Late Welbeck goal sees Arsenal suffer defeat to United

Danny Welbeck scored a late goal to seal a win for Manchester United as Arsenal lost for the third Premier League game in a row at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. In a game that was much more even than the 8-2 win for United in the last game in which the two sides met earlier in the season. It was a game that was a must win for both sides. With Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool all dropping points it was Arsenal's chance to catch up with the top four. For Manchester United it was a chance to keep up the pace with league leaders Man City who had beaten Tottenham in the day's early kick off.

Louis Valencia's first half goal was cancelled out by Van Persie who grabbed his 23rd goal of the season. However it wasn't enough as Welbeck scored with nine minutes left to give United all three points. For the match Oxlade-Chamberlain who was prefered to Arshavin made his first Premiership start whilst Vermaelen returned from injury and Rosicky came in for Benayoun. Nico Yennaris and Ju Young Park both came on for their first taste of Premiership action.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was Arsenal's stand out performer in the defeat to United

Despite both teams getting at each other in the opening quarter of an hour, it was Arsenal who had the first shot on goal. Oxlade-Chamberlain picked the ball up and then beat Evra, Chamberlain then found Walcott who hit a shot high and wide of the goal.

United's first attempt on goal came from Nani. Evra managed to get past Song before laying the ball back to Nani who almost found the near post of the goal but for Szczesny who stopped the shot.

Nani then managed to work another chance for the visitors as he beat Djourou to the ball before getting into the box and then firing his shot across the box and out for a goalkick.

Just before the break, Manchester United took the lead. Giggs got forward and then provided a cross for Valencia who was waiting at the back post to head United into the lead.

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

With the first real chance of the second half, Arsenal should have equalised. Smalling lost his footing which allowed Rosicky to pounce onto the ball. He then drove forward and found Van Persie, but with the goal gaping, the Arsenal skipper put the ball wide.

Aaron Ramsey then had a great opportunity to put Arsenal back into the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain got down the left before finding Ramsey who then worked his way into a shooting opportunity, only for the ball to go over the cross bar.

Arsenal were looking the more livelier team since the break and Rosicky then saw his shot, which was on target, blocked by Evra after Van Persie had cut the ball back to the Czech international.

Oxlade-Chamberlain who was massively impressing on his league debut then came within inches of equalising for the Gunners. Koscielny drove forward from defence before finding Chamberlain whose shot from outside the box went just past the post.

Despite Arsenal having the majority of the chances in the second half it was United who came closest as they looked to extend their lead. A ball was played over the top and into Welbeck who chipped the goalkeeper but Mertesacker raced back and managed to clear the ball off the line.

Arsenal then finally managed to get an equaliser, and it was deserved. Rosicky found Oxlade-Chamberlain on the break who cut inside and found Van Persie who fired past Lindegaard for 1-1.

The game changing moment was then to happen as to much displeasure from the Arsenal fans, Andrey Arshavin came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

With nine minutes left, United were back in front. Valencia was allowed to go past Arshavin as though he wasn't even there, he then got into the penalty area before finding Welbeck who put the ball into the back of the net.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou(45), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Ramsey(84), Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain(73), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Miquel, Yennaris(45), Benayoun, Arshavin(73), Park(84).

Manchester United: Lindegaard, Smalling, Evans, Jones(17), Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia, Nani(75), Rooney, Welbeck.
Subs: De Gea, Fabio, Rafael(17)(76), Park(76), Scholes(75), Berbatov, Hernandez.

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,093

Walcott and Van Persie goals not enough as Gunners suffer defeat

Arsenal suffered their second League defeat in a row as they lost 3-2 to Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon. An early goal from Van Persie, his 22nd of the season and a Walcott goal was not enough as the Welsh side fought back to take all three points. Thierry Henry once again came off the bench but didn't have many opportunities to have an effect on the game. Gervinho and Chamakh missed out as they flew out to represent their countries at the African Cup of Nations. Miquel and Benayoun came in for the injured Arteta and Coquelin.

Walcott's first goal since October wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Swansea

Within the first five minutes Arsenal took the lead. Andrey Arshavin picked up the ball in midfield before playing Van Persie through on goal who then from a tight angle put the ball past Vorm for his 18th league goal of the season.

10 minutes later Swansea equalised through a controversial penalty decision. The ball was played into Dyer who looked to have been brought down by Ramsey. However Dyer only stepped on Ramsey's leg which was enough to bring him down and the referee gave a penalty. Sinclair managed to easily convert the penalty despite Szczesny diving the right way.

Van Persie then had a great opportunity to put Arsenal ahead as he found himself clean through on goal but Vorm came out and stopped the shot.

Nathan Dyer managed to create the home sides next chance as he cut inside and then drove a shot which was comfortably kept out by Szczesny.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first good chance of the second half fell to Walcott who raced clear of the Swansea defence before hitting a shot which cleared Vorm in the Swansea goal and went over the bar.

Joe Allen then opened up some space to shoot in, as he ran at the defence before driving a shot wide of Szczesny's goal.

Swansea were having the majority of the play and their hardwork then paid off as the Swans took the lead. Ramsey was dispossessed by Allen who then found Dyer who smashed the ball past Szczesny and into the back of the net.

12 minutes later Arsenal were level. Djourou played the ball through to Walcott who had the pace to race into the penalty area and then dink the ball over Vorm to put the Gunners back into the game.

However, less than a minute later Swansea restored their lead. The ball was played over the top and into the path of Danny Graham who got past Koscielny before firing the ball into the back of the net.

Thierry Henry then almost marked his return to Premier League football with a goal as Van Persie swung in the ball onto the head of Henry whose deflected header looped over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Mertesacker was presented with a great opportunity to equalise as the ball fell to him, 6 yards from goal, but completely missed the target.

Thomas Rosicky then forced a save out of Vorm as he ran at the defence before unleashing a shot from just outside the area which Vorm could only parm away.

The final score finished Swansea 3-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Caulker, Taylor, Agustien(46), Britton, Allen, Sinclair, Dyer(82), Graham(90).
Subs: Tremmel, Monk, Sigurdsson(46), Richards, Routledge(82), Lita(90), Moore.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker(76), Koscielny, Miquel, Song, Ramsey, Benayoun(63), Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin(63).
Subs: Almunia, Yennaris, Squillaci, Rosicky(63), Oxlade-Chamberlain(76), Henry(63), Park.

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 20,409

Henry scores on comeback to send Arsenal through to next round

Thierry Henry scored a dramatic winner on Monday night to seal a 1-0 win for Arsenal as they beat Leeds at the Emirates to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. Henry scored his 227th goal with 12 minutes remaining as he capped off a memorable return to action in an Arsenal shirt. After securing a two month loan deal the Gunners will be hoping for more of the same over that time from the goal scoring hero. With Gervinho off to the Africa Cup of Nations and Chamakh following in the days to come, only Chamakh started whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin and Squillaci all got chances to prove themselves as Song, Ramsey and Arteta who captained the side on the night all started.

Henry scored on his comeback to send Arsenal into the next round of the FA Cup

The first chance of the game fell to Arshavin as he cut inside but only managed to fire the ball high and wide of the goal.

Arsenal's next chance came from a free kick as Arteta floated the ball into towards the back post and onto the head of Squillaci who headed just wide.

Ramsey then managed to create a chance for himself as he got forward and then hit a left footed shot from outside the box which wistled over the bar.

Ramsey had had a great start to the game as he then set up Arteta for a shot as he came onto his left foot before drilling a shot wide of the target.

The visitors first opportunity of the game fell to Becchio as the ball came off an Arsenal player and bounced into the path of the Argentine who blazed his shot over the crossbar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half came in the opening minute as Oxlade-Chamberlain got down the right hand side before cutting inside and again firing wide of the goalkeeper and the goal.

Arshavin was looking as though he had something to prove as he almost found the net after a Leeds mistake. The ball bounced off Chamakh and then onto a Leeds player before arriving at Arshavin's feet but he sliced the ball wide.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then forced a save out of Lonergan in the Leeds goal as he played a one-two with Ramsey before firing a fierce shot towards goal which was parmed away by Lonergan.

It was then the return of the legend as Thierry Henry replaced Marouane Chamakh on 67 minutes.

That change proved to be decisive as Henry scored with his first chance back in an Arsenal shirt. Alex Song picked the ball up before playing the ball through to Henry who comfortably side footed the ball into the back of the net to roll back the years and give Arsenal the lead. His celebration was rounded off with a hug from the manager, Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners still had to withstand one more chance as Townsend, on loan from Tottenham, played the ball into the path of Forssell who saw his shot kept out by Szczesny.

Henry's goal proved to be the difference as the Gunners went into the fourth round of the FA Cup to play Aston Villa at home later this month.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Leeds.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin(33), Koscielny, Squillaci, Miquel, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain(68), Arshavin, Chamakh(68).
Subs: Martinez, Yennaris(33), Benayoun, Ryo, Walcott(68), Park, Henry(68).

Leeds: Lonergan, Lees, Thompson, O'Dea, White, Clayton, Vayrynen(61), Pugh, Townsend, Nunez(82), Becchio(74).
Subs: Taylor, Bruce, Sam, Brown(61), Parker, Forssell(82), McCormack(74).

My man of the match: Thierry Henry

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 59,615

Late Zamora goal sinks Arsenal in London derby

Arsenal's first match of 2012 ended in defeat as they conceded a late winner to Fulham on Monday evening as Bobby Zamora scored an injury time winner to seal the points in the London Derby. Arsenal were sent down to 10 men late on which allowed Fulham to capitalise.  Laurent Koscielny's first half header looked to be enough but Fulham came back from a goal down to beat Arsenal with two goals in the last 5 minutes. It turned out to be another game in which Arsenal failed to close the gap between the top teams. There was just one change to the side that beat QPR on New Years Eve as the injured Thomas Vermaelen was replaced by Francis Coquelin at left back.

Koscielny's first goal of the season wasn't enough as the Gunners suffered defeat

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal. Robin Van Persie's inswinging corner finding Gervinho at the back post but he could only volley his effort high and wide of the goal.

Fulham's first chance fell to Zamora as he got into the penalty area before driving a shot past the defender but not past the goalkeeper as Szczesny got down well to keep the effort out.

Twenty minutes into the game Arsenal took the lead. Arteta's drive from range hit his own player and then came out to Gervinho who found Ramsey. Ramsey then looped a ball into the penalty area and onto the head of Koscielny to give Arsenal the lead and for the Frenchman's first of the season.

Arsenal then had two brilliant opportunities to double their lead. First Aaron Ramsey saw his shot brilliantly saved by Stockdale and then the rebound was followed up by Song but once again Stockdale made the save to deny the Gunners.

Ruiz provided the hosts next chance as he picked the ball up in the middle, worked his way past Song and then got to the edge of the area before hitting a shot inches wide of the post.

Coquelin was proving a good choice at left back as he got forward and beat his man before teeing up Van Persie whose shot was kept out by Stockdale.

Just before the break Ramsey managed to test Stockdale with a shot from distance, it was well hit but Stockdale was once again equal to it.

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

Former Arsenal player Senderos went close just after the hour mark as he headed over from a Danny Murphy free-kick.

Fulham then came close again as Ruiz beat Song before chipping the ball to the far post, onto the head of Dempsey who once more, saw his header go inches wide of the post.

Ruiz was proving the difference between the two sides as he created another chance, this time his close range effort was kept out well by Szczesny.

The Gunners were then forced to play the last 15 minutes of the game with 10 men. The ball was slipped through into the path of Zamora who went down under the challenge of Djourou who was sent off for his second bookable offence of the game.

Aaron Ramsey was then brought off as Squillaci came on to make sure Arsenal still had four men at the back.

Five minutes from the end Fulham got a deserved equaliser. Szczesny's parm away only went as far as Senderos who headed the ball back into the danger area and onto the head of Sidwell who headed the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal then conceded again as Squillaci's header found Zamora who volleyed the ball home at the near post to give Fulham all three points.

The final score ended Fulham 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Fulham: Stockdale, Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Dempsey, Murphy(69), Sidwell, Zamora, Ruiz, Dembele.
Subs: Etheridge, Baird, Hughes, Gecov, Duff, Frei(69), Orlando Sa.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Coquelin, Song, Arteta, Ramsey(81), Walcott(65), Van Persie, Gervinho(74).
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci(81), Miquel, Rosicky(65), Arshavin, Benayoun(74), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 25,700

Van Persie goal fires Arsenal into fourth

Robin Van Persie scored his 35th goal of 2011 to help Arsenal grab a 1-0 victory over QPR at the Emirates in their last game of the year on New Years Eve. Robin Van Persie's goal came on the hour mark as they got what they deserved in a hard fought match against the team that won the Championship last season. The win came on the back of a deal which would see former Gunners hero Thierry Henry return to the club on a two month loan. The match saw the return to the starting lineup for Walcott and Ramsey as they came in for Benayoun and Rosicky. Another change saw Gervinho dropped to the bench in place of Andrey Arshavin who started a Premier League game for the first time in five weeks. Armand Traore was in the QPR lineup playing against his old club.

Van Persie ended the year on a high as he fired the Gunners into fouth place

The first chance of the match came in the opening minutes but it fell to the visiting team QPR, as Jay Bothroyd cut inside from the right and then drove a shot from outside the box but it was easily saved by Szczesny.

Arsenal's first chance fell to their top scorer, Van Persie. Ramsey floated the ball in towards the far post and onto the head of Van Persie, however he was unbalanced and headed wide.

Djourou created the Gunners next chance as he roamed forward from right back and then fed Van Persie. He got into the penalty area and then got past Young before firing the ball over the oncoming Rangers keeper and over the bar.

Van Persie then found himself with another chance as Vermaelen looped a ball over the QPR defence and into the path of the Arsenal captain. However on the volley, the Dutchman's shot dipped just over the bar.

The Gunners were dominating, just as they had done against Wolves in midweek. Another chance came and went as a corner eventually came out to Ramsey on the edge of the area who struck a volley which had to be headed off the line by Barton to stop Arsenal from taking the lead.

Arteta then created a chance for himself as he hit a fierce shot from range which Cerny had to beat away.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first real chance of the second half was a great opportunity as Walcott raced clear of the defence and went through on goal but missed the target.

Arsenal then finally took one of their chances as Van Persie gave the Gunners the lead to pass Thierry Henry's record of goals in a calendar year. The ball was given away to Arshavin who then slipped the ball into the path of Van Persie who fired past the goalkeeper.

Gervinho was then presented with a great chance to double the Gunners lead. Van Persie outmuscled the defender before playing the ball into Gervinho but he slid the ball wide from not very far out.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-1 QPR.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen(54), Song, Ramsey, Arteta, Walcott(74), Arshavin(68), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Coquelin(54), Rosicky(68), Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho(74), Chamakh.

QPR: Cerny, Young, Gabbidon, Connolly, Traore(78), Wright-Phillips, Barton, Taarabt, Faurlin, Mackie(74), Bothroyd(64).
Subs: Murphy, Orr(78), Hill, Derry, Smith(74), Helguson, Campbell(64).

My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,076