Arsenal 1-1 AC Milan: Chamakh, Pato scored

**Arsenal, who appear dominant superior first success over AC Milan at the Emirates Cup goals by Marouane Chamakh. But Milan survived the defeat thanks to goals from Alexandre Pato, who make the final score finished 1-1.

The result left both parties Emirates Cup which was held on the first day, Saturday (31/07/2010), both end in a draw. Before the match Milan Arsenal counter this there is also a Celtic game versus Lyon who finished with a score of 2-2.

In the game the second day, Sunday (01/08/2010), Milan will meet Lyon earlier forwarded by the match between Arsenal versus Celtic.

At minute 18 Christian Abbiati has had to get a test drive of an Arsenal player after the ball to make football a corner. From the corner kick, Thomas Vermaelen had gore ball despite not producing anything.

Two minutes later, Milan's turn to threaten. Mathieu Flamini from hard kick, the ball of Laurent Koscielny and change direction while still not change the score.

Gol finally born on 36 minutes. Andrei Arshavin dribbled with the players after Milan won the duel and then send the bait a breakthrough for Marouane Chamakh. Deftly Chamakh then cheat the ball went past the Abbiati.

After a pause, Arsenal immediately pressing. Theo Walcott came off a long-range kick was wide. Moments later, after working with Chamakh, Walcott release bait into the player despite Arshavin Russia failed to grab the ball under pressure from opponents.

Samir Nasri to break through Milan alone at minute 52. He drove the ball into the right direction under strict escort Alessandro Nesta who then dropped it in front of the forbidden area. There was no violation.

Gael Clichy the ball on 64 minutes and then fired a shot distance is still widening. Two minutes later Walcott's turn to kick a ball at him right into Abbiati.

Milan tried to respond in 67 minutes. Pato handed the ball to the left side, where Marco Boriello are and then continue with a half-volley kick that soared far above the ruler.

Four minutes later, Arsenal again have the opportunity. Clichy acceptable bait Carlos Vela who kept running to the left ribs. Vela then turned around to find the space to face the goal, to kick off a thin twist in the Milan goal.

Milan managed to equalize the score on 76 minutes thanks to escort the players Arsenal bad. From Clarence Seedorf free kick on the left side, a ball thrown into the face of goal and Pato thin gore to break Arsenal ball. Score 1-1.

Mark Randall had two golden opportunities to make Arsenal ahead again. After failing to finish the first opportunity due to muted Abbiati, controlled the ball back to Randall. However, they also spurn be defeated Abbiati.

Four minutes before dispersal, Gianluca Zambrotta surged nearly Arsenal. Kick from outside the penalty box unstoppably headed rushing anyone, just to beat the woodwork.

Line-Ups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Rosicky, Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin, Eboue, GIbbs, Chamakh, Frimpong - Subs - Sagna, Vela, Walcott, Djourou, Clichy, Emmanuel-Thomas, Randall, Nordveit, Szczesny

AC Milan: Abbiati, Papstathopoulos, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini, Seedorf, Abate, Gattuso, Flamini, Pato, Borrielo - Subs - Adiyah, Beretta, Amelia, Strasser, Oddo, Zambrotta, Bonera, Albertazzi

SC Neusiedl 0-4 Arsenal: Marouane Chamakh grabs

**Marouane Chamakh scored his first goal for Arsenal in the feast of victory over SC Neusiedl. Faced with the Austrian team, the Gunners won 4-0 with Chamakh contributed one goal.

In a match on Tuesday (07/27/2010) , the new Arsenal succeeded in opening victory over two minutes ahead of Theo Walcott and a half hours of game time.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas successfully handed the ball to Samir Nasri who then pass to Walcott. Without wasting any chance, the ball was sent into the opponent's goal.

Not long ago, Walcott had another chance despite his lob kick still widening. In the 30th minute before Arsenal scored after the bait drop adds Kieran Gibbs scored by Emmanuel-Thomas.

Five minutes after the halftime break, Arsenal relisted golden opportunity after the referee pointed to the white dot was dropped after Chamakh Mark Dombi. Chamakh appear to be the executor and completed the job perfectly.

Goal feast Arsenal's Carlos Vela finally closed by the 65th minute. From the touch of Nasri, Vela had escaped from the Guard and conquer the opponent goalkeeper opponent. 4-0 Arsenal.

This was Arsenal's third victory in a pre-season games. Before this they shave Barnet Grind Sturm Graz 4-0 and 3-0.

Sturm Graz 0-3 Arsenal: Nasri brilliant double

**Samir Nasri appears to be a star when Arsenal face Sturm Graz. French players are not called to the 2010 World Cup made it two goals in a 3-0 victory for the Gunners.

Sturm Graz entertained in SUPC Arena, Wednesday (21/07/2010) , Arsenal win by convincing enough after the first half 2-0 up thanks to a Nasri directly goal .

Arsenal soon took the initiative from the outset and threatened attacks Graz goalkeeper who last season won the Austrian Cup and finish in fourth position the Austrian league.

The first goal was born on 16 minutes through Marouane Chamakh Nasri combination. Having failed to control the ball Chamakh bait results Nasri, the player controlled the ball back to France which then sends the ball into the goal.

Cooperation both re-born and nearly made the score 2-0 turned into football a few minutes later when a corner was met Chamakh Nasri successful. Bad luck for Arsenal, Thomas Burgstaller can dispel the ball at the goal line Graz.

Graz and then try to retaliate and some times dangerous Arsenal. However, the guest team that later fact double advantage.

Two minutes before the break, Arsenal get a free kick just outside the penalty area. Nasri can go forward and kick without a goalkeeper Silvije Cavlina driven.

In the second half, Arsene Wenger to make seven substitutions. One of these was Henri Lansbury who later became the third Arsenal goal scorer.

Gol 19-year-old player was born on 57 minutes after the bait welcome Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who is also a new entry in the second half. Calmly Lansbury who was in pole Arsenal win 3-0 away to close.

It was Arsenal's second victory in the pre-season games. Before this they shave Barnet 4-0.

According to the schedule on the Arsenal website, the next 'The Gunner' will met SC Neusiedl 1919 will be tested on July 27 before the involved parties cons Emirates Cup AC Milan and Celtic on July 31-August 1. Arsenal will finish pre-season game of counter Legia Warsaw on August 7.

Line-Ups:

Arsenal: Fabianski (Szczesny 46), Vermaelen (Koscielny 46), Nordveit, Djourou, Traore (Gibbs 46), Nasri (Rosicky 46), Walcott, Frimpong (Eastmond 46), Wilshere; Arshavin (Lansbury 46), Chamakh (Emmanuel- Thomas 46).

Sturm Graz: Cavlina; Weber, Burgstaller, Standfest, Schildenfeld, Muratovic, Kainz, Stangl, Saiko Kujabi, Szabics, Weinberger.

Barnet 0-4 Arsenal: Arshavin sharpen goal

**Arsenal had won 4-0 in pre-season trial match against the home team another London, Barnet. Young players, Jay Simpson became a star by creating two goals.

Matches are held in cages Barnet, Underhill Stadium on Saturday (17/07/2010) . Arsenal, who appears dominated by young players also feature two new players; Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh persist despite well-known faces such as Thomas Vermalen and Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin.

Arsenal are far superior in every way no difficulty in dampening opposition teams are competing in League Two. Entered the match just 90 seconds, which was escorted Barnet goalkeeper Jake Cole has conceded.

Was Arshavin who made the first goal Arsenal. Starting from a joint one-two with Thomas Rosicky outside the penalty box, Arshavin's easy to deceive Cole and struck the ball into the goal.

Not long ago, or exactly at minute 16, Cole was forced back to pick up the ball from his own goalkeeper. Jack Wilshere send the bait in the penalty box and managed to kick Simpson was greeted by nesting in the lower corner of Barnet goal.

Twenty minutes later, Arsenal again bombard defense Barnet. Wilshere gets a chance to do the shooting on the edge of the box unfortunately the ball is still widening.

Then on 45 minutes Arsenal had increased his lead to 3-0. Through cooperation with the Arshavin-Wilshere, Simpson successfully ripped goalkeeper Cole also concluded the first round.

Barnet almost not slightly to face Arsenal. Premier League team is very inconvenient opponent with creates three but still failed to convert chances into goals.

But Arsenal did not have to wait long to get back to score goals. Nasri take advantage of a mistake defense that let the other team without a guard dribble. In minute 75, this French player then makes a goal makes the score is now 4-0 at the same time.

Opportunities Gunners back into the injury time of birth. Kieron Gibbs breakthrough bait to Conor Henderson and released with a crossing that can not be reached Nacer Barazite.

This score did not change until dissolved. In this game, Arsenal replace 11 players at a time when the second round two-minute walk.


Line-Ups:

Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski, Havard Nordtveit, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Armand Traore, Emmanuel Frimpong, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Andrey Arshavin, Jay Simpson, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Subs: Wojciech Szczesny, Vito Mannone, Ignasi Miquel, Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Craig Eastmond, Samir Nasri, Conor Henderson, Henri Lansbury, Nacer Barazite, Theo Walcott, Marouane Chamakh

Barnet: Jake Cole, Sam Cox, Jordan Parkes, Mark Hughes, Anwar Uddin, Darren Dennehy, Glen Southam, Glenn Poole, Ricky Holmes, Danny Kelly, Mark Byrne.
Subs: Joe Devera, Rossi Jarvis, Charlie Stimson, Reece Yorke, Danny Hart, Jack Giddens, Daniel Leach, Mark Marshall, Clovis Kamdjo, John McGicks

Arsenal produced a devastating first half performance as they cruised past Fulham with a comprehensive 4-0 victory

ARSENAL 4
* Arshavin 21
* Van Persie 26
* Baird (og) 37
* Vela 84

FULHAM 0

**Arsenal produced a devastating first half performance as they cruised past Fulham with a comprehensive 4-0 victory. The three points sealed third place in the Premier League for the Gunners and confirmed their place in next seasons Champions League group stage.

However in the 21st minute Arsenal finally broke the deadlock through Arshavin. The Russain took advantage of an error by Schwarzer who controlled the ball on the right side of his penalty area, Arshavin took the ball off the Australian goalkeeper, dribbled round his challenge before calmly slotting the ball past the two defenders on the line for his 12th goal of the season.

Five minutes later Arsenal doubled their lead through Van Persie. Bacary Sagna released Theo Walcott down the right hand side, he raced into the penalty area before playing a low pass into Van Persie, his left foot shot was saved by the feet of Schwarzer but the Dutch international made no mistake with the rebound and fired into the back of the net.

Arsenal did extend their lead in the 37th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Chris Baird. Nasri released Walcott on the right wing, he delivered a low cross which was deflected off John Pantsil onto Baird at the back post and the ball rolled past Schwarzer.

With five minutes of the half to go a rampant Arsenal created another chance, this time for the impressive Walcott. Van Persie played a pass into Eboue who flicked the ball into the path of Walcott but his shot towards the far corner was well saved by Schwarzer.

With seven minutes Arsenal got their fourth goal through the Mexican Vela. Eboue played a neat pass into Nasri in the center of midfield, the Frenchman then played a through ball into Vela who took the ball into the penalty area and chipped the ball into the back of the net over the advancing Schwarzer.

Source : Goal

Squads:

Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski, Gael Clichy, Mikael Silvestre (Johan Djourou 62), Sol Campbell, Bacary Sagna; Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboue; Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin (Carlos Vela 77), Theo Walcott (Henri Lansbury 77)

Fulham: Mark Schwarzer, Nicky Shorey, Chris Smalling, John Pantsil (Stephen Kelly 59), Chris Baird; Clint Dempsey (Fredrik Stoor 67), Jonathan Greening, Kagisho Evidence Dikgacoi, Bjorn Riise (David Elm 45), Stefano Okaka Chuka, Erik Nevland

Messi scored four fantastic goals and is a phenomenal player in a great Champion League.

BARCELONA 4
- Messi 21,
- Messi 37,
- Messi 42,
- Messi 88

ARSENAL 1
- Bendtner 18

**Lionel Messi lit up the Nou Camp with a stunning four-goal haul to beat Arsenal 4-1 Agg. 6-3) and maintain Barcelona's bid for back-to-back Champions League titles

Nicklas Bendtner had fired the Gunners into a shock lead on 18 minutes. But Messi soon drew Barcelona level after capitalising on a mistake by Mikael Silvestre.

Predictably it was Barca who carried the early threat as Messi, playing a more central role than in the first leg, hit a low sighter that Manuel Almunia did well to push round the post at full stretch.

The Argentina forward then added a second from close range before dashing clear to make it 3-1 on the night just before the break, and grabbed a fourth with three minutes left to complete a comfortable 6-3 aggregate victory for the tournament holders.

For the remainder the holders threw on Andres Iniesta as a warm up for the weekend trip to Real Madrid and kept the ball with ease until that man Messi, grabbed his fourth after his way from three white shirts to force Almunia into a stop only for Barca's magician to embrace the rebound with trademark class to fire under the shot-stopper's legs from a tight angle to make it 4-1 and complete his first ever four goal haul in the Barcelona shirt.

Team Line-Ups :

Barcelona: Victor Valdes; Daniel Alves, Raphael Marquez, Gabriel Milito, Eric Abidal (Maxwell, 52), Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Seydou Keita, Pedro (Andres Iniesta 85), Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic (Yaya Toure 55)

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Mikael Silvestre (Emmanuel Eboue 63), Thomas Vermaelen, Gael Clichy; Theo Walcott, Denilson, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky (Eduardo 73), Samir Nasri, Nicklas Bendtner.

Brilliant Nicklas Bendtner scored at the death against ten-men Wolves

ARSENAL 1
- Bendtner 90

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0

**Arsenal scored at the death against ten-men Wolves at the Emirates to cut the gap on league leaders Chelsea to three points.

The home side showed no signs of fatigue after their Champions League clash against Barcelona in midweek, with Theo Walcott picking up where he left off against the Spanish champions by running early proceedings against Wolves. The Arsenal winger was a constant thorn in Wolves' side throughout the opening quarter of an hour, picking out Eduardo only for the striker to send an effort straight at Marcus Hahnemann, before playing in Bacary Sagna, who found his attempt similarly thwarted by the in-form Wolves keeper.

Arsenal started the second half looking like a team on a mission and Alex Song and Eduardo missed decent chances shortly after the break to put the home side ahead. Rosicky and Walcott once again found themselves creating the majority of the chances for Arsenal but Wolves continued to hang on in there and frustrate the London side.

Wolves' task to keep an attack-minded Arsenal at bay was made even more difficult after 66 minutes, when Karl Henry picked up a red card for a lunge at Rosicky. A red card may have been a slightly harsh decision for what was a mistimed challenge but Arsenal made the most of their numerical advantage and continued to surge forward in numbers, with Rosicky forcing another decent save from Hahnemann just minutes after the sending off.

Wolves' best chance of the game came from a corner, with the ball deflecting off the head of Sol Campbell and forcing Rosicky to clear off the line. As the game drew to a close, it seemed like Wolves were going to pick up the most unlikely point of the season at the Emirates, especially when Walcott missed a clear-cut chance from an injury time corner. However, in the final minute of the game, substitute Nicklas Bendtner made the most of an inch-perfect cross from Sagna, heading the ball past a helpless Hahnemann and sending the home fans into raptures.

Team Line-Ups :

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Eboue (Bendtner 63 '), Song (Nasri 71'), Denilson, Walcott, Eduardo (Vela 79 '), Rosicky

Wolverhampton: Hahnemann, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Elokobi, Foley, Henry, Mancienne, David Jones (Edwards 69 '), Jarvis, Doyle (Keogh 69')

Zlatan Ibrahimovic double, Cesc Fabregas late penalty securing Arsenal defeat from Barcelona.

ARSENAL 2
- Walcott 69,
- Fabregas (pen) 85

BARCELONA 2
- Ibrahimovic 46,
- Ibrahimovic 59

**Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal fought their way back from the dead against Barcelona tonight to earn a 2-2 draw at the Emirates after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given the visitors a seemingly comfortable two goal lead.

Cesc Fabregas’ late penalty earned Arsenal a dramatic 2-2 against 10-man Barcelona on Wednesay in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.

The first half was dreadful for Arsenal as both William Gallas and Andrei Arshavin were forced off injured, but Barça’s many attempts on goal were thwarted by the defense and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, including from Lionel Messi’s free kick late in the half.

Parity lasted less than 30 seconds in the second half, however, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired the visitors in front with a deft chip of Almunia.

The Swede doubled the advantage just short of the hour mark, taking a pass from Xavi before slamming home.

But Arsenal would find their salvation with six minutes left. Bendtner cleverly chested the ball down to Fabregas six yards out. Puyol clattered in to him as he was set to pull the trigger. It was a crystal clear penalty and the Barcelona captain duly received a red card.

Puyol was sent off and misses next week's second leg, as will Fabregas after he picked up a yellow card in the first half.

Team Line-ups:

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Bacary Sagna (Theo Walcott, 67), Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas (Pereira Neves Denilson, 45), Gael Clichy, Vassiriki Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Alexandre Song, Andrey Arshavin (Emmanuel Eboue, 27), Nicklas Bendtner

Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Cabelino Andrade Maxwell, Xavier Hernandez Xavi, Seydou Keita, Sergio Busquets, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Thierry Henry, 77), Lionel Messi (Gabriel Alejandro Milito, 87), Pedro Rodriguez Pedrito.

Denílson goal inspired The Gunners, Cesc Fábregas pinalty scorer

ARSENAL 2
- Denilson 5,
- Fabregas (pen) 83

WEST HAM UNITED 0

**While Arsenal fans contemplate two compelling matches against Barcelona in the Champions League, manager Arsene Wenger has urged his players to keep their minds strictly on domestic matters - and specifically this weekend's London derby against West Ham United - stressing that they've been battling to stay in the title race since August, so it would be somewhat careless to lose focus now amid thoughts of taking on the current European champions.

There are plenty of pundits who regard it as a minor miracle - or more accurately, perhaps, a testimony to the inconsistency of all the leading clubs this season - that Arsenal are still in with a strong shout of landing the Premier League prize, after having been written off repeatedly along the way. In fact, victory over their neighbours to the east on Saturday would send the Gunners back to the top of the table, at least for a day.

As Wenger put it succinctly this week: "With eight games - four at home, four away - left, we are still in the race, so let's have a go."

West Ham can certainly expect their hosts to do that - and Gianfranco Zola's side will also probably be seeking to ensure they stifle the Gunners' knack of scoring last-minute goals (they've netted five in or after the 90th minute of their last four League games) but the Sardinian boss knows the Hammers face a daunting task.

Arsenal are the League's top scorers (with 71 goals), and go into this Saturday evening clash aiming to secure a sixth successive win, while West Ham head to north London seeking what would be only their second away win this term in the League.

Their last success on the road was on the opening day of the season at Wolves. Highlighting the current difference in the two clubs' fortunes, the Hammers are an uncomfortable three points above the relegation zone and have lost their last three games, in which they've conceded nine goals.

However, the Eastenders hold the unique distinction of being not only the last visiting side to win at Highbury, but also the first to win at the Emirates Stadium. That 1-0 victory in April 2007, which owed plenty to an inspired performance by goalkeeper Rob Green, as well as to the decisive goal from Bobby Zamora, was their most recent triumph over the Gunners; they've drawn two and lost four of the subsequent six meetings in League and cup. Another unpromising statistic for the Hammers is that they haven't won any of their last nine Premier League London derbies.

Overall, the two clubs have met 122 times, Arsenal winning 51 to West Ham's 33. And if Arsenal should open the scoring, it will be a bad omen for Zola: they last came from behind to win a league match way back in December 2008, when they beat Stoke City 2-1. On the other hand, when they entertained the Gunners at the Boleyn Ground in October, they overcame a two-goal half-time deficit to draw 2-2.

Robin van Persie and William Gallas opened up what appeared to be comfortable lead, but Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti - the latter from the penalty spot - earned West Ham a precious point.

Neither of the Arsenal scorers will be involved this weekend because of injury, but Cole is back in the West Ham side following injury problems of his own, while Diamanti will be hoping to make it three out of three against Arsenal, if selected. The Italian also scored when the two sides met in an FA Cup third round clash in January. However, then it was Arsenal's turn to come from behind as Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo turned the tie on its head.

The Gunners may be further encouraged by the fact that exactly 34 years ago to the day - on 20 March 1976 - they recorded their biggest ever home win against West Ham, 6-1 but they can have no bigger motivation to continue their current winning streak than the prospect of topping the table by around 19:15 on Saturday night.

Teams :

Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Eboue, Denilson, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin (Eduardo 82), Nasri (Sagna 75 '), Bendtner (Diaby 57')

West Ham: Green; Upson, Tomkins, Daprela, Spector, Kovac (Noble 69 '), Behrami, Stanislas, Diamanti, Guillermo Franco (Cole 57'), Mido (McCarthy 74 ')

Source : http://www.goal.com

Arshavin scored, Bendtner decisive victory for Arsenal

HULL CITY 1
* Bullard (pen) 28

ARSENAL 2
* Arshavin 14,
* Bendtner 90

**A late show from Arsenal sent them back up to second place in the table following a dramatic 2-1 victory over a battling Hull City side at the KC Stadium.

The Gunners had made it 1-0 early on through Andrey Arshavin but the home side were level on the half-hour mark thanks to a Jimmy Bullard penalty.

Hull were then down to ten men just before the break as George Boateng received his second yellow card of the game.

The match was then seemingly heading for a draw but a late mistake from Hull keeper Boaz Myhill allowed Nicklas Bendtner to claim all three points for the visitors with an injury-time strike.

Arsenal broke the deadlock on 14 minutes as Arshavin orced his way through the lacklustre Hull defence to bury the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from close range and register his ninth league goal of the season.

Hull were level on 28 minutes as referee Andre Marriner awarded the home side a penalty after Sol Campbell was adjudged to of brought down Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink inside the box. Bullard took the resulting spot-kick and sent the ball into the top right corner of the net to grab his fourth goal of the campaign.

Phil Brown's side were then down ten men in first-half injury-time as Boateng picked up a second yellow card following a late challenge on Bacary Sagna. Tigers youngster Liam Cooper had to come on to replace the injured Kamil Zayatte early in the second half after a strong challenge from Campbell left Guinea international unable to continue.

Bullard came close to scoring a spectacular goal midway through the second half but his run and shot from 30 yards saw the ball fly just over the Arsenal crossbar.

Arshavin should have had the Gunners back in the lead moments later as a run and cross from substitute Theo Walcott left the Hull defence stretched, but the Russia international failed to capitalise at the back post and sent the ball high and wide with a wild first-time effort.

Another cross from Walcott presented Bendtner with a chance late on for Arsenal but a last-ditch lunge from Cooper deflected the Danish forward's shot up and over the bar.

The visitors then did steal all three points in injury time as a long-range effort from Denilson was poorly parried by Myhill into the path of Bendtner, who made no mistake from close range to send Arsene Wenger's men up to second in the table.

Lineups:

Hull City: Myhill, Mendy, Zayatte (Cooper 55 '), Mouyokolo, Dawson, Fagan, Boateng, Bullard, Marney, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Garcia 72'), Altidore (Kilbane 82 ')

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Eboue (Walcott 65 '), Nasri (Eduardo 75), Arshavin, Bendtner

Source : http://www.football.co.uk

Bendtner hat-trick establish all too easy to bring The Gunners to the quarter-finals

ARSENAL 5
- Bendtner 9,
- Bendtner 25,
- Nasri 63,
- Eboue 66,
- Bendtner (pen) 90

FC PORTO 0

**Nicklas Bendtner grabbed a hat-trick as Arsenal cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with an emphatic victory over Porto at the Emirates Stadium.

Facing a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, Arsenal set the the tone for the evening by going at the opposition from the very first whistle. A punt from the back from Almunia. Arshavin, of all people, outjumped Rolando and nodded the ball down to NAsri before pivoting and dashing towards the box in search of the return. Nasri obliged, forcing two centre-backs to converge on the Russian, and Bendtner stretches out a leg to poke the breaking ball past the keeper and into the net from 16 yards.

That's terrific work from Arshavin, who dodged his way past three defenders on the left-hand side of the box and then slashed the ball across the face of goal. Bentner, standing all alone, slams it into the net, make (agg : 3-2) Arsenal lead.

In the 62th minute was the turning point, Nasri received the ball with his back to goal, just outside the right-hand corner of the box. He spun past one defender, then danced his way past another two and spanked the ball in off the post.It was a special goal from a player who had been the outstanding individual on the pitch.

But woes Porto were compounded, two minutes later as Arsenal produced a breakaway goal to end the contest early. Arshavin picked the ball up inside his own half and scampered forward, leaving defenders in his wake to Emannuel Eboue as Porto were left brutally exposed and slide the ball into the empty net.

The remaining twenty-five minutes Eboue burst into the area only to be tripped by the hapless Fucile, and Bendtner completed his first senior hat-trick with the resulting penalty kick. It's a Bendtner hat-trick in this season.

In the last moments until the referee stop the match become an evening that ultimately proved all too easy to bring the Gunners light shine, won the final results (agg : 6-2)

Teams Lineup:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Nasri (Denilson 73), Song, Diaby, Rosicky (Eboue '57), Bendtner, Arshavin (Walcott '76).

Porto: Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Pereira, Ruben Micael (Guarin '76), Coelho (Rodriguez '45), Raul Meireles, Varela (Gonzalez '76), Falcao, Hulk

Fabregas, Walcott and Arshavin goal, secure the position in the table

ARSENAL 3
- Fabregas 34,
- Walcott 60,
- Arshavin 90

BURNLEY 1
- Nugent 50

**Theo Walcott scored the all-important goal as Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday to draw level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

Cesc Fabregas fired the home side into a first-half lead but then hobbled off before the break. As a result his participation against Porto on Tuesday night may be in the balance.

However Arsenal kept their composure and should have seen off the Turf Moor team long before they equalised through David Nugent five minutes after half-time.

Walcott, who had come under fire for his England performance in midweek, gave the home side the lead 10 minutes later with a classy finish. Arsenal created a barrel-load of chances all afternoon but they only felt truly comfortable when substitute Andrey Arshavin fired home in injury time.

Like last week, this was a vital win tainted by an important injury.

However Arsenal's title bid remains on target.

It was almost a week since Aaron Ramsey had broken his leg but the issue was clearly still lodged deep in Arsenal hearts. The side came out with "Get Well Soon Aaron" on specially-made T-shirts meanwhile a banner in the crowd urged the players to "Do it for Rambo".

The absence of Ramsey and the suspension of Alex Song had created vacancies in midfield. The fit-again Denilson (calf) came in for the Cameroon international while Samir Nasri was moved into the centre to replace Ramsey. Tomas Rosicky returned on the left.

Sol Campbell (groin) was switched for Mikael Silvestre at centre half meanwhile there was rotation at right back with Bacary Sagna dropping out and Emmanuel Eboue dropping back. Walcott also came back into the side.

Before that furious fallout had drawn the all the back page headlines, Arsenal had actually won a vital football match last Saturday. The visit to Stoke was seen as one of the toughest of the remaining fixtures and Wenger's men had come through at the death.

A four-goal win would put Arsenal top at the final whistle today. But any kind of victory would do. The title race was entering its final quarter and Wenger's side had a strong a case as anyone.

They certainly started this game as if they meant business.
In the opening minutes, Fabregas prodded Bendtner clear. However the Dane was under pressure and his shot was deflected wide. From the corner resulting corner Rosicky drifted a volley just wide.

Although Clarke Carlisle's header tested Manuel Almunia in response, Arsenal's start had been as bright as the watery sunshine around Emirates Stadium this afternoon. And once again, Walcott was a livewire on the right.

In fact that flank was Arsenal's best outlet in the opening stages. After 14 minutes, Eboue's elaborate backheel allowed Fabregas to fire across the face of goal.

It seemed that the home side would take over but they didn't. In fact Burnley troubled Almunia a couple of times from distance through Daniel Fox and Martin Paterson.

The second of those efforts came after a long delay after Nasri collided with Burnley keeper Brian Jensen. The Frenchman would recover and, in the 34th minute, supply the opening goal.

Faced with the massed ranks of the Burnley defence, the former Marseilles man chipped through an expert pass for Fabregas to collect. The captain timed his run to perfection and volleyed home adroitly. The Spaniard's goal ratio is now better than one goal every two games this season.

It should have 2-0 a minute later. Fabregas slid a pass to Eboue who was overlapping on the right. He cut the ball back but the sliding Bendtner skewed the ball wide.

It would be the last contribution Fabregas made this afternoon. He pulled up shortly afterwards and was replaced by Abou Diaby. With Porto arriving on Tuesday for a knife-edge Champions League tie, Wenger will be a worried man during the next couple of days.

The loss effected Arsenal until the break but they were renewed after it. Again Walcott was the architect.
First he sent over a deep cross that an unmarked Bendtner nodded wide from eight yards out. Then the England man raced into space and fired inches over the bar.

Arsenal's second seemed to be minutes away so Burnley's equaliser was nothing short of a shock. The home side cleared a corner and Leon Cort's long, bouncing header somehow found Nugent in the area. The ex-England striker flicked a shot over Almunia and into the net. Except for a pocket of Burnley fans in one corner, Emirates was aghast.

Walcott was still Arsenal's best option and he did his best to remedy the situation. First he set up Bendtner then he tried himself only for Jensen to turn the ball wide.

On the hour, he finally found the net.

Bendtner nudged a pass to Walcott on the right. The 20-year-old cut inside Fox and fired a low, left-foot shot into the far corner. It might have been only his second goal of the season but the strike smacked of class.

Arsenal immediately went in search of another. They clearly did not want to be caught out once again.

Andrey Arshavin, who had replaced Rosicky, fired wide. Meanwhile Bendtner seemed to have embarked on his own individual crusade for a goal. The Dane was having a hit-and-miss afternoon but his tenacity was admirable.

He should have scored at the far post from Walcott's low cross but could only fire wide. Then he chased down is own mistake and eventually thumped a rising shot in the arms of Jensen.

When he was replaced by Eduardo with 15 minutes left, Bendtner got a rousing reception.

The Croatian should have killed the game with 12 minutes left but, from another Walcott cross, he nudged the ball beyond the far post.

The narrowness of the lead fired Burnley's optimism in the latter stages. They kept going and stretched the Arsenal defence at times, however Almunia was only troubled once.

In the dying minutes, Fox fired over the corner and the keeper's punch fell to Steven Thompson who fired over the bar. A massive opportunity.

Arsenal were still creating, and missing their own. Seconds later Arshavin sidefooted wide. In injury time, the Russian finally ended the argument with a low drive.

Teams Lineup :

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Silvestre, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Rosicky (Arshavin 60), Fabregas (Diaby 39), Nasri; Bendtner (Eduardo 74), Walcott

Burnley: Jensen; Mears, Cort, Carlisle, Fox; Paterson (Thompson 74), McDonald (Elliott 53), Alexander (Bikey 65), Cork, Eagles; Nugent

Source : http://www.arsenal.com

Bendtner goal make it up the Champions League defeat

Arsenal 2
- Bendtner 27,
- Fabregas (pen) 90

Sunderland 0

**THEO Walcott may not yet have secured his seat on England's World Cup plane to South Africa, but he could hardly have turned in a better audition than the performance he produced in front of England manager Fabio Capello yesterday.
Nicklas Bendtner scored the first-half goal and Cesc Fabregas the injury-time penalty which defeated a sterile Sunderland side but it was Walcott who produced the pace and the menace.

If he was Arsenal's most lethal attacker, though, the otherman who made the difference was Manuel Almunia.

Arsene Wenger had been anxious to stress his support for Lukasz Fabianski after the young Polish goalkeeper's two howlers had sunk the Gunners in their Champions League defeat against Porto in midweek, but it did not stretch to keeping him in the side.

He went for the experience of 34-year-old Almunia, who was back after passing a fitness test on an injured finger. Sol Campbell, whose backpass also contributed to the Gunners' downfall, started on the bench.

The opening goal came courtesy of a precision pass from Emmanuel Eboue which found Bendtner loitering in cavernous space at the far post.

Steve Bruce's side were out-thought, out-manoeuvred and out-played by opponents who wasted several chances.

In injury time Fabregas was brought down by Campbell and the Spaniard got up to rap home Arsenal's second from the spot.

Teams :

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue (Denilson 89 '), Silvestre, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Walcott (Sagna 78'), Fabregas, Ramsey, Nasri (Rosicky 71 '), Bendtner

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Mensah, Turner, McCartney (Bardsley 85 '), Campbell, Cana, Ferdinand, Richardson (Zenden 75), Bent, Jones (Benjani 78')

Sol Cambell became an actor

FC PORTO 2
- Varela 11,
- Falcao 51

ARSENAL 1
- Campbell 18

**PORTO - **Porto defeated Arsenal 2-1 in action from Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie.

The winners took the lead in the 10th minute through an own goal. Back-up goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was blamed for the goal after he spilled a Silvestre Varela’s cross.

The Polish goalkeeper, deputising for the injured Manuel Almunia, was caught out of position to gift Porto an early lead, before then picking up a back-pass which led to another goal at the start of the second half.

Overall, foster children Arsène Wenger has well performed. Despite playing against those who are unstable to provide sporadic attacks to the defense area Porto.

In the end the result swung on the events of the 51st minute. That is when Fabianski was ruled to have picked up Campbell's back pass and Falcao scored from a quickly-taken free-kick. Arsenal, and particularly Arsène Wenger, complained loudly that the referee should not have allowed play to restart that swiftly.

Right or wrong, that decision will be the lasting memory of this game.

Of course, Wenger's side can all but erase it if they secure safe passage to the last eight with a stereotypical "1-0 to the Arsenal".

However, Sol Campbell's header which had levelled at 1-1 could yet prove to be crucial when the teams return to the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight's time.

fabianski fatal mistakes

Campbell passes the ball back to his keeper, who inexplicably picks the ball up. That's an indirect free kick. Of course it is! Why on earth didn't Fabianski kick clear?!? And, adding high farce to farce, the keeper then hands the ball back immediately. Porto take a super-fast free kick, the ball being tapped by Ruben Micael immediately to Falcao, who strokes the ball into an empty net as the keeper and all his defenders stand around like loons. What a pair of goals Arsenal have conceded tonight.

Teams:
Porto: Helton, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Alvaro Pereira, Jorge Fucile, Fernando, Raul Meireles (Tomas Costa, 68 ')), Ruben Micael (Fernando Belluschi, 85'), Radamel Falcao, Varela, Hulk (Mariano Gonzalez, 81 ' )

Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski, Thomas Vermaelen, Sol Campbell, Gaël Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Denilson, Cesc Fábregas, Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri (Emmanuel Eboue, 88 '), Tomas Rosicky (Theo Walcott, 68'), Nicklas Bendtner (Carlos Vela , 83 ')

Arsenal breathed new life a narrow win, referee controversy

Arsenal 1
- Diaby 72

Liverpool 0

**As the host, the Gunners attack since the early minutes able to dominate the game. In the 25th minute, Bendtner Arsenal almost took advantage when the kick is not widened to the Liverpool goal.

Interval of two minutes, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina have dismissed the effort Andrei Arshavin shot away from goal.

After that, both teams attacked each other demonstrating the game. Liverpool are also able to create opportunities through Maxi Rodriguez hard kick, but unfortunately still soar in the air.

Arsenal could menguasi organized action with the bait but yet they can penetrate the defense line of the visitors. Score glasses unchanged until the break.

After a pause, the higher the tempo of the game. Arsenal have a golden opportunity by Thomas Rosicky who managed to enter the penalty box. Have not been kicked, the ball sliding into the first Reina catches.

Liverpool hit back through on 52 minutes ahead of David Ngog after Arsenal players into the penalty box. But William Gallas that followed from the rear could block the kick, the ball veered Ngog that direction.

Constant barrage of Young Guns finally able to vibrate the opposing team's goal in minute 72. Abou Diaby successfully utilizing cross from Rosicky with a neat header from being able to achieve Reina. Score 1-0 for the host advantage.

Liverpool immediately rose with increasing attack. As a result Liverpool has a golden opportunity through a free kick. Gerrard forward as executor. Once released, the kick to touch his hand Gerrard Fabregas, but the referee did not consider it as a hand ball. The retainer of the Reds had a chance to protest at the referee. However, luck did not side with them and stay on for a 1-0 score Arsenal victory.

Arsenal victory over the visitors mengkokohkan third diurutan their positions while giving the breath of life for the North London club to compete for the prestigious title of the Premier League.

Currently Arsenal pocketed 52 points or a difference of six points from Chelsea standings top be subject of Everton (1-2). Meanwhile, Manchester United only drew 1-1 contra Villa and remain in second place. Then Liverpool are still sitting in fourth position standings with 44 points.

Then very regrettable that the Reds related action is the outcome of the referee's decision not to give them presents a penalty following a handball Cesc Fabregas at the end of the second half injury time. At that time, Cesc raised his left hand while blocking Steven Gerrard free kick.

Teams Lineup :

Arsenal: Almunia; Vermaelen, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue; Song, Diaby, Fabregas; Arshavin (Walcott 67'), Bendtner (Sagna 82'), Nasri (Rosicky 33').

Liverpool: Reina; Agger, Skrtel, Insua, Carragher (Degen 54'); Lucas (Babel 78'), Mascherano; Gerrard, Maxi, Dirk Kuyt; Ngog.

Sharing sessions to the lower ratings

Arsenal's stuttering form away from Highbury continued in a tame draw which saw Aston Villa have the better of the play without managing to score

Arsenal were without Abou Diaby who missed out due to a calf injury but welcomed back Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen and Gael Clichy who all resumed their usual places in the back four after being rested at the weekend.

Midway through the second half Andrey Arshavin showed his class with a superb run into the Villa box and then forced a good block out of Brad Friedel

Cesc Fábregas hit the post and Tomas Rosicky thundered a shot against the crossbar that bounced down on to the ­goalline in the 61st minute with Brad Friedel beaten but Villa also carried a threat. Excellent chances were squandered and Stewart Downing will wake up this morning wondering how he failed to score in the second half when he met the impressive Ashley Young's right-wing cross but inexplicably headed wide with the goal yawning in front of him.

Villa's Milan Baros and Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini both failed to hit the target after being played through.

Freddie Ljungberg hit the crossbar for Arsenal, while Kolo Toure missed from close range in the final minutes.

Arsenal dropped two level last night, according to the manager. The result itself, while disappointing, was hardly a disaster. The injuries we've picked up, especially to Thomas Vermaelen, could very easily fit into that category.

At the end of the day, it’s not an ideal result but it’s not a disaster either. Our unbeaten run in the league continues and we can build on it against United.

Teams Line Up :

Aston Villa: Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, L. Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, A. Young, Heskey (Delph 77), Agbonlahor

Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen (Campbell 34 '), Gallas, Clichy, Sagna, Denilson, Ramsey, Fabregas, Rosicky (Nasri 79'), Arshavin, Eduardo (Bendtner 62 ')

by two clear goals to move to the summit of the table.

Arsenal 4
- Rosicky 43,
- Fabregas 52,
- Vermaelen 65,
- Arshavin 85

Bolton Wanderers 2
- Cahill 7,
- Taylor (pen) 28
Goals from Gary Cahill and Matty Taylor gave Bolton a quick fire lead before Tomas Rosicky halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time. Fabregas levelled things up just after the break and Thomas Vermaelen finished off a Fabregas corner before Andrey Arshavin sealed a wonderful comeback in the dying moments.

It turned into a superb night for manager Arsene Wenger, whose team were 2-0 down after 28 minutes but needed to win by two clear goals to move to the summit of the table, Arsenal showed great character to come beat Bolton Wanderers 4-2

The Gunners boss was able to introduce fit-again Theo Walcott for his first appearance since 27 December when he replaced Eduardo late in the game.

But Arsenal’s toils paid dividends moments before the half time whistle. Rosicky, having received the ball from Fabregas, shifted the ball to the right and beat Jaaskelainen at his near post from 20 yards to set up a mouth watering second half

Andrey Arshavin sealed the win in the 85th minute after a lovely one-two between the Russian and Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva, with the win taking Arsenal to the top of the English Premier League ahead of Chelsea on goals scored, although Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a game in hand.

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Denilson, Abou Diaby (Craig Eastmond 77), Cesc Fabregas, Eduardo da Silva (Theo Walcott 90), Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky (Carlos Vela 88).

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Zat Knight, Gary Cahill, Paul Robinson (Samuel Ricketts 90), Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Fabrice Muamba, Mark Davies (Gavin McCann 57), Tamir Cohen, Matthew Taylor, Lee Chung-Yong (Ivan Klasnic 81), Kevin Davies.

Bolton 0-2 Arsenal : The Spaniard Back

Bolton Wanderers 0

Arsenal 2
- Fabregas 28,
- Fran Merida 78
Arsene Wenger brought back Cesc Fabregas into the heart of his midfield and gave Londoner Craig Eastmond his first full start for the Gunners. However, there was no place in the squad for Sol Campbell, who joined the club on a free transfer earlier in the week.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas produced an impressive display on his return from injury to spoil new Bolton manager Owen Coyle's 'homecoming' at the Reebok Stadium.

The Spain midfielder, who missed three matches with a hamstring injury, scored his 10th league goal of the season in the 28th minute after a neat one-two with Eduardo.

Fabregas had been quiet after the break but when he did take control again it set up the second goal 12 minutes from time.

His surging run into the penalty area allowed Eduardo to cross to the far post where Merida side-footed home.

That clincher was Mérida's first league goal. It is still unclear whether he will sign a new contract when the existing one expires in the summer. If Wenger is ­hopeful of his signature it will be because the player would be foolish to turn his back on Arsenal, even if there are doubts as to whether he can establish himself fully. Even experienced figures seem to feel a rising excitement.

Arsenal's victory moved them to within three points of league leaders Chelsea, and with these two teams due to meet again at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, Arsene Wenger's side could well take over at the top in the next few days.

Asenal 2-2 Everton : Wenger accepted Rosicky's late strike

Arsenal 2
-Denilson 28,
-Rosicky 90

Everton 2
-Osman 12,
-Pienaar 81
Leon Osman headed the visitors into a deserved lead after 12 minutes. However, the midfielder then deflected Denilson's shot past Tim Howard as the Gunners levelled before the break.

Steven Pienaar's breakaway goal looked to have won it with eight minutes to go, only for Rosicky to grab a crucial strike in added time as Arsenal cut the deficit on leaders Chelsea down to three points.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had called on his team to maintain the momentum which has dragged them right back into the title rave with five wins from six but it was Everton who made the better start.

Louis Saha had got ahead of the defence on the right but blasted over.

Denilson, just returned from a back problem, had to be taken off on a stretcher after collapsing in the build up to the Everton attack. Fran Merida came on.

Arsenal threw plenty forward during the closing stages and were rewarded in stoppage time when Rosicky smashed home a close-range shot which deflected off Lucas Neill.

Wenger accepted Rosicky's late strike, which deflected in off Lucas Neill, could yet prove crucial come the end of the season. He said: ''It is an important goal because it shows the spirit of the team right until the last minute

The real tests, as we all know, will come at the end of January. Will we require new signings by then? If Denilson’s injury is long-term, then perhaps a replacement for Song will be on the agenda. On separate occasions both Gallas and Vermaelen required treatment from the physio, underlining our need for a back-up centre-back (I occasionally forget that Johan Djourou even plays for the club, so long has he been out injured). And upfront, Andrey Arshavin struggled to make an impact in a position he’s clearly not purpose-built for. It’s becoming a shame not to see Arshavin attacking from deep, where he’s at his best. Our most skillful player with the ball barely gets it.

Arsene now has a week without a fixture in which to go fishing on the market. Let’s see if he catches anything.

Eduardo helped Arsenal come from behind to win at Upton Park

Arsenal progressed into the fourth round of the FA cup courtesy of an Eduardo header as they defeated West Ham United 2-1 at Upton Park. Alessandro Diamanti opened the scoring for the Hammers in first half stoppage time before Aaron Ramsey equalised in the second half

Another key to the game was shifting Carlos Vela to the left and moving Eduardo to the middle. They started the other way round in the first half and that, simply, didn’t work out. Glad to take a small revenge after being called all sorts of things for calling Carlos a pure left winger in the match preview.

With just a dozen minutes remaining, however, the reshuffled Arsenal drew themselves level, when Vela collected from Song and picked out Ramsey, whose ten-yard shot on the turn gave Green no chance.

Then, on 83 minutes, Eduardo secured the Gunners' place in the next round when he met Vela's left-wing cross with a header that looped beyond Green and under the keeper's right-hand angle.

Line Up Teams :

West Ham United: Robert Green, Matthew Upson, James Tomkins, Fabio Daprela, Radoslav Kovac, Luis Antonio Jimenez, Julien Faubert, Valon Behrami, Junior Stanislas (Anthony Edgar 87), Alessandro Diamanti, Frank Nouble (Fred Sears 79).

Arsenal: Lukasz Fabianski, Mikael Silvestre, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Alexandre Song, Fran Merida (Abou Diaby 65), Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere (Samir Nasri 65), Eduardo da Silva, Carlos Vela.