Arsenal win to put pressure on leaders

Arsenal got a much deserved 3-0 victory over Birmingham on Saturday evening. Strikes from Van Persie, Nasri and an own goal ensured they kept pressure on Man City and Man Utd in 2nd and 1st places. Arsene Wengar named 8 changes to the side that drew with Wigan by naming the same side that beat Chelsea 3-1. Fabregas returned from suspension and Djourou was once again prefered to Squillaci. Wilshere came back into the side aswell to play on his 19th birthday. Birmingham named a side with former Gunners in it. Bowyer once an Arsenal school boy, Seb Larsson once an Arsenal reserve pushing to be in the first XI and Hleb on the bench all played against their former club. Arsenal had now collected 7 points from a possible 9 over the Christmas period so far but 3 points are much needed as Man City travel to play the Gunners on Wednesday night.

There were early worries for the Gunners as Johnson went clattering into Fabregas, a very similar tackle to the one that Eduardo broke his leg at the same ground a few years ago. Luckily Fabregas came away unscathed. A shake of the head from Wengar thought it should have been a red card.

On 13 minutes Arsenal took the lead. Scott Dann bringing down Van Persie on the edge of the area resulted in a free kick. Van Persie took the freekick and it took a deflection off Bowyer and past Foster into the back of the net.

Then Birmingham were awarded with a free kick. Larsson hit the shot and Fabianski had to make a brilliant save to his right as the ball was curling away from him.

Birmingham were pressuring for an equaliser and should have had a penalty when Van Persie clearly handled in the area.

Van Persie then had a glorious opportunity to put the Gunners 2 up. Nasri finding the dutchman who was in space but fired his effort straight at Foster in the Birmingham goal from 6 yards out.

Before the break Johnson really should have got the equaliser for Birmingham. Jerome flicking on a free kick to him but from just in front of the goal he put the ball over.

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

Wilshere had a good opportunity to bag a birthday goal. Walcott flying down the wing and then finding Nasri who knocked the ball down to Wilshere on the volley but the ball flew just over the bar.

Then finally Arsenal got a second from Nasri. Fabregas running into the box and then finding the frenchman who curled his shot beyond Foster and into the near side of the goal.

Eight minutes later Arsenal secured the victory and made it 3-0. Nasri exchanging passes with Fabregas who then fired a shot at Foster. The ball came off the goalkeeper and then off Dann onto Johnson and into the back of the net for an own goal.

The final score ended Birmingham 0-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Beausejour(60), Bowyer(69), Gardner, Ferguson, Larsson, Jerome(79).
Subs: Taylor, Jiranek, Fahey, Hleb(60), Phillips(79), Zigic(69), Derbyshire.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere(78), Song, Walcott(78), Van Persie.
Subs: Szczesny, Eboue, Squillaci, Arshavin(78), Denilson(78), Rosicky, Bendtner.

My man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Peter Walton
Attendance:24,341