Youngsters shine as Arsenal win on penalties

Arsenal are through to the next round of the League Cup, but only just. Nacho Monreal's penalty was the difference as the Gunners and West Brom couldn't be separated even in extra time. Eisfeld's goal midway through the second half opened the scoring before the Baggies hit back with Berahino. With injuries and people needing to be rested, Wenger played a weakened side. Eisfeld as mentioned was given his first start for the club whilst Issac Hayden made his senior debut in midfield. The likes of Gnabry and Ryo featured whilst Olsson, Akpom and Bellerin came off the bench. There was also a start for Nicklas Bendtner, featuring for the club for the first time since 2011.Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta, the captain and vice captain were given their first starts since their injuries.

Thomas Eisfeld scored on his first Arsenal start

The first chance of the game went West Brom's way as the ball was swung in from the right but Long failed to make good contact with it and Fabianski was able to collect.

Then came Bendtner's first action back in an Arsenal shirt. Ryo did well to get beyond Reid and then find a cross. However it was too high for Bendtner who then ran into the post.

It was a game of few chances so far as Craig Dawson then forced Fabianski into tipping the ball over the bar from a corner.

Graham Dorrans was to try his luck from range with a free-kick but he wasted it by blazing the ball high and wide.

Issac Hayden then almost grabbed a debut goal. Gnabry's corner came to the near post in the direction of Hayden but he failed to make contact with the ball. If he had then it would've surely been a goal.

All of the chances seemed to be coming from dead ball situations as Steven Reid was to come close with a dipping free-kick that hit the bar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first attempt on goal in the second half came from Eisfeld as Jenkinson did well to find him on the edge of the area but the German's effort flew over.

Then came the first real save of the match. Sessegnon teed up Mulumbu who then hit a fiercesome shot which Fabianski had to be at his best to deal with.

Just after the hour mark, the deadlock was broken. Nicklas Bendtner played a perfectly weighted ball into Thomas Eisfeld who managed to get it out of his feet and then find the back of the net. 

10 minutes later, West Brom were level. Shane Long picked out Berahino in the box who headed past Fabianski to make it 1-1.

Berahino then had a chance to win it as he was set free down the right hand side but his shot found the crowd.

Into injury time and Arsenal could've won it. However Jenkinson's low cross evaded three men in yellow and went out for a throw-in.

That was to be the final chance of normal time and into extra time we went.

Nicklas Bendtner was to have the best chance of extra-time and should've sealed it. Gnabry's ball found him in acres of space but he took too much time and back came a Baggies defender to deny the Dane from getting a shot away.

Chuba Akpom was to then come close as his effort was a whisker away from finding the far corner.

The next youngster to get a shot on goal was Hector Bellerin as he found space on the edge of the area before firing wide.

West Brom were then to be denied by the cross bar as Amalfitano turned and then smashed the ball against the wood work. Rosenberg also came desperately close but Bellerin got back to clear a shot off the line.

That was the end of extra-time and the game went to penalties. Steven Reid smashed home the first before Bendtner comfortably sent Daniels the wrong way. Up next was Rosenberg who also scored but Gnabry's penalty was saved. Morrison and Olsson then scored theirs. However with West Brom having the advantage, Dawson and Amalfitano both missed with Akpom tucking his away. Monreal then found the net to take Arsenal through to face Chelsea in the next round.

The final score finished West Brom 1-1 Arsenal (3-4 on penalties)

The teams lineups:

West Brom: Daniels, Reid, Dawson, Lugano, Popov, Mulumbu(90), Dorrans, Sessegnon, Sinclair, Berahino(100), Long(90). 
Subs: Camp, McAuley, Olsson, Jones, Morrison(90), Amalfitano(100), Rosenberg(90).

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Hayden(84), Arteta(95), Eisfeld(82), Gnabry, Miyaichi, Bendtner. 
Subs: Viviano, Bellerin(95), Flamini, Olsson(84), Iwobi, Park, Akpom(82).

My man of the match: Carl Jenkinson. 

Referee: Robert Madley
Attendance: 18,649

Ozil stars on home debut as Arsenal beat Stoke

Mesut Ozil put in his best Arsenal performance yet as he set up all three of Arsenal's goals in their win over Stoke on Sunday. All of the Gunners goals came from set-pieces as they seemed to beat Stoke at their own game. It was a fairly average performance in which Stoke had most of the ball in the second half. The match saw Aaron Ramsey, a man in the form of his life, come up against the side in which he broke his leg. It was the perfect game for the Welshman to score in and he did indeed do that. The other goals were scored by defenders as Mertesacker and Sagna netted rare goals. Despite Ozil setting up all three goals the unsung hero was Mathieu Flamini. He grabbed the man of the match award for a fine performance in the middle of the park. There was one change from the side that had beaten Marseille in the week. Theo Walcott missed out through injury as 18 year old Serge Gnabry started for the first time in a Premier League fixture. Nicklas Bendtner, a man back from a troublesome loan spell with Juventus, was on the bench. Meanwhile Mikel Arteta made his comeback from injury as he came on late in the second half.

All three of Ozil's assists came from set-pieces.

Within the first 4 minutes Arsenal were ahead. Jack Wilshere was fouled which resulted in a free-kick. Ozil swung it low towards the back post in which Begovic pushed it away. It fell only as far as Aaron Ramsey who slid home for his seventh of the campaign. The goal provided an eruption of noise around the Emirates as Ramsey silenced the Stoke fans.

Stoke's first opportunity came when Adam's cross was headed away by Giroud. It was then met by Cameron but Gibbs managed to clear it out for a corner.

Gibbs was then to turn defence into attack. Flamini fed him on the edge of the area but the left back tried an optimistic effort with his right foot which soared high and wide.

Minutes later Stoke found an equaliser. Artnautovich's effort hit the post and then it came back out to Geoff Cameron who slotted the ball past the despairing dive of Wojciech Szczesny.

Just after the half hour mark the Gunners were almost back in front. Ozil's corner was met by Mertesacker but Pieters managed to head the ball away.

The same corner routine then ended up in a goal. Ozil found Mertesacker again but this time, instead of finding a defender, it nestled in the corner of the net.

Giroud and Wilshere then played a nice one-two on the edge of the area but Begovic managed to come out and prevent the Frenchman from getting a shot away.

Ozil was looking for yet another assist as he cut inside from the right and found Gnabry but his first time shot went wide.

The score at half time was 2-1 to Arsenal.

The first chance after the restart fell to Serge Gnabry. He drifted inside from the right and then struck a low shot with his weaker left foot but it was straight at Begovic.

Gnabry was then involved again as he was completely wiped out by Huth but managed to find Giroud just before that. Giroud then ignored Ozil to the left of him who was in acres of space and saw a shot tipped over the bar instead.

Oliver Giroud was looking to score in his fifth successive league game but he saw another shot go over the bar after great work in the middle from Ozil.

Just after the hour mark Ozil had a chance of his own as he drove the ball with his right foot but it resulted in an easy save for Begovic.

Stoke City then found space to work a shot as Wilson drove an effort from range which swerved but forced Szczesny into making a save down at his near post.

With Stoke looking the most likely to score after a period of pressure of their own Arsenal all but sealed the points. Ozil's free-kick was met by Sagna whose looping header made it 3-1.

With 2 minutes left Ramsey came close to adding a second but his fizzing shot was tipped over by Begovic.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-1 Stoke.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere(73), Ozil(80), Gnabry(73), Giroud.
Subs: Viviano, Vermaelen, Monreal(73), Jenkinson, Arteta(80), Ryo(73), Bendtner. 

Stoke: Begovic, Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Pieters(67), Nzonzi, Adam(59), Cameron, Walters, Artnautovic, Jones(75).
Subs: Sorenson, Whelan, Palacios(67), Ireland(59), Etherington, Pennant(75), Crouch.  

My man of the match: Mathieu Flamini

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,002

Ramsey scores yet again as Arsenal beat Marseille

Aaron Ramsey scored yet again as Arsenal managed to win their first Champions League group game of the season. That wasn't before Theo Walcott had volleyed home his first of the season. It was an excellent win in France as the Gunners got their European campaign off to a cracking start. Mesut Ozil played his first full 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt and although not being in the game much showed moments of promise. Marseille had proved tough in the first half but the gaps opened up after the restart which allowed Arsenal to win 2-1 and go top of the group. Ramsey gave away a penalty late on but it was too little too late for the French side. The win also meant that the Gunners had extended their away record to 10 wins in a row - a new club record. There was just one change to the side that beat Sunderland as Mertesacker returned in place of Jenkinson. The bench was very inexperienced as Ryo got his European debut and the likes of Isaac Hayden and Chuba Akpom were both un-used subs.

Theo Walcott had a poor first half but managed to fire home the opener

It was Marseille that started the game more lively. Gignac found Valbuena who's curling effort forced Szczesny into making an early save.

Arsenal's first shot of the game came from Walcott as a long ball over the top found him but his effort was saved by Mandanda.

It was a nervy start from Arsenal as Marseille would then put on all the pressure. Ayew came desperately close with a header that bounced inches wide from Romao's cross.

The French side were having most of the ball in and around the Arsenal penalty area but they were failing to really trouble the defence.

Payet was proving to be a tricky customer and after Valbuena slipped him in on the byline his pull back had to be cleared away by Mertesacker to prevent a goal.

Gignac was then presented with a brilliant chance to break the deadlock near the end of the half but Szczesny pounced on the ball and then got a little lucky that he was allowed to collect it.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half was provided by Mesut Ozil as he burst into life with a back heel to set up Gibbs but it was saved.

Marseille then came close to grabbing a goal. The ball was floated over from the left hand side and then found Payet on the edge of the area but his low struck effort was well saved by Szczesny.

Minutes later Jack Wilshere had Arsenal's best chance of the night as Sagna picked him out at the back post but Mandanda was in the way to keep the score level.

On the hour mark Marseille thought they'd taken the lead. Payet's ball in was sliced towards his own net by Mertesacker but Gibbs managed to heroically clear the ball off the line to deny a certain goal.

Gibbs was to then have an even bigger impact. Wilshere played him in down the wing and then the left back's cross came off Morel and fell to Walcott who lashed the ball home for 1-0.

The hosts went in search of an equaliser as first Payet's driven shot was saved by Szczesny and then Valbuena fired over the bar.

The Gunners were to then make it 2-0 and seal the points. Aaron Ramsey surged forward and then struck a shot from the edge of the area that found the net via a deflection. That was the Welshman's sixth goal in seven games this season.

Into injury time and the goal scorer gave away a penalty. Ramsey brought down Andre Ayew and then his brother Jordan fired home for a consolation goal.

The final score finished Marseille 1-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Marseille: Mandanda, Fanni, N'Koulou, Lucas Mendes, Morel, Ramao, Imbula(79), Valbuena(90), Payet(73), A.Ayew, Gignac.
Subs: Samba, Mendy, Cheyrou, Lemina, J.Ayew(73), Thauvin(79), Khelifa(90).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini(90), Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Walcott(78), Giroud.
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Hayden, Jenkinson, Monreal(78), Miyaichi(90), Akpom. 

My man of the match: Kieran Gibbs

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (POR)
Attendance: 32,000

Ozil makes debut as Arsenal beat Sunderland

Mesut Ozil made his highly anticipated debut on Saturday as Arsenal beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to continue their run of form. Ozil stole the limelight as he grabbed an assist for Giroud who scored once more. However, the star of the show was in fact Aaron Ramsey who kept up his unbelievable start to the season scoring a volley before adding a second after great build up play. Ramsey's goals weren't before the hosts had levelled moments after the break after Koscielny committed a silly foul to give away a penalty. There were injury problems once more for the Gunners. Cazorla missed out with an ankle injury whilst Mertesacker didn't travel with the squad due to illness. Ozil was a doubt leading up to kick off as he also had illness but was made to play with Santi out injured. Giroud had to go off late on with a knee problem and was replaced by PL debutant Chuba Akpom. There was a positive in terms of injuries though, a rarity for the club at the moment as club captain Thomas Vermaelen returned from injury.

Mesut Ozil made a promising start to his Arsenal career with an assist

Just 10 minutes in to the game and Arsenal were ahead. Gibbs' long ball forward was plucked out of the air by Ozil who then found Giroud to sweep the ball home. That was the Frenchman's first league goal outside of London.

Minutes later Sunderland almost found an equaliser. Colback's corner was met by Diakite who's header came back off the bar.

It then should've been 2-0 Arsenal though. Ozil slipped in Walcott down the right but he wasted his chance as Westwood saved.

It was end to end in the opening quarter of the game as Altidore then tried a shot from range but Szczesny managed to beat it away.

Ozil and Walcott then linked up again as the German played an inch perfect ball into the winger but once against the shot was saved by Westwood.

Walcott could've had a first half hat-trick but he failed to hit the target again after being presented with another great opportunity. Wilshere picked him out at the back post but his header went wide.

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

Minutes after the restart Koscielny gave away his second penalty of the season after bringing down Johnson with a silly challenge. Gardner took the penalty and he smashed it into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Just before the hour mark Sunderland thought they'd got the goal to take them infront after Fletcher found the net from close range. However it was denied for offside.

The second half so far had been completely different from the first as it was the hosts that were now causing all the problems. Gardner's free-kick found Ki whose header hit the near post and then some how went wide of the far one.

However it was Arsenal who grabbed the next goal. Jenkinson picked out Ramsey on the edge of the box who then volleyed the ball past Westwood for 2-1.

Then came a moment of controversy. Altidore managed to wrestle Sagna to the ball and then find the back of the net. However the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul, denying Sunderland a goal when he should've played the advantage.

Arsenal took advantage of that disallowed goal to then seal all 3 points. Ozil found Giroud who then played in Ramsey and he finished comfortably for his second of the game.

Late on, the Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was sent to the stands to cap off an all round poor day at the office for the hosts.

The final score finished Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Sunderland: Westwood, Celutska, Diakite, Roberge, Ki, Johnson, Colback, Vaughan(45), Mavrias(71), Fletcher(77), Altidore.
Subs: Mannone, Brown, Cuellar, Gardner(45), Larsson, Borini(71), Wickham(77).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil(80), Walcott(88), Giroud(90).
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen(80), Monreal(88), Frimpong, Miyaichi, Gnabry, Akpom(90). 

Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 39,055

Nicklas Bendtner is back at Arsenal and ready for action

Nicklas Bendtner, a man in the wilderness for 2 years following loan spells with Sunderland and an unsuccessful one with Juventus is back at Arsenal and is ready for a second chance. Arsenal failed to sign a top class striker in the summer, and with injuries all over the place Nicklas Bendtner has found himself wanted by Arsene Wenger. Demba Ba was rumoured to be joining the club on deadline day with Bendtner moving to Crystal Palace on a permanent deal. However that failed to materialise and a day later Bendtner issued a statement declaring that he was ready to make Wenger proud and help the club with their ambitions this season.

Take me back: Bendtner's last game for Arsenal was as a sub back in August 2011

 This was the main part of the Danish striker's statement, to real the full thing click here.

"I want to assure all Arsenal fans that I will give everything I have to contribute to what I believe will be a successful season for the club."

"I still feel very strongly about Arsenal Football Club and following positive talks with the Manager, I am looking forward to working hard to regain full fitness and doing my very best to help the team and the Manager fulfil our objectives and ambitions this season."

That all comes from a man who said previously that he would never play for Arsenal again. If Bendtner manages to pull his socks up and actually puts the effort in to make it at Arsenal then he could be really good back-up for Olivier Giroud. He has more than proven that he can score goals, the majority of them coming in the Cup competitions when van Persie was rested or injured back in the day. He looked good at Euro 2012 with Denmark, scoring twice against Portugal, whilst having an influence in the games against Holland and Germany. Following on from Euro 2012 he went out on loan to Juventus. However his spell at the club wasn't such a good one. He played just 10 games and scored none. Juve won Serie A that season and the Dane was stuck behind Vucinic, Giovinco, Anelka, Quaglierella and Matri in the pecking order so it's no wonder he had limited chances to show what he could do.

Bendtner has been at Arsenal since 2005 and is one of our longest serving players. He's made 99 league appearances scoring 22 and altogether 45 goals in 157 games. Not a bad return for a man that usually had to settle for a place on the bench. Should he get himself back to full fitness and actually give his all then it'll be interesting to see what he can achieve with the Gunners this season.

Arsenal break record transfer fee to sign Mesut Ozil

No you're not dreaming, Mesut Ozil is actually an Arsenal player. The best number 10 in the world according to numerous players and managers, agreed a 5 year deal with Arsenal on transfer deadline day as the Gunners smashed their transfer record and wage cap to sign the 24 year old. Aside from all that excitement we also signed a back up keeper, Emiliano Vivano on loan from Palermo for the season.

Arsenal pulled off one of the deals of the window to sign Ozil

Arsenal have spent £42.4m to make Ozil the most expensive German footballer. It finally signifies the Gunners intent to get world class players to join the club and help them win trophies again. Ozil reportedly turned down an offer from PSG in which he would have been given more money but chose to join the Premier League instead. Arsene Wenger was key in making him join, the German claimed that he was the missing piece, someone that had complete faith and trust in him. Ozil realised that with Isco at Real and with Bale now joining that his chances would be limited so he got out as soon as he could. Had we not got Champions League football then there was no way that this deal would've happened! Mesut Ozil is an assist machine, since 2010 he has 47 assists, no one has more than that in Europe's top leagues. Giroud will benefit hugely from this, with 4 goals already this season, surely he'll grab more with Ozil playing behind him. This transfer could also spark some major deals in the future. A world class striker could come in, I mean who wouldn't want to play infront of the German international? The tempatation would be huge. This is an incredible signing, we've signed a player who is already proven on the world stage and being young, he has his best years ahead of him. Why Real agreed to let him go is beyond me, but who cares, because he's ours now!

On to our other deal on deadline day. Over shadowed by the Ozil deal was the capture of Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano from Palermo on a season long loan deal. The move includes an option to buy at the end of his loan should we chose we want to keep him at the club. He should provide good competition for Szczesny, having kept 12 clean sheets on loan at Fiorientina last season. One man who won't be as happy with the extra competition though is Lukasz Fabianski. He did very well when Szczesny was out of form last season and will be dissapointed that he will be shoved down the pecking order once more. Fabianski was the last senior keeper Wenger signed all the way back in 2007, the arrival of a keeper has been due for a very long time. Viviano is only second to Buffon in the Italian nation team so that shows his quality.

There were rumours that we were looking for a striker on deadline day. Abel Hernandez, also of Palermo, was linked but nothing seemed to happen. Demba Ba was also close after we enquired about the availability of him on loan. However Chelsea didn't want to give him to a rival club and the deal didn't happen. Di Maria was another player that could've arrived from Real Madrid but our interest cooled through out the day.

To see who left and joined Arsenal this summer click here.

Giroud scores to see off rivals Spurs

Arsenal, a team whose only business this summer had been 2 free transfers. However they overcame the spending power of their North London rivals Spurs as Giroud scored a vital goal to seal a fantastic win. It wasn't one of the best derbies we'd seen between the two but it was certainly the most fiercely contested due to Spurs massively strengthening the squad. The scenes at full time were incredible, vastly different to that of 2 weeks ago after the Villa game. Wenger's cheeky smile at the end of the game epitomised that. There were 2 changes to the side that had beat Fernerbahce in the week as Rosicky replaced the injured Podolski whilst Jenkinson came in for Sagna who was suffering from an illness. New signing Mathieu Flamini was on the bench, and when he came on it was like he'd never been away. He made some cracking tackles/blocks and was a work-horse in the middle of the park. Koscielny returned from suspension after missing Fulham last weekend.

Olivier Giroud scored once more as Arsenal beat rivals Spurs

The first shot on goal came from a free-kick on just 2 minutes after Rosicky had been brought down by Capoue. Cazorla was the man to take it but Lloris got across to make a great save.

A few minutes later Cazorla had another chance after Dembele committed a foul on Walcott. The Spaniard hit it low this time and it bounced inches wide of the post.

Tottenham's first chance fell to Soldado after Walker cut the ball back but Mertesacker was in the way to block the shot.

It wasn't long before the Gunners had the lead. Rosicky played a great ball in behind to Walcott who then found Giroud to delicately glide the ball into the back of the net.

It was then almost 2-0 as Ramsey did brilliantly down the right hand side to then find Walcott but his shot across goal was kept out by Lloris.

On the half hour mark Spurs had their first shot on target. Townsend managed to cut inside and then unleash a shot which Szczesny palmed away.

Moments later Aaron Ramsey had a chance to get on the score-sheet but he blazed his effort over the bar.

Theo Walcott was then to be denied by Lloris again as this time he came haring out of his goal and slid in to deny what would've been a certain goal.

Andros Townsend was proving to be Tottenham's best player on the day as he got another chance but it was straight at Szczesny.

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

The first effort after the restart came from a free-kick but Chadli hit his shot over the wall and over the bar.

Just after the hour mark Giroud came within inches of doubling the Gunners lead. Cazorla broke away with the ball and then found Giroud who hit a deflected shot wide of Lloris' goal.

Now was to come a long stand of Tottenham pressure. Defoe hit a shot which flicked off of Koscielny and forced Szczesny into making a brilliant one handed save. The ball then came out to Paulinho who set up Soldado but his effort was blocked by a wall of Arsenal players standing in the way.

Kyle Walker was to then hit a shot from range but it bounced wide.

Amongst all of that, Arsenal found a chance to put the game to bed. Giroud did well down the right byline before teeing up Walcott. Lloris kept him at bay once more and then Monreal was denied a tap in by Walker.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere(42), Rosicky(78), Cazorla, Walcott(90), Giroud.
Subs: Fabianski, Sagna(90), Monreal(78), Flamini(42), Zelalem, Gnabry, Sanogo.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose, Capoue(75), Paulinho, Dembele(69), Townsend(75), Chadli, Soldado. 
Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Sandro(75), Holtby, Sigurdsson, Lamela(75),  Defoe(69).

My man of the match: Olivier Giroud.

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 60,071