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.

Comment: Nasri and Van Persie are vital to our success

Wenger builds great teams. The 'Invincibles' were arguably the most entertaining team in Arsenal's history. Robert Pires and Thierry Henry were almost telepathic in their understanding and Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg also had a chemistry on the pitch which helped to propel us to the heights which may never be seen again.

There is, however, a new double-act on the scene. Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie have started to create an understanding shown to devestating effect against Hull at the weekend. Van Persie made three assists, including one to set up Nasri to put Arsenal in the lead in the 81st minute.

Van Persie seems to be in the run of form all Arsenal fans knew he could reach. The Dutchman has shown glimpses in the past, but injuries have always stopped him in his tracks. This season though, he has got better and better.

Samir Nasri, bought in the summer to replace Alex Hleb, has added a class and directness Arsenal were previously lacking. He is small, but difficult to knock-off the ball, and although he has been deployed on the left, he, like Pires, cuts in on his favoured right.

Nasri seems to be moving inside more than usual in Cesc Fabregas' absence which has so far produced good results.

More encouraging is the link up with Van Persie, which shows signs of being similar to that of Pires and Henry and Bergkamp and Ljungberg. If we can get Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor linking up to a similar effect, we could be onto a winner.

With rumours of Arshavin arriving, maybe Nasri will be moved inside until Fabregas is fit. With Walcott returning, a midfield of Arshavin, Nasri, Denilson and Walcott looks very interesting indeed.

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?

Cesc's out, so what next for Arsenal's midfield?

With the news that Cesc Fabregas is out for four months, and with Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott still injured, Arsenal's midfield will have an unfamiliar look for the foreseeable future.

Arguably three of Wenger's four first-choice midfielders are now out injured and with the injury to Fabregas in the draw at Liverpool at the weekend, solutions need to be found, and quickly.

Arsene Wenger has brushed off calls that he should buy in the January transfer window claiming that there are "internal solutions". Here are some of the players who could fill the midfield berths:

Samir Nasri is the obvious choice on the left, but could also fill in for Fabregas, his creativity and pace could cause problems for defences. Despite a great start to the season and some neat periods of play since, such as his pass to Robin van Persie against Liverpool, he seems to drift in and out of games too much for my liking but he is gradually adapting to the English game.

Denilson would be one option to take over Fabregas' mantle of creator in the middle of the park. He has at times been lacking in the defensive midfield position so far this season, but has looked a much better player when he has be given a licence to attack, either on the right of midfield or in the centre, although a lack of real pace could limit his chances on the wing.

Alex Song has looked more and more confident in the holding role in midfield. He, along with Denilson, was praised by Van Persie for his performance against Liverpool. He provides the strength and defensive prowess to be successful in the holding role. His passing is generally good, although he still needs to work on this aspect of his game.

Abou Diaby is a vastly improved player since he first came into the team a few years ago, a long-term injury against Sunderland put his progress back but he is starting to look a very good player with cameo appearances from the bench in recent weeks. His tall, powerful, pyhsique is a useful addition to the team, both for attacking and defensive reasons. His deployment on the left-wing has worked to some extent, his pace and wonderfully quick feet can help to create opportunities, but it would also be nice to see him in the middle to see what he can do there.

Aaron Ramsey has surprised many Arsenal fans this season. Coming from the Championship to the Premiership is no easy step and Ramsey has seemed to have taken to playing for Arsenal like a duck to water. He was the heartbeat of the Carling Cup team, and his appearances in the Champions League have been nothing short of outstanding. Scoring on his Champions League debut against Fenerbache led him to be deployed from the start against the Turkish club in the return leg. He did not disgrace himself by any means showing a maturity which I have only seen in two other players of his age, Wayne Rooney and Fabregas himself. Although I would be tempted to go for more experience against Villa, home games against Portsmouth, Plymouth and Bolton could be the perfect opportunity to show that he can take over Fabregas' mantle, for now and the future.

Jack Wilshere has seemingly been the name on everyone's lips as the future star of Arsenal. He is short but strong, quick, creative and can produce the unpredictable. Wilshere is a perfect candidate for one of the wide positions, and despite being predominately left-footed he can play on both flanks, seemingly to prefer the right wing. The only issue is that he is only 16, but why not give him a go. We seem to be too far behind in the title race now, so until Walcott comes back he may provide the extra pace from midfield that we have been lacking recently.

Amaury Bischoff has recently returned from a long-term injury which limited his appearances for Werder Bremen last season. Wenger saw something he liked in the Portuguese Under-21 international and it is starting to show, with a few goals for the reserves. He is an attacking midfielder so could be used to replace Fabregas, although it seems too early to put him in the side at the present time.

Against Aston Villa I would be tempted to go for a solid midfield of Diaby, Song, Denilson and Nasri. For the three matches after that however, I would like to see Ramsey in the Fabregas position with Nasri on the right, Diaby on the left and Song in the holding role, with Wilshere coming off the bench.

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.