Arsenal not looking to buy but may recall loaned out youngsters due to Samir Nasri injury - Arsene Wenger

 

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he may have to recall some of his players who are out on loan after losingSamir Nasri to injury and Sebastien Squillaci to suspension during their 2-1 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup.

The Gunners were made to work hard for their place in the fifth round of the cup after going down to 10 men in the first half when Squillaci brought down Jack Hunt after the midfielder's mazy run.

They also lost Samir Nasri to a hamstring injury, which makes him a doubt for the Champions League tie against Barcelona.

And Wenger revealed he may have to look into bringing some of his loaned out youngsters back to the Emirates to boost his squad.

He told reporters: "I will look at the option of recalling some loan players.

"People like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury could come back.

"Kyle Bartley is slightly different because he has never played in the Premier League so it could be difficult."

But Wenger insisted it was not likely he would sign anyone in the remaining few days of the transfer window, despite losing Nasri and Squillaci and having doubts about Denilson's fitness.

He added: "No, we will not sign anyone. I cannot say definitely because if someone knocks at my door tomorrow and says 'I want to play for you' and he is a good player I will sign him."

Arsenal were stretched to the limit against their League One opponents and for long periods look like they would lose their record of never being beaten by lower league opposition during Wenger's reign.

But thanks to a last-gasp Cesc Fabregas penalty the Gunners sealed their place in the fifth round, leaving Wenger's unbeaten cup record against lower league opponents intact.

Wenger said: "[The record] shows how seriously we take the cup, but usually I get questioned about that.

 "It was tough, tough, tough today and typical of a cup game.

"We were below par today but Huddersfield are a good team, who were dangerous from crosses and set-pieces.

"At 1-1 and down to 10 men the record was seriously under threat but in the end we had the quality just to make the difference."

The Frenchman also questioned Mark Clattenburg's decision to send-off Squillaci but feared the worst at the time.

He added: "I think the sending off was a bit harsh. Was he the last man?

"There was a long way to the goal but it was a foul and I feared a red card and in the end it was given."

Nasri suffers hamstring injury in FA Cup win

Samir Nasri is expected to be out for three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury on Sunday.

The French international pulled up while chasing a through-ball during the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town and was immediately replaced by Tomas Rosicky.

"Nasri looks to have a serious hamstring injury," confirmed Arsène Wenger after the game. "Usually it is three weeks [out], we have to see if it is a Grade One [strain] because that can be two [weeks].

"It is a big blow, how big I do not know because the results in the future will tell, but it is a big blow. Put three weeks to today's game and you will know [if he misses the Barcelona game]. I think yes."

Wenger made seven changes to his team for the FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Emirates Stadium but Nasri was a surprise starter. The manager explained why during his post-match press conference.

"I have regrets now, yes, because the plan was first to play Rosicky but he was still too weak because he was sick," said Wenger.

"So I took the gamble on Nasri and it back-fired but he could have come on and because it was after 25 or 30 minutes it could have happened as well if he comes on. It is difficult to predict but of course we are at the stage of the season that we play so many games that to lose bodies is very difficult for us."

FA Cup : Arsenal 2 - 1 Huddersfield Town - Match Report

Once again, a late spot-kick from Cesc Fabregas proved to be Arsenal’s salvation in the FA Cup on Sunday.

In the Third Round, the Spaniard came off the bench to slot home a last-gasp equaliser from 12 yards against Leeds. This afternoon, the captain saw off Huddersfield with a penalty four minutes from time.

Suffice to say, it was a huge relief for everyone - bar the 9,000 visiting fans - at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had started well and deservedly took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner’s deflected drive midway through the first half. But Huddersfield defied the 45 places that separated the two sides in the ladder of English football. They pressured the home team and, after Sebastien Squillaci had been dismissed for hauling down Jack Hunt, fully merited Alan Lee’s leveller in the 66th minute.
That Fabregas finale was a blessed relief. After a historically busy January, the last thing Arsenal needed was another replay.

Their Sunday was also blighted by a hamstring injury to Samir Nasri.

But at least they are through in the FA Cup. 

It was a day of comebacks for Arsenal. Manuel Almunia started his first game since the 3-2 defeat to West Brom just over four months ago. The Spaniard had been sidelined by an elbow injury and then, just as he was about the return, he had badly damaged his ankle.

Abou Diaby was also back for his first game since the 2-2 draw at Wigan on December 29. He had been suffering from a calf injury. Squillaci, returning himself from a hamstring problem, had scored a late own goal at the DW Stadium that night. He had only played one game since then – the Third Round tie against Leeds. In addition, Tomas Rosicky was back after three weeks out with sickness but he only made the bench.

This was Arsenal’s ninth game in January - a club record – so the remainder of Wenger’s changes were the usual ‘shuffling’.

Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Marouane Chamakh all returned after starting as substitutes against Ipswich in midweek. Bacary Sagna was missing after collecting a head injury during that game but Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Wojciech Szczesny and Jack Wilshere were available yet left on the bench. Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou were omitted entirely.

Huddersfield were without Benik Afobe. Unlike Sanchez Watt in the last round, the on-loan Arsenal striker was not eligible play. The Yorkshire side filled their ticket allocation at Emirates Stadium. In recent weeks, that sort of support had become a regular and welcome sight in North London.

Arsenal had been lethargic against Leeds in the Third Round tie at the start of the month. But they started much better this afternoon.

After three minutes Arshavin hacked a shot over the bar having been set up but Bendtner’s persistence.

In the 12th minute, the Russian returned the favour but the Dane bundled it wide from close range.

Arsenal were attacking at will with Arshavin getting on the end of most of the good work. However, by Wenger’s own admission, the 29-year-old is not at his sharpest right now.
In the 20th minute, Nasri’s chipped a cross-field pass to Bendtner on the right of the area. He hung out a lame leg and dribbled a shot at keeper Ian Bennett. It drew the derision of the visiting fans.

A minute later, Bendtner cupped his ear to the same supporters in celebration after controlling a similar pass from the Frenchman and firing home. However he did receive a helpful deflection from the sliding Peter Clarke.

Huddersfield had conceded an early goal, usually a nightmare scenario at Emirates, but they were never going to lie down today.

Almost immediately, Anthony Pilkington fired over a dangerous low cross from the right and Lee just failed to add the finishing touch at the near post.

Then, just before the half-hour, Denilson handed the ball straight to Lee who fed Pilkington on the right once more. His low shot flashed across the area and just beyond the far post.

It was proper pressure alright but Arsenal still had all the class. Arshavin shoveled a backheel into the path of Bendtner whose angled drive was smothered messily at the near post by Bennett.

Then, the home side suffered a blow. Nasri pulled up under no pressure holding his hamstring and immediately called for attention. He was replaced by Rosicky – numerically and as captain -  before going down the tunnel immediately. With big games coming up in the next month, it was a worrying sign.

The Frenchman’s departure seemed to affect Arsenal and they nearly conceded twice before half-time. First, Pilkington ghosted in and headed wide from Joey Gudjonsson’s cross then the Icelander drifted a cross just wide.

Then three minutes from the whistle Arsenal were hit by another blow. Hunt burst through and was bundled over by Squillaci. The Frenchman was the last man and referee Mark Clattenburg had little option but to administer a red card.

It was Arsenal’s seventh dismissal of the season but Squillaci’s first in five years.

Denilson covered the centre back role until the break but that was never a longer-term option.

With Djourou missing, Song was the only solution on the bench. The issue was which player made way. In the end, Chamakh got ‘hooked’ at half-time.

But it was now a different game.

Yes, Arshavin drove a shot into the sidenetting in the opening seconds however Huddersfield dominated the third quarter of the game. They smelt weakness in Arsenal and went for the jugular.

In the 55th minute, Arshavin tracked back and got a crucial toe-poke to the ball as Gudjonsson seemed set to score.

Then Jamie McCombe and Lee went perilously close with headers - the second of which brushed the post.

Almunia made a brilliant save from the latter on the hour; clawing the ball from behind him like David Seaman had down so famously against Sheffield United in the Semi-Final eight years ago.

But Huddersfield had built up a head of steam now and a goal seemed be coming.

It arrived in the 66th minute when Lee thundered home a header from Pilkington’s corner.

Wenger’s response was to bring on Fabregas for Diaby. Arsenal’s response was to go close twice. First, Koscielny’s drive was blocked and, when the ball was returned, Bendtner nodded inches over the bar.

The Dane cracked a drive over shortly afterwards – as did Arshavin. It seemed that Arsenal had steadied themselves.

With 10 minutes left, Denilson pulled up in similar fashion to Nasri. With all their substitutes made, Arsenal would have been left with nine men if the Brazilian was forced off.

After treatment he hobbled on but did not seem to be 100 per cent right.

Strangely, Huddersfield had taken their foot off the gas after their goal and allowed Arsenal back into the tie.

Four minutes from time, they were made to regret it when Bendtner appeared to be hauled down by McCombe and Fabregas steered home the penalty.

In the final stages, the captain was happy to hold the ball in the corner and kill time. Meanwhile the home fans applauded Huddersfield off the pitch.

They had pushed Arsenal to the limit this afternoon and a side with less mental fortitude would have buckled.

But Wenger’s men are better than that this term.

Capello : I was wrong on Theo Walcott

 

FABIO CAPELLO last night admitted for the first time he cocked up by leaving Theo Walcott out of his World Cup squad.

Arsenal star Walcott was the surprise omission from Capello’s group which flopped so badly in South Africa, despite being a key member of the team which qualified for the tournament so easily.

 

Capello has confessed that was a major error because the flying winger could have made a huge impact, even as a late sub.

The England coach said: “Having decided not to pick him for the World Cup squad, I thought about him a lot afterwards. He could have played 25 minutes and been dangerous. I made a mistake not selecting him.

“He’s one of the players who can make the difference. I should have taken him.

“He’s one of the players who is so fast that he can make the difference in any moment.

“It was a really difficult choice. Aaron Lennon was playing very well. He was at the top at that moment. I chose Lennon and not Theo for this reason. Lennon was perfect. I saw him and one mistake, he’s one player who can play 20 minutes. This is one change I would have made for this World Cup.”

One of the reasons Capello decided against taking Walcott was that the Gunners star was not back to his best after missing a large chunk of the run-in to last season through injury.

He added: “A thing I am really happy about is that Theo is back. He is playing how I remember when he started to play with us.

“It was a tough decision leaving Theo out for the World Cup. He played only two games before the end of the season. He was not the same player, played every time with fear, in the tackle, he was not to win back the ball quickly.

“Also the movement when he turned, his movement was not fast like now.”

Arsenal to face Birmingham at Wembley

Arsenal v Birmingham City
Sunday 27th February 2011
Wembley Stadium
Kick Off: 4.00pm

Arsenal will face Birmingham City in the Carling Cup Final at Wembley after the Blues beat West Ham United 4-3 on aggregate in the second Semi-Final on Wednesday night.

Please note that as a result of Arsenal participating in this match, our away fixture versus Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane scheduled for 26th February 2011 will now be re-arranged. 

Further details will follow once known.

Wenger - Cup win will ease the pressure

 

Victory in the Carling Cup Final can ease the pressure on Arsenal as they chase even bigger prizes this season, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Frenchman will take his squad to Wembley on February 27 to meet West Ham or Birmingham after a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday secured a 3-1 aggregate victory over Ipswich.

The depth of Wenger's squad - and a relative lack of injuries - has allowed the manager to field stronger sides in this season's Carling Cup after admitting in the past that a top-four League finish was more important than lifting a domestic cup.

Wenger hasn't necessarily changed his mind on that but this season he is very much 'in it to win it' and he believes that a Carling Cup triumph could be a springboard to greater success.

"It is more difficult to get in the top four in the championship but I get so often the same question in every press conference that we say 'OK, we try to win everything we can'," he said.

"On the other hand it can get the pressure off the team to deliver in the other competitions. It is not the only target of the season but it can help us to achieve the other targets.

"I feel we have the opportunity now we are in the Final to win one. What I am convinced about is that we will go with the same heart for everything, then we will see.

"I believe we have a chance to deliver but now we are in the Final we need to deliver the needed performance on the day. That is part of mental strength as well."

Carling Cup : Arsenal 3 - 0 Ipwich Town

Arsenal are in the Carling Cup Final.

Arsène Wenger’s side will play West Ham or Birmingham at Wembley on February 27 after producing a storming comeback in the Semi-Final second leg on Tuesday night.
Ipswich Town had pulled off a famous 1-0 win at Portman Road a fortnight earlier and, for an hour, looked capable of completing the job this evening.

But a wonderful strike from Nicklas Bendtner broke their resistance in the 61st minute and then, almost immediately Laurent Koscielny’s header gave Arsenal the lead in the tie for the first time.

When Andrey Arshavin set up Cesc Fabregas for a third with 13 minutes left the party really began.

This will be Arsenal’s seventh League Cup Final. The first time they won the trophy was 1987, when a young side came from 1-0 down to beat the mighty Liverpool.

That victory kicked-off a run of major honours for George George’s team in the seasons that followed.

There is a similar youth and exuberance about Wenger’s current crop and it has often been argued that one trophy will be followed quickly by many more.

Arsenal have a chance to open the floodgates at the end of February.

Try telling the 60,000 people packed into Emirates Stadium before kick-off that this was ‘only’ the Carling Cup. A trophy was within sight and both sets of fans – red or blue – clearly wanted it.

Wenger’s team selection screamed the same thing. Fabregas and Robin van Persie were retained. The only changes saw Denilson, Bendtner and Arshavin return in place of Alex Song, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott.
At the heart of defence, Johan Djourou made his 100th appearance for the Club.
Ipswich had properly installed Paul Jewell as manager since the first leg. They arrived with a 1-0 lead, 9,000 vociferous fans and a nothing-to-lose attitude.

That was apparent straight from the kick-off when the ball was rolled back to Grant Leadbitter who tried to beat Wojciech Szczesny from the halfway line. The shot landed on the roof of the net.

Arsenal responded with urgency but nothing of consequence in the opening 15 minutes. Van Persie volleyed wide and Fabregas tumbled in the area after being touched by Gareth McAuley. Referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

Ipswich were more than holding their own at this point. Often Arsenal ‘settle’ after an early goal – this evening they did not get one.

In the 11th minute, Clichy fouled David Norris on the Arsenal left. Leadbitter swung over the free-kick and McAuley nodded over with Szczesny stranded.  The keeper had come for the ball but had only collided with Sagna in the process. Both needed lengthy treatment - the keeper recovered and played on, the right back did not. He walked groggily around the touchline and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

This Semi-Final had been labelled ‘a doddle’ ever since it has been made but virtually all the evidence in the first 120 minutes was to the contrary.

Midway through the first half, Arsenal did hit the bar when Van Persie met Bendtner’s cross at the far post.

Just before the half-hour, Marton Fulop dropped a Fabregas free-kick. Bendtner collected the rebound but his shot was blocked.

By now Arsenal were starting to crank up the pressure and, as a consequence, the Ipswich defence started to creak. In the 36th minute, Wilshere clipped a pass into the path of Fabregas who cushioned it with his right and flashed a shot across goal with his left.

In the last seconds of the first half, Van Persie and Bendtner ping-ponged chances across the area as Arsenal sought the lead on the night and parity in the tie.

The home side wore some furrowed brows as they walked down the tunnel at the interval. They had been the better team overall but, as at Portman Road, the defensive organisation of Ipswich had thwarted them.

It was more of the same after the restart. Arsenal were dominant in terms of territory and possession but just could not break down their opponents.

And then, in the 61st minute, Bendtner summoned up a goal of rare quality.

It all started with Wilshere spotting the Dane on the left and finding him with a raking, crossfield ball.

Bendtner took it on the outside of his right foot with such delicacy that the ball fell into his path. However there was still much to do. The 23-year-old raced through, cut inside Carlos Edwards and curled a low shot into the far corner.

It was Bendtner at his best.

Finally the Ipswich defence has been breached and, three minutes later, another followed.

Arshavin fired over a corner from the left and Koscielny thundered home a header at the near post. The visitors had shown Champions League poise all evening but their defending on this occasion was definitely Championship standard.

The dynamics of the game had now changed but Ipswich were not spent yet. Substitute Jason Scotland broke away down the left and forced Szczesny into a low stop at the near post.

However, with 13 minutes left, Arsenal made sure. Fabregas broke forward and fed Arshavin, whose wonderfully weighted return ball allowed the Spaniard to fire home through the legs of Fulop.

Late on, Norris headed over and Djourou nearly nodded past his own keeper. But these were minor skirmishes in a battle that had already been won.

Arsenal are going to Wembley once more.

'Carling Cup is only thing on our minds'

Arsenal are the only English club still in with a shout of winning all four trophies but Arsène Wenger will only have eyes for the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

The Frenchman has rotated his squad effectively in January to stay in the Premier League title hunt and advance to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. A glamour tie with Barcelona awaits in the Champions League next month but before all that Arsenal have a chance to book their place in a Wembley showpiece.

To do so they must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their Carling Cup Semi-Final against Ipswich Town and Wenger does not want any distractions when his team get down to business against the Championship side.

"I want to do well for the Club in every single competition," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "To go to the Final we need to produce a very good game tomorrow [Tuesday] night and that is what I am focused on.

"What it means or not in my head is not important at all. I think this team is on a fantastic run, it has a great spirit, a great quality, and I want them to go as far as they can. That is the only important thing at the moment - to mobilise our resources in every single game. That is where our future lies."

Much has been made of Arsenal using success in the Carling Cup as a 'springboard' for greater success in the future. That happened back in 1987 when George Graham's Littlewoods Cup winners went on to lift the title twice in the next four years but Wenger prefers not to predict the future.

"I don't know [if one trophy will lead to another]," he said. "We want to win everything and at the moment tomorrow is the Carling Cup so we go for the Carling Cup. Sunday is the FA Cup so we go for the FA Cup.

"At the end of the season we will see whether we have won trophies but at the moment I think the most important [thing] is to live the moment for us, and not to be looking forward too much."

Arsenal confirm Chamberlain bid

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the club will make an offer for Southampton's £10 million-rated youngster Alex Chamberlain.  

The 17-year-old midfielder has scored six goals in 24 games for the League One side and, rated as one of the best talents of his age group, is expected to go the way of former Saints academy graduates Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale to North London.

Manchester United and Liverpool are both reportedly interested but Arsenal are set to pounce first for the son of former England winger Mark Chamberlain.

"We will try now," Wenger said. "We need an agreement with Southampton.

"We need an agreement with the player, and we are not the only ones on the case.

"But we try as hard as we can as I like him as a player."

Father Mark said he would prefer his son to move to Arsenal, hinting that he has a similar level of potential to Walcott.

"Arsenal, with the manager there, the way they play and how they develop players I think they are the ideal choice," he told Sky Sports.

"I am his dad. I've worked with both (Alex Chamberlain and Walcott). They have both got different attributes. Theo has already played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal, played for England and has scored a hat-trick. He's a really good player.

"Alexander is a little different. He's a bit better technically. He's more of a central midfielder player than a wide player.

Denilson - We must all take responsibility

Denilson has called for every Arsenal player "to take responsibility" as they chase silverware on four fronts this season.

The midfielder has been in the news this week after telling Brazilian TV that Cesc Fabregas was "not a leader". Speaking to the Official Arsenal Programme, Denilson clarified his comments in that interview and urged his team-mates to work together in the months to come.

"I want to tell everyone that I never said that Cesc Fabregas is a bad captain," said Denilson. "I never spoke about him [like that] because I like him and respect him, as I do all of the players.

"Sometimes the papers change a conversation and you never know whether it’s true. I am honest though, and when I came to the training ground on Wednesday, before going to Leeds on the train, I spoke to Cesc about it. He understood and was fine.

"I basically said that we have 25 players who should all take responsibility - I never talked about Cesc as captain. Unfortunately the papers like to change things. More important than that is to be together as a club. I respect Cesc, all the players and the staff too because we are all working for the same thing.

“This is a very young team, but we have quality, and we are in a very good position. Look at Chelsea – they have many experienced players but they are below us in the table. Cesc is the captain, and I respect him, but I think every single player needs to take responsibility on the pitch too.

“Me personally, I need to continue to work to improve as well. If we want to win this is what we have to do."

Ramsey joins Cardiff City on loan

 

Aaron Ramsey has joined Cardiff City on loan until February 26, 2011.

Aaron has recently returned from his first taste of competitive football since suffering a broken leg in February 2010. He enjoyed a spell on loan with Nottingham Forest over the Christmas and New Year period, when he made five appearances for Billy Davies’ side.

The 20-year-old midfielder has now rejoined Cardiff City, the team where he began his career, for a month, in order to improve his match sharpness and fitness.

The Wales International joined Arsenal in June 2008 from Cardiff City, having been the youngest player ever to represent the Bluebirds at 16 years and 124 days. He has made a total of 51 appearances for the Gunners, scoring five times, and also signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in the summer.

Aaron also joins Arsenal team mate Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who is on loan with Dave Jones’ side for the rest of the season.

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Aaron the best of luck during his time with Cardiff City.

Wenger: 'We feel stronger in every game'

On Robin van Persie's form...
He is back in form. He was already fit and sharp last week and overall we had a good team performance so he could finish a hat-trick.

On not taking first-half chances...
The players were a bit frustrated because we did not take our chances but I felt in the first half we played outstanding football. We feel stronger and stronger in every single game. It is interesting the chance we have in front of us because we have an interesting game, the way we play is for me fantastic to watch. Let's just keep going.

On his attacking options...
Of course it is important to have Robin at this level but we have plenty of offensive players. First of all let's hope we can keep him fit until the end of the season. It is down to us to use him in the right proportion of the games we play.

On rotating the squad for Ipswich...
We will rotate, we have no choice. We play nine games in January, it's the most we have ever played. When you look at the fixtures we had in December it means we need to rotate from game to game. But we have fantastic players on the bench and it is very important because we cannot always play with the same XI.

On telling Van Persie when he will be rested...
He handles it alright. He is intelligent but of course he wants to play. He was at Leeds on the bench, he came on and scored.

On his penalty takers...
[Van Persie has] always [been the No 1 penalty taker]. What happened today will not change my mind. I find it's difficult to approve when the ball goes into the stand on the penalty, no matter how tolerant you are! I would have loved the ball to go in the net.

On keeping so many clean sheets...
We look more and more stable and defensively we were questioned a lot on that front. Maybe the fact you [reporters] ask me in every press conference 'do I buy a defender?' it keeps our defenders on their toes.

On the prospect of buying a defender...
I am open-minded on it and if the right opportunity turns up we will take it. We are not desperate, we have Vermaelen who can still play a big part in the end of the season and we have Squillaci who comes back maybe next Sunday. Song can play at the back too.

On finding the right player...
It is not two weeks to make your mind up, it is two weeks to find the right players. It is not just because you want to buy that you find exactly what you need. I think that if you look at the defenders who play the moment - we have Djourou and Koscielny, and Vermaelen who played before - we have always found the right players. Trust us - if the opportunity is there we will take it, if it's not we will play with the players we have, and I will not use that as an excuse if we don't win trophies.

On whether it is worth spending extra this time...
The question makes sense but practically it doesn't work like that. It is not because you have money available that you just find the player available, no? We have the needed money to spend if we want but the players you would want are not necessarily available. At the moment I feel that, unless we have a big problem at the centre back, we can deal with the situation.

On Cesc Fabregas' performance...
I think he was outstanding. At the end of the game he was frustrated because he didn't score but for me the ball he gave for the second goal was absolutely amazing. The second goal I could watch that and watch it and watch it again because it's just pure class from the pass to the finish.

Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic - Match Report

Robin van Persie registered the first hat-trick of his career as Arsenal outclassed Wigan at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Dutchman thumped home from Alex Song’s pass in the 21st minute and a Cesc Fabregas chip on the hour to secure the points. But it seemed that elusive treble had gone when, 10 minutes later, he hacked a penalty over the bar after the Spaniard had been brought down.
But this was destined to be Van Persie’s afternoon. In his pre-match press conference, Arsène Wenger had said the 27-year-old was “95 per cent” right after a season stymied by last summer’s World Cup and then, the old problem, injury.

This hat-trick must surely give him that final five per cent. He kept going after the penalty miss; hitting the post almost immediately. And then he finally thundered home a third five minutes from full time.

Wigan have never got a Premier League point at Arsenal and they were not likely to today. The home side dominated from the first whistle and would have doubled their final tally if Ali Al Habsi had not made a string of stunning first-half saves.

To be honest, a regulation win was expected today but Arsenal were better than that. Wenger’s men were at their controlled and incisive best.

The victory sends them second, probably only until Manchester City play later this evening, but with Van Persie in this form, Arsenal could be hitting a hot streak.
Before kick-off, Wenger switched around half a side for the visit of Wigan. Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Gael Clichy and Fabregas all came in. Andrey Arshavin, Denilson, Kieran Gibbs, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner all dropped out.

Five changes has been the norm in recent weeks. It was three less than the number Wenger had made for the reverse fixture on December 29. A tactic that, some thought, had disrupted his team at the DW Stadium as Sebastien Squillaci’s own goal secured Wigan a late point.
That was the last time Arsenal had conceded in a Premier League game and Wenger’s men would have been on top of the table had they held on. With the title contenders so tight at the top, only victory was good enough this afternoon.

And, straight from the off, that was never really in doubt.

The first 45 minutes were pretty much Arsenal versus Al Habsi. The Omani keeper made a decent stop from Samir Nasri’s low drive in the opening stages. It would be the first save of a busy half.

In the ninth minute, Walcott reached the byline and cut back an inviting cross to Van Persie six yards out. The Dutchman made fierce contact but Al Habsi threw himself to his right to palm the ball behind.

The game had quickly found a pattern – Arsenal pressing, Wigan being pressed.

In the 10th minute, Gary Caldwell clipped Fabregas inches outside the area and Nasri thumped the free-kick into the wall.
On the quarter-hour, Walcott reached the same byline and this time Caldwell threw himself at Fabregas’ shot and managed to block.

Wigan were so preoccupied with defending that, at this stage, they could offer nothing going forward.

And, after 21 minutes the inevitable happened.

Song sent Van Persie clear into the area on the left-hand side. The Dutchman fired home his sixth goal of the season.

Sometimes Arsenal take their foot off the gas when they take the lead. This afternoon they kept the pedal to the metal.

On the half-hour, Wilshere wriggled clear in midfield and fed Bacary Sagna on the right. His curling cross was touched back by Nasri for Fabregas. Al Habsi pulled off another super save.

Sagna then found the captain, who nutmegged Steven Caldwell and bore down on goal before being dispossessed.

In the 34th minute, Van Persie sent Walcott sprinting clear but the England international decided to square to Fabregas. The Spaniard was dispossessed by Steve Gohouri and Walcott’s follow up was saved.

Six minutes from the break, Fabregas found space in the area but Al Habsi saved again. Shortly afterwards, Arsenal brokeaway with men to spare but Nasri sidefooted straight at Al Habsi when he had other options available.

If this first-half report reads like a procession of Arsenal chances with little coming back then this reporter has done his job. Wenger’s men were utterly in control but, to use a phrase applied to Arsenal all too often, their dominance was not reflected in the scoreline.

The home side were slower off the blocks in the second period. Apart from Nasri’s deflected shot and Walcott’s effort from an acute angle there was little of note in the first 15 minutes.

Then Fabregas picked out Van Persie with an exquisite 30-yard pass over the Wigan defence. The Dutchman stole in at the far post and volleyed home.

It was exactly what Arsenal needed. The cushion settled them down and the visitors still appeared to be toothless this afternoon.

In the 70th minute, Song sent Fabregas clear in the area and Gary Caldwell hauled him down. It was a clear penalty and a clear red card.

Van Persie was given the chance for a hat-trick but hooked his effort high over the bar. The Dutchman was more than disappointed with the miss. He buried his head in the Emirates turf before playing on.

The memory did not linger long. Four minutes later, he curled a cross-shot against the outside of the post.

Five minutes from full time, Van Persie found redemption. Walcott held off his marker and tapped the ball back for the Dutchman to thump home. He celebrated like it meant something.
Three points, three goals and still none conceded in the Premier League during 2011.
Arsenal are on the march.

Wenger - Fabregas is an outstanding leader

Arsène Wenger has played down reports of a 'rift' between Denilson and Cesc Fabregas and insists that the Arsenal captain is an "outstanding leader".

In an interview with Arsenal Brasil, during a wider discussion about leadership, Denilson said that Fabregas was "not a leader" in the traditional sense. His quotes made headlines in the tabloids but Fabregas himself explained on Wednesday that his team-mate's comments had been taken out of context.

Wenger was asked for his view after Arsenal's 3-1 win over Leeds in the FA Cup and the Frenchman poured cold water on reports of a problem between his two midfielders.

"Firstly, I must say I don’t know exactly what was [said] in the interview and I do not want to answer what has been reported in the newspapers when I have not heard exactly what he said," said Wenger.

"But they are two good friends and have a lot of respect for each other. Cesc Fabregas is our captain and Robin van Persie is our vice captain, we have many leaders in our team and we are very happy with our captain.

"We have a shared leadership in our team but Fabregas is our captain. I believe Fabregas is an outstanding leader. [On Wednesday night] Nasri was captain, so we have many. The way we want to play football it’s important that everybody takes responsibility."

FA Cup : Leeds United 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal marched in the FA Cup Fourth Round with a comprehensive 3-1 win at Leeds on Wednesday night.

Arsène Wenger’s side had needed a 90th-minute penalty to save this tie at Emirates Stadium 11 days earlier but, this evening, they dominated throughout.

Samir Nasri stole a goal in the fifth minute and then, after Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh had missed point-blank chances, Bacary Sagna plundered a second just past the half-hour.

Leeds rallied immediately when Bradley Johnson’s thunderbolt reduced the arrears but Arsenal would kick-on after the break.

Fourteen minutes from time, they ended the discussion when Robin van Persie headed home from Nicklas Bendtner’s inviting cross.

Arsenal had been a little lucky in north London, tonight Leeds were fortunate the visitors were so profligate in front for goal.

Still, they got the job done and can now look forward to a Fourth Round tie against Huddersfield at Emirates Stadium on January 30.

This is a busy month for Arsenal and so Wenger’s side did its usual shuffle.

Bendtner, Chamakh, Kieran Gibbs, Denilson, Arshavin and Sagna all came in.

Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue all dropped out.

This game was a throw-back. Arsenal had been involved in some teak-tough encounters at Elland Road in the 90s and Noughties. Since then Leeds had been down to the third tier of English football but, if their performance in the first game was anything to go by, they were on the way back to the top flight.

Wenger had admitted his side had lacked focus in that match. But this evening it was different straight from the start.

Arsenal bossed the first half and the only concern at the break was that they had not gained the advantage they deserved.

The game had barely settled down when they took the lead. In the fifth minute, Arshavin tucked the ball inside from the left, Bendtner tried to collect on the edge of the area but Nasri swept it away, danced past the final defender before coolly slotting home.

Six minutes later it should have been 2-0. Sagna was hauled down on the right by Ben Parker and Nasri swung over the free-kick. Chamakh had escaped his marker six yards out and made solid contact with his header. However Kasper Schmeichel made a wonderful one-handed save. The keeper then recovered to block Johan Djourou’s follow up.

It was starting to become an Arsenal procession. In the 19th minute, Bendtner fed Chamakh on the edge of the area. He and Nasri played one-touch passes for Arshavin to sidefoot a shot over the bar

Then Chamakh fired a low ball across the face of the area. Arshavin timed his run perfectly to meet the cross. Any positive touch would have doubled Arsenal’s lead but the Russian’s effort was timid.

A couple of minutes later, Arshavin’s drive from distance forced Schmeichel into a low save away to his left. After that, Laurent Koscielny sent a raking ball into the right-hand channel for Sagna to collect. He raced into the area and crossed low for Bendtner but the Dane timed his slide a second too late.

Arsenal were not just creating clear-cut chances, they were creating tap-ins. By the half-hour, they had already manufactured the opportunities to put the tie to bed. But they only had one goal to show for it.

That changed in the 34th minute, Bendtner thundered through and exchanged passes with Nasri on the edge of the area but miscontrolled the return. Andy O’Brien’s clearance fell straight to Sagna on the right. He advanced and fired a rocket shot into the far corner of the net.

It should have all but killed off Leeds but, almost immediately, the home side would respond with a Howitzer of their own. There was little on when the ball fell to Johnson around 30 yards out. He let fly and sent a swerving effort into the top corner.

The Leeds crowd tried to roar their side level before the break but, despite pressure, they did not conjure up a clear chance.

Twenty seconds into the second half, Schmeichel made another sparkling save when Nasri fed Alex Song and the Cameroon midfielder tried to lift the ball over the keeper.

The Danish stopper has been brilliant throughout this tie. But, a couple of minutes later, he made a rare error by dropping Nasri’s free-kick on the line before gathering.

Leeds were trying to create pressure but Arsenal were still having all the chances. In the 55th minute, a wonderful one-touch move involving eight players would have ended in a goal had Robert Snodgrass not swept the ball away from the feet of Arshavin at the last second.

The Russian was having a difficult night. On the hour, Song’s errant, trickling cross found him at the far post. He hacked it horribly over the bar. An in-form Arshavin would have buried it.

Arsenal were still on top but still missing chances. And, every so often, Leeds made them fully aware of the slenderness of the lead they held.

In the 65th minute, Max Gradel, another star of the tie, sent over a penetrative cross towards Billy Paynter at the near post. The home side were within an outstretched leg of drawing level.

Straight after that chance, the striker was replaced by Davide Somma. The South African’s first touch saw him knee a shot behind at the near post.

With 20 minutes left, Wenger brought on his Big Guns - Fabregas and Van Persie – for Arshavin and Chamakh. The manager clearly wanted to get the job done.

Fabregas nearly did it when he curled a free-kick inches beyond the far post.

In the 76th minute, Van Persie did finish the task by steering home a header from Bendtner’s pin-point cross. The celebrations told the story of the goal. Two team-mates ran to the scorer, three to the provider.

The Dutchman nearly curled home another in the dying minutes. By now Leeds were spent.

They had been wonderful at Emirates Stadium but were well-beaten on home turf this evening.

Wenger - Nothing has clicked over centre back

Arsène Wenger admits he has had “many offers” in his search for a centre back but nothing has 'clicked'.

On Friday, the Arsenal manager suggested the defender he was looking to acquire would be “an insurance” for further injuries. However that was before it was confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen would be sidelined for sometime after undergoing a procedure.

On Monday, Wenger admitted that little had moved forward despite activity behind the scenes.

“No, it is still nowhere,” he said. “We get many offers but, at the moment, nothing concrete.

 “I cannot tell you [about the type of player] at the moment because it has to click in my head and nothing has happened yet.

“If you look at the centre backs we have, they are quality - Djourou, Squillaci, Koscielny, Vermaelen. The quality of the player coming in, what will it be? Is it a complement to the players we have already? It’s very difficult to predict.”

Wenger – The snow helped Third Round shocks

 

The number of upsets in this season’s FA Cup was, in part, due to the snow that swept across Britain before Christmas, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Third Round produced a number of eye-catching results with Arsenal needing a last-gasp Cesc Fabregas penalty to spare their blushes against Leeds while West Brom, Newcastle, Sunderland and Blackpool all succumb to lower League opposition.

Wenger wasn’t surprised.

Football League fixtures were heavily disrupted in December with the adverse weather conditions forcing the postponement of a host of fixtures over a three-week period. However, there was no let up for Premier League teams over the notoriously busy festive schedule and this respite, the Arsenal manager feels, goes some way to explaining why there were so many shocks.

“[There was] relative rest for the Championship teams because many games were cancelled for them” said Wenger. “[Also] the heavy programme during the Christmas period for the Premier League teams.

“The improvement of the level in the Championship is a good reason as well. You saw Leeds coming to Arsenal, they played without any restriction.”

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joins Cardiff on loan

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined Championship side Cardiff City until the end of the 2010/2011 season.

The 2009 Youth Cup winning captain, 20, has scored ten times in just nine appearances for the Arsenal Reserves this term, including a hat trick against West Ham’s second string – his second in successive seasons against the Hammers.

Jay’s performances have earned him first-team appearances in the Premier League, Champions League and Carling Cup this term and he will look to continue his excellent form with Dave Jones’ side, as they bid for promotion to the Premier League.

Last season, he cut his teeth at senior level with loan spells at Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers, and a debut for Arsène Wenger’s first team against Stoke City in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

Jay, who joined Arsenal at just eight years old, was a feature of Steve Bould’s Academy side for some years, captaining the Under-18s at just 16, and leading them to an FA Youth Cup and Academy League double in 2009. He signed professional terms in July 2008 and a new long-term contract in December 2009.

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Jay the best of luck for his time with Cardiff City.

West Ham United 0 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report

Robin van Persie scored two goals and made the other as Arsenal returned to Premier League action with a 3-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.





In their last two games, Arsène Wenger’s side had struggled in Cup ties against Championship opposition. This evening, back in the top flight, they dominated.

Van Persie’s snapshot put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute. He hit the post on the half-hour and, just before the break, provided the cut-back for Theo Walcott to prod home the second.

Arsenal eased off in the second half but secured the points when debutant Wayne Bridge brought down Walcott and Van Persie scored from the penalty spot.
The scoreline reflected the performance at Upton Park and frankly, after a difficult start to 2011, Wenger’s men needed both.

January will probably turn out to be Arsenal’s busiest month of the season and this result will help to put it back on track.

Wenger made four changes from the side beaten at Portman Road last Wednesday. Van Persie and Samir Nasri came back after slight “knocks”. Alex Song and Gael Clichy also returned. Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin, Kieran Gibbs and Denilson all dropped to the bench.

For once, the gameday build-up did not centre around Arsenal. On the morning of the match, stories began circulating that Avram Grant might be in charge of his last game.
The visitors’ domination in the first half would hardly help.

Arsenal took the game by the throat early on and never let go until the break. West Ham did have a couple of golden opportunities but Wenger’s men utterly deserved to be 2-0 up at the interval.

The start was a ‘slow-burner’. Julian Faubert hooked the ball away as Cesc Fabregas stooped to nod home Van Persie’s flick at the far post.

Then Nasri’s drive deflected into the arms of Robert Green. But chances were scarce.

However Arsenal would take the lead in the 13th minute and, from there, they kicked on.

Walcott drove a low cross to the near post, Nasri dummied and Van Persie fired home first time at the near post. It was a crisp finish by the Dutchman, his 50th Premier League strike, but the Frenchman’s involvement had been crucial. He did not actually touch the ball but he deserved to be credited with an assist.

The goal started a fire under Arsenal. For the final half-hour of the game, they would be rampant.
In the 19th minute, Fabregas released Walcott through the middle. He was shadowed by James Tomkins, who buffeted the Englishman but had tumbled by the time he looked to shoot.

In the end, Walcott’s effort trickled meekly into the hands of the Green.

West Ham might have grabbed an equaliser four minutes later. Carlton Cole latched onto Johan Djourou’s weak back pass and Wojciech Szczesny thrust out his left hand to save. The rebound eventually found its way to Zavon Hines whose angled shot went over the bar.

The chance did not interrupt Arsenal’s dominance. Just before the half-hour, they nearly grabbed a second with a sumptuous counter-attack. Fabregas raced down the left and crossed for Van Persie to cushion a pass in to the path of the onrushing Song. Tomkins half-blocked his sidefooted shot and Green cleared up the ricochet.

Two minutes later. Nasri fled forward and fed Van Persie on the left of the area. The Dutchman’s ferocious drive crashed back off the base of the post. Then Fabregas put Nasri through and he drifted a shot wide.


It was all Arsenal. The only problem with their performance was they had not scored goals congruent with their dominance.

In the 41st minute, they put that right. Fabregas put Van Persie clear on the left. He reached the byline and cut the ball back toward the far post. Walcott showed a striker’s instinct to dart inside Radoslav Kovac and prod home.

Again, West Ham would fashion a clear opportunity just after Arsenal scored. This time, Freddie Sears crossed from the right and Cole miscued his header eight yards out with only Szczesny to beat. It was the home side’s clearest chance by a stretch.

But normal service was resumed in injury time when Djourou went through. The Swiss defender has never scored for Arsenal and his shot was blocked, rather fortuitously, by the face of Green.

The opening stages of the second half were as tame as the first. Van Persie cracked over and then Walcott drove at Green. Bridge fired a free-kick wide for West Ham.

On the hour, Szczesny had to adjust in midair to prevent a drifting effort from Sears finding the far corner.

By now, West Ham were getting back into the game and Arsenal had taken their foot off the pedal.
But 13 minutes from time, the visitors ended the argument. Inexplicably, Bridge scythed down Walcott as he was running away from goal. Van Persie buried the penalty.
Wilshere drew a fine save from Green at the death. But three goals and three points was a very decent haul from this trip to East London.
And it was fully deserved

West Ham United Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsène Wenger has had a pretty average week – but he still feels lucky.

Last Saturday, Arsenal needed a last-minute penalty to scrape a draw with Leeds in the FA Cup, four days later they lost 1-0 at Ipswich in the first leg of the Carling Cup Semi-Final.

Both were below-par performances but neither has inflicted irreparable damage – and, mostly importantly, Wenger knows he’ll have the time to turnaround the situation.

The Frenchman has always been a stalwart for stability, something that Avram Grant, his opposite number on Saturday night, is struggling to obtain at Upton Park.

West Ham are rock bottom of the Premier League right now and have barely been higher all season. It has led to very public pressure of Grant’s position – a discomfort Wenger has never really faced at Arsenal.

“I am very lucky and I know my luck,” he admitted on Friday.

“This is a job where you give yourself completely to the next game. You have to behave like you stay your whole life at the club, knowing it can end at any minute.

“But, at the same time, after I identified the clubs where I can work, I did not walk away when I had the possibility. I was always loyal to the club where I was.

“In the case of Grant I don’t think he wants to walk away. But I stayed at the club when I found a condition where I could work in the way I want.”

These two managers could be leading out their teams in the Carling Cup Final late next month. West Ham will take a tight 2-1 advantage to Birmingham for the second leg. Despite a poor performance in the first game, Arsenal are still expected to overturn that 1-0 lead Ipswich secured at Portman Road.

“I said we were naïve and had no spark,” said Wenger. “I don’t think I have anything to change on that statement. The players are conscious of that, it was a night off as you say. We are of course sorry and we want to put things right in the second leg. We had a completely average performance.

“But we will not play like that at West Ham. We want to win there.”

On the eve of the game, Wenger confirmed that Lukasz Fabianski would miss out because of a shoulder injury. Wojciech Szczesny will play his third successive game in goal and James Shea, 19, would be on the bench.

However Wenger still rates the older Pole as his first choice.

“Szczesny has presence, has size and has quality,” he said. “We are in a world of competition but, for me, at the moment it’s clear Fabianski is No 1”.

Denilson (thigh) is also out but Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie are back after missing out with minor kicks in midweek.

West Ham have lost four of their last six games and, in their previous Premier League match, suffered their worst defeat in four years when they went down 5-0 at Newcastle.

But then that Ipswich defeat was only Arsenal’s second loss to lower League opposition in the Wenger era. The Suffolk side was aptly agricultural in their approach at times but the manager accepts the tactic troubled his team.

“I have seen many games where [long balls] are the Achilles heel of any team,” said Wenger. “We have to deal with that now and we wanted to deal with that at Ipswich.

“It was the only problem we faced and they did that in a consistent way – we had 60-70 per cent of the ball and when you have that you want to create more than we did.

“They gave us this problem, it is normal and we have to deal with that but, on the night, I personally believe that with the ball we did not create enough.

“We respect the way that Ipswich played but now we want to play well at West Ham on Saturday. We are on a good run in the Premier League and we want to continue that. We have produced fantastic games, quality-wise, during the Christmas period. I think we switched off a bit mentally during the Cup games, I am confident we will switch on against West Ham.”

This is turning in a sticky spell for Arsenal. Since beating Chelsea so comprehensively on December 27, they have played five times and won just once.

Perhaps a mental fatigue is the main factor. The manager has claimed his injury list is about as clear as it has ever been at this stage of a season and that has the extra benefit of allowing rotation. Legs are relatively fresh.

Arsenal have lost nothing in 2011 but, at the same, a little dip has complicated an already difficult burden.

In the next few days they go to West Ham and Leeds. Only one is a cup game but both will feel like it.

And this time, unlike their two games last week, Arsenal have no real margin for error.

Manuel Almunia & Andrey Arshavin set to leave Arsenal - report

Arsenal are ready to sell Manuel Almunia and Andrey Arshavin in the current transfer window, according to The Metro.

The Spanish shot-stopper has had trouble with injury and is now thought to be third in the pecking order, with Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny ahead of him.

As for the Russian, he has suffered an inconsistent run of form and has put in a series of under-par performances.

Arshavin has also been linked with a move away from the Emirates, with the attacker having been linked with a move to Juventus.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reported to be keen on shoring up his back line, as injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci have left his defence in poor shape.

Carling Cup : Ipswich Town 1 - 0 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Ipswich at Emirates Stadium on January 25 in order to reach the Carling Cup Final.


The Championship side pulled off a surprise victory in the Semi-Final first leg on Wednesday thanks to a breakaway goal from Tamas Priskin. The Hungarian striker collected Colin Healy’s pass and slotted home 12 minutes from time to send Portman Road into delirium. 


In the dying minutes, the home side might have doubled their advantage when Wojciech Szczesny saved from Carlos Edwards. 
 


While far from their best, Arsenal did have chances. Cesc Fabregas sliced over from close-range just before the goal and ‘keeper Martin Fulop made two fine saves from Theo Walcott.
 


The visitors started and ended the game well but, in between, Ipswich posed the greater danger.

Arsenal’s second-leg task is hardly insurmountable but if the Suffolk side can muster the same effort and endeavour at Emirates Stadium, then Arsène Wenger’s men will have a task on their hands.


It is all set up for a cracker.


As expected, Wenger put out a strong team. In fact, with the exception of Bacary Sagna (suspended), Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring), Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri and Lukasz Fabianski (all rested), it was first-choice squad.

OK, that is half-a-side of omissions but the Carling Cup has been the preserve of squad members and youngsters at Arsenal for the best part of a decade. This season it has been different. 
 


Szczesny kept his place in goal and Nicklas Bendtner was the lone frontman supported by Andrey Arshavin and Walcott. Denilson and Jack Wilshere were the defensive midfielders with Fabregas pushing further forward.



Paul Jewell took the applause of the crowd before kick-off.

On Monday, the ex-Wigan manager had been officially appointed as the successor to Roy Keane. He was not actually taking the team tonight but the sense of change could only help the 'Tractor Boys'.


Not that it appeared to be the case in the opening stages. Ipswich had been beaten 7-0 at Chelsea on Sunday and Arsenal tried to heap on further misery in the early minutes.


The visitors poured forward, particularly via Walcott on the right. However, despite their superiority, they did not create anything of substance. In fact, their the best effort came in the 10th minute when Fabregas set up Denilson to let fly from just outside the area. His drive was blocked. 
 


Jaime Peters responded with a similarly stymied shot and then Priskin fooled Johan Djourou on the left before curling a wicked shot towards the far corner. The effort drifted just wide. 
 


As the half wore on, Arsenal ran out of impetus. As their territorial dominance subsided, Ipswich started to create chances. 
 


On the half-hour, Darren O’Dea returned an Edwards cross into the area for Gareth McAuley to nod over with Szczesny stranded. 


In the 39th minute, Connor Wickham showed a flash of his quality by whipping in a delicious cross. Unfortunately for Ipswich, it was just too high for David Norris.


Just before the break, the home side had the ball in the net but Priskin was clearly offside before he crashed a wonderful overhead kick past Szczesny.


In the opening moments of the second half, Fabregas clipped another pass over the Ipswich defence for Arshavin. The ball would not come down for the Russian, who hacked his effort horribly wide.
 


But Ipswich came roaring back. Wickham outpaced Emmanuel Eboue on the left and Arsenal had to work hard to eventually clear his cross. Then Fabregas gave the ball to Mark Kennedy in the centre circle but Szczesny was alive to his long-range chip.
 


Fabregas and Bendtner played a one-two on the edge of the area but the Spaniard tried to find Wilshere rather than shoot. 
 


On the hour, Priskin worried Eboue, the final covering defender, into a mistake and went clear for a moment. But the Ivorian recovered to smother his shot sufficient for Szczesny to clear up the danger.
 


The Hungarian striker had been a thorn in Arsenal’s side all night and, in the 63rd minute, he had his clearest chance to score a legitimate goal. Peters’ long clearance flew over Laurent Koscielny and Priskin went clear. The ball would not settle for the former Watford player and Djourou rushed in to bundle the ball over the bar. However it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Arsenal.


By this time, the game was stretched. It was hardly end-to-end, neither attack was sharp enough for that this evening, however neither midfield had much of a stranglehold either.
 


Just after Kieran Gibbs cut in and fired wide, Wenger made changes. Marouane Chamakh for Bendtner, Alex Song for Wilshere. 


Almost immediately, Arsenal looked brighter. Fabregas stabbed Walcott through on the right of the area and the England winger lifted a goalbound shot over Fulop only for the keeper to thrust out a crucial hand to push the ball behind.
 


Fifteen minutes from time, Song put Gibbs into space on the left and his cross flew over Chamakh to a surprised Fabregas six yards out. The ball hit the Spaniard’s knee and flew agonisingly over the bar.


It was Arsenal’s best sight of goal all night and so it was kind of ironic that Ipswich scored immediately afterwards.


Healy angled a ball through for Priskin to collect. He managed to hold off Djourou and slid his shot into the far corner. 


Portman Road was bouncing. Arsenal were stung. 
 


In the minutes that followed Fulop made stoic saves from a Fabregas drive and Walcott’s dink.


But Ipswich may have stolen a second two minutes from the whistle when an unmarked Edwards raced clear on the right and Szczesny stood up well to repel his shot at the near post.
 


Arsenal tried to salvage the situation as the seconds ticked away. Now they will have to retrieve this tie at Emirates Stadium.


Cesc Fabregas warns Arsenal not to take 'dangerous' Ipswich lightly in semi-final tie

Captain Cesc Fabregas has warned his side cannot afford to underestimate 'dangerous' Championship strugglers Ipswich in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Portman Road.

Even though Arsene Wenger will again rotate his squad, the Gunners are odds-on favourites to easily dispose of the Tractor Boys - who appointed Paul Jewell as successor to Roy Keane - and reach Wembley next month as they look to secure a first piece of silverware in six seasons.

However, Fabregas, who came off the bench on Saturday to net a last-minute penalty against Leeds which kept Arsenal in the FA Cup, is in no doubt the Suffolk club will be 'motivated' to cause a major upset.

'Although Ipswich are a Championship team, that can make them even more dangerous,' the Spain international said.

'Their motivation will be very high - these will be the biggest two games of their year.


'They will be desperate to beat us, they will want to show their strengths, and their motivation will be as high as possible.

'If we want to get through we will have to match that motivation, if not raise it further.'

‘Leeds game will help us focus at Ipswich’

Arsène Wenger feels Saturday’s experience against Leeds will benefit his side ahead of Wednesday’s trip to another Championship side, Ipswich Town.

Cesc Fabregas’ last-gasp penalty spared Arsenal’s blushes in the FA Cup as a spirited and talented Leeds nearly caused a major upset at Emirates Stadium in a game the Gunners were expected to win.

Wenger’s team will again be strong favourites when they travel to Portman Road for the first leg of their Carling Cup Semi-Final, but the manager feels his players will heed the warning.

“I think the Leeds game will help us focus well at Ipswich,” said Wenger. “We will certainly be on our toes going to Ipswich.

“That game [against Leeds] has shown that against a Championship team we must be completely up for it and focused from the first minute if we don’t want to be surprised. We have been warned.

“We were certainly surprised by [Leeds’] level of commitment. The team has still shown a great reaction and refused to give up even if they had some points during the game where it was a little bit wobbly.”

Arsenal remains the club where I want to play - Nicklas Bendtner

Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner  has moved to dismiss speculation that he is unhappy at Arsenal and has pledged his immediate future to the Emirates Stadium outfit.

Bendtner, 22, has been linked with a series of clubs - including Ajax, Bayern Munich, Lazio and AC Milan - after the arrival of Marouane Chamakh and return of Robin van Persie from injury saw the Dane’s first team appearances for the Gunners limited.

In comments made to the club’s official matchday programme, the Gunners' front-man sought to clarify previous statements he had made with regards to his frustration at a lack of opportunities at Emirates Stadium.

“I think a few things may have been interpreted not exactly in the way I said them, but it’s true that I was disappointed because anyone who isn’t playing wants to be in the team," he said.

“I’m no different, but I think maybe it got talked up a little too much, because I also said that Arsenal is the club I’ve been at for a long time and remains the club where I want to play.

“I believe I’m good enough to play, and there have never been any talks about leaving or anything like that, it’s just naturally frustrating if you are not in the side and that’s the same for any player.”

With Arsene Wenger restoring Bendtner to the side in the 1-1 FA Cup draw against Leeds United on Saturday, the striker is expected to retain his place in the side for Arsenal’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Championship outfit Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

Thierry Henry training with Arsenal squad

Thierry Henry is back at Arsenal.

The Gunners legend returned to London Colney on Monday to train with Arsène Wenger's squad.
The short-term arrangement will help Henry maintain his fitness ahead of the new MLS campaign, which begins in March.

Henry joined the New York Red Bulls last year and helped them reach the play-offs where they lost on aggregate to San Jose Earthquakes in November.

The former Arsenal captain scored a record 226 goals during a glittering career in north London and was a member of the 'Invincibles' squad that completed an unbeaten campaign in 2003/04.

Squillaci injury could force January signing

Arsène Wenger will move “quickly” to acquire a new centre back if a hamstring injury picked up by Sebastien Squillaci at the weekend sidelines him for a while.

Squillaci suffered a slight strain during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United and the manager says he will assess the extent of the injury before deciding whether to dip into the market.

If the French defender’s prognosis is poor, Wenger would be left with Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou as his only two fit recognised central defenders.

Although long-term absentee Thomas Vermaelen, out since September with an Achilles injury, is pencilled in for a return at the end of January, Wenger isn’t willing to take a chance.

"If he [Squillaci] has a problem then we must quickly go for a player,” said the Frenchman.

"Squillaci came off with a little hamstring problem and if we only have two centre backs then that cannot work with the number of games we have.”

Arsenal star Walcott apologises for diving

LONDON - ARSENAL winger Theo Walcott apologised for diving to try to win a penalty during his side's 1-1 draw against Leeds in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

With Arsene Wenger's team trailing 1-0 in the closing minutes at the Emirates Stadium, England winger Walcott tumbled to the turf after a challenge from Alex Bruce in the penalty area.

Referee Phil Dowd initially awarded the penalty but, after consulting with his assistant, he changed his mind.
Walcott, who then won the stoppage time penalty that Cesc Fabregas scored for Arsenal's equaliser, later issued a statement apologising for his actions.

'I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived. I was trying to win the penalty,' Walcott told the club's website.

'I am not the sort of player to do it, but I own up to it and apologise. It is something I don't want to see in my game.

FA Cup : Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds United - Match report

A last-minute penalty from Cesc Fabregas prevented Arsenal becoming the subject of an FA Cup Third Round shock on Saturday.

It looked like Leeds were going to become the first lower League opposition to knockout the North London side in 15 years until substitute Theo Walcott was hauled back and the Spaniard scored from the spot.





The goal heralded a frantic finale in which Arsenal might have grabbed a winner, mostly notably when Kasper Schmeichel saved Denilson’s piledriver.




However, Leeds were worthy of a draw. The visitors were under pressure before they took the lead in the 53rd minute when Robert Snodgrass scored from the spot. But they responded well and might have killed the tie when Wojciech Szczesny saved superbly from Luciano Becchio.
This was a belting Cup tie – a throwback to Arsenal-Leeds games from a decade ago.





And now Arsène Wenger’s side know the size of the task they face at Elland Road on January 18/19.

As early as Thursday, the manager had told Arsenal TV Online there would be “many, many changes” – he did not disappoint.



There were nine in total. Only Alex Song and Johan Djourou were retained from the 0-0 draw against Manchester City on Wednesday night.





But there were seven common players from the 2-2 draw at Wigan just before the New Year. As at DW Stadium, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner were both chosen but it was the Dane who was pushed out wide.




The most significant starter was Kieran Gibbs, who had been out with an ankle injury since the win over Partizan Belgrade on December 8.




However, Aaron Ramsey was the on the bench. It was his first appearance in an Arsenal first-team squad since suffering that horrific broken leg at Stoke on February 27.

Szczesny took the gloves for the fourth time this season. The young Pole seems to be specialising in big games right now. His debut had come at Old Trafford in December and – perhaps it was just Third Round day, perhaps it was the 9,000 fans Leeds brought to Emirates - but this game felt almost as important.

Simon Grayson’s side arrived in fifth position in the Championship with designs on returning to the top flight. The statistics told us they were the second highest scorers and conceders in the division. Perhaps the perfect combination for a Cup tie.




And Grayson brought back Sanchez Watt, on loan from Arsenal, to help with the former.




The opening ten minutes were all bluster. Leeds were full of energy but did nothing with it.




Arsenal’s first chance should have put them ahead. In the 11th minute, Tomas Rosicky, who was captain for the day, curled a defence-splitting pass into the path of Andrey Arshavin. The Russian was clear but never quite had control. He did get a decent shot away but Schmeichel stood up well to block.



Seconds later, Szczesny raced out to prevent Becchio going through. The ball bounced up dangerously but Denilson kept a cool head to pass his way out of trouble.



Gradually Arsenal roused themselves and, by the half-hour, were firmly on top. In quick succession, Arshavin’s shot was turned aside by Schmiechel, as was Denilson’s drive, then Sebastien Squillaci’s scrambled effort was hooked off the line. Finally Chamakh’s header was booted away by Becchio.

Suddenly it was all Arsenal. 


In the 33rd minute, Arshavin tossed a corner into the heart of the area and Chamakh rose highest to make a clean, firm contact. Had it not gone straight at Schmeichel, Arsenal would have been in front. 


The home side struggled to keep the same intensity before the break but they were still asking all the questions.


In injury time, Bendtner broke down the right and fired an angled shot towards the near post. Schmeichel made an ungainly save.


It was more of the same after the restart. In the opening seconds, Song raced down the left only for his cross to escape its intended target. Ditto Bendtner on the right a couple of minutes later.


At this point, the stats said Arsenal had enjoyed 68 per cent of the possession. So it was pretty unarguable that the penalty came against the run of play. But the decision was clear.

Max Gradel cut in from the left and went past Denilson, who clipped him. Szczesny got a hand to the spot-kick from Snodgrass but could not prevent it going in.
 


Wenger’s response was immediate. Fabregas replaced Song. 


Leeds had been defending deeply since the interval but now they were penned back. On the hour, Emmanuel Eboue’s dangerous cross was touched away from the waiting Chamakh by Andy O’Brien’s flick.


But the visitors were now playing with more confidence when they did break and Becchio could have added a second in the 63rd minute. The Argentinean met a Snodgrass corner at the near post with a spiteful header. Szczesny thrust out his right hand to turn the ball aside.
 


Walcott replaced Chamakh with 23 minutes left. Arsenal’s attacking trio was now Arshavin on the left, Bendtner through the centre with the Englishman on the right. Fabregas was operating in the hole.


The home side were now fully in pursuit of this tie – and it did not help their game.


For the first time, Arsenal began to look a little ragged. While, to their credit, Leeds were still looking for a second. The closest they came was when Snodgrass fired a free-kick just wide in the 71st minute. 
 


Shortly afterwards, Wenger played his last card – Carlos Vela for Rosicky. 
 


Arsenal were gambling going forward. Bendtner headed over and Arshavin’s shot was blocked but this was starting to look ominous.
 


Four minutes from time, Arshavin flicked Walcott through on the right but his attempted chip was too close to Schmeichel.


Just after that, Arsenal thought they had won a penalty when Walcott was clipped by Paul Connolly. In fact Bendtner was called offside.
 


In the final minute Walcott did win a spot kick when Bradley Parker pulled him back. Fabregas converted the penalty. 



Bendtner might have won the tie in the final seconds but blasted wide. With almost the final kick Schmeichel saved wonderfully from Denilson's long-range effort
.

That would have been harsh on Leeds, who thoroughly deserved another chance. 
 


Elland Road will be rocking if the replay is anything like this pulsating game.