Arsenal come from behind to level game with West Brom

Arsenal had to come from behind and settle for a point as they drew 2-2 with West Brom on Saturday afternoon. Both of West Brom's goals should have been dealt with but second half strikes from Arshavin and Van Persie ensured Arsenal picked up vital points to keep them in the title race. The Gunners fielded their strongest team possible with Squillaci coming in for the injured Djourou and Ramsey in for Diaby. On the bench 41 year old goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was back at Arsenal for his second spell as he comes into the side as an emergency back up keeper with Fabianski, Sczcesny and Mannone all injured.

Just three minutes into the game West Brom took the lead. The corner being swung into the box and onto the head of Reid who from 6 yards out gave Albion the lead.

Arsenal then had two chances in quick succession to equalise. The first one fell to Van Persie, who from Clichy's cross hit the bar. The ball then bounced back to Ramsey who could only find Carson when he should have scored.

For some time of the first half West Brom had to play with 10 men as Morrison had to come off the field with a head injury.

The score at half time was 1-0 to West Brom.

The first chance of the second half fell to West Brom and Brunt, and he should have scored it. Cech playing the ball across the box to the back post where Brunt could only find the side netting with his chance.

Then West Brom doubled their advantage with the help of a goalkeeping error from Almunia. Mulumbu playing a ball forward which looked no danger until Almunia came haring out of his goal to deal with the ball from outside his area but Squillaci was there to deal with it. However Almunia and Squllaci got in each others way and Odemwingie was there to put the ball into an empty net.

20 minutes from the end Arsenal found a way back into the game through Arshavin. The Russian playing a one-two with Chamakh before unleashing a left footed shot into the back of the net for 2-1.

8 minutes later the Gunners were level and Arshavin was at the heart of it again. Arshavin delivering the ball in from the left towards Bendtner who put the ball back across goal into Van Persie who could not miss.

Then West Brom had a great chance to win it. Fortune skipping past 2 players before hitting a shot which was blocked brilliantly by Squillaci.

It was then Arsenal's turn to try and grab a winner. First through Clichy but Carson kept the frenchman out and then through Chamakh but his shot was blocked by a defender.

The final score ended West Brom 2-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

West Brom: Carson, Meite, Olsson, Shorey, Thomas, Morrison, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner(46), Reid, Odemwingie(72).
Subs: Myhill, Tamas, Cech(46), Jara, Tchoyi, Fortune(72), Cox.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Arshavin, Nasri, Ramsey(56), Denilson(46), Wilshere, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Miquel, Gibbs, Eboue, Rosicky, Chamakh(46), Bendtner(56).

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 25,729

Man United send Arsenal out of FA Cup

Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage by Manchester United who beat them 2-0 despite the Gunners having the majority of the possession. The two united goals were both from close range as Fabio and Rooney sealed the victory for United. Arsenal named a fairly strong side but Fabregas, Song and Szczesny missed out with injury. Diaby, Denilson and Almunia came in for them. Meanwhile in the Man United squad 7 defenders started, with some playing in midfield as they had their Champions league tie in mind for midweek.

Arsenal started lively and the first chance of the match fell to Arshavin as he skipped past Brown but could only drive his shot wide of the target.

Arsenal were playing some good patient football around the box but they could not fashion any chances.

Then Man United should have been ahead. Fabio crossing the ball into his unmarked twin Rafael who headed over from six yards out.

The next chance fell to United again and this time they scored. Rooney clipping a ball into Hernandez who forced a save from Almunia. However he could only palm the ball straight into Fabio who tapped the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal then managed to almost draw level. Nasri finding Van Persie who turned Vidic and unleashed a shot which was going in but for the fingertips of Van Der Sar.

From the resulting corner Van Persie had another big chance. Nasri again the man who supplied the ball but Van Persie could only head wide.

Van Der Sar was then forced into making another good save. Nasri firing through the legs of Brown towards the near post but the Dutch keeper got down well to keep United ahead.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Man United.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Koscielny who got forward from centre back but from his shot Van Der Sar made another good save to turn the shot around the post.

Four minutes into the second half United made it 2-0. Rafael running into the penalty area and putting the ball into Hernandez but his shot was blocked and it bounced out to Rooney to head home.

Chamakh then should have put Arsenal back into the game as Sagna's inch perfect cross could only be headed straight towards Van Der Sar.

Djourou was then forced to come off with a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Sagna. That meant that Arsenal had to play out the rest of the game with 10 men having already made all of their subs.

Man United then could have made it 3 as Rooney crossed the ball into the path of Hernandez but Almunia came out to make the save.

The final score ended Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra(80), Fabio(46), O'Shea, Gibson, Rafael(63), Rooney, Hernandez.
Subs: Kuszczak, King, Scholes(80), Obertan, Giggs(63), Valencia(46), Berbatov.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson(57), Diaby(72), Nasri, Arshavin(72), Wilshere, Van Persie.
Subs: Shea, Squillaci, Eboue, Clichy, Ramsey(72), Rosicky(72), Chamakh(57).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 74,693

Van Persie sent off as Arsenal crash out of Europe

Arsenal are now out of the Champions League after a 4-3 aggregate loss to Barcelona. The score on the night ended 3-1 as Arsenal had no shots throughout the entire match with the Gunners goal coming from an own goal through Busquets. However the tie was reduced to 11 v 10 as Van Persie was sent off for kicking the ball away. Arsenal fielded their strongest side possible with Fabregas and Van Persie coming back from injury while Rosicky was preferred to Arshavin. However in the Barcelona lineup they were missing their centre back pairing of Pique and Puyol so Adriano and Abidal came in.

The first real chance of the game came to Barcelona and a free kick from Dani Alves but it was saved by Szczesny. However he injured his finger in the process of saving the shot and Almunia came on to replace him.

Barcelona were dominating the early spells of the game and they almost took the lead on the night. Villa playing Adriano down the left who hit a shot which struck the post and came back out.

Van Persie was then booked for a challenge in which he brought down Dani Alves.

Then right before the break Barcelona took the lead on the night to level the tie. Fabregas gifting the ball to Iniesta who found Messi who then juggled the ball over Almunia and into the back of the net.

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

7 minutes into the second half Arsenal got an away goal to make it 3-2 on aggregate. Nasri playing in the corner towards Diaby but he missed it and it came off the head of Busquets who put the ball into his own net.

Arsenal were then reduced to 10 men when Nasri played a ball up to Van Persie who was offside but he shot anyway. He was then shown his second yellow card of the game which meant he had to go.

Shortly after the sending off Barcelona took the lead again. A mazing run from Iniesta eventually finding Villa whose first time pass found Xavi who slotted the ball past Almunia to make it 2-1.

20 minutes from time the game looked to be sealed as Pedro was brought down inside the penalty area by Koscielny. Messi stepped up and scored comfortably for his second of the game.

Bendtner then had a brilliant opportunity to send the Gunners through but his first touch let him down and the chance was over.

The final score ended Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Adriano(89), Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Mascherano(88), Villa(81).
Subs: Pinto, Milito, Maxwell, Thiago, Keita(88), Afellay(81), Bojan.

Arsenal: Szczesny(19), Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Diaby, Wilshere, Nasri, Fabregas(76), Rosicky(73), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia(19), Squillaci, Eboue, Denilson, Arshavin(73), Chamakh, Bendtner(76).

My man of the match: Manuel Almunia

Referee: Massimo Busacca (SUI)
Attendance: 95,000

Arsenal rue missed chances in bore draw

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap to one point at the top of the Premiership as Sunderland held them to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. The Gunners had plenty of chances to score but Mignolet in the Sunderland goal had a great game saving nearly everything in his path. Arsenal also had a penalty shout turned down and a goal ruled out for offside. Arsenal had key men out injured for the visit of Sunderland as Song, Van Persie, Fabregas and Walcott were all out injured. Ramsey returned from his loan spell with Cardiff and started on the bench.

Arsenal had the first good chance of the match as Clichy swung over a ball into the path of the sliding Bendtner but he could not make contact with it. The ball then came out to Sagna who found Nasri but Mignolet was there to stop the Frenchman's effort.

Sunderland's first chance of the game fell to Sessegnon. Sessegnon managing to beat Clichy and then unleash the shot but Szczesny got down well to stop the shot.

Arsenal then almost had the lead. Wilshere swinging the corner which bounced off a Sunderland player and into the path of Bendtner who could only find the hands of Mignolet with his overhead kick.

Mignolet then had to be called on again as he stopped another Bendtner shot. Wilshere poking the ball through to Bendtner who struck a powerful shot towards goal but Mignolet just managed to tip it over the bar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first big chance of the second half came to Arsenal and Arshavin. The ball being played through to Chamakh who found Arshavin on the edge of the area but it was not a good effort and Mignolet once again kept the Gunners at bay.

Arsenal were then awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area after Sessegnon had brought down Koscielny. Nasri took the kick and almost scored but Mignolet again kept the Gunners out.

Arsenal were creating lots of chances and were worrying Sunderland. Then another big chance came their way as Wilshere found the head of Chamakh but the header crashed against the bar and came back out.

The Gunners were then denied a penalty when Arshavin ran through on goal, but as he went to shoot it looked like Bramble had pushed the Russian over but nothing was given as the shot went wide.

With all of the action happening at one end Sunderland finally managed to fashion a chance. The ball being crossed into Welbeck who on the turn managed to get a shot out but a fingertip save from Szczesny denied him a goal.

From the resulting corner Szczesny was forced to make another save. The ball finding Henderson at the back post who on the volley struck a shot but it was kept out.

The ball then found its way to the other end again. Arsenal then were denied a goal which was flagged for offside although it appeared not to be. Bendtner slipping the ball through to Arshavin who rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball home but then realising he was offside.

The final score ended Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Denilson(62), Wilshere, Diaby(76), Nasri, Arshavin, Bendtner.
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Rosicky(76), Ramsey, Chamakh(62).

Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson(87), Muntari, Malbranque(68), Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan(78).
Subs: Gordon, Riveros, Welbeck(68), Colback(87), Elmohamady(78), Knott, Noble.

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 60,081

Bendtner hat-trick helps Arsenal into quarter finals

A Nicklas Bendtner hat-trick helped Arsenal to a 5-0 thrashing over Leyton Orient to send the Gunners into the next round of the FA Cup. The other goals came from Chamakh and Clichy to help Arsenal seal a quarter final tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal named a much weakened side from the team that lost in the Carling Cup final on Sunday as Ignasi Miquel returned to the side along with Conor Henderson who was making his senior debut for the club. Nasri, Wilshere and Clichy were amongst the substitutes.

Just seven minutes into the game Arsenal took the lead through Marouane Chamakh. Rosicky running into the penalty area and then finding Chamakh who side footed his shot into the back of the net to give the Gunners a perfect start.

Leyton Orient then had their first chance of the match as the ball was delivered into the path of Daniels but he could only steer his shot wide.

After stringing a few passes together Arsenal doubled their advantage. Gibbs delivering the ball onto the head of Bendtner who found the goal with a looping header to make it 2-0.

2 minutes before the break Arsenal were gifted a third goal after Orient were dispossessed on the edge of their own penalty area by Rosicky. He then found Bendtner who cut inside onto his right foot before unleashing a curling effort beyond the goal keeper.

The score at half time was 3-0 to Arsenal.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Arsenal. Diaby playing a one-two with Chamakh and then beating two men but he could only fire just wide of the target from 6 yards out.

Arsenal's fourth then came from the penalty spot after a mazing run from Kieran Gibbs saw him brought down by Revell inside the area. Bendtner stepped up to take the penalty and comfortably slotted it past the keeper for his hat-trick.

15 minutes from time Arsenal made it 5 and completed the rout. Eboue putting the ball into the box which was missed by Chamakh and then Wilshere but Clichy was at the back to smash the ball home for his second ever goal for the Gunners.

The final chance of the game fell to Orient and they almost took it. Dean Cox bursting into the penalty area but could only shoot wide from his attempt as his side's cup run finally came to an end.

The final score ended Arsenal 5-0 Leyton Orient.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Squillaci, Miquel, Gibbs, Diaby(66), Denilson, Rosicky(62), Henderson, Chamakh, Bendtner(66).
Subs: Szczesny, Djourou, Clichy(66), Sagna, Wilshere(66), Nasri(62), Arshavin.

Leyton Orient: Jones, Whing, Chorley, Forbes, Cox, Daniels, Dawson, McGleish(65), Revell, (79), Crowe(65), Carroll.
Subs: Omozusi, Chambers, Butcher, Spring(65), Tehoue(65), Cestor, M'Poku(79).

My man of the match: Nicklas Bendtner

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 59,361

Last minute mix up gifts Birmingham the cup

A last minute mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny allowed on loan striker Martins to give Birmingham the victory as Arsenal lost 2-1 in the final of the Carling Cup which looked set to go to extra time. Both sides had plenty of the ball and plenty of chances to score but both goalkeepers especially Foster(Birmingham) kept their team in the game. It just was not to be as Arsenal still look for their first trophy in 5 years. Arsenal were without Fabregas and Walcott who both sustained injuries in midweek so Rosicky and Arshavin came in, Van Persie started as captain.

In the opening minutes of the game Birmingham could have been awarded with a penalty and a possible sending off for the Arsenal goalkeeper. Szczesny bringing down Bowyer but the linesman raised his flag for offside although Clichy looked to be playing him on.

Arsenal then managed to work the first chance of the game as Nasri found Arshavin on the edge of the six yard box. He was allowed to turn and work the shot off but Foster kept him out.

Arsenal then managed to work another shot as Nasri beat 3 players before firing his shot high and wide from an angle.

28 minutes into the game with Birmingham not really having many chances they took the lead through Zigic. Larsson playing in the corner onto Johnson who flicked the ball towards Zigic right in front of the goalkeeper to head home.

Immediately after the goal Arsenal almost grabbed an equaliser. Sagna playing the ball in from the right onto the head of Van Persie but it went inches wide of the post and the score remained 1-0.

7 minutes from the break Arsenal did get the equaliser and it came from Van Persie. The ball bounced off a defender and onto Wilshere who struck a fiersome strike against the crossbar which came out to Arshavin. He then beat his man before delivering a ball into Van Persie who on the volley put his shot past Foster to make it 1-1.

Just before half time Arsenal almost took the lead. The ball bouncing out to Nasri who struck a curling shot towards goal but Foster made a good save to keep the scores level.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half fell to Arsenal as Sagna got down the right touchline before delivering a ball towards Rosicky who struck the ball on the half volley but it went just wide.

Birmingham then had their first big chance of the second half. Fahey's first effort being blocked by a defender but it then came back out to him and he struck a shot which rocketed against the post and back out.

Arsenal were pressuring desperately for a winner and they almost got one through Nasri and Bendtner but both efforts on goal were saved brilliantly by the hands of Foster in the Birmingham goal.

Foster then had to make another good save from Nasri. Nasri cutting inside from the left onto his right foot and unleashing the shot but Foster got down well to parry the ball away.

Then with one minute on the clock Birmingham took the lead thanks to a huge mix up between Szczesny and Koscielny. Foster smashing a huge ball up to Zigic who nodded the ball down towards Koscielny who should have just smashed it away but instead left it to the goalkeeper. The ball then bounced off Szczesny and straight into the path of Martins who tapped the ball into an empty net.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Birmingham.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin(76), Van Persie(68).
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Denilson, Bendtner(68), Chamakh(76).

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Bowyer, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner(50), Ferguson, Fahey(81), Zigic(90), Jiranek.
Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Parnaby, Beausejour(50), Phillips, Jerome(90), Martins(81).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Ben Foster (Birmingham)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 88,851