Arsenal pull off comfortable victory against Villa

Arsenal pulled off a comfortable victory against Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Gibbs, Walcott and Arteta were enough as the Gunners remained in third place and also extended their lead over Spurs and Chelsea in the battle for Champions League places. The two sides had played against each other in the day's earlier match and could only manage a goalless draw. The match was Arsenal’s seventh victory on the trot in the League meaning it was the club's best run since October 2007. For the match, Aaron Ramsey was rested as Gervinho came in for him whilst Koscielny who picked up an injury in the pre-match warm up was replaced by Djourou. Meanwhile Andre Santos came off the bench to play for the first time since returning from injury. The first chance of the match came to Aston Villa as Albrighton got down the right hand side and raced into the penalty area before firing his shot over the bar.

It was a game in which Arsenal paid their respects to former Gunner Fabrice Muamba who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in Bolton's FA Cup tie against Spurs. They did this by passing a banner around the ground in the minutes leading up to kick off.

Kieran Gibbs scored his first League goal in a game which Arsenal were rarely tested

The Gunners first chance fell to an in form Theo Walcott. Sagna managed to find Van Persie who then layed the ball back to Walcott who hit his shot straight at Given, who could only parry it into the path of Sagna who smashed the ball wide with his weaker foot.

However it took Arsenal just 16 minutes to find a way past Shay Given and break the deadlock. It was an opening goal that came from an unlikely source as Kieran Gibbs got into the penalty area before firing a shot into the back of the net via Given for his first Premier League goal.

Just 10 minutes later, Arsenal made it 2-0. Alex Song found time in midfield to chip a lovely ball over the Villa defence and into the path of Walcott who comfortably side footed the ball past Given to find the bottom corner of the net.

Villa were under massive pressure from Arsenal as Shay Given then had to be at his best to deny Mikel Arteta as the Spaniard struck a shot from range which Given did well to tip over the bar.

Van Persie then had his first real chance of the match as he managed to nick the ball off of Hutton before seeing his shot somehow brilliantly cleared off the line by Warnock.

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

The start of the first half seemed some what quiet as Arsenal were searching for their third goal. Aaron Ramsey almost managed to do that just after the hour mark as he cut inside before striking a shot just wide of the post.

Bacary Sagna then almost provided a goal for Van Persie as the Arsenal right back whipped in a cross which Van Persie got to but could only head the ball off of Hutton and over the bar for a corner.

Deep into injury time, Arsenal did get their third goal and it came from a brilliant free-kick from Arteta as he decided to smash the free-kick from distance which flew past Shay Given and into the back of the net.

The final score finished Arsenal 3- 0 Aston Villa.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Gibbs(68), Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott(78), Gervinho(68), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Santos(68), Ramsey(68), Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain(78), Chamakh.

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton(78), Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Petrov, Herd(53), Albrighton, Ireland, Agbonlahor, Heskey(66).
Subs: Guzan, Lichaj(78), Baker, Carruthers, Gardner(53), Bannan, Weimann(66).

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 60,108

Vermaelen goal sends Arsenal third after victory

Arsenal moved up to third place in the league as they beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. The win came courtesy of an early goal from Thomas Vermaelen, meaning he had scored the match winner in two successive games having scored against Newcastle the previous week. It was a key win as the Gunners leapfrogged their rivals, Spurs, into third place whilst also extending their lead over Chelsea who were in fifth place. It was a game in which Mikel Arteta made his return to Goodison Park having moved from Everton to Arsenal in the summer. There was only one change to the side that beat Newcastle as Aaron Ramsey came in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who was rested as he dropped to the bench.

Vermaelen scored the games only goal as Arsenal came away with all three points

The first chance of the match fell to the visitors, as Rosicky's ball was knocked down by Van Persie into the path of Ramsey, who sliced the ball over the bar when it looked easier to hit the target than to miss.

Ramsey then got another chance as he picked the ball up just inside the penalty area before driving a shot which took a deflection and went out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Arsenal took the lead. Van Persie's inswinging ball was met by the head of Vermaelen who found the net from 6 yards out for a deserved opening goal. 

Van Persie then nearly had a goal of his own as Arteta poked the ball through to him but Howard came out and saved the shot.

Everton's first chance fell to Osman as Fellaini headed the ball back into the area from a free kick and into Osman who stooped down low to head the ball wide of the goal.

The hosts then thought they had scored as Cahill found Drenthe who put the ball past Szczesny for what looked to be an equaliser, but for the linesman who had his flag raised for offside and the goal was ruled out.

Tim Howard was forced into making a great save shortly after the disallowed goal as Rosicky stung the palms of the American goalkeeper as he managed to keep the Gunners from extending their lead.

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

The first chance of the second half fell to Everton. Leighton Baines whipped in a free kick from the left which found the head of Fellaini but Szczesny was in the way to keep Arsenal in the lead.

Arsenal's first chance of the half fell to Van Persie who came incredibly close to scoring as Song's ball was knocked down by Gibbs, into the path of Van Persie, who struck the post with his effort.

Ramsey then came close to extending the Gunners lead as Walcott played the ball into Ramsey who cut inside before striking a shot which forced Howard into getting down low to pull off the save.

The Gunners were looking the most likely team to score and had two great chances in quick succession as first Van Persie pulled his shot wide and then Rosicky smashed a shot against Howard, both from close range.

Most of Everton's chances were coming through the impressive Baines as the hosts next chance was knocked down by Distin, from a Baines corner, into the path of Drenthe, who fired his shot over the bar and into the crowd.

Arsenal were desperately looking for that second goal which would surely see out the match and they got a good chance as Gervinho caught Everton on the break and got down the left hand side, before cutting the ball into Van Persie, who blazed his shot high and wide of the goal.

The final score finished Everton 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Osman(79), Cahill(88), Fellaini, Pienaar, Drenthe(79), Jelavic.
Subs: Mucha, Jagielka, Neville, McFadden, Stracqualursi(88), Gueye(79), Anichebe(79).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky(88), Walcott(79), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(88), Santos, Benayoun, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho(79), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Thomas Vermaelen

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 30,330

Late Vermaelen goal seals points against Newcastle

Arsenal left it late on Monday night at the Emirates as deep into injury time Thomas Vermaelen sweeped home the ball to ensure the Gunners came away with all three points as Newcastle were defeated 2-1. It was the fourth League game in a row that Arsenal had come from behind to secure victory, the first time this had ever been done as the Gunners caught up with rivals Tottenham to be within one point of third place. It was Ben Arfa who had opened the scoring but Arsenal immediately replied with a Van Persie goal 30 seconds later. The win was then secured in the 95th minute as Thomas Vermaelen was allowed to fire the ball home from close range to send the Emirates Stadium crazy. For the match, Arsenal welcomed back Mikel Arteta as Oxlade-Chamberlain started in the league for the first time in three matches. Ramsey also returned from injury as he was on the bench. Andre Santos, who had been out injured for the past 4 months, also returned to the side. 

Arsenal left it late as Vermaelen won the game in the dying moments against Newcastle

Arsenal came close minutes into the game as Theo Walcott got down the right hand side before putting in a brilliant ball into the penalty area. However Van Persie could not make contact and the ball went out for a throw.

The first attempt on goal in the match resulted in a goal for Newcastle. The ball was put out wide to Ben Arfa who cut inside past Gibbs and fired the ball inside Szczesny's near post to give the visitors the lead.

Just 30 seconds later, Arsenal immediately replied. Rosicky found Walcott who crossed the ball into the path of Van Persie who turned past Williamson before striking the ball beyond Krul for the equaliser.

Van Persie was then presented with another opprtunity as Walcott played him through on goal but his shot was fired over the bar.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half was once again set up by Walcott as he found space to pick out Rosicky whose header was going in, but for Krul, who parmed the ball away.

Arsenal were dominating and Van Persie tested Krul again as Arteta's inswinging ball was met by the Gunners skipper but it was comfortably kept out by the Dutch keeper.

Robin Van Persie was having plenty of chances to score and was then presented with another as Van Persie slipped the ball through to him but from a tight angle his effort was saved.

Tomas Rosicky, who was having the best spell of his Arsenal career then had an opportunity of his own as Walcott got into the penalty area before rolling the ball into Rosicky. However the Czech sliced his shot and it went wide of the target.

It was becoming a frustrating night for the Gunners as opportunities were coming and going. Their next chance fell to Gervinho from an Arteta free kick but from 6 yards out scuffed his shot wide.

Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal was coming under heavy pressure and was then forced into making another save as Song's ball in was headed towards goal by Vermaelen but Krul was there to tip the ball over the bar.

Arsenal were finally able to finish one of their chances and it came late on as deep into injury time, Theo Walcott's ball was flicked on by Ramsey and into Vermaelen who could not miss as he tapped the ball home from close range.

The final score finished Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle. The victory was history as it was the first time in the Premier League that a side had come from a goal behind four games in a row to grab victory.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Walcott, Arteta, Rosicky(76), Song, Oxlade-Chamberlain(68), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos, Ramsey(76), Benayoun, Gervinho(68), Chamakh.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon(46), Obertan(61), Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote(81), Ben Arfa, Ba.
Subs: Elliot, Perch(46), Gosling, Vuckic, Guthrie(81), Ameobi(61), Cisse.

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 60,095

Arsenal knocked out of Europe despite second leg victory

Arsenal almost achieved what looked an impossible task as the Gunners were one goal off taking their Champions League tie into extra time. However all they could achieve was just the three goals as despite their victory on Tuesday night at the Emirates, AC Milan went through to the next round 4-3 on aggregate. It was a brilliant first half performance in which Koscielny, Rosicky and Van Persie goals gave Arsenal an advantage going into the second half, but it wasn't to be as they couldn't get that crucial goal despite all their best efforts. Arsene Wenger named a very attacking side as Van Persie, Walcott, Gervinho and Chamberlain all started. With a list of midfielders missing out with injury such as Arteta and Diaby, there were some 'reserve' players named on the substitutes bench as Ozyakup, Miquel and Park all looked to try and get some game time.

Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League despite their second leg victory

Just six minutes into the match, Arsenal were ahead. Oxlade-Chamberlain's inswinging corner found the unmarked Koscielny who headed home from close range to give the Gunners the lead on the night.

AC Milan's first chance of the night came to Robinho as he found space outside the box before hitting a shot which cleared the cross bar.

Arsenal then tested Abbiati out for the first time in the match as Van Persie's effort was saved from a tight angle. The ball was then cleared, but only as far as Chamberlain whose shot bounced wide of the goal.

Van Persie was allowed to test Abbiati again as he was allowed to turn on the edge of the area and then fire a curling shot which Abbiati had to be at full stretch to stop.

Just before the half hour mark, Arsenal went 2-0 up on the night. Walcott's cross was only cleared away as far as Rosicky who bent the ball around the defender and into the corner of the net.

Two minutes before the break, the Gunners were to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot. Oxlade-Chamberlain raced into the penalty area before getting caught between Mesbah and Nocerino and going down. Van Persie stepped up and smashed the penalty into the back of the net to make it 4-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal were then let off as Milan wasted a big chance to extend their aggregate lead. Emanuelson got through the midfield and then found El Shaarawy on the right hand side who, one-on-one with Szczesny, put the ball wide.

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

The first real chance of the second half fell to the visitors. Ibrahimovic was brought down by Song which result in a booking for the Arsenal man and a free kick. Emanuelson took the free kick but hit the ball over the bar.

Abbiati was to then deny the Gunners twice in quick succession. Rosicky found Gervinho who got in to the penalty area before curling a shot which was deflected and saved by the legs of the Milan keeper. The ball bounced out to Van Persie who 6 yards from goal tried to chip Abbiati but he got up quickly to deny the Dutchman.

Wojciech Szczesny then gifted Milan and Ibrahimovic a great chance as his kick only went as far as the Swedish striker but he fired wide from far out.

Szczesny then made up for his error as he got down low to save well from Ibrahimovic's drive from the edge of the area.

AC Milan then squandered another chance as Aquilani's ball was met at the back post by the sliding Nocerino, but from close range saw his shot saved by the Arsenal keeper.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-0 AC Milan on the night and Arsenal 3-4 AC Milan on aggregate.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain(75), Walcott(83), Gervinho, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Miquel, Djourou, Jenkinson, Ozyakup, Park(83), Chamakh(75).

AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Mexes, Silva, Mesbah(89), Van Bommel, Nocerino, Emanuelson, Robinho, El Shaarawy(70), Ibrahimovic.
Subs: Amelia, Roma, Bonera(89), Zambrotta, Yepes, Aquilani(70), Ganz.

My man of the match: Thomas Rosicky

Referee: Damir Skomina
Attendance: 59,973

Late Van Persie volley secures points at Anfield

Arsenal left it late against Liverpool to secure a 2-1 victory at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime. A van Persie double was enough as Arsenal extended their lead over Chelsea in the table to three points. The Arsenal skipper, who needs no further introduction was once again on top form as he powered home his 24th and 25th strikes of the Premier League campaign. It was a match in which Liverpool dominated and should have come away with the victory but for Wojciech Szczesny who had a brilliant game in goal, saving a penalty and denying the hosts on numerous occasions. Coming off the back of the 5-2 victory against Spurs it was another signal of intention from the Gunners of reaching the Champions League next season. Arsene Wenger named an unchanged side to the team that beat Spurs as Benayoun played against one of his former clubs and Diaby returned from injury and was named amongst the substitutes.

Wojciech Szczesny was on top form in the win against Liverpool

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta played a long ball forward towards Walcott who got on the end of the of it to fire a shot which was kept out by Reina.

However Liverpool's first chance was to come from the penalty spot and was a key point in the game. Suarez played a one-two with Kuyt before going over under the challenge from Szczesny where contact between the two players looked minimum.

Kuyt took the penalty but Szczesny dived the right way to keep out the shot and then again made a great save to keep out the rebound.

A few minutes after the penalty save from Szczesny, Liverpool took the lead. Henderson whipped in a ball from the right hand side which was sliced into his own net by Laurent Koscielny and the hosts were ahead.

Liverpool then had two chances in quick succession as first Henderson produced a save out of Szczesny which then came out to Suarez whose shot smacked against the post and came back out.

Just after the half hour mark and against the run of play, Robin Van Persie equalised for Arsenal. Sagna found room on the right hand side before sweeping in a great ball into Van Persie who headed home from close range.

Liverpool were then back on the attack as Suarez wriggled through several Arsenal players before firing a shot which again Szczesny was equal to.

Liverpool, who had beaten Cardiff in the Carling Cup Final last weekend, were the more positive team and again hit the post as Adam's ball in was diverted onto the woodwork by Dirk Kuyt.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first good chance of the second half fell to Suarez as he went through on goal before firing a shot into the side netting.

Liverpool then wasted a great opportunity to give themselves the lead. Kuyt swung in a ball which found Kelly at the back post but he scuffed his shot wide from close range.

Arsenal were finding it hard to create chances and luckily for them Liverpool were wasting theirs as the Gunners first good chance of the half fell to Walcott when his deflected shot almost found the net, but for Reina who made a great save with his feet.

However deep into injury time all of the hosts' wasted chances came back to haunt them as Arsenal took the lead. Song played a great ball over the Liverpool defence into Van Persie to volley the ball home from six yards out.

In the dying moments, Oxlade-Chamberlain came close to making it 3-1 as Van Persie found Chamberlain on the edge of the area but he fired the shot just wide of the goal.

It was Liverpool's first defeat at Anfield all season as the final score finished Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique, Downing(88), Adam, Henderson, Spearing(90), Kuyt, Suarez.
Subs: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Shelvey, Maxi, Carroll(90), Bellamy(88).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Arteta(53), Rosicky, Walcott, Benayoun(74), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Miquel, Diaby(53)(81), Oxlade-Chamberlain(81), Gervinho(74), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Mark Halsey
Attendance: 44,922