Arsenal goalkeeping errors cost all 3 points

Arsenal wasted the chance to go within 1 point of Premiership leaders Chelsea after a surprising 3-2 loss at the Emirates to West Brom.
West Brom went 3-0 up after they missed a penalty but Arsenal's 2 goals were too little too late.

Arsenal got an early chance after Eboue's cross was not once but twice hit against the post from Arshavin.

Odemwingie got West Brom's first opportunity of the game but Almunia managed to turn his shot around the post. A few minutes later Odemwingie was in the action again and managed to get him self a penalty. Almunia was the culprit and was cautioned. Brunt stepped up to take the penalty but Almunia dived the right way and kept the penalty out!

In injury time at the end of the first half Arsenal had a great chance to make it 1-0. Arshavin delivering from the right who crossed to Sagna who had been causing West Brom problems managed to force a good save out of Carson in the WBA goal.

The score at half time was 0-0.

5 minutes into the second half the Emirates were stunned when West Brom took the lead after a low cross from Thomas was tapped in by Odemwingie.
2 minutes later they grabbed another through Gonzalo Jara. A back heel from Brunt putting Jara through into loads of space. He then smashed the ball at Almunia and it fizzed in off him and into the back of the net.

Then on 73 minutes West Brom put the game to bed and made the score 3-0! Brunt setting up former Arsenal player Jerome Thomas who smashed the ball into an empty Arsenal net after Almunia was left in no mans land.

Arsenal now began to put the pressure on West Brom and Nasri saw his effort smash against the bar. Then a few seconds later Nasri picked up the ball again and went around 3 men and then buried his left footed shot beyond Carson.

Then in stoppage time Nasri bagged another to make it 2-3 after Arshavin slipped a ball into the path of the frenchman who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Arsenal could not find another good oportunity and the final score finished Arsenal 2 - 3 West Brom.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny(66), Clichy, Eboue(56), Arshavin, Nasri, Diaby(57), Song, Chamakh.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Wilshere(56), Denilson, Emmanuel-Thomas, Rosicky(57), Vela(66).

West Brom: Carson, Jara, Pablo, Olsson, Shorey, Thomas(83), Morrison(77), Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Odemwingie.
Subs: Myhill, Zuiverloon, Dorrans(77), Reid, Tchoyi(83), Fortune, Cox.

My man of the match: Samir Nasri

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 60, 025

First North London derby of the season sees an Arsenal win

The first North London derby of the season saw an impressive Arsenal side beat Tottenham 4-1 after extra time at White Hart Lane. Arsene Wengar watched from the stands following the FA's charge for his reaction to the draw at Sunderland. Henri Lansbury's early goal gave the Gunners an early lead before 2 extra time penalties from Nasri and an Arshavin strike ensured Arsenal's progression to the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Wengar fielded a team that we did not expect making 8 changes with 4 first team players starting the game.

Arsenal had a shout for a penalty on 10 minutes when Assou-Ekotto seemed to have pushed Lansbury in the box but the referee waved play on.
The Gunners were seeing plenty of the ball and made it count on 14 minutes when Henri Lansbury put Arsenal ahead after Wilshire delivered a low cross from the left to Lansbury who tapped the ball home from close range.

Spurs got their first chance of the game 6 minutes later when former Arsenal player David Bentley skipped through the challenge of Djourou, he got the opportunity to shoot but blazed his effort high and wide. Spurs got another chance when Pavlyuchenko was in on goal but his shot hit the side netting.

Arsenal continued to dominate possession in the first half but got no decent chances to double their advantage. The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

4 minutes into the second half Tottenham grabbed their equaliser. Naughton slid a through ball into the path of Keane who slotted the ball past Fabianski. Keane appeared to be marginally offside as the ball was played through to him.

The second half was now matching up to be a close contest and Vela had a great opportunity to make it 2-1 after Rosicky lofted a ball into the box but he put his header over the bar.

Spurs also had a great chance to win the game when they were awarded a free kick after Lansbury brought down Sandro. The free kick found the foot of Keane and from a yard out Keane hit the post.

The score at the end of 90 minutes was 1-1.

30 seconds into extra time Arsenal got a penalty after Bassong brought down Nasri off the ball. Nasri stepped up to take the penalty and comfortably slotted the ball past Pletikosa in the Spurs goal.
3 minutes later Arsenal were awarded with another penalty, Caulker the culprit this time after bringing down Chamakh. Nasri stepped up to take the penalty again and slotted the ball the other side of Pletikosa this time to make the score 3-1.

A few minutes later Tottenham must have thought they had a way back into the game but Naughton's cross was headed against the post from 6 yards out by Bentley.

Then just before the end of the first half of extra time Arshavin made it 4-1 after a quickly taken free kick from Lansbury found Arshavin who fired it past the despairing Spurs goalkeeper.

Arsenal had got revenge for the 2-1 defeat last season which effectively knocked them out of the title race.
The final score ended: Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal

The teams lineups:

Tottenham: Pletikosa, Naughton, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Caulker, Sandro(96), Livermore(46), Palacios, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani(46).
Subs: Cudicini, Hutton, Huddlestone, Jenas, Kranjcar(96), Lennon(46), Keane(46).

Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs(102), Denilson, Wilshere, Nasri, Rosicky(72), Lansbury, Vela(72).
Subs: Almunia, Sagna, Clichy(102), Arshavin(72), Eastmond, Chamakh(72), Emmanuel-Thomas.

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 35,883

Arsenal gift Sunderland injury time equaliser

Arsenal were denied the chance to go top for at least 24 hours when Darren Bent scored an injury time goal for the blackcats, after Fabregas had scored a freak opening goal for the Gunners.
The luck from the skippers goal did not continue during the game as Song was sent off and Rosicky skied a penalty which would have surely had all three points in the bag for the Gunners.
Arsene Wengar named the same XI that thrashed Braga in the Champions League in mid week but they could not do the job this time out.

There had been no real chances in the game up to 12 minutes. There should still not have been but Anton Ferdinand left the ball too late to clear and Fabregas closed the ball down really well. He blocked the ball and it went sailing over the goalkeepers head to make it 1-0. Cesc injuring his knee in the process, managed to run the injury off but then injured his hamstring minutes later and a change was forced.

Sunderland were then awarded a corner later on, Onuoha leapt the highest but saw his header fly over the crossbar.

Both sides were having parts of the play and Song had a great chance to make the score 2-0. Arshavin's cross found him unmarked at the back post but Mignolet in the Sunderland goal tipped his header around the post.

The score at half time was 0-1.

Early in the second half Chamakh raced down the right wing and found Arshavin in the box but he blazed his shot over the bar.
Later Alex Song was shown his second yellow card of the game and was dismissed for blocking off Steed Malbranque.

Sunderland were now starting to press and Bent got a great chance to get the equaliser but smashed the ball high and wide from the edge of the six yard box.

El Mohamady later then brought down Nasri in the box and the referee awarded Arsenal a penalty. A great chance for the Gunners to go 2 up. Rosicky stepped up to take the penalty in the absence of Fabregas but he opted for power rather than placement and blazed the shot over the bar.

Then on 9o minutes Denilson broke with the ball from defence but had no one in support so he opted for the shot but failed to convert, just bending the ball past the outside of the post.

In the last minute of injury time Sunderland were awarded with a corner. Chamakh managed to head the delivery out of the box but straight to Zenden. He managed to get a cross in and in a goal mouth scramble the boyhood Arsenal fan Darren Bent scored with the last kick of the game for Sunderland to make it 1-1. Arsene Wengar was not happy as you could imagine but especially after 30 seconds had been played over the allotted amount of injury time.


The final score ended: Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Onuoha(76), Bramble, Ferdinand, Richardson, Malbranque(85), Meyler, Riveros(63), El Mohamady, Bent, Welbeck.
Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Da Silva, Zenden(76), Reid(85), Colback, Gyan(63).

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Arshavin(57), Fabregas(29), Nasri, Wilshere, Song, Chamakh.
Subs: Fabianski, Eboue, Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson(57), Rosicky(29), Vela.

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 38,950

Arsenal gundown Champions League first timers

Arsenal kicked off their Champions league campaign in style by thrashing Portuguese side Sporting Braga 6-0 at the Emirates. Braga at the start of the match were a team to be reckoned with after beating Celtic and Sevilla on their way to securing their place in the Champions League proper for the first time. Nasri was returning from injury after 2 weeks for the Gunners.

Arsenal made a lively start to the game and Chamakh could have put the Gunners 1-0 up but decided to dummy the ball but nobody was behind him. Still on the attack the Gunners had a very strong claim for a penalty turned down.
Arsenal were then awarded a penalty on 8 minutes after the Braga goalkeeper brought down Chamakh just outside the 6 yard box. Cesc Fabregas stepped up and slotted the ball past Felipe in the Braga goal.

Braga then got a half decent chance after Alan raced into the box beating Fabregas for pace but his cross could not be turned into the net.

Braga were not defending well and Jack Wilshere had a great opportunity after Arshavin found Fabregas from the cross who headed to Wilshere but Felipe made a good save and tipped the ball away.

Arsenal then made it 2-0 thanks to Arshavin after great work from Fabregas outside the box. He then found Arshavin who smashed the ball inside the near post.
Arsenal were dominating and 4 minutes later Chamakh made it 3-0. Jack Wilshire played a one-two with Chamakh who put the ball into the back of the net, a classy backheel from Wilshire providing the assist.

The score at half time was 3-0.

Arsenal started the second half the way they started the first. 8 minutes into the second half the Gunners made it 4-0 after Arshavin dinked the ball onto the head of Fabregas who headed in from 6 yards.

Fabregas then got a great opportunity to get his hat-trick after racing into the box but his effort was cleared off the line.
Arsenal then should have made it 5 on the break but Arshavin saw his shot hit the post and bounce back out again.

The Gunners then did make it 5-0 after a nice exchange from Arshavin found Vela who dinked the ball over Felipe the Braga goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Arsenal then completed the rout 6 minutes from time after a lofted ball forward from Wilshire found the skipper Fabregas who then found Vela. He then tucked the ball inside the near post for his second of the game after coming on as a substitute.

The final scored ended Arsenal 6 - 0 SC Braga

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Fabregas, Song(63), Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin(69), Chamakh(63).
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Eboue(69), Gibbs, Rosicky, Denilson(63), Vela(63).

SC Braga: Felipe, Rodriguez, Moises, Aguiar, Garcia, Silvio, Alan, Viana(55), Cesar(70), Vandinho, Matheus(60).
Subs: Artur, Paulao, Elton, Mossoro(55), Barbosa(70), Madrid, Lima(60).

My Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Alain Hamer(Lux)
Attendance: 59,333

Koscielny scores first Gunners goal as Arsenal win 4-1

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-1 win over Bolton at the Emirates. The goals came from Koscielny, Chamakh, Song and Vela. Sebastian Squillaci made his debut for Arsenal and Sagna, Clichy and Diaby were rested.

Arshavin grabbed an early opportunity to put the home side ahead after a through ball from Rosicky but the shot was saved.

Arsenal then got the breakthrough they wanted on 24 minutes. Wilshire delivered a ball in from out side the box. The ball found Fabregas who headed it down to Koscielny who scrambled the ball home to score his first goal in Arsenal colours.
Arsenal continued to press and got another chance when Chamakh layed the ball off to Rosicky on the left handside but his shot was saved by Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal.

Bolton then got the equaliser moments before half time. Koscielny miss placed his header and Lee picked up the ball. He then crossed to Elamnder who headed it home to make it 1-1.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Arsenal got the first real opportunity of the first half when Arsenal broke from the back. Chamakh felt the ball at his feet at the end of it but his shot was kept out by Bogdan.
Then from the resulting corner Arsenal took the lead. The initial corner was headed away but only as far as Arshavin who gave the ball to Fabregas on the byline. Fabregas managed to squeeze a cross in and Chamakh headed home to give the hosts a 1 goal advantage.

4 minutes later Gary Cahill was shown a straight red card after he brought down Chamakh on the byline. The Bolton players were not impressed with the referees decision.

On 78 minutes Arsenal grabbed their third and sealed all three points when Alex Song scored after great hold up play from Arshavin. That goal was the 1000th goal of Arsene Wengar's reign at Arsenal in the Premier League.

5 minutes later Arsenal grabbed a fourth. Vela scoring from close range after amazing build up play. There were 24 successive passes before Fabregas slotted the ball to Vela to fire the ball past Bogdan.

The final score ended Arsenal 4-1 Bolton.



The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Koscielny, Squillaci, Gibbs, Arshavin, Fabregas, Rosicky, Wilshire(61), Song, Chamakh(80).
Subs: Fabianski, Sagna, Clichy, Diaby(61,72), Nasri, Denilson(72), Vela(80). Diaby was injured after he had come on so Denilson had to replace him.

Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Petrov(66), Holden, Muamba, Yong-Lee(81), Elmander(81), Davies.
Subs: Lainton, Ricketts, O'Brien(66), Taylor(81), Davies, Klasnic, Blake(81).

My Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 59,876