Arsenal FC

Wenger mad at the defensive men

2008-04-18T23:43:00.000-07:00

Gunners' boss, Arsene Wenger, says that de defenders bad performance is the critical factor in Arsenal's lack of success in the Champions League and Premier League.

"It is the lowest week I have had here in all this time," Wenger admitted. "We have lost the 100 metres on a photo-finish. That's what happened. It's tough to swallow because you have still made a good race and you finish empty-handed. It hurts bad, really bad. Maybe for me more as I really believed that we could do it.

"We were leading against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, and at home against them. So we can score goals. What we could not stop is conceding goals in big games. Nine times out of 10 the guy who wins a big game is the guy who scores first, and we lost all these games after being in front. So I think we suffered more as a team defensively than offensively."

The french coach, who has set a deadline of the end of this month to settle negotiations with the midfielder Matthieu Flamini, said: "My first target is to keep the team together. If you ask me how many players I want to buy, it's not a question of numbers, it's a question of one or two quality footballers."

He ruled out signing the Valencia forward David Villa, who expressed a willingness to move to the Emirates Stadium this week. "No," he claims. "I feel up front I need to give time to [Nicklas] Bendtner and Theo Walcott because they have made big improvements. Walcott is now coming on and I have to give him an opportunity at some stage."

Furthermore, Wenger had words about Philippe Senderos: "He's in the squad. But I feel sometimes you have to give the time to refresh mentally. He is so intense, Philippe. He is genuine and dedicated and he's disappointed by his performance at Liverpool but only time can get you over that."

Wenger assured that defeat in the Champions League was worse than losing to Barcelona in the 2006 final. "Against Barcelona we played with 10 men for 70 minutes. The first time you play in a final it can happen that you lose. But to go out to Liverpool after the two games we played was very, very disappointing."

Almunia's injury could bring Lehmann back to the team

2008-04-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Manuel Almunia is the first goalkeeper at Arsenal, but now he is a major doubt for the home game with Reading. That could mean the experienced Lehmann might have a chance to return to the first team.

In fact, further complications to the Spaniard’s wrist complaint, which kept him out of the defeat at Manchester United last weekend, could open the door for Lehmann’s farewell match at the Emirates Stadium since his departure in the summer is almost a fore-gone conclusion after being benched for most of the season.

"Maybe Manuel Almunia will be available, I just don't know," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stated. "I will make a decision on Friday morning. He got injured in training on the Friday before Manchester United. It's important to say that we sent him for a scan and there was an inflammation so he could not take part of the game."

Rosicky can't wait for his come back

2008-03-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Tomas Rosicky, the talented Czech Republic player, has been out of action since January with a knee problem, and when asked about how long he will remain sidelined for, he admitted he has no idea.

"In fact, it is still the same, there is no prospect, I don't know for the present,” said Rosicky. “I have missed football badly. I have never had such a long break. Not even when I broke my arm as I could take part of the game afterwards with a bandage.

"I take it as this simply is a part of this sport, and strong individuals must cope with it. And I will cope with it. It will not stop me nor break me down. However, I have realised how much I love football" he concluded.

Arsenal fall to second place as they tie with Middlesbrough

2008-03-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

Wenger team dropped into second place in the English Premier League after struggling to a 1-1 draw at home to FC Middlesbrough, while the rivals Manchester United managed a 1-0 triumph over cellar-dwellers Derby to take the first position of the tournament.

In fact, former Arsenal player Jeremie Aliadiere opened the scoring for Middlesbrough after 26 minutes with a tap-in from six yards, despite claims of off-side by Arsenal defenders.

The London squad then pressed for much of the match only to be repeatedly thwarted by Middlesbrough’s Australian keeper Mark Shwarzer, before Kolo Toure powered home a header three minutes from fulltime.

The gunners coach Arsene Wenger was unhappy to let more precious points slip away but insisted his side could break its four-year run without a title.

“It is really disappointing but I feel we didn't get the result we deserved. The team gave absolutely everything but it doesn't go for us at the moment,” Wenger admitted. “We have to keep our spirit. We could now earned eight points more and hopefully we won't regret that at the end of the season.”

With Manchester United victory, now Ferguson's team lead Arsenal on goal difference and have a game in hand, with both sides sitting on 67 points. Chelsea, also with a match up its sleeve, is three points back on 64 going into the season’s home stretch.

Arsenal's Photo Gallery: Emmanuel Adebayor

2008-03-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

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2008-03-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

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Theo Walcott injured in friendly game against a MSL team

2008-03-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

Arsenal young frontman Theo Walcott was injured Thursday during a friendly game against the MSL Colorado Rapids. Walcott hurt a thigh muscle in a 2-1 victory by the Arsenal reserves.

Indeed, Walcott will not accompany the Arsenal first team as it travels for a Sunday Premiership fixture against Wigan.

In fact, Arsene Wenger confirmed Walcott's injury: "Today we also lost Theo Walcott. He played against Colorado Rapids, and he got a little thigh problem."

According to reports, Robin van Persie played an hour against the Rapids and is expected to join Arsenal's full squad against Wigan.

In the loss, the Rapids' first of the preseason, forward Tom McManus played a ball through to Colin Clark in the 87th minute. And Clark struck it past keeper Lukasz Fabianski for the Rapids' only goal.

As we know, the Rapids had trailed only 1-0 at the half, and the Rapids came out the gates quickly with midfielder Terry Cooke and McManus playing some beautiful one-touch passes that only a diving Fabianski could stop from tying the score in the 48th minute.

The Gunners, however, scored in the 66th minute for a 2-0 lead.

Rapids keeper Justin Hughes kept the Rapids close the entire game with key saves, including one on a breakaway in the 12th minute. But the London team scored on the ensuing corner kick.

Arsenal Eduardo Da Silva Wallpaper

2008-03-05T00:46:00.001-08:00

Enjoy this amazing wallpaper dedicated to our talented and brave striker Eduardo. Click on the image to expand the wallpaper, the right click on it to save it.

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Eduardo Da Silva : "The doctor saved my career"

2008-03-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

The talented Eduardo Da Silva said the quick work of physio Gary Lewin after he had broken his leg against Birmingham City last week could have saved his career.

As we know, Eduardo suffered a terrible fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his ankle joint after a tackle by Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor.

The Croatian player is likely to be out for nine months but Arsenal expect him to make a full recovery. "The injury was so grave I could have lost my foot," he expressed. "So I will always be grateful to Gary for what he did in lowering the risk to my leg. That was decisive. I do not remember too much about the blow."

"In fact, I just remember the pain, seeing that my foot had rotated, but I only recaptured my senses in hospital."

According to the media, Eduardo was visited in hospital by Taylor and has accepted his apologies for the tackle which has ruled him out of the Euro 2008 tournament in June.

"And all I could do was look at his face I was totally pre-occupied," said Eduardo.
"I wanted to believe what Taylor said and to think that what happened was just an unfortunate accident."

"I really had to look at him. I could not understand how anyone could make a tackle like that in only the third minute of a match. But in the end I believed that Taylor was being honest and I accepted his excuses."

The young player said not being able to represent Croatia in Euro 2008 was "the worst blow" but he was heartened by the many messages of support from his club and international team mates.

"I will miss Arsenal's race for the title and the Champions League campaign but, most of all, my first European Championship with Croatia. That is the worst blow," he expressed. "That was a big dream for me. To qualify was one of the best moments in my life but I am only 25 and I can play in other Euros. That's what is in my head" he concluded.

Arsenal want to defeat Spurs for a Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

Due to their excellent game, Arsenal FC can celebrate Christmas at the top of the standings with a victory over north London rival Tottenham on Saturday (7:45 a.m. ET).

Indeed, the Gunners only have a one-point lead over Manchester United, which hosts Everton on Sunday (6 a.m. ET). But it beat Spurs 3-1 at White Hart Lane in the league in September and hasn't lost to them in eight years.

Last season, the two teams played four times - Arsenal won one of their Premier League games with the other a draw, and the Gunners eliminated Spurs after a two-legged semifinal in the League Cup.

Actually, that semifinal game will be repeated this season after both clubs won their quarter-finals this week while ending their games with 10 men.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos said the 2-0 win over Manchester City on Tuesday was the best display he'd seen since taking charge on Oct. 29, particularly after it lost Didier Zakora, with a red card after 21 minutes.

"I think it's a positive result and sets us up for the rest of the season," Ramos said. "We had to work extra hard after being down to 10 men to make up for having that inferior number."

We must consider that Tottenham last beat Arsenal in November 1999 when it won 2-1 in the league.

Both teams also won tough Premier League matches last weekend - Spurs ended Portsmouth's unbeaten home record and 11-match undefeated streak with a 1-0 win and Arsenal downed Chelsea by the same margin.

Saturday's encounters mark a busy period for the Premier League, with clubs playing three games within eight days by the end of 2007.

On saturday, we will see these games: Aston Villa versus Manchester City; Fulham versus Wigan; Middlesbrough versus West Ham; Liverpool versus Portsmouth; Bolton versus Birmingham; and Reading versus Sunderland.

And on Sunday, we will enjoy Chelsea game at Blackburn and Newcastle clash with Derby.

It's good to say that Arsenal leads the standings with 40 points, followed by Manchester United with 39, Chelsea with 34, Manchester City with 33 and Liverpool, Everton and Portsmouth with 30.

Arsenal open season with a tough victory over Fulham

2007-08-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Just ten minutes from the kickoff, and the supporters were already screaming for a little less conversation, a little more action. In the end, Arsenal got a thrilling comeback victory over Fulham, and the fans left the Emirates Stadium with the sense of a team that didn't change from the last season.

Indeed, they stared down the barrel at a deflating defeat. Jens Lehmann gifted Fulham a first-minute goal with a comical howler, and there were less than 10 minutes remaining before a deserved equaliser arrived from a controversial penalty. The bonus of Alexander Hleb's winner came with just 12 seconds remaining. No wonder there are reports of Arsene Wenger feeling the strain.

The Arsenal coach talked of the win as "the kind of result that can change a season for a squad". His players gathered in a public post-match huddle to embrace the significance of this win. They fell behind in half of last season's home matches, but lost only one.

A setback in the opening game of the new campaign would have sorely tested their resilience and raised all kinds of uncomfortable questions about the departures of the most important star, Thierry Henry, and David Dein.

Keeper Lehmann tried to be too clever by half when Gael Clichy offered him a settling touch in the opening minute. He screwed an attempted return pass against his own knee, and the ball bounced invitingly to David Healy, who couldn't miss. and Fulham lost their goalkeeper, Antti Niemi, to a pre-match wrist injury. The local goalkeeper's embarrassment was compounded as Niemi's deputy, Tony Warner, emerged as the man of the match.

We must consider that Eduardo da Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor are both injured, and manager Wenger deployed Robin van Persie at the point of a fluid attack which searched vainly for its due rewards until Fulham tired in the closing stages.

Maybe that's why Fulham carved out their own opportunities to double the lead in the second part: Steven Davis volleyed straight at Lehmann, Carlos Bocanegra took a fresh-air shot at a close-range chance, then Clint Dempsey jabbed wide after being put clear. However, the Gunners survived their sleepy moments in defence to push home their overall superiority, and spare Lehmann's blushes.

Finally, there was a last throw of the dice feeling about the bold run from Kolo Toure that forced the equalising penalty. He beat two men in stirring fashion before being checked on the edge of the box by Bocanegra. Referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot despite the furious Fulham protests. Toure had looked poised to score, Van Persie duly did, crashing the penalty into the roof of the net.

The fans will have a lot to think about, but they also know there is still hope, with some new players that are proving to be good enough to change Arsenal's destiny this season.

Where are you going?

2007-03-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger assures that brazilian midfielder Gilberto is not going anywhere.

As we know, the Arsenal player was quoted in the Italian press earlier this week revealing his fondness of Juventus and that he would consider a move to Turin.

But the Gunners' coach has moved to rubbish talk that Gilberto could be on the move.

"I can say that Gilberto is under contract, we have had no offer so the subject is closed," he made clear.

"In the Italian media they talk about him, the German newspapers talk about Jens Lehmann, the Spanish newspapers talk about striker Baptista and the Swedish papers talk about Ljungberg. I simply can not control all that" he concluded.

Arsenal and Chelsea fined for the Carling Cup incident

2007-03-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but finally Arsenal people learned the FA decision. The Gunners were fined £100,000 for their part in the Carling Cup final pitch brawl. Chelsea Football Club were also fined the same amount by the English Organism.

In fact, the controversial fight involved players and officials from both clubs and led to three red cards.

And the FA's disciplinary commission described the incident as "serious, unacceptable and damaging to the image of the game".

Where the FA implied that Wenger's players were mostly responsible for the brawl, the report also indicated that Chelsea had been warned in the past to their on-pitch behaviour, and that has been reflected in the fine imposed on the London club.

Both clubs admitted the charge of failing to ensure their footballer and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and / or refrained from provocative and/or violent behaviour. And the imposed punishments follow an FA disciplinary commission hearing.

Arsenal and MLS Colorado Rapids create a partnership

2007-02-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

The American soccer getting closer and closer to the Premier League teams. This time, Arsenal Football Club have announced a new business partnership with MLS club Colorado Rapids.

Indeed, this agreement is designed to build Arsenal's brand in the United States, while also helping to develop the MLS club.

"I can assure that this is a really important step for Arsenal as this becomes our first venture into the US marketplace," said managing director Keith Edelman.

Furthermore, Colorado Rapids are owned by American billionaire Stan Kroenke's company Kroenke Sports Enterprises. In fact, Arsenal already have a similar tie-up with Belgian team called Beveren as well as an academy in the Ivory Coast.

This deal between the two popular football clubs includes the development of a Centre of Excellence in Colorado, the transfer of coaching ideas and the launch of the Arsenal Cup, a club tournament open to squads from all over the US. What's more, the deal comes just days after Liverpool's takeover by American tycoons George Gillet and Tom Hicks.

"Unless I'm completely naive it's not a takeover," Wenger stated. "I've never heard about a possible takeover and I really don't think that is at all behind our partnership."

"It's just that we develop a few partnerships sometimes with football schools and sometimes with clubs. Indeed, we're trying to extend our brand and we're are also trying to extend our technical cooperation because the Americans might produce some players at some stage and that's why we're doing it".

It's important to mention that the Colorado Rapids will come to London to use Arsenal's facilities for six days while they continue their preseason ahead of the MLS season which starts in three months.

Young Gunners beat Spurs to reach Carling Cup Final

2007-01-31T21:13:00.000-08:00

Arsenal Football Club got a great 3-1 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday to edge past its north London rival and set a Carling Cup final against Chelsea.

Indeed, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tomas Rosicky scored in extra time to give Arsenal a 5-3 aggregate win in the semifinal, Rosicky's shot going in off Spurs player Pascal Chimbonda.

The match had finished 1-1 in regular time after Tottenham substitute Ahmed Mido scored in the 85th minute following striker Emmanuel Adebeyor's 77th-minute opener.

In fact, the Gunnersgot a goal in each period of extra time to keep alive its seven-year unbeaten streak in all competitions against its fiercest rival.

"I think that we were a little bit wobbling when it went to 1-1 and we needed extra time and then it was all us," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said. "I did not feel any threat any more."

Having drawn last week's first leg 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspurs after trailing 2-0, Arsenal will meet Carling title defender Chelsea in the Feb. 25 final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Arsene Wenger again picked young, mostly second-string players for the tournament, while Tottenham was hit by the loss to injury of striker Dimitar Berbatov and the withdrawal through illness of winger Aaron Lennon.

"What is fantastic is to see that at such a young age players can cope with pressure," Wenger praised. "You do not always know when a player is 18, 19 if he is ready to dig deep and suffer."

Amazingly, Wenger admitted that he planned to field his young players in the final, meaning players such as Thierry Henry would again sit out the game.c

After an even first half when the Gunners midfielder Denilson had the best chance but saw goalkeeper Paul Robinson push away his shot and Toure put the rebound wide, the second period opened with a flurry of corners and tough challenges from both sides.

The Derby emotions roused the home fans - who had been taunted by their Tottenham rivals for their earlier silence with chants of: "It's just like a library" - and they saw Theo Walcott chip over from the edge of the area as play switched from end to end.

In response to a reduced amount of possession, Arsenal used Rosicky to replace Walcott in the 64th, followed by another first-team regular, Gael Clichy. The substitutions led to greater possession for the Gunners and they eventually scored.

Midfielder Rosicky had a shot parried by goalkeeper Paul Robinson and, from the rebound, set up Adebeyor to score with a left-foot shot from about 10 yards (meters). It was his eighth goal of the season.

The Spurs counter attacked with the introduction of Mido and midfielder Tom Huddlestone and equalized soon after. Jermaine Jenas curled in a right-footed free kick from the left and Mido leapt above the Arsenal defence to head in over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

However, Arsenal continued to press in extra time and scored again at the end of the first 15-minute period.

The teams switched ends for the second period and Rosicky slalomed through before shooting past Robinson off a deflection by Chimbonda.

We must remember that the last time the north London rivals met in a Carling Cup semifinal, in 1987, a third game was needed to separate the teams and Arsenal got a 2-1 triumph.

Arsenal 4 - Charlton 0: Henry is back

2007-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

When Thierry Henry takes part of Arsenal team, everything is different in the whole world. That's why the London team easely beat Charlton 4-0.

Charlton had Darren Bent injured and Marcus Bent was there to replace him and play the lone striker role. Sadly for the visitors, Marcus just isn`t good enough alone.

In fact, Osei Sankofa was sent off for fouling Van Persie inside the box, replays later showed that referee Mike Riley got it all wrong. Van Persie was apparently offside and active prior to the incident.

Thierry Henry slotted home the opener from the penalty spot and then became creator for defender Hoyte to slot past Scott Carson.

After the break Scott Carson had a good performance and made some world class saves. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the premiership already and even at his young age could easily be England's first choice. One good thing that Dowie did do while at Charlton was to sign this lad.

What's more, Diawara tugged Henry`s shirt inside the box and another penalty was given. Van Persie just smashed it home, after Carson had gone the right way. It was to finish 4-0 with the Dutchman neatly chipping the oncoming Carson in the last minutes.

Robin van Persie gave Arsenal a triumph over Watford

2006-12-26T22:31:00.000-08:00

Wenger's team completed back-to-back league wins for the first time since the autumn to hold to the third position in the Premiership, but for Watford it was another episode in a seemingly ever lengthening list of hard luck stories.

Indeed, only the most fervent of Arsenal fans would have denied the Hornets' claim on the point that would have lifted them off the bottom of the table after a display that combined their battling qualities with some speedy and attractive attacking play, particularly in the first part of the clash.

It's fair to say that the visitors had had their chances to wrap up the points before the decisive moment, but a combination of poor finishing and some excellent stops from Ben Foster looked like it would see Watford earn their deserved rewards.

Despite that effort, we must notice that substitute Theo Walcott fed Robin van Persie with a fine pass down the right and the striker pulled Jay DeMerit out of the middle before checking back inside the American and curling home an excellent finish reminiscent of another Dutchman from the Gunners.

We must say that it was tough on Aidy Boothroyd's men who had played their part in a thoroughly entertaining encounter - the tone for which was set by the end-to-end opening exchanges.

In fact, the excellent Hameur Bouazza warmed Jens Lehmann's palms with a low drive before DeMerit's timely intervention prevented Cesc Fabregas having a clear shooting chance in the penalty area.

And England goalkeeper Foster was called into action for the first time to keep out van Persie's angled effort following a thrusting Tomas Rosicky run into the left side of the penalty area.

Foster had to be alert again to thwart Fabregas from close distance but moments later the on loan Manchester United keeper could just stand and watch as van Persie dragged the shot wide of him and narrowly past the far post after more good play from Rosicky.

However, this game changed thanks to a decisive double intervention from Arsenal skipper Gilberto Silva.

With Ashley Young set to pull the trigger, he made a superb potential goalsaving tackle before, within a minute, appearing unmarked at the far post to head home his third goal in as many encounters after Kolo Toure had flicked on a Rosicky corner.

It's important to consider that Watford may have only had one previous top-flight win to their name but had proved time and again they are no soft touches and within four minutes were level.

The equaliser stemmed from a storming run down the left from Bouazza who left Toure trailing in his wake before his low cross deflected off Justin Hoyte towards the near post which Tommy Smith attacked and calmly steered a left-footed finish low to Lehmann's right.

In the end, Arsene Wenger expressed: "It was very hard. There was fantastic commitment from Watford and we needed to be patient and resilient.

"I claimed that we have improved (when playing against physical sides) and you could see that. In the air we were strong and in the second half we were not troubled physically at the back."

In fact, Wenger also likened match-winner Robin van Persie to Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Goals: Gilberto (19) 0-1; Smith (23) 1-1; Van Persie (83) 1-2.

Watford: Foster; Mariappa, DeMerit, Shittu (Priskin, 90), Stewart; Smith, Mahon, Bangura, McNamee (Henderson, 77); Bouazza (Francis, 69), Young. Substitutes not used: Lee (gk), Doyley.

Arsenal: Lehmann; Hoyte, Touré, Djourou (Senderos, h-t), Clichy; Hleb (Walcott, 71), Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky (Baptista, 79); Van Persie, Adebayor. Substitutes not used: Almunia (gk), Flamini.

Chelsea fought hard to tie with Arsenal

2006-12-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Chelsea FC dropped two points at home Sunday, needing an 84th-minute equalizer from Michael Essien to just get a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Mathieu Flamini put the Gunners ahead in the 78th, scoring after receiving a pass from Alexander Hleb. Essien then leveled with an incredible long-range shot that went in off the inside of the post at Stamford Bridge Stadium.

"I think the goal was tremendous, unbelievable,"Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admitted.

It's fair to say that Essien and Frank Lampard nearly gave Chelsea the win in injury time. Essien hit the crossbar from right in front of goal, and Lampard then hit the post.

Actually, this draw gives Manchester United an eight-point lead at the top of the standings, but with one more game played than Chelsea. Man United has 44 points, followed by Chelsea with 36. Arsenal only reach 26 points.

We msut mention that Mourinho was confident that his team would cut the gap to five after Wednesday's match against Newcastle, and he warned Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson not to celebrate his side's lead too much.

"I'm convinced that he must be happy now because we can say we dropped two points, but if he thinks it's over, he is in trouble,"Mourinho said. "Chelsea are ready. We were losing at home with five minutes to go but we had an incredible reaction and should have won the match.

Arsenal to face Porto without Henry

2006-12-04T22:18:00.000-08:00

In a really important game, Porto and Arsenal can guarantee a place in the Champions League knockout stage with a draw. The Group G match will take place at the Dragao Stadium.

But it's important to consider that a victory for one of them could eliminate the other if CSKA Moscow beat Hamburg SV, who have lost all five games, in the other match in the group.

In fact, if Porto draw with Arsenal and CSKA win, all three teams will have 11 points and the Russians will be eliminated by virtue of a worst goal difference in games among the three.

The Gunners will be without their talismanic striker and captain Thierry Henry. The Frenchman, suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the tournament against Hamburg two weeks ago, would not have played anyway as he is nursing a neck injury which has led to sciatic nerve problems which are likely to sideline him for at least 30 days.

Arsenal will also be without midfielder Tomas Rosicky after the Czech midfielder was injured in Saturday's 3-0 win over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which boosted morale in the squad after two successive away defeats in the Premier League.

With Wenger's side also playing Chelsea next Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger has described this as the most important week of their season and Brazilian midfielder Gilberto, who scored two penalties against Spurs, says the squad are ready to respond.

"We know that this week is decisive for our future in the Premier League and the Champions League. We did our job against Spurs, but need to continue with Wednesday's very difficult game against Porto. We must come back with a result."

We must remember that Arsenal beat Porto 2-0 in London in September and would become the first English side to beat the 2004 European champions away if they win.

Anelka's goals beat Arsenal

2006-11-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

The Gunners faced this game with high expectations, but Nicolas Anelka surprised everybody with two goals against his former side. In the end, Bolton Wanderers beat Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday to move up to third in the English Premier Laegue.

The French striker's goals and the opening goal from Abdoulaye Faye was too much for Arsenal, for which Gilberto Silva's strike in the end proved to be a mere consolation.

We must keep in mind that Arsenal was without the injured Thierry Henry. Faye put the home side ahead on nine minutes and Anelka opened his account on the stroke of half-time, smashing the ball into the net from around 25 yards.

Brazilian midfielder Gilberto gave Arsene Wenger's side hope within seconds of Anelka's goal as he pulled one back with a header. But though the Londoners hit the woodwork three times in the second half, it was the home side who scored again as Anelka outpaced the defence to net the third 14 minutes from time.

Arsenal will face Newcastle without two players

2006-11-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

Wenger team will be without vital midfielders Gilberto and Freddie Ljungberg for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle United.

As we said in a previous article, the 30-year-old Gilberto returned to Brazil to deal with a family matter, and is not expected back until Sunday.

“I had him on the phone last night, and he is there for sickness reasons,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted.

“In fact, the situation looks quite good now, and hopefully he will be in on Monday morning, so we will see him for the Champions League clash.”

Ljungberg will also be rested again tomorrow after several weeks out with a calf injury.

“I nearly wanted to pick him, but it is down to the fact that for five weeks he has not played one minute at a competitive level,” Wenger expressed.

Brazilian striker Julio Baptista, however, is available, along with goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who has recovered from the heavy cold which saw him miss the win over Liverpool and Germany’s midweek Euro 2008 qualifier in Cyprus.

What's more, midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) is still a week or so away from fitness, while Abou Diaby (ankle) and Lauren (knee) are long-term absentees.

This will be the team to face Newcastle: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Fabregas, Hleb, Henry, van Persie, Baptista, Almunia, Djourou, Senderos, Eboue, Song, Flamini, Walcott, Aliadiere, Adebayor.

Gilberto to miss game against Newcastle

2006-11-17T08:10:00.000-08:00

Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Gilberto is likely to be missing from their home derby against relegation – strugglers Newcastle United on Saturday in the Premiership.

In fact, Gilberto, the thirty year old Brazilian, has had to return home to attend to a family matter that appeared to have been a matter of some urgency.

ACcording to close sources, it is not clear what the problem back in Brazil appears to be, but it is unlikely that he will have returned in time for the game at The Emirates Stadium.

We must consider that Gilberto also pulled out of Brazil’s international friendly against Switzerland during the week. The game was won 2 – 1 by Brazil.

Arsenal got a 0-0 draw with CSKA

2006-11-03T02:19:00.000-08:00

Arsenal got an amazing 0-0 draw with CSKA Moscow. And it is amazing because they had 24 attempts on goal at the Emirates Stadium, but failed to find a way past Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev, and are now under threat of not qualifying for the next round of the Champions League.

Arsenal team is still a point behind the unbeaten Russians, and Porto have now drawn level with Arsenal on seven points after their 3-1 triumph in Hamburg on the same night.

However, Wenger was adamant that his side had played superbly, only to lack the killer touch that would have brought the all-important win.

"It was the best Champions League match we've played since I've been here," said Wenger afterwards.

"Of course it is frustrating with the result. The normal score in this game is 7-0. Or maybe 7-1 because they had a chance as well. But I feel that there's a lot of positives for my team.

"In fact, I don't think tonight we are guilty of wanting to score the perfect goal. We created clear-cut chances and we didn't take them - it happens in the game.

It's important to notice that Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky both missed open goals in the first half of Wednesday night's game, while Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie also missed several gilt edged chances apiece as Arsenal could just not find the vital breakthrough.

And they almost fell for the sucker punch when Vagner Love broke clear for CSKA in the second half, only for goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to deny the Brazilian striker with a fine double save.

Arsenal's next match is another home clash, this time with group whipping boys Hamburg on November 21.

Because of the situation, even a victory will not gaurantee them progress ahead of the final game at Porto on December 6 where, in all likelihood, Wenger's side will need to secure at least a draw to qualify.

"The group is really close," admitted Wenger. "And that decision in Moscow to cancel our good goal (Henry's strike disallowed for handball) looks costly at the moment.

"However, I think we are strong enough to deal with that. The team is at a crucial moment, because this team can really explode and be sensational if we deal well with what we are facing, because there is so much potential in the squad."

Wenger angry with the "negative football"

2006-10-30T21:01:00.000-08:00

Arsenal boss man Arsene Wenger is fed up of the negative tactics rivals are using against his team.

Indeed, their last Premiership game saw them working hard for a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday after falling behind to an early Tim Cahill goal.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie's 71st-minute free-kick rescued a point for Arsenal, but Wenger felt Everton's approach ruined the clash as a spectacle.

The Frenchman claims: "Every game we don't win is a massive disappointment.

"I have to say that it was very frustrating against a team with zero shots on or off target and when you have 70 per cent of the ball.

"We all saw that from the first minute to the last the goalkeeper was placing goal-kicks from the left and then moving them to the right.

"They were standing in front of the ball at free-kicks. It was negative but that's the way the match is going at the moment.

"It's like a film you have seen ten times. It is becoming really boring.

However, the coach said a final phrase that suggest many things: "In fact, I have nothing against negative football if it is played with the right spirit."

Ljungberg will be out for another month

2006-10-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

It is sad to know that Arsenal squad could be without the talented Freddie Ljungberg for around another month because of his calf injury. Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista also remain unavailable for Sunday's Premiership clash at Reading, but otherwise there are no new injury concerns following the midweek Champions League loss in Moscow.

In fact, coach Arsene Wenger admitted: "Freddie had a setback, and will be out for two or three more weeks."

In another information, defender Philippe Senderos and midfielder Mathieu Flamini return to the squad after working on their fitness with the reserves and left-back Gael Clichy is in contention for a start. However, Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are some way from a return.

This will be Arsenal's list for the match against Reading: Lehmann, Almunia, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Toure, Senderos, Hoyte, Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Flamini, Song, van Persie, Walcott, Henry, Adebayor.