Kroenke ups his stake

American shareholder Stan Kroenke has acquired a third of Danny Fizman's shares it was announced yesterday.

Kroenke bought 5,000 of Fizman's shares at a price of £8,500 each meaning the American has now spent £42.5 million making him the second highest shareholder on the Arsenal board with 20 per cent of shares. Alisher Usmanov's Red and White Holdings owns 25 per cent of shares.

The American tycoon said: "After having been invited to join the Board last year I am delighted to be able to increase my shareholding in Arsenal. I will continue to work closely with my Board colleagues to maintain the stable environment in which the Club operates and to preserve the self-sustaining business model enjoyed by the Club.”

The current "lockdown" agreement at Arsenal means that the directors cannot sell their shares until April except to fellow members. After April the agreement means that directors have the first option on shares until October 2012.

Fizman's stake is now 16.1 per cent and he said: "I am pleased that Stan Kroenke has made a further substantial commitment to the Club by acquiring approximately a third of my holding. Stan’s long term commitment to sport in general and football in particular has been well documented. I am therefore delighted that he has shown this desire to deepen his ties with Arsenal. I will of course continue to work for Arsenal with the best interests of the Club at heart and have no intention of selling any more of my shareholding."

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: ""Stan Kroenke has proved to be a valuable member of the Board and I am pleased that he has demonstrated further commitment to the Club by adding to his shareholding. Danny Fiszman remains a driving influence on the Board and is fully committed to the Club’s long term future."

Kroenke was admitted to the board last September as an non-executive director. His group KSE also owns Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids, Denver Nuggets basketball team and the Colorado Avalanche ice hockey team.

Arsenal to play Villarreal

Arsenal have been drawn against Villarreal in the quarter-final of the Champions League with the winners facing either Manchester United or FC Porto in the semi-final.

The two clubs met in the 2006 semi-final with the Gunners going through to face Barcelona in the final. The tie was famous for Arsenal 'keeper, Jens Lehmann's last minute penalty save to deny Juan Roman Riquelme and his team from reaching the final. Kolo Toure's goal in the first leg was enough to take Arsenal to their first Champions League final.

The first leg will be played on 7/8 April in Villarreal's stadium El Madrigal. There will be a return of Ex-Arsenal favourites Robert Pires and Pascal Cygan who will undoubtedly gain a good reception at the Emirates in the second leg due to be played on 14/15 April.

The "Yellow Submarine" finished second behind league winners Barcelona in La Liga last season and currently lie fourth.

Arsenal will have to be wary of ex-Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi who has scored 15 goals so far this season. The team from the region of Castellon, near Valencia, also include European Champions Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla in their ranks.

The winners of the tie will play either Manchester United or FC Porto in the semi-final. The other semi-final will be between Barcelona or Bayern Munich and Liverpool or Chelsea

English clubs dominate Champions League draw

The quarter-final draw for the UEFA Champions League will take place in Nyon, Switzerland today with all four Premier League clubs making it through to the last eight, for the second year in a row.

Liverpool met Arsenal at this stage last season, with the Merseysiders coming out victorious. Last year’s final was contested between Chelsea and Manchester United, with the latter winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Moscow.

English teams will have a 43 per cent chance of drawing one of their Premier League rivals in the draw to be held at 11am.

Dan Johnson from the Premier League said; “We are clearly very pleased that all four clubs have made it through to this stage. It reflects well on the Premier League as a competition that we have four clubs progressing once again.”

Manchester United, top of the Premier league and newly crowned world club champions, beat Italian Champions Inter Milan two-nil on aggregate. They will be the name to avoid for most teams.

United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson believes the pace of the English league has helped to improve the quality of English teams and make them difficult to play against in European competition, “The quality, intensity and speed of the game in England is far beyond other countries,” he said.

Last season’s runners up are in the hunt again as they overcame Juventus 4-2 on aggregate after a spirited performance by the Italians, who were reduced to ten-men in the second leg.

Liverpool, who have reached two finals under manager Rafa Benitez, will be looking to make an impact once again after demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield to win 5-0 on aggregate.
Their emphatic four-one win last weekend against Manchester United at Old Trafford will have sent shockwaves around Europe and many clubs wouldn’t relish a trip to Merseyside.

The quarter-inals are due to take place on April 7/8 and April 14/15. Meanwhile UEFA have insisted that Liverpool will not be made to play their quarter-final on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy in which ninety-six fans died.

Michel Platini, UEFA President said: “"We are aware of the huge significance of the 15th April date for both Liverpool FC and their fans, and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that day.”

After a faltering start to the campaign, Arsenal are starting to find their feet. After dominating possession in the two legs against Roma they eventually came out winners after a tense penalty shoot-out. Of the four English teams, many would rather draw Arsenal who have not shown consistency this season and they are languishing in fourth place in the league.

The remaining four teams include Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Porto and Villarreal.

Barcelona have been setting the pace in Spain, twice winning seven games in a row in the league. They overcame Lyon to make it through to the quarter-finals, but their form has faltered in the league losing two games in the last month. Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger still believes, however, that Barcelona are the team to beat, he said: “"Perhaps Barcelona are the favorites because they had the most convincing win and have scored more goals than anyone else in Europe."

German heavyweights, Bayern Munich, demolished Sporting Lisbon 12-1 on aggregate after a second-leg 7-1 win in Germany. Although a similar scoreline would be unlikely at this stage, teams would be wary of the free-scoring Germans who have made a return to the competition this year after missing out last season.

Porto will be familiar to Arsenal fans, the Portuguese champions lost four-nil to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium in the group games last September but they beat Wenger’s team in the return fixture by two goals to nil.

Villarreal, often underestimated, finished second to Barcelona in La Liga last season. They knocked-out Panathinaikos in the last sixteen to make it into the hat for the quarter-finals. They will hope to make it through to the semi-finals for the second time in three years after losing to Arsenal in 2006.

The Champions League draw takes place as rumours of a European Super league resurface with Platini refusing to rule out any changes to the Champions League format in the future.

Arsenal 2-1 Hull City, Tuesday 17 March 2009

The emphatic 4-0 win over Blackburn at the weejend gave Arsenal fans hope that the team were coming good at just the right time, just as well with a FA Cup quarter-final against Hull on the agenda tonight.

A win at the Emirates would put Arsenal through to an all London semi final against Chelsea at Wembley on April 18th, the first taste of the ground for most of the Arsenal squad.

Hull had beaten Arsenal at the Emirates earlier in the season, with midfield maestro Geovanni proving to be their main tormentor and scoring the winning goal. The little Brazilian again proved to be a slippery customer tonight, pulling the strings as Hull almost pulled off another major shock.

It was ex-Tottenham player Nick Barmby though who was to provide the most telling contribution for the visitors, putting them into a 13th minute lead.

Arsenal fought back though and managed to pull level through top scorer Robin Van Persie, before a controversial goal by William Gallas put the Gunners through to the semi final.

Arsene Wenger made a few changes to the team that beat Blackburn. Manuel Almunia still suffering from a rash challenge by El-Hadj Diouf was replaced by Lukasz Fabianski in goal, Kieran Gibbs replaced Gael Clichy at left-back, while Johann Djourou replaced Kolo Toure. In midfield Abou Diaby came in for Denilson while Carlos Vela and Robin van Persie replaced Nicklas Bendtner upfront with AndreyArshavin moving to the right wing in place of Samir Nasri.

The opening stages of the match saw both teams sparring, creatingopenings but nothing of note to trouble the two goalkeepers.

The thirteenth minute was unlucky for Arsenal though as Bacary Sagna cleared a hopeful punt upfield, but only as far as hhhdfhg who threaded a ball to Nick Barmby. Johann Djourou closed on the veteran but his block deflected the ball wickedly over Fabianski, one nil to Hull, again.

The crowd rallied behind the team, but as has been the custom in recent months, every move which broke down was greeted with a collective sigh.

Arsenal kept probing for an opening but the Hull defence stood firm. Arsene Wenger patrolling the touchinline started to become agitated at the length of time it took Hull players to take free-kicks, goalkicks and throw-ins, met by the crowd with eardrum-bursting whistles.

It could have been two on dffdgfd minutes as Geovanni, lined up a freekick twenty yards form goal. His curling effort was acrobatically tipped over by the young Pole.

Arshavin looke the most likely to create a chance, and his shot ot on fgddgg minutes was cleared by Anthony Gardner.

Hull could have added to their lead soon afterwards as Kamil Zayatte's header looped agonisingly over the bar from a corner.

But as half-time approached Arsenal, and Arshavin in particular started to turn the screw. He first had a shot cleared and then placed a volley a foot wide of the post.

Arsenal continued their pressure in the second half, without creating many chances. Arshavin thought he was free as he approached a loose ball in the penalty area, only for Sam Ricketts to produce a terriffic challenge to thwart the Russian.

Abou Diaby then came close to equalising, he met an Arshavin header, but could only aim it at the man on the line, Song reacted to the rebound but could only steer it wide of the post.

Van Persie seemed isolated upfront and Wenger soon made some changes. Niklas Bendtner whom Wenger praised for his performance against Blackburn took up the target-man role, replacing Carlos Vela, with van Persie dropping just behind him. Samir Nasri came on for Alex Song who had an effective game but offered less of an attacking threat than the Frenchman.

The substitutions brought Arsenal and Van Persie in particular to life. Now with much-needed support, the Dutchman first fired a free kcik at goal which Boaz Myhill could only thrust out a flailing arm to tip around the post, and then he planted a header onto the bar.

The crowd sensed a goal was coming and it soon did.

On 74 minutes, Bendtner picked the ball up on the byline on the right hand side of the penalty area, and crossed low for Arshavin, the Russian, unseflishly pulled the ball back and Van Persie lashed the ball into the net.

The fans went crazy and they could sense a winnner, and it almost came soon afterwards, but ironically for Hull. Geovanni raced onto a through ball and shot past the advancing Fabianski, but he could only find the side netting.

It was to be Hull's last major chance and soon Arsenal did have their lead.

After sustained pressure, William Gallas, so often Arsenal's saviour with crucial goals popped up again to put Arsenal through to the semi-finals.

Nasri took a free kick from the edge of the area and Johann Djourou leapt to meet the ball, his header deflected off Myhill's glove and went to Gallas, who looke dto be in an offside position. The Frenchman didn't worry though and calmly nodded the ball into the empty net.

It could have been three afterwards, as Bendtner, then Eboue could have scroed but 2-1 was enough to send Arsenal through to an all-London semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley, job done.

Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn, Saturday 14 March 2009

After another goalless performance in midweek Arsenal fans could have been forgiven for expecting another 0-0 draw at the Emirates yesterday afternoon. The 11/1 odds for a 0-0 must have been tempting for many, particularly as they faced a Blackburn side manged by their nemesis, Sam Allardyce, who always kept things tight with his Bolton side in previous years.

However, the celebrations of Wednesday night's penalty win over Roma must have given Arsenal a lift as they crushed a poor Blackburn side with a rather fortuitous own-goal from Andre Ooijer, a wonderful strike from new-boy Andrey Arshavin, and two from Emmanuel Eboue.

Arsenal fans didn't have to wait long to celebrate their first Premier League goal at the Emirates for over three games. Nicklas Bendtner's clever turn and pass on two minutes put Walcott clear on the right, his ball eluded Alex Song but Andrey Arshavin nipped in. His shot was going wide but it hit Blackburn's Dutch international, Ooijer and rebounded into the net.

With the pressure off, Arsenal could now relax. Bendtner, Arshavin and Walcott were causing trouble in the Blackburn defence, but Blackburn had a few chances of their own.

Soon after being on the receiving end of a El-Hadj Diouf lunge, Manuel Almunia was called into action to make a wonderful save from a looping Morten Gamst Pedersen header.

But it was Arsenal who were making all of the running. Bendtner, wearing his pink boots, leapt at the far post to meet a Sagna cross but he couldn't get his effort on target and it drifted wide of the post.

Arsenal came even closer a few minutes later, Samir Nasri, Arsenal's free-kick taker in the abscence of Robin van Persie, curled a free-kick onto the bar. The young Frenchman almost scored again minutes later, but his shot was saved unconvincingly by Paul Robinson.

Pedersen then managed to wriggle free of the Arsenal defence but Bacary Sagna did enough to put the Norwegian off.

As the whistle blew to signal the end of the half, Blackburn's players must have been thanking their goalkeeper for keeping them in a game they really should have been out of.

Arsenal started the second half as they finished the first. Walcott, proving to be a constant thorn in Blackburn' side, raced down the right and shot across the goal, unluckily for him, his effort went well wide.

Seconds later, Walcott again was clear on the right, and his inch-perfect cross was met by Bendtner - the Dane however didn't make enough contact and it went wide.

Walcott then had another shot of his own. Unmarked in the penalty area, the England international's scissor kick was too close to Robinson who made a good reaction save to thwart his England colleague.

Nicklas Bendtner then missed two more guilt-edged chances adding to the crowds nervousness, but shortly afterwards, Andrey Arshavin settled their nerves.

The £15 million January buy, went clear on the left, cut inside the area near the byline, jinked his way past Simpson and fooled goalkeeper Robinson by shooting high into the net from a tight angle. If the first goal was luck this was certainly sheer brilliance.

Arshavin then gave Bendtner his best chance of the match, after a good run by Walcott, the Russian released the striker but he could only shoot well over when one-on-one with Robinson. You sensed that today was not his day.

Surely the most bizarre incident of the game followed soon afterwards. Pedersen ran onto a through ball on the left of the penalty area, with Bacary Sagna gaining ground but still a couple of yards away, the Norwegian dived. Clearly there was no contact and the referee didn't give a penalty, but he wasn't booked for his efforts.

Soon afterwards he was substituted along with Walcott and replaced by Carlos Vela and Abou Diaby. Samir Nasri who had another good game for the Gunners was also replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

It was to be the Ivorian who made the game safe. After failing to connect to an Arshavin cross, Eboue then made it 3-0 with three minutes to go.

Arshavin shot straight at Robinson from inside the box, but Eboue raced in to touch it into the net, the often derided midfielder couldn't hide his delight and ran into the corner to dance with the fans.

Soon afterwards he had his second. Carlos Vela's pace and trickery was too much for Martin Olsson who pulled him down inside the area. Eboue grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot - like most of the penalties taken earlier in the week, he coolly placed it past the goalkeeper into the net.

The final whistle went soon afterwards.With Arsenal looking more and more like their old selves and moving up to fourth in the process, the ground was finally filled with optimism after a number of recent stale performances.