Bolton Wanderers Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“We are in a very interesting situation where we are fighting for the title and yet I am always sitting in a position where you force me to explain why we fail,” said a stony-faced Arsène Wenger at his press conference on Friday.

“For me it's not a comfortable situation because we are fighting in a period where the most important thing is to have belief in what we do and you keep saying 'why have you failed to win?'

“Let's just play for it first and have a go. For me it is important to give absolutely everything until the last game of the season and to be proud. Then, as I have said many times, if there has been somebody better we will have to accept that but, at the moment I don't accept that there is somebody better.”

Those three paragraphs sum up Arsenal’s position perfectly.

They themselves placed the high jump bar to an unprecedented level and have then been pilloried for knocking it off with their trailing leg as they leapt for gold.

Right now it looks like they must settle for a podium place in the main event but the competition is not over. During the past couple of months, Manchester United have provided Wenger’s men with ample opportunity to bridge the gap at the top – they did so in midweek at Newcastle.

Arsenal’s failure to take these chances only make their current predicament doubly frustrating but it does not make Sir Alex Ferguson’s side any stronger – only the position they occupy.

The midweek draws at St James Park and White Hart Lane helped push Chelsea up to second and gave them a scent of the title once more. The Stamford Bridge side have what Arsenal lack – momentum. But both have the opportunity to take points off Manchester United in direct confrontations in the final few games.

Arsenal’s comes next Sunday at Emirates Stadium. It is sandwiched between a couple of tough trips – Bolton this weekend and Stoke in a fortnight.

While the form, fortune and football fraternity are all doubting Wenger’s side right now, three straight wins would put them back in touching distance of the title.

That is why the manager wants the usual ‘blame game’ to start once the title race is over.

And that simply has not happened yet.

“I have no doubt at all we can win all five games,” said Wenger.

“We have a good basis because we are consistent. As you know, we have played 16 games without losing so what I feel is most important for us now is to keep the belief and to win.

“I am convinced that if we win our five games we will win the Premier League. But the target right now is just to win the next one so let’s focus and give absolutely everything to do that. This title will go to the most solid team, mentally. Not necessarily to anybody else. The mental part of the belief is the most important thing to have in the last five games.

“We have beaten Chelsea already and, in our plan, we have to beat Man United now for sure. But even then they can drop points [elsewhere] as well so let’s just win the next game when we go to Bolton.”

Abou Diaby (calf) is the only new absentee for the trip to the Reebok Stadium which Tomas Rosicky will also miss due to sickness. Thomas Vermaelen is in training and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is out for the season. Those four are the extent of the injury list at the Club.

Crucially, Bolton will have Daniel Sturridge back in their side on Sunday. The striker has hit six goals in his eight Premier League games on loan from Chelsea and was sorely missed in the 5-0 defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup Semi-Final last weekend.

Owen Coyle’s side have had a highly-creditable campaign but that Wembley defeat will surely taint the memory and, perhaps, their end-of-season form. But they have won their last four games at home keeping clean sheets in three of them.  Arsenal will not presume weakness.

“Bolton have done very well,” said Wenger. “They have just had a massive disappointment, certainly but overall they have been one of the teams above expectations.

“They would have been thinking about going to the Cup Final and the disappointment must be huge for them. How they will respond I don't know but we have to focus on our own performance in a game of this stature.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 2011 but have drawn five of their last six games. It was a similar run of stalemates that cost them the title in 2008 when they were leading the table well into March. The only difference this time is that they had most of those games under control.

Earlier in the week, Robin van Persie called their failure to hold on to a lead “almost criminal”. Wenger both disagrees and sympathises.

“I can accept that he feels that way but it is not criminal,” said the manager. “However I use that word sometimes as well. It's how he feels because he is committed to the Club and the team.

“And certainly it is difficult to comprehend. But I think it's a little bit through a desire to do well. What happened to us in the Carling Cup Final was not quality, just nerves, and it happened again against Tottenham and Liverpool.”

Forgive me for donning the rose-tinted spectacles but perhaps that is where the general perception of Arsenal actually may help the team this weekend.

The wider football world feels the team have blown their title chances so maybe the shackles can come off and the early season away form can return.

Either way, Arsenal cannot be discounted just yet. While the expectations have been extinguished for now, at least the hope remains.

Andrey Arshavin denies any rift with manager Arsene Wenger

 

Andrey Arshavin has denied rumours of a rift between himself and Arsene Wenger after speculation about his future at the club.

Arshavin has struggled to find his best form this season for Arsenal and was left out of the starting-line up against Tottenham in midweek, leading to speculation that he could be set to leave The Emirates this summer.
Despite admitting he has not been at the top of his game this season Arshavin has denied rumours of any rift with Arsene Wenger.

“It is not true. We have absolutely fine relations,” Arshavin said, according to the Daily Mirror.
Arsenal look destined for a sixth successive season without a trophy and Wenger is reportedly set for a summer clear-out which has cast doubts over the long-term future of Arshavin, who cost £15 million from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2009.

Arshavin has been criticised for his form this season, though he has provided 11 assists in Premier League matches, second to Cesc Fabregas with 13, and has also chipped in with 10 goals in all competitions.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Chelsea are in a stronger position than Arsenal in the title run-in

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea are a stronger team than Arsenal due to their experience but concedes Arsene Wenger's men are the better footballing side.

Chelsea currently sit second in the table on goal difference after a mid-season blip had dented their title aspirations. Ferguson maintains his side capitalised fully on Carlo Ancelotti's men slipping up but warns the current champions are in a better position than Wenger's charges to mount a late surge.

"I said a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers. Now they are above Arsenal," Ferguson told reporters.

"I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier but they have to come to Old Trafford and that's not going to be easy for them. Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal.

"Chelsea are a strong team with strong experience. That's the difference between the two teams. Arsenal are the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.

"At the beginning of the season Chelsea were favourites to reclaim the Premier League, but a mid-season slump saw them lose momentum allowing United to gain an advantage.

"We all get blips in a season. Chelsea were odds-on at one point for the Premier League and then they hit that blip. But credit to us – we took advantage of that."

Manchester Unted face Everton on Saturday but Ferguson has praised the way David Moyes has guided his side to seven games without defeat, despite having a host of key first-team personnel sidelined.

"Everton have done exceptionally well considering David has had a mountain of injuries in the last few weeks, being without Cahill, Arteta, Saha and Fellaini but still turning out the results. David keeps motivating them."

Darren Fletcher is set to make his return from injury and Ferguson has revealed the Scot will takes his place in midfield once he is fully fit.

"In big games, important games, Darren has excelled over the years because he has the knowledge and discipline to carry out a job, whatever I want him to do," said Ferguson.

"When he does come back, he will go straight into the team."

West Ham’s Scott Parker received the Football Writers' award on Friday, while United captain Nemanja Vidic came third. Ferguson maintains the midfielder is deserving of the accolade.

"Scott Parker has certainly done a good job at West Ham,'' said Ferguson. "He's probably the player who's driven them on, motivated them to be where they are and still with a chance of staying up.

"They've got a mountain to climb – they go to Chelsea. But he's been the driving force in that West Ham team. In a way it's a good thing to recognise the good pros in the game."

"It's nice to recognise somebody outside of the celebrity clubs in the Premier League, the teams who are getting all the publicity like United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham."

Ferguson reflected on previous winners, one in particular, Tottenham midfielder David Ginola, who scooped the award in 1999, and maintains the Frenchman was a surprise considering his side won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League that season.

"I remember when we won the treble, David Ginola got it. He was a nice player, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against David Ginola at all, but I thought it was an insult to Manchester United. How can we not have had one player who had a better season than David Ginola?

"I suppose at the time you picked David Ginola, we still had four games to go, and may had won nothing,'' he added.

Following Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s hospital admission, fellow Premier League managers have come out in support of the Frenchman. Ferguson believes age is the determining factor of managerial illness - rather than stress as a result of the job.

"Some mornings I wake up with aches and pains and I worry what it is,'' said the 69-year-old.
"I sometimes say to my doctor: 'I've got a pain here and a pain there.' He says: 'It's your age, you're growing old. You have to pay attention to your health when you get older. It doesn't come without penalties.

"Modern nutrition and lifestyle mean people live longer but it doesn't guarantee complete health all your life. I had a pacemaker put in seven years ago. That was the first indication that your body is not working the same as 20 years ago."

Szczesny hoping Wenger doesn’t need to buy

 

Wojciech Szczesny hopes he has done enough to convince Arsène Wenger that the Arsenal manager doesn’t need to buy a goalkeeper in the summer.

Wenger has already hinted that he may not require a new acquisition following Szczesny’s remarkable, and somewhat unexpected, rise to prominence this season.

The confident Pole turned 21 on Monday and, after starting the campaign as the third-choice keeper at the Club, admits he is relishing his opportunity to impress on the big stage.

“I'm doing my best,” he said. “Whatever decision the manager makes at the start of next season is completely down to him, but I will do my best to cement my position in goal.

“I will always look at this as my ‘breakthrough’ season and I want to cement my place in the team for a long time.

“Whatever happens this year, next year will be very important for me personally and for Arsenal as well.”

Szczesny returned from the finger injury he sustained in Barcelona to make his first appearance in over a month against Liverpool on Sunday. A smart save from Luis Suarez in the second half coupled with a relatively unflustered afternoon saw him fit seamlessly back into the Arsenal side.

“I still felt a little uncomfortable,” he said. “I wear a special protection but it didn't cause me any trouble against Liverpool.

“I had my finger strapped for four weeks and I couldn't do anything with it. I just prayed for it to be fine after four weeks.”

Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool - Match Preview

Arsenal’s title challenge suffered another dent as Liverpool snatched a point in a controversial tale of two penalties.

Robin van Persie looked to have sewn up a vital win with a coolly-dispatched spot-kick in the eighth and apparently final minute of stoppage time added on after a sickening injury to Jamie Carragher.
But with 101 minutes on the clock Dirk Kuyt restored parity with the last kick of the game after Emmanuel Eboue pushed Lucas Leiva.
It was another disheartening blow on home soil and it was probably ill-deserved. Arsenal had made most of the running without ever looking at their best and went closest before that frantic finale when Laurent Koscielny crashed a header against the crossbar.

When the dust settles, Arsenal will find themselves six points behind Manchester United with six games each to play. The leaders travel south on May 1 but Arsène Wenger’s side need favours from other teams now.

And they need to win their own games too, starting with Tottenham in the North London derby on Wednesday.

Ultimately this will go down as a frustrating day but it will also be remembered as a poignant one. Before the match the whole of Emirates Stadium rose in tribute to the late Danny Fiszman as well as the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster which unfolded 22 years ago this week.

The Emirates was especially colourful on this sunny Sunday afternoon as the dark coats of winter made way for replica shirt sleeves. And Arsenal’s fans had an extra spring in their step after discovering that Wojciech Szczesny and Johan Djourou were back in the starting line-up. There was a third change as Andrey Arshavin made way for Theo Walcott and, with Alex Song also fit and among the subs, Wenger’s squad had virtually a clean bill of health.

It was just as well given the identity of their opponents. Liverpool are a very different beast from the one that squandered a winning position in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the campaign. And in Andy Carroll they have a beast of a striker who has already scored a winning goal here this season – for Newcastle in November.

Carroll’s much-touted strength in the air was expected to be Liverpool’s main threat but the England man was beaten to a high ball in the fourth minute as Diaby rose to glance Cesc Fabregas’ inswinging free-kick past the far post.

There were tit-bits for the visitors to snack on in the opening moments – Luis Suarez warmed up Szczesny with a low free-kick before Carroll headed tamely over and then wide. But Arsenal started to take a grip with Eboue offering dynamic support from right back behind the usual suspects.

A savage snap-shot from Walcott surprised Reina in the 13th minute and the Liverpool keeper got nowhere near a Van Persie corner four minutes later as Koscielny soared above him and Carragher to crash a header against the bar. Djourou was first to the rebound and nodded down for Walcott to wallop a shot against Kuyt’s arm but the penalty shout was rightly turned down.

Carroll was increasingly isolated at the other end as strike partner Suarez dropped back to help. And although Liverpool couldn’t stem the flow of Arsenal’s forward movement, they did deny them the space to carve out gilt-edged opportunities.

Fabregas and Van Persie linked up twice in three minutes just before the half-hour mark. First the captain picked out his team-mate with a clip over the top – a tactic deployed so successfully at Blackpool last weekend – but Van Persie was marginally offside as he drilled the ball past Reina. Then a one-two on the edge of the box left Fabregas in a decent position but he dragged his left-footed effort wide.

By now Fabio Aurelio had limped off and Walcott looked to expose his replacement at left back, Jack Robinson. But it was the man stationed behind him, Eboue, who fired the last meaningful shot of the half after drifting into the area and collecting Fabregas’ pass. The Ivorian’s low effort hit Martin Skrtel and looped past Reina before spinning just wide.

After a half-time talking to, Liverpool emerged from the break with far more purpose and Szczesny was relieved to watch Suarez’s effort fizz past his right-hand post. But the visitors lost their second defender of the afternoon just before the hour when Carragher was stretchered off after a horrible collision with John Flanagan.

That gave Arsenal time to regroup and they improved after that long delay. Walcott just failed to pick out Van Persie with a low cross and the Dutchman saw an attempted lob flick off a defender after Fabregas had picked him out with a searching pass.

Van Persie was first to Nasri’s resulting corner, guiding a header into the side-netting at Reina’s near post. Arsenal were getting closer without ever looking totally convincing.

Suarez was though. Pushed on after Carroll’s departure, the Uruguayan tested Szczesny with one curling effort and then saw an ever better chance snaffled by the Polish goalkeeper.

By now Wenger had brought on Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner for Walcott and a tiring Jack Wilshere. Song would follow them on before the end.


There was plenty of time for one final push.

Gael Clichy’s raking cross was met by Van Persie’s flick header but Reina plucked it out of the air. Then the Liverpool keeper stood up brilliantly to deny the Dutchman as he went clean through five minutes from time. Fabregas worked the rebound to Bendtner but Reina was equal to his dipping volley too.

Suarez almost made Arsenal pay but sliced a golden chance high and wide from a narrow angle.

The fourth official’s appearance offered hope: there would be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time thanks to Carragher’s injury.

And after Reina dealt authoratively with a succession of crosses, the chance Arsenal craved arrived when Spearing clumsily brought Fabregas down inside the box with the clock showing 97 minutes.

Up stepped Van Persie. Calm as you like he slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner while Reina chose the other way.

Cue pandemonium.

But there was a horrible twist in the 101st minute. Suarez's free kick was blocked, Eboue pushed Lucas in a race for the loose ball, another penalty was awarded and Kuyt levelled it up.

It was the final kick of the game.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool - Match Preview

"Manchester United have still got to come to Emirates Stadium."

We've heard that time and again in recent months as Arsenal have tracked their old rivals at the top of the Premier League. But the significance of winning that potential title 'six-pointer' on May 1 will count for nothing if Arsène Wenger's squad fluff their lines in the next week.

A season-defining seven days starts with the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, continues with a local derby at White Hart Lane on Wednesday and concludes with a traditionally tricky trip to Bolton on Easter Day. Maximum points from that trilogy is a lot to ask but it might be necessary to ensure United's trip south remains relevant.

Having turned the proverbial corner with a win at Blackpool last weekend, Arsenal's week has been dominated by off-field matters - KSE's offer for the Club on Monday and the sad death of Danny Fiszman on Wednesday. Having paid his respects to his former colleague, Wenger's gaze returned to matters on the pitch on Friday and he is in no doubt that his players have put the misery of their recent cup exits behind them.

"This team is focused," said the Frenchman. "I've told you many times I'm very proud to manage this team because they are focused, they want to do well.

"Unfortunately we have been hit very hard but we have not been out of every competition early on having not performed. This team has given absolutely everything to perform in every competition and we are still today in the championship.

"We lost against Barcelona by just a goal, we did not lose against them with an ugly performance, we produced in the two games what we could and we did as well as we could against maybe the best team at the moment in the world and we were very close.

"Nobody takes into consideration that in football you lose sometimes, but it is as well how you lose."

Losing is not an option on Sunday but this is arguably a bad time to face Liverpool. Pepe Reina's flap on the opening weekend of the season may have gifted Arsenal a point at Anfield and set the tone for a five-month malaise that precipitated Roy Hodgson's removal as manager, but the Reds have been on the rise as of late.

Eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish was handed the caretaker reins in January - his previous game as a manager of a top-flight English club was Newcastle's 1998 FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal - but the old Kop hero has already stockpiled 23 Premier League points to Hodgson's 25 - in eight fewer games.

"It was strange to see him [Dalglish] back because for a while he was Director of Football at Liverpool so it looked like he had decided not to come back into the game," said Wenger. "But certainly Liverpool has a special meaning for him and that is why he decided to come back.

"Liverpool have done well since then. They had a slow start but you expected them to come back to some decent performances. The confidence dropped early in the season and then it is very difficult. Since they have come back and they had as well the bad luck of Steven Gerrard being ruled out for a long time, but you are not surprised that Liverpool is one of the best teams in this league."

Galvanised by Dalglish, Liverpool have also been lifted by the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll - paid for with the proceeds of the £50million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea. That looks like increasingly savvy business - while Torres waits to break his duck at Stamford Bridge, Suarez and Carroll have shared four goals in nine League starts.

The former is facing Arsenal for the first time; not so the latter. Carroll inflicted as much damage as anyone on Arsenal's title challenge with a towering headed winner when Newcastle visited the Emirates back in November and Wenger knows exactly what to expect from him on Sunday.

"He is physically very strong, he has a good understanding of the game on crosses, long balls, he uses his body well and he is very good in the air," noted the Frenchman. "He is very young as well so there is still a lot to come from him.

"You certainly have in your mind the goal he scored against Manchester City [on Monday], Liverpool's third goal [in a 3-0 win]. It is typically a striker's goal, good anticipation, good deflection of the ball. He is a typical type of English centre forward, Carroll, so we have to keep him quiet."

Wenger pointed out at his pre-match press conference that Nicklas Bendtner is the closest player to Carroll in Arsenal's ranks in terms of strength and aerial ability. Whether or not the Dane gets a chance to prove it this weekend remains to be seen after his manager reported a virtually clean bill of health.

Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is the only long-term absentee while Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia (both knee) are doubts for Sunday. But Wojciech Szczesny (finger), Alex Song (knee) and Johan Djourou (shoulder) are all expected to return to the squad while even Thomas Vermaelen is back in full training.

It's exactly the news Wenger needed ahead of what has become a bellwether fixture for Arsenal in modern times. Wins at Anfield propelled the Gunners to the title in 1989 (obviously), 1991 and 2002 while a 4-2 win seven Aprils ago proved pivotal to the 'Invincibles' campaign.

"Both teams have always had a very positive philosophy in the games and went forward," reflected Wenger. "We have some good and bad memories but they were always very exciting games.

"Liverpool had a good game on Monday night, we won the day before, so it promises to be a very exciting game. They have a good offensive force with Carroll and Suarez and we are as well an offensive team so it promises to be an interesting game. We have a good opportunity to reduce the distance with Man United and we want of course to take it."

Ah yes, United. In case you hadn't noticed, they have no option but to take their eyes off the Premier League prize this weekend while an FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley against their Manchester rivals occupies their minds.

By the time they look up, Arsenal could be just four points behind with six games left to play.

If they are, that much-touted May clash at the Emirates will be as significant as ever.

Alisher Usmanov considering selling his 27% stake in Arsenal to Stan Kroenke for £200m

 

The Uzbek-born billionaire and his business partner Farhad Moshiri are the club’s second largest shareholders and their stake is crucial to Kroenke taking private control.

Sources close to Usmanov have told Goal.com UK that the pair were completely unaware before the story broke on Sunday afternoon that Kroenke had reached agreements to take his personal shareholding to 62 per cent.

Usmanov’s investment vehicle Red and White Holdings has an offer of £11,750 per share on the table from Kroenke and, although he has said in the past that he does not want to sell, it could be one that is impossible to refuse.

His total stake is worth a combined £198 million, which would represent a tidy profit for the third richest man in Russia, who has acquired his holding at various prices ranging from £8,500-£11,500 per share over the last four years.

“We are considering the offer,” a Red and White source told Goal.com UK. “But there is no strict timetable at the moment.”

Usmanov and Moshiri are waiting to receive the formal offer document from Kroenke’s company, Kroenke Sports Enterprises. Once the offer is received it triggers a window of between 21 days and three months for shareholders to either accept or decline it.

Usmanov’s current holding does not give him any say in the day-to-day activity at the club. He is entitled to four seats in the director’s box at Emirates Stadium but has not been invited on to the Arsenal board.

Kroenke has said today that it is not his intention to de-list the company from Plus Markets – the junior stock exchange on which they are traded - and take Arsenal private.

But once he gets above 75 per cent, he would be in a position to do so and if he acquires more than 90 per cent of Arsenal’s shares, he could consider a compulsory purchase of any remaining shares. This would mean that Arsenal’s 1,200 minority shareholders would have no choice but to cash in their holding.

Abou Diaby & Robin van Persie involved in dressing room row during Arsenal's victory over Blackpool

Abou Diaby and Robin van Persie were reportedly involved in a dressing room row during Arsenal's victory over Blackpool.

The Gunners had taken a two-goal lead at the end of the first half, when Diaby - who had scored the opener - was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle had been blown.

And The Mirror reports that Van Persie was angry with his team-mate, and the pair had to be pulled apart by other players during half-time.

Earlier in the season, the Londoners were cruising with a 4-0 lead at half-time against Newcastle United, but Diaby's red card proved to change the match as the opposition managed to pull off a shock to draw 4-4.

Against Blackpool, however, Arsene Wenger's men conceded a goal a little after the break, but managed to win the game 3-1.

Blackpool 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal kept themselves on the coat-tails of Manchester United with a highly-entertaining and hugely-important 3-1 win at Blackpool on Sunday.

There was drama before kick-off when Manuel Almunia injured himself in the warm-up and Jens Lehmann, at 41, played his first game for the Club in three years and, with it, registered 200 appearances.

Blackpool sensed weakness in the early stages but Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes midway through the first half to give the visitors control.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher prodded Blackpool back in touch just after the restart but, as they had in the first half, Arsenal gradually tightened their grip on the game and fully deserved Robin van Persie’s goal with 14 minutes left.

This was by-no-means a perfect performance from Arsène Wenger’s side. But it did possess a fluency and creativity that they have lacked in recent games.

It leaves Arsenal seven points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. That comes next Sunday at home to Liverpool while Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are otherwise employed in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

Given they entertain Manchester United at Emirates Stadium too, Arsenal are still part of a title race.

The margin for error is now thin but Wenger’s men are certainly still involved.

The pre-game news was all about Lehmann. The German was making his first Arsenal appearance since May 2008 and his first in top-fight football since ending his career at Stuttgart last summer.

Elsewhere Cesc Fabregas, Eboue and Diaby came back into the side. Alex Song, Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott dropped out. The first two were injured, the third made the bench.

The late drama seemed to buoy Blackpool and they forced Arsenal back in the opening minutes. However their pressure created only one real chance. It came when Charlie Adam’s corner was nodded wide by the stooping Ian Evatt. At the other end Andrey Arshavin hacked horribly wide with keeper Richard Kingson stranded.

Van Persie fired a free-kick over the bar and, minutes later, saw the keeper intervene after failing to adequately control a lofted pass from Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal seemed to be gradually gaining control and two goals in three minutes would confirm their position.

In the 17th minute, Van Persie went clear on the left and crossed low to the far post where the unmarked Diaby converted.

Then Eboue raced forward down the right, burst into the area, exchanged passes with Wilshere and thumped past Kingson from close range.

The Ivorian threw off the celebrations of his fellow players and ran to the visiting support then kissed the badge on his shirt. It was his first Premier League goal for over two years.

Blackpool were now utterly on the back foot and could have conceded a couple more before the break.

Fabregas lofted a pass into the path of Van Persie, who chested the ball down expertly but could only sidefoot straight at Kingson.

In the 36th minute, Arshavin prodded Nasri through only for the goalkeeper to block his shot. The ball was eventually recycled to Fabregas who chipped the Frenchman clear 12 yards out. He hooked his shot past Kingson but the ball bounced off the outside of the post.

Arsenal were now attacking at will and creating clear-cut opportunities all the time. Blackpool were dangerous going forward but wide open at the back

Six minutes from the whistle, Van Perise beat the offside trap but Kingson raced out of his area to pressurise. The Dutchman found Diaby who tried to cut inside but was dispossessed.

Shortly afterwards Van Persie thought he had a third but was rightly flagged offside in the build-up.

However Blackpool would finish the half like they had started it - with a chance at the near post. Taylor-Fletcher drove to the byline and Luke Varney’s touch was blocked partly by Laurent Koscielny, partly Lehmann. However it was Fabregas who cleared the vulnerable ball off the line.

Van Persie seemed to be bundled over in injury time but referee Lee Mason waved play on. He did the same thing at the start of the second half when Diaby was alleged to have handled.

Once again, Blackpool began well. Shortly afterwards Varney should have converted at the near post from Adam’s low free-kick.

In the 52nd minute, Jason Puncheon slipped the ball towards DJ Campbell but Lehmann raced out and seemed to clip the Blackpool striker. Everyone waited for a whistle but referee Mason played the advantage and Taylor-Fletcher maintained his poise to fire home.

The goal rattled Arsenal and they might have conceded twice in the minutes that followed. Firstly Koscielny seemed to bring down Taylor-Fletcher just inside the area then the unmarked Keith Southern failed to nod home at the near post following a cross by the former.

However as the game reached the three-quarter stage, Arsenal were back on top. Van Persie drove a grubber shot past the far post and then, in the 73rd minute, fizzed a fine volley beyond the same upright.

The third goal arrived three minutes later. Sebastien Squillaci mopped up danger at the back and Diaby fled forward down the right to find substitute Walcott. He crossed for Van Persie to sidefoot past Kingson.

Ten minutes from time, Fabregas nodded inches past the post.

However, in between came Lehmann’s moment. Taylor-Fletcher caught Gael Clichy in possession and put Campbell clear. The German stood up well to block.

It was Blackpool’s last chance and Arsenal cruised home. At the end, a few Arsenal players threw their shirt to the visiting supporters.

Both need to believe if Wenger’s men are going to win the title now.

But this victory and that gesture can only help.

Blackpool Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsène Wenger is fully prepared for the fight ahead.

The Frenchman spent most of the press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Blackpool deflecting perceived criticism of his side.

The goalless draw against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium last Saturday was both costly and frustrating for everyone with an Arsenal allegiance.

A disjointed performance saw the home side drop two points and allowed Manchester United to go seven clear at the top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more.

But Wenger refuses to accept the result nailed down the coffin lid on their campaign.

For example, when asked on Friday how he assessed this season, he retorted immediately: “The season is not over.”

His point was simple. Eight games represents 24 points and, in this title race especially, that is a massive margin.

Manchester United have shown their mettle this week by overturning West Ham at Upton Park and then Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. But they have shown an unusual fallibility previously this season.

Yes, having gone five games without a win, Arsenal are at a low ebb right now but this is a season when presumption and prediction have often led to embarrassment. So Wenger is not going to give up now.

“I am very much up for a fight,” he said. “When you have a disappointing game, as we did, you are down because you want this club to win every single game.

“But the way we respond now until the end of the season is hugely important for us. We have worked so hard since the start that is very important we battle until the end.

“If there is a team that is better than us then we have to accept it. But I believe we do not have to be ashamed at the moment of what we have done.

“Rather, I have to be proud because if I took statements from all the people here at the start of the season we would not even be in the top five. Now it seems it is a scandal we are second.

“We have to accept it. People can change their minds but we have to fight. That’s what makes a top-level sportsman.”

Cesc Fabregas will be ready to start on Sunday having only been fit enough for the bench against Blackburn. Aaron Ramsey (groin) is back but Alex Song (knee), Bacary Sagna (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle) may miss out.

Looking further ahead, Johan Djourou (shoulder) and Wojciech Szczesny (finger) may be in training next week. Meanwhile Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) could follow them soon afterwards.

After a superb start, Blackpool are have been sliding down the table since the turn of the year and are now just one place above the drop zone. They have lost ten of their 14 games in 2011 and are in serious trouble of relegation.

“They have had great success because nobody expected them to be where they are,” said Wenger. “They are going through a difficult period now but overall they have played good football and have done very well.”
And, early on, it was success with style. Ian Holloway’s side were praised for their expansive approach and the manager retained that policy even after they were beaten 6-0 at Emirates Stadium back in August.

Like the town and their manager, Blackpool are entertainers at heart. No visiting side has kept a clean sheet in 14 Premier League matches at Bloomfield Road this season. However Wenger believes they will adopt a more circumspect attitude at the weekend.

“We expect every team to defend well against us,” he said. “Before the game everybody says if you don’t defend you will not touch the ball. So we expect even Blackpool to change their way.”

Once again, this is a massive game for Arsenal. The pressure is intense right now so they all are.
Wenger’s men are still unbeaten in the Premier League since that 1-0 reverse at Old Trafford in December and have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 11 fixtures.

Despite perceived weakness at the back, their defensive record is better than Manchester United and, at the moment, it is draws, not defeats, that are sucking the life out of their title challenge.
All reasons why the manager feels over-criticised.

Of course, Wenger has broad shoulders and has been here before. Remember he built his reputation in England on that four-month unbeaten run that took Arsenal to the title in 1998. However before Christmas that year there had been rumblings of discontent at Highbury.

And, while it is frustrating to be ‘nearly men’ in terms of trophies, the team’s success is measured against the standards Wenger himself has set. He maintains his side IS coming together and, overall, his track record in this area is strong.

“It doesn't hurt me personally,” the 61-year-old said. “But it bothers me that the players do not get the recognition for what they have put in since the start of the season.

“You do not go to the Carling Cup Final or the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup or lose in the Champions League to Barcelona giving absolutely everything – and are the victim of some unbelievable decisions – by not fighting every day.

“I have been in football a long time and I can tell you these players have been absolutely outstanding from the first day of the season.

“And that is why I will fight until the last day of the season to reward these players.”

If the reward is going to come it may take that sort of effort.

But certainly this is no time to start throwing in the towel.

The fight for the title is not over. In fact it has only just begun.
And Arsène has his gloves on.

Arsenal keen on Barcelona's Xavi Quintilla - report

Arsenal are considering a move for Barcelona's promising youngster Xavi Quintilla, according to Sport.

The 15-year-old joined Barca from Lleida two years ago and is considered to be one of the most promising players at la Masia, the Nou Camp club's youth training facility.

Quintilla can play both in defence and in midfield, and scouts from the London side have watched the player in action on more than one occasion.

The versatile player cannot sign a professional contract with Barcelona just yet, and Arsenal are reportedly ready to pounce before his current club can offer professional terms.

Quintilla wouldn't be the first player to exit the Barcelona academy in order to complete a switch to the Gunners. The current skipper at the Emirates, Cesc Fabregas, also came through the ranks at la Masia, while rising star Jon Miquel Toral Harper will leave Catalunya for Arsenal at the end of the season.

Arsenal & Liverpool target Andre Ayew cools transfer speculation by committing future to Marseille

 

Liverpool and Arsenal target Andre Ayew has attempted to downlplay talk of a summer transfer by saying his future lies with current club Marseille.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to England this summer, but the youngster has told the press that he is happy to stay with the Ligue 1 side.

According to talkSPORT, he said: "Marseille is a great club and I am well here. I love the supporters and the manager treats me well so I look forward to being here for a long time."

The 21-year-old has scored seven league goals for Marseille so far the season, attracting interest from Arsenal and Parma.

The French-born winger has made close to 30 caps for Ghana, and is currently enjoying his first proper season with the Ligue 1 champions.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

Arsenal lost ground in the title race after being held by a dogged Blackburn Rovers side at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester United’s lunchtime comeback at West Ham had put them eight points ahead having played two games more.

Arsène Wenger’s men reduced both those figures by one in a frustrating 90 minutes but it was not enough.

The home side started well but perhaps their best chance came in the final seconds when Nicklas Bendtner’s header was cleared off the line by Michel Salgado.

Arsenal are not out of the race but, crucially, their fate is now out of their hands.

Wenger’s side lacked a cutting edge and and a little luck this evening - even Steven N'Zonzi's late dismissal could not bring about a goal. They need to put both right very quickly or their title hopes may slip away.

However, this Premier League story has been a rollercoaster all season and there are sure to be a few plot twists in the final eight games.

That Manchester United result made this game massive for Arsenal. Fortunately they had re-enforcements. Theo Walcott (ankle) returned for the first time since the win over Stoke on February 23 while Alex Song (knee) had last figured in the Carling Cup Final. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (groin) were back aswell but only made the bench.

Robin van Persie started despite having hobbled off with a knee injury playing for Holland in midweek.

This was a tea-time kick-off but British summertime had started last weekend so the floodlights were barely required early on and coats were strictly optional.

Ten minutes before kick-off, Emirates Stadium enjoyed a tribute to David Rocastle on the tenth anniversary of his death.

If Arsenal were going to win the Premier League they would require some of Rocky’s tenacity in the final nine games.

And they certainly began the right way this afternoon.

The home side conjured up three chances in the opening six minutes. Song drove wide, Ryan Nelsen’s miscue drifted past of his own post and, finally, Walcott’s near post shot was pushed wide by Paul Robinson.

Arsenal were searching for the cushion of that early goal. And they were looking in all the right places.

However, a nasty injury to Samir Nasri disrupted their flow. As the Frenchman nodded over Andrey Arshavin’s cross, Nelsen headed the Arsenal midfielder on the temple.

Nasri’s was left with an egg-like swelling and subsequently a hefty bandage. Arsenal were out of sorts for 15 minutes as a result.

Blackburn did not profit though. Only Brett Emerton’s free-kick threatened Manuel Almunia’s goal.

As we reached the midpoint of the half, Arsenal had recovered. Robinson spilled Arshavin’s drive then an unmarked Wilshere sidefooted wide from close range after more good work from Walcott on the right.

However this was not one-way traffic. David Hoilett’s deflected drive was fumbled around the post by Almunia. Then, the same striker profited on Bacary Sagna’s error and, yet again, his effort ricocheted off an Arsenal defender and went wide.

The home side continued to attack but there was a fragile feeling about the defence today. In injury time, Robinson thumped a ‘Hail Mary’ of a free-kick into the area and N’Zonzi climbed above Almunia to nod wide with the goal gaping.

But the home side finished the half on the attack. Nasri’s swivelling shot was blocked and, from the corner, Sagna drove over the bar.

The effort and the emphasis was on the Blackburn goal once again at the start of the second half but this was proving to be a frustrating evening for Arsenal.

In the 55th minute, Nasri sent Wilshere momentarily clear on the right but he chose to cross not shoot and only won a corner. When it was swung over, Koscielny’s header was clutched by Robinson on the line.

On the hour, Wenger played his trump card. He brought on Fabregas as a replacement for Arshavin.

But it was followed by a significant substitution by Steve Kean. The visiting manager introduced Jason Roberts. The burly frontman was the perfect foil for a side now playing on the break.

That was the pattern of the game - Arsenal trying to pass their way to a goal, Blackburn happy to counterattack when those moves broke down.

Van Persie’s drive was saved by Robinson but by now the visitors were starting to show a little more confidence going forward.

With 15 minutes left, N’Zonzi fired over after a spell of Blackburn pressure. It would be his last positive act in the game. Seconds later he went in two-footed on Koscielny and was shown a straight red card.

That only increased the urgency about Arsenal. With 11 minutes left, Van Persie’s backheel freed Wilshere on the left-hand byline. He cut the ball back to substitute Marouane Chamakh whose goal-bound shot was blocked by the diving Martin Olsson.

Shortly afterwards, another substitute, Bendtner, sent a towering header wide.

Arsenal were now going for it. They had no choice. Wenger’s men had dropped two points at West Brom, another two would be a big blow to their title hopes.

In the final minute, Van Persie’s corner was met firmly by the head of Bendtner at the far post. However Salgado chested the ball off the line.

Deep into injury time, Van Persie headed over from close range.

This was a huge disappointment but it is not terminal. Arsenal must just keep plugging away while hoping their luck and their sparkle returns.

Nothing has been decided yet.

Arsenal Vs Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

You might not think it but, right now, Arsène Wenger really does have all he needs.

The last international break of the campaign has just finished so the Arsenal manager goes into the final nine Premier League games of the season with a relatively fit squad, no distractions and, most importantly, his destiny in his own hands.

February ended with a Carling Cup Final defeat, March saw them stumble out of two more competitions but April just might still be their salvation.

There have been vultures circling over Arsenal’s season ever since that defeat at Barcelona. And the scent of weakness grew a little more pungent a fortnight ago after the 2-2 draw at West Brom.

Manchester United’s narrow 1-0 win over Bolton on the same day hauled them five points ahead in the table having played a game more. If the leaders beat West Ham on Saturday lunchtime, the gap will be a mighty eight points by the time Arsenal kick-off in the early evening fixture against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium.

However, at the same time, Wenger knows his side WILL be champions if they win these nine games and so he has no time for recrimination, reflection and regret. The margins are too thin and time too short.

“If you worry about yesterday, you harm tomorrow’s chances,” he mused at Friday’s press conference. “Let’s just look forward at what we can achieve.

“Nobody can say we have not tried to go for everything but what is important now is just to focus on what we still can achieve and what would be a magnificent season.

“We have been a bit unlucky with the fixtures because we had many important games one after the other. It was very difficult to deal with that because we lost many players but, attitude-wise, this group has been fantastic and they deserve to be rewarded.

“We are in April now. We did not have many games in March but we kept our unbeaten run going even when it was under threat at West Brom when we were 2-0 down. We had a difficult month on all fronts so now it’s a new start for us.”

If Arsenal do win the title, March may be viewed retrospectively as being beneficial by  ‘clearing the decks’. Having been busy to a record-breaking extent in January and February, Arsenal have now just one midweek fixture remaining. On the other hand, Manchester United must juggle FA Cup and Champions League commitments while battling to keep their noses in front in the title race.

“I don’t know how much of a factor that will be,” admitted Wenger. “But it could be a help for us because in December, January and February we basically played nine games per month. In the end it was too much. We lost important players for key games.

“We have a week to recover between every game now. That should help us but let’s just focus on our performances and not [wait for] anybody else to slip up. It’s down to us.”

The two-week gap since West Brom has allowed Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Song (knee), Abou Diaby (groin) and Theo Walcott (ankle) to return. Robin van Persie (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) have recovered after picking up injuries on international duty in midweek. Denilson (toe) and Aaron Ramsey (groin) miss out.

History would suggest Blackburn are the perfect opponents for Arsenal this weekend. The Lancashire side have lost their last seven encounters against Wenger’s men conceding, on average, 3.5 goals per game. Steve Kean’s outfit have not won in their last six games this season whereas Wenger’s men are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches.

Blackburn have lost all six away games in 2011 conceding 18 goals. Arsenal, on the other hand, have registered four wins and two draws at Emirates Stadium this year conceding just once – and that was a Louis Saha’s controversial goal for Everton in February.

However, after somewhat surprisingly replacing Sam Allardyce with Kean, Blackburn have succeeded in keeping themselves out of the drop zone. They have zig-zagged across the median line of the Premier League for four months, going as high as seventh but arriving this weekend in 13th spot.

“Blackburn are with all the clubs down there where it is very tight to stay in the Premier League,” said Wenger. “But, for me, Steve Kean has done a good job.”

The top flight has been difficult to decode all season. The perception is that the champions will be relatively weak in comparison to previous years whereas the bottom side will be relatively strong. For Wenger, this is not an indication of dropping standards at the top. It is just that an overall rise in quality has left the title contenders room for fewer off days.

“The top sides are not weaker just less consistent maybe because the bottom teams are stronger,” he said. “Also, from our side, maybe it is because we have gone for all competitions.

“We are on a run of 12 unbeaten games so that is consistency. We had problems at the start of the season to be consistent but since November we have been extremely consistent. We went out against Barcelona under very special circumstances. The only regret we can maybe have is the Carling Cup Final in the last minute. But we have gone on for many games now and done well.

“I don’t know if we need to stay unbeaten until the end of the season but that is our target.
“We need to continue our run and also just win again because we haven’t beaten Sunderland and West Brom. It’s important for us [to get a victory].

“Of course it’s important to have the good basis of an unbeaten run [ongoing] but what will make the difference is the three points against Blackburn.”

Wenger - I fear Wilshere will ‘hit the wall’

 

Arsène Wenger’s experience tells him that JackThe 19-year-old’s commitments have been the topic of much debate this week ahead of a possible double England call-up in June when the senior side resume their Euro 2012 qualifiers and the Under-21s head to Denmark for their own European Championship.

Wilshere could end his first full season with nearly 60 appearances for club and country under his belt and, although his manager has no appetite for a row with the Football Association, he suspects that the teenager’s current workload is unsustainable.

“I do not want to go into these battles any more - I did it with France,” reflected Wenger. “But I have enough experience and experience helps you only to anticipate problems. It doesn’t make you more intelligent.

“You know this car will hit the wall at some stage and you see it a little bit earlier than somebody who has less experience. I think, in the world, nobody has brought more young players through than I have and I have a good experience of what kind of stages they go through.”

That said, Wenger is reluctant to prick Wilshere’s natural enthusiasm for doing what he does best.

“I think the best way to help Wilshere is to leave him alone and play football,” said the manager.

“I don’t deny that he is a very promising player. I wouldn’t play him at 19 years of age in the first team with the number of midfielders that I have if I didn’t believe that. But let him play and what he will be, he will be.

“We are all confident that he has a bright future but it’s the first season [for him]. Let him play.”