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.

Magpies to lose their feathers?

With Newcastle, Portsmouth and West Ham stating recently that they are strapped for cash and need to sell players, who would be good for the Gunners?

Newcastle:

Shay Given would have been a perfect replacement for Jens Lehmann a few years ago, but with Manuel Almunia in top form and Lukasz Fabianski growing in stature, spending £8 million on a 31 year-old goalkeeper would seem a bit excessive.

Steven Taylor, the Geordie skipper would hate to leave his hometown club, but with Newcastle struggling, a move to the capitol would be appealing. He has all the attributes Arsenal have lacked in central defence this year including aerial ability and strength. He may not come cheap but could solve Arsenal's defensive problems.

Charles N'Zogbia has been on the Arsenal radar for a few years, with Arsene Wenger being a keen admirer of the Frenchman. He has pace and power which Wenger loves and could be a useful wide player when injuries hit.

Michael Owen is reported to be stalling on a new deal and could be brought relatively cheaply. A proven goalscorer, he would be an able replacement in attack when needed.


West Ham:

Robert Green has been linked to Arsenal, but less experienced than Given and arguably less talented, this will probably be a no-go.

Matthew Upson was sold by Wenger after being on the fringes of the team for a few years. Now with experience and maturity, Upson would slot into the Arsenal defence with ease providing much-needed strength, power and technique.

Mark Noble is another West Ham youth graduate making it in the big time. A hard-working and technically-gifted young player, he would be an attractive prospect for Wenger either to replace Fabregas or to be moulded into the new Flamini.

Scott Parker did enough to gain a move to Chelsea, but his first-team chances were restricted. His time at West Ham has seen him become an accomplished holding midfielder, something Arsenal have severly lacked this season. A good passer, he could team up with Fabregas upon his return to create a deadly combination.

Dean Ashton was coveted by Wenger while he was at Crewe as a 17 year-old. A target man who scores goals, he could be an able replacement for the misfiring Niklas Bendtner if he is sold. The only concern would be his poor injury record.


Portsmouth:

Already depleated, it is hard to see who Wenger could buy apart from the skillful Croat, Niko Kranjcar. Struggling to get into the Pompey team in recent months, the ex-Zagreb player could be useful back-up for Arsenal but not much more.



Taylor or Upson could solve Arsenal's defensive problems and Parker or Noble could slot into the midfield, with N'Zogbia providing extra width. With quite afe strikers already Wenger would be reluctant to sign Owen or Ashton unless he sells one, Bendtner being the most likely to go.

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.

Arsenal 0-0 Fenerbache, Wednesday 5 November 2008

There was a feeling of doom and gloom surrounding the Emirates last night after Saturday's shambles at Stoke, and the players must have sensed the displeasure amongst the fans as they put on a rather uninspiring display.

Having beaten their Turkish counterparts in a scintillating display to win 5-2 in Istanbul, many fans could be forgiven for expecting another rout.

Aaron Ramsey was included in the starting line-up, playing on the right in place of the injured Theo Walcott and he acquitted himself well, always looking for the ball and making clever passes. It is easy to see why Wenger was so intent on securing the 17 year-old Welshman's signature in the summer. He reminds me so much of Fabregas when he burst onto the scene at a similar age, quality players, whatever their age, seem to have unlimited time on the ball.

Arsenal started brightly and were busy around the edge of the box. As always, however, it was the final pass which let the players down on more than one occasion. Robin Van Persie, in the news at the weekend for 'elbowing' Thomas Sorensen against Stoke, looked sharp, and his quick turn and shot really should have put the Gunners 1-0 up at half-time but Volkan, the Fenerbache goalkeeper tipped the shot onto the bar.

The second half saw much of the same with Lukasz Fabianski a virtual spectator, and Arsenal pressing for a goal.

Bendtner and Ramsey were replaced by Vela and Diaby and the latter almost scored with a header from a Van Perise corner, but it was just a bit too high of the target.

Mikael Silvestre was taken off with a suspected broken nose at the end of the game, which is worrying for Arsenal fans ahead of the clash with the Frenchman's former employers Manchester United on Saturday.

Let's hope that the players can raise their game for Saturday's match otherwise Arsenal's season could be over before its' even started.