Wilshere returns as Arteta grabs late winner

Jack Wilshere returned to first team action as he started for the first time in 14 months, as Arsenal beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates thanks to a late goal from Mikel Arteta. Arsenal showed glimpses of being back to their old selves as they got 3 vital points having lost their last Premier League game but still struggled in front of goal. The Gunners cause was helped by a sending off to Mbia which meant Arsenal found room to grab that all important goal. It had been a tough week for Arsenal but a far from convincing win against bottom of the table QPR rose spirits a tiny bit. Aswell as the returning Jack Wilshere who came in for Gervinho who was dropped to the bench, Bacary Sagna returned from injury and played for the first time this season as he came in for Jenkinson.

Arteta bundled the ball into the net late on to win the game for Arsenal

The first chance of the game was created by Andre Santos as he got down the left hand side before trying to pick out Giroud but the ball deflected off a defender and Cesar made the save.

Arsenal's first clear cut opportunity fell to Ramsey as Sagna crossed the ball into the box and the Welshman's header struck the cross bar.

Giroud then did have a chance to test Cesar as he turned and then tried to pick out a cross. The ball was blocked though and at the second time Giroud shot from a tight angle but it was an easy save for the goalkeeper.

Gunners fans then got to see signs of what they'd been missing from a certain Jack Wilshere, as he combined with Cazorla before hitting a shot from the edge of the area, which was spilled by Cesar but then gobbled up at the second attempt.

Arsenal were having all the play and Giroud was allowed to test Cesar again as he let fly from the left hand side but the QPR goalkeeper got down well to it.

Just before the break Santos found space on the left hand side after Wilshere had played the ball out to him. The Brazilian then brought the ball onto his weaker foot but Cesar was once again in the way of the shot.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first opportunity of the second half went Arsenal's way. Arteta delivered a ball in from the free-kick and Mertesacker managed to glance a header towards goal but was denied by an inspired Julio Cesar.

It was a second half of few chances but with more or less 15 minutes to play Santi Cazorla had a great chance to put the Gunners ahead. The ball fell to him 12 yards from goal but he skied the shot over the bar.

A few minutes later, QPR found themselves in trouble as Vermaelen went shoulder to shoulder with Mbia and then brought him down, but the Cameroonion then kicked out at the Arsenal skipper and was sent off.

With 7 minutes left to play Arsenal finally got the goal they deserved and had finally put one past Cesar. Andrey Arshavin did well on the left to beat his man and then pick out Giroud, whose header was clawed away by Cesar, and then after hitting the bar with his first effort, Mikel Arteta tapped home for the winner.

However, the game wasn't finished there and the Gunners kept plugging away as Cesar denied a driven effort from Ramsey shortly after the goal and then a curling effort from Cazorla.

In the last minute of the game QPR had their best chance of the afternoon as the ball was played into Granero but he dragged his shot wide.

Into injury time and Jamie Mackie almost scored a brilliant goal as he took the ball past 3 Arsenal players before breaking into the penalty area and firing straight at Mannone. 

The final score finished Arsenal 1-0 QPR.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Wilshere(67), Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski(71), Giroud.
Subs: Martinez, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Arshavin(82), Walcott(67), Gervinho(71)(82).

QPR: Cesar, Bosingwa, Nelsen, Mbia, Traore(73), Diakite, Granero, Wright-Phillips(79), Taarabt, Hoilett, Zamora(73).
Subs: Green, Ferdinand, Onuoha(73), Faurlin, Ephraim, Mackie(79), Cisse(73). 

My man of the match: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 60,103

Gunners slip up in midweek thanks to late goals

Arsenal slid to their second defeat in a row as goals from Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay sealed a 2-0 win for Schalke at the Emirates on Wednesday in the Champions League. The defeat meant that Arsenal's long unbeaten run at home in Europe had now come to an end. Arsenal were very poor, as they had been against Norwich at the weekend and once more failed to create many clear cut opportunities. The only shot on target came from the boot of 17 year old Serge Gnabry, that tells you all you need to know about how poor the Gunners were on the night. The midfield once again lived up to expectation, as did Per Mertsacker. However Andre Santos was ripped apart by Farfan all night whilst the attack failed to create much up top. Arsenal made just one change to the starting lineup as Francis Coquelin replaced Olivier Giroud as Ramsey pushed out wide with Gervinho down the middle. Meanwhile Marouane Chamakh returned to the substitutes bench.

Arsenal could do with the fire power of opening scorer Huntelaar after failing to score for 2 games in a row

The first chance of the game came 9 minutes in as Podolski found Gervinho at the near post but he steered his shot wide.

Arsenal had dominated the first 10 minutes and Schalke then tried to claim for a penalty as it looked like Mannone had brought down Afellay when in fact the Dutch winger had dived, and was subsequently booked.

Santi Cazorla then let fly from range as he got into a shooting position before seeing his effort deflected wide.

Schalke then had their first real chance as Uchida got to the byline before cutting the ball back to Farfan who stepped inside one man but Mertesacker slid in to block the attempt.

Just before the break the German side almost took the lead. Uchida was once more allowed to get beyond the Arsenal defence before sliding the ball to Huntelaar who put the ball wide when he should have scored.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Arsenal almost immediately had a chance to score as Cazorla wriggled out of the challenges before feeding Santos. His ball into the box found Coquelin who then found Ramsey but his flick fell into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Schalke then had a great opportunity to put themselves in front as Farfan skipped past Santos before finding Howedes who put the ball over from 12 yards out.

It was then the Gunners turn to appeal for a penalty as Gervinho got past Jones but then as the ball got away from the Ivorian he dived and the referee once again showed the yellow card and waved away the Arsenal protests.

With just 15 minutes left, Schalke took the lead. The ball was headed back into the box towards Huntelaar who beat the offside trap to smash the ball beyond Mannone and into the back of the net.

10 minutes later Schalke were 2 goals to the good. Farfan managed to get down the right hand side before sliding the ball across the box into Afellay who fired home at the back post.

In the last minute of the match, Arsenal finally had their first shot on target. Serge Gnabry cut inside from the right before seeing his shot beaten away. The ball went only as far as Cazorla but he put the shot over.

The final score finished Arsenal 0-2 Schalke.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson(83), Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski(83), Gervinho(75).
Subs: Shea, Djourou, Koscielny, Arshavin(83), Gnabry(83), Chamakh, Giroud(75).

Schalke: Unnerstall, Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs, Neustadter, Hoger(45), Holtby(65), Afellay, Farfan, Huntelaar(88).
Subs: Hildebrand, Kolasinac, Moritz, Jones(45), Barnetta(65), Draxler, Marica(88).

My man of the match: Francis Coquelin

Referee: Jonas Eriksson(SWE)
Attendance: 60,049

Arsenal fall to disappointing defeat at Norwich

Arsenal missed the chance to overtake rivals Tottenham on Saturday evening, as the Gunners suffered a very disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of winless Norwich. It was a game in which Arsenal were expected to coast to victory but that wasn't to be as Grant Holt's first half goal proved crucial. The Gunners didn't really look like scoring at any point in the game. Podolski only had one real sight of goal and Giroud didn't show any signs of troubling the hosts. Meanwhile the midfield was once again Arsenal's best aspect as Arteta and Cazorla had good games but Gervinho was once again quiet out wide. Arsenal made one change to the starting lineup that faced West Ham as Santos came in for the injured Kieran Gibbs. Meanwhile 17 year old Serge Gnabry was included on the bench for the first time in a Premier League game. The match also signalled Jack Wilshere's return after 14 months out injured, as he also made the bench.

Arsenal were left frustrated as they failed to open up Norwich on Saturday

The first chance of the match fell to Norwich as Pilkington cut inside from the left before firing a shot wide.

Lukas Podolski then almost had a brilliant chance to give the Gunners the lead but Martin slid in to deny the German.

Podolski then had another chance as he hit a speculative effort from just inside the box but the ball flashed passed Ruddy and out for a goalkick.

However on 18 minutes it was Norwich who took a surprise lead. Tettey was allowed to find space and fire in a shot from distance which was palmed away by Mannone but straight into the path of Holt who slid the ball home.

Just after the half hour mark Norwich had a great opportunity to double their lead as Pilkington picked out the unmarked Turner from a corner but he headed wide.

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

Arsenal had the first chance of the second half as Jenkinson whipped in a ball from the right hand side which Ruddy came out to and punched the ball into Cazorla, however the ball then fell to Giroud but he scuffed the shot wide.

Giroud then turned provider as he knocked the ball down and it fell to Gervinho but Ruddy easily kept the Ivorian's header out.

Grant Holt had Norwich's first chance in a while as he ran through the midfield and took a shot from outside the box which bounced wide.

Holt was then the man who had another chance as he stole possession off of Vermaelen and went clean through on goal. However he tried to cheekily dink the ball over Mannone but it didn't work and it fell greatfully into the hands of the Italian goalkeeper.

Five minutes from the end of the game Mikel Arteta hit a left footed strike from outside the area but Ruddy was equal to it.

Gervinho then had Arsenal's best chance of the game as Gnabry slipped the ball through to him but he didn't shoot straight away which allowed Bassong to slide in and make the challenge.

Arsenal's final chance came in injury time as Santos pumped the ball forward towards Giroud who knocked it back to Gnabry but he sliced the ball wide.

The final score finished Norwich 1-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Johnson, Hoolahan(90), Bennett(79), Tettey, Holt(90), Pilkington.
Subs: Rudd, Bennett(90), Howson, Snodgrass(79), Surman, Jackson, Morison(90).

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey(83), Cazorla, Gervinho, Giroud, Podolski(65). 
Subs: Martinez, Djourou, Coquelin, Wilshere, Arshavin(74), Oxlade-Chamberlain(65)(74), Gnabry(83).

My man of the match: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 26,825

Arsenal come from behind to win in London derby

Arsenal had to come from behind to pick up a well earned 3 points against West Ham on Saturday evening at Upton Park. Olivier Giroud finally got off the mark in the League as he equalised whilst Walcott came off the bench and changed the game around, scoring one and assisting Santi Cazorla who scored a brilliant goal late on. That was all after Diame had given West Ham the lead despite the Gunners dominating possession early on. It was a strong test of the teams character and spirit having lost for the first time this season to Chelsea last week but they came back strong with a convincing performance. The performance at the back had improved massively from last week as Koscielny was back on the bench in place of Per Mertesacker who was back from a virus. Mertesacker had the job of dealing with Andy Carroll for the afternoon and he did that very well. Meanwhile Olivier Giroud lead the line as Gervinho was pushed out wide but the Ivorian had a poor game - a frustrating sign of his inconsistency despite being the Gunners top scorer this season.

Olivier Giroud scored his first goal in the Premier League as Arsenal won against West Ham

The first chance of the game fell to Olivier Giroud as the ball bounced off of Ramsey and into the path of the Frenchman whose shot was creeping inside the near post but for Jaaskalainen who kept out the shot.

Santi Cazorla then almost found the net as Podolski got the ball out wide and found Cazorla on the edge of the area who hit a shot which deflected wide.

It was all Arsenal in the early parts of the game and Giroud had another attempt at goal as he smashed the ball towards the far corner from just inside the area but Carroll managed to get his body in the way of the shot.

However it was West Ham who took the lead against the run of play as Diame stepped inside Ramsey before curling the ball brilliantly round Mannone and into the corner of the net from a tight angle.

Arsenal came back quickly though and almost found the equaliser through Giroud as Mertesacker's flick couldn't quite find its way into the path of the striker.

The Gunners then finally did find a goal. Podolski played a great ball in towards the near post which found Giroud who was allowed to tap home for his first goal in the league for Arsenal. The goal cued a celebration showing the Frenchman's relief at finally bagging himself an important goal.

Just before the break West Ham had a great chance to regain the lead as Carroll found Nolan but he stabbed the ball wide from close range.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Five minutes after the hour mark, Giroud almost found the net once more. Theo Walcott's backheel somehow found its way through to Giroud but from a tight angle and under pressure from the goalkeeper the ball was put into the side netting.

It was then West Ham's turn to squander a chance as Carroll out jumped Mannone but headed wide.

Lukas Podolski was having a great game down the left flank and 18 minutes from the end of the game he fashioned a chance for himself as he hit a shot which Jaaskalainen parmed wide.

15 minutes from the end, Arsenal finally made their pressure tell as Theo Walcott slid home from Giroud's through ball to put the Gunners infront.

Kevin Nolan, as he did in the first half, had a fantastic chance to score for the Hammers but from 12 yards out he curled the ball over the bar.

Per Mertesacker, a man not known for his goal scoring credentials almost put the game to bed as he managed to turn inside the area before seeing his deflected shot go wide.

Eight minutes from the end of the match, Arsenal finally sealed all 3 points. Walcott did well to keep the ball in the middle of midfield before feeding Cazorla who struck a brilliant dipping shot from 25 yards out which found the net. A quite brilliant way to cap off a brilliant performance.

The final score finished West Ham 1-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Reid, McCartney, Collins, Demel, Vaz Te(62), Noble, Diame(82), Jarvis, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs: Henderson, Tomkins, Taylor(62), O'Neil, Benayoun, Cole(82), Maiga.

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs(56), Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Gervinho(61), Giroud, Podolski(85).
Subs: Martinez, Koscielny(85), Santos(56), Coquelin, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott(61).

Man of the match: Santi Cazorla

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 34,974

Gervinho, Podolski and Ramsey goals seal win against Greeks

Arsenal were far from their best on Wednesday night at the Emirates but still managed to come away with victory against Greek Champions Olympiacos. The Gunners struggled to find any rhythm in the first half as they kept losing possession of the ball and were sloppy in defence. However they still came away with the all important 3 points which meant Arsenal have taken an extra step towards securing qualification from the group stages. Gervinho and Podolski once again got the goals as Aaron Ramsey scored late on to secure the win over the Greek side. There were 2 changes to the starting line-up from the weekend's defeat to Chelsea as Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for Ramsey who was dropped to the bench, whilst Coquelin came in for the once again injured Abou Diaby. Meanwhile Per Mertesacker was suffering from illness so Koscielny partnered Vermaelen at the heart of the defence again.

Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to seal the win for Arsenal deep into injury time.

The first chance of the game came through a mistake at the back from Arsenal. Mannone's goal kick went straight to an Olympiacos player but luckily for the Gunners, Olympiacos couldn't take advantage of the opportunity and the ball was put out for a corner.

Arsenal's first shot on goal came from the boot of Santi Cazorla as he hit a curling free-kick from the left hand side which Megyeri in the Olympiacos goal did well to tip over.

Just before the half hour mark, Olympiacos almost found a goal which would have given them the lead. Machado managed to find Mitroglou who hit a low shot from the edge of the area which Mannone had to sprawl across his goal to keep out.

Machado then had a chance of his own to convert as a cross was swung in but the ball was some how put high and wide from six yards out.

Four minutes before the break and against the run of play, Arsenal took the lead. Podolski got the ball on the left and then found Arteta. However he lost possession but the ball fell nicely to Gervinho to fire home from outside the box.

The Greek Champions then came straight back at Arsenal as Machado had space to smash a shot from distance but it was straight at Mannone who held onto the ball.

The action for the half was not over though as Olympiacos equalised. The ball was put into the box perfectly for Mitroglou who headed the ball into the back of the net.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Just after the break Santi Cazorla had a great chance to put Arsenal back in front. Gervinho did well down the left and then found Cazorla but he side footed the ball wide.

The Greek sides first shot on goal in the second half came from their goalscorer Mitroglou as he struck the ball from outside the penalty area but it flashed wide of the goal.

It was Arsenal though who got the goal to send them in front. Gervinho got fortunate down the left hand side as his failed cross fell straight back to him and at the second time found Podolski who turned and fired the ball in off the goalkeeper.

Laurent Koscielny then had a good opportunity to extend the lead as he got on the end of Arteta's free kick but the Frenchman headed over from close range.

With eight minutes left to play Arsenal were looking for the goal that would wrap up the game and almost got it through Olivier Giroud as he got on the end of Walcott's cross, but the keeper kept it out.

Giroud then had another chance to get a goal as Cazorla got to the byline and found the French striker who smashed the ball towards goal but it hit a defender and bounced wide.

Deep into injury time and the game was finally finished off. Mannone's goal kick was flicked on by Giroud into the path of Ramsey who ran in on goal before dinking the ball over the goal keeper to seal the victory.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain(70), Gervinho(80), Podolski(80).
Subs: Shea, Djourou, Santos, Ramsey(80), Arshavin, Walcott(70), Giroud(80).

Olympiacos:  Megyeri, Diakite(73), Manolas, Contreras, Holebas, Siovas, Maniatis, Machado(80), Fuster, Greco(66), Mitroglou.
Subs: Carroll, Modesto, Ibagaza, Lykogiannis, Diogo, Abdoun(66), Pantelic(80).

Man of the match: Gervinho

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen
Attendance: 60,034

Arsenal suffer first defeat of season as they lose to Chelsea

Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the 2012/13 season on Saturday as in form Chelsea took all three points despite Gervinho's goal just before half time. It was the first time this season that there were problems in defence. The full backs were solid again but this was the first time that Koscielny and Vermaelen had been paired together this season in the middle of defence. The two are used to playing with each other but it was Koscielny's error that lead to Chelsea's first goal and he maybe could've done better with the second goal as well. Arsenal were good going forward but there was once more a lack of end product. Podolski came close to scoring, as did Olivier Giroud when he came off the bench but he missed a great chance to equalise late in the game.

The first shot of the game came from David Luiz who hit a dipping effort from a free-kick but it bounced straight into the hands of Vito Mannone.

Arsenal's first shot was taken on by Aaron Ramsey who drove towards the area before slicing a shot wide of the goal.

The next chance fell Santi Cazorla's way as Gervinho layed the ball off to the Spaniard but he swept the ball over the bar.

However it was Chelsea who took the lead despite Arsenal's early chances. Juan Mata swung in a free-kick and with Koscielny with his back to the goal, Torres managed to swing a leg around the French defender to put the ball home.

Three minutes before the break Arsenal equalised. Oxlade-Chamberlain played the ball into Gervinho who was allowed to turn before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net.

The score at half time was 1-1.

The first chance of the second half fell to the creator of Arsenal's first goal in Chamberlain as he let fly from outside the box but the ball went wide.

Lukas Podolski then made a great run into the box to create another opportunity. He flashed the ball across the box, the ball then bounced off of Cole before falling out to Cazorla, who sliced the ball wide of the goal as another chance went begging. 

However it was Chelsea once more who took use of their chances and regained the lead. Juan Mata curled in a free-kick which went all the way through the defence and past Mannone for 2-1.

Just before the hour mark Lukas Podolski was denied brilliantly by Cech. Gibbs' ball in was headed towards goal by Podolski but Cech did brilliantly to claw the ball away.

Cech then did brilliantly again but this time it was to deny Giroud, as the Frenchman was played through by Cazorla but his deflected shot was somehow kept out.

Into injury time, and Olivier Giroud was given a fantastic opportunity for Arsenal to take a point away from the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain slipped the ball through to Giroud who went round Cech before firing the ball into the side netting.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby(17), Arteta, Cazorla, Ramsey(66), Gervinho, Podolski(66).
Subs: Martinez, Mertesacker, Djourou, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain(17), Walcott(66), Giroud(66). 

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz(80), Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Oscar(73), Hazard, Mata(84), Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Cahill(80), Bertrand(84), Azpilicueta, Romeu, Lampard, Moses(73)

Man of the match: Carl Jenkinson

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,101