Arsenal slip up against in form Wigan

Arsenal lost the chance to go 8 points clear of Spurs in third place as they lost 2-1 against relegation battlers Wigan at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night. The Gunners conceded two goals in as many minutes as Di Santo and Gomez struck for the visiting side and despite Vermaelen's goal half way through the first half, Wigan held on for a vital 3 points. It left Arsenal ruing the chance to extend their lead over their North London rivals in the battle for Champions League football next season, and with Chelsea coming up on Saturday the loss could look more damaging if they are to lose that match. Arsenal made one change to the side that beat Wolves in midweek as Tomas Rosicky came in for Aaron Ramsey. Johan Djourou kept his place in the side as Koscielny continued his two match suspension.

Thomas Vermaelen's headed goal wasn't enough as Arsenal lost to Wigan

The first chance of the match fell Arsenal's way as Bacary Sagna curled the ball into the box to find Benayoun who found room inbetween two Wigan defenders but could only head the ball over the bar.

However, just seven minutes into the game, Wigan took the lead. They managed to catch Arsenal out on the counter attack as Gomez got forward before finding Di Santo who flicked the ball off Szczesny and put the ball into an empty net.

A minute later Wigan found themselves two goals up. Victor Moses did brilliantly down the left hand side to beat Sagna and then find a cross which Szczesny was unable to hold onto and Gomez was left with an easy finish.

Yossi Benayoun then had another chance to score with his head from Rosicky's cross but Al Habsi pulled off a brilliant save to deny the Isrealian who looked to already be off celebrating.

Arsenal were putting plenty of balls into the box and it finally paid off as Thomas Vermaelen headed home from a Rosicky cross to put the Gunners back into the match.

Robin Van Persie then tested Al Habsi for the first time in the match as he played a one-two with Ramsey before smashing a shot from distance which was parried out for a corner.

Djourou was next to have an effort on goal in a period of first half dominance from Arsenal.
Benayoun's cross was only headed out as far as Djourou by Caldwell who poked a shot just wide of the post.

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

Arsenal started the second half as they finished the first half and got straight back at Wigan. Andre Santos had two efforts on goal, one was blocked and the second almost found Van Persie but the ball just eluded him and the chance had gone.

Wigan then came close to extending their lead as Moses got the better of Sagna before cutting inside and hitting a shot which Szczesny managed to beat away.

Santos was then allowed to get forward again.Van Persie managed to get to the byline and pull the ball back into the path of the left back but instead of leaving the ball for Vermaelen, who would have been in a more promising position, Santos decided to take the ball himself and scuff his shot wide.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-2 Wigan.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou(74), Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta(8), Rosicky, Benayoun(60), Walcott, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Squillaci, Ramsey(8), Gervinho(60), Oxlade-Chamberlain(74), Chamakh.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez(86), Moses, Di Santo(75).
Subs: Pollitt, Stam, Diame(86), Watson, Jones, McManaman, Sammon(75).

My man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 60,060

Van Persie, Walcott and Benayoun seal comfortable away victory

Arsenal managed to complete an easy victory over Wolves on Wednesday night at Molineux as goals from Van Persie, Walcott and Benayoun extended the gap between them and Spurs in the chase for Champions League football next season. Wolves are almost certain to go down and their bid to stay in the top flight wasn't helped as Bassong was sent off early on, giving Arsenal a penalty. It was converted confidently by the skipper and then two minutes later the lead was doubled through Walcott which effectively ended the match. Arsenal made a few changes to the side that had beaten City at the weekend as Djourou came in for the suspended Lauren Koscielny whilst Santos replaced the injured Gibbs. Tomas Rosicky was rested as Aaron Ramsey replaced him in the starting lineup.

 Benayoun hasn't been a regular this season but he showed his class, grabbing the Gunners third goal on the night

Just 9 minutes into the game Arsenal were awarded with a penalty after Walcott was brought down by Bassong who recieved a straight red card. Van Persie stepped up to take the penalty and chipped the ball straight down the middle and into the back of the net for his first goal in 4 games.

Two minutes later, Arsenal were 2-0 ahead. Walcott played a one-two with Van Persie down the right hand side before getting into the penalty area and cooly slipping the ball past Hennessey.

Wolves' first chance of the match fell from a corner as Berra rose the highest from Kightly's delivery to head the ball off Djourou and out for another corner.

The half had seen little action since the opening stages after everything had seemed to go the Gunners way. Szczesny wasn't tested and for the rest of the first half neither team looked like scoring.

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

The first real chance of the second half came to Arsenal as Arteta raced into the box before cutting the ball back to Van Persie who fired the ball just past the post.

Matt Jarvis then had a chance to take on Sagna down the left as he managed to cut inside the Arsenal right back before firing a shot wide.

Wolves were having their best spell of the game and Szczesny was called into action for the first time as he managed to pull off a brilliant save to deny Kevin Doyle's header.

Arsenal were then finally able to get their third goal. Van Persie played in Song who then layed the ball off to Benayoun on the edge of the area who struck a shot which comfortably found the net.

Benayoun then almost had his second of the game as Song poked the ball through to him but Hennessey came out of his goal to deny the on loan midfielder from scoring.

Aaron Ramsey was the next man to see an effort kept out. Van Persie got the better of Berra before cutting the ball back to Ramsey who smashed his shot straight at the Wolves goalkeeper.

However, Wolves were pushing for a consolation goal which could be vital come the end of the season but Szczesny was at his best to keep out Milijas at his near post.

The final score ended Wolves 0-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Wolves: Hennessey, Stearman, Zubar, Bassong, Ward, Davis(10), Henry, Kightly, Jarvis, Edwards(53), Doyle(78).
Subs: De Vries, Berra(10), Johnson, Milijas(53), Forde, Fletcher(78), Ebanks-Blake.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna(84), Djourou, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Benayoun, Walcott(76), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson(84), Squillaci, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain(76), Park, Chamakh.

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 25,815

Late Arteta strike halters City's title chances

Mikel Arteta managed to all but end Manchester City's title chances as the Spaniard fired home a shot from distance late on to win the game for Arsenal at the Emirates on Easter Day. It sealed a deserved win and the sense of faultering Man City's title chances, especially with the likes of Ex-Gunner, Samir Nasri in their squad, made the victory even sweeter. Arsenal also managed to take advantage of Spurs draw the day before to rise to third in the table once more. To complete City's misery Mario Balotelli was sent off in the dying moments of the game on what was an especially bad day for him as he was lucky to still be on the pitch come half time. Arsenal made one change to the side that lost to QPR last weekend as Yossi Benayoun replaced Ramsey out wide. However Gervinho missed the game altogether through injury as Carl Jenkinson took his place on the substitutes bench. Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri who had moved to Manchester City in the summer from the Gunners, both started.  

Mikel Arteta struck late on to win the game for Arsenal

The first chance of the game came to Arsenal. Sagna's cross was flicked through to Rosicky by Gibbs who unleashed a volley which deflected off Kompany and out for a corner.

From the resulting corner Van Persie had a great chance to give his side the lead. Arteta swung the ball in towards Van Persie who headed the ball towards goal but it was blocked on the line by his own team mate, Thomas Vermaelen.

Arsenal had dominated the early parts of the game but Kompany and Lescott at the heart of the City defence didn't look like conceding.

Manchester City's first chance fell to Mario Balotelli. The corner was played into the middle of the box to find an unmarked Balotelli whose shot was blocked by Gibbs near the goal line and then cleared away by Van Persie.

9 minutes before the break, Mario Balotelli looked to be clean through on goal after Nasri played the ball over the defence but Szczesny raced out of his goal to boot the ball clear.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the half fell to the visitors. Samir Nasri clipped the ball into the box and found the head of Aguero whose header forced Szczesny into tipping the ball over the bar.

Yossi Benayoun then did well to create room to pull off a shot as he weaved his way past Zabaleta before hitting a shot from the edge of the box which lacked any real power and was saved by Hart.

Van Persie, as he did in the first half, then came incredibly close to giving Arsenal the lead. Song chipped the ball into the Gunners skipper but his header came back off the post.

It was turning out to be one of those days for Arsenal as again they came close to breaking the deadlock. Sagna managed to get to the byline before cutting the ball back to Walcott. His shot hit the post and then came to Vermaelen who from a few yards out scuffed his shot towards Benayoun who then somehow poked his shot wide from a yard out.

However, four minutes from time, Arsenal finally got their goal. Arteta dispossessed Pizarro before smashing a shot from distance beyond Joe Hart and into the back of the net.

It then went from bad to worse for City as Mario Balotelli slid in late on Sagna and the referee produced the second yellow card for Balotelli and he was sent off.

In the dying moments of the game the Gunners caught City on the break as Santos set Rosicky free and then slid the ball into Ramsey who went through on goal but he sliced his shot miles wide of the target.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs(56), Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Benayoun(78), Walcott(86), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Santos(56), Jenkinson, Djourou, Ramsey(78), Oxlade-Chamberlain(86), Chamakh.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Milner, Nasri(79), Toure(17), Aguero(84), Balotelli.
Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Kolarov(79), De Jong, Pizarro(17), Dzeko, Tevez(84).

My man of the match: Mikel Arteta

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,096

Winning run ends as QPR defeat Gunners

Arsenal's seven match winning run in the League finally came to an end on Saturday afternoon as Queens Park Rangers defeated the Gunners 2-1 at Loftus Road. It was not a game in which you would expect Arsenal to slip up in, especially after seven straight wins but with Ramsey playing out wide the game didn't have much width and Vermaelen having a pretty bad game in defence it looked like the Arsenal side that we saw play so terribly at the begining of the season. Arsenal's cause wasn't helped by Adel Taarabt who opened the scoring and was having his best game this season. However despite Walcott's goal before half time, Diakite scored just after the hour mark to give QPR a crucial three points in their battle to stay in the League. Arsenal made two changes for the London derby as Aaron Ramsey was played out of position at left midfield in place of Gervinho who was on the bench whilst Koscielny, who missed the Villa game with injury, replaced Djourou in the centre of defence.

Theo Walcott has started to regain his form towards the end of the season

The first chance of the game came from a Robin Van Persie free-kick. The Dutchman hit a low shot under the wall which almost found the bottom corner of the net but for Kenny in the QPR goal.

The hosts first chance also came from a free-kick. Adel Taarabt swung in a ball which found the head of Zamora who could only manage to put his opportunity over the crossbar.

Zamora then got another chance as he found room on the edge of the penalty area before firing a shot which was comfortably saved by Szczesny.

However on 22 minutes, Rangers took the lead. The ball was played forward from the back into the path of Taarabt who easily turned Vermaelen before going through on goal and slotting the ball past Szczesny for his first goal of the season.

8 minutes before half time, Arsenal equalised. Van Persie managed to poke the ball through to Walcott who then hit a shot which rebounded back off the post and then back to him for an easy finish from close range.

Aaron Ramsey then came close to giving the Gunners the lead as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area before striking a shot which went inches wide of the far post.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Shortly after the break, Kieran Gibbs came close to adding his second goal in as many games as Sagna's cross found him at the back post but his header bounced wide of Kenny's goal.

Van Persie, who had not scored in his last two games, then had a brilliant chance as he latched onto Song's ball but Paddy Kenny raced out of his goal to thwart the Premier League's top goal scorer.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Queens Park Rangers were back in front. Vermaelen slipped on the edge of the area which allowed Mackie to take advantage as he got into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Diakite to smash the ball home.

Arsenal replied immediately with a chance to equalise as Rosicky drove a shot from outside the area but it lacked any power meaning Kenny made a comfortable save.

It was a game in which QPR deserved their lead and were denied late on as they looked to extend their grip on the game as Joey Barton's fierce effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Szczesny.

The final score finished QPR 2-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

QPR: Kenny, Onuoha, Hill, Ferdinand, Taiwo, Derry, Diakite, Barton, Taarabt, Mackie, Zamora(90).
Subs: Cerny, Gabbidon, Young, Wright-Phillips(90), Buzsaky, Campbell, Bothroyd.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs(82), Song, Arteta(81), Ramsey(69), Rosicky, Walcott, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Santos, Benayoun, Gervinho(69), Oxlade-Chamberlain(81), Chamakh(82).

My man of the match: Theo Walcott

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 18,033

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