Squillaci own goal gifts Wigan a point

After managing to get an amazing win at Chelsea on Monday night you would have thought they should have beaten Wigan. That was not the case as Arsenal drew 2-2 with Wigan as defensive errors flew all over the place. Time for another new centre back? With Vermaelen still out injured is Wengar on the hunt for another new centre back in the January transfer market or to keep faith in Koscielny, Squillaci and Djourou. Arsenal did manage to get to their best on a few occasions as Arshavin and Bendtner grabbed the goals for the Gunners. However with Wigan going down to ten men with 12 minutes to play Arsenal should have wrapped up the game.Wigan though got a deserved equaliser as the points were shared at the DW Stadium. Arsenal made 8 changes to the side that had beaten Chelsea with Nasri, Wilshere and Clichy all rested. Fabregas sat out through suspension after picking up 5 yellow cards this season.

The first error came in the opening minutes of the match when Rodallega dispossed Koscielny. He then gave the ball to Cleverley who put in a brilliant cross towards Rodallega who flew across the six yard box but failed to get a proper connection with the ball as it struck his hand.

The Gunners first chance fell to Andrey Arshavin. Rosicky floating the ball over to the Russian on the left hand side who raced towards goal but was forced into a rushed shot by Caldwell and the effort flew over the bar.

Another error occured on 16 minutes as Wigan were gifted a penalty when N'Zogbia was brought down by Koscielny. Watson stepped up to take the penalty and powered the ball past Fabianski to give Wigan the lead.

The Gunners were pressuring for an equaliser and Rosicky drove a shot in from outside the box which was spilled right in front of Koscielny but Caldwell got there to make the challenge and the danger was over.

Then on 38 minutes Arsenal got the equaliser through Arshavin. Chamakh finding Bendtner who smashed the ball goalbound but Al Habsi could only parry. It fell to Arshavin, who on the volley fired past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

5 minutes later the game was turned on its head as the Gunners took the lead. Arshavin running at the defence before finding Bendtner who powered his way past 2 defenders and then slotted the ball home to make it 2-1.

Wigan had a chance just before the break to get an equaliser as Rodallega tried to beat Fabianski at his near post but he kept the effort out.

The score at half time was Wigan 1-2 Arsenal.

Arsenal came close to extending their lead from an Arshavin corner. He delivered the ball onto the head of Chamakh who managed to shrug off a defender and send his header inches wide.

The Gunners were pressuring for another goal and almost got that. Wilshere looping the ball into Arshavin inside the area but he could only manage to find the keeper with his effort.

Wigan then had a chance to equalise. McArthur finding N'Zogbia down the right who then fired a shot towards the goal but Fabianski was set and managed to keep the shot out.

With 12 minutes to play Wigan went down to ten men. N'Zogbia stupidly headbutting Wilshere off the ball, the referee had no choice but to send him off.

Then with 10 minutes to go Wigan finally equalised. Watson's corner headed back across goal towards Caldwell but Squillaci got their ahead of him and under pressure put the ball into the back of his own net.

In the dieing moments of the game Arsenal had a claim for a penalty when Nasri's free kick was blocked in the wall by McArthur but the referee said no.

The final score ended Wigan 2-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam(75), Caldwell, Alcaraz, Gohouri, N'Zogbia, Watson, Cleverley, Diame(72), Thomas, Rodallega.
Subs: Pollitt, Figueroa(75), Caldwell, Gomez, McArthur(72), Boselli, McManaman.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Eboue, Diaby(27), Rosicky, Denilson, Arshavin(82), Chamakh, Bendtner.
Subs: Szczesny, Djourou, Clichy, Nasri(82), Walcott(83), Wilshere(27)(83), Vela.

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 17,014

Arsenal grab crucial victory

Arsenal grabbed an important 3-1 win against rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on Monday night. The Gunners had proved the critics wrong by proving they can challenge for the title after beating last years Premiership champions. Arsenal made 5 changes to the side that lost to Man Utd. Fabregas and Fabianski were back from injury and Djourou was preferred to Squillaci in the centre of defence. Walcott and Van Persie started in place of Arshavin and Chamakh. Chelsea had made one considerable change as Lampard came back from injury.

5 minutes into the game Van Persie could have almost had a certain goal. Song chipping the ball into the dutch man but under pressure from Ivanovic he completely missed the ball and kicked the air.

Then Chelsea had their first opportunity of the game as Drogba was in on goal but he drilled his shot harmlessly wide.


Nothing much in the way of chances had happened in the first half but Arsenal had had more of the possession and were looking the most likely to grab the opener. Nasri almost got the goal the Gunners deserved as he looped his shot towards goal but Cech made a brilliant save to keep the frenchman out.

Then on the stroke of half time Arsenal took the lead. Wilshere finding Fabregas inside the area but with a lot of Chelsea players around him. He then managed to poke the ball to Song who from 5 yards out tucked the ball past Cech.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

5 minutes into the second half Arsenal made the score 2-0. Van Persie turning in the middle of the park and then picking out Walcott. He raced towards the oncoming Cech before sliding the ball to Fabregas who tapped the ball into an empty net.

Then 3 minutes later the Gunners grabbed a third. Walcott dispossessing Malouda and finding Fabregas. Fabregas then poked the ball through to Walcott who fired the ball across goal and into the back of the net. It was a perfect start to the second half for Arsenal.

Then Chelsea grabbed a goal back. Drogba floating in a free kick from the left on to the head of Ivanovic who put the ball past Fabianski to make it 3-1.

Arsenal were playing brilliant football and they almost made it 4-1 when Fabregas played Walcott down the wing. He then looped the ball over to Nasri but he put his shot straight at the arm of Cech.

Chelsea were desperately trying to find a way back into the game and they got a decent opportunity with 10 minutes to go but Ramires put his effort high and wide.

With a minute of normal time to play Drogba had a powerful shot blocked which then came out to Kakuta. He played the ball back into the box which came off Kalou and then off Fabianski into the back of the net but the goal did not stand because Kalou was offside.

The final score ended Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Wilshere, Song, Fabregas(88), Walcott(73), Nasri, Van Persie(76).
Subs: Szczesny, Squillaci, Diaby(73), Rosicky(88), Arshavin, Chamakh(76), Bendtner.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira(62), Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel(45), Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Malouda(56).
Subs: Turnbull, Ramires(45), Bosingwa(62), Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta(56), McEachran.

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 60,112

Park goal puts Arsenal back into second

Arsenal slipped to second place in the table with a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United who now regain top place. A single goal from Park was the difference. Young Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny started his first league game for the Gunners in place of Fabianski who was deemed not fit to start but was on the bench. Fabregas came back from injury as a substitute but could not have an impact on the game. Arsenal had lots of the possession but yet again failed to score their chances. Even Samir Nasri didn't look the player he looked against Fulham.

Szczesny's first real save that he had to make was on 8 minutes when Rooney turned and shot from outside the area but the youngster held onto the attempt.
The Young Pole then had to make another save minutes later from a Nani free kick, they were good first touches for the goalkeeper to build his confidence up.

Arsenal's first real efforts came from Chamakh with a diving header across Vidic but was held onto easily by the keeper and then Arshavin who scuffed a shot wide.

Man Utd were creating some good chances and Nani came really close to giving them the lead. Fletcher's cross headed straight to Nani by Squillaci who drilled his shot inches past the post.

United then had an appeal for a penalty waved away by the referee Howard Webb as a cross from Nani looked to have hit Chamakh's hand in the area.

5 minutes from half time Man Utd broke the deadlock and took the lead. Nani's deflected cross picking out Park who got his head to the ball which looped over Szczesny and into the back of the net.

The score at half time was Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal.

Arsenal had a decent chance early in the second half to grab an equaliser after Clichy's cross found Rosicky but he put his effort wide.

United were pressuring for a second and they almost did extend their lead. Rooney finding Anderson inside the area who hit his attempt straight at Szczesny who kept the effort out.

Chamakh then had a good chance to score after Nasri's shot was palmed straight into the path of the Moroccan but Vidic slid in to to block the shot.

Nani was creating a lot of chances and this time got to have a shot after he dispossessed Clichy on the edge of the area but only managed to fire his effort over the bar.

United then had the golden opportunity to go 2 up when they were awarded with a penalty for a hand ball on Clichy. Rooney took the penalty and completely skied it over the bar to keep the score at 1-0. Arsenal were still in it.

5 minutes from time Rooney nearly redeemed himself for missing the penalty. He raced through on goal and attempted to chip Szczesny. The goalkeeper managed to back pedal and stop the shot.

In the last minute Walcott nearly scored from a Van Persie cross to get the equaliser but he volleyed his shot high and wide.

The final score ended Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Manchester United:Van der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Anderson(84), Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Smalling, Giggs(84), Berbatov, Hernandez, Obertan.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Nasri, Wilshere(62), Rosicky(62), Song, Arshavin(76), Chamakh.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Fabregas(62), Walcott(76), Denilson, Van Persie(62), Bendtner.

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 75,227

Arsenal through to knockout stage

Arsenal are through to the knock out stages of the Champions League after a 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade at the Emirates. The Gunner's goals came from Van Persie, Walcott and Nasri. Despite this win they finished second behind group winners Shakhtar Donetsk who also won on the night. Arsenal will now have to play a harder team in the round of 16 with a possible tie against Barcelona again. Wenger put out a stronger lineup than in the last two Champions League games knowing that they had to get a result to qualify. Van Persie started in place of Tomas Rosicky and Denilson came in for Wilshere. However Gibbs' chance to impress in place of Clichy was cut short with injury as Eboue came on for him on just 24 minutes. Sagna was sent off late on but too late for Partizan to get anything from the game. Partizan's main threat would come from the Brazilian Cleo who got the Serbian teams goal in both of their matches against the Gunners.

Arsenal got an early chance when Sagna delivered a cross from the right onto the head of Chamakh but his header looped harmlessly over and on to the top of the goal.

The Gunners were playing some nice football and Sagna found Nasri free in the penalty area who then found Van Persie but he was under pressure from a defender and put his shot wide.

Before that chance Gibbs had twisted his ankle so he had to come off and be replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

Arsenal were then awarded with a penalty after Jovanovic brought down Van Persie. Van Persie stepped up to take the penalty and smashed it home to give the Gunners an important lead. It was Van Persie's first goal for Arsenal since May.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

Nasri had a good opportunity to put the Gunners two up as Arshavin found Denilson racing down the left who crossed the ball into the box. The ball bounced off a defender into the path of Nasri but he lashed his shot over the bar.

Then on 52 minutes Partizan grabbed an equaliser and sent the travelling fans crazy. Cleo with a deflected shot off Squillaci which looped over Fabianski and into the back of the net. Arsenal were stunned.

Theo Walcott then came on for Andrey Arshavin who had not had one of his better nights.

5 minutes after the substitution Theo Walcott scored to put Arsenal ahead. Sagna's cross was headed straight into Walcott who chested the ball down and then volleyed his shot into the roof of the net to put Arsenal back in contention for qualifying to the knock out stage.

4 minutes later Nasri sealed the victory and qualification for Arsenal with a superb goal. Song played a one two with Bendtner before beating his man and finding Nasri. No Belgrade defenders got tight enough to him and he was allowed to turn and then fire his effort past Stojkovic in the Partizan goal.

Then 5 minutes from the end of the game Sagna was sent off for a challenge on Lazevski just outside the box. Although the card was a little harsh he had to go for being the last man. Petrovic took the free kick but it was well saved by Fabianski as he pushed the ball away to his left hand side.

The final score ended Arsenal 3-1 Partizan Belgrade.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Gibbs(24), Song, Nasri, Denilson, Arshavin(67), Van Persie, Chamakh(76).
Subs: Szczesny, Eboue(24) , Rosicky, Vela, Walcott(67), Wilshere, Bendtner(76).

Partizan Belgrade: Stojkovic, Medo, Petrovic, Jovanovic, Savic, Lazevski, Krstajic, Babovic(81), Cleo, Moreira, S.Ilic.
Subs: R. Ilic, Stankovic, Brasanac, Davidov(81), Kizito, Iliev, Smiljanic.

My man of the match: Samir Nasri

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy)
Attendance: 58,845

Arsenal go top thanks to Nasri double

Arsenal went top of the Premiership table with a 2-1 win over Fulham at the Emirates. Two Nasri goals ensured Arsenal all 3 points although they were far from their best in the first half with Koscielny going off injured. Arsenal kept their usual lineup as Rosicky kept his place in the side as captain for the injured Fabregas. Djourou came on earlier than he thought he would have after Koscielny was stretchered off half way through the second half. In the Fulham lineup youngster Matthew Briggs came in for the injured Mexican international Salcido but his game did not last long as Baird came on for him on only 28 minutes to deal with the posing threats that Samir Nasri was causing. Schwarzer who was heavily linked with Arsenal during the summer started in goal. Fulham's goal came from Kamara but Wengar thought it should not have stood because of Koscielny's head injury.

Arshavin had a fantastic early chance to give the Gunners the lead as Wilshere's freekick was nodded on into the path of the Russian but Schwarzer made a brilliant point blank save to keep him out.

Arsenal had made a lively start to the game and Nasri had a chance after Arshavin poked the ball through to him but he stabbed his shot wide of the oncoming Fulham goalkeeper and the post.

Then Arsenal took a deserved lead with a moment of brilliance from Samir Nasri, who is showing fantastic form for the Gunners, scored again. Arshavin the man again supplying the ball into the Frenchman who dummied his way past two defenders before smashing the ball home.

Nasri was playing brilliantly and got the beating of Briggs down the right hand side. He got to the byline where he supplied a cross into the box. The ball came off Etuhu and nearly into his own net but for Schwarzer who saved the ball on the line.

Arsenal were playing some brilliant football and Rosicky was put down the line by Nasri who put in a cross to Song. Despite him having no defenders around him he somehow put his effort wide.

Then against the run of play Fulham grabbed an equaliser through Diomansy Kamara. Arsenal were light at the back as Squillaci had clashed heads with Koscielny who was dazed and Fulham took advantage of that. Dempsey slotting the ball through to Kamara who fired the ball past Fabianski.

Kamara could then have had his second of the game and put Fulham infront. He beat the offside trap and raced away from Squillaci and Djourou towards the goal but Fabianski made the save to keep the score at 1-1.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first decent chance of the second half fell to Rosicky after Song chipped the ball into him on the volley but he drilled his shot wide and remains searching for his first goal in 11 months.

Arsenal were now pressuring for the lead and Arshavin came close when he attempted to do a Nasri, dancing past two players before smashing an effort towards goal but it was kept out by Schwarzer.

Fulham were now getting forward and a deep free kick was headed towards Gera by Hangeland who tried the spectacular over head kick but it unsurprisingly went wide of the goal.

Then Arsenal took the lead as another piece of magic from Samir Nasri gave him his second goal of the game. He tricked his way past two defenders again and then rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net to give Arsenal control of the game.

Fulham were desperately trying to get another equaliser but it would not come. First Etuhu fired wide in a scrambled attempt and then Fabianski made a good save from Gera's looping effort.

The final scored ended Arsenal 2-1 Fulham.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny(33), Squillaci, Clichy, Arshavin, Rosicky(63), Nasri, Wilshere, Song, Chamakh.
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Djourou(33), Denilson, Walcott, Van Persie(63), Bendtner.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs(28), Gera, Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy(88), Davies, Kamara(73).
Subs: Stockdale, Baird(28), Kelly, Duff, Greening, A. Johnson(73),E. Johnson(88).

My man of the match: Samir Nasri

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 60,049

Arsenal through to semi finals after win over Wigan

Arsenal now face a tie against Ipswich in the semi finals of the Carling Cup after a 2-0 win over Wigan in the quarter finals. An own goal and a Nicklas Bendtner strike secured Arsenal's path to the next round. Arsene Wenger made a considerable amount of changes for the tie as Robin Van Persie made his first start since injury and took on the captaincy for the night. Meanwhile on the subs bench reserves team goalkeeper James Shea earned his first call up to the senior team after impressing for the reserves. Usual replacements for the League cup Eboue, Gibbs, Bendtner and Vela all started ahead of Sagna, Clichy, Arshavin and Chamakh.

Early on Arsenal got a great opportunity to take the lead when Van Persie floated in a free kick towards the unmarked Bendtner but he couldn't manage to get his head to the ball and it went out for a goalkick.

Then Wigan could have taken the lead when Moses ran into the box and then cut inside past Eboue but put his effort wide and into the side netting.

Vela really should have give the hosts the lead though when Wilshere fed Van Persie who back heeled the ball into Vela. He then chipped the ball over Al Habsi in the Wigan goal but the ball somehow would not find its way into the back of the net and went wide.

Then Arsenal deservedly took the lead 4 minutes from the break when Walcott delivered the ball in from the corner towards a crowd of bodies and bounced off the Wigan player Alcaraz and into the back of his own net.

Wigan then had a chance from a corner to get the equaliser. Alcaraz who moments later had scored in his own net almost scored at the right end this time but Szczesny kept the shot out. He then fumbled it and an Arsenal player bundled the ball over the cross bar for another Wigan corner.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

20 minutes from time the Gunners went 2-0 up through Nicklas Bendtner. Van Persie put Vela down the left hand side who put a first time cross into the box across the face of goal towards the back post were Bendtner slid in to double Arsenal's advantage.

Vela was having continuous good chances throughout the night and another one fell to him. Walcott picked him out free inside the area but put his effort straight at Al Habsi from a tight angle.

Arsenal were having numerous chances to finish the game off but failed to convert them. That was the same case when Walcott raced down the left hand side into the area but bent his shot just the wrong side of the goal.

The Gunners then had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when Walcott was set up for a shot which looked to have been blocked by a hand but the officials said no penalty.

Nasri then looked to have finally added a third for Arsenal on the night when Vela fed him in. He rounded the goalkeeper and shot but his effort was cleared off the line. The third goal would not come but it was job done anyway and Arsenal were into the semi finals.

The final score ended Arsenal 2-0 Wigan.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Wilshere(73), Denilson, Van Persie(73), Walcott, Vela, Bendtner(85).
Subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Sagna, Eastmond(73), Nasri(73), Arshavin, Emmanuel-Thomas(85).

Wigan: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Caldwell, McArthur, Thomas, Watson, Stam(79), Boselli(82), Victor Moses(36).
Subs: Di Santo, N'Zogbia(36), Pollitt, Gomez(82), Diame, McManaman(79), Mustoe.

My man of the match: Robin Van Persie

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 59,525