, his pre-season and his targets for the new campaign.

Nigel Neita signs professional contract

2011-08-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that young forward Nigel Neita has signed his first professional contract with the Club.

A quick, powerful player with an eye for goal, 17-year-old Nigel joined the Gunners as a scholar in the summer of 2010, having originally been at Millwall’s Youth Academy.

After breaking into Steve Bould’s Under-18s side during 2009/10, Neita saw his progress hampered last season through injury. Despite this, he still managed to make 15 appearances for the Under-18s, scoring one goal.

Everyone at the Club wishes Nigel the best of luck and looks forward to his continued contribution and development with Arsenal in the forthcoming years.

Benfica v Arsenal - New kick-off time

2011-08-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Please note that Saturday's pre-season friendly against Benfica has been brought forward by 15 minutes and will now be played as under (formerly 8pm kick off):

Benfica v Arsenal
Saturday, August 6
Kick off: 7.45pm
At Estadio da Luz

Wenger wants Miyaichi to stay at Arsenal

2011-08-01T21:10:00.001-07:00

Arsène Wenger wants Ryo Miyaichi to stay at Arsenal this season and will push for the work permit the Japanese winger requires to play in England.

The 18-year-old arrived in January and spent last season on loan at Feyenoord in order to help his adjustment to European football while awaiting the clearance needed to play for his mother club. 

Miyaichi linked up with Wenger’s squad at the start of the summer and has impressed during pre-season though he was not allowed to play in the Emirates Cup because it was a FIFA sanctioned tournament. 

But Wenger has seen enough to convince him that the teenager is ready for the first-team this season and will seek to make that happen. 

“My plan is to get a work permit for him and to put him on the pitch for Arsenal Football Club,” he said.

Young midfielder Edge leaves Arsenal

2011-08-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club can confirm that midfielder Jamie Edge has left the Club by mutual consent.

The 17-year-old midfielder has been with the Club since joining from Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2009, where he was involved in the senior set up as a school boy.

Jamie’s tenacity and ability to break up play in the middle of the park saw him play 20 times for Steve Bould’s Under-18s and make one substitute appearance for the Reserves in his two year spell with Arsenal.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Jamie for his contribution to the Club and wish him well for the future.

'I wanted Henry to play five minutes for us'

2011-08-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger wanted Thierry Henry to play the last five minutes for Arsenal on Sunday - but the rules would not allow it to happen.

The striker made an emotional return to Emirates Stadium with New York Red Bulls over the weekend and his former Club had conjured up a crowd-pleasing idea.

But the Emirates Cup operates under FIFA rules which the officials are duty-bound to uphold.

“The surprise was that we wanted to him to play the last five minutes for us,” said the manager on Sunday.  

“He was desperate to do it, but the referees stubbornly turned it down. 

“I went in to see the referee at half-time to ask him to allow him to play for us but they told us that the rules are absolutely, adamantly against it because one given player cannot play for two teams in the same game.”

Emirates Cup : Arsenal 1-1 New York Red Bulls

2011-08-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

It took him a while but Thierry Henry has finally got his hands on a trophy at Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal legend only spent a year at the Club’s new home before leaving for Barcelona in 2007 but he was back on Sunday in the colours of the New York Red Bulls to lift the Emirates Cup.

Robin van Persie’s first-half header seemed sufficient to keep the silverware in north London but a late own goal from the unfortunate Kyle Bartley scuppered home hopes as Arsenal paid for their profligacy.

Typically, Henry was the catalyst for the decisive goal and no one will begrudge him this moment of glory. The Frenchman received a rapturous reception on his return and, while his pace is not so frightening now, he retains the vision and eye for goal that made him the Club’s record goalscorer before his departure in 2007.

Indeed, only the agility of Wojciech Szczesny denied Henry a dream return: the Pole was at full stretch to push aside a trademark free kick.

Arsène Wenger, of course, will be more concerned about his team’s preparations for the new season. They look sharp enough but there was one scare when Jack Wilshere left the field to nurse a minor ankle injury.

For once the most notable name on the teamsheet was not an Arsenal player but, for the record, Wenger did make seven changes from the side that started Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors.

Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Tomas Rosicky, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song and Kieran Gibbs all started as their manager fielded what looked suspiciously like the team that could start at Newcastle on August 13 – give or take a couple.

Henry provided a few glimpses of magic in the early stages – one cute backheel foxed Arsenal’s back four and an instant turn and shot had Szczesny scrambling to his right – but the hosts were soon into their stride.

Wilshere’s early departure furrowed a few brows but Rosicky dropped into midfield and pulled the strings alongside Ramsey while Benik Afobe got his first chance to impress the Emirates crowd. The teenager, back from a successful loan spell at Huddersfield, showed pace and persistence on his home debut.

The Red Bulls crowded the midfield, planting two men in front of their back four, so Arsenal looked to the flanks to do some damage. Gibbs got forward on the left but most of the early chances were sparked by Sagna.

Laurent Koscielny headed the right back’s cross high and wide after 15 minutes and another well-judged delivery was brought down by Afobe before goalkeeper Frank Rost came out to block.

Ramsey got into a scoring position moments later but tried to pick out Gervinho when he should have gone for goal, then Van Persie dummied past two markers before unleashing a shot that lacked his usual power.

It was all Arsenal by now and the Red Bulls were indebted to Rost for keeping their goal intact. He came out to smother after Ramsey was put clear by Van Persie – although an offside flag was raised – and Rosicky was the next to test Rost from the edge of the box.

The MLS side did venture forward to earn a free kick 20 yards out that Henry was never going to relinquish. He curled the ball towards the corner – as we’ve seen so many times – but Szczesny was equal to it. Some home fans were disappointed: ‘Let him score, let him score, let him score!’ they chanted.

Back down the other end Arsenal had two decent penalty shouts turned down: Van Persie was blocked off as he tried to get between two defenders and Gervinho was clipped after outstripping the last man. Nothing doing.

You could tell this was a better game than Saturday’s – the first Mexican wave came ten minutes later. Unlike Saturday it wasn’t cut short by an Arsenal goal but the deadlock was eventually broken three minutes before half time.

It could not have been simpler: Rosicky clipped a free kick into the six-yard box and Van Persie ran clear of the defence to plant a header past Rost.

It should have been two within a minute. Rosicky’s inch-perfect pass released Gervinho and his touch took the ball away from a defender but Rost was alert and made another timely block.

The second half brought more of the same.

Van Persie curled one effort just over the bar and almost converted Afobe’s cut-back after the teenager’s pace had taken him past a defender to the byline.

Gervinho got into a similar position moments later and Rost was forced to concede a corner, but generally speaking Arsenal’s final ball was slightly out of sorts. That will hopefully come good when the serious business starts.

Henry still fancied a goal and his first-time shot tested Szczesny with 20 minutes left, but the smart money was on Rost being beaten again. Song blazed a long-distance effort well over the bar and substitute Emmanuel Eboue shot wide as the clock ticked down.

But in the end Arsenal paid for their wastefulness when Henry sliced open their back four with a perfect pass for Roy Miller and his cut-back was diverted into the roof of the net by Bartley.

It was harsh on the young centre back but Henry was happy enough and the old master lifted the Emirates Cup as his old fans gave him one final ovation.

Emirates Cup : Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors

2011-08-01T20:59:00.001-07:00

Arsenal had to settle for a draw on the opening day of the Emirates Cup after letting a two-goal lead slip against Boca Juniors.

Robin van Persie converted a cross from the impressive Gervinho to open the scoring before half time and Aaron Ramsey added a second within a minute of the restart with a venomous strike from the edge of the box.

Boca looked beaten at that point but two goals in three minutes from Lucas Viatri and Pablo Mouche hauled them level with Arsenal found wanting at the back on both occasions.

The tournament hosts probed for a winner but could not find a way past their rejuvenated opponents. Indeed they needed a smart stop from Vito Mannone to hold onto their point.

Either way, this draw sets us up nicely for Sunday’s clash with the New York Red Bulls - and a certain Mr Henry. The MLS side beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Saturday’s opener so a point is all they need to leave London with the silverware.

Arsène Wenger and his squad had travelled halfway round the world and back again since they last set foot on their own pitch and, fittingly, Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ blared from the Emirates speakers before kick off.

For players and fans alike this now traditional staging post on the pre-season trail represents a fresh start with new hope to cling to as well as a new kit to admire. There were a couple of new faces too with Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson handed their home debuts.

Elsewhere Emmanuel Frimpong - resplendent with new Mohican haircut - was paired with Jack Wilshere in midfield, Armand Traore got the nod at left back and youngsters Kyle Bartley and Benik Afobe were named on the bench.

Boca’s star turn was Juan Roman Riquelme. The old-school playmaker is winding down his career now but his rhythmic play is still a joy to behold. Riquelme’s touch plus the drums, whistles and exuberance of the Boca fans brought a flavour of Buenos Aires to north London.

There was controversy before the first minute was out.

Gervinho, starting on the right, danced towards the box and found Wilshere inside it. The England man was clipped but referee Martin Atkinson gave nothing. There would have been more than raised eyebrows had this been a competitive fixture.

Gervinho made that happen and it was soon clear that he was the main danger. Within minutes the Ivorian, quick, lean and explosive, left Facundo Roncaglia for dead with one sway of his hips and sent in a low cross that Van Persie couldn’t quite sweep in at the near post.

Meanwhile, there were warning signs at the other end.

Dario Cvitanich looked to get in behind Arsenal’s centre-back pair and did so twice, only for poor control to scupper Boca on both occasions. Another alarm bell rang when Juan Insaurralde rose virtually unmarked to head a corner just wide.

But all in all chances were at a premium, so much so that the tournament’s first Mexican wave was spotted before the half-hour mark. It had yet to make a lap of the ground when most of the crowd was on its feet to celebrate an Arsenal goal.

Gervinho was the instigator again, springing down the left before sliding a teasing ball into the box for Van Persie to gobble up. The Dutchman still knows where the goal is and clearly he is already on the same wavelength as the Club’s most recent signing.

That was the last we saw of Gervinho but his two cameos in an Arsenal shirt have certainly whetted the appetite. The new boy was one of five to make way at half time as Wenger brought on Carlos Vela, Ramsey, Sebastien Squillaci, Mannone and Marouane Chamakh.

Ramsey has looked in the mood all summer and he needed less than a minute to double Arsenal’s lead. Vela’s mazy run was stopped illegally on the edge of the box but, to his credit, Atkinson played advantage and Ramsey smashed the ball past Agustin Orion. Quite an entrance.

Andrey Arshavin, granted extra time on the pitch to build up his match sharpness, was the next to threaten with a bustling run through the centre and a shot that was blocked.

But Boca emerged from their shell and served notice of what was to come when Viatri forced substitute keeper Mannone into an athletic one-handed tip over.

With 22 minutes left the Argentina international was given another chance and this time he made no mistake. Sebastian Squillaci was robbed in possession and a square pass found Viatri to lash the ball into the top corner.

Suddenly, we had a contest. Boca scented another goal and it came just three minutes later when Mouche got the wrong side of Johan Djourou and evaded Mannone before sliding in the equaliser.

Emmanuel Eboue came off the bench to fire a half-chance wide of the far post as Arsenal went in search of a winner. But Boca finished strongly and Mannone had to scramble to his right to keep out Riquelme’s free kick five minutes from time.

Germany Training Camp Blog: Day Five

2011-07-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is a blog with a time limit.

Yours truly is sitting in the lobby of the team hotel waiting for the squad to return from training. Once they walk through those revolving doors we have to high-tail it to the airport. The players will change, eat and then make the same journey. We should be back in England by late afternoon.

It has been a useful camp for everyone, Arsenal Media included, and the spirits have just got better and better as we got into the meat of the sessions.

You forget sometimes that these guys are motivated simply by the game itself. The more they play the more they enjoy it.

Yesterday’s session was a case in point. The mood was set early on when Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song were practising free-kicks. The latter sent a sumptuous effort into the top corner and then let out a mighty roar of celebration.

Once they were properly warmed up, fitness coach Tony Colbert drove them hard for 45 minutes. This is where the conditioning for the season is laid down.

After that they split into two groups. One continued with the fitness side, the other concentrated on the tactical side. All the while, the keepers went about their work separately on the top pitch.

Emmanuel Frimpong was back in the group having sat out the previous day but Theo Walcott was absent having returned to England with that ankle niggle.

Most of the squad finished at midday but as the session wound down they gravitated towards one end and the usual shooting practice.

There was a second session that day and then the players prepared for their evening out – as did we.

This morning was about packing and heading for home. And, as the players have just come back, that is what I am about to do.

Red Bulls announce Emirates Cup squad

2011-07-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

New York Red Bulls have announced their squad for this weekend's Emirates Cup:

Goalkeepers: Frank Rost, Bouna Coundoul 

Defenders: Chris Albright, Mike Jones, Stephen Keel, Tyler Lassiter, Rafa Marquez, Carlos Mendes, Roy Miller, Tim Ream, Teddy Schneider, Jan Gunnar Solli

Midfielders: Matt Kassel, Joel Lindpere, Dax McCarty, Dane Richards, John Rooney, Teemu Tainio 

Forwards: Juan Agudelo, Thierry Henry, Corey Hertzog

'Gervinho is a real handful in training'

2011-07-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

Gervinho has made a strong impression on his new team-mates since joining Arsenal with Kieran Gibbs the latest player to praise the Ivorian’s instant impact.

After his two-goal cameo against FC Cologne at the weekend, which prompted acclaim from Theo Walcott and Arsène Wenger among others, Gervinho has worked with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Germany. 

And Gibbs, who has faced the forward in small-sided games, has warned that defenders will have their work cut out when coming up against the former Lille man this season.

“He is a handful,” the left-back told Arsenal.com. “He is going to be good for us.

“I saw some videos of him when he signed so I knew what he was capable of. For anyone to do that on their debut shows that he has come here to do something.

“We have had some new faces come in and they are settling in quite quickly. Gervinho has come in and Carl [Jenkinson] has done well.”

Rosicky - We're stronger for our setbacks

2011-07-27T17:41:00.001-07:00

Tomas Rosicky believes that Arsenal will be stronger for last season's setbacks and expects them to grasp their next opportunity for glory.

Arsène Wenger's side were challenging on all fronts for most of the 2010/11 campaign but failed to translate their promise into prizes.

It goes without saying that a trophy - any trophy - is top of Rosicky's wish list for the new campaign. However, he is confident that the squad can make the most of their fresh start and make 2011/12 a season to remember.

"I think we are stronger, firstly because what happened last season, the experience of it all, will help us," Rosicky told Arsenal.com. "It was disappointing because we were close to winning something and the last two months were not good.

"But all this stuff has to push us more and more because we are capable of winning something. It must be like this.

"It's very simple - I would like to win a trophy. It doesn't matter which one. It's very simple, all we want, all the players and the Arsenal community - the fans - is to win."

The theory that the Carling Cup Final defeat led to the team's slump in form last term is a popular one but the Czech international does not subscribe to it. Instead he cites the last five fixtures at Emirates Stadium that realised just six points and only one win - ironically against the champions, Manchester United.

"When we lost the Carling Cup Final even a lot of players said that it went wrong from there but I don't agree with that," Rosicky said.

"There was still a long time to go in the season and it would have been enough had we just won our home games. We lost so many points at home and it would have made all the difference.

"Setbacks like the Carling Cup do affect you but you have to go on and move on. It was in our hands and I still believe it will be in our hands this season if we produce the football we played before.

"The experience will be important and I hope everyone has gained from what happened last season."

Germany Training Camp Blog: Day Four

2011-07-27T17:40:00.001-07:00

This is the last full day of Arsenal’s training camp in Germany and so, after four heavy sessions in a row, the team will have the evening off tonight. The players have booked a local restaurant, so they can enjoy a quiet night away from the hotel.

Last night, we rattled off eight interviews for Arsenal Media. Messers Chamakh, Arshavin, Gibbs, Fabianski, Walcott, Mannone, Song and Rosicky all gave us some time in our makeshift studio on the second floor. You’ll be seeing the fruits of our labour soon on Player.

Later on Tuesday we will have another video montage of training too. The sessions out here have been full on. Late yesterday afternoon, Arsène Wenger orchestrated almost two hours of intense work. After a warm up, there was a game between the Greens (Arshavin, Rosicky, Vermaelen, Vela, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Djourou, Gervinho, Van Persie, Fabianski and Wilshere) and Yellows (Szczesny, Koscielny, Ramsey, Miyaichi, Mannone (on pitch), Nasri, Chamakh, Song, Sagna, Squillaci and Afobe).

The game was condensed into just over a quarter of a full pitch and the keepers were not allowed to handle the ball. Given the constriction you can imagine the pace of the game. At the end of a zippy 40 minutes or so, Wenger declared the Yellows as 4-2 winners with perhaps the champagne moment being a delightful chipped pass from Mannone, yes that is the keeper Vito Mannone, for Benik Afobe to nod home with his back to goal.

You may have noticed a name missing from those team lists. Theo Walcott sat out the session with a minor ankle problem and has since returned home to England for further assessment.

The final 40 minutes or so saw defenders and attackers split up into groups once more. Pat Rice took the lead with the former group of course and it was fascinating to see him work on positioning, body shape, acting as a pair and communication. At the end, the group slipped off their GPS monitors, grabbed a replenishing drink and hauled their weary limbs back to the bus.

For all but the eight of them, the working day was over.

Fabianski ready to challenge for No 1 spot

2011-07-27T17:37:00.001-07:00

Lukasz Fabianski says he is ready to challenge Wojciech Szczesny for Arsenal’s No 1 shirt this season after returning from injury against FC Cologne at the weekend.

The elder of the two Polish goalkeepers at the Club established himself as Arsène Wenger’s first-choice last season before a shoulder injury in January kept him on the sidelines for the back end of the campaign. In his absence, Szczesny made the position his own.

Fabianski got 20 minutes under his belt to mark his return to action on Saturday and has now set his sights on competing with his fellow countryman and Vito Mannone for a place between the posts.

“That is my aim and I will do everything that I can to be the No 1,” he told Arsenal Player. "In my shoulder and in myself, I am feeling stronger than I was before.

"I am very happy that I am finally fit and I could play a part of the game against Cologne. I am pleased with my fitness level and hopefully it will keep improving.

"Hopefully nothing will come up in the next few weeks and I will be ready for the competition that we have."

The full interview with Lukasz is now available on Arsenal Player. He discusses: his return to fitness, how his shoulder feels, when he returned to full training, the friendly win over Cologne and new signing Gervinho.

Ramsey excited by midfield combination

2011-07-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Aaron Ramsey says a connection has formed between himself, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song as the trio “start to build a relationship” in midfield.

The central three have linked up in every pre-season game so far this summer and were particularly impressive against FC Cologne on Saturday with Ramsey playing further forward while Song and Wilshere sat deeper.

The combination also formed the spine of Arsène Wenger's midfield towards the end of last season and, while he knows there will be strong competition when Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby return to full fitness, the Wales captain is excited by their progress.

“Me, Jack and Alex are starting to build a relationship and are doing well together,” Ramsey told Arsenal Player.

“We've shown that we are more than capable of playing together and are connecting together. It is an interesting combination and one that I hope I can be apart of.

“In the middle, we did well [against Cologne] and it was a good work-out.”

The full interview with Aaron is now available on Arsenal Player. He discusses: the friendly win over Cologne, Gervinho’s debut, his relationship with Wilshere and Song and pre-season preparations.

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Walcott - Gervinho is a breath of fresh air

2011-07-27T17:35:00.001-07:00

Theo Walcott says Gervinho will be a “breath of fresh air” after the summer signing bagged his first two goals for the Club at the weekend.

The Ivorian striker had already opened his Arsenal account with a delicate lob by the time Walcott’s inch-perfect cross allowed him to tuck home his second after just 15 minutes against Cologne on Saturday.

Aside from his brace, the new addition looked a constant threat in Germany and Walcott is excited by what his new team-mate brings to the squad.

“[Gervinho] will be a breath of fresh air I think,” he said. “He looks a great talent.

“You can tell he can bring goals, he has got plenty of pace about him and he is very comfortable on the ball. I am looking forward to playing with him.

“You don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I am sure he can deal with that.”

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Walcott - We owe the fans a fast start

2011-07-27T17:34:00.001-07:00

Theo Walcott says Arsenal's players owe their fans a fast start to the season after tailing off last term.

Arsène Wenger's squad looked more than capable of bringing home a trophy in 2010/11 after competing on four fronts until the end of February. But defeat in the Carling Cup Final prompted a decline in form that scuppered any hopes of silverware.

Arsenal had to settle for fourth place in the Premier League and Walcott wants to erase the memories of a disappointing Spring by getting off to a flying start next month.

"Without a doubt [we owe the fans]," said Walcott.

"They have been so loyal to us when we have not been winning trophies which we should be for such a big club.

"As players we are disappointed in ourselves but that is in the past now. This year is a massive one for everyone, for the Club itself. The fans are very important to us all and hopefully we can make them proud."

Germany Training Camp Blog: Day Three

2011-07-27T17:32:00.002-07:00

It is just past breakfast time on Monday morning and, about now, Arsène Wenger will be starting his first training session of a heavy day

The team trained on Sunday evening in a secluded facility about 30 minutes outside Bonn.

After a warm-up, the attackers and defenders were split up into two groups at either end of the main pitch. Arsène Wenger and Boro Primorac took the offensive element while Pat Rice and Neil Banfield marshaled the defenders.

The Frenchman’s group saw the yellows (Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song, Gervinho) and blues (Carlos Vela, Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky, Ryo Miyaichi) work the ball wide before crossing in for Robin van Persie, Benik Afobe and Marouane Chamakh to finish.

The keepers had begun their work on the top pitch with Gerry Peyton but came down to man the goals at either end.

Unlike Austria, there is no capacity for watching spectators at this venue, though a youth team from FC Cologne did stop by for a while.

After about 75 minutes, the session ended, as usual, with shooting practice. This is normally the part of the session filled with smiles and banter. The players really went for it but, with the pitch backing on to forest, someone was dispatched to return any errant efforts. Just in case.

The rain that had relented throughout the session returned in force as the players got back on the bus.

A small convoy of vehicles snaked its way through this German backwater before reaching the Autobahn and cruising back to the hotel.

Wenger - Gervinho saved us from dizzy prices

2011-07-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger hopes Gervinho will prove to be a bargain.

The Arsenal striker made an impressive debut at Cologne on Saturday, scoring twice and looking dangerous before being forced off with a minor injury on the half-hour.

Newspapers have suggested the fee for the former Lille frontman was around £10 million, much less than many of the other strikers moving this summer. Whatever the figure, the manager feels his new acquisition is value for money.

“I hope [he’ll be a bargain],” said Wenger. “When you see all the fees around you become dizzy. We do what we want and we look first at the quality of the player and after if we have the money we spend it. In this case he wanted to join us. He had only one year on his contract so it was a good opportunity for us.”

Meanwhile, even though it was ‘only’ a pre-season friendly, the manager believes his brace on Saturday will have a positive effect as Gervinho bids to adapt.

“If, as a striker, you go six weeks without a goal you raise questions,” said Wenger. “But now it’s out of the way.

“You could see how quick he is to get behind defenders. He has qualities that are always very interesting for a team like us who have a lot of other players that go behind defenders at the right moments.”

Germany Training Camp Blog: Day Two

2011-07-24T22:01:00.001-07:00

“Training, training, training,” replied Arsène Wenger when asked for the schedule of the week ahead.

But at the moment, “raining, raining, raining” seems to sum it up more succinctly.

It is another drab, drizzling morning in Bonn as the team begin the donkey work of their pre-season preparations.

Weary limbs will shake off their lethargy in the hotel pool this morning before a much more strenuous session on the pitch in the late afternoon.

The Cologne game was entertaining for a pre-season friendly. Gervinho’s brace was enough to satisfy the headline writers before he succumbed to a knock on the knee. Like Carl Jenkinson’s own goal, that pain will disappear quickly. There is concern that Conor Henderson’s twisted knee will be a different matter. Let’s just hope he is back soon.

We bagged a number of interviews after the game, you’ll see those on Player soon. They include Tony Woodcock, who played for both sides during his illustrious career. The former striker had to hobble up to the interview area as he had hurt his Achilles in the veterans’ game that preceded Saturday’s friendly. But Woodcock did bag a couple of goals during his run-out. Old habits clearly die hard.

Unusually, there was no proper press conference for either manager after the main game. Cologne’s Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken wanted to keep media work low key after the tragedy back in Olso on Friday. Arsenal followed suit.

The 41,000 in attendance were impeccable throughout the minute’s silence that marked the start of the game.

Once that game began, the pocket of Arsenal supporters in one corner stayed standing up. German grounds often have terracing these days. It is something missed by many in England.

Cologne were a welcoming, organised team off the field but, for me, were well-beaten on it.

It is difficult to gauge much when the team is changed at half-time and there is a carousel of substitutions after the restart. But certainly Arsenal coped well with the step up in standard.

The step up in training starts this afternoon.

Pre-season Friendly : FC Cologne 1-2 Arsenal

2011-07-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Gervinho marked his Arsenal debut by scoring twice as Arsenal beat FC Cologne 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The Ivorian striker was on the pitch just 29 minutes but his appearance dominated proceedings. He lifted home a shot from Jack Wilshere’s perceptive pass in the opening stages and turned home Theo Walcott’s cross on the quarter-hour.

His collision with keeper Michael Rensing in scoring the second probably prompted his substitution on the half-hour. But this is no time for taking chances with injuries and the striker happily watched the second half from the sidelines with his team-mates.

Carl Jenkinson’s freakish own goal had given Cologne a route back just before the break. This open, lively friendly continued to entertain after the restart. Both sides had their chances but Arsenal deserved to hold on to the lead provided by the former Lille striker.

On the strength of today’s cameo, Arsène Wenger has spotted another diamond in the rough.

Just before he left for Germany, Wenger had told Arsenal Player that this was the end of Phase One in pre-season training. But, with all due respect to the Malaysia XI and Hangzhou Greentown, the standard of opposition was about to step up.

Cologne had been happily mid-table in the Bundesliga for the past couple of seasons and boasted the mighty Lukas Podolski. Age just 26, the forward has already amassed an incredible 89 caps and 42 goals for his country.

Over 40,000 supporters were expected at the RheinEnergie Stadium this afternoon and all of them were silent pre-match in remembrance of the lives lost in Oslo the previous day.

With respect duly paid, the match got underway and after just three minutes Cologne had a chance. Podolski was bundled over just outside the area and Milivoje Novakovic curled the resulting free-kick inches above the bar.

But that was only the prelude to Arsenal taking the lead. In the seventh minute, Wilshere’s lofted pass allowed Gervinho to ghost inside Pedro Geromel and lift the ball over the advancing keeper.

A classy finish and, just maybe, the portent of goals to come.

This was a lively open game and, though Arsenal were the more incisive, Cologne were equally adventurous.

After 10 minutes Novakovic slipped a reverse ball to the unmarked Podolski, who dragged his shot across the goal of Wojciech Szczesny.

Then Thomas Vermaelen stole the ball in midfield and fed Gervinho on the left. The Belgian drove into the area and only the toe of Geromel stopped him converting from the Ivorian’s return ball.

Cologne were under the kosh and never truly cleared lines before they conceded a second goal in the 17th minute.

In truth, Wilshere’s pass should never have found Walcott on the right but Andrezinho allowed the ball to run under his foot. That said, the Englishman’s low, angled cross was wonderfully weighted and Gervinho stole in to clip the ball past Rensing.

The keeper got a knock for his trouble and was immediately replaced by Miro Varvodic.

Cologne had been rattled by the double blow and, though decent going forward, they were hesitant at the back.

It took Geromel and Youssef Mohamad to clear Walcott’s regulation cross into the box. Then the Englishman supplied another ball for Alex Song, whose cheeky, goalbound backheel was charged down.

On the half-hour, Gervinho went off. The second goal seemed to have taken another victim and so Ryo Miyaichi came on.

It did not affect the tide immediately. Soon afterwards Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey both had shots saved.

But, as half time approached, Cologne began creating chances. Szczesny saved from Adil Chihi and Novakovic had a drive blocked from Andrezinho’s clever knock down.

Then Ramsey’s quick free-kick fell into Cologne’s possession and Novakovic’s overhead kick was batted away by the keeper.

Despite the increasing confidence of the home side, the goal they grabbed in first-half injury time was hardly their own handywork. Jenkinson tried to clear a long punt forward but got it horribly wrong. The ball flew high into the air, over the head of the scrambling Szczesny and into the net.

Wenger made 10 changes at the break; only Kieran Gibbs stayed on. Andrey Arshavin went close with a couple of trademark piledrivers and, at the other end, keeper Vito Mannone snatched the ball of the toe of Podolski after Mato Jajalo’s scooped pass had given him a scent of a opening.

It was still a wonderfully open game and, buoyed by that freak goal, Cologne fancied an equaliser. Jajalo darted inside and Johan Djourou threw himself in to block from close range.

Tomas Rosicky’s drive stung the hands of Varvodic and, 13 minutes from time, Arshavin appeared to be clipped in the area.

The Russian then saw a shot batted away as Arsenal tried to secure the victory. But Cologne’s challenge now appeared to be flagging and the visitors held on with ease.

Despite the late injury to Conor Henderson that saw the Irishman stretchered off in the final second, this was a gratifying afternoon for Arsenal.

TEAM NEWS: Gervinho starts against Cologne

2011-07-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

Summer signing Gervinho will make his Arsenal debut against FC Cologne on Saturday afternoon.

The Ivory Coast star, who joined the Club from Lille, is included in Arsène Wenger’s starting XI for the pre-season friendly in Germany.

Thomas Vermaelen captains the side while youngsters Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson are on the bench. Carl Jenkinson starts at right-back.

Gervinho will be wearing No 22 today but that is not guaranteed to be his numeral throughout the season. The same applies to the rest of the squad this afternoon.

Team in full: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Gervinho, Chamakh

Squad Numbers used against Cologne

2011-07-24T21:55:00.001-07:00

Arsenal are using temporary numbers for this afternoon's game against Cologne

The numbers for next season have not yet been finalised and the ones used today may not necessarily reflect players' numbers next term.

Germany Training Camp Blog: Day One

2011-07-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

When Arsenal arrive anywhere there is normally a buzz. Just take Asia last week where near hysteria greeted the arrival of every coach and if a player so much as waved at the waiting crowd a huge roar would erupt.

But for once there was little fanfare when Arsène Wenger’s squad took up residence in their hotel just outside Bonn.

The Grand Prix is in town. The F1 circuit at the Nurburgring is about an hour away and we have spotted team members from Ferrari, Mercedes Benz and McClaren all staying here.

These notes are being written from the hotel lobby just before we leave for RheinEnergieStadion and the prestige friendly against FC Cologne.

The vast majority of the F1 guests left a few hours ago, presumably for the final practice session taking place this afternoon.

It is grey and overcast here with rain in the air. It will be more a problem to the race tomorrow than the game today but it is all a far cry from the sweltering temperatures in Asia last week.

Looking forward to the game and the debut of Gervinho, who is expected to start. Opportunity knocks aswell for two youngsters - Conor Henderson and Benik Afobe.

The new Ivorian striker is going to be wearing No 22 today but that is not guaranteed to be his numeral throughout the season. The same applies to the rest of the squad this afternoon.

After the game today the camp will begin in earnest - double sessions, sweat and heavy legs.

Will blog about that later.

Afobe included in squad for Germany

2011-07-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Teenage striker Benik Afobe has been included in Arsenal’s squad for the pre-season training camp in Germany.

After excelling in the Reserves at the beginning of last season, the clinical frontman was thrust into the rigours of League football and spent the majority of the campaign on loan at Huddersfield Town.

Pacy and direct, he was a revelation in the North-West, scoring eight times in 36 appearances during his time at the Galpharm Stadium, and played an important role as the Terriers reached the League One Play-Off Final.

He signed a contract extension with Arsenal in June.

Follow youngsters Conor Henderson and Emmanuel Frimpong have also been included in the squad.

Wenger - Gervinho can be an instant hit

2011-07-24T18:06:00.001-07:00

Arsène Wenger believes new signing Gervinho will make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international joined up with his Arsenal team-mates in training this week and the manager has been impressed with the way the striker has adapted.

Wenger knows all new additions need time to settle, but he hopes the 24-year-old can make a similar transition to Marouane Chamakh, who enjoyed early success after moving from Ligue 1 last summer.

“He looks to me like he has adjusted very quickly,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “Let’s hope it goes quickly for him.

“You never know, some players take six months and some players take two weeks.

“Don’t forget that we have him as well as Ryo Miyaichi, who has made a very good impression until now. We have Benik Afobe with us, we have quantity and quality offensively to make us very efficient.”

Wenger has also expressed his admiration for Gervinho’s versatility across the Arsenal front line and the competition his arrival will bring to the squad.

“He is a positive threat to everybody up front,” he said. “He can play on the right, he can play on the left and he can play through the middle.

“He is a help for us to be more dangerous, more of a threat. He is an addition to the Arsenal squad of top quality.

“Players like Walcott or Arshavin can see that more as a help because they know in some games you need variety. Up front is the most demanding position where you need to be fresh.”

Wenger - We have to find one more defender

2011-07-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

Arsène Wenger has revealed he will "certainly" find a new addition to his backline - but won’t be drawn on any individuals.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is the latest name suggested by the media with Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Blackburn’s Chris Samba also linked with a move to Emirates Stadium this summer. Though he wouldn’t comment on specific players, Wenger confirmed to Arsenal.com on Friday that he is looking to add to his defensive options.

“Certainly, we will have to find one more defender,” he said. “We [are] working on it.

“I can promise we work very hard on it. In fairness, everybody looks for players. Everybody looks for the same area and you see that nobody turns up with magic. It’s all about being steady, working very hard on it and being calm as well.

“I don’t want to comment individually because I do not want to destabilise clubs. I do not want to do to other clubs what some clubs do to us so I wouldn’t like to comment individually on any player.”

Wenger - Cologne camp is end of 'phase one'

2011-07-24T18:04:00.001-07:00

Arsenal’s training camp in Germany will end “phase one” of their pre-season preparations, according to Arsène Wenger.

The manager takes a strong squad to Cologne on Friday as they crank up the intensity of their training programme with the new campaign edging ever closer.

Arsenal face FC Cologne on Saturday and Wenger says his players will get a maximum of 45 minutes against the Bundesliga side. When Arsenal return to London, training will intensify ahead of the Emirates Cup and the Eusebio Cup.

“For me, it is the end of phase one of pre-season,” Wenger told Arsenal.com.

“It is the end of phase one because we will work on fitness a lot in Germany and after that we will go to phase two with the Emirates Cup.

“They are a good side with some valuable players, like [Lukas] Podolski who plays for Germany. There is always a good atmosphere in Cologne, they have a big stadium and it is a big football club.”

Wenger - 'No movement' on Fabregas situation

2011-07-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger says there has been “no movement” on Cesc Fabregas’ situation despite media speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Barcelona increasing. 

The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to his former club this summer though Wenger has reiterated his desire for Fabregas to stay at Arsenal. When asked for an update on Friday, the manager insisted there was nothing to report. 

“The position at the moment [with Fabregas] is a ‘no comment’ situation because there is no movement at all,” he told Arsenal.com. 

Samir Nasri has also been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium and Wenger hopes to sort out the Frenchman’s future soon. 

Two players that Wenger has admitted could be leaving the Club this summer are Manuel Almunia and Nicklas Bendtner. Neither have travelled to Germany for the Club’s pre-season training camp. 

“[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks.” 

“Alumina has been contacted by a few clubs, Bendtner as well,” he added.  

“As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have. The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed.”

Fabregas to miss Germany training camp

2011-07-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

Cesc Fabregas has failed to recover from a muscular injury and has not travelled to Germany for the Club’s pre-season training camp. 

The midfielder missed the recent tour of Asia with the problem and will not join up with the rest of the squad, who flew out to Cologne on Friday afternoon, Arsène Wenger has confirmed. 

Summer signing Gervinho has made the trip and is in line to make his Arsenal debut against FC Cologne on Saturday. There is also a place in the squad for goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who returns from the shoulder injury that kept him out of action at the back end of last season. 

Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue have stayed in London. 

“[Fabregas] has not completely recovered from his muscular injury,” Wenger told Arsenal.com on Friday. “It is too early for him, he is not ready. 

“Gervinho is with us. Fabianski is back. Eboue is injured and is behind and Bendtner is behind. 

“Diaby is out longer term so that is why I do not speak about him. We do not count Diaby for August. He will miss the start of the season for sure.”

Djourou - Speculation not affecting the squad

2011-07-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Johan Djourou insists speculation surrounding whether players will be leaving the Club this summer is not upsetting the harmony of the Arsenal squad.

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have constantly been linked with moves away from North London despite manager Arsène Wenger reiterating his desire that the pair stay on. And, as is the case every year, this summer has seen a number of different names mentioned in the media as possible new additions.

But, with the start of the new season just around the corner, Djourou says he and the rest of the squad are concentrating on preparing for that and not paying any attention to the back pages.

“For us players, it is just about focusing on the team and being ready for the season,” he told Arsenal.com. “We know that every summer, you are going to have a big story about players leaving and coming in.

 “Of course we do not want our best players to leave but if they have to go, they will go and I am sure the manager will replace who will go.

“For us players, it is more about concentrating on ourselves and the team.”

Djourou - Tour has brought us closer together

2011-07-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Johan Djourou says the Club’s pre-season tour of Asia has brought the players closer together. 

As well as playing their first two games of the summer, Arsenal’s stars got to experience a vast array of sights and sounds in the hustle and bustle of China and Malaysia. Signing sessions, meeting fans, open training sessions, experiencing local cultures, not to mention the odd bit of sight seeing - it was certainly an exciting time for the team, who fly to Germany for a training camp on Friday. 

For Djourou and the rest of the squad, the long-distance trip was in stark contrast to the tranquil surroundings of Austria and the Swiss defender feels the change of scenery will have a positive effect on the pitch when the new season gets underway. 

“It brought the players closer together and that is good,” he told Arsenal Player. “On the pitch, the players will be closer. 

“The mood is great and you can see that with the players. It was massively different to Austria. For us, it was great to see something different. 

“Austria is more settled and we know that we are going to the hotel, training and that is it. We did more in Asia with the team so it was great.” 

The full interview with Johan is now available on Arsenal Player. He discusses: the tour of Asia, the mood in the camp, how the trip brought the squad closer together, who the best traveller in the squad is and who was king of video games on tour.

Charles-Cook inspired by senior keepers

2011-07-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

While Arsenal’s senior goalkeepers battle it out to be the Club’s No 1, young goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook is quietly continuing his progress in the youth ranks.

The 17-year-old has been at Arsenal since the age of seven and, after graduating from the Hale End Academy last summer, has shown signs that he is developing into another first-rate keeper within the Club. 

Charles-Cook, who prides himself on his shot-stopping ability, made his first appearance outside of youth football against Hastings United on Tuesday night and demonstrated his sharp reflexes with a fine one-handed save in the opening minute. 

Some youngsters might be downhearted by the wealth of quality in front of them but Charles-Cook feels he is surrounded by the best people to help him achieve his goals. 

“There are loads of great goalkeepers here and I want to aim for their level and surpass them,” he told Arsenal.com. “I see that more as an inspiration to try and work to their level. 

“We’ve got Wojciech, Vito, Manuel and Lukasz, not to mention Sean [McDermott] and Damian [Martinez]. I train with [the senior goalkeepers] a lot, I speak to them a lot and they give me hints and tips which is a great thing. 

“I couldn’t ask for much more, they aren’t selfish, they teach me things and tell me things to work on. It’s a very tight-knit group. 

“The coaching staff here are brilliant as well. I work with Gerry Peyton, Lee Smelt and Tony Roberts - three very good coaches. Obviously Gerry works with the first team, so we don’t see much of him, but he will try and watch us on a Saturday if the first team don’t have a game.” 

Charles-Cook was delighted with his positive start to life in the men’s game and is hoping to continue in goal when an Arsenal XI travel to Stevenage for another pre-season fixture on Saturday. 

The keeper made inroads into Steve Bould’s Academy side last term and wants to challenge for the Under-18s’ No 1 jersey this season, though he knows there will be strong competition from Sean McDermott. 

“I couldn’t have asked for a better debut against Hastings, I couldn’t have asked for a better start,” said Charles-Cook. 

“I only got five games last season, I’ve got a late birthday and we had Sean and Damian, so obviously I have to wait for my time and I was very happy to get those games under my belt. 

“The increase in tempo from Under-16s to Under-18s was very quick and that was a shock. I think my best game last year was against Tottenham, that is when I really got into it and felt comfortable with the level of the game. Hopefully I can get more games this season.”

Former Arsenal man Garry forced to retire

2011-07-21T18:54:00.001-07:00

Former Arsenal defender Ryan Garry has been forced to retire from football at the age of 27.

The versatile full-back, who featured in Arsenal's 2001 FA Youth Cup Final triumph, has called time on his playing career at Bournemouth after failing to recover from a persistent nerve-related problem in his lower leg and will become first-team coach and defensive co-ordinator at the club.

A former scholar at Highbury, Garry signed professional terms with Arsenal in July 2001 and made his first-team debut in Arsenal's 3-2 Worthington Cup Third-Round defeat at home to Sunderland in November 2002.

His only Premiership appearance was in a 6-1 victory over Southampton in May 2003, the game that started Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.

Vermaelen - The slate is clean for us

2011-07-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

Thomas Vermaelen says Arsenal start the new season with a clean slate and insists Arsène Wenger’s side can win the Premier League title this year.
Last term proved to be frustrating for players and supporters alike but the Belgian central defender says that must be forgotten when the new campaign kicks off in August.

Before then, Arsenal host the Emirates Cup at the end of July and Vermaelen believes the annual pre-season tournament presents everyone with a fresh start.

“Everybody starts from zero and everybody has to start again,” he told Arsenal.com.

“You get a new chance and that’s always a good feeling when people give you another chance to win something. The past is behind us and it’s good to look into the future.

“That’s what we do now - we start all over again with a new chance and we will go for it this year.”

Arsenal face Boca Juniors on Saturday, July 30 before an eagerly-anticipated reunion with Thierry Henry and his New York Red Bulls the following day. For Vermaelen, the two games at Emirates Stadium represent the beginning of the final countdown to the new season.

“These are the first games we play at the Emirates in the season so it always feels like a new start,” he said. “It feels like that so I am looking forward to playing there.

“They are two very different kinds of teams and two very different kinds of challenges.”

Walcott - I'm excited about Henry reunion

2011-07-21T18:51:00.001-07:00

Thierry Henry is set to return to Emirates Stadium next week - and Theo Walcott will be at the front of the queue to greet him.

The England international admits he was a shy, starstruck 16-year-old when he first encountered the Arsenal legend on his arrival at the Club in January 2006. But the two forged a friendship before Henry moved to Barcelona 18 months later. 

The Club's record goalscorer was reunited with Walcott when he trained with Arsène Wenger's squad in January ahead of the new MLS campaign and he is guaranteed a warm welcome when the New York Red Bulls face Arsenal in what could be the defining game of the 2011 Emirates Cup on July 31. 

Walcott has always turned to Henry for advice and he is looking forward to their next encounter. 

"He's been a great influence to me so it will be nice to see his face," Walcott told Arsenal.com. "I think he changes his phone number a lot so it's tough to keep in touch with him! So many people want a bit of him but he will always be there for me, definitely. 

"Thierry has always given me advice, telling me just to enjoy my football and not believe what people say about you. He told me just to go out and play my football and not worry about the hype. That's what I've been doing and hopefully it's working." 

Henry was the quickest player in the Arsenal squad in his pomp but that changed when Walcott was signed from Southampton. The quicksilver pair never got round to arranging a proper race but Henry's tendency to drift to the left could take him into Walcott territory at Emirates Stadium. 

"It will be cool, it would be nice to have a little sprint race against him!" smiled Walcott. "We never had a sprint race. I beat his time in the 40 metres but never actually raced him. We didn't want to race each other but you might see it on the pitch at the Emirates Cup! 

"We'll see what happens, he goes anywhere on the pitch because he's that sort of player. I'll have to make sure he doesn't get the ball." 

By the time Walcott walks out at Emirates Stadium next weekend the Arsenal squad will have travelled thousands of miles on a pre-season tour of Malaysia, China and Germany. The 22-year-old has enjoyed the change of scenery but he admits it will be good to get back on familiar soil. 

"It will be great to play at the Emirates again and hopefully show the fans what we can do, that we're ready," he said. "We won't treat the Emirates Cup games as friendlies, we don't treat any pre-season games like that, we like to go out there and win. If we win the Emirates Cup hopefully we can move on and win something bigger. 

"We have two very exciting opponents. It's going to be an interesting battle on both days and, of course, it's nice to see Thierry come back as well."

Denilson returns to Brazil for Sao Paulo loan

2011-07-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Further to Arsène Wenger’s comments after the match in China against Hangzhou Greentown at the weekend, the Club can confirm that Denilson has joined Brazilian side Sao Paulo on loan for the 2011/12 season.

Since making his first-team debut in October 2006 in a League Cup match against West Bromwich Albion, the 23-year-old midfielder has made a total of 153 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.

Denilson established himself as a regular in the 2008/09 season, playing a total of 51 times. However, with opportunities for first-team football limited in recent times, Denilson returns to the club where he began his career.

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Denilson the best of luck during his time in Brazil with Sao Paulo.

Walcott impressed by new signing Miyaichi

2011-07-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

Theo Walcott has been impressed with the quality of new Arsenal signing and fellow speed merchant Ryo Miyaichi.
Miyaichi’s lightning pace has rivalled Walcott’s in pre-season speed tests and inevitably led to comparisons between the two. Arsène Wenger has said that Miyaichi’s movement and trickery resembles Walcott’s while the Japanese winger’s willingness to attack full-backs was evident during the Club’s pre-season tour of Asia.

Walcott on the right and Miyaichi on the left is a combination that would give any defence nightmares but Walcott insists the pair have different qualities to go with their blistering pace. 

“I don’t like comparing myself to other players, every player is different,” he told Arsenal.com. “He wants to be his own player, he is a confident lad and will hopefully have a good career at Arsenal.

“He has got a few stepovers more than me, I don’t do any! That is maybe something I could bring into my game.

“If I don’t come top [of the speed tests in pre-season] I’m not bothered because the most important thing is doing it on the pitch. But it will be tough to beat me, that is for sure!”

Another new addition, young defender Carl Jenkinson, also linked up with his new team-mates in Asia and Walcott says the 19-year-old has already made his mark on the squad.

After himself joining Arsenal from Southampton in 2006, Walcott knows how intimidating it can be for a teenager to move to a top Premier League club and he has been impressed with the way the right-back has settled in. 

“He looks very confident and it is great to see,” said Walcott. “He is not shy at all which is nice for a new lad coming in, especially at a young age.

“It’s a bit daunting at first but all the players have helped bed him in and that showed in his game [in Asia]. He is very positive and I enjoyed playing with him.”

Gervinho - I've been educated the Arsenal way

2011-07-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

Gervinho should have no trouble fitting into Arsène Wenger's squad because he's been playing 'the Arsenal way' since he was a boy.

The Ivory Coast star finalised his move from Lille to Emirates Stadium on Monday to become Wenger's second signing of the summer and he is the latest in a long line of graduates from the ASEC academy to complete the journey from Abidjan to the Premier League.

Like Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue before him, Gervinho trained under Jean-Marc Guillou before leaving for Europe. The 24-year-old showed his pedigree by inspiring Lille to the French title last season and he believes he can scale new heights under the tutelage of Wenger.

"It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player," he told Arsenal.com. "I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.

"Arsenal is an attractive club to me because when I was a kid at the ASEC academy in Abidjan, we were educated to play football the way Arsenal plays. We were lucky to have a coach at the time [Guillou] who had that philosophy. So we tried to play like Arsenal and, since then, I have always wanted to be an Arsenal player. And now I am, so I am delighted.

"I am very happy to be able to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can make me improve more. In Lille, I worked very well with the manager over there [Rudy Garcia] and I improved with him but I think that with Arsène Wenger I will reach another level in my career."

The Arsenal manager has already hailed Gervinho's versatility - he can play on either flank or through the middle - and the new signing has a rather appropriate hero given his new surroundings.

"Regarding my position, I feel really comfortable in any position up front," said Gervinho. "The most important thing is that I bring a lot to the team wherever I am playing. My idol has always been Thierry Henry.”

'We're not finished in transfer market yet'

2011-07-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ivan Gazidis says Arsenal have not yet finished their transfer activity this summer and have “substantial” funds to invest.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer fully expects Arsène Wenger to add to the purchase of Carl Jenkinson and Gervinho. But, he commented, they would keep their targets under wraps.

"We still will be active in this window,” said Mr Gazidis. “We haven't finished our business at all. We're just not conducting it publicly; we're working hard privately.

“I'm was out in Asia because I could be with Arsène for an extended period of time and think very, very carefully about strategy and targets.

“We understand where the weaknesses have been. Financially we're in a strong position, we have resources to spend. We're certainly not sitting there saying ‘let's hold back on our resources’ for some reason, why would we?

“The resources are there. We've got a substantial amount of money that we can invest. The important thing for us, which can be frustrating, is not doing it only in response to a public clamour but in a way that can positively impact our performance next year. That's the focus now.”

'Principles don't hamper our transfer policy'

2011-07-21T18:39:00.001-07:00

Ivan Gazidis insists that Arsenal's activity in the transfer market is not hampered by their business principles.

The Club's self-sustainable model has put Arsenal on a strong financial footing and Gazidis stresses that Wenger is not handicapped by a desire to "stand on our own feet". He knows that a 'marquee signing' can set pulses racing but he is acutely aware that Wenger has enjoyed his greatest success with signings that did not break the bank.

"Our fans have the right to be excited, to look forward to the season with anticipation and to expect to see top-class players and exciting things happening on the pitch," said Gazidis. "It's our goal and our target to deliver all of that.

"Certainly if you sign a 'name player' that can be an easier way to get that [excitement] and I've got nothing against that. There's no point of principle involved there.

"But if you look at the best players that we have on our team, they were not necessarily superstar players when we signed them - I don't think any of them were when they came to Arsenal.

"It's not that we were against doing that. That could happen. But because we run a self-sufficient club - it's an important part of who we are because we have a philosophy of wanting to stand on our own two feet, keeping things in our control, not putting them in the hands of somebody else that we have to rely on - we have to think about the efficiency of the spend.

"There are many clubs - not just one or two - that have gone out and done exactly that and spent money on players who perhaps were difficult for them to afford but gave them a big hit, a big buzz, took the pressure off, and a year or two down the road found themselves having to address some difficult issues.

"If we found an established world-class player and we thought the economics made sense and he would add to what we could do on the pitch then there's no philosophical objection to that.

"Arsène has no point of principle to show the world that he can build his own team of young players. That's just not the way it is.

"It's easy to lose perspective on what Arsène is trying to do, which, I think, is an extraordinary vision but if you look around here, the fans we have around the world, that vision is very attractive and very, very powerful. We should be proud of that."

Wenger 'won't lose sleep' over Mancini issue

2011-07-21T18:37:00.002-07:00

Arsène Wenger will not lose any sleep over Roberto Mancini's comments about Samir Nasri but he is surprised by the Manchester City manager's behaviour.

Mancini has been linked with a move for the Arsenal midfielder and, at the weekend, expressed his hope that Nasri "can arrive by the end of the month". The Italian's remarks surprised Wenger, who intends to keep Nasri even if the 24-year-old does not sign a new deal before his current contract expires next summer.

The Arsenal boss believes that managers should not comment about players who are under contract with another club - even if Mancini has not actually broken any rules.

"The rules certainly have to be cleaned up," said Wenger.

"For us, at this period of the season, it is important that we give importance to what matters to us. Frankly, it doesn’t take sleep away from me. I just think it is surprising that we have to face these kind of comments. You have never heard me say any word about a player.

"I have spoken to Samir, of course, because he is in a situation where he has only one year to go. But not about Mancini’s statement. Things have changed in England and I believe it is important that we go back to normal behaviour on that front."

Wenger - Cesc not certain for Cologne trip

2011-07-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger will assess the fitness of Cesc Fabregas before deciding whether the Arsenal captain will travel to the Club’s pre-season training camp in Germany later this week.

Fabregas missed the tour of Asia with a muscular problem and has yet to return to full training though his manager is hopeful the midfielder will be ready to join up with the rest of the squad when they fly to Cologne on Friday.

“We will have to see how far he is with his injury,” said Wenger. “Normally, yes [he will go].

“He is not back in full training. He is back running on the pitch and the next step is to be back in full training. I will have to assess him on Monday.”

Speculation linking Fabregas with a move back to Barcelona has failed to subside this summer but Wenger has again reiterated his desire to keep the 24-year-old at Arsenal.

“My target is the same - to keep the players and my desire to fight for that is the same. The problem is [that] we face speculation from everywhere.”

Wenger - Denilson is going home on loan

2011-07-21T18:34:00.001-07:00

Arsène Wenger has revealed that Denilson is set to go back to Brazil on loan.

The 23-year-old midfielder found it hard to break into the first-team last term having been a regular in 2008-09 and playing in roughly half the games in the campaign that followed. However in 2010-11, he started less than ten Premier League or Champions League games; a statistic that may have prompted the move.

“Denilson is likely to leave to go to Brazil on loan,” said Wenger after the 1-1 draw with Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.

The Brazil Under-19 captain joined Arsenal in 2006 from Sao Paulo and, to date, has played 153 games scoring ten goals.

Arsenal.com will have the official announcement once the loan deal is completed.

Denilson - I'm sad to leave Arsenal friends

2011-07-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

Denilson has expressed his “sadness” at leaving Arsenal on loan.

After the 1-1 draw at Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday, Arsène Wenger confirmed that the Brazilian midfielder would be moving back home in a temporary transfer.

Reacting to the news, the 23-year-old told Arsenal.com: “I will be playing in Brazil next season as I felt that this is a good opportunity for me to play regular first-team football.

"I move away with sadness because I have so many friends at Arsenal and everyone has always been so supportive towards me.

"I want to say thank you to the Club, and of course, also a big thank you to all the Arsenal fans who are very special.

"I'm now focused on doing well in Brazil next season, but will always be looking out for the Arsenal results. It is a great Club with many great players, a good team spirit and a top-class manager. I wish you well for next season."

Gervinho completes his move to Arsenal

2011-07-21T18:32:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Ivory Coast international forward Gervinho has finalised his switch to the Gunners, joining the Club on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Gervinho, 24, arrives at Arsenal from French side Lille, with the paperwork surrounding his move now approved. The Ivorian helped Lille to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double last season, scoring 18 goals in 49 games in all competitions.

The campaign capped a very successful two years for Gervinho, during which time he netted 36 times in his 93 appearances for Les Gogues. Before joining Lille, Gervinho enjoyed two seasons with Le Mans, also in Ligue 1.

On the international stage, Gervinho captained the Ivory Coast in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and also represented his country at the 2010 World Cup, scoring twice in just three substitute appearances during qualification to the finals. To date, Gervinho has made 27 appearances in total for Les Eléphants, scoring six goals.

The forward, who came through the same Ivorian youth academy - ASEC Mimosas - as Emmanuel Eboue, before following in the right-back’s footsteps to join Belgian side KSK Beveren, will immediately join up with his new team mates for pre-season training.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Gervinho is a player that can play in a number of positions up front. He can play on the right, on the left and through the middle. He has qualities that I find very important, like his movement off the ball. He has the qualities we like technically. He is good one against one, he is strong and was the best provider in the French league with assists and he scored 15 goals. I think he is a very good addition to the squad.”

After completing his move to the Gunners, Gervinho said: “It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.

“I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”

Wenger - Asia tour has been huge success

2011-07-19T23:47:00.001-07:00

Arsène Wenger says the Club’s pre-season tour of Asia has been a complete success.

Arsenal’s week-long stay in the Far East came to an end on Saturday night with Carlos Vela’s first-half strike earning the Gunners a 1-1 draw with Hangzhou Greentown.

Speaking after the game at the Meihu Stadium and before flying back to London, Wenger also confirmed that everyone came through the game injury-free.

“How much Arsenal are loved here in Asia and how much the Premier League has penetrated Asia [has been positive],” he said.

“In China and Malaysia we are starting to become really popular so that is a positive sign. We have had a good experience as a team together.

“There is a big potential for fans here and that is the main reason why English teams come here.”

Video : Pre-season Friendly - Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Arsenal

2011-07-17T17:31:00.001-07:00

Pre-season Friendly - Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Arsenal

2011-07-17T17:29:00.001-07:00

Arsenal were held to a draw by Hangzhou Greentown as they completed their Asia Tour on Saturday night.

Sebastien Vasquez put the side from the Chinese Super League in front on the quarter-hour but Carlos Vela prodded the visitors level just before the break.

After a slow start, Arsène Wenger’s side had the better of the second half but spurned a number of chances, with Theo Walcott the main culprit.

Try as they might, they never found a winner but the result, of course, is pretty inconsequential. This Asian adventure has been about making friends as much as making goals. That is why they wore shirts with Chinese player names on the back this evening.

It also means the crowd figure - a healthy 20,583 - was just as important as the scoreline.

Arsenal have represented themselves well on this trip - on and off the pitch. When the final whistle blew this evening, they warmly thanked their supporters, as they have all week, and headed off to the airport.

The pre-season preparations will continue in more familiar surroundings from now on. But, as a result of their efforts in the past few days, many more people out here are familiar with the name of Arsenal Football Club.

The heavens opened in Yiwu a couple of hours before kick-off. Hangzhou were playing two hours outside their home city while their own ground was being renovated. However the Meihu Stadium was an open, modern venue and the pitch stood up well to the deluge.

Hangzhou are a fixture in the Chinese Super League after gaining promotion in 2006 and finished fourth in 2010. Their squad was primarily from the home country with a couple of Uruguayans and Hondurans thrown in.

As for Arsenal, it was the final day of a fruitful but taxing trip to Asia and freshness was clearly a factor in the team selection. The second half side in Malaysia began this evening and none would stay on after half time.

The best early chances went to the home side. In the fourth minute Vazquez bundled through but Vito Mannone saved with his legs. On the quarter-hour the Italian was beaten when Paulo Pezzolano evaded Johan Djourou’s challenge, opened his body and stroked a shot towards the far corner. Fortunately for Arsenal it bounced off the base of the post and the visitors scrambled the ball clear.

But the goal was close. In the 17th minute a free-kick bounced off Mannone’s chest and fell nicely for Vazquez to slot home from close range. It was a deserved lead.

Arsenal nearly replied immediately when Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri drove forward to set up Robin van Persie on the left. The Dutchman’s chip was too high for keeper Jiang Bo but too wide to find the net.

Just after the half-hour, the Russian clipped in a cross from the left and Van Persie cracked a spectacular effort over the bar.

It was an indication that Arsenal were settling into their rhythm. Hangzhou had bossed the first 15 minutes but the second quarter-hour had seen the Premier League side exert their experience.

Just before the break, substitute Wu Wei had to head Samir Nasri’s corner over his own crossbar to prevent Sebastian Squillaci heading home.

On the whistle, Arsenal did force the equaliser when Van Persie weaved his way into the Hangzhou area and, after his shot was parried, Vela tapped home the rebound.

Wenger changed his entire XI at the break and Arsenal were all the better for it. There was suddenly a purpose and drive behind their attacks. As a consequence they pushed back Hangzhou.

Just past the hour, Aaron Ramsey’s shot squirmed under the body of Gu Chao but the keeper’s block had been solid enough to divert the ball wide. The defence did the rest.

A couple of minutes later, Ryo Miyaichi laid the ball back for Kieran Gibbs to fire goalwards but Chao parried again.

Theo Walcott and Marouane Chamakh went close as Arsenal started to slice their way through the Hangzhou defence.

In the 70th minute, Gibbs and Jack Wilshere set up Walcott on the right. His first effort was blocked and his second flew over the bar.

The Englishman was starting to get on the end of all Arsenal’s chances but he could not convert. He has two efforts in quick succession - the first was tipped around the post by Chao, the second was drilled wide.

Five minutes from time, another chance fell to Walcott. Miyaichi burst to the byline and chipped the ball into the centre. The England international timed his run well but his header was high.

In the 88th minute, Chamakh saw another drive beaten away and Hangzhou nearly profited. Mao Jianqing raced down the left and his hanging cross was nodded just wide by Pezzolano.

Miyaichi had one last chance but the goal would not come.

Video : Pre-season Friendly - Malaysia XI 0-4 Arsenal

2011-07-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Pre-season Friendly - Malaysia XI 0-4 Arsenal

2011-07-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Arsenal cruised to victory in the opening game of their Asia Tour on Wednesday night in front of a crowd approaching 70,000.

In the sweltering heat of Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysia XI found them simply too hot to handle.

Aaron Ramsey stroked home a penalty after five minutes and, eight minutes before the break Theo Walcott clipped home a second. Carlos Vela dinked in No 3 just after the restart.

Malaysia XI had carried a threat in the first half, mainly thanks to the pace of left winger Kunanlan Subramaniam. But they fell away as the game wore on. Tomas Rosicky even added a fourth at the death.

This was Arsenal’s first game in Malaysia since 1999. Back then Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka had secure a solid 2-0 victory.

The current crop leave for China on Thursday on the second leg of the Tour.

But, having seen them in the flesh, we can hope the Club have left a lasting legacy for the Malaysia people. From their fervent support it is clear they knew all about Arsenal before they arrived.

Hopefully this game will leave some happy memories once the team has gone.

The Bukit Jalil Stadium had erupted when the Arsenal team came out to warm-up. And the decibel levels went up 10 fold as the side emerged from the tunnel for the game.

Wearing the 125th anniversary away kit for the first time, Wenger’s XI side waved their ‘hellos’. After a week of welcome from this friendly country, they were very accustomed to the response they received.

The atmosphere was a heavy mixture of excitement, adulation and sweltering heat. In effect, the Malaysia XI was a squad from the national team. This was the first of three games against top quality Premier League opposition - Liverpool and Chelsea are due up soon - so head coach Datuk Rajagobal was managing his resources.

Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, the golden boy of Malaysia football, began on the bench. But playmaker and captain Safiq Rahim would be patrolling the midfield.

Wenger handed first Arsenal starts to Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi. Kieran Gibbs was installed at left-back, a role his he is set to frequent following the departure of Gael Clichy.

The game had barely settled when Arsenal took the lead. In the fifth minute, Mohd Aidil Zafuan clipped Jack Wilshere as he darted down the left of the area. Ramsey was perhaps a surprising choice of penalty-taker but he was cool enough to send the keeper the wrong way.

Almost immediately it might have been 2-0 when Walcott popped up on the right but lifted his effort over the bar.

Malaysia attacks were sporadic - and mostly through the pacy Subramaniam. But any foray forward was greeted with rapturous applause. The crowd was 80 per cent Arsenal shirts but this was very much a national party.

Walcott’s pace continued to bother the home defence as did Ramsey’s movement and vision. When the two talents were combined, Arsenal were at their best.

Midway through the half, Marouane Chamakh fed Walcott on the edge of the area but the striker lost the ball at the vital moment.

Malaysia had peppered Wojciech Szczesny’s goal with long-range shots throughout so it was no surprise when Rahim tried his luck with a right wing free-kick. The tall Polish keeper stretched to tip it over but, in fairness, always had it covered.

The pace of Subramaniam was still the main weapon for Malaysia. However Jenkinson was handling him well. Chamakh drifted a header past the far post on the half-hour. In response, Ahmad Fakri Saarani tried to nod past Szczesny but the keeper blocked and the flag was up.

In the 37th minute Arsenal did grab that second. And, yet again, the Ramsey-Walcott axis worked. The Welshman sent an astute angled ball through to the sprinting Englishman. He lifted his shot over the keeper.

Seconds later, Walcott reached the byline and his searching cut back had to be hurriedly hacked clear. As the whistle approached, Arsenal were cruising. Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it was a technical advantage but the visitors had taken control in the first 45 minutes without ever truly moving out of second gear.

Wenger made eight changes at the interval. Only Ramsey, Miyiachi and Jenkinson stayed on.

In the opening eight minutes both sides had a decent chance. Vela touched back Rosicky’s ball for Ramsey to race through and thunder his shot inches over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Vito Mannone was penalised for holding on to the ball too long. Malaysia XI were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the area but the wall held firm from Rahim’s drive.

In the 57th minute, Arsenal’s quality told once again. Rosicky released Vela on the left of the area and, in typical style, the Mexican hoist a cheeky chip beyond the reach of the stranded keeper and into the far corner of the net.

With the job done, Wenger brought on two of his most experienced players - Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna.

It was time for Arsenal to kick on. Vela should have made it four but, after collecting Johan Djourou’s pass and beating a couple of men, his shot hit a defender who had time to race back to the line.

Rosicky hacked over soon afterwards but made amends by grabbing the fourth in added time.

At the final whistle, the crowd erupted again and the team said their goodbyes.

As a game, this was average. As a spectacle, it was superb. If the Asia tour is about spreading the word of Arsenal, then this particular message was sent out loud and clear.

Three young Arsenal players released by Club

2011-06-22T20:06:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club can confirm that Mark Randall, Thomas Cruise and Roarie Deacon will reach the end of their contracts with the Club this month to become free agents.

Midfielder Randall leaves having spent the 2010/11 season on loan with League Two side Rotherham United, where he played ten times. The 21 year-old first featured for the Gunners in the Carling Cup aged just 17, and went on to make 13 first team appearances for Arsène Wenger’s side. Randall’s young career has also taken in loan spells with Burnley and MK Dons.

Hale End Academy graduate Thomas Cruise (20) moves on with one senior appearance to his name - an admirable performance at left back in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage away to Olympiacos in December 2009. Last season the defender completed a loan spell with League One side Carlisle United, as well as featuring seven times for the Reserves.

Roarie Deacon (19) also came through the youth ranks at Arsenal to become a regular in the Reserves, where he made 16 appearances last season, scoring four times. The forward was part of the Under-19s team to reach the semi finals of the Dallas Cup last season, firing in three goals in the prestigious youth tournament.

Everyone at the Club would like to thank Mark, Thomas and Roarie for their contributions towards Arsenal Football Club and wish them well in their future careers.

Lansbury in action for England Under-21s

2011-06-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Henri Lansbury was a 57th-minute substitute as England Under-21s drew 0-0 with Ukraine in the European Championships on Wednesday.

The Arsenal midfielder replaced Scott Sinclair just before the hour-mark and England looked much more of a goal threat after his introduction.

The point leaves Stuart Pearce’s side third in Group B and needing to beat Czech Republic on Sunday to secure a place in the Semi-Finals.

Arsenal set for Benfica pre-season friendly

2011-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce a pre-season friendly against Portuguese side Benfica, to be played in Lisbon on Saturday, August 6 - kick off time TBC.

The Gunners will be taking on the 32-time Portugese Liga winners at their 65,000 capacity Estadio da Luz in an evening match. This will be the first time the teams have played each other since 1992, when Benfica recorded a 4-2 aggregate victory in the Second Round of the European Cup.

At stake on August 6 will be the Eusebio Cup, launched in 2008 in honour of the Benfica and Portugal great. Eusebio himself usually presents the trophy to the winning team - last year Arsenal's rivals Tottenham claimed the prize after a 1-0 win over the hosts.

Arsenal’s pre-season preparations for the 2011/12 season also include an Asia Tour in July, with friendlies against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13 and Hangzhou Greentown in China’s Zhejiang province on Saturday, July 16.

A trip to Germany to take on FC Cologne follows on Saturday, July 23, before the Gunners’ return to north London to host the Emirates Cup 2011. Arsenal will play Boca Juniors and the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 respectively in the two day tournament at Emirates Stadium, which also features Paris Saint-Germain.

Lansbury features for England Under-21s

2011-06-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

Henri Lansbury was a 67th-minute substitute as England Under-21s opened their European Championships campaign with a 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday.

Spain took an early lead through Ander Herrera and the Arsenal midfielder replaced Danny Rose midway through the second half as England searched for an equaliser. Danny Welbeck salvaged a draw with a cool finish two minutes from time.

Stuart Pearce’s side now meet Ukraine on June 15 before finishing their Group B fixtures on June 19 against Czech Republic.

Wenger excited by Jenkinson signing

2011-06-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Arsène Wenger has stressed his delight at the signing of 19-year-old defender Carl Jenkinson, who the joined the Club on Wednesday.

The highly-rated full back became Wenger’s first capture of the summer when he put pen to paper on a move from Charlton Athletic.

“We were watching Carl for some time and he is a player with great talent and natural defensive ability, but also a powerful player who likes to go forward,” said the Arsenal manager.

“He is a strong defender who has made quick progress with Charlton and also with the younger age categories for the Finland national team, showing many great qualities.

“We are excited that Carl is joining us and he will add strength to our squad.”

Jenkinson broke into Charlton’s first team last season and made his debut for the League One outfit against Brentford in December.

The teenager, who has captained Finland Under-19s and also qualifies to represent England, went on to make nine appearances for Chris Powell’s side.

“It’s a dream come true to have signed for Arsenal and I’m just so happy to be joining one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Jenkinson told Arsenal.com.

“I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates and work hard ahead of next season. Arsenal is a club with one of the best managers in football, many world-class players and an absolutely huge following.

“It’s a successful Club which will win trophies in the near future and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

Gibbs withdraws from England Under-21 squad

2011-06-12T19:42:00.001-07:00

Kieran Gibbs has withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad for this summer’s European Championships.

The Arsenal defender picked up an ankle injury during the Young Lions’ 2-0 victory over Norway on Sunday and has not travelled to Denmark.

Head Coach Stuart Pearce said: "It's unfortunate for Kieran, but he went for a scan yesterday and is in a medical boot."

Henri Lansbury, who spent the majority of last season on loan at Norwich, is in the squad.

Young defender Carl Jenkinson joins Arsenal

2011-06-12T19:40:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that promising defender Carl Jenkinson, 19, has arrived from League One side Charlton Athletic. His signing was confirmed as young Gunners Benik Afobe, Chuks Aneke and Oguzhan Ozyakup also pledged their futures to the Club.

Jenkinson joins Arsenal having featured nine times for Charlton Athletic’s first team. Predominantly a right-back, the 6ft 1ins youngster can also play in the centre of defence. Although born in England, Jenkinson qualifies to represent both England and Finland through his mother. The defender has already represented both countries at youth level, and last season captained Finland Under-19s.

Afobe, a forward and England Youth International, joined the Club aged just eight and has risen through the ranks to play Under-18 and Reserve team football, signing professional terms in February 2010. The Leyton-born youngster returned from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town a firm favourite with the Terriers’ faithful, having scored eight times in 36 appearances. This helped Lee Clark’s team to a 25 game unbeaten run, culminating in reaching the League One play-off final.

Newham-born midfielder Aneke is another player to have come through the Club’s Hale End Academy, which he joined aged seven, to cement a place in Neil Banfield’s Reserves setup. Last term the England Under-18 International scored six goals in 17 games to help the second string to the runners-up spot in the FA Premier Reserve League South. Chuks signed professional terms in July 2010.

Midfielder Ozyakup has enjoyed a promising start to his fledgling Arsenal career, since arriving from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar two seasons ago. The Netherlands Youth International joined forces with Aneke and Afobe to help Steve Bould’s Under-18s to a Premier Academy League title in 2010 and has proven himself to be a key player in the Reserves, with 22 appearances to his name so far.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to welcome Carl to the Club and look forward to the continued progression of all four players in the years to come.

Robin van Persie refutes 'misleading' reports

2011-06-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening, Robin van Persie issued the following statement via Arsenal.com:

"I'm on international duty at the moment but following several reports in the media I think it's important to clarify some recent comments attributed to me.

"These reports falsely suggest that I recently made negative comments about Spanish and Chelsea players, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I haven't done an interview with Sport 1 or any other outlet in recent weeks and I've certainly not been rude as the comments suggest.

"I respect my colleagues of Spain and Chelsea and look forward to playing against them for many years to come. I sincerely hope that all football fans worldwide don't take these misleading reports seriously.

"I wish you all a great summer!"

Martinez called up to full Argentina squad

2011-06-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez has been called up to the Argentina squad for international friendlies against Nigeria and Poland.

Martinez had linked up with the Under-21s but has been promoted to the senior squad as cover for Adrian Gabbarini following an injury to Oscar Ustari.

The 18-year-old made a number of appearances for Steve Bould’s Under-18 side after joining the Club from Independiente and also made three starts for the Reserves last season.

Argentina went down 4-1 against Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday and now travel to Warsaw to face Poland on Sunday.

Arsenal confirm pre-season friendly

2011-05-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce a further pre-season friendly ahead of the 2011/2012 campaign.

In addition to the tour of Malaysia and China, announced earlier this week, the team will also play a friendly fixture in Germany against FC Cologne on Saturday, July 23 at the RheinEnergie Stadium.

It will be the fourth time Arsenal has played against the Bundesliga side, having met twice in the 1970/71 European Fairs Cup (winning 2-1 in London, and losing 1-0 in Cologne to go out of the competition on the away goals rule) before a friendly fixture in London in January 1981 (Arsenal won 1-0).

These pre-season fixtures are in addition to Emirates Cup 2011, when Arsenal will be playing Boca Juniors and New York Red Bulls on Saturday 30th July and Sunday 31st July respectively at Emirates Stadium.

Details of how supporters can attend pre-season fixtures, and the announcement of any further games, will appear on Arsenal.com and in Arsenal publications over the coming weeks.

Arsenal announces pre-season game in China

2011-05-30T23:57:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that the first-team squad will be playing a pre-season friendly in China this summer.

After playing the first leg of this summer’s Asia tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the team will then travel to China, where they will play Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown on July 16.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis, said: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting China. We enjoy huge support in Asia and this will help bring the Club closer to our many fans in China.

“We are delighted to be returning to China. We last visited in 1995 when we played a pre-season friendly match in Beijing. It will be a wonderful experience for the Club and our players, many of whom will be visiting China for the first time.”

As was announced on Tuesday, Arsène Wenger’s side take on a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 8.45pm local time.

Check Arsenal.com in the near future for ticket details, travel options and further news about the Asia Tour.

In addition, Arsenal has already confirmed the details for Emirates Cup 2011, which is being played at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.

Emirates Cup 2011 will see Arsenal joined by MLS side New York Red Bulls, who currently boast Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry in their ranks, leading French club Paris Saint-Germain and Club Atlético Boca Juniors - the most successful Argentine and South American club of all time.

Arsenal announces pre-season game in Malaysia

2011-05-30T23:55:00.001-07:00

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that the first-team squad will be playing a pre-season friendly in Malaysia this summer.

Arsène Wenger’s side take on a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 8.45pm local time. This game will be the first leg of Arsenal's Asian Tour. Details of the second leg will be announced on Wednesday.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting Malaysia.

“The Club has a tradition of playing there going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999.

"We enjoy huge support in Asia and this will help bring the Club closer to our fans out there.”

HRH Prince Tengku Mahkota of Pahang added: "It is an honour for Malaysia to host Arsenal, I don't think any other national teams get such opportunity. This is a rare opportunity for our Malaysian national team as they prepare for the Olympics and ahead of the World Cup."

Check Arsenal.com in the near future for ticket details, travel options and news about that second leg.

In addition, Arsenal has already confirmed the details for Emirates Cup 2011, which is being played at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.

Emirates Cup 2011 will see Arsenal joined by MLS side New York Red Bulls, who currently boast Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry in their ranks, leading French club Paris Saint-Germain and Club Atlético Boca Juniors - the most successful Argentine and South American club of all time.

Wilshere left out of England Under-21 squad

2011-05-30T23:54:00.000-07:00

Jack Wilshere has been omitted from the England Under-21s squad for the European Championships this summer.

Coach Stuart Pearce has decided to leave out the Arsenal midfielder following a tiring first-season in the Emirates Stadium side.

Speaking to the FA.com. Pearce said: "I spoke to Jack last week and he explained that while he told me in March that he wanted to be part of the squad, he now feels he is not in the best condition to take part in the Finals.

"That is based on the number of games he has played for Arsenal this season, sports science data which Jack was presented with last week and concerns he has for his fitness looking ahead to next season.

“Jack has always expressed his enjoyment at being involved with the Under-21 squad, and while I am disappointed not to have him with us for the Finals I’ve accepted the situation.”

Van Persie equals another scoring record

2011-05-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Robin van Persie has equalled the record of 18 goals scored in a season from January 1 onwards held by Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Dutchman has been in prolific form since the turn of the year and his late charge took him to within two goals of the Premier League's joint-top scorers - Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez.

Premier League : Fulham 2-2 Arsenal

2011-05-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

Arsenal will finish the 2010/11 Premier League season in fourth place.

Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.

Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.

Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.

It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.

The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.

However the point of a League competition is that it reflects your standard over the longer term - and
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.

But we all hope it will improve next term.

There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.

Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.

Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out

It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.

Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.

The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.

In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.

Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.

In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.

It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.

Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.

It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.

Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.

Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.

Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.

They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.

Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.

You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.

They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.

However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.

Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.

However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.

It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.

The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.

In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.

To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.

Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.

Premier League : Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa

2011-05-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Arsenal’s pursuit of third place in the Premier League is now out of their hands.

A deeply disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on Sunday means Manchester City will leapfrog Arsène Wenger’s side if they win their final two games.

Both teams are assured Champions League football next season but the third-place side will go straight in to the Group Stage while fourth place will have to take their chances in the Qualifying Round. It is a significant difference.

Villa grabbed the game in the opening 15 minutes. Arsenal were slow out of the blocks and Darren Bent scored twice. He volleyed in from Kyle Walker’s punt forward in the 12th minute and, shortly afterwards, slotted home after Ashley Young sent him clear.

Arsenal’s response might have been very different had Richard Dunne been penalised for clipping Aaron Ramsey in the area as he seemed set to score towards the end of the first half. The home side scrapped away in search of a goal but they have been struggling in recent games and, though they pressed back Villa, they could not find a way through until Robin van Persie prodded home in the last minute.

Injury time was frantic but fruitless. Arsenal must now rely on Manchester City to stumble in similar fashion in their final two games or they will face a busy start to the next campaign.

The main team news concerned the centre back position. Thomas Vermaelen started his first game after nine months out of the Arsenal side with an Achilles problem. His partner this afternoon was Sebastien Squillaci as Johan Djourou, who had been nursing his way through training since the Manchester United game with an ankle problem, was missing.

Laurent Koscielny had been ruled out with a thigh problem. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) and Samir Nasri (hamstring) had failed fitness tests on Saturday as neither appeared this afternoon. Youngsters Ignasi Miquel and Conor Henderson were named on the bench.

Arsenal had begun the day in third - three points behind Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City in fourth. A late equaliser by Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in the early kick-off had given Wenger’s men a reasonable shout of second but, in reality, their main task in the final 180 minutes of the season was to secure third. However, this afternoon, they started slowly and would find themselves 2-0 by the quarter-hour.

The first came when Walker’s lofted pass was controlled and volleyed past Wojciech Szczesny with precision by Bent.

Four minutes later James Collins’ free-kick found Young. His marker, Vermaelen, slipped allowing the England winger to find Bent in space. He slotted home his ninth goal for Villa since a big-money move from Sunderland in January.

Emirates Stadium was stunned into silence while the Villa fans, who had been vocal in the opening stages anyway, cranked up the volume.

By the midway point of the half, Arsenal had started to stir. Villa had been much the better side in the opening 10 minutes and deserved their first. The second rubbed salt in the wound.

On the half-hour, referee Michael Oliver had to make a major call when Dunne felled Aaron Ramsey after the Welshman seemed set to pull the trigger 12 yards out. The defender certainly got the man, the question was whether he got the ball. Replays suggested it was 50:50 but, as we already knew, this was not looking like Arsenal’s day.

However the home side had finally found their feet. Van Persie and Bacary Sagna saw deflected shots fly wide. Then, in the 36th minute, the Dutchman weaved himself some space in the area before firing his cross-shot against the base of the far post. The move ended in a corner, which Vermaelen deposited just over the bar.

However, Arsenal’s head of steam rather blew itself out as half-time approached.

The home fans showed their displeasure as the teams went down the tunnel. Defeat this afternoon would mean Manchester City had third place in their hands.

Wenger's actions at the break suggested he was well aware. He withdrew Squillaci for Marouane Chamakh and pulled Alex Song into central defence.

However Villa nearly caught Arsenal cold once again. Bent burst through in the opening minutes with Vermaelen on his tail. Fortunately for Arsenal, the Villa striker blasted his hat-trick chance straight at Szczesny.

This time, however, Arsenal wrestled control of the game quickly. In the 56th minute, Van Persie set up Kieran Gibbs but Brad Freidel pulled off an excellent block from close range. On the hour, the Dutchman fired over and, just after replacing Andrey Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner set up Theo Walcott to stab a shot past the upright.

Ramsey fired over and Walcott saw a drive deflect wide. But in between Villa had a better opportunity when Stewart Downing thumped a near-post drive at Szczesny. The Pole held on at the second attempt.

Thirteen minutes from time, Arsenal seemed to have grabbed a lifeline when Chamakh headed home. But referee Oliver felt the Moroccan had pushed Walker in the build-up. Seconds later, Friedel made another fine save from the same player.

As we entered the final 10 minutes, desperation had set in. Arsenal were on the attack incessantly but those early goals had put Villa in a position to defend and threaten on the break. Excellent displays from the centre backs and keeper had snuffed out Arsenal’s response.

With a minute left, the home side finally broke through. Sagna’s cross was collected by Bendtner but then lost as he tried to weave through traffic in the area. However the ball fell to Van Persie, who prodded home his 21st goal of the season.

Arsenal threw the ball into the area in added time as they searched for the equaliser but the whistle seemed inevitable.

As a consequence, the team’s lap of appreciation to the fans was a little muted. This was an unhappy dénouement to the campaign at Emirates but in a way perhaps it was fitting because it was here, more than anywhere, that Arsenal’s title bid had faltered.

However at least there is Champions League football to saviour next season.

Premier League : Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal

2011-05-24T20:29:00.001-07:00

Arsenal’s title hopes have finally been extinguished.

Arsène Wenger’s side were not completely out of the running when they arrived at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday but Stoke inflicted their seventh defeat of the season - and there’s no way back from that.

Kenwyne Jones got the first – although he knew little about it – after poor defending from a free kick and former Gunner Jermaine Pennant delivered the killer blow with a deflected shot over Wojciech Szczesny.

Robin van Persie spurned two good chances before giving the visitors a glimmer of hope with a fine strike 10 minutes from time. But Jon Walters responded within seconds to snuff out any chance of a comeback.

Arsenal could have few complaints. They were off-colour for most of this contest and once again made life tough for themselves with a handful of basic errors.

The target now is to secure third place and the automatic Champions League spot it brings. Manchester City are five points adrift with a game in hand, so Arsène Wenger’s side still have work to do before their summer holidays.

The Frenchman waited on the outcome of two late fitness tests before finalising his line-up for this trip to Staffordshire. Johan Djourou passed his but Gael Clichy failed his so Kieran Gibbs stepped in at left back. Thomas Vermaelen, the likely replacement for Djourou, had to settle for a place on the bench as he returned to the squad for the first time since August.

With Cesc Fabregas (thigh), Samir Nasri (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) all sidelined, Andrey Arshavin came into the starting XI while Aaron Ramsey continued in midfield after his match-winning contribution against Manchester United last weekend.

Predictably, much of the pre-match hype centred around the Welshman’s reunion with Ryan Shawcross 15 months after the Stoke captain broke his leg. Disappointingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, Ramsey was jeered by the home fans. Wenger had predicted before the match that a return to the scene of his “car accident” would aid Ramsey’s mental rehabilitation. He certainly played as if his mind had been cleansed.

It was Ramsey’s fellow midfielder, Jack Wilshere, who took the fight to Stoke in the opening stages. His persistence set up a half-chance for Arshavin inside 90 seconds but the Russian skewed his shot wide of the near post. After six minutes Ramsey prodded the ball through to Van Persie but the Dutchman took time to adjust his feet and could only stab wastefully over the bar.

Arsenal’s brisk, breezy start augured well but it soon petered out in even breezier conditions that made life difficult for both sides. Frustratingly, the visitors regularly found themselves on the edge of the Stoke box but lacked the invention and sharpness to create chances. 

You could have forgiven Stoke for having one eye on next Saturday’s FA Cup Final - they have already lost Matthew Etherington to injury – but the hosts soon awoke from their slumber.

Pennant was the catalyst. The former Arsenal winger hooked one effort wide while Szczesny was caught out of position and then delivered the free kick from which Jones gave Stoke the lead in the 27th minute.

It was a poor goal from Arsenal’s perspective. Arshavin conceded a soft free kick for a push, the cross was not cleared at the near post and Jones, whose run had not been tracked, saw the ball bounce off his chest and into the net. Before this game 56 per cent of the goals conceded by Arsenal this season had come from set-pieces – that statistic has crept up again.

Six minutes before the break it got worse. This time Pennant got away from Bacary Sagna and advanced as Arsenal’s centre backs backed off. Eventually Djourou came out to challenge but he only succeeded in deflecting Pennant’s fierce shot over Szczesny.   Walters hit the crossbar from an acute angle moments later after a slip from Song and half-time probably came at a good time for the visitors. When they emerged from the interval they had two new strikers on the pitch – Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh.

Both had a sight of goal early in the second half, Chamakh scuffing wide from a decent position and Bendtner curling an effort just off target. Nonetheless, Arsenal looked far more lively.

But Stoke weren’t done. It needed a great block from Sagna to deny Rory Delap while Szczesny saved brilliantly from Glenn Whelan after he burst through on goal.

When Van Persie stepped on the ball and fell over it seemed to sum up Arsenal’s day and the Dutchman’s woes continued when he was denied by Asmir Begovic’s point-blank save after Bendtner had played him through.

Van Persie did get the goal he deserved with 10 minutes left – taking him to 20 for the season – with a vicious right-foot shot from the edge of the box. But that glimmer of hope faded within 60 seconds after a poor clearance from Djourou was collected by Walters and smashed past Szczesny.

It was the final word on a forgettable day for Arsenal.