Last minute header ends Arsenal's title hopes

Arsenal continued their bad run of form with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton on Sunday afternoon at the Reebok Stadium. Although Bolton had a penalty saved the Gunner's could not take advantage, as Cohen headed home in the last minute of the game to mean that Arsenal now only have a slim chance of winning the title. Arsene Wengar had to make one forced change for the trip, Jack Wilshere who was on loan at Bolton for part of last season came in for the injured Diaby. In the Bolton lineup Fabrice Muamba was playing against the team that he started his career with.

The first chance of the match fell to Arsenal. Walcott getting down the right hand side and testing Jaaskelainen who spilled it to Nasri but Cahill got the block in to deny Arsenal a certain goal.

Arsenal then had another chance to take the lead as Fabregas drove forward and hit a shot from range but Jaaskelainen was equal to it and tipped the ball around the post.

Bolton's first chance of the game fell to Taylor after Djourou's mistake but he could only find Szczesny with the shot.

Arsenal then tried another shot from range but this time Nasri failed to hit the target and the chance was wasted with team mates waiting out on the wings.

Bolton then managed to work a really good opportunity as Sturridge found Lee inside the area but Szczesny made the save and the ball went out for a corner. From the resulting corner Bolton took the lead. Lee swinging the ball in which was headed towards the goal but Nasri was there to block the header. However the ball bounced straight to on loan striker Daniel Strurridge who headed home from 3 yards out.

Just before the break Fabregas had another good chance from range but this time the ball struck the post and score remained 1-0 to Bolton at half time.

Right after the break Bolton were awarded with a penalty after the slightest of touches from Djourou brought down Sturridge. Davies stepped up to take the penalty but Szczesny saved it and Arsenal were now on the up.

Then Arsenal grabbed an equaliser after a nice exchange of passes between Van Persie and Fabregas which left the dutchman to smash an effort into the back of the net.

Van Persie was the creator of the next chance, as he found Nasri, who had his shot saved by Jaaskelainen and then at the second attempt blocked by Cahill.

The Gunners then squanded another chance. Van Persie chipping the ball into Chamakh but instead of heading the ball towards goal he tried to find Nasri but the ball went past him and the chance was over.

Bolton then had their first chance since the penalty save as Lee found Elmander from a free kick but he drove a shot wide from way out.

Elmander then had another great chance to win as he raced into the box but he stuck his shot straight at Szczesny and the ball went out for a corner. From the resulting corner Arsenal conceded again as Bolton took the lead in the last minute. The corner being whipped in and Cohen got across his man to head past Szczesny and into the back of the net for all three points.

The final score ended Bolton 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba(70), Taylor, Davies, Sturridge(84), Elmander(89).
Subs: Bogdan, Wheater, Petrov, M Davies(70), Cohen(84), Klasnic(89), Rodrigo.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott(72), Wilshere(84), Song(64), Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Gibbs, Eboue, Squillaci, Arshavin(72), Ramsey(84), Chamakh(64).

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Spurs dint Arsenal's title hopes

Arsenal dropped to third place in the Premier League after they dropped points again after a 3-3 draw with rivals Tottenham. Despite going 3-1 up Spurs fought back to dent the Gunners title hopes even more. In the Arsenal lineup Alex Song came back in place of Jack Wilshere and Sagna was back at right back in place of Emmanuel Eboue. However in the Tottenham lineup William Gallas was playing against his old club.

Just 5 minutes into the game Arsenal took the lead through Walcott. Fabregas playing the ball through to him before comfortably slotting the ball past Gomes and into the back of the net.

2 minutes later Tottenham equalised through Van Der Vaart as Corluka found the dutchman before smashing the ball underneath Szczesny for 1-1.

It was a lively start and Van Persie almost made it 2-1 as he tried to beat Gomes from a tight angle but he made the save to keep Van Persie at bay.

Then on 12 minutes Arsenal took the lead once again. Nasri picking the ball up outside the box and then firing the shot through Dawson and then past Gomes and into the back of the net.

5 minutes before the break the Gunners doubled their lead to make it 3-1. Walcott getting the cross in onto the head of Van Persie but Gomes palmed straight back to the Dutchmen who could not miss from 4 yards out.

Then Spurs fought back again to make it 3-2. Crouch heading the ball down but straight to Fabregas who gifted the ball to Huddlestone and from distance he smashed the ball past Szczesny.

The score at half time was 3-2 to Arsenal.

Early in the second half Tottenham were awarded with a free kick which Van Der Vaart took but it did not trouble Szczesny and the ball sailed over the bar.

Van Der Vaart then had another chance to beat Szczesny but this time the goalkeeper was forced to make the save and the ball rolled out for a corner.

20 minutes from the end of the game Tottenham were awarded with a penalty after Szczesny brought down Lennon. Van Der Vaart stepped up and slammed the ball into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Tottenham then had a great chance to take the lead but from a close range Modric shot, Szczesny was forced to make a great save with his legs.

Then at the other end of the pitch Gomes was also forced to make a terrific save from a Fabregas shot from outside the box which was flying into the goal.

It was an end to end football match and Spurs had another great chance to take the lead as Assou-Ekotto crossed the ball from the left onto Crouch's head but Szczesny was there to tip the header over the bar.

The final score ended Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka(45), Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Bale(45), Van Der Vaart, Modric, Huddlestone, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko(76).
Subs: Cudicini, Kaboul(45), Bassong, Lennon(45), Sandro(76), Pienaar, Defoe.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Nasri(80), Diaby(52), Fabregas, Walcot(81), Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Gibbs, Squillaci, Wilshere(52), Arshavin(80), Ramsey, Bendtner(81).

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 36,138

Late drama only allows Arsenal a point

Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates after some late injury time drama. Van Persie first scored a penalty which he thought had won the game for his team but with the last kick of the game Dirk Kuyt stepped up from the spot to grab an equaliser. Arsenal had key men back from injury, this time Szczesny and Djourou were back but Sagna was still out and Eboue kept his place.

The first close chance of the game fell to Diaby. Nasri swinging in a free kick from the left which landed on the head Of Diaby but his effort went just wide of the post.

Arsenal then had another great chance from a set piece, this time from a corner. Van Persie put the ball into the box and onto the head of Koscielny whose header rattled the crossbar and bounced back out. The ball then found its way to Walcott but the shot was blocked.

The Gunners then thought they had taken the lead as the ball over the top found Van Persie who slotted the ball past Reina but it was ruled out for offside.

Arsenal were creating plenty of chances and the next fell to Eboue but he could only see his shot blocked from a tight angle.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half fell to Liverpool and Suarez as he weaved his way past two defenders before unleashing a shot which went wide of the target.

Jamie Carragher then had to be carried from the field of play after a clash of heads with Flannagan, his own team mate.

Liverpool were now creating chances and Suarez had another one but this time it was on target but straight at Szczesny who made the save.

It was then the Gunners turn to attack as Clichy, Fabregas and Nasri played a nice exchange of one touch passes before the ball landed at the feet of Van Persie but Reina saved his shot. The ball then came to Bendtner but Reina saved again.

Suarez who seemed to be in the right place all day had another chance to score but again he wasted the chance and from a tight angle he blazed the shot high and wide.

The fourth official then came out and put up the board for eight added minutes of injury time.

The drama now started as Fabregas turned in the box and was brought down by Spearing and the referee gave a penalty. Van Persie stepped up and comfortably put the ball into the back of the net for 1-0 to Arsenal.

Liverpool then were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area. Suarez took it and it was blocked by the wall. The ball then came out towards Lucas who stopped his run to get the ball and Eboue charged into him and the Brazilian went down for a penalty to Liverpool. Then with the last kick of the game Kuyt stepped up from the spot to level the game at 1-1.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Eboue, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott(74), Wilshere(74), Diaby(80), Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Gibbs, Squillaci, Arshavin(74), Song(80), Chamakh, Bendtner(74).

Liverpool: Reina, Flannagan, Carragher(61), Skrtel, Aurelio(20), Spearing, Lucas, Meireles, Carroll(71), Suarez, Kuyt.
Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos(61), Robinson(20), Cole, Maxi, Shelvey(71), Ngog.

My man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 60,029

Arsenal fire 3 past Blackpool

Arsenal beat Blackpool 3-1 at Bloomfield Road on Sunday afternoon thanks to strikes from Diaby, Eboue and Van Persie. Despite 2 claims for a penalty from the Blackpool players during the game Arsenal managed to hold on for all 3 points and keep up with United in the title race. The lineup was not at its strongest as Eboue came in for Sagna, Diaby in for Walcott who was dropped to the bench and Jens Lehmann starting in goal because Almunia sustained an injury during the pre match warm up.

Chances were being created early on but nobody could really force anything on target until 17 minutes in when Arsenal took the lead. Fabregas playing the ball over the top into the path of Van Persie who fired the ball to the back post where the unmarked Abou Diaby was allowed to tap home from close range.

Just 3 minutes later the Gunners went 2-0 up. Eboue playing a one-two with Wilshere before cutting inside and smashing a left footed shot into the back of the net.

Nasri then had two good opportunities in quick succession to make it 3. The first effort Kingson saving and then the next hitting the post from Fabregas' ball into the box.

Just before the break Arsenal thought they did have 3 but this time the goal was ruled out for offside on Van Persie and the ball was played back into the box from a corner.

Then Blackpool had a good chance to get back into the game and it was almost taken but the ball was only just bundled off the line by Nasri.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Arsenal.

The first chance of the second half fell to Blackpool as Adam whipped in a free kick, but from six yards Varney could only put his shot wide.

Then Blackpool did managed to take one of their chances to make it 2-1. The ball being played into Campbell who was brought down by Lehmann inside the box but the referee played the advantage and Taylor-Fletcher was there to put the ball into the back of the net.

The seasiders then had a chance to grab an equaliser but Southern could not find the back of the net from the ball into the box.

15 minutes from the end of the game Arsenal extended their lead back to 2 goals after a tap in from Van Persie. Diaby with great work in his sides own half and then playing the ball into Fabregas who with a first time pass found Walcott who then slid the ball over to Van Persie for 3-1.

The final chance of the game fell to Blackpool and DJ Campbell but he fired his shot straight at Lehmann to stop the seasiders having their second of the game.

The final score ended Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Blackpool: Kingson, Baptiste, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey, Adam, Southern(79), Puncheon(86), Varney(58), Campbell, Taylor-Fletcher.
Subs: Rachubka, Eardley, Phillips(79), Reid(58), Ormerod, Kornilenko(86), Beattie.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Arshavin(60), Nasri(85), Wilshere, Fabregas(87), Diaby, Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Gibbs(85), Walcott(60), Rosicky, Ramsey(87), Chamakh, Bendtner.

My man of the match: Cesc Fabregas

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 16,030

10 men Rovers hold on for a point

Arsenal have now fallen further behind Manchester United in the title race after a goalless draw with Blackburn at the Emirates. Despite the sending off and the Gunners having plenty of opportunities to score, Arsenal could not force the win but there were some good points as key men returned from injury. Walcott and Song came straight into the starting lineup after returning from injury, as did Fabregas and Diaby but they only made the bench.

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal as Walcott got to the byline and delivered a cross which came off Robinson and almost bounced into the back of the net but for the Blackburn defence.

From the resulting throw in Arsenal got another chance as Walcott got another run at the Blackburn defence but he could only stick his shot at Robinson.

Nasri then had to come off the field for a few minutes as he clashed heads with Nelsen which left him with quite a large bump on the corner of his forehead.

Arsenal then really should have been ahead as Nasri played the ball into Wilshere who was in acres of space on the edge of the six yard area but he put the shot wide.

Blackburn then had two chances in quick succession, as first Olsson tested the hands of Almunia and then Hoilett drove wide from inside the penalty area.

Just before the break the visitors had a great chance to take the lead as Nzonzi got ahead of Almunia from the set piece but he put his header wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Koscielny who from Nasri's corner could only find the hands of Robinson in the Rovers goal.

They then had another chance to test Robinson as Van Persie drove a shot from range but it was tame and the Blackburn goalkeeper made an easy save.

With 15 minutes to play Blackburn went down to 10 men after Nzonzi went into a tackle two footed on Koscielny.

Bendtner came on for Nasri and had a glorious chance from the cross of Van Persie but he sent a looping header over the bar. The dane shortly after had another great chance as Van Persie's in swinging corner was met by the head of Bendtner but Salgado was on the line to stop the effort.

The last chance of the game fell to Van Persie as Sagna's cross found his head but with Chamakh jumping up with him he could not control the effort and it went over the bar.

The final score ended Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Arshavin(58), Nasri(78), Walcott(73), Wilshere, Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Eboue, Diaby, Fabregas(58), Rosicky, Chamakh(73), Bendtner(78).

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, P. Jones, Nzonzi, J. Jones(90), Emerton, Santa Cruz(62), Hoilett.
Subs: Bunn, Hanley, Dunn(90), Rochina, Benjani, Roberts(62), Diouf.

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 60,087