Wenger - We have the quality to cope without Gilberto

By Chris Harris

Gilberto will pay a heavy price for his red card at Blackburn but Arsène Wenger believes that his team can cope with the loss of their influential midfielder.

The Brazilian will miss the Premiership clash with Manchester United, the Carling Cup Semi Final first leg at Tottenham and the FA Cup tie against Bolton. However Wenger is confident that his squad will rise to the occasion once again.

"Gilberto will be missing but we feel that with the spirit and quality we have we can cope with that," he said. "We have had three different teams in our last three games but produced the same quality. We are very proud of that at the Club."

Wenger described Gilberto's dismissal at Ewood Park as "harsh" but praised Robbie Savage following reports that the Rovers midfielder, whose foul provoked the Brazilian's reaction, asked referee Rob Styles not to send the Arsenal midfielder off.

"It is very fair from him and if he has done that I thank him because from the outside the red card looked harsh," said Wenger. "You have to accept it because Gilberto retaliated and really he should not have retalitated at all.

"Savage could have stayed on his feet but I think he realised he made more of it than he should have. He said to the referee 'don't send him off' because I think he realised he should not have gone down.

"But if you ask the referee he will tell you he sent Gilberto off for retaliating and he will gain his case at the FA because [the rules say] it is a red-card offence."

Arsenal.com

Aliadiere wants to stay - and Wenger wants to keep him

By Chris Harris

Jeremie Aliadiere wants to stay at Arsenal and fight for his first-team place - and Arsène Wenger wants to keep him.

The French striker has been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium but he insists his priority is to establish himself at the Club he joined in 1999 as a 16-year-old.

"I never said I wanted to leave the Club," Aliadiere told Arsenal.com. "All I said was that I wanted to play. That's my priority. I want to play football.

"I want to be involved every weekend but I haven't played a lot in the last six months since I came back from my loan last season. Obviously if I can't play here then I will have to play somewhere else, but Arsenal is my priority.

"There's a lot of competition, a lot of great players and it's really hard to get your place in there but I think every time I've got the opportunity to play I've done my best and in training every day as well. That's all I can do."

Aliadiere did his prospects no harm whatsoever with an outstanding performance in the Carling Cup at Anfield on Tuesday. He scored one goal, won a penalty and set up three of Julio Baptista's quartet in that incredible 6-3 victory over Liverpool.

Aliadiere's excellence did not go unnoticed. Wenger sympathises with his compatriot's plight but he wants the 23-year-old to remain in a pool of strikers which also includes Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor.

"Players like Aliadiere are sometimes difficult to keep because I cannot give him the number of games he wants and deserves," said Wenger at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"But I do not want to lose him because I have worked for seven years with him now. He is a super player and I do not want to sell him. He does not want to go on loan, he wants to play somewhere and I can understand that.

"He has three more years on his contract and I hope he will see that out."

Arsenal.com

Player of the Month:Gilberto Silva

Gilberto has been named as Arsenal.com's Player of the Month for December.

The industrious Brazilian excelled as stand-in captain in the absence of the injured Thierry Henry and enjoyed arguably his most productive month for the Gunners, scoring five goals.

The 30-year-old is not renowned for his potency in front of goal but he kicked off the month with two emphatic spot kicks in the North London derby as the Gunners put Tottenham to the sword.

Full involvement followed as Arsène Wenger’s side earned vital draws against Porto in the Champions League and against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In the latter Gilberto made a crucial intervention to deny Didier Drogba a goal.

Perhaps his most important contribution however was in the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth at Emirates Stadium. Two goals down after 47 minutes, Gilberto pulled Arsenal level just moments after Emmanuel Adebayor had leapt off the bench to reduce the deficit.

That equaliser sparked a run which saw Gilberto score in three successive games as Blackburn and Watford both suffered the wrath of the free-scoring Samba star. It seemed everything that went right for Arsenal in December was in some way down to the deputising skipper.

Adebayor was another to flourish in the absence of Henry and truly earned his place as runner-up in this month's poll with strikes against Spurs, Wigan, Portsmouth and Watford. Dutchman Robin van Persie was another to hit a purple patch over the festive period and fans voted him third thanks to a clinical brace against Blackburn and a fine solo effort at Watford. Arsenal supporter Alex Green will present Gilberto with his award before the game against Manchester United on Sunday, January 21.

"Gilberto has been fantastic for us, especially in Henry's absence,” said Alex.

“He's a true unsung hero for the Gunners, who simply goes about his job with the minimum of fuss, scores important goals and inspires the rest of the team."

Wenger - Ljungberg still has 'a lot to offer' at Arsenal

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger has responded to media reports about Freddie Ljungberg's future by insisting that the Swedish midfielder still has "a lot to offer" at Arsenal.

"There has been much speculation about Freddie Ljungberg in the media over the last few days," Wenger told Arsenal.com, "but given his dedication and contribution to the team's success since joining the Club I feel it is important to state that Freddie is a valuable member of our squad.

"Although I can't predict the future, Freddie's experience and winner's attitude means he still has a lot to offer us."

Arsenal.com

4 Day 9 Goals : Last Score Liverpool 3 - 6 Arsenal

By Chris Harris

No, you didn't mis-read the scoreline. It really did finish Liverpool 3 Arsenal 6. This was an incredible game and an incredible night for Julio Baptista.

The Brazilian arrived at Anfield without a goal to his name in English domestic football and, some might say, with plenty to prove. He left Merseyside a few hours later with the match ball and an enhanced reputation after his four-goal salvo propelled Arsenal into a Carling Cup Semi-Final showdown with Spurs.

The outstanding Jeremie Aliadiere got the ball rolling in the 26th minute. Robbie Fowler levelled but Baptista curled home a sumptous free-kick to restore Arsenal's lead and added another seconds before the break after Alex Song had broken his duck. Jerzy Dudek saved Baptista's penalty early in the second half but the Brazilian soon completed his hat-trick. Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia scored to hint at a Liverpool comeback but Baptista put the seal on a famous victory with his fourth - and Arsenal's sixth.

Baptista's goals grabbed the headlines but this performance spoke volumes for the quality and depth of Arsenal's squad. From front to back they were excellent. For Liverpool though this was a humiliation. They haven't conceded six at Anfield for 77 years and are now licking their wounds after two Cup exits at the hands of Arsenal in just four days. Rafa Benitez must be sick of the sight of them.

As expected Arsène Wenger made wholesale changes from the side which won so impressively here in the FA Cup. In came Cesc Fabregas, Baptista, Denilson, Song, Johan Djourou, Aliadiere, Justin Hoyte, Armand Traore and Theo Walcott. Manuel Almunia kept his place in goal while Toure took the captain's armband for the first time in the absence of Thierry Henry and Gilberto. And on the bench sat Henri Lansbury, a 16-year-old who joined Arsenal's academy at the age of nine.

With Liverpool equally unrecognisable from the side which succumbed on Saturday, it took a while for the game to get going. In fact much of the opening stages were taken up by a nasty injury to Mark Gonzalez, who was stretchered off after a seemingly innocuous tackle on Fabregas.

The Spaniard's misfortune made for a muted atmosphere around Anfield, in stark contrast to the booming noise which accompanied Saturday's tie. The home fans were even quieter after Aliadiere gave Arsenal the lead.

Toure showed good vision to pick out the French striker's diagonal run, Aliadiere beat the offside trap and a fantastic first touch gave him the chance to test Dudek as the keeper rushed out. His first effort bounced off Dudek's chest but Aliadiere rolled in the loose ball. One-nil to the Arsenal.

Until then Liverpool had been the better side. Stephen Warnock looked sharp on the left and tested Almunia with a handful of whipped crosses. Craig Bellamy, offering the pace the home side lacked on Saturday, looked menacing. Gerrard lashed a low shot straight at Almunia and Toure made a vital interception after Bellamy and Danny Guthrie linked up well on the right.

Given their early pressure, it was no great surprise when Liverpool equalised five minutes after falling behind. Song was penalised - somewhat unfairly - for a tackle on Fowler, Fabio Aurelio fired in the free-kick, Almunia parried, Luis Garcia showed good presence of mind to cut the ball back and Fowler netted his 12th goal in 16 games against Arsenal with a cheeky backheel.

Arsenal had to dig in as Gerrard took a brief grip in midfield but six minutes before the break the visitors restored their advantage. Aliadiere won a free kick 25 yards out; Baptista and Toure plotted while the Liverpool wall formed. Dudek, apparently expecting a piledriver from the Arsenal captain, shuffled to his left. Baptista curled the ball into the net to the keeper's right. Not a bad way to open your domestic account.

Wenger would have taken a 2-1 lead at the break. In the event his team led 4-1, scoring twice in the six minutes of stoppage time which was added on, ironically, because of Gonzalez's injury. Song grabbed Arsenal's third in fortuitous fashion as Hyypia's attempted clearance bounced in off the midfielder after Fabregas' corner had cleared a bunch of players at the near post.

Then, in the final seconds of the first half, Aliadiere broke the offside trap again and sensibly squared the ball for Baptista. The Brazilian tapped in and the away fans celebrated again, hardly believing what was unfolding in front of them.

Baptista, finally showing the promise which tempted Wenger to bring him to Emirates Stadium, had a chance to complete his hat-trick 10 minutes into the second half after Aliadiere had been tripped by Hyypia. Dudek, who knows a thing or two about saving spot-kicks, pushed Baptista's penalty away. But the Brazilian was soon celebrating again. Aliadiere, growing in confidence with every minute, picked out Baptista with a fizzing pass and he fired low into the corner. An hour gone, and Arsenal were 5-1 up. Incredible.

By now Benitez had brought on Xabi Alonso and the Spaniard, alongside Gerrard, started to exert his authority in midfield. It wasn't long before the Liverpool comeback began. With 67 minutes on the clock Hyypia headed the ball into the Arsenal box. It was half-cleared and a fortunate ricochet took it into the path of Gerrard, lurking on the edge of the area. The England midfielder executed a perfect volley to give Liverpool hope.

That hope turned to something approaching expectation when Hyypia nodded in Gabriel Paletta's cross with 11 minutes left. Surely Arsenal couldn't throw this away? No, they couldn't. With seven minutes left Aliadiere got to the byline again and squared for Baptista again. The Brazilian scored again to end Liverpool's resistance.

So, six goals, a place in the Carling Cup Semi-Finals and, just as importantly, a substitute appearance from Abou Diaby after eight months on the sidelines with a fractured and dislocated ankle. It was good to see the Frenchman back and he looked assured during his nineteen-minute cameo.

But the night belonged to Baptista. As the Anfield crowd streamed out at the final whistle, a recent hit by The Automatic was played over the tannoy: "What's that coming over the hill, is it a monster?". Not exactly. It was The Beast.

Arsenal.com

3rd Macth : Preview Liverpool Vs Arsenal

Arsène Wenger has named his 16-man squad for tonight's Carling Cup tie against Liverpool.

As revealed by Arsenal.com yesterday, Abou Diaby is the notable inclusion. The French midfielder is in line for his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt since fracturing and dislocating his ankle at Sunderland last May.

Cesc Fabregas is back after serving a suspension during Saturday's FA Cup win at Anfield while Kolo Toure and Johan Djourou look set to start in central defence.

Wenger has opted for a blend of internationals and inexperienced youngsters. That second category includes Henri Lansbury, yet to feature for the first team.

Mark Randall and Armand Traore are included after featuring in the Carling Cup victories at West Brom and Everton this season while Matthew Connolly is back from his loan spell at Bournemouth.

2. Abou Diaby
4. Francesc Fabregas
5. Kolo Toure
9. Julio Baptista
15. Denilson
17. Alex Song
20. Johan Djourou
21. Mart Poom
24. Manuel Almunia
30. Jeremie Aliadiere
31. Justin Hoyte
32. Theo Walcott
33. Matthew Connolly
40. Henri Lansbury
43. Mark Randall
45. Armand Traore

Arsène Wenger will perform a familiar balancing act when he takes his Arsenal side back up to Anfield for their second Cup tie in four days against Liverpool.

The Arsenal manager has traditionally used the Carling Cup as a vehicle to develop young players but his starting line-up will include a liberal sprinkling of experience as the Frenchman plots another knockout blow on Merseyside.

"We always adjust to the difficulty we face and I feel we are always in between two problems," Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"One is to reward the players who have fought through until now, and the other is to make the team good enough to have a chance to win the game. It is always about finding the right balance because some players have done extremely well in this competition, they have shown a lot of desire.

"Liverpool is a tough opponent so I have to find the right balance and that's why I will approximately rebuild the team but as well some players who are coming back from injury will have a chance to play. For me I have 20 outfield players of the same level and 10 of them will play."

The most notable inclusion in Wenger's squad is Abou Diaby. The French midfielder has not played since suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle at Sunderland last May but he completed his first full training session five days ago and is in contention for a welcome return.

This time last week Arsenal had 10 first-team players on the injured list. Seven days later only Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) is still struggling although Emmanuel Adebayor, William Gallas (both thigh) and Lauren (toe) will be given more time to regain full fitness. Theo Walcott and Julio Baptista, both of whom returned from injury with substitute appearances on Saturday, could start tonight.

Wenger's squad is certainly in far ruder health than it was when this game was abandoned due to fog on December 19. Confidence is also high after that FA Cup triumph at Anfield three days ago. Merseyside has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal this season - they won at Everton in the previous round of this competition. And victory tonight will set up another mouthwatering tie against North London rivals Tottenham.

"We should gain confidence for difficult trips because we have shown we can handle that at West Brom and Everton," said Wenger. "Especially the Everton game, I feel the team played without any fear and I hope we can repeat that kind of performance.

"Playing Tottenham in the Semi-Finals is a huge incentive for us and of course having played Liverpool in the FA Cup we will go up there again with the same desire. The target is to beat Liverpool twice. Going into the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup is a great motivation for us and we will try to do it.

"I just hope it's not foggy again!"

Welcome Back Diaby

By Chris Harris

Diaby is back in the Arsenal squad for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at Liverpool.

The French midfielder has not played since suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle at Sunderland last May but he completed his first full training session on Thursday and is in contention for a welcome return at Anfield.

Diaby's recovery is the latest in a long line of promising injury news. As Arsène Wenger explained on Monday afternoon, Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) is currently the only player without a chance of featuring in Saturday's Premiership game at Ewood Park.

"We have Diaby in the squad for the first time and Emmanuel Adebayor is very strongly coming back. Blackburn is possible for him," said Wenger.

"Lauren is not in the squad for Liverpool, he has a small toe injury. William Gallas will not play either. But basically the only real injury is Ljungberg, he needs one more week after Blackburn.

"That is why I said for a long time that I won't buy anyone [in the transfer window]. I knew I had enough players when they came back from injury."

Subscribers can watch the full video interview with Wenger on Tuesday. In it he discusses: the questions his team answered in the FA Cup, striking a balance with his team selection, previous near-misses in the Carling Cup, Henry's impressive return and the threat of fixture congestion.

I hope this MF will be another young man who will be main team in the future