Arsenal beat Newcastle to qualify for Champions League

Arsenal have done it. They have qualified for next seasons Champions League. It was Laurent Koscielny who popped up with the goods on 52 minutes, a goal which turned out to be the winning one as the Gunners qualified for the Champions League for the sixteenth successive year. Koscielny's goal was only the icing on the cake of what capped off a brilliant end to the season for the French defender. Tottenham had won at White Hart Lane, but that was irrelevant now that Arsenal had done the job that was needed at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea had also won which meant we had to settle for fourth place in this seasons Barclays Premiership.

Arsenal had made a habit of winning despite not playing very well recently and that is exactly what we witnessed once again. It should have been made more comfortable but it was a moment to savour for the players who celebrated as though they'd just won the league itself. If the players and Arsene celebrate like that at a top four place, god knows what they'd do if we won a trophy. 8 years and counting remember. Will next season be our year at last? Let's hope so.

Back to the match and the Gunners starting XI was unchanged from the side that beat Wigan in the week. Arteta passed a late fitness test but then hobbled off midway through the first half. Meanwhile Giroud was back amongst the subs as he returned from suspension.

Koscielny was the hero as Arsenal beat Newcastle

The first shot on goal came 5 minutes in as Walcott tried his luck from the edge of the area but he could only put the ball over the bar.

It was Newcastle who found their rhythm first though and almost took the lead. Yanga-Mbiwa did well to beat Mertesacker and then pull the ball back to Cisse but his rasping shot flew inches over the bar.

Minutes later Newcastle had another great chance but Koscielny came across to deny what would've been a tap in for Cisse.

With half an hour gone the score was still deadlocked as Santi Cazorla skied a shot following good play from Gibbs down the left hand side.

Hatem Ben Arfa created the next chance for the hosts as he managed to evade two Arsenal players before getting into the box and firing over.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Moments into the second half Arsenal were gifted with a chance to go ahead. Harper kicked the ball straight out to Ramsey who then found Walcott but Harper made up for his error by making a good stop at the far post.

The Gunners did then find the goal they desperately needed. Cabaye brought down Sagna which resulted in a free-kick down the right flank. Walcott's set piece was then flicked towards Koscielny who acrobatically found the back of the net.

The game was now starting to become more open as Oxlade-Chamberlain hit a shot from distance but it was always rising and flew over the bar.

Cazorla was another player to then hit a shot from range but this time it bounced wide.

In the final minute of the game Theo Walcott had a great chance to seal the win. Yanga-Mbiwa dispossesed Giroud but the ball fell to Walcott who raced clear of the defence before hitting the post.

The final score finished Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Newcastle: Harper, Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa(80), Tiote, Cabaye(57), Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Gouffran(65).
Subs: Alnwick, Simpson, Anita(57), Perch, Obertan, Marveaux(65), Campbell(80).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta(28), Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla(89), Walcott, Podolski(77).
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere(89), Oxlade-Chamberlain(28), Gervinho, Giroud(77).

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 52,354

Arsenal win to relegate FA Cup winners Wigan

Newcastle. That's all that stands in the way between Arsenal and a 16th successive Champions League place next season following Arsenal's win against Wigan. We'd seen time and time again what the Gunners could do on the counter attack this season and we witnessed a ruthless display once more as a Podolski double and strikes from Walcott and Ramsey saw off the challenge of the FA Cup winners on Tuesday night. It was just what was needed with there being only 90 minutes of the season left with still all to play for. Arsenal made just one change to the side that beat QPR as Gibbs replaced Monreal. Meanwhile Fabianski returned from injury and was amongst the subs.

Santi Cazorla was the star of the show as he set up all 4 of Arsenal's goals

Arsenal first goal was typical of the way Wigan had defended this season. In the FA Cup final they were very resolute and solid but their defence left Podolski unmarked as he headed home Cazorla's corner on 11 minutes.

It had been all Arsenal right up until the break when Shaun Maloney, the visitors star player this season, bent home a curling free-kick to go in at half time all level.

Just after the hour mark Arsenal were back in front though as Cazorla's ball across goal found Walcott who got there ahead of Joel to find the net.

Minutes later the Gunners had a third and Podolski had his second. It was more poor defending as Scharner played Podolski onside and he managed to loft the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The rout was then completed as Aaron Ramsey grabbed his first Premier League goal of the season. Cazorla found the Welshman who then raced clear before burying his shot from a tight angle.

The final score finished Arsenal 4-1 Wigan.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta(90), Rosicky(78), Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski(78).
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen(90), Monreal, Jenkinson, Wilshere(78), Oxlade-Chamberlain(78), Gervinho. 

Wigan: Joel, Boyce, Alcaraz, Scharner, Espinoza, McManaman(58), Maloney(85), McArthur, McCarthy, Gomez(64), Kone.
Subs: Al Habsi, Caldwell, Golobart, Watson(64), Fyvie, Di Santo(58), Henriquez(85). 

My man of the match: Santi Cazorla

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,068

Early Walcott goal seals win over QPR

A very early Theo Walcott strike was enough to seal all three points for Arsenal last Saturday, the 4th May, as they put in an unconvincing performance to beat already relegated QPR. The win meant the Gunners returned to winning ways having drawn with Man United previously and also extended their unbeaten run to eight games. This run was key in the Gunners hopes for Champions League football but with Spurs drawing with Chelsea the day after, everything was still to play for. The team line-up for the match saw just one change as Nacho Monreal replaced Gibbs. Lukas Podolski once more got a chance to show the manager what he's made of up front.

Wojciech Szczesny returned to form as Arsenal beat QPR

It was a very lively start for the Gunners as on only 20 seconds they were ahead. Arteta split the defence and found Walcott who fired home via the post.

With the game having gone quiet for a while, Theo Walcott sprung to life to almost score his second of the afternoon. However the post was in the way to deny him.

QPR's first chance fell minutes later on 27 minutes as Park found space to work a shot but blazed it over the bar.

Park was to then get another chance but this time it was closed down well and the shot bounced out for a corner.

The hosts were now starting to find their game and Ben Haim then tried a shot from range but Szczesny was equal to it.

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

Arsenal were proving to be very wasteful and if it wasn't for Szczesny then Loic Remy would've scored two goals. The first almost found the head of the Frenchman but the goalkeeper managed to claw it away. The second was more straight forward as it was straight at Szczesny

Townsend was the next player to trouble the Arsenal goal as he drove a shot from distance but it was kept out once again.

It then summed up the performance as Laurent Koscielny had Arsenal's first shot since Walcott's strike against the post in the first half. 

Santi Cazorla who hadn't really been in the game then tried his luck at goal. Rob Green was in the way though and he stopped the Spaniard's swerving shot from going in.

Arsenal were desperately looking for that two goal cushion as Walcott then went close after out muscling Ben Haim in the air and then having a shot saved at the near post.

In the dying minutes of the game QPR almost grabbed an equaliser. Loic Remy fired a shot which was curling inside the far post but Szczesny sprawled across his goal to make a brilliant save.

The final score finished QPR 0-1 Arsenal.

The team's lineups:

QPR: Green, Onuoha, Hill, Ben Haim, Traore(90), Park(79), Jenas, Mbia(46), Townsend, Remy, Zamora.
Subs: Murphy, Derry(46), Fabio(90), Granero, Taarabt(79), Mackie, Bothroyd.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky(90), Cazorla(89), Walcott, Podolski(85).
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen(90), Jenkinson, Coquelin, Wilshere(89), Oxlade-Chamberlain(85), Gervinho. 

My man of the match: Wojciech Szczesny

Referee: Jon Moss
Attendance: 18,178

Arsenal hold already crowned champions to draw

Arsenal and newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester United faced each other last Saturday in what turned out to be a more important game for the Gunners. The match saw the return of Robin Van Persie to the Emirates and of course he witnessed a very hostile reception as chorus of boos rang out every time he got on the ball. That wasn't the only thing though, the Gunners had to perform a guard of honour for their rivals in recognition of them winner the 2012/13 Premier League campaign. In terms of the line-up, there were a few key changes as Gibbs replaced Monreal and Podolski came in for the suspended Olivier Giroud as the German finally got a chance up front.

Arsenal led after only 2 minutes through Theo Walcott. Podolski turned and then found Rosicky who played the ball in behind to Walcott who raced clear before finding the back of the net. The players looked really up for the game, tackles were flying in from every direction and they were looking ruthless on the attack. If only that could've continued. Arsenal's defensive displays had looked much better in recent weeks and if it wasn't for Sagna's mistakes, we would have surely gone onto win the game. The Frenchman mistimed a pass straight to Van Persie and then he brought him down resulting in a penalty. RVP was the man to take the penalty and he slammed the ball home against his former employers. The second half was very different from the first though as the teams looked more equal. However no goal could be found again and it ended Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United.

Theo Walcott scored early on to give the Gunners the lead

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey(79), Rosicky(61), Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski(72).
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson, Wilshere(61), Oxlade-Chamberlain(79), Gervinho(72).

Man United: De Gea, Rafael(74), Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Valencia, Nani(82), Rooney(88), Van Persie.
Subs: Lingegaard, Buttner, Anderson(74), Giggs(82), Cleverley, Kagawa, Hernandez(88).

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 60,112

Arsenal hold on to win at Fulham

Arsenal continued their brilliant run of form as they beat London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage 1-0 on Saturday. Not many people would have betted that Lauren Koscielny and Per Mertesacker would combine to score the winning goal in this game. However, that was indeed the case as Koscielny found the tall German who nodded home his third of the season from close range. That wasn't before Fulham had been sent down to ten men as Steve Sidwell has been shown an early red card. It wasn't the only red card in the game as Giroud was also shown a straight red for a tackle late on. Arsenal once more showed their new founded grit and determination as despite not creating many chances against ten men, they were resilient in the fact that they held on and won despite not playing well - something that Manchester United have been doing for only too long. In terms of the Arsenal line-up, Tomas Rosicky started in place of Wilshere whilst Szczesny kept his place in goal. The other change was Nacho Monreal as he replaced Gibbs at left back.

Mertesacker scored his third goal of the season as Arsenal beat Fulham

The first chance of the game sprung to Theo Walcott as he managed to find the back of the net but for the offside flag.

The turning point in the game perhaps came on 11 minutes though. Steve Sidwell went over the top of the ball and caught Arteta on the ankle. The former Arsenal-trainee who had only just come back from a 3 game ban was shown a straight red card for his troubles.

Fulham's first chance fell to Berbatov as Fulham broke away and then Emmanuelson played the ball through to him. However Monreal managed to move him wide and Szczesny made a good save to deny the Bulgarian.

Arsenal's next effort came from the boot of Aaron Ramsey. The shot was very tame though as he slipped and Schwarzer made a straight forward save.

Shortly after, the Gunners went as close as they had all game as Giroud managed to set himself well before firing against the far post.

It was end to end football as Fulham then almost found the lead. On-loan midfielder Urby Emmanuelson dispossessed Monreal and then hit a shot which almost crept in.

Minutes before the break, the deadlock was finally broken as Arsenal found themselves in front. Walcott's free-kick was headed back across goal by Koscielny and Mertesacker was there to head home from a few yards out.

The score at half time was 1-0.

The first attempt on goal in the second half was that of a Fulham player as Ruiz's free-kick curled over the bar.

Walcott then came close to doubling the lead but he was only inches away from Cazorla's pass as Schwarzer raced out to pounce upon the ball.

Manolev was proving to be a surprising threat down the right hand side and then his cross-come-shot almost sailed in but Szczesny managed to tip it over the bar.

It was then Manolev who had thought he'd grabbed an equaliser for the hosts as he stuck the ball home following Szczesny's save from a free-kick. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Cazorla then had a chance to seal all three points as Wilshere played the ball outwide to him but Hangeland threw himself in the way to block the shot.

Towards the end of the game, Olivier Giroud was to be shown a red card as he looked to have gone in dangerously on Manolev. On second viewing though, the Frenchman looked to have got the ball first.

In the dying moments, Arsenal broke away with Aaron Ramsey as he came close to scoring but his shot went wide of the far post.

The final score finished Fulham 0-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson, Enoh, Sidwell, Emmanuelson(87), Kacaniklic(85), Ruiz, Berbatov.
Subs: Etheridge, Riise, Hughes, Karagounis, Frei(87), Rodallega, Petric(85).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky(71), Walcott(71), Cazorla(90), Giroud. 
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen(90), Gibbs, Wilshere(71), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski(71).

My man of the match: Laurent Koscielny

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 25,700

Arsenal held to goalless draw with Everton

Arsenal were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton on Wednesday night as the Gunners missed the chance to extend their lead over Chelsea and Spurs in the race for Champions League football next season. It was a hard fought point for the Gunners, but both sides indeed had chances to win the game and Arsenal will be unhappy not to have taken their chances in such an important game. There were plenty of positives to take from the game though despite the result. Another clean sheet had been kept as Szczesny returned to the side whilst the ever improving Aaron Ramsey earned himself a second man of the match performance in as many games. There were a few changes to the side that had beaten Norwich as Walcott replaced Gervinho and Mertesacker came in for Vermaelen. Rosicky also returned from injury as he was on the bench.

 Giroud missed two great chances that would've won the game for Arsenal

The first chance of the match fell to Everton as the ball was slipped through to Pienaar but he put it over the bar.

Arsenal's first good attempt on goal came from an unlikely source as Gibbs made room for a shot on the edge of the area but it failed to find the target.

Theo Walcott was then to come under some aggression from the Everton players as he was on the end of a nasty tackle from Gibson and was then obstructed by the same player and Pienaar.

Everton were looking the most likely to score and they almost broke the deadlock as Barkley tried curling a shot from range but Szczesny was equal to it.

The best chance of the half fell Arsenal's way though. Ramsey got down the right hand side and then centered the ball brilliantly for Giroud but he somehow slid wide.

Arsenal were to create the first chance of the second half as a good build up led to Cazorla hitting a shot from outside the box which Howard managed to beat away.

Giroud then missed another fairly decent chance as Gibbs did well down the left to then lay off the Frenchman but he fired over from the edge of the box.

Ross Barkely was proving to be a very good player as he then worked off a shot as he had done in the first half. This time though, the ball flew inches wide.

Arsenal then really should have scored as they broke away on the counter with Cazorla who then played in Oxlade-Chamberlain. However instead of shooting, he fired the ball across goal towards Giroud but the defender was in the way to make a crucial interception.

All the chances seemed to be falling to Giroud as he then wasted another one, firing over from a few yards.

The final score finished Arsenal 0-0 Everton.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs(90), Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere(68), Walcott(68), Walcott(68), Cazorla, Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal(90), Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain(68), Gervinho, Podolski(68). 

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Barkley(76), Fellaini, Pienaar, Gibson, Mirallas(90), Anichebe(90).
Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo(90), Neville, Hitzlesperger, Naismith(90), Jelavic(76). 

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 60,071

Arsenal come from behind to regain top four spot

Arsenal put in a spirited comeback on Saturday night as they came from behind to beat Norwich 3-1 at the Emirates. The match had all the signs to suggest that it wasn't going to be the Gunners day but that certainly wasn't the case as the Gunners scored 3 goals in the last 5 minutes thanks to a dubious Arteta penalty, a Giroud tap in and a fine strike from sub Lukas Podolski. The win ensured Arsenal kept up their unbeaten run in the league. Meanwhile due to Chelsea and Spurs not playing it moved them all the way up into third place, having played the same amount of games as North London rivals Spurs and one more than Chelsea. There were 3 changes to the side that had beaten West Brom as Vermaelen replaced the suspended Mertesacker, Gibbs came in for Monreal and Wilshere returned from injury to replace the injured Rosicky. Another returning player was Theo Walcott as he was named amongst the substitutes.

Arteta got Arsenal back into the game with a penalty

The first real chance of the game came 20 minutes in as a nice exchange of passes led to Wilshere attempting to play in Ramsey. However Bunn came out and stopped the Welshman from getting on the end of the pass.

The Gunners were then to hit the wood work as Sagna's cross found Giroud whose glancing header hit the bar.

Arsenal were dominating the play and then Gervinho was presented with a fantastic opportunity to grab his third goal in 4 games. Cazorla played a through ball into the Ivorian who rounded the keeper but then sent the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle.

Bunn who had seen a lot of action so far then had a more straight forward save to make as Cazorla drove a shot from range but it was straight at the keeper.

The score at half time was 0-0.

10 minutes after the restart and Norwich somehow found themselves ahead. Snodgrass' free-kick found an unmarked Turner who steered a header past Fabianski to make it 1-0.

Soon after, the Gunners had a strong claim for a penalty turned down as Walcott raced past Whittaker and was then brought down.

Norwich then broke away on the counter attack as the ball was played outwide to Martin but his shot was straight at Fabianski.

With just under 15 minutes left Arsenal came as close as they had all afternoon. The ball was played into Giroud who then layed the ball down to Podolski whose shot crashed against the cross bar. 

Arsenal then finally got their reward as the referee gave a penalty after Kamara brought down Giroud. Arteta stepped up to take the penalty and side footed the ball beyond Bunn for the equaliser.

Minutes later Arsenal were ahead. Oxlade-Chamberlain played a brilliant one-two with Podolski before getting to the byline and crossing for Giroud to tap home from a yard out.

Norwich were now looking desperately for the equaliser and they almost got it through Howson but Fabianski made a good save to deny the visitors.

Into injury time and the Gunners scored their third goal to seal all three points. Fabianski's long kick found Walcott who then layed Podolski off on the edge of the area to slam the ball home.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-1 Norwich.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna(80), Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere(60), Ramsey, Cazorla, Gervinho(60), Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Monreal, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain(80), Walcott(60), Podolski(60). 
  
Norwich: Bunn, Martin, Bassong, Turner, Whittaker, Howson, Johnson(62), Tettey(90), Snodgrass, Kamara, Holt.
Subs: Camp, Garrido, Bennett, Fox(62), Bennett, Jackson(90), Becchio.

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 60,095