Arsenal v. Standard Liege 2-0 24/Nov/09

Nasri enjoyed a good match, scoring the opener.
[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]


After the troublesome visit to Sunderland last Saturday, the Gunners assured their qualification to the following phase of Europe's elite competition by winning against an insipid Belgian team. Whereas this step was considered granted, it was crucial for the aspirations of the title league. Restoring the confidence just before a massive clash against Chelsea on Sunday was as important as earning the win in Europe. Three points against the Blues on Sunday, will close the gap to a minimum. One of the most interesting parts of the season - the other beginning in March - is closing fast, with nearly seven games to be played between today and the break of the 19th of December.



Arshavin suffers from Gallas' header.
[Photo: Rob Noyes/Pinnacle through Daily Mail]


The start of Carlos Vela and Gibbs return were among the good surprises of the night. Vela's first start in the lead central striker role was a magnificent first test as Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are out. Already in the second minute, Arshavin set Song who missed just, as the Liege keeper saved. Shots from Nasri, Cesc and Vela were all saved by Bolat. The tone of the match was set to be this way: Arsenal attacking while Liege, well... just defended.
Again Bolat, with all the luck of the world, kept his goal on zeroes, as Vermaelen hit Arshavin hit, Vela the wood work and Gallas the keeper. The hectic moments of the 22nd handed 104 passes and 69% of possession. As the match wore off a terrible incident occurred: Gallas headed Arshavin's head, making the latter bleed. Within three minutes Arshavin was ready but Gallas was still dizzy.
Nasri took the lead after Moulemo slipped. The definition by the French was clinical. Certainly taking advantage of this mistake in the commotion of strangers was of the utmost importance. Fortunately the match ended before anything worse happened. Shots from Cesc and Arshavin nearly tripled the lead.
It was thirty seconds before the break when Denilson shot a terrible screamer that went straight in Bolat's goal. Even though this result was an advantage for the Gunners' aspirations in Europe, the main fear between the supporters and viewers was for the health of the French centre-back and the Russian forward.



Denilson enjoys his goal in his first match after his back injury.
[Photo: Nick Potts/AP through Guardian]


Fortunately for Gallas' health, Silvestre came in. The rampages of Liege in Arsenal's box were hilarious since they could not even shot on target. The Gunners relied, again, on the prospect of possession. This proved to be handy indeed, as in the 60th minute the offensive efforts by Vela went wide. Theo Walcott came in in that same minute for Nasri; Arsenal's last substitution saw Tomas Rosicky coming in for Denilson.
As the match went stall, reaching the 71st minute there was a sense that the score could have gone to a 4-goal mark to say the least. Although many more attempts came from Arsenal's midfield, mainly orchestrated by Rosicky, neither was as clear as the main two attacks in the latter part of the first half. Whereas the Liege forwards made decent attempts, one in the woodwork in the 85th, the sights of the Londoners were put on the crucial Sunday match. What is a real point for concern was that n a final shot, Gibbs appeared to be resented.

Sunderland v. Arsenal 1-0 21/Nov/09

[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]


After the controversial and infinite international break that completed the 32 guests for next year's World Cup, Arsenal visited the Black Cats to earn yet another loss. With key absences the Gunners managed to make an lacklustre display against a team that managed to keep United at bay, and well, we all know what happened with that beach ball.
The recent setback reinforces the idea that the injuries are what is keeping this team from closing the gap on teams like Chelsea and Man Utd in England and Madrid and Barcelona abroad.
It is rather obvious that the different misjudgments among the media - that the season is over for Wenger's men - are no more than biased rubbish. Indeed it is a blow for the Londoners but the season is just coming to the interesting part, in which a mistake against a top team, such as Chelsea next week, will have strong conclusions in the immediate future. The only thing that is left for the Gunners is reassuring confidence for the Sunday clash against Chelsea.

The other point that sparkled the fury of the supporters - and at the club in all its quarters - was the injury of Arsenal's marksman Robin van Persie. While the international matches that are mandatory are difficult to avoid, the fact that the match in which he sprained his ankle to the extent of rupture, was worth less than a penny, remains inexcusable. With both teams qualified, the Dutch manager should have known better and instead of risking a top class player, and probably his best striker option, a strong test for a youngster from the local league could have provided something more to his insight instead of proving what is already there. His absence could be between the sights of four to six months, as the earliest. Initial reports are dubious with this type of injuries and more information should be provided when an accurate prognosis should appear.



[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet Photo Gallery]


The surprise for the visitors was the inclusion of Armand Traore in the team. The fact that the young French is ahead of Mikaël Silvestre in the contention for full-backs is a relief to all of us who enjoy football, let alone the Gunners' game. As for the game, there was not a particular difference with the other visiting matches that the London team has encountered: tough opposition in the first twenty five minutes that dilutes after an organised defence.
This was essentially what happened at the Stadium of Light. It was not until the 27th minute that the Gunners began to equip themselves with courage to withstand the stout efforts of the Black Cats. The proof of this was a "Play Station" play created by Song, which finished in a futile effort by Eduardo to hit the ball. A shot by Ramsey and the fear of a recurrent injury on Nasri were among the main concerns in the first half.



[Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images through Guardian]


Aside from the hideous comments that Gustavo Cima made about Henry ("a brilliant handball!") the second half began quite equal, with both teams making no difference at all against each other. It was not until the entrance of Andrey Arshavin, in the 60th minute, that the Gunners' game began working. Both Rosicky and Nasri displayed, what I think, was the worst game this season so far.
Plays came from both full-back sides, and no one proved to be effective enough. The home lead came by Darren Bent, after a strange bizarre defending in which, apparently all the visiting team was looking at the ball, took advantage of the header to score with his right foot. Then on the Gunners could not make a difference with possession. Arshavin tried, through a Song pass, as well as incredible amounts of crosses and shots: Vermaelen's volley, Vela cross and Walcott enormously wasted line touch. The match ended, with a discouraging score sheet, which could have been doubled.

Wolverhampton v. Arsenal 1-4 7/Nov/09

Arsenal's captain in top form at the moment: fifteen appearances, nine goals.
[Photo: Tony O'Brien/Action Images through Guardian]


Before a 14-day international break in which the remaining European qualifications spots will be drawn, the Gunners travelled to Molineux to catch the second spot in the title race. With one game in hand, the horizon for Wenger's men appears brighter, although in paper, a congestion of fixtures approaches with a demonic speed. Specially with rivals and league leaders Chelsea having a terrific start, the matches to follow will provide Arsenal the opportunity to prove themselves in this long road to May. With the injury hitlist at its toll certainly a buy or two should enhance the options of attack or defence in any case.



[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]


With the start of Ramsey the visitors did not enjoy their greatest moment in the first ten minutes: Gibbs saved from the line in one occasion and Gallas got booked. The usual form that is deployed in the visiting matches again appeared, since a tough and difficult start was joined by another set of indiscretions by the London back-four. As the Gunners struggled to find possession - and even the talismanic skipper was making mistakes - Diaby was stretched out and Song came in.
Whether this was a good augur for the visitors, it was clear that from the 25th minute, things began to look promising as possession was regained. Unfortunately for the Wolves Zubar's mistake after an Eduardo header in a corner kick, gave the visitors an awkward and practically undeserved lead. Again, in the 35th, Craddock deflected what was supposed to be a wide effort by the Croatian. Ramsey set him up and luckily for the Croatian, the ball went in after a magnificent lob.
Again within a matter of minutes, Fábregas continued his fine string of performances with yet another goal, this time from a fine team work just before half time. Sagna set van Persie, who with a flawless technique lent the ball into the Spaniard who flicked it in without a doubt.



[Photo: Getty Images through Soccernet]


As the second half initiated, the mistakes the home team made were not purged by any chance since an easy conceding gave the visitors the mental strength they needed. Despite that the Wolves did make a positive start for some minutes, but rather suffered from the hammering number of 89% of possession. A devastated home team could not get the advantage of the local support and instead received more punishment, this time well into the game, by Arshavin in the 65th. Previously
Whether the reaction of Wenger was of a nearly secure win, Nasri's entrance made quite an impact since many of his efforts went really close of another mark on the scoresheet. The attitude of the Wolves was of clear dismay: a match already lost in another unlucky night. Yet again, the Arsenal defence conceded an incredible goal as the clean sheet was broken by Craddock, this time in his right end of the pitch. The defence was poorest in all its meanings and the finish was average but incisive against the lack of marking.

Arsenal v. AZ Alkmaar 4-1 3/Nov/09

Cesc celebrates his second, a touch of genius.
[Photo: Mirror Football]


After the last week's cheerful display in the north London derby, Arsenal took one step ahead in the pursuit for qualification to the next round with a fair victory over AZ Alkmaar. While other teams in England drew, the Gunners starred in a way in which not only had a decent lead but an outstanding match and a blistering deployment. The string of performances that the young Arsenal skipper is maintaining, after the change of role, is really reaching a level of a true five-star midfielder. If there was a time in which he was completely brilliant it seem that with the passing of time, he is moving towards a position that he can do whatever he wants, and that only benefits Wenger.
The return of Samir Nasri from his injury in preseason has boosted the squad's attacking intentions and certainly they will prove handy in the following matches at Molineux and Sunderland.




[Photo: Andy Hooper through Daily Mail]



With the absence of El Hamdaoui, the depleted options of Alkmaar played a fairly decent effort in the first half. Even as early as the third minute the Dutch team managed to create a couple of arrivals just to test the defence. Van Persie scrapped two chances in the 4th and 12th. With the cheer of the home crowd, the Gunners enjoyed a calm amount of possession throughout the following ten minutes. But all changed since the Gunners capitalised with a lacklustre shot by Cesc Fábregas in the 25th minute.
If there was a form in which the Londoners could have scored the preceding was not the likeliest, considering all the different options that they had provided in the previous minutes. Nevertheless, the lead was unquestionable - and for a matter of minutes - the home team would inevitably find another goal to set themeselves in the most comfortable of positions.
Still, there was no problem since the Frenchman Nasri returned in quite a dexterous fashion after breaking Moreno in two. A subtle dribble past the Mexican international and a top draw definition was his outcome with two minutes of regular time.




Nasri hits the second for the home side, after breaking Moreno in two.
[Photo: EPA though Daily Mail]



Meanwhile, a couple of minutes after the whistle, the Gunners extended their lead with another fabric by Fábregas after an outstanding piece of fluent game and velocity. The finish was superb and the pass, amazing. Despite the three-goal disadvantage (reaching the 57th minute), the Dutch team managed to hit the cross bar and pushed Arsenal to perform certain manoeuvres to manage the pressure.
Aside from several attempts made by the visitors the Londoners kept them at bay, even managing to make some substitutions to rest Fábregas and Robin van Persie. Almost Kieran Gibbs slotted one in with his weaker foot with twenty minutes on the clock. In the 71st the sublime style developed by Wenger came into fruition with an astonishing definition by Diaby: the counter attack lead by Ramsey continued by Eduardo, who flicked to Arshavin, who found the Frenchman alone in the edge of the box, to wrap it up tightly.
Another defensive frailty gave Lens a chance to win an honour goal, when he found himself in a good position. Almunia, once again, gave his near post and with a slow flick by the forward, he was completely trapped. The fail to keep a clean sheet may not be the worst scenario here but maybe, in a not-so distant future, against another team it may be.

Arsenal v. Tottenham 3-0 31/Oct/09

Arsenal's captain celebrates the third goal of the evening.
[Photo: Reuters through Daily Mail]


After a run of strange and seemingly disruptive results, the Gunners secured a confident win in the traditional north London derby against the arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. A series of inquires were made regarding the way that Arsenal won the game; in matches with a pressure such as this, it really does not matter how you win. Instead of all the frenzy media watching a Tottenham side that made the most hilarious and childish mistakes, I saw a solid home team that displayed when necessary and with a regularity worth of a win. The goal by Cesc was not just sublime but Zidane-esque.
With this kind of win morale lifts higher than ever and we all hope one thing from the Gunners: consistency. In the end Harry Redknapp and his useless declarations just highlighted the supreme dominance that this group of youngsters has over their north London rivals. No more can be said regarding the performance that was light years' distant in comparison to the last match at the Emirates, which saw Jamie Redknapp gone mad. Now, who is laughing Jamie?



[Photo: Getty Images through Daily Mail]


Right on in the second minute Bendtner bowed an off shot right on top of Gomes. With confidence boosted as the Gunners enjoyed a very discreet amount of possession, David Bentley reminded us his class after a deliberate handball and a nasty challenge on Vermaelen. Again the momentum of the home side continued as Gallas deflected van Persie+'s 16th minute freekick.
Exactly when the clock reached the 20th minute Arshavin produced a chance that was finished by Fábregas. Then on the pace of the match moved slower even when van Persie had yet another chance on his left foot, he stroke it wide of the near post. With the minutes passing and the pressure piling more on the home side than on the visiting, the match turned into a quiet Mexican stand-off, that lasted for at least another ten minutes. Injury worries increased when Bendtner recurred in his groin injury.
Then, the house of cards neatly built by Redknapp's men, fell down with two blows of brilliancy. After a couple of swings on Gomes spot, Arsenal's number eleven took the chance of a lifetime as Sagna crossed into the box. Immediately afterwards the willingness, fortitude, talent and magnificence of the young Arsenal captain sprung out to put in the Spurs at the edge of the knife.
The Spanish EURO champion strolled with the delicacy of the most talented of players to steal a ball from the zombie-like stunned Spurs, dribbled through three players and put a magnificent icing on the top finishing near post of Gomes. A Zidane-esque effort granted the home team with two goals in two minutes near the break.



[Photo: Who Ate all the Pies]


For the sake of what beautiful football demanded, the Spurs could not even had a breath in the beginning of the first half with Diaby nearly scoring. Even when the Gunners were adamant in possession a sense of unity was being summoned by Redknapp and his minions. Gallas' handball at 57th was a reminder of the frailty of Arsenal's defence.
Frustration overcame Spurs as a gigantic hole was put on Almunia's goal. In that visitor's momentum a bucket of cold water submerged the Spurs into pure misery when yet another mistake by the defence granted Sagna with an unimaginable chance to cross and find van Persie again. With nearly a half hour on the clock, Tottenham's hopes vanished into thin air.
With a 60,000 cheer when a Gunner touched the ball , moral for the other north London half was completely broken. As the minutes passed, the confidence of the winning team nearly afforded them with a couple of goals. When substitutions were made the game was won; not just because of the hopeless opportunities that the Spurs had been wasting in the beginning of the half, but with their general mood ant also, the overwhelming presence of the Gunners.

Arsenal v. Liverpool 2-1 27/Oct/09

[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]



With a rampant display from the Spanish U-20 midfielder Fran Merida, the Gunners rolled over rivals Liverpool to earn a place between the best eight in the Carling Cup. With Spurs match upcoming there was a strong point in setting Nasri fit. The disappointment was the miss of Wilshere due to injury; and also the appearance of Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool's "savour" according to erhm, well, nobody. With this kind of performance it appears that the Gunners, even with such a young squad, are near to what will be required of them in matches of pressure against better teams.




[Photo: Mirror Football]



The rapid start of the match showed attractive displays by both teams: Merida shot at 8th and Degen wide effort in the following minute proved that this match was moving as fast as it could. Nasri dribbles awarded him a freekick, which eventually went deviated. With the assistance of the Frenchman and a mistake by the Ukrainian Voronin, Merida stroke a wonderful shot to the post and then into the net.
But it was not too long for the Liverpudlian response: seven minutes later Insúa found his way through the defensive line of the Londoners to receive, control it with the chest and the punch a marvelous volley past Fabiasnki. Whether the quality of the goal is undeniable, certain amount of blame should be pointed at the Polish. the intensity provided by both sides saw them level in many of the clashes as well as possession. With eight minutes to go, the Gunners, and particularly Nicklas Bendtner, had a chance to grab the lead again after a series of rebounds in Cavallieri's goal.





[Photo: Tony Marshall/Empics Sport through Guardian]



Bendtner, just five few minutes after the whistle, broke into Liverpool's defence to give the Gunners an advantage. After some tangle in the box with Merida, the Dane managed to unravel the mark and stroke a powerful shot. the attack continued with Samir's footwork, which earned Arsenal a counterattack in the 54th. With the game moving as quick as in the first part the Liverpudlians managed to scare their opposition with a Voronin shot.
Reaching the sixtieth minute the momentum faded as both sides calmed a bit. Ramsey was again manipulating all the play as Merida and Nasri managed to create enough damage to the depleted visitors. Yet Liverpool remained calm enough to provoke some pressure after some injury time minutes after the 71st.
At the 77th the expected debut of the ex-Roma midfielder took place, among a cloud of mysticims. with few minutes in the clock, the same Italian provided some passes and even was on the verge of taking an alleged penalty, on the final seconds of the 94th minute.

West Ham United v. Arsenal 2-2 25/Oct/09

[Photo: Getty Images through Telegraph]


Just after a midweek draw, the Gunners went on again giving the lead and assuring one point, that tasted as bitter and harsh as a defeat. Arsenal dropped two more points in this London derby and the lesson seems not to be completely understood by these players. Zola's men, taking into consideration their effort, were outstanding in levelling a match that was won.
With this attitude this batch of players will surely not reach more than the fourth place: it is of the utmost care to see dividends and start waking up from the laurels in which, many of these younglings, are resting. One can think of a more dramatic or catastrophic ending if this were to be repeated once or twice against lesser or better teams.





Well deserved for Zola and his players.
[Photo: Mirror Football]



At the beginning it was the Hammers irregular response who gave the visitors certain facilities to score: the first was an obvious lapse of irresponsibility when Sagna crossed to find a free van Persie, who just pushed the ball in the back of the net. The mistake was that Greene made an early exit, missed the ball and stumbled Tomkins.
Reaching the 30th minute mark the resilience that the Gunners showed was by far extended to defend than their London rivals. The efforts by Sagna were shadowed by the huge amounts of possession the home team had for lapses. Then on the siege began for the Gunners. Strangely the Hammers had fairly decent runs of possession and chances, such as Cole header in the 33th.
Arsenal then doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Gallas. The Frenchman strolled past the home defence to head back. With five minutes on the clock the opposition locked deflated and defeated and well, there was no other way in which the Gunners could not triplicate their lead.




[Photo: News of the World]



It was difficult for any supporter, whichever side was, to think that this match could end with a two-goal scoreline, even though the Gunners made no approaches reaching the 60th minute mark. Throughout the previous fifteen minutes there was not a lot of action on either sides; Arsenal holding pretty decent while the Hammers felt as if defeated. Cesc nearly pocketed a long range effort in the 63th minute. It appeared as if the visitors had already learned their midweek lesson concerning the lack of focus when the goal arrived.
Cole finished Diamanti's freekick just as Mannone seemed to palm in and assist the Englishman, all that in the five-yard box. While Arsenal defended discreetly there was a certain strange feeling that the centre-halves were not proven sufficiently fit. Still the Gunners insistence worked as Green denied Arshavin in the 73th minute.
Apparently the Hammers were back on track with Parker's alleged penalty but instead the referee awarded the home team another one: Song tripped Cole and Diamanti levelled at 80th.
Bendtner substituted Eboue in the 81th. Even when the supporters thought it would be sane enough to see the end of it, the late show continued as Scott Parker was sent off. The drama kept even in the final whistle to see the two London teams share the loot.

AZ Alkmaar v. Arsenal 1-1 20/Oct/09

AZ's players ecstatic by the late equaliser.
[Photo: Peter Dejong/AP through The Guardian]



It seems that when a large and consistent momentum is building in Wenger's team, there appears to be an irrevocable self-constraining feeling in the players: complacency and distractions brought a particularly tough battle to a sudden draw in the last minute. This was due to a gigantic distraction, that, title contending teams usually do not make. Despite this outcome, Arsenal's career in Europe does not deviates - since in the other ground Olympiakos happily draw with Liege.
It is imperious for the Londoners that this type of mistakes are digested easy and fast to recover against the same Dutch team in the following round at the Emirates. This blunder hopefully, will lead the young side to look after performances such as this one. Here in Mexico, Don Fernando Marcos statement is almost mandatory against - or ironically, in favour - of complacency: "El último minuto también tiene sesenta segundos" [Even the last minute has sixty seconds].




The exact moment of the alleged penalty on Carlos Vela.
[Photo: The Sun]



Despite the fact that the Dutch team was on attacking thoroughly, the Gunners enjoyed a quite fare of possession and nearly opened the score through van Persie's effort at 9th. From then on Arsenal's momentum kept rising by the minute and whilst the Gunners did not provided opportunities - as in other matches - their attacking response was solid enough. Even though the visitors showed a solid display, the match was not at a deadlock even with the scoresheet: Alkmaar managed to prove Mannone twice as the the Gunners lost possession reaching the 26th.
Prompted by pressure the visitors were prone to slack defending, yet they managed to make a highlight when a combination by Arshavin, van Persie and Fabregas gave the Londoners the lead. The effort by the Dutch did not fall as the other match saw a partial win by Liege. With five minutes to break the Gunners enjoyed more possession and a couple of goal-related situations.




[Photo: Diarios de Futbol]



Within the first minutes of the following forty-five, Robin van Persie was booked. AZ's keeper Romero denied the same Arsenal player's freekick shot. Aside from that during the following 20 minutes there was not a lot to offer from the Dutch, apart from some deft passes. The threat posed by Alkmaar was just beginning to pull flight. Notwithstanding this effort the frail physical shape by the Dutch side portrayed no real threat against a team that regained possession as quickly as lost it.
Attempts prompted by the local supporters came in by the minute when Diaby nearly netted another fatidic own goal. Van Persie, with the cheer of his fellow countrymen, was substituted by Carlos Vela. With two Mexicans on the pitch - seemingly unimaginable some years ago - the Gunners seeked the other goal that will lead them to get the three points. Instead in the last ten minutes the attempts from the locals increased just to score in the last minute: Pelle headed Da Silva who finished top corner.