Preview Everton - Arsenal

By Richard Clarke

Andrew Johnson has been a big noise in Premiership football ever since his Crystal Palace days and Arsène Wenger believes the key to victory at Goodison Park on Sunday will be keeping him quiet.

The Arsenal manager is a fan of the diminutive striker. Wenger had Johnson closely monitored while he was plying his trade in South London and, although he decided against a move, the Frenchman does believe Johnson can make a mark for his country in the years to come.

“I think Andy is a player who can help England,” said Wenger. “He is a good striker because of the timing and quality of his runs, his fantastic team ethic and the fact he never gives up.

"He can be one of the players who can compliment Wayne Rooney because Rooney is more of a second striker who can make the runs and you need another striker who can stretch the defence. Andy Johnson is one of those along with Michael Owen.

"I did consider [taking] him at one stage when he was at Crystal Palace but the price stopped it happening. There was a big fight for Johnson and you know if that happens then the price is never below £12 million or £13 million.

"But he has done very well in the Premier League as well and has given us problems.

Wenger added: “Johnson is a handful for any defence and the result on Sunday will be decided by the way we keep him quiet.”

Ironically enough, the Arsenal manager is in need of strikers at the moment. Thierry Henry’s season is over because of groin/stomach injuries while Robin van Persie (foot) will not be seen before late April if at all.

Emmanuel Adebayor sees out the last game of his suspension on Sunday and Theo Walcott is unlikely to be risked as he will have a shoulder operation on Tuesday.

It leaves Julio Baptista and Jeremie Aliadiere as the only options. Wenger admits that both players are fighting for their Arsenal future. Baptista’s loan spell is up in the summer and Aliadiere would have been sold in January, albeit reluctantly, had Van Persie not picked up his injury.

“It is an important time for both of them because they know they will get a chance to play in these games,” said the manager.

Elsewhere Emmanuel Eboue is still suspended but his countryman Kolo Toure is back from a ban. Alex Hleb returns from a knee problem and Tomas Rosicky is pushing for a start.

After a nightmare fortnight, the game at Villa Park was just the fillip Arsenal needed. Three points helped move them up to third for the first time in 2007 but the manner of victory — a backs-to-the-wall, sleeves-rolled-up 1-0 — was just as gratifying given Wenger’s side had seen their character come under scrutiny in recent weeks.

The Arsenal manager believes Chelsea are catchable in second place but, at the same time is still not secure in the fourth and final Champions League spot. Everton will present a stern examination given that they have European hopes themselves.

“They have 43 points with 10 games to go,” said Wenger. “That normally gives you a Uefa Cup ambition. They will be a good test for us.

“We need to secure a position in the top four because it is not completely done but we still hope to get in the top two as well.

Arsenal.com

Late Article :My Summary Carling Cup Final

Today Young Gunners, Arsenal team, ambitiously attend to get win of this football match as the triumphant hunger. When the game started, they played better than the opponent, Chelsea by mostly controlling the ball of the match, because they helped each other and excellently played in team. In the pre- time, Young Gunners strongly waded without fear to Chelsea’s team which is a great and powerful team in football league. While I was watching on TV screen, Young Gunners could shoot the first ball into the goal in minute 13th by Theo Wallcot who controlled this ball bypass Terry and curvedly shot it bypass the goal keeper’s hand into the Chelsea’s goal. For Theo Wallcot, this was his first time in Arsenal since he had moved from another team. In the match, Arsenal were still powerful to control the game until in minute 23th บัลลัค threw the ball from the field’s side, then Drogba came over and easily shot the ball by passอัลมูเนีย into the Arsenal’s goal. When Arsenal lost their one goal, Young Gunners apparently got pressure until Chelsea could notice and started to control the game but they both couldn’t do anything, until last 10 minutes of the first half game Arsenal team start to move forward again but they couldn’t do the new mark and the total score of the first game was
For the second game, Murinho could realise the weakness of Arsenal, then Chelsea sent Rebben to play games and he nearly got the goal, but Arsenal still played and well controlled it as the first game. For example, they still excellently played in team as well as could do pressure to the opponent. However, they couldn’t shoot the ball to the mark as Chelsea, too. Then in minutes 56th Chelsea got the corner kick, while เทอรรี่ was hitting the ball with his head to get the goal, Diaby raised his foot up to kick the ball out, and it also strongly hit to terry’s chin, so, the game had to be stopped about 7 minutes and it affected to Terry to be changed and carried to hospital by oxygen , too. This game still slowly continued, they both swapped to be controller of the game until the minutes 84th ดร๊อกบา got a chance to hit the ball by his head by pass ฟิลิป เซนเดอรอส and perfectly came into the goal. The games started to be exciting again in the minutes 90th when โคโล่ตูเร่ controlled the ball and closed to Chelsea’s goal. มิเกล tried to apparently pull โคโล่ตูเร่’s shirt, then Toure was satisfied and it became a small chaos, and after that the judge gave them both red cards and order to leave from the game and one person who got red card also was Adebayor, he just played the game in few minutes. Finally, Chelsea won by 2-1 and got the first prize of this season.

For my opinion, this match Young Gunners could well played done, even though they were not the winner. But it showed that this team didn’t scare with the big Chelsea’s team, and it was a good teamwork in the match as well. Besides, I thought it will be important power which can play in the big Arsenal’s team and absolutely bring the team to be achievement in future (Hopefully, Chelsea won’t buy them all to collect ). For this match, Young Gunners lose by only lacking of experience and quick decision. In addition to, I felt disappointed with Chelsea’s cheering team which definitely hadn’t got good manner by throwing miscellaneous to the field while Young gunner got the corner kick. It was very different from Arsenal’s cheering team who were polite and didn’t do same as them when Chelsea team got the corner kick also. And one thing I was appreciated in this match, it was เชส, an Arsenal soccer who are better in controlling his mood, even though he still showed a little bit angry, it was definitely different from a Chelsea soccer, Lampard who is older and temporally being captain of team instead of จอน เทอรรี่. He couldn’t control his mood and started to flight when the chaos happened, and he would argue with เชส, too. It really seems to bully younger, Mr Lampard
This article is only my opinion, Thanks for your interesting

Injuries stack up for FA Cup replay at Blackburn

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has been forced to make numerous changes in his squad for the FA Cup Fifth Round replay at Blackburn on Wednesday night.

The Arsenal manager could be without as many as 10 first-team players and, as a result, may take some of his ‘Carling Cup youngsters’ to Ewood Park.

“There are plenty of changes but it will still be a strong team,” the Frenchman told Arsenal.com on Tuesday.

“We have lots of injuries. We don’t have Adebayor (suspended), Thierry Henry (foot) and Tomas Rosicky (groin). At Cardiff on Sunday we also lost Abou Diaby through an ankle injury and Kolo Toure who was sent off. Fabregas will be rested as well.”

The injuries don’t end there. Justin Hoyte is troubled by a hamstring strain picked up at the Millennium Stadium, Johan Djourou is struggling with an ankle complaint while Mathieu Flamini is doubtful with a foot problem.

Robin van Persie will definitely miss the game of course. His prognosis is still anything between four and eight weeks because of the broken metatarsal he suffered against Manchester United on January 21.

Fortunately Wenger has some experienced players in need of games.

“William Gallas is coming back,” he said, “so are Hleb and Ljungberg. They will be involved. Denilson will be there aswell. Clichy (foot) is in the squad but I am not sure he will play.”

Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see a video interview with Arsène Wenger on Wednesday morning. In it the Frenchman talks about: his reflections on the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, the disciplinary issues that have arisen from the game, his faith in his youngsters, the danger of David Bentley, the emergence of Shabani Nonda and much more.

Baptista - Cup run shows I can do the business

By Richard Clarke

Julio Baptista believes that the Carling Cup could be the making of his Arsenal career.

The burly midfielder-cum-striker is on loan from Real Madrid this season and hoping to impress Arsene Wenger enough to gain a permanent deal at the end of the season.

With six goals in two games, the Carling Cup appears to be the tournament he has chosen to stake his claim.

“This is the competition I'm having most opportunity,” said the 25-year-old Brazilian. “It's the one in which Arsene Wenger is really giving me a chance, the only one where I've been able to show how I am able to play.

“It has been very important to me, as much as anything for my own self-confidence. It shows that when I'm needed I can do the business.

“I think I've definitely shown what I'm capable of and now it's the decision of the Club [over whether to keep me or not].”

Baptista goes by the nickname of “The Beast” but he was also called “Batigoal” during his free-scoring spell at Sevilla. However, although the match ball from the 6-3 win at Anfield is sitting on his mantelpiece, his four-goal performance that night was one of the few in which he has started up front. He has flitted between roles as an attacking midfielder and supporting forward.

“My favourite position is as second striker,” he said, “but a free-roaming one, ideally about five metres behind the striker.

“Arsene knows that's my best position but sometimes the situation arises that I am needed in other positions and I'll play there. But really the one I want to play in, and know I'm best at, is the second striker role.

“Of course it has been frustrating not to play more but you're competing with international players in every other position.

“When I arrived the team was pretty much formed already, everyone had their positions. But of course I want to be playing in the main team.”

Sunday is Baptista’s chance to bridge that divide.

Walcott - My days as a Chelsea ballboy

By Richard Clarke

Theo Walcott has gone from Chelsea ballboy to Arsenal poster boy in the space of six short years.

The 17-year-old winger is set to play the biggest match of his burgeoning career on Sunday when the two teams contest the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. And Jose Mourinho’s side are intent on biting the hands that used to feed them - footballs that is.

Walcott might have been playing for Chelsea on Sunday. Even before he had reached his teenage years they had spotted his talent and invited him to Stamford Bridge to help out.

“Yeah I was 10 going on 11 when I was a ballboy there,” he said. “There was always a chance I could have gone to Chelsea.

“I was playing in Jersey and their scouts were there. They invited me to come down for the Liverpool match because I was a Liverpool fan.

“I remember Liverpool lost 2-0 and I didn’t get a touch of the ball but at least I got to watch it. And I met some of the players - Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen - afterwards in the dressing room. It’s funny because when I went to the World Cup I showed Michael a picture of it.

“But I was more interested in the Academy then to be honest. At a young age you just want to play football. It was always going to be Southampton.”

Walcott’s selection in Germany only added to the hype that has surrounded him ever since he signed for Arsenal last January. The player himself accepts the past year has not been a smooth ride but opportunity has knocked loudest in the Carling Cup.

“I just think we’ve got better every round,” he said. “To go away to Tottenham and get that result was brilliant, I thought. It’s not an easy place to go to I’ll tell you that now. I thought Portsmouth was bad but we showed character at 2-0 down with all the fans against us. I thought our supporters were brilliant, Julio’s two goals were brilliant and the whole squad were brilliant.

“But overall it has been hard because you just want to play. I’m only 17 and playing in the first team at Arsenal, probably the best club in the world I’d say. So I’ve got a long way to go yet.

“Still to be here in my first year and be in a cup final so early, I didn’t expect that. It is a dream come true.”

Denilson - Carling Cup is like a kickabout

By Richard Clarke

Denilson has vowed to treat the Carling Cup Final like a kick-about on the backstreets of Brazil.

The 19-year-old midfielder, signed from Sao Paulo on transfer deadline in August, has been a revelation in this season’s competition. The West Brom and Everton games served as his apprenticeship, he then went on to put in professional performances against Liverpool and Tottenham in the latter rounds.

It should be no surprise, Denilson is a mature individual. He played for Sao Paulo in the Inter-Continental Cup at the age of 16 and has been the Brazil Under-19s captain for the past year. That experience is helping him take Sunday’s game in his confident stride.

“I am hoping to finish off this wonderful season on a gold standard in the Carling Cup and also the FA Cup and the Champions League,” he said. “Why not?

“I don't feel any pressure at all. I am playing as though it is a kick-about in the street.

“I have already played before 80,000 a few times including against Liverpool when I came on as a substitute in the Inter-Continental Cup.”

Denilson is no relation to the player of the same name who moved from Sao Paulo to Real Betis for a then world record fee of £22 million in 1998. This Denilson is the son of a jobbing Brazilian professional and grew up with Zinedine Zidane as his hero. Like any overseas player he has needed an adaptation period. On the pitch it has been surprisingly short, off the pitch it is still ongoing.

“One thing that is very different here in England is that football is a lot faster than Brazil,” he said. “But I like that. You can get a battering but you have to have the body to withstand that and although I am small I am very fit.

“The biggest issue for me has been to learn English, but I am getting there. I live here on my own, not with a family. But that is OK for me. I can follow English television and listen to American music. I can't cook but I don't drink. I respect what other individual people want to do but it is not for me.

“Gilberto has been very helpful to me while I have been here. He does not tell me what to do but he suggests good things and when we have a day off we go to places of interest like Madame Tussauds.

“I like it there. I have never met Pele but he is there in wax. It is one of the places I will go if we win on Sunday.

Then he corrected himself: “After we win on Sunday.”

Carling Cup Final :Chelsea - Arsenal

By Richard Clarke

The Carling Cup Final on Sunday will be Arsène Wenger’s most prestigious talent show ever.

For many years, the Arsenal manager has used this particular competition as his fame academy; a chance to blood unknown and untested players in a first-team environment.

In the build-up to this game the Frenchman suggested this season’s run to Cardiff was a footballing version of the X-Factor talent show. But can his fledglings really out-perform a Chelsea side with an unrivalled £-factor of their own? Jose Mourinho certainly has no intention of sending out a weakened side after all.

Sunday will see the two managers, the two teams even the two clubs singing from entirely different songsheets. But Wenger has always been happy to whistle his own tune in this tournament.

"You have singers in England going on the X-Factor show for their talents to be discovered,” said Wenger. “If they don't organise it, you don't find them.

"I like it because people are brave enough to come out and say they want to achieve something in their life. They are ready to be committed to do it. They have a target.

"I like people who turn up and are ready to fight for something, like our young players are. And this competition is the X-Factor Academy for us.

“People say never judge a team on a cup run because it depends who you play. But in this competition we have played Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham so it would be a great reward for us to win it.

“Liverpool was a tough test, Everton was a tough test and no-one can ever predict how difficult it will be against Chelsea.

"Their game is based on experience and power, ours will be based on mobility and movement. It will be very important for us to try and stop them in decisive moments in the game by taking over that physical power."

Wenger will keep faith with the side that has taken him to Cardiff. William Gallas, Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg are omitted. Jens Lehmann (suspended) and Robin van Persie (foot) would not have played either as they had not featured in the earlier rounds of the competition.

Emmanuel Eboue (foot) is likely to be out while Justin Hoyte (hamstring) and Gael Clichy (foot) were due for tests on Friday. Armand Traore will step in at left back should his fellow Frenchman not make it.

Along with Denilson, the 17-year-old defender is the discovery of this year’s run. Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie and Clichy — now first-team regulars - are among the previous recipients of this imaginary award. Top-flight starts are the point of this competition for Wenger but that does not mean Sunday’s trophy will be simply handed over to the more experienced side.

“I'm very proud of what these players have achieved this season,” he said. “We have not just won we've won with style which is our philosophy.

"But for me the biggest achievement is always the next one. What you have done in your life is not important. If you think what you have won is not as important as the next one then you are finished.

"I want to achieve what is front of me as well as I can and I really want to win this trophy on Sunday.

"It will be an unusual achievement if we do it.”

And an highly uplifting one too.

Result: PSV 1 - 0 Arsenal

By Richard Clarke in Eindhoven

Arsenal face a nerve-racking night at Emirates Stadium in two weeks time after losing 1-0 at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday in the Champions League Knockout Round first leg.

The all-important strike came in the 61st minute when a skidding effort from Edison Mendez beat Jens Lehmann and found its way into the corner of the net. Defeat was perhaps harsh on Arsène Wenger’s side who, until that point, had given as good as they got.

However Champions League football is all about making the most of scarce opportunities, something Arsenal amply demonstrated at the sharp end of this competition this year.

In the build-up to this game the Mayor of Eindhoven had promised Arsenal fans ‘the Mardi Gras of the Netherlands’ as the city’s inhabitants celebrated their big annual festival. He certainly delivered.

The question now is whether Arsenal can do likewise in the second leg.

Before kick-off there was only one real issue regarding Wenger’s line-up for his 600th game in charge — who would play at right back after Justin Hoyte (hamstring) joined Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) on the injured list.

The manager had spent the night mulling over playing Johan Djourou or William Gallas. In the end he went for experience. Otherwise the side pretty much picked itself. And, notably, the 4-4-2 formation was back. Last year Wenger had adopted 4-5-1 on the road in Europe. It took them desperately close to winning the whole tournament. In his pre-game press conference the Frenchman suggested the confidence gained from that experience had prompted the change. He felt his side were more likely to impose their game on the opposition.

PSV came into this game with a canny, cagey reputation. Their coach, Ronald Koeman, had been perfectly happy baton down the hatches when his Ajax side needed a point to qualify against Arsenal at the Amsterdam ArenA a few years ago.

No-one really expected them to go for the jugular this evening especially as their leading striker Jefferson Fanfan, as expected, was ruled out before kick-off with a foot injury.

In fairness, PSV did show their fair share of attacking intent in the opening stages. Arouna Kone and Diego Tardelli each provided moderate threats to the Arsenal goal.

The visitors took until the 12th minute to conjure up their first attack — and it very nearly gave them the lead. Rosicky exchanged passes with Henry and darted into the area. His left-foot drive was half-saved by Gomes and trickled towards the unprotected goalline. Carlos Salcido hoofed the ball away from danger before the onrushing Arsenal attackers could force the ball home.

However PSV regained the ascendancy playing neat, tidy yet utterly unpenetrative football. Mendez and Philippe Cocu called Lehmann into action from distance but that was it. Henry’s drive and Rosicky’s curler were equally speculative for the visitors. Each side was giving one another considerable respect.

But all the main flashes of invention were still coming from Arsenal and they had two chances to take the lead before half time. Three minutes from time Henry teed-up Rosicky’s flick for himself and volley goalwards. Unfortunately it was directed straight at Gomes, who batted the ball down and Alex cleared the danger.

With the final kick of the half, the Arsenal captain curled a shot inches beyond the angle of post and bar.

The second half started at the same lukewarm temperature as the first half. However, seven minutes in, PSV nearly grabbed a surprise lead when Salcido’s raking cross drifted over the head of Gael Clichy and was met by Kone on the volley. Fortunately the Ivorian striker ‘shanked’ his effort harmlessly across goal.

It seemed like a momentary lapse by the Arsenal defence and little to worry about.

Not so.

In the 61st minute Kone found Mendez 25 yards out and the Ecuador international sent a low, skidding shot past Lehmann and into the far corner of the net.

It was less than Arsenal deserved at that point in proceedings and they immediately they set about restoring parity. In the 69th minute, Gomes palmed a rasping drive from Fabregas over the bar. The Brazilian keeper then clutched Adebayor’s looping header after Fabregas had flung over a free-kick from the left.

Julio Baptista replaced Hleb as Wenger tried to chase the game. But, of course, that only played into the hands of PSV’s counterattacking style and Arsenal were nearly caught out 14 minutes from time when Kone roared down the right. Mendez met his cross with a sidefoot shot fortunately Gallas was on hand to boot the ball clear.

Henry’s free-kick was gathered at the second attempt by Gomes but that was about as much as Arsenal could muster in the final stages.

They have it all to do in the second leg.

Preview PSV - Arsenal

By Richard Clarke in Eindhoven

Recollections of Real Madrid crept into Arsène Wenger’s thoughts as he looked forward to tonight’s Champions League Knockout Round first leg at PSV Eindhoven.

On Wednesday, it will be exactly a year since Arsenal’s season-altering win at the Bernabeu at the same stage of Europe’s top competition.

Twelve months ago, Wenger’s side had just been knocked out of both domestic cups and were doggedly pursuing Tottenham for fourth place in the Premiership. They overtook their neighbours on the final day of the campaign and a few days later so nearly took home the Champions League trophy from the Stade de France. The manager later identified the first game of the Knockout stage as the catalyst for change.

This year Arsenal return to Continental action after the winter hiatus in much better shape. However, football is a fragile sport. With Chelsea coming up in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, Wenger was prepared to admit that this was a “make or break” week in the Club’s season. A pair of sound defeats would certainly burst the bubble of optimism floating over Emirates Stadium at the moment.

“It is fair to say that [it is a make-or-break week] yes,” he said. “But remember that we had the same question when we played at Real Madrid and it made our season.

“Since December I feel my team has taken off. The understanding in the squad is good and the spirit is very high.

“Now we are ready for a new challenge - like the last 16 of the Champions League.”

PSV will never match the glamour of the Galacticos but the town itself has at least tried to put on a show this week. It is festival time in this industrial Dutch city and it appears most of the inhabitants have decided to don fancy dress by way of celebration.

However their team are likely to show off rather fewer frills this evening. Ronald Koeman’s side has fashioned a compact, counter-attacking unit and their efficient style has taken them five points clear at the top of the Dutch League.

PSV will be anxiously waiting on news of Jefferson Farfan this evening. The Peruvian striker, who has hit 15 goals in 21 games this season, hurt his foot on Saturday and did not train on Monday.

For his part Wenger named an 18-man squad on the eve of the game. Justin Hoyte’s hamstring injury, coupled with Emmanuel Eboue's lingering ankle problem, means Johan Djourou or William Gallas will fill in at right back. Expect Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor to be paired up front in a 4-4-2 formation. Wenger adopted a 4-5-1 in Europe last season but the manager is expected to revert to a more attacking system tonight as he goes in search of the crucial component in last season’s Champions League run — a first leg lead.

"We will try to win,” said Wenger. “We have to try to win. Koeman will try to win aswell but in his own way. They are a team built to play counter-attacking football. They are quick so I feel they might sit off a bit and try to catch us on the break.

“In Holland you always get intelligent football with a good technical level. But we have learnt through the years that, at this stage of the competition, it is a game of 180 minutes and every minute is vital

“I know we may be a fraction the favourites. But we have enough experience to know that is only dictated by your environment, how well you prepare mentally and how you focus.”

Wenger ponders right-back options for Eindhoven clash

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger will be without his two regular right backs when Arsenal face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Emmanuel Eboue is still sidelined by a persistent ankle problem and Justin Hoyte has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Wenger earmarked two potential replacements before his 18-man squad left for Holland on Monday afternoon.

"We have Eboue out and Hoyte is out with a hamstring problem, but he should be back for [the Carling Cup Final on] Sunday," explained Wenger.

"Gallas has responded well to the weekend game [against Blackburn] and he is in the squad. It will be Johan Djourou or Gallas at right back.

"Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby have been left behind with Sunday in mind."

Alexander Hleb (cold) and Djourou (knee) return to the squad after minor ailments ruled them out of the FA Cup tie against Blackburn. Jens Lehmann, Gilberto and Julio Baptista are also back in contention after being rested at the weekend.

The travelling squad is as follows:

1 Jens LEHMANN (GK)
4 Cesc FABREGAS
5 Kolo TOURE
6 Philippe SENDEROS
7 Tomas ROSICKY
8 Fredrik LJUNGBERG
9 Julio BAPTISTA
10 William GALLAS
13 Alexander HLEB
14 Thierry HENRY
15 DENILSON
16 Mathieu FLAMINI
19 GILBERTO
20 Johan DJOUROU
22 Gael CLICHY
24 Manuel ALMUNIA (GK)
25 Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
30 Jeremie ALIADIERE

Merida - I want to be just like Fabregas

By Adam Clark

Arsenal Under-18s midfielder Fran Merida says he aims to be just like the Club’s current Spanish sensation Cesc Fabregas.

The 16-year-old arrived from Barcelona in the summer just as Fabregas did in September 2003 and Merida hopes he can emulate his compatriot’s rapid rise to fame.

The midfielder has already caught the eye with some instrumental displays for both the Under-18s and the Reserves and puts his form down to studying Fabregas’ every move.

“Cesc for me is like my mirror — he’s the player I want to be,” Merida told Arsenal.com.

“When I go to watch the first team I’m always watching him, the way he plays and the way he passes the ball. I am only 16-years-old and to watch him and learn from him is so important. I’m going to keep working hard and, of course, one day I would love to play alongside him.”

Merida could make his first appearance at Emirates Stadium tonight as the Under-18s take on Cardiff City for a place in the FA Youth Cup Semi-Finals. It’s a big step up from Barnet’s Underhill Stadium where the previous rounds have been played and the prospect of walking out at Arsenal’s new home excites the young Spaniard.

“For us it’s amazing,” said Merida. “It’s the biggest stadium many of us have played in. I didn’t know the FA Youth Cup was so important when I came here but now here I am possibly about to play a game at Emirates Stadium.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet but it’s going to be a special day and hopefully there will be a lot of people there to cheer us on. I’d like the whole stadium to be full but I think we all just want to play in front as many people as possible.

“I think we’ve had very difficult games so far but we’ve done very well to overcome the challenges and that’s why we are here.

“I’m happy with how my season is going personally and I’m really enjoying living in England. Now I’d love to go and win this competition."

Gallas - We are going to be the team to beat

By Richard Clarke

During his long injury lay-off William Gallas had the opportunity to assess the potential of his young Arsenal team-mates — and he liked what he saw.

The 29-year-old ended almost three months on the sidelines on Saturday in the 0-0 draw with Blackburn at Emirates Stadium. The Frenchman admitted that his road to recovery has been a bumpy one but he did salute his youthful colleagues for their fine form throughout his absence. Gallas firmly believes the future belongs to Arsenal.

“My team-mates have played very well while I have been away,” he said. “They are very young but they have a lot of qualities and are very mature. You can only say congratulations for what they did.

“We are still in the FA Cup, we are going to play the Final of the Carling Cup and you never know in the Premiership and the Champions League.”

Gallas was then asked if Arsenal will be “the team to beat in the next few years”.

“Definitely,” he replied immediately. “This year we have beaten Manchester United twice, we beat Liverpool and we drew at Chelsea. When we have played against the big teams, we were not afraid and at the end of the game normally we have won.

“The only thing is that we have not been consistent - that has been the problem. But Arsène is a good manager because he thinks about the future. Not maybe this year but next year Arsenal will be a very very big club.”

Turning to his comeback, Gallas revealed his withdrawal after an hour on Saturday was pre-planned. He also talked about the darker days of his time spent on the treatment table.

“I could have played 90 minutes against Blackburn,” said the former Chelsea star. “But it was important for my injury that I only played 60 minutes. It is normal.

“It has not been easy being out so long because I like to be on the pitch. I was not depressed [when I was injured] but I was down. However I spoke to the boss and he told me to be patient. Also all the players and everybody at Arsenal asked me how I was doing every day, that helped me a lot.”

Arsenal.com

Final Score : Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackburn

By Richard Clarke


Arsenal face another FA Cup replay after their Fifth Round tie with Blackburn ended in a frustrating goalless draw on Saturday.

Arsène Wenger’s side are not prone to scoreless matches. This was the first domestic 0-0 in 56 games. However they were kept at bay by a resolute Rovers side and in particular keeper Brad Friedel.

In injury time, the American made a superb double save from Thierry Henry and Justin Hoyte. It was the highlight of a largely forgettable match.

After 120 minutes of unremitting entertainment in the Fourth Round replay at the Reebok Stadium in midweek this was definitely a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’.

The replay will take place at Ewood Park on Wednesday, February 28.

Last Wednesday’s win at Bolton had been as tiring as it had been exhilarating. Therefore, as expected, Wenger rotated his squad.

He retained only Manuel Almunia and Kolo Toure from his starting line-up at the Reebok Stadium. Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Denilson and Tomas Rosicky all dropped out of the starting XI and onto the bench. Abou Diaby, Gilberto and Julio Baptista were left out completely while Alex Hleb (virus) and Johan Djourou (knee) had minor ailments.

Freddie Ljungberg, Thierry Henry, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Philippe Senderos, Mathieu Flamini and Jeremie Aliadiere, Justin Hoyte were called upon to start. As was William Gallas; the former Chelsea defender was fit after almost three months out with a thigh problem.

Emirates Stadium was swaddled in sunshine for this lunchtime kick-off. Given the Stakhanovite schedule of the last few weeks, you could have forgiven the Arsenal players for having leaden legs this afternoon. However you could not tell at the start of the game.

Arsenal were sprightly, sparky. In the opening minutes, Henry volleyed over the bar from an acute angle and Gallas put a header wide at the far post. Flamini thumped a long-range effort wide and then Friedel clutched Walcott’s deflected flick after Henry had sent a free-kick over from the left.

Blackburn were compact and solid but lacking invention. Their only effort in the entire first half was David Bentley’s wild pot-shot over the bar.

Arsenal had the territorial advantage but the massed ranks of the Rovers defence were quelling their attacks. It was as if Hughes had told his side to keep the game tight until the latter stages in the hope that the home side would tire. It did not make for an entertaining game.

Wenger’s men rather lost their way as half time approached. In injury time Gallas thumped over but, overall, it had been a poor first period.

The second half followed the same pattern early on. Arsenal attacked, probed for an opening, Blackburn’s snuffed out the opportunity and played an optimistic ball forwards. The home defence would collect easily and the whole process would start again.

The first chance of note came 13 minutes in. Aliadiere slipped the ball to Walcott inside the area and the 17-year-old cracked his effort into the sidenetting.

Something had to change and, on the hour, Wenger made his first substitution. Clichy came on for Gallas.

Blackburn attacks had been so rare they were becoming an endangered species. However in the 63rd minute Bentley’s free-kick was nodded towards the far post by the giant Christopher Samba and Clichy hooked the ball away from danger.

Wenger responded with his last two subs — Adebayor for Walcott and Rosicky for Ljungberg. Obviously the Frenchman was intent on winning this game in the 90 minutes.

In fairness, the game did start to yield some opportunities. Matt Derbyshire’s chip was hurriedly tapped over the bar by the stretching Almunia. Then Aliadiere had a realistic shout for a penalty when Stephen Warnock brought him down. Referee Martin Atkinson waved play on.

Seven minutes from time, Rosicky burst clear in the area but Friedel rushed out to save his shot with his legs.

The Blackburn keeper would keep Rovers in the tie a minute later. Adebayor found space down the left and crossed. Henry flicked the ball up and sent a lofted shot goalwards, the American keeper saved it with his fingertips then recovered to block Hoyte’s follow-up with his legs.

Given Arsenal’s crammed fixture list, it was a save — and a result — they did not need.

Walcott - We can’t give up on the title race yet

By Richard Clarke

Theo Walcott has not given up on the Premiership title yet.

It will be a very tall order of course. This weekend’s results saw Arsenal fall 17 points behind Manchester United with only 13 games left to play. But, despite the enormity of the task, the 17-year-old winger believes his side’s spirit should not be underestimated.

“We can’t give up,” he told Arsenal.com after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. “I feel we’ll definitely be there for the Champions League places and hopefully we can push on for the top three. But we still can’t forget about the Premiership [title].

“There is a good spirit through the whole camp at the moment and we are full of confidence.

“This result may set us back a little bit. We were expected winners but don’t take credit away from Middlesbrough. They played really well. It was tough for us but I think we battled well with 10 men.”

Aston Villa / Man City - Fixture dates announced

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Barclays Premiership
Villa Park. Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Kick-off: 7.45pm
This was postponed on Saturday 24th February due to Arsenal’s involvement in the Carling Cup Final. This fixture will be played as above.

Arsenal
Manchester City

Arsenal v Manchester City
Barclays Premiership
Emirates Stadium. Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Kick-off: 7.45pm
This match has been provisionally dated for above. However, in the event that either Arsenal or Manchester City (or both teams) are participating in an FA Cup 5th Round Replay on 27th / 28th February, this match will be postponed to a new date (as yet unconfirmed).

We will know whether either Club is due to feature in an FA Cup 5th Round Replay after the 5th Round games have been played over the weekend of 17th / 18th February.

There is also another scenario whereby the above game would be postponed. If after the weekend of 17th / 18th February, both Arsenal and Manchester City have been knocked out of the FA Cup, Arsenal versus Manchester City will be postponed from the above date and will be played as under:

Arsenal v Manchester City
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 10th March 2007
Kick Off 3pm

Randall signs professional terms with Arsenal

Mark Randall has signed professional terms with the Club.

The highly-rated central midfielder made seven appearances for the Reserves last season while still a schoolboy and has continued to make excellent progress this term.

Randall came on during the first-ever game at Emirates Stadium last July - Dennis Bergkamp's Testimonial. He also travelled with the first-team squad to Austria for Arsenal's pre-season training camp and featured in the 3-0 friendly win over AZ Alkmaar.

The 17-year-old has made two substitute appearances in the Carling Cup this season. He came on for the final 17 minutes of the Third-Round victory at West Brom and emerged from the bench 20 minutes from time in the Fourth-Round win at Everton.

Gilberto so impressed by fast-learner Denilson

By Chris Harris

It's a good time to be a Brazilian at Arsenal. Gilberto has won plaudits for his goals and captaincy, Julio Baptista has emerged as a Carling Cup hero and now Denilson has nudged his way into the first-team picture.

The Brazil Under-19 captain has spent much of his first season at Emirates Stadium studying one of his compatriots. "Gilberto makes football look simple and I want to follow that example as much as possible," he told Arsenal TV Online. It seems the admiration is mutual.

Gilberto was hugely impressed by Denilson's display in the first leg of Arsenal's Carling Cup tie against Tottenham last month. The World Cup winner had the chance to play alongside his fellow countryman in the second leg and had no reason to change his opinion.

"Denilson is a great character," Gilberto told Arsenal.com. "Like many of the youngsters he's not scared of playing in the team. It's amazing to see such young players show such great performances, great character and great ability on the pitch.

"Denilson has adapted so quickly to the system of the team in the short time he's been at the Club. It's great to see."

When Gilberto arrived in the summer of 2002, fresh from Brazil's triumph in the Far East, he relied on another compatriot, Edu, for guidance. The former Gunner helped Gilberto adapt to a new culture, a new language and a new life. Now Gilberto is doing the same for Denilson.

"Edu helped me to settle and I am trying to help Denilson feel comfortable," he said. "He is enjoying his time at the club, he is enjoying living here and he is learning the language like I had to do when I first came here.

"I have tried to help him as much as I can can to make him feel comfortable in the Club and he's doing very well."

Arsenal.com

Wenger - I use Carling Cup to see the future

By Richard Clarke

The Carling Cup is becoming Arsène Wenger’s crystal ball.

For a number of years the Arsenal manager has put out a youthful side in the competition with some success. However this season they have surpassed themselves; reaching the Final and putting out three Premiership teams en route.

Youngsters like Denilson and Armand Traore have hit the headlines this year. In previous seasons Cesc Fabregas, Philippe Senderos, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue and Johan Djourou have emerged in this competition. It means that Wenger can limit his transfer outlay to those truly exceptional — and highly costly — players.

"The Carling Cup is almost like looking into the future,” said Wenger. “That’s what I use it for.

“I look at the Carling Cup team to see where we are going as a Club. Do we have enough to fight for the Premiership and Champions League? Or do we have to buy because they aren’t good enough? This year they have shown me they are good enough.

"To work well in the future, a club like ours should only have to buy the exceptional players. We should have a good enough squad to fight for the rest.

"I didn’t buy anybody in the transfer window because there’s no point bringing average players in.”

However, according to Wenger, such a policy does require strength from the Club’s manager and its directors.

“The problem is you have to combine two things,” he said. “You have to install enough in the club to go with that policy. If it’s done in the short term and the manager changes every two years then why should he go for a policy of five years?

“Secondly, you have to be strong enough to play the young players when there’s a big demand. You have to stick to it. If you want to know how good your players are then you have to play them.”

Final Score : Boro 1-1 Gunners

By Richard Clarke

Thierry Henry struck 13 minutes from time as 10-man Arsenal brought back a valuable point from Middlesbrough on Saturday evening.

Arsene Wenger’s side were edging a pedestrian Premiership game when Philippe Senderos was adjudged to have fouled Yakubu in the area after 63 minutes. It would be the key incident of the game for both sides. The Arsenal defender was sent off and the Middlesbrough forward scored from the spot.

However this week has proved that you simply cannot doubt the fighting spirit of any Arsenal side — whatever the competition. Last Sunday, they battled back to earn an FA Cup replay against Bolton, on Wednesday the Carling Cup team completed a wonderful comeback against Spurs and on Friday the Under-18s threw away the lead twice and yet still triumphed in the FA Youth Cup.

Tonight it was the turn of the Premiership side.

After the sending off, they dusted themselves down and rolled up their sleeves. In the 77th minute they got their reward when Emmanuel Adebayor knocked the ball down for Henry to slot home in style.

A decent end to a decent week.

After those Carling Cup heroics, Wenger returned to his normal Premiership line-up for the trip to Teesside.

Arsenal’s last League game had been that wonderful late win over Manchester United at Emirates back on January 21. There were only two changes from that side that day and both of those were because of injury. Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Alex Hleb (hamstring) dropped out. Justin Hoyte and Gilberto came in.

Middlesbrough had struggled early on this season but, to their credit, were unbeaten in 2007. In addition, the Riverside had been a graveyard for the big teams in the past two seasons. The home side had taken 14 points out of 21 at home to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. They had tasted defeat only once.

They started this evening’s game with the intention to sustain that good run. In the second minute, Stewart Downing’s overlap caught out Hoyte but Gael Clichy anticipated well to hack clear his cross.

Middlesbrough held the whip hand in the opening 15 minutes. Their aim was to get the ball forward quickly through the centre and throw in early crosses from the flank. Jens Lehmann dealt with everything pretty comfortably. The bulldozering runs of Yakubu caused also mild consternation but Toure and/or Senderos dealt with them well.

Arsenal gradually grew in stature as the half went on. Their first chance came midway through when the onrushing Toure nearly got on the end of Thierry Henry’s free-kick at the far post.

In the 31st minute Rosicky sent a rocket shot toward to the top corner but it drifted high and wide at the final second.

Suddenly it was Arsenal who were pushing back Middlesbrough. Toure prodded goalwards and Henry ended a marvellous passing move with a tame shot into the hands of Brad Jones.

But, in truth, the same term could have described the whole of the first half.

There was, at least, more pace after the restart. Arsenal still had the better of the game but never Jones. Too often decent passing moves lacked a final ball. Toure slashed wide and Henry’s long-range effort was easily save by Jones. That was about it.

They would be made to pay in the 63rd minute. George Boateng sent Yakubu roaring through the middle with Senderos in pursuit. Referee Mike Riley deemed that the Swiss centre back to have brought him down in the area and the Nigerian striker beat Lehmann from the spot.

Between those incidents, Senderos was sent off for a professional foul and Lehmann was booked for disputing the decisions. Arsenal had their backs firmly against the wall.

They rallied as best they could as Middlesbrough were bubbling. Mark Viduka turned Toure at the near post and forced a wonderful low save from Lehmann.

It would prove to be another pivotal moment as, seconds later, Arsenal equalised. Adebayor rose high to knock the ball down to Henry on the corner of the six-yard box. The captain controlled the ball with one touch and dispatched low into the far corner of the net with the next.

It was trademark Thierry Henry.

In the build-up to that goal, Jeremie Aliadiere and Theo Walcott had appeared at the side of the pitch. Wenger was throwing on his two, pacy young attackers to try and grab a goal.

After Henry’s strike both went back to the bench and instead, Denilson came on for Hoyte. It was clear the manager was now happy with what he had.

In the dying seconds Rosicky fired off an optimistic snap-shot from distance.

But a draw was a fair result

Preview Carling Cup: Arsenal V Tottenham Hotspur

By Richard Clarke

Arsene Wenger has urged his young side to be quick off the blocks in tonight’s Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg at Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal scholars had a bad case of exam nerves in the opening 20 minutes of the first leg at Tottenham last week. They conceded two early goals and, at one point, you feared they might be handed the sternest of lessons. However, by half time, Arsenal had steadied themselves and were beginning to ask questions of the home defence. Two goals from Julio Baptista drew them level and they might have even won the tie at the death.

It was the 11th time that Wenger’s side had trailed this season before coming back to get a result. No 12 came a few days later against Bolton in the FA Cup. No Arsenal fan would complain about a 13th successful comeback this evening — remember their team only need to avoid a defeat or a high-scoring draw to go through — however it is hardly a strategy for long-term success.

“At the Emirates we have sometimes made a hesitant start,” Wenger told Arsenal.com.

“Once we get into the game we can roll over any team and that is what we have to learn to do now.

“In the Premiership we are the team who concedes less in the second half and scores more. The numbers tell you that. But we must start better, stronger and be more focused.

“This tie is basically a match of 180 minutes and we are only at half time. You know you want to win the second 90 minutes no matter what happened in the first. The best way to be surprised tonight is not to deal with the problem mentally.

“Of course Tottenham are in the same situation. They know they cannot protect an advantage so it is not so much a first or second game this evening, it is just a game everybody will want to win.”

Wenger has vowed to replicate his selection formula at White Hart Lane. The starting XI will be the usual mix of young players, first-team squad players along with a couple of regulars. However the bench will be smothered with experienced players. They are the manager’s insurance policy.

The major omission from the first leg is Julio Baptista, who injured his groin against Bolton on Sunday. However Gilberto is back after a ban and will come straight in to the side. Otherwise, broadly speaking, it is ‘as you were’ from the first leg. Alex Hleb and Emmanuel Eboue came off the bench to have a huge influence on the Arsenal fightback a week ago. Unfortunately they picked up injuries in the process. As a result Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Adebayor have been drafted into the squad this evening. In addition Gael Clichy replaces Mark Randall.

Wenger made no apologies for sticking with his ‘Young Guns’.

“It is part of the learning process,” he said. “You know once you are a player at Arsenal Football Club only the best will be expected of you. That is why it is very interesting to continue to play and deal with the pressure.

“At White Hart Lane we had to deal with being 2-0 down. But the team stuck to their game and did it well. They will have to do it again this evening.”

* If the scores are level tonight after 90 minutes, two periods of 15 minutes extra time will be played. If the scores are still level after this extra half-hour, whoever has scored the most goals away from home will progress. If the teams still can’t be separated, there will be a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.

Final Score : Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham

(Arsenal win 5-3 on aggregate)

By Richard Clarke

Cardiff here we come.

Arsenal reached their first League Cup Final in 14 years with a fraught, frantic 3-1 win over Tottenham at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Arsene Wenger’s side had drawn 2-2 in the first leg at White Hart Lane last week and appeared to be through when Emmanuel Adebayor planted his shot past Paul Robinson in the 77th minute. However substitute Mido equalised with a close-range header five minutes from the end of normal time.

Arsenal wobbled in the dying seconds but, as they have proved so often in this run, Wenger’s Young Guns have composure beyond their years. Jeremie Aliadiere, a veteran at 23, hooked home a second with the final kick of the first half of extra time. Seven minutes into the second period, Rosicky’s shot bounced off the post — and then Pascal Chimbonda — before going in.

The sight of the assistant referee indicating to Alan Wiley that the ball had crossed the line was a blessed relief. It had been a night of unremitting tension.

However it ended wonderfully for Arsenal, who now meet Chelsea in the Final on February 25, and sealed perhaps the first truly historic win at Emirates Stadium.

As expected, Wenger stuck with the policy he had employed in the first leg - youngsters, squad players and first-teamers in equal measure. Julio Baptista, scorer of both Arsenal goals at White Hart Lane, was out with a groin injury so Adebayor came in up front. Gilberto returned after suspension therefore Cesc Fabregas was left on the bench. Otherwise the starting XI was exactly the same as the first leg.

For Tottenham, Aaron Lennon was surprisingly listed on the bench. It turned out the England winger had been taken ill just before the game.

Arsenal’s youngsters had the weight of pressure on their shoulders for the first time in the competition. A greater than usual away allocation — the norm for Cup games — only added to a crackling atmosphere.

As at White Hart Lane, Tottenham held the initiative early on. Their first clear chance came in the 10th minute. Robbie Keane timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and race through. But by the time he had collected the ball on the corner of the area, Almunia was upon him. The keeper not only smothered the Irishman’s shot but also, chased him, tackled him and slid the ball out for a throw.

It acted as a wake up call for Arsenal. In the 14th minute Denilson’s shot was fumbled by Paul Robinson and Kolo Toure was first to the follow-up. His connection was poor but the ball did bounce over the prostrate keeper only to trickle agonisingly wide.

Midway through the half Adebayor sent Walcott down the right and his cross was hooked past the far post by Aliadiere. The Togolese frontman then slashed a shot over the bar. Arsenal were starting to flex their muscles.

And there was no one more muscular than Abou Diaby. The 20-year-old’s start in the first leg was his first in almost nine months. However his surging run and shot in the 36th minute suggested that nasty ankle injury was a thing of the past.

A couple of minutes later, Hossam Ghaly skipped past Traore on the right and Steed Malbranque send a stooping header just past the far post. A bad miss.

Arsenal regained their composure and, with it, a measure of control before the break. In injury time, Adebayor had space to turn in the area but his hurried shot flew high over the bar.

The second half began at breakneck pace. Tottenham now had added urgency, Arsenal had a little extra space. Seven minutes in, Denilson sent Walcott clear on the right and he drifted a shot over the bar.

The speed of the game combined with its importance was always going to lead to bookings. Yellows for Diaby and Ghaly early in the second half only added to the atmosphere.

The play was stretching now. There was little midfield control and the game flowed from penalty box to penalty box.

Just before the hour, Adebayor nodded over. Five minutes later, Walcott was replaced by Rosicky. Before play had restarted, Armand Traore went down with what appeared to be cramp. Fortunately Clichy was the perfect replacement.

Denilson had been growing in stature since the first whistle of the first leg. The Brazilian was efficiency personified this evening and even showed a little Samba shuffle as he ghosted past two defenders before hitting the sidenetting 22 minutes from time.

As at White Hart Lane, Arsenal’s substitutes had made a difference. The home side were exerting greater control though it did little to dissipate the tension in the air.

But the opening goal did.

In the 77th minute, Rosicky swapped passes with Aliadiere and fired in a shot. Robinson batted the ball away but could not clear his lines. The Czech midfielder eventually collected and slipped a clever ball to Adebayor, who slotted it past the Tottenham keeper.

Arsenal appeared to have one foot in the Final. However, five minutes from time, Spurs won a free-kick on the right of the area. Jermaine Jenas whipped the ball in and Mido rose among a ruck of players to nod the ball home.

Game on once more.

Suddenly Arsenal were rattled. Spurs began piling forward and, just after the fourth official had indicated five minutes of injury time, Mido shuffled himself into space on the edge of the area and curled an effort inches wide.

However Arsenal would still have two chances to win in normal time. Robinson tipped over Denilson’s piledriver and parried from Toure’s drive.

The Brazilian produced another hand-stinger just after the start of extra time. Understandably, the pace of the game had now dropped — but not the tension.

To be honest there was little to report in the first half. That was until Arsenal scored with the final kick. Denilson’s crossed was nodded into the path of Aliadiere by the stumbling Ricardo Rocha. The Frenchman whipped his shot past Robinson and into the net.

Cue pandemonium.

The emotion was more like relief in the 112th minute when Toure’s long ball was nodded down by Adebayor for Rosicky in the area. The Czech midfielder waltzed around Rocha before shooting goalwards. The ball smacked off the post and then Chimbonda before going in. The former Wigan defender hooked it out but the goal was given.

Alaidiere might have hit a fourth and Defoe worried Almunia at the other end.

However the night belonged to Arsenal.

YouTude Video

Arsène Wenger: 'I'm happy that Kolo scored the goal'

The Wenger's Interview after 4th round Fa Cup
on a game of two halves...
"We didn't have the right sharpness and focus to play at our pace, and we played at their pace and it suited them. From then on I felt because our focus was not maybe sharp enough, our passing was sloppy, we were flat. In the second half, it was a a little bit a repetition of the Man United game. We come out, with good resolutions, and before we can put them into practice we are one-nil down. From then on it was all us, but like when we chase the game like we did it today you are at the mercy of a mistake at the back. They had a chance to score a score another goal when Almunia came out [and saved], but it was all us in the second half and it was a repetition of the Man United second half."

on Arsenal's injury list...
"I will see when we play and with whom we play because at the moment for us it is important not to lose too many players, because first of all you want your good players to be with you and we have important games coming up, and we might have lost again Julio Baptista today. So if we continue to lose players I will have to choose what we go for. We check now, a groin problem, but we hope it's not too bad and he can play on Wednesday."

on a replay at the Reebok...
"I'm not concerned about that. I just said in the FA Cup sometimes, it's better when you play away from home than when you play at home."

on Arsenal's equaliser...
"We have improved a little bit on set-pieces, on heading, and I'm happy that Kolo scored the goal because he was a lion again today. It's a good inspiration for the other players to see how he fights and that he gets the goal - I'm very happy for him."

on Bolton...
"They give you a problem because they put the ball when you don't want it to be, and every time you bring it down they close you down. They have good players, they have Anelka, they have Nolan, they have Campo - they have good players."

on buying to ease their injury problems...
"That's a good question but I cannot give you an answer - I don't think so. We lost now Van Persie - you will see what Baptista has, you know?"

Toure's Goal Video clip

Valentine Day Match : Replay FA Cup

Toure's Goal has been call Gunners back to get replay match on Valentine Day

FA Cup match Report Arsenal : Bolton
By Richard Clarke

It’s official. Arsenal are this season’s ‘comeback kings’.

Last Sunday, Arsène Wenger’s side scored twice late on to beat Manchester United and, on Wednesday, a second-half brace brought their youngsters a wonderful draw at Tottenham. This afternoon they completed the hat-trick in this FA Cup Fourth Round tie.

It seemed the Bolton bogey was going to strike when Kevin Nolan put the visitors in front five minutes into the second half. However 13 minutes from time, Kolo Toure nodded home a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas.

It was the 12th time this season that Arsenal had trailed before coming back to get a result. And, of course, the Ivorian’s goal also protected the team’s unbeaten record at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal will have their work cut-out at the Reebok in the replay. They have registered only one win up there in the last seven visits.

But that came in 2005, the last year Arsenal lifted the trophy. Omens have been made of much less.

In the build-up to this game, Wenger had stated his FA Cup side would be the same as his Premiership side. It suggested the Frenchman another run in this famous old competition. Remember Bolton had ended Arsenal’s stunning sequence in recent years with a 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium in this round last season.

Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Alex Hleb (hamstring) picked up injuries in the midweek fightback at Tottenham while Gilberto sat out the last of his three-game suspension. It meant Justin Hoyte and Theo Walcott retained their starting places from White Hart Lane while Mathieu Flamini stepped in having been a substitute at Spurs.

This was Emirates Stadium’s first FA Cup tie and, as ever, the competition injected an edge into the afternoon’s proceedings. Bolton’s billing as Arsenal’s nemesis did the rest.

The visitors did little to undermine that reputation in the opening half hour.

In the third minute, Stelios floated a corner to the edge of the six-yard box and Kevin Davies, worrying unmarked, guided a header down. Manuel Almunia clutched the ball on the line and the subsequent seconds of hush around Emirates Stadium suggested the crowd knew it was a wonderful opportunity.

On the quarter hour, Stelios again found Davies from a corner and his flick on fell to Ivan Campo at the far post. He hacked over from five yards when he should have at least hit the target.

Inbetween those chances, Henry and Flamini had prodded half-chances at Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskenlainen. However the first real opening for the home side came in the 20th minute when Walcott roared down the right and fired low at the Finn, who gathered at the second attempt. Arsenal had been distinctly second best for the first quarter of the game.

Hoyte’s tempting cross towards Henry at the far post and Flamini’s hoisted shot soon afterwards suggested they were starting to stir. However it did not really materialise.

Four minutes before the break, Arsenal did nearly grab an opportunistic goal. Henry nipped in to collect Ricardo Gardner’s return header to his keeper. The Arsenal captain’s back-heel beat Jasskenlainen at the near post but Abdoulaye Meite slid in to stop the ball trickling over the line.

Adebayor had claims for a penalty almost immediately but referee Mike Dean rightly waved play on. Arsenal continued to press until half time but the best they could muster was a couple of inquisitive corners.

However if Arsenal ended the first half in some sort of ascendancy they would have their wings clipped after the interval.

Within five minutes, they were behind. Nolan flicked to ball to Anelka on the edge of the area and he spread it wide to Davies. The striker fired a cross-cum-shot to the far post. The unmarked Nolan collected, turned and fired a shot between the backtracking Toure and the upright.

Suddenly, we had a game. Almunia made a superb one-handed side to prevent Nolan skipping through then at the other end an unmarked Walcott volleyed wide when he might have scored.

Arsenal were still struggling with Bolton’s traditional weapon — the high, hanging ball into the area. The perfect illustration came in the 54th minute when Davies flicked on for Nolan to hook the ball over the bar.

However, in general, the home side responded well. Henry’s free-kick deflected over the bar then he just failed to lift the ball over Jaaskelainen after good work from Adebayor down the right.

In the 63rd minute, the Bolton keeper failed to hold a long-range drive from Fabregas and the Togolese striker flailed the rebound wide.

With games stacking up, Wenger knew he could ill- afford a replay. That is why he had packed his bench with attacking options. Julio Baptista came on for Hoyte, a defender, after 70 minutes. Jeremie Aliadiere would follow him off the bench in the latter stages.

By that time, Arsenal were chasing a winner. They got on level terms in the 77th minute when Fabregas put a free-kick into the heart of the Bolton area. The ball skimmed off the head of Gary Speed and Toure ghosted in at the far post to plant home a diving header.

Baptista’s late far-post header was as close as they came to a winner.

Preview FA Cup:Arsenal-Bolton Wanderers

By Richard Clarke

It is hard to remember three such strenuous tests of Arsenal’s character in the space of just eight days.

Having produced two-goal comebacks against their traditional title rivals, Manchester United, and their traditional local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsène Wenger will be hoping there will be no such heroics necessary for the visit of their traditional bogey team on Sunday.

Arsenal have won just two of their last 10 games against Bolton Wanderers. They lost the Premiership match at the Reebok Stadium on November 25 and were knocked out of the FA Cup in a Fourth Round tie at the same venue last season.

On Sunday it will be exactly a year since that defeat. And Wenger wants this Fourth Round clash to show the extent to which his young side have grown up — mentally and physically.

“Bolton are always a good character test,” he smiled at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “But they are a good side aswell. People sometimes forget that.

“OK they might have minimal resources but they have Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf. They are not minimal resources players for me. This team can play.

“You can not say that Gary Speed is not a football player. Nor Ivan Campo or Kevin Nolan. They are good football players. Chelsea wanted Tal Ben Haim. It is not just because he can kick the ball, it is because he is a good defender. That is why they are a team who get results.”

Wenger has six players injured: William Gallas (thigh), Alex Hleb (hamstring), Robin Van Persie (foot), Emmanuel Eboue (ankle), Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) and Johan Djourou (hamstring). In addition, Gilberto will be seeing out the final game of his suspension.

The Arsenal manager has already stated that his FA Cup side this year would be similar to his Premiership side. That means few of the ‘Carling Cup kids’ will be used. Ironically the only one of the squad players employed at Tottenham certain to retain his place is Manuel Almunia. The 29-year-old was the oldest Arsenal player on show at White Hart Lane. However Thierry Henry is likely to be involved.

“Well I have 14 players available in the next two games so the choice is quite reduced,” said Wenger. “But the advantage is I have no decision to make. I think Thierry will play but Jens is out just to rest him.”

If anyone is likely to bring Arsenal down with a bump it is Bolton. Understandably they have revelled in the success their grit and guts has achieved over Wenger’s guile and style. However the manager believes his side now possesses much greater substance these days.

“I have felt we have not had the best of games when we go up there to Bolton,” remarked the manager. “Saying that we were a bit unlucky this year, Anelka scored two sensational goals and we had the best part of the game.

“Maybe one or two years ago we were not ready to face this type of opponent. But we are now. I feel the team has improved a lot on that side recently.”

Sitting the Bolton examination on Sunday will tell us just how much..

Arsenal.com

Wenger - I like Bale, but I won't bid for him

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger is a fan of Gareth Bale but he does not want to sign the Southampton left back.

Bale has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium, a year after Theo Walcott made the same journey from the south coast. Wenger has kept his eye on the Wales international but believes that Arsenal are well-stocked in that department with Gael Clichy and Armand Traore both making steady progress.

"I think Bale is a potentially great player but I am not in the race because I have two left backs," said the Arsenal manager. "But the club who gets him will have a good deal - an expensive one but a good player.

"I have looked at Bale a lot. We have been looking at him because if he comes up for a normal price it's OK but we have already spent a lot for Theo Walcott. [If we bought Bale too] we would be the biggest sponsors of Southampton."

Arsenal.com

Wenger - Walcott will overcome 'growing pains'

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has backed Theo Walcott to come through his recent dip in form and emerge a better player.

Arsenal’s 17-year-old winger made some sparkling cameo appearances at the start of the season but had a quiet game at Tottenham on Wednesday in a rare start.

His manager puts this down to ‘growing pains’ as a footballer. The cure would be provided simply by a good game or a goal.

“I think he has developed very well in the year he has been with us but recently he had a little dip in form,” said Wenger.

“He is certainly a miles better player than six months ago. But I feel at the moment he needs a goal or a shot of confidence. He looks a bit short of it right now.

“I think it is necessary to go through that period when you are 17-years old. At the start it is all worryless, fresh and new. After that the responsibility hits you and you go through a little patch like that. But he is a level-headed boy and analyses things well though sometimes that is a disadvantage.

”I still think going to the World Cup speeded up his maturity and he will be ready earlier than everybody else. But you go through periods in your career. And when you grow at 17 sometimes physically you have a period where you feel a little bit less good. I think he is going through that period right now.”

Arsenal.com

Result : Bubtista Hatrick Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal

Julio Baptista blasted 3 goals by 1 og goals then get Arsenal flight back for 2 more goals to Help the Gunners Back to Final of Carling Cup Road

Macth Report from Asenal.com

By Richard Clarke

Julio Baptista blasted two more Carling Cup goals as Arsenal produced an incredible comeback against Tottenham in the Semi-Final first leg at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night.

Arsène Wenger’s Young Guns have already won well at Everton and Liverpool in this competiton this season but were caught in a Spurs maelstrom in the opening 20 minutes tonight. Dimitar Berbatov’s header and an own goal by Julio Baptista left the visitors reeling.

However, as the senior side demonstrated on Sunday, Arsenal do not know when they are beaten. Baptista, scorer at four goals at Anfield in the last round, bulldozered through to score in the 63rd minute and then tapped home after great work from Justin Hoyte 13 minutes from time.

Given the nature of the two sides, the occasion and the opponents, it was an utterly astonishing reverse.

Having almost been knocked out in the opening rounds, Arsenal are now well ahead on points at the halfway stage of this particular fight.

If they box clever in the second leg at Emirates Stadium next week, they will secure a place in the Final against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on February 25

Wenger remained true to his Carling Cup principles and put out a side heavy with youth. Armand Traore, 17, Theo Walcott, 17 and Denilson, 18, all made the first XI while Mark Randall, 17, was on the bench. Abou Diaby, still only 20, started his first game since suffering a broken and dislocated ankle at Sunderland on May Day last year.

However the presence of Emmanuel Eboue, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini on the bench suggested that Wenger was well aware a Cup Final appearance was at stake.

For their part, Tottenham were at full strength — and the first half would certainly reflect that.

Aaron Lennon and Berbatov dominated the opening stages. In the third minute the England winger skipped past Traore and Diaby only for Hoyte to hack his cross away. Almost immediately, Berbatov drove the ball into the sidenetting.

Aliadiere burst through for Arsenal allowing Fabregas and Denilson to unleash shots at goal. Both were charged down.

However by this time Tottenham had taken charge. It was no surprise to see them snatch the lead in the 12th minute. The simple nature of the goal was much more of a concern.

Defoe floated a cross from the right to the far post. It flew over Kolo Toure and an unmarked Berbatov had the simplest of headers past Manuel Alumina.

The Spanish keeper then blocked from Defoe as Spurs pushed for a second. They would only have to wait until the 19th minute.

This time the ball came from the left. Tom Huddlestone fired at free-kick low to the near post, Michael Dawson jumped over the ball and a surprised Baptista deflected the ball past Almunia. Again it was a highly preventable goal and Arsenal’s youngsters were in danger of leaving themselves far too much to do.

However their response was rousing. And the sight of Berbatov hobbling shortly afterwards certainly helped their cause.

They began to push Tottenham back for the first sustained period in the game. However it only produced one real chance. In the 27th minute Hoyte combined well with Walcott and then Aliadiere to give himself a clear sight of goal. Dawson raced across to charge down his drive. It was a vital intervention.

Lennon was still lethal however. On the half hour Toure was booked for illegally ending his rampaging run through the middle. Steed Malbranque cracked a shot over the bar and then an unmarked Dawson missed a header from close range.

However Arsenal might have hauled themselves back into contention with the last kick of the half. But an unmarked Baptista miscued five yards out when trying to turn in a corner by Fabregas.

The visitors were invigorated at the start of the second period. They pinned Tottenham back in their half but crucially could not force Paul Robinson into action.

Wenger made changes. He brought on Eboue and Hleb for Diaby and Aliadiere in search of a goal. Walcott was switched up front. It made an immediate difference. Dawson had to nod off his own line after Senderos had beaten Robinson in the air to a free-kick from Fabregas. Baptista had a shot blocked and then a dangerous drive by Fabregas was cleared.

Arsenal snatched their lifeline in the 64th minute. Eboue cut in from the right and crossed low into the heart of the area. The ball ran loose in the area as the challenges flew in and Baptista picked himself off the floor to power past Dawson then poke the ball home.

Suddenly Arsenal were in the ascendancy. Hleb and Fabregas both had efforts blocked and Tottenham’s forays forward were becoming rare. The most dangerous they got was when Hoyte hacked clear from Defoe’s low cross.

However the Arsenal right back would make a crucial intervention at the other end in the 77th minute. Fabregas sent Hoyte clear on the right hand side. He burst to the byline and measured a cross to the far post. Baptista arrived on time to bundle the ball home.

Tottenham were not spent. Almost immediately Defoe forced a decent save from Almunia.

However, after Flamini had replaced the limping Hleb, Arsenal might well have nicked a win at the death when Walcott volleyed wide from a deep hanging cross by Fabregas

That would have been the perfect finish to the fightback.

Arsenal.com

Wenger - I feared Diaby's career was over

By Richard Clarke

Abou Diaby returns to the Arsenal starting line-up this evening nine months after the challenge that Arsène Wenger feared may have ended his career.

The distress signals rang out on May Day last year as the French midfielder, then 19, was stretchered off in the final minutes at Sunderland. He had suffered a broken AND dislocated ankle. He would need complicated surgery, infinite patience plus a straight-forward rehabilitation. Wenger was fearful.

“I had a big doubt in my mind that he would come back,” he said. “They told me first that the broken ankle was very serious and they needed advice from the surgeon. He was only optimistic after the surgery. That is when he said Abou should recover normally. It was the first relief for me."

Did he have thoughts it might end his career?

“Yes,” replied Wenger. “And even after the surgery you never know how his rehabilitation will go and whether he will have any set-backs.

“He did have to have surgery on his knee so he needed to be really patient. But what is good at his age is he can recover fully and secondly when they have such a big blow they come back stronger mentally. They go through such a lot of suffering and that makes them stronger.”

Diaby’s contribution should not be underestimated. For all the talk of Theo Walcott, Wenger's other teenage signing in January would feature in 16 games. His first start was in last season’s Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg against Wigan at Highbury. He was substituted at half time that night after the first 45 minutes passed him by. But his latter performances brought comparisons with another lanky French midfielder bought over by Wenger very early in his career. Though the manager is wary of calling him the new Patrick Vieira.

“They are not similar sorts of players at all really,” said Wenger. “In the style of run and behaviour and especially in the strength of the challenges he reminds me of Patrick. But after that he is a different type of player. At the start of his career Patrick was more of a tackler and defensive player.

“But, having said that, it is strange because since Abou has come back from injury he is going into that kind of role. Before he was only interested in attacking, now he uses his strength in the challenges more.

“Abou is one of these players who needs a big boost of confidence. That’s a little bit of difference with Patrick, who had an assertive authority in his own game. Abou has not had as much experience and you could see when he played regularly last season he became stronger and stronger. He had a real authority of his own. Now he will need to go through that process again.”

Preview Carling Cup: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

By Richard Clarke

So far Arsenal’s Carling Cup campaign has been all about education, education, education.

Arsène Wenger’s young side have been to West Brom, Everton and Liverpool, each time coming back with their reputation enhanced. Yet although those can be considered taxing tutorials they pale in comparison to the examination confronting the ‘Young Guns’ this evening.

White Hart Lane is the most unlikely finishing school for anyone sporting the red and white of Arsenal. It may be ‘only’ the Carling Cup — reportedly fourth out of four in Wenger’s list of priorities — however this Semi-Final first leg will be played with the passion and pace of any North London derby. Despite all that Wenger can see the benefits.

“Frankly I would have liked an easier run of games to the Semi-Final,” said the manager. “But there is nothing like a tough education in life.

“When you are a parent you want your children to have a little less of a tough education and something a bit more soft. But at the end of the day if they get through it then you know they are equipped for the demands of playing at a club like Arsenal.”

The youngsters are not only equipped, Wenger argues their quality is actually pushing the first team to greater heights.

“I made a decision at the start of the Carling Cup that, because we have such a young squad, I needed to know about them,” he said.

“I could not waste a year with players who did not get top-level competition. To give them an education I needed to choose one trophy and play them in there. I did that in the Carling Cup.

“At the moment this team pushes so hard that you can see it has an effect in the first team. They know the competition is just so hard.”

Wenger has bolstered his squad this evening with a number of first-teamers. Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Alex Hleb and Justin Hoyte all have more than 10 Premiership starts this season. However Denilson, Mark Randall, Armand Traore and Theo Walcott certainly represent the future of the Club. Meanwhile Abou Diaby, only 20 himself, is likely to start after nine months out with a broken and dislocated ankle.

“This is not only a Semi-Final, it is London derby and against Tottenham,” said Wenger. “That shows you the task will be very big. I am confident that not only they can do it but they really want to do it.

“When you can win at Everton and Liverpool you can win anywhere in England or in Europe. I was not surprised by the quality of their play at Anfield but perhaps I was by the score. I did not expect six goals.

“Of course this will be a different game with a different problem and we have to find the solution. We certainly want to score away from home tonight. Basically we went out at the Semi Final stage last year because we did not get a goal in the first leg at their ground.

“Overall I feel our young players are making progress. In the last four years our strength has become deeper and our young players have become better.

“But, in our job, talent is one thing then you have to show it on the pitch with no inhibitions. If you want to be an Arsenal player you need to do that.”

Let the lesson begin.

Final Score : Gunner shot Red Devil back to the grave

By Super Goal of Thery Henry Header let Arsenal Shot Manu and still keep no lost stat in Emirates Stadium

This is match Report from Arsenal.com

Full time - Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United - Thierry Henry's injury-time header secures all three points for the Gunners. When Rooney put the visitors ahead early in the second half with a quality header of his own, Arsenal's unbeaten record at Emirates looked in doubt. But substitute Robin van Persie turned in with seven minutes to go before the rejuvenated Henry completed a memorable turn around at the death.

90 mins - GOAl! Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United - Thierry Henry! An unbelievable finish here at Emirates! Deep into injury time, Eboue centres and Henry climbs above Vidic to power a header over Van der Sar. It was a superb cross from the Ivorian and an even better header from the captain. A memorable winner.

88 mins - It's full steam ahead Arsenal! The ball just gets ahead of Henry as he tries to turn in the box but the clearance falls only as far as Rosicky. Unfortunately the midfielder swipes his shot wide.

83 mins - GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United - Get in! The ball is played in low from the right, Henry tries a flick but misses, allowing the ball to roll through to Van Persie who slides it in at the back post. A fine finish from the Dutchman. Game on...

77 mins - Van Persie pumps in a free-kick. Ferdinand clears. Then he whips in a corner. Ferdinand clears. The United defender has been fantastic this afternoon. Nonetheless Arsenal are giving it a go and not a second is being wasted as they continuly probe the visitors' backline.

73 mins - A goalmouth scramble presents two opportunities to Adebayor. Neither are easy though and Van der Sar makes it difficult before the bouncing ball is finally cleared away.

68 mins - Rosicky tries to cleverly bend the ball up and over Van der Sar. He caught the Dutch keeper flat footed but his effort drifted high and wide.

67 mins - Wenger makes his first substitution as Alexander Hleb makes way for Robin van Persie.

62 mins - Henry looks to get in on goal but Ferdinand does well to get his body between the Arsenal captain and the ball. The Frenchman feels he was impeded but it was solid defending from the United centre back.

55 mins - The ball falls for Rosicky on the edge of the box but his rasping drive skids marginally wide of the upright.

53 mins - GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Manchester United - Patrice Evra's cross from the left takes the slightest of touches off Adebayor into the path of Wayne Rooney. The England striker stoops to guide his header inside Lehmann's near post.

51 mins - Rosicky tries to thread in Adebayor but the United defence stand firm. Ferdinand and Vidic deserve credit for restricting the number of balls through to our strikers.

47 mins - A positive start to the second period from Arsenal. Their early pressure results in a chance for Fabregas but the Spaniard's shot from the edge of the box is comfortbably held by Van der Sar.

Half time - Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United - Still goalless here at Emirates. After a positive start from the visitors Arsenal began imposed themselves on the game and created a handful of half chances. United always looked threatening however and Jens Lehmann had to be alert to prevent efforts from Wayne Rooney and Henrik Larsson on the half time whistle. Both managers will probably want more from their sides after the break.

45 mins - Jens Lehmann makes two superb saves in quick succession to deny the visitors. First he tipped over a swirling long-range effort from Rooney before palming away Henrik Larsson's header from the resulting corner.

44 mins - Henry blasts a free-kick into the United wall but the rebound falls invitingly back to the Frenchman. His drive is low and hard but Van der Sar watches it into his arms.

40 mins - Ryan Giggs tries to lob Jens Lehmann from the right of the box but the German keeper's having none of it. Moments earlier the ambitious Mathieu Flamini had fired over at the other end.

36 mins - Thierry Henry goes down in the penalty area under a challenge from Gary Neville. Referee Steve Bennett waves play on but replays suggest Arsenal have been hard done by.

32 mins - Adebayor floats a fantastic cross towards Thierry Henry at the far post. The French striker gets his head on the ball but directs it straight into the arms of Van der Sar.

30 mins - Cesc Fabregas has a go from 25-yards. His vicious strike looks goalbound until it strikes Vidic and deflects out for corne, which United clear.

27 mins - Arsenal have definitely stepped it up after United threatened to take the game to them early on. Tomas Rosicky whips in a corner but the commanding Van der Sar punches clear.

22 mins - Adebayor's cross is flicked out of the penalty area and Tomas Rosicky races forward to meet the ball on the half volley. Unfortunately, the Czech midfielder's effort was always going over.

21 mins - The visitors win a corner but Philippe Senderos does enough to stop Nemanja Vidic getting his header on target.

18 mins - It's getting a bit scrappy. A string of free-kicks for both sides have disrupted the flow of play in the last few minutes.

12 mins - Thierry Henry darts in from the left before trying his luck from an impossible angle. Catching practice for Edwin Van der Sar.

8 mins - Arsenal have their first meaningful spell of possession but the United reaguard stands strong.

5 mins - Manchester United have had a good opening five minutes. Ryan Giggs digs out the first effort on goal but it sails harmlessly wide.

2 mins - We're underway here. There's been little to report on the pitch so far but the Emirates crowd are in fine voice.

Welcome to Emirates Stadium for this afternoon’s crunch Premiership encounter with Manchester United.

Arsène Wenger names Mathieu Flamini in place of the suspended Gilberto while Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue come in for Robin van Persie and Justin Hoyte, who are both named on the bench.

Manchester United's most notable inclusion is that of Henrik Larsson alongside Wayne Rooney in attack.