Arsenal seal Champions League place with win at West Brom

The final day of the season saw the closest finish in Premier League history. Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy after a last gasp Sergio Aguero goal with 2 minutes remaining saw them finish top of the League on goal difference over Manchester United. Bolton also lost which saw them relegated along with Blackburn and Wolves.

However, more importantly for Arsenal, they had secured third place and an automatic place in next seasons Champions League group stages with a 3-2 win over West Brom on Sunday afternoon. Yossi Benayoun scored in his last game in an Arsenal shirt as he is set to return to Chelsea after being on loan for the season. Andre Santos, who had his best game for the Gunners grabbed a goal whilst Laurent Koscielny won the game for Arsenal and sent them into next seasons Champions League. The game was also a fitting end to Assistant Manager and Ex-player, Pat Rice as he bidded farewell to Arsenal after 44 years at the club as he retires.

Arsenal made a few changes to the side that drew with Norwich the week before as Jenkinson came in for the injured Sagna. Santos replaced Gibbs and Coquelin came in for Aaron Ramsey. Theo Walcott, who was expected to miss the rest of the season, returned from injury as he was a substitute.

Laurent Koscielny scored the winner to seal third place in the table

Just 4 minutes into the game, Arsenal were ahead through Yossi Benayoun. The ball deflected off a West Brom player and into the path of Fulop in goal but he misjudged where his box was and Benayoun stole the ball off his heels to tap the ball home into an empty net.

6 minutes later, West Brom were level. Morrison managed to skip past the challenge of Coquelin before playing the ball through to Long who went clear on goal before firing past Szczesny for the equaliser.

The game was then turned on its head and it looked like being a repeat of Norwich last week as West Brom took the lead. Morrison was again allowed to find room for the pass as he picked out Dorrans who got between two Arsenal defenders before burying the ball beyond Szczesny.

Arsenal were then level again. Song dispossessed Mulumbu before finding Santos who struck a shot from distance which was going in, but was helped by Fulop who could only parm the ball into the back of the net.

Gervinho then almost put the Gunners ahead as he got clear of Ridgewell before firing the ball into the side netting from a tight angle.

The score at half time was 2-2.

Andre Santos created the first good chance of the second half as he unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty area but the ball went wide of the far post.

Arsenal were looking the most likely to score and they did just that as they took the lead through Laurent Koscielny. It was Fulop, who was at fault once again as he punched Van Persie's corner straight into the path of Koscielny who was left with an easy finish to fire the Gunners infront from close range.

Keith Andrews then tested Szczesny out for the first real time in the game as he struck a shot from just outside the area which was beaten away by the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Van Persie, who hadn't had a shot in the match was then able to find room to bag his 31st goal of the season as Song played the ball through to him but he scuffed his shot high and wide of the goal.

Arsenal's Champions League hopes for next season then looked to be over as Billy Jones got into the penalty area but Gibbs came in to make a brilliant tackle just as the West Brom man was about to hit the shot.

That was indeed to be the final chance of the match as the score finished Arsenal 3-2 West Brom.

The teams lineups:

West Brom: Fulop, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Dorrans(80), Morrison(52), Mulumbu, Cox(74), Long, Fortune.
Subs: Daniels, Shorey, Dawson, Hurst, Scharner(80), Andrews(52), Odemwingie(74).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos(80), Song, Coquelin, Rosicky(46), Gervinho(67), Benayoun, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs(67), Ramsey(80), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott(46), Chamakh.

My man of the match: Yossi Benayoun

Referee: Michael Jones
Attendance: 26,358

Arsenal slip up again after goalless draw with Bolton

Arsenal grabbed their first point in the league in 2012 after another poor performance as they drew 0-0 with Bolton on Wednesday night. As usual Arsenal created great chances, but failed to take them as Van Persie struck the upright twice whilst Bodgan in the Bolton goal kept out the bombardment of chances that fell Arsenal's way. It was a game that saw the Gunners drop down to seventh in the table and 5 points off the Champions League places whilst also now being twelve points behind rivals Tottenham. Arsenal saw two key men return to the starting lineup for the trip to the Reebok Stadium as Sagna and Arteta returned from injuries whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain once again started. Szczesny, who was rested at the weekend in the FA Cup, returned to usual duties between the sticks.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of very few positives in the draw with Bolton

The first chance fell to Arsenal, Vermaelen got down the left hand side before crossing the ball onto the head of Van Persie. However his header was cleared off the line by Wheater.

The Gunners were then presented with another good opportunity as Van Persie split the defence with a ball through to Ramsey. He hit a first time shot on the stretch but the attempt was straight at Bogdan.

The Arsenal captain, Van Persie created another chance as he cut the ball back to Chamberlain. However the chance came to nothing as Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was leaning back, hit his shot wide of the goal.

Bolton's first chance of the game fell to Ngog as the ball was played over the top to him. He then out muscled Koscielny before testing Szczesny who was equal to it and kept out the shot.

Straight away from the hosts opportunity, Arsenal created one of their own as Chamberlain broke down the left hand side and then cut inside before getting to the edge of the penalty area and hitting a shot over the bar.

The Ex-Liverpool man, Ngog was then gifted another fantastic opportunity to give Bolton the lead. The ball was flicked into the path of Ngog who again got to the ball ahead of Koscielny before passing the ball just wide of the oncoming Szczesny and the goal.

It was then Arsenal's chance to squander a great chance. Oxlade-Chamberlain found Walcott who raced clear of the defence before finding himself one-on-one with Bogdan who managed to get a fingertip to the shot.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first good chance of the second period fell to Van Persie. Sagna managed to get forward and then whip in a cross to the near post towards Van Persie who got a touch to the ball, but it came off the post and bounced back out.

Oxlade-Chamberlain who was only making his second league start for the club wasn't short of confidence as he let fly from range again. The youngster cut inside and then drove forward before driving a shot just over the bar.

It was turning out to be one of those nights where nothing would go in for Arsenal as Van Persie once again hit the woodwork. The Gunners captain managed to turn his man before chipping the ball with his weaker foot onto the cross bar and back out.

Shortly after that chance Walcott had a great chance to fire home as the ball dropped to him but he sliced his volley wide.

In the dying minutes of the game, Bolton had some great chances to take all three points. Mark Davies had a strong claim for a penalty turned down after Szczesny had brought him down. The follow up eventually came to Reo-Coker who tried to place his shot, but it went inches past the post.

Davies then managed to create one final chance as he cut inside and got into the penalty area before driving a shot, just wide of the post again.

The final score finished Bolton 0-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Bolton: Bogdan, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Steinsson, Muamba, Reo-Coker(89), Petrov(81), Eagles, M.Davies, Ngog(75).
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Riley, Pratley(89), Tuncay(81), K.Davies(75), Klasnic.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey(81), Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain(69), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Coquelin, Benayoun, Rosicky(81), Arshavin, Park, Henry(69).

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 24,371

Arsenal come from behind to reach quarter finals of League Cup

Arsenal had to come from behind to reach the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. Goals from Arshavin and Park secured the Gunners passage to the next round of the cup after beating Bolton 2-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday night. Arsenal's most experienced players carried them over the line as Vermaelen returned from injury to captain the side; he was partnered by Squillaci who also returned from injury. Nico Yennaris who started and Daniel Boateng who came off the bench both made their first team debuts.

Ju Young Park (Middle) scored the winner for Arsenal

Arsenal managed to create the first chance of the game as Park cut inside from the left hand side and drove a shot from outside the box which tested Bogdan in the Bolton goal but it was kept out.

The Gunners were applying the early pressure and Yossi Benayoun managed to create a chance as he cut inside but curled his shot wide of the post.

Their next chance came from a freekick as Arshavin layed Vermaelen off on the edge of the area who struck a fierce effort towards goal which was parmed away by Bogdan.

Bogdan was then tested again as Arshavin found Park on the edge of the box. He then tried to pass the ball into the back of the net but he slipped in the attempt and he scuffed his shot but Bogdan was still forced to make a diving save to his left.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Ryo comes on for Oxlade-Chamblerlain

Two minutes into the second half Bolton took the lead through former Arsenal man, Fabrice Muamba. Muamba won the ball back off Frimpong who then found Prately who played the ball back to Muamba who slid his shot into the roof of the net for 1-0 to Bolton.

Bolton were only ahead for 6 minutes as Andrey Arshavin equalised for Arsenal. The Russian was allowed to run at the defence and then poked a shot past the goalkeeper and into the goal.

Just three minutes later the Gunners were ahead. Arshavin once again ran at the defence and then played Ju Young Park in on goal who curled his shot into the back of the net to seal Arsenal's passage into the next round of the cup.

Bolton almost managed to grab an equaliser as Eagles drove a shot from range which Fabianski could only parm the ball away but almost into the back of his own net. Luckily for the Arsenal keeper the ball went over the bar.

The Trotters were now creating the chances and Klasnic went through on goal but Fabianski came out of his goal to save the shot.

Bolton then created another chance as Eagles swung in a corner which was met by the head of Cahill who saw his shot saved on the line by Fabianski.

The final score finished Arsenal 2-1 Bolton.

The teams lineups: 

Arsenal: Fabianski, Yennaris, Squillaci, Vermaelen(84), Miguel, Frimpong(76), Coquelin, Benayoun, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain(73), Park.
Subs: Mannone, Meade, Boateng(84), Ozyakup(76), Aneke, Ryo(73), Watt.

Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Gardner, Kakuta(71), Prately(61), Muamba, Davies, Klasnic, Tuncay(85). 
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Wheater, Reo-Coker, Riley, Eagles(71), Blake(85), Ngog(61).

My man of the match: Ju Young Park

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 56,628

  

Arsenal back to winning ways as Van Persie grabs 100th goal

Arsenal got back to winning ways as they picked up their second win of the campaign as they beat Bolton 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Two goals from the captain, Van Persie meant he scored his 100th goal for the club whilst Song grabbed a third late on. However Bolton were down to ten men for part of the game as Wheater was sent off. Van Persie has now become only the 17th player in history to score a century of goals for Arsenal. For the game there were changes to the side that lost to Blackburn last weekend as Gibbs came in for Santos and Walcott came in for Arshavin.

Robin Van Persie - Now a Century of goals for the club

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts, Bolton. Arsenal were caught out as they were momentarily down to ten men due to Koscielny having a head injury. A free kick was aimed in at Wheater who headed across goal to Pratley who hit a volley towards the goal but Sczesny did what he had been doing all season by making a brilliant save to deny the ex-Arsenal youth player, Pratley.



Arsenal's first chance also came from a free kick after Walcott was brought down on the edge of the box. Arteta then layed the ball off to Van Persie from the freekick who curled a shot around the wall but just wide of the goal.

In a half with not many chances Gervinho had a rare sight of goal but he drove his shot over the bar from distance.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Just seconds into the second half Arsenal took the lead. Song playing Ramsey down the middle who  found Van Persie who got past one player before firing a shot just inside Jaaskelainen's near post and into the back of the net.

The skipper, Van Persie then had a great chance to extend their lead as Walcott played the ball through to the dutchman but this time Jaaskelainen kept the shot out.

Ten minutes into the second half Bolton had a man sent off. A ball was slipped through to Walcott but Wheater brought him down, and because it was a clear goal scoring opportunity he was sent off. Van Persie took the free kick but put his effort straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

It was then Bolton's turn to attack and they had a great chance to equalise as Petrov played Eagles in who ran clear of the defence and hit a shot goalwards but Szczesny easily kept out the attempt.

Straight away Arsenal went up the other end and almost made it 2-0 as Gervinho found Van Persie who once again hit a shot towards the goal but the ball curled just wide of the post. Van Persie had another good chance as Walcott chipped the ball into him but he saw his header brilliantly kept out by Jaaskelainen.

Then Arsenal did make it 2-0 and Van Persie finally grabbed his second of the game and his 100th goal for the Gunners. Walcott again supplying the ball from the right into Van Persie who got ahead of his man to steer the ball home with 18 minutes left.

A rare goal from Alex Song sealed the win

Arsenal were dominating the game against the side which find themselves in the relegation zone. They then managed to find another chance as Song split the defence with a ball through to Walcott. He raced clear of the defence only for him to hit a tame shot which was easily saved by the Bolton goalkeeper.

With a minute left on the clock Arsenal scored again. Sagna playing the ball from the right into the path of Alex Song who turned Pratley before firing the ball past Jaaskelainen and into the back of the net.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-0 Bolton. 
  
The teams lineups: 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta(81), Song, Ramsey, Walcott, Van Persie(86), Gervinho(78).
Subs: Fabianski, Santos, Frimpong, Rosicky(81), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin(78), Chamakh(86).

Bolton: Jaaskelainen,Wheater, Robinson, Knight, Steinsson, Petrov, Pratley, Muamba(56), Reo-Coker, Eagles, Ngog(20).
Subs: Bogdan, Boyata(56), Gardner, M.Davies, Kakuta, Tuncay, K.Davies(20).

My man of the match: Robin Van Persie

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Attendance: 59,727

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