Arsenal FC 2009/2010

[Robbie Keane THFC]

Just a quick one, The RSPCA have acted swiftly after the game with Spurs. If you see any Nomad Pikey FC fans walking a dog please call them immediately on 4-2 4-3 4-4 as they’re not very good at holding onto leads.

[delfino_1936]

Just a quick one, The RSPCA have acted swiftly after the game with Spurs. If you see any Nomad Pikey FC fans walking a dog please call them immediately on 4-2 4-3 4-4 as they’re not very good at holding onto leads.

its funny how one game and the spuds fans thinks the jokes are on us, yet for the past 10 years the holding leads jokes have been on them many many a time

[Robbie Keane THFC]

Lets see if you can come up with as quality joke as that against us, I bet ya cant!

[pires7]

Harry Redcrap has been so busy in his first week he hasn't had time to blink!

[Robbie Keane THFC]

thats lame, you can do better than that!

[pires7]

thats lame, you can do better than that!

how about a look at the league table?

[delfino_1936]

thats lame, you can do better than that!

how about a look at the league table?

how about lets compare the Spuds and Arsenal over the past 10-20 years??

[Tony Adams]

thats lame, you can do better than that!

how about a look at the league table?

how about lets compare the Spuds and Arsenal over the past 10-20 years??

or overall history and trophee count

[# 9]

and dont forget stadium

[# 9]

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal inched their way towards the Champions League Knockout Stages with a 0-0 draw against Fenerbahce on Wednesday night.

After a tough week, Arsène Wenger’s injury-hit side could have done with a victory to boost their fractured morale as well as their points tally in Group G. And they certainly deserved the win on the night.

Robin van Persie went close on numerous occasions in a one-sided first half and rattled the bar just before half time. However Arsenal’s challenge faded in the latter stages.

Still, Wenger’s side did the hard yards of qualification with that thumping win in Istanbul a fortnight ago.

In the wake of the week they have endured, perhaps the manager will be content enough with a point and a clean-sheet. Only on Saturday, when Arsenal entertain Manchester United, will we know if this game was the start of a revival or the continuance of concern.

In his pre-game press conference, Wenger had spoken of the need for rotation. However changes were necessary anyway. After Saturday’s defeat at Stoke, Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) had joined William Gallas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) on the injured list. Meanwhile Manuel Almunia fell sick on the day of the game.

Lukasz Fabianski replaced the Spaniard while Wenger also brought in Johan Djourou at centre half. Kolo Toure moved to right back with Aaron Ramsey positioned in front of him. Cesc Fabregas and Denilson continued in the centre while Samir Nasri came in on the left. Perhaps with Saturday’s game in mind, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby were left on the bench.

The game between these sides in Istanbul had been fast and open with neither possessing that much security at the back. Tonight, the attacking was almost entirely one-way in the first half.

Arsenal started at pace and kept up the pressure all the way to half-time.
It began in the eighth minute when Fabregas clipped a pass into the heart of the area and Van Persie slid a shot wide of the far post with Volkan Demirel stranded.

Six minutes later, the Dutchman reached the byline and crooked the ball back into the area. Demirel could only palm the ball into the path of the unmarked Nasri however it got stuck under his feet and Fenerbache managed to clear.

Worse was to come for Arsenal. Fabregas tried to tip the ball towards the far corner, again Demirel’s touch fell straight to an Arsenal player. This time, from only five yards out, Van Persie hit the ball into the floor. It bounced up and flew over the bar.

Arsenal continued to pepper the Fenerbache area with probing crosses. The visitors survived more by luck than judgement at times.

Just past the half-hour, Van Persie collected an astute low pass from Toure close to the byline, turned Lugano wonderfully and fired a rising shot against the bar. Replays proved Demirel’s fingertips had been crucial. An excellent save.

Arsenal were on top but Fenerbahce were having some joy on the break. Roberto Carlos raced up the left wing and Gokhan Gonul’s low, long-range drive forced Fabianski into his first semi-serious save of the night.
However, at the other end, Demirel could already have started to claim overtime. Six minutes before the break he started his application by making a theatrical save from Nasri’s cross-shot.

By the time the whistle blew a few minutes, Arsenal had everything but a goal.

Their pursuit continued three minutes after the break. Lugano clipped Van Persie as he roared through and Demirel tipped over the subsequent free-kick from Toure.

Soon afterwards, Fenerbahce created one of their clearest chances of the night when Semih Senturk sent Ugur Boral through on the left. He had enough to pace to go clear of the Arsenal defence however he dragged an optimistic shot wide of the far post.

The home side continued to attack in numbers but their focus was starting to falter.

As a result Wenger made significant changes – Bendtner and Ramsey came off, Diaby and Carlos Vela replaced them. The substitutions were all about injecting energy back into the Arsenal attack. For their part, Fenerbahce had the ultimate incentive. With Kyiv winning against Porto, even a draw would see them out of the Champions League after the group stage was over.

With 17 minutes left, Van Persie arrowed over a free-kick and Diaby nudged over a header from close range. However the grandstand finished stayed seated. Arsenal ran out of ideas before they ran out of time.

Porto’s late winner at Kyiv did little to alter Group G. Wenger’s men are top and will go through if they beat the Ukranian’s next time out. Before that however they have a much stiffer test on Saturday against the Premier League champions.

[Tony Adams]

Fabregas Frustrated As Gunners Fire Blanks

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits the Gunners may have been "too nervous" as they missed a host of chances to draw 0-0 at home to Fenerbahce.
In the last week Arsenal have endured a demoralising draw against Tottenham, defeat at Stoke before tonight's Champions League stalemate.

A frustrated Fabregas told Sky Sports Xtra: "As usual we had a lot of possession, we outplayed them all over the place. But we were lacking a bit of mobility, still, in the final third.

"Sometimes we are a bit too nervous. When things don't go well, sometimes you try to do things on your own.

"It's a bit frustrating, of course, when you have so many chances but don't score."

[Tony Adams]

Adebayor Ruled Out for Three Weeks

Arsenal will be without key striker Emmanuel Adebayor for three weeks due to the ankle injury he picked up in Saturday's controversial defeat at Stoke.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the news, which will no doubt compound his fury at what he believed were the strong-arm tactics used against his players at the Britannia Stadium.

Adebayor sustained his injury in a heavy tackle by Potters defender Ryan Shawcross, while winger Theo Walcott (shoulder) and right-back Bacary Sagna (ankle) were also hurt during the clash.

Captain William Gallas, who has been out since the 4-4 draw with Tottenham with a hamstring problem, could, however, return for tonight's Champions League group game against Fenerbahce.

"Adebayor will be three weeks," Wenger said.

"Walcott could be days or weeks. It is the shoulder he had the surgery on. We don't know about Gallas yet but Sagna will be back in the squad."

Wenger yesterday accused Stoke's players of attempting to deliberately injure his men, furiously denying suggestions the Gunners had simply been outfought in their 2-1 loss.

"I read that my team were not brave. All I can say is they are brave and, for me, you need to have more courage to play football when you know that someone is tackling you from behind without any intention to play the ball," he said.

"The only intention is to hurt you and I can show some tackles where I can prove what I say. The one who is tackling is not the brave one. For me the brave one is the player who is trying to play football.

"It happened at the weekend. Do you think (Rory) Delap tried to play the ball when he tackled Walcott? Or that Shawcross tried to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch. All the players have been injured deliberately.

"I am not ready to listen to things that are completely untrue and make people who are cowards, for me, look brave."

Football Association disciplinary chiefs are yet to decide if Wenger's comments amount to bringing the game into disrepute, although a decision on whether to charge the Frenchman could be made as early as today.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis this morning hit back at Wenger, claiming he was guilty of a u-turn after initially accepting defeat graciously in the immediate aftermath of a match in which Gunners striker Robin van Persie was the only man to be sent off.

"In Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday evening, Mr Wenger talked openly about Arsenal's encounter with Stoke as being a 'typical English encounter'," Pulis told www.stokecityfc.co.uk.

"He commended my team's organisation, my team's commitment and confessed that on the day Stoke City thoroughly deserved to win the game. Very open and very honest.

"In London 48 hours later and 150 miles away from Stoke-on-Trent, Mr Wenger changed tack and has tried to rewrite history.

"Remember there was only one red card on Saturday and the last time I watched the game it certainly was not a Stoke City player who received it."

Pulis insisted there was no way his players would deliberately set out to injure opponents.

"As for Rory Delap's challenges on Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna, Rory is as honest and committed as they come," he added.

"They were free-kicks, but Rory would never purposely go out to injure a fellow professional, it's just not in Rory's nature.

"Further, as I recall the game, Emmanuel Adebayor was booked for a chest-high challenge on Ryan Shawcross."

[# 9]

NEED Bendtner to step up.

[Tony Adams]

[quote]Wenger - Vela is one of the best I have seen
Suspension and injury may have robbed Wenger of his first-choice strike duo but he is sure he has ‘the answer’ in Carlos Vela.

The Mexican burst onto the Arsenal scene with a superb hat-trick in last month’s Carling Cup victory over Sheffield United and the absence of Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie could hand him further first-team opportunities in the next few weeks.

Wenger is aware that Vela must adapt to the physical nature of the Premier League but the Frenchman is certain that he has enough quality to fill the void.

“Vela is one of the answers,” said Wenger at Tuesday’s press conference. “Carlos is an outstanding striker, he will be a top goal-scorer and is one of the best finishers I have seen.

“He is 19 years old and playing at a top, top club. We don’t believe that he needs to improve his finishing or his technical quality, we just need him to adapt to the combative side of the English side of the game.

“He is responding very well at the moment and it will give him something more and make him a top-class striker.”
[/quote]

[Tony Adams]

Fulham’s Vose Taking Arsenal Trial + Delph Rubbish

Fulham midfielder Dominic Vose will begin day three of a week long trial with Arsenal tomorrow morning, as the Gunners go head to head with Manchester United for the highly rated play-maker.

Vose spent last week at United’s Carrington training complex undertaking a similar type of work out, as both clubs look at the prospect already dubbed “The New Paul Scholes”. Despite being likened to one of Man Utd’s players, it’s Arsenal who are favourites to trounce the Premiership Champions and snap up the 15-year-old - as they did with Aaron Ramsey over the summer.

Having come through the youth system at Fulham, goalscoring antics for their Under 16’s over the past two campaigns have brought the attention of the countries biggest Academies - keen to recruit the hottest talent around.

Dominic will work with Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s during training, but Steve Lennard and Liam Brady will also take time to make checks ahead of a proposed offer during the January transfer window. The Cottagers are believed to be ready to cash in on their rapidly developing youth system, with figures of £100,000 already being suggested in compensation.



Whilst one young midfielder is close to joining Arsenal, another - Fabian Delph - is strongly being linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium in the coming months.

18-year-old Delph is a strong, skillful and versatile midfielder, who shot to fame after breaking into Leeds United’s first team, and scoring twice against Walsall in the League. His main position is either in the centre of the park, or on the left. Both positions of which the Gunners are stacked with young options in.

He only penned a new deal in September, but the chase for his signature began this afternoon as Leeds rebuffed an offer from Newcastle United. It’s extremely unlikely that Arsène Wenger would pay out the reported £6 million fee for Fabian, especially with the abundance of similar options already at the club.

[delfino_1936]

"The positive is we are top of the group"

On a frustrating evening…
“I felt that we created the chances in the first half and we had three or four clear-cut chances but couldn’t score. In the second half I felt we dropped a bit physically and from then on we were less dangerous. I felt we had more possession but because we didn’t score and Fenerbahce never really came out, and were happy to defend well in the final third and we were not sharp enough to put our strikers into good positions. That made a 0-0.

“The positive side is that we are top of the group but the negative side is that we didn’t win a game that we should have won. I was not happy to drop points, we play always to win and when we don’t win we are not happy.”

On the welcome clean sheet…
“Defensively we were sound and good in the air. Against two good strikers we didn’t look in trouble at all, we defended well in midfield too but we are used to creating chances with the time getting on. In the last 20 minutes we expect Arsenal always to create many chances and this didn’t come today because I felt we lacked the physical resources.”

On the challenge on Mikael Silvestre…
“I don’t know if it was intentional but he rotated his arm and got him on the nose. I don’t know you must ask the player but I didn’t see it well.

“I speak about the tackles when I see them again on replay in slow motion. Then I can analyse if the guy who makes the tackle goes on the side of the ball or he goes for the left leg when the ball is on the right leg. When he tackles the standing leg on purpose he never intends to play the ball. On this occasion I don’t know.”

On Fenerbahce’s stifling tactics…
“They were defensive tonight, I cannot say they were offensive because they spent their time in their own half but maybe they couldn’t come out. They were well organised and defended well. Maybe at times they were a bit cautious because they conceded five goals against us in the first game and from then on they decided not to make defensive mistakes.”

On being ready for a ‘battle’ against Manchester United…
“Of course they are ready to battle but it depends on what you call battle. Man United only managed a draw today at Celtic so we have both only drawn today.

“It is a massive game and of massive importance for us. We play every three days at the moment and every game is massive for us. Manchester United Arsenal is always a special one and we know for us it is vital to do well in the big games in this league.
I am confident we will. “

[ForzaChievo]

Injury News

William Gallas
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
William injured his hamstring during the North London derby against Spurs. The captain could return against Manchester United at the weekend.

Theo Walcott
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Theo injured his shoulder during the defeat at Stoke on Saturday. The England winger will miss the Fenerbahce game but could return to face Manchester United at the weekend.

Emmanuel Adebayor
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Emmanuel is likely to be out of the Arsenal side for three weeks. The striker picked up a nasty ankle injury at Stoke following a tackle from Ryan Shawcross. He misses the game with Fenerbache and will also sit out most of November.

Emmanuel Eboue
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Emmanuel's knee injury has ruled him out of the Fenerbahce game.

Tomas Rosicky
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tomas Rosicky’s return will take a little longer. “He should be back after Christmas,” said Wenger. The Czech midfielder has been out since January 29 with a hamstring problem.

Eduardo
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Eduardo will be back playing competitive football in three weeks. The Arsenal striker suffered horrific leg and ankle injuries at Birmingham back on February 23 and, in the immediate aftermath, it was feared his career could be in doubt. However the Croatian was operated on that evening in the Midlands and has been working hard on his rehabilitation ever since. Speaking at Arsenal’s AGM on Thursday morning, Arsène Wenger confirmed that the long wait is nearly over. “Eduardo is three weeks away from playing competitive football,” he said.

[delfino_1936]

Fabregas issues rallying call for United clash

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has challenged his team-mates to turn around their recent slump and beat Manchester United at the weekend.
Click here

The Gunners were held to a goalless draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday, making it three games without a victory.

"We have to keep going," Fabregas said. "The next match, against Manchester United, is massive. This is welcomed because it's a big game and big players want to play in big games.

"We don't want excuses because we are playing for Arsenal and a lot of players would like to be in our position. We have to make sure we give everything on the pitch always."

Boss Arsene Wenger repeated his recent criticism of Stoke's strongarm tactics by again accussing referees and opponents of victimising his side following the stalemate with Fenerbahce. Mikael Silvestre is a fresh injury concern after his nose was injured in a challenge involving Semih Senturk.

Wenger said: "Was it intentional? I don't know. He rotated his arm. You must ask the player."

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia missed the Group G clash with an upset stomach, while Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were also sidelined.

Wenger is getting increasingly frustrated as he feels different rules apply to his team.

He said: "You can look at the fair play table. Who is top? Arsenal Football Club. We have no lessons to learn from anyone on that front. Look at the team that makes less fouls - it is Arsenal Football Club.

"Who gets the more yellow cards after four or five fouls? Arsenal Football Club. Some teams get their first yellow card after 15 fouls. I cannot read the (rule) book or something is wrong.

"I'm responsible for the behaviour of Arsenal and we are top. I do not make that table. Instead of having a go at us, people should look somewhere else."

Wenger feels the rigours of the Premier League accounts for the poor results among English teams in Europe this week.

"None of them had lost until this week and none of them have won this week - this is explained by giving their all in the Premier League and have less resources to do well," he said.

"The Premier League is demanding physically. If you have a Champions League game the week after it is very difficult."

[delfino_1936]

Wenger to 'gamble' on Silvestre for Man Utd

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has many major decisions to make on injured players before Saturday’s massive clash with Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon, the manager confirmed Mikael Silvestre did break his nose in the goalless draw with Fenerbahce the previous evening. The 31-year-old defender is still likely to be available against his old side but Wenger suggested it may be “a gamble”.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is over his sickness and trained today. However Bacary Sagna sat out the session. The right back injured his ankle at Stoke on Saturday but was named on the bench in the Champions League tie. He did not come on and his fitness for Saturday was still “a slight concern” for Wenger.

It seems the injuries to Theo Walcott (shoulder) and William Gallas (hamstring) are bigger issues. Both are only rated as 50:50 to feature and Wenger will not be able to make a decision until after Friday’s session. Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are definitely out while Robin van Persie is suspended.

“Mikael has a broken nose with an open wound on the side,” said Wenger.

“Basically he should be capable of playing. But in the next 48 hours I will have to decide what we do. You cannot rule him out and I feel he can play. But I have to decide whether I go for the gamble or not.

“We will not know about Walcott and Gallas before tomorrow afternoon. It is 50:50 for both.

“But Manuel Almunia was back in training today so he will be available.

“As for Sagna, there was a gamble on him that I did not want to take [last night]. We could not take it today in training either. He still needed to be out of impact work.

“I think he should be OK for Saturday but there is still a slight concern.”

Arsenal TV Online subscribers can see the full interview on Friday morning. In it Wenger talks about:

* His options up front for Manchester United
* The responsibility on the shoulders of Nicklas Bendtner
* Whether Carlos Vela could step up
* Putting aside the Stoke saga
* Wayne Rooney’s record against Arsenal
* The addition of Dimitar Berbatov
* The global impact of Man United v Arsenal
* His new-found friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson
* Johan Djourou’s performance against Fenerbahce
* Champions League qualification

[delfino_1936]

Arsenal vs Manchester USA

Referee- Howard Webb

By Richard Clarke

At the end of Arsène Wenger’s press conference on Friday, the Arsenal manager was asked outright if he was ‘in denial’ of the difficulties his side were facing right now.

This was his response.

“Listen,” he said. “Last year Man United won the title with 87 points, we got 83. That’s four points in 38 games. After what we have gone through from March to May, I don't think we can say there is a massive difference.

“At the end of last season, everyone was critical but we were unlucky to be knocked out of the Champions League and we were unlucky in the Premier League. It was a good season, if not a satisfying season, because we want to win the title.

“But I didn't come to the conclusion that there was a world of difference between Man United and Arsenal.”

His team need to demonstrate exactly that at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are only one place and point ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League but the perception of the two teams contrasts wildly right now.

While the Manchester United machine has been consistent and focused, Arsenal’s engine has spluttered as much as it has purred.

This has come to a head for Wenger’s men in the past 10 days with an acutely disappointing draw with Tottenham, a painful defeat at Stoke and miserly point with Fenerbahce.

That is why Saturday’s game is perhaps a pivot in Arsenal’s season.

A win could leave them three points off top spot, a defeat would probably see them nine points adrift.

“The morale is of course down when we don't win,” said Wenger.

“One week ago on Wednesday night we played very well against Tottenham and we didn't win. But it doesn't take away the fact that we played in a very convincing way. Afterwards at Stoke we had a lot of possession but we were not really sharp and I believe it was a hangover [from the Spurs game].

“Against Fenerbahce we dominated and had 70 per cent of possession but we didn't score. If we had scored and forced them to come out we could have scored plenty of goals.

“That’s why we have to keep winning, learn from what has happened to us and continue to believe in our strengths.

“But now we want to focus on Man United because it is a fantastic opportunity to show how strong we are when everyone is doubting us.”

Speaking of doubts, Manuel Almunia (sickness) Bacary Sagna (ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Mikael Silvestre (broken nose) and William Gallas (hamstring) all fall in that category for this game.

Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Emmanuel Eboue (knee), Robin van Persie (suspended), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Eduardo (broken leg) are definitely out.

Because of all that, it is impossible to predict Wenger’s side on Saturday. Because of their relative inconsistency this season, it is also impossible to predict the performance the Arsenal XI will put in.

However, a victory any which way would be a huge boost, as much to the media and the fans than the Club itself.

“We respect [people’s views] and we respect the press as well,“ he said. “They have opinions. But to achieve things you need to believe in your strengths and these people believe we are weak. That doesn't help us.

“The level of expectation is so high and because of that the pressure is very high.

“So we have to rise above that and be guided more by what we want to achieve and how we want to play football rather than by people who want immediate perfection.”

That however is not necessary on Saturday. Three entirely imperfect points will do just fine.

[Tony Adams]

Biography - Arsenal New Boy - Keeper Sean McDermott
In light of Arsenal completing the capture of I.K.Vag goalkeeper Sean McDermott, Young Guns has gathered together a biography to give you more information on our latest recruit.

Sean was born in Kristiansand, Southern Norway, to an Irish father - Terence - and a Norwegian mother. He grew up supporting Leeds United and still retains a massive interest in the Whites, recently confirming his desire to play for them if they ever regained Premiership status.

His love for football continued at school, where he excelled playing for his school team. Sean was then invited to I.K.Vag trials, and after impressing, his local club moved quickly to add the promising youngster to their ranks.

At 13 McDermott’s career changed for the better, as his talents were recognised across Europe. Vag employed a special goalkeeping coach just to work with Sean, and within months, International duty beckoned.

His father would contact the Irish F.A and inform them of his son’s eligibility. Scouts were posted to check on the stopper shortly after, leading to a call up for the Irish Under 16 team. Two fantastic performances had England’s biggest clubs after the brave ‘keeper, with several trials taking place.

Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, Rangers, Ipswich, Charlton and of course Arsenal all showed a firm desire to take a look at the starlet, but his family were against so much travelling as it was impacting on Sean’s school work.

However, a handful of the outfits were granted trials, including the Gunners. He turned out during the annual pre-season Atlanta Cup Tournament in Italy, where his influence would prove pivotal. He rotated with Charlie Mann throughout the competition, but as the final against Juventus arrived, Steve Gatting kept faith in the trialist.

He would not let the manager down. Several good saves with his feet helped preserve a clean sheet, setting up a nervous penalty shoot out to decide the new home of the Cup. After an emphatic battle between the two, McDermott’s save handed Arsenal the opportunity to win the game, with Sean taking the crucial kick.

He buried it down the middle, and the Gunners walked away with the glory. Speaking with the Norwegian media, he admitted that Arsenal’s kids were better than those of Tottenham’s, and that a move to London Colney was “Looking Good“.

Indeed, after a second trial before the campaign began, an agreement was stuck to capture his services when he finishes school. He was handed the number 13 shirt with I.K.Vag for this season, and featured in pre-season for the first team at just 15.

It’s proved to be an interesting road to success for the quiet youngster, yet one thing is for sure, Arsenal have signed one of the most exciting young stoppers around.

[Tony Adams]

Lenny Fernandes Coelho
Brazilian striker Lenny signs Arsenal pre-contract
By Myles Palmer
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/inde ... eturnid=42

He's a small, dribbling striker, not a gangling lump like Ade or RVP.

With a five foot eight inch midfield, and a five foot ten inch defence, Arsenal do need some big strikers. But big ain't always the best way to go.

He's a little bit like Juninho (of Middlesbrough) but more of a goalscoer than a playmaker.

Lenny Fernandes Coelho is 20 years old and born in Rio.

He was dropped last week by Palmeiras for signing a pre-contract to join Arsenal in January.

OK, OK, he's another kid. But how many Brazilian strikers has AW ever signed?

Lenny is worth a try.He might win you the FA Cup.

[delfino_1936]

what a fucken win!!!! maybe i should expect nothing from this season just so if we do win something it comes as an awesome suprise

[delfino_1936]

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

By Richard Clarke

This game began the afternoon in incessant rain and ended in bright, brilliant sunlight.

Ditto Arsenal’s season.

At his pre-match press conference, Arsène Wenger had faced an inquisition about his side’s title chances and you got the feeling the obituaries would have been written had they slumped to a weak defeat against the champions.

In the end, they came away with a hard-fought and thoroughly deserved victory that could breathe new life into Arsenal’s season.

Samir Nasri got both goals. The first came in the 22nd minute via a deflection, the second via superb Arsenal passing just after half time.

Manchester United had ample possession and their build-up play was expert. However they spurned the chances they created. Their only goal came 45 seconds from the end of normal time via Rafael’s volley when they were going for broke.

This time it was Arsenal who picked the pocket of a side who had played the beautiful game...well... beautifully.

Of course, one great game cannot make a season. Arsenal’s three points here only replaces the ones lost so badly at Stoke last week.

But with everyone looking for Wenger’s team to respond, this had been an emphatic answer.

Ahead of the game, Wenger knew he had five players out but he was due to make late calls over the fitness of another five.

In the end, Manuel Almunia (sickness) Bacary Sagna (ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Mikael Silvestre (broken nose) and William Gallas (hamstring) were declared fit and started the game.

Only Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Emmanuel Eboue (knee), Robin van Persie (suspended), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Eduardo (broken leg) missed out.

Wenger brought in Abou Diaby to play just behind Nicklas Bendtner with Nasri and Walcott supplying width either side of Cesc Fabregas and Denilson in central midfield.

The back four was all-French, so Kolo Toure was left on the bench.

This is always a massive game but after Arsenal’s recent problems it appeared to have taken on seismic proportions. Given it was November, the points would not be decisive but Wenger’s men needed to make a statement of intent in the title race.

It would be a pivotal afternoon.

It nearly started in the worst possible fashion for Arsenal. With only 90 seconds Silvestre played a weak back pass to Almunia, who under pressure from Wayne Rooney, came out to collect with his hands. Anderson took the resulting free-kick from inside the area but the wall deflected it to Michael Carrick on the edge of the area. His bobbling shot wandered inches wide.

Manchester United had started with all the swagger we expected. They had the ball in the net in the eighth minute when Ronaldo crossed low from the right and Ji-Sung Park’s dummy allowed Rooney to shoot. Almunia palmed the ball out to Dimitar Berbatov who slotted home. Fortunately for Arsenal the Bulgarian had strayed offside.

By now the light shower of the morning had turned into a downpour. And Arsenal would have their fans singing in the rain.

In the 11th minute, Bendtner slammed a header just over from Clichy’s left-wing cross. Five minutes later Nasri sent over a similar opportunity but neither Diaby nor Bendtner could crane their heads enough to connect.

Perhaps Arsenal’s best chance before the goal came on the quarter-hour when Van de Sar’s weak punch fell to Diaby but his snap-shot was deflected wide.

The all-important strike would come a couple of minutes later but, not before Rooney had shot after an ominously incisive Manchester United side.

The goal began when Patrice Evra fouled Sagna on the right-hand byline. Fabregas clipped it over to the far post where a clearance from Nemanja Vidic fell to Nasri. The Frenchman bought a lottery ticket by firing a low shot into the congested area. His numbers came up when the ball flicked off Gary Neville’s leg and flew past Van der Sar.

It was just what Arsenal needed but the job was nowhere near done. Park’s low shot forced the best out of Almunia and the visitors continued to pressure.

Eight minutes before the break Diaby steamrollered through only to be brought down by Michael Carrick. Howard Webb did not give a foul and replays proved he had been incorrect.

Right in front of us Arsenal were rebuilding the confidence that had been undermined in the past 10 days. They sustained pressure before the break and might have added to their lead when Walcott miskicked an effort just wide from Clichy’s cross.

This was fast becoming a throwback to Arsenal v Manchester United games a decade ago. It was helter-skelter and packed with incident.

Sagna, Gallas and Evra were all booked just before the break. You could see more yellow cards after the interval.

It was that kind of game.

And the opening few minutes of the second half suggested it just might be Arsenal’s day.

Around 90 seconds in, the home side passed and passed and passed until Fabregas fed Nasri on the edge of the area. The Frenchman lashed the ball home with relish.

The 21-year-old ran towards the touchline before being engulfed by his team-mates. It was a moment of unbridled joy.

However it was nearly shortlived. Park found Ronaldo at the far post and the winger’s sidefoot volley flew inches wide. A crucial moment.

While 1-0 was wonderful and 2-0 was terrific, neither had ended the argument. The visitors were on the attack for most of the afternoon, that said Almunia had not been overworked.

Diaby barged past Van der Sar to send a header just over but by now Arsenal were mostly working on the counter-attack. Manchester United were pushing forward in search of a lifeline.

Midway through the half Almunia needed lengthy treatment after Carrick, without malice, had caught him in the head when the ball ran loose from a corner.

By now Ferguson was searching for inspiration via his substitutes. Rafael, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez were all on with 15 minutes left.

Although Manchester United were still pressing, Arsenal had a major shout for a penalty in the 74th minute when Vidic appeared to haul over Nasri as the French winger closed in on a hat-trick chance.

With 10 minutes left, Wenger made his own substitutions with Alex Song replacing Walcott and Fabianski coming on for the struggling Almunia.

The Pole had only caretaking to do really before picking the ball out of his net with 45 seconds left. Manchester United now had defenders in the area and one of them, Rafael, plundered a volley from just outside.

That came seconds before the fourth official announced six minutes of injury time.

It was time to scrap for Arsenal’s season. In fact the home side would have the better chances, especially when Bendtner dribbled through and swivelled a shot over the bar.

The whistle blew soon afterwards.

Arsenal were back. But had they ever really gone away?

[delfino_1936]

Wenger's View
'It was a game for those who love football'

On the importance of the result…
“I feel it was a very important result because I imagine what would have happened if we had lost today. Mathematically it was very important for us to stay close to the top and to show what kind of determination, spirit and mental attitude we have. We went out there today thinking that we will win no matter what happens. No matter what happens on the pitch we will keep going and that is what we did.

“We won against, for me, a great Man United side and the difference was maybe we took our chances early on and they didn’t. After we scored the second goal we did hang on but tried to score the third goal on the counter attack. We wouldn’t do that and that is why the game remained very tight until the end.”

On the contribution of Samir Nasri…
“When he is in front of goal he can finish with his right foot or left foot. He has a lot of pace and power and I encourage him to go in the final third. He was a more typical playmaker in France who gave the ball and took it back. I believe that with his pace he can penetrate in the final third and he will score plenty of goals. That is what he did today because he is a tremendous finisher.”

On ever doubting his side’s chances…
“I didn’t doubt the spirit of my players. I acknowledged that we made some mistakes, especially against Tottenham, but I never questioned the spirit, quality or ability to play for the championship.

“There is only one thing in our job and that is to go on the football pitch and show how much you want it, show quality on the pitch – and spirit – and that is what we did. I believe above all today it was a fantastic football game because both teams played with the right spirit.”

On winning despite missing players…
“For example you had a player like Nicklas Bendtner today who had an outstanding game. It shows how different this job is because on Wednesday he was not especially on his best form and three days later he produced a quality performance. It was a team answer, first of all we showed that we have the squad which is questioned so many times. We showed that no matter who plays we have the spirit.”

On Man United’s squandered chances…
“I do not want to talk too much about the difference between the teams but I thought that we did everything that was needed to win the game. If you say we could have lost it if they had taken every chance, maybe. But we have done everything we could to win this game and our attitude cannot be questioned, nor our quality. Personally I do not question the quality of Man United.

“You know that every big game is like that. I just said after the game that Man United are a great team. They have just won the European Cup last year and the Premier League last year, you cannot be a small team and do that. Of course they are a great team, of course they had chances as well, but we had chances too. That is why I believe it was a cracking football game. If you love football, I do not say you love Arsenal or Man United, today it was a game for people who love football.”

On facing another ‘football playing’ side…
“Football becomes very interesting when both teams want to play, we have seen that again today. I believe that apart from Stoke, we went to Bolton and Blackburn and we won in a convincing way. We had one accident at Stoke and after it provoked hysteria. After the 0-0 against Fenerbahce we have eight points in the Champions League and no one else has more apart from Juventus who have 10. All across Europe nobody has more than eight points in the Champions League. It is difficult sometimes to understand why everybody became so critical so suddenly.

“There is respect [for Sir Alex Ferguson] of course. I believe that we are surviving battlers in this game and therefore I have a lot of respect for him. We both play football.”

On playing out six minutes of injury time…
“I felt ‘that’s a very long time’. Just before they scored the fourth official told me it was going to be six minutes and I asked him if he was sure, what’s that? I have never played six minutes here.

“I personally would have preferred it if they had gone to the corner flag. I prefer that to passing the ball around in our own half with three minutes to go. We would prefer to have a positive attitude in the other half of the pitch. I want them first to be in the other half of the pitch then they are as close to the corner flag as possible.

“You always have to be cautious though because on day when we played Chelsea it was 2-2 and Kanu had the ball. I told him to go to the corner flag but he didn’t listen and he went and scored the third and we won 3-2. If the players have the quality then they always find the right answer.”

[delfino_1936]

NASSSSSSSSSSSSRIIIIIIIIIIII
WHAT A FANTASTIC GOALL FOR ARSENAL
POISE
PATIENCE
PENETRATION!!!

[Jimmy]

Lovely Doubely!

[pires7]

definitely a bigger game than playing spurs!

[# 9]

definitely a bigger game than playing spurs!

[delfino_1936]

definitely a bigger game than playing spurs!