Arsenal 3-0 Villarreal, Wednesday 15 April 2009

The Emirates was buzzing as the teams came out of the tunnel. After a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Villarreal, Arsenal fans sensed a place in the semi-finals for only the second time under Arsene Wenger, the players duly obliged.

Arsenal's players moved the ball around effortlessly like a toreador baiting a bull. Villarreal, efficient and dangerous for long periods in the first leg had lost Marcos Senna, their prize bull, ahead of the game. With another of their star turns, Santi Cazorla out injured, The Yellow Submarine were lacking creativity and Arsnenal,s passing and inventiveness was too much for the Spanish side.

Arsenal had problems of their own. Injuries to Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, William Gallas and Johann Djourou and Bacary Sagna's illness meant that Arsenal were left with only one of their first-choice back five but the defence was rarely troubled.

The home side started the brighter of the two teams and took the lead within ten minutes as Theo Walcott latched onto a Cesc Fabregas flick to lift the ball over the advancing Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Emmanuel Adebayor calmly made it 2-0 on the hour mark after some good work by Robin Van Persie, then after Walcott was fouled in the area, Van Persie stepped up to blast a penalty into the back of the net to make the game safe at 3-0.

Lukasz Fabianski replace the injured Almunia in goal and Kieran Gibbs came in for Gael Clichy at left-back to make his first start in the competition. Mikael Silvestre replaced Gallas and Eboue slotted in at right back after Sagna was taken ill earlier in the day.

Andrey Arshavin remained cup-tied for the competition so Samir Nasri took up the left-wing berth. The in-form Alex Song kept his place in the side ahead of Denilson in the holding midfield role alongside captain Cesc Fabregas, while Theo Walcott started on the right.

Van Persie recovered from a groin strain to partner Emmanuel Adebayor upfront.

There was a return for Arsenal legend Robert Pires in the Villarreal midfield and Bruno replaced their captain Marcos Senna.

The game started at a fast and frantic pace with both teams creating early chances. Theo Walcott's dangerous cross caused panic in the Villarreal defence. Fabreags picked the ball up on the left and chipped a cross in to Van Perise who could only head over under pressure from Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Villarreal had an earl chance to score. Ex-Manchester United striker, Giuseppe Rossi, floated a free-kick into the area, it reached Diego Godin, but the defender's scissor kick was straight at the Polish 'keeper.

Arsenal had another chance soon afterwards, Fabregas cut the ball back to Adebayor who seemed to be caught in two minds when he'd maybe should have shot first-time.

The home side were starting to build up momentum and it showed in the 10th minute. Eboue's pass was cleverly back heeled by Fabregas to Walcott, wrong-footing Godin. The England winger raced onto the ball and as Villarreal goalkeeper Lopez rushed out, Walcott deftly lifted the ball over the Spaniard and into the far corner. It was a finish worthy of such an occasion

Arsenal looked to build on their advantage, but it was Villarreal who responded better after the goal. Pires and then Bruno both tired their luck but the Arsenal defence stood firm.

Twenty minutes after their first goal, Arsenal almost scored again. Van Perise curled a free-kick towards the corner of the goal and Lopez parried it, but only as far as the onrushing Adebayor. The Togoleses hitman seemed certain to score but his weak header was almost turned into his own net by Pries but Rodriguez saved the ex-Gunners blushes and cleared off of the line.

Arsenal fans and players alike thought it was in, but replays showed the referee made the correct decision.

Just before the break, Villarreal had a guilt-edged chance of their own. Godin broke free from his marker as a corner was swung in, and the centre-back directed a header towards goal. Luckily for Arsenal it cleared the crossbar.

The general feeling at half-time was one of optimism among the Arsenal faithful, but with Arsenal's defence looking less than convincing at times and with the pressure of away goals, the team needed to concentrate in the second period.

Arsenal and Villarreal continued trade neat moves with Pires, elegant as ever, moving to a more central position. But Arsenal were starting to turn the screw.

The pace and movement was starting to cause problems for the away defence, and fifteen minutes after the restart, it was 2-0 to the Arsenal.

Cesc Fabregas' powerful header was picked up by Van Persie, who jinked onto his left-foot. As two Villarreal defenders closed him down, expecting a shot, the Dutchman released Adebayor in the area, who coolly passed the ball past Lopes into the corner of the net with the outside of his boot.

Abedayor has been criticised at times for his lack of instinctive finishing but this finish which was his sixth in sixth Champions League games would prove many doubters wrong.

The players celebrated with a jig in the corner bizarrely matched on the bench by Arsene Wenger.

Villarreal now needed two goals to advance to the semi-finals, a task which looked virtually impossible given Arsenal were starting to get into an ominous rhythm.

The away players heads seemed to drop and Arsenal continued to play attacking football. Theo Walcott was proving to be Arsenal's best outlet and when the young winger turned, Godin made a challenge. The defender seemed to make contact with the ball first and then Walcott but the referee awarded a penalty, much to the disdain of the Villarreal players.

Sebastian Eguren took his protests too far, however, and after touching the referee was awarded his second yellow card of the game. It seemed to take an eternity for the Uruguayan to leave the field, but Van Persie was not put off and powered the penalty past Lopez, cue more dancing.

With the game seemingly over, Wenger replaced all three goalscorers with Saturday's FA Cup semi-final in mind. Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and Denilson came on.

The fans, in the comfortable knowledge that they were through to the semi-final of this competition, started to honour Robert Pires with the traditional chants of "Super, super Rob..."

The man who was withdrawn by Wenger in Arsenals Champions League final defeat to Barcelona would be disappointed once more but as the final whistle went the ex-Gunner was given a standing ovation befitting of his legendary status as one of the invincibles.

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.

Arsenal 1-0 Bolton, Saturday 10 January 2009

Thankfully football won today, but only just. It took Arsenal 85 minutes to break through Bolton's stubborn defence. Bolton never make it easy for Arsenal and today was no exception, the game was heading for a dull 0-0 until substitute Nicklas Bendtner nipped in at the far post to give the Gunners a much-needed win.

It was a bitterly cold day and the game kicked off in a flurry of snow, and gradually the game warmed up even if the conditions didn't.

Arsenal welcomed back Kolo Toure who had been flirting with an Arsenal exit, Diaby partnered Denilson in midfield and Eboue took up the right-wing position.

Bolton were without their dominant captain Kevin Nolan due to suspension, but Kevin Davies, a constant thorn in Arsenal's side over the years started on the right.

Within the first 10 minutes the diminutive Samir Nasri started to pull the strings in midfield, and the in-form Robin Van Persie looked lively upfront.

Van Persie shot just over after controlling a loose ball, and then headed straight at Bolton 'keeper Jussi Jaaskalainen. He then volleyed a ball into row Z, but the Arsenal faithful were confident of the breakthrough.

Bolton offered little of attacking threat, and Arsenal continued to have most of the possession. The visitors continued to stifle the Gunners putting most of their players behind the ball and Kevin Davies became the scapegoat with a few niggly fouls.

The half-ended 0-0, which provided everyone time for a couple of cups of tea to stave off the Arctic conditions.

Arsenal started the second-half brightly but were just finding it difficult to break down the Bolton defence.

Johan Elmander, the Bolton striker, limped down the tunnel and was replaced by Mustafa Riga.

After some quick passing with Adebayor, Van Persie again seemed to make a chance out of nothing as he held off a couple of defenders to toe-poke an effort onto the post.

Wenger sensed he needed to do something, and he brought on Carlos Vela for Abou Diaby who despite playing well in recent games, had had a fairly ineffectual game today.

The crowd, who have warmed to the young Mexican, were suddenly expectant, hoping his pace and directness could give the team something it had been lacking up until now.

They were right, with Nasri now in the centre pulling the strings and Vela and Clichy on the left, Arsenal were suddenly finding more space.

Nasri's exquisite pass let in Adebayor who almost had too much time. Just as he shot a defender lunged in and blocked the ball.

It seemed only a matter of time, but time was running out.

Nicklas Bendtner was brought on in place of Emmanuel Eboue who had one of his better games, to add some height and an extra attacking threat.

He could have scored with his first touch. Nasri floated in a corner and the Dane connected with the ball but not well enough to trouble Jaaskalainen.

Arsenal had Bolton pinned in their box and the pressure finally told. Clichy slipped Van Perise in with a fantastic ball, the Dutchman chipped a cross to the back post and Bendtner slid in to half-colley the ball past Jaaskalainen.

The Dane, who has not had the best of times recently, could not hide his delight.

After all the hard work, Arsenal almost let it slip. Bolton went straight up the other end and created a guilt-edged chance. Chris Basham raced down the right and pulled the ball back to Kevin Davies; unmarked he had time to place the ball, but luckily for Arsenal fans shot stright at Manuel Almunia.

Aaron Ramsey was brough on to replace Eboue, as Arsenal looked to tie things up. Carlos Vela almost made it two, but decided to shoot as he ran into the box, when he should really have passed to the unmarked Van Persie.

But it did not matter, at the final whistle the sense of relief so often felt in home games this year filled the ground, and Arsenal had won another must-win game .

Do we really need Arshavin at £20 million?

Andrei Arshavin is undoubtedly a class-act, he helped Zenit St.Petersburg in their victorius UEFA Cup campaign and has proved to be a star turn for Russia.

The Russian has been linked from here to Timbuktu with a move to the Gunners during January. So if we do actually sign the Russian would it be a good move?

Firstly with Wenger saying we have little money to spend, the touted figure of £20 million, or even £14 million as some have suggested seems a bit excessive.

Secondly, Arshavin is 27, and is therefore not a typical Wenger signing, £20 million for a 27 year-old is a bit much for a club with the transfer policy of a team of Scrooges.

Thirdly, Wenger has time and again said he doesn't want to stunt the development of the young players growing at Arsenal. Bringing in Arshavin, who at the very least should have 4 or 5 years left in him, would undoubtedly hinder the chances of Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere from getting into the team, as I'm assuming he will be deployed in a wide position.

On the other hand, Arsenal have seemed to be lacking an experienced figure in midfield at times this season, and Arshavin would add this to the side.

There has also been a lack of pace on the wings while Walcott has been out injured. Denilson, Diaby or Ramsey have been deployed on the wings, none of them are natural wingers and none have blistering pace. Eboue has at times filled in well, but is obviuosly lacking in confidence at the moment.

Arshavin would be a good signing for Arsenal, but is he really worth the prices being banded about?

Would it not be better to spend the money on a defensive midfielder or a centre-back?

What do you think?

Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth, Saturday 3 January 2009

Arsenal kicked-off the new year in the same way that they ended 2008 with a home win in a less than convincing style, beating Championship side Plymouth Argyle 3-1.

Robin Van Persie, captain for the day in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Manuel Almunia, proved to be the hero with two goals.

Van Persie stuck just after half-time as Samir Nasri floated in a corner, and all the unmarked Dutchman had to do was to head past Roman Larrieu in the Pilgrims' goal. An own goal by David Gray three minutes later and then another Van Persie strike with six minutes left completed the scoring for the hosts. Plymouth had pulled a goal back through Karl Duguid to make it 2-1 after some good work by Gray.

There was a rather subdued start to the afternoon with Arsenal probing around the visitors in their usual unhurried style, with no openings appearing in the visitors' defence. The Plymouth players wanted to make their presence felt with a few strong challenges in the first few minutes.

Van Persie had a double-effort saved by Larrieu and then up the other end Jamie Mackie had a shot blocked. Aaron Ramsey sped through the defence and set up Emmanuel Eboue who's shot was saved by Larrieu.

Arsenal were dominating but Plymouth looked dangerous from set pieces and also on the break capitalising on a few loose passes from Arsenal's midfield.

Mikael Silvestre, who had replaced Gael Clichy for this game at left-back, was himself replaced after 30 minutes with Kieron Gibbs coming on in his place, while William Gallas rushed down the tunnel with a head injury but re-appeared a few minutes later.

Arsenal almost went into half-time one nil down when Paul Gallagher picked up a pass from Eboue and tried to chip Lukasz Fabianski in goal, but the Polish 'keeper tipped the cheeky lob over the bar.

The Arsenal faithful had been quiet for much of the first half, but less than three minutes after the restart Van Persie had them singing. Samir Nasri played a delightful corner into the danger area and Van Persie arrived unmarked to power a header past Larrieu. Suddenly the Gunners sprung into life and five minutes later made it two-nil, Van Persie turned inside the box and crossed towards the onrushing Niklas Bendtner, but Gray beat him to the ball and put it into his own net. The 9,000 Plymouth fans must have been fearing the worst, Arsenal had upped the pace and were playing with some of their usual vigour.

It was the visitors who scored the next goal, however, Gray collected the ball from a corner and ran down the right-hand side of Arsenal's box, he crossed and Duguid arrived late to slide the ball past Fabianski, the Plymouth fans seemed to enjoy this moment and went delirious, hoping for an upset.

It wasn't to be however, despite a few scares Arsenal continued to dominate, and as the game went on, exploited the ever-growing spaces in the Plymouth defence. Samir Nasri continued to be a thorn in the side of the visitors and on 84 minutes he chipped a ball through to Van Persie, who lobbed the onrushing Larrieu who got a hand to it, but Van Persie was on hand to coolly slot in off the bar.

The impressive Kieron Gibbs and Carlos Vela continued to rattle the home defence down the left-hand side and the some neat link up play let Gallas in, but he couldn't slot past his former French Army colleague Larrieu.

It ended 3-1 and both sets of fans couldn't be disappointed as they left the Emirates, Plymouth had put up a good fight but had been in the trenches too long and in the end the pressure paid and the Gunners artillery was just too strong.