Showing posts with label Match Highlights. Show all posts

Newcastle 0 Arsenal 1 : Match Report, Reaction and Highlights

20th May 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo



Arsenal will be in the Champions League for a 16th successive year after Laurent Koscielny's strike secured a priceless 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday. Arsene Wenger's team looked likely to miss out on a lucrative top four finish in the Premier League when they were seven points adrift of north London rivals Tottenham with only 10 games to play.But the Gunners' unblemished record of qualifying for Europe's elite club competition under Wenger was extended thanks to Koscielny's goal early in the second half at St James' Park.


It brought Arsenal their fifth successive away win and maintained their excellent form in the second half of the season, a period when they have picked up more points than any team in the top flight. There was an extra edge to Arsenal's celebrations as their success came at the expense of Tottenham, who finished one point behind the Gunners in fifth place. Newcastle's third successive home defeat was a disappointment for a crowd of 52,354. But, following the victory at QPR that confirmed their Premier League status, the main focus for Newcastle was the final game of Steve Harper, the goalkeeper who has spent two decades at the club.


Captain for the day and wearing the No.37 jersey, Harper was applauded by the fans before and after the match and received a remarkable standing ovation in the 37th minute. In truth, Harper must have expected a much more hectic exit because the odds were always loaded against Newcastle in view of Arsenal's excellent form in recent weeks. They were unbeaten in their previous nine games and the confidence engendered by that run was soon obvious.

Newcastle were outnumbered and outmanoeuvred in midfield where Santi Cazorla, Thomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey prospered with the security of Mikel Arteta behind them.But, for all their possession, Arsenal created few tests for Harper in the opening stages, although Koscielny did head narrowly wide from a 12th minute corner. Arsenal were forced to alter their midfield shape in the 28th minute when Arteta was injured and replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Ramsey was given a more defensive role but Arsenal retained their midfield edge and should have gone ahead in the 31st minute. Cazorla was given time and space on the edge of the area to meet a cross from Kieran Gibbs, but his shot lacked conviction. Newcastle's more direct style, allied to the trickery of Hatem Ben Arfa, brought another chance which the French international failed to steer under the bar.

Arsenal required only 30 seconds of the second-half to carve out a better opportunity than they had created in the entire opening 45 minutes. Ramsey seized on a poor clearance by Harper to send Theo Walcott clear, but Harper made amends with a low save, although he was fortunate that no Arsenal player was closing in on the rebound. If Arsenal's followers expected it to herald a more imaginative and aggressive second-half performance, they were quickly proved right as Wenger's team finally broke through in the 52nd minute.

Walcott's free-kick was won by Lukas Podolski and fell perfectly for French defender Koscielny to turn and volley in via Harper's head. Newcastle's earlier attacking instincts had faded by now and their prospects were further damaged by an injury to Yohan Cabaye, who went off after only 57 minutes. Arsenal, once notorious for their ability to grind out 1-0 wins, seemed content with that scoreline once again, although Oxlade-Chamberlain did threaten with a long-range effort in the 70th minute.


Ben Arfa remained Newcastle's best hope of a reply but his final shot of the match was wayward in the 70th minute. It meant Arsenal were able to cruise to a vital victory without any late scares and it would have been more convincing if Walcott had taken a glorious chance in stoppage-time instead of hitting the post.

Arsenal won the race for fourth place, a Champions League play off awaits but a much needed summer transfer with few quality players to challenge once again.


ArsenalSupremo MOTM : Laurent Koscielny

Match Pictures

Arsenal Starting 11 : Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski

Subs : Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud

Booked: Rosicky.
Goal: Koscielny 52.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Attendance: 52,354.

Newcastle: Harper, Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa (Campbell 81), Ben Arfa, Cabaye (Anita 57), Tiote, Gutierrez, Gouffran (Marveaux 64), Cisse.

Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction

"I'm proud of the character and the spirit, especially with all we had to deal with during the season," Wenger told Sky Sports.

"The players are special. I've told them many times and they've shown it. In the last two months they have been absolutely exceptional.

"It's a good basis, as well, on a longer term to go into next season on such a strong run.

"I'm very proud. We were very far behind Tottenham and even after defeat there (at White Hart Lane) we've shown character and attitude to come back and make 73 points, which is three points better than last season.

"I have had many groups in my life and the focus and the desire to do well was always exceptional. It's one of the best groups I've had in my life on that front.


Alan Pardew Post Match Reaction

"I think it's been the toughest season in terms of workload because of the Europa League campaign, and the stress it had on the squad was also going to cause stress on myself and the staff," he said.

"We have just had too many key players missing. I think we've had seven different central-half partnerships this year, and when we finished fifth that hardly changed."

Match Facts and Stats 

1.  Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004. 

2. Full Time  Stats Newcastle v Arsenal Shots 7-10 On target 1-2, Fouls 18-10 Duels Won 41%-59%, Pass Accuracy 85%-80%, Possession 51%-49%

3.  Arsenal took 32 points from the teams who finished in the bottom six this season, only Man Utd (36) won more.

4. Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004.

Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest.

What are you thoughts on the game? Who was your MOTM? Do you think Arsene Wenger will keep his promise and spend some money on world class players? If he does I really expect Arsenal to make a serious challenge on the title if we can bring in some world class players and add to the players we already have.
  

Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal by Hatrik-Goals

Arsenal 4 Wigan 1 : Match Report, Highlights & Post Match Reaction

14th May 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo


Arsenal is now primed to qualify for the Champions League for the 16th season in a row after reclaiming fourth place with one Premier League fixture remaining. Wigan, weary from Saturday's first cup win, briefly posed a threat when Shaun Maloney canceled out Lukas Podolski's opener just before halftime from a free kick but a powerful start to the second half yielded nothing for Wigan before Arsenal's ruthlessness produced three goals in nine minutes to seal the win.

Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and finally Podolski all ripped through Wigan's defense to score. Wigan were relegated from the Premier League just three days after their FA Cup final triumph as Arsenal seized control of the race to finish in the top four with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. Roberto Martinez's side had arrived at the Emirates Stadium hopeful that their dramatic upset against Manchester City would prove the springboard for another great escape in the relegation battle.


Arsenal desperately needed the points as well as they try to qualify for the Champions League and the Gunners romped home thanks to a brace from Lukas Podolski and strikes from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.Shaun Maloney had given Wigan hope with a first half equaliser, but the Latics, running on fumes after their Wembley heroics, will experience the unique anguish of becoming the first side to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season.

While Wigan, four points behind Sunderland with one game left, will be back in the second tier for the first time since 2005, Arsene Wenger's team are on course to play in the Champions League for a 16th consecutive season. They had fallen two points behind Tottenham after their north London rivals won at Stoke, but now head to Newcastle on Sunday knowing another win will guarantee a top four finish.

They would not even need three points if Tottenham fail to beat Sunderland at White Hart Lane. Martinez named the same starting line-up that stunned City, but the Latics seemed sapped of energy and they surrendered the lead in careless fashion in the 11th minute.

When Santi Cazorla lofted over a corner, Wigan's statuesque defenders allowed the ball to bounce just six yards from goal and Podolski, having escaped some slack marking from James McArthur and Emmerson Boyce, took full advantage as he stooped to head past Joel Robles.


Over 20,000 Wigan supporters had celebrated their triumph at Wembley, but the tiny group, numbering no more than 500, who made the return trip to north London were beginning to get a sinking feeling in the torrential rain.

Wigan's sloppy defending has been their Achilles heel this season and they were almost caught out again when Laurent Koscielny was gifted yards of space to poke Cazorla's corner wide from close-range.Yet somehow Wigan were level in first half stoppage-time.

Scottish winger Maloney forced Mikel Arteta to concede a free-kick in a dangerous area after surging clear of the midfielder, who responded with the slightest of nudges. Maloney picked himself up to take the set-piece and curled a superb strike over the wall and past Wojciech Szczesny.

Wigan should have been in front at the start of the second half when Arouna Kone played a one-two with Callum McManaman to earn a clear sight of goal, but the Ivorian striker's shot was parried by Szczesny. James McCarthy then turned to fire home, only to see the linesman's offside flag halt his celebrations. But those two narrow escapes provoked a response from Arsenal and Cazorla forced a brilliant double save from Robles.

Wigan suffered a significant blow when in-form winger McManaman was stretchered off just before the hour. Wenger's men were finding space on the flanks far too easily and Wigan's failure to adapt proved fatal in the 63rd minute.Cazorla made a run that left Roger Espinoza trailing in his wake and the Spaniard whipped over a low cross which Walcott bundled past Robles's weak attempted save.

Wigan needed an immediate response, but instead they were dealt a hammer blow five minutes later as more woeful defending allowed Podolski to put the game beyond reach. Cazorla won a header far too easily and Wigan's defenders showed no urgency as Podolski ran clear to flick his shot over the hopelessly exposed Robles.


Ramsey put the seal on Wigan's relegation in the 71st minute as the Welsh midfielder sprinted away down the left before lashing into the roof of the net. The atmosphere at the Emirate stadium tonight was exceptional, the fans made the ground electrifying and the players step up their game with an outstanding display. The game was a beauty to watch.

It all goes down to the final game at ST. James Park were Arsenal's last win on the ground was a 3-1 win in 2009.


Arsene Wenger Match Reaction 

Wenger told Sky Sports: "I am happy that we won the game. We had a good start but then became a bit conservative and got caught just before half-time.

"At 1-1, Wojciech made a good save and then in the last 20 minutes the fact that we maintained the pace, and they were tired from the FA Cup final, gave us a big win.

"On the break, Walcott's goal was certainly decisive. From then on, you felt that for Wigan it was becoming difficult."

Wenger feels Wigan's relegation will be a loss to the Premier League as he admires the way they play.

He said: "You want to congratulate Wigan and you feel sorry for them, because with the quality of football they play it is sad that they go down.

Theo Walcott Match Reaction

"It was one of my most important goals and hopefully there can be a few more next weekend," Walcott told Sky Sports.

"I am so proud of the guys because we deserved it.

"I felt like we had to take the initiative and make runs in behind, which we weren't really doing in the first half.

Wigan Manager Match Reaction

"We've got one more game. We need to reflect and share our good feelings with the fans after winning the FA Cup," he told BBC Sport.

"I never expected this," he said. "The players have been great ambassadors for Wigan Athletic. I don't think we've deserved to be in the bottom three but we are.

Match Facts and Stats

1. Santi Cazorla is the first Arsenal player to get four assists in a single Premier League game since Fabregas v Blackburn in Oct 2009

2. Theo Walcott seven attempted passes, four complete. three crosses attempted one complete.

3. Full Time Stats Arsenal v Wigan Shots 21-11 On target 10-2, Fouls 12-11 Duels Won 54%-46%, Pass Accuracy 81%-84%, Possession 48%-52%

4. Only two players have been subbed off more often in a single Premier League season than Podolski (22 times).

5. Santi Cazorla is the second player to register 3 assists in a Premier League game this season, Podolski (v WHUFC) is the other.

6. Santi Cazorla/Podolski have combined for seven goals this season, the joint-most in the PL along with Giroud/Walcott.

Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest.

What are you thoughts on the game? Who was your MOTM? Are you confident that we can beat Newcastle at their ground to seal Champions League Football. Personally I don't see no reason why not! COYG

West Bromwich Albion 1 Arsenal 2 : Match Report with Extended Match Highlights & Post Match Reaction

7th April 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & ArsenalSupremo 


Picture edit by @TheGunnersWay
Arsenal enhanced their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday thanks to two goals from Tomas Rosicky, in each half of the crunch encounter. Arsenal now provisionally moved into the Champions League places as Chelsea and Spurs play on Sunday. The Gunners' sixth victory from their past seven Premier League matches enabled them to swap places with Chelsea, which can return to fourth place in the standings by beating Sunderland on Sunday.


Tomas Rosicky scored in the 20th and 50th minutes at the Hawthorns for his first league goals this season. He has only found the net once before this campaign, against Olympiakos in the Champions League. The Czech Republic international scored either side of half-time in an enthralling Premier League clash at The Hawthorns that saw the Gunners climb to fourth place in the table. Arsene Wenger's side were coasting to victory until Per Mertesacker was sent off after he brought down Albion striker Shane Long inside the box. James Morrison converted the resulting penalty but despite a sustained period of pressure, the home side were unable to find an equalizer.




West Brom threatened with a succession of corners in the early stages and almost grabbed the lead when Chris Brunt's delivery was glanced towards goal by Claudio Yacob at the near post, but Rosicky nodded off the line. A neat passing move in the 16th minute saw Long released down the right flank, only for the Republic of Ireland international to drag his shot wide. Wenger's side remained patient, though, and were rewarded with the opening goal slightly against the run of play four minutes later through Rosicky. Mikel Arteta used his vision to pick out Gervinho on the left edge of the penalty area and he twisted and turned Gareth McAuley before picking out Rosicky, who directed a powerful header in from close range.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski made an important save shortly afterwards when he dived to save a low Brunt free-kick struck through the wall. The visitors' neat passing created an opening for Ivory Coast forward Gervinho in the 28th minute and he managed to angle a shot through a crowd of bodies that Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster saved with his foot. West Brom's defense struggled to cope with Arsenal's intricate style and their back line was opened again shortly before half-time. A brilliant move involving several Arsenal players left Wales international Aaron Ramsey with a golden opportunity from close range, but he screwed his shot wide.


Arsenal maintained their intensity after the interval and increased their advantage five minutes in when Rosicky claimed his second of the game. Ramsey's clever ball found the Czech, who saw an initial shot parried by Foster, but he was quickest to react and buried a low shot under the body of the goalkeeper. West Brom had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Howard Webb moments later when the ball seemed to strike the arm of Mertesacker while he was on the ground. Albion manager Steve Clarke introduced on-loan Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku in a bid to freshen up his side's attack. The Belgium striker soon curled a dangerous free-kick over the Arsenal wall on the hour mark, but Fabianski had anticipated it and gathered well.

West Brom were then given a foothold in the game in the 71st minute when Mertesacker was shown a straight red card by Webb after he chopped down Long inside the penalty area. Morrison struck the resulting spot-kick to Fabianski's right and although the Arsenal goalkeeper guessed correctly, the shot had too much power and went under him. With the extra man advantage, Clarke's side dominated the remainder of the half in pursuit of the equalizer, but Arsenal's defense stood firm despite some nervous moments.

Lukaku should have shown more composure in the 83rd minute when he smashed the ball wide from a good position, while Long blazed over the bar a matter of minutes later. Romelu Lukaku and Long missed great chances to equalize late on. I Honestly cannot see anything as 'easy run-in' for Arsenal. Games against Stoke, Sunderland & WBA has proven otherwise. Norwich comes next for the Gunners at the Emirates. Tougher times ahead, but today showed Arsenal can soar high.

Line Ups 

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Yacob, Brunt, Dorrans (Lukaku 62), Morrison, Thomas (Rosenberg 62), Long.
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Popov, Tamas, Fortune, Isaiah Brown.
Booked: Jones, Ridgewell.
Goals: Morrison (pen) 71.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosicky (Gibbs 81), Ramsey, Gervinho (Vermaelen 73), Cazorla (Coquelin 89), Arteta, Giroud.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson.
Sent Off: Mertesacker (70).
Booked: Ramsey, Rosicky, Koscielny, Arteta.
Goals: Rosicky 20, 50.
Attendance: 26,144
Referee: Howard Webb

Arsenal Players Twitter Reaction
West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke:

"I thought we played well today. They scored in the first half with one of the very few chances they created. We had good control in the first half but didn't really create enough.

"We could have had a penalty for a challenge on Claudio Yacob on the edge of the box [by Laurent Koscielny]. On another day that was a penalty and would have changed the complexion of the afternoon.

"We were disappointed to lose the second goal at the start of the second half. It was crucial for us to get back in it and we gave away another soft goal, a bad goal to lose.

Arsene Wenger Reaction :


"We know we have one target - to win our games. Then we don't have to look at Tottenham or Chelsea. "If we lose our games, then you have to look at the results of the others. Our attitude is simple, we have to win the games.

"Can we finish fourth? I believe we will do it. We are conscious as well we have to give 100 per cent commitment in every game and it will be difficult and edgy to the end.

"We are ready for the fight and we always tell the players 'don't look at everyone else, just focus on ourselves'."

Arsene Wenger Interview
Press Conference
Tomas Rosicky Reaction
New : Arteta & Sagna reaction's 

ArsenalSupremo tweeted out on Twitter to get Arsenal fans there opinions on what they thought on the game here are just a few of them. Remember if you wanted to get involved follow us on Twitter or just comment below on what you thought on the Gunners performance to get involved with the fans.

Stats and Facts  

1.Tomas Rosicky scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal since February 2012 and this was the first time he has scored more than one goal in a league game for the club

2. Tomas Rosicky scored his 14th and 15 league goals of his Arsenal career.

3. Arsenal have now been given the most red cards in the Premier League this season (4)

4. Arsenal are yet to lose a Premier League game that they have taken the lead in this season (W16 D2)

5. Gervinho: Last 3 games 2 goals 3 assists

6. Minutes per goal involvement (mins/goals+assists) in 2012-13 Premier League Gervinho one every 117 mins, Gareth Bale every 119.

7. Gervinho has the same number of goal assists as Gareth Bale this season




 

Arsenal 4 Reading 1 : Match Report & Match Highlights

30th March 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & ArsenalSupremo


Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others and inspired Arsenal to a 4-1 demolition of struggling Reading on Saturday as the Gunners boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League for the 16th successive season, but ruining Nigel Adkins' return to managerial life in the Premier League. Gervinho scored the first at the Emirates Stadium and had a hand in second half goals for Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud on his first Premier League start since December. Hal Robson-Kanu pulled one back for Reading in Nigel Adkins' first match since taking over as Royals manager, but Mikel Arteta's late penalty condemned the visitors to defeat and saw them drop below Queens Park Rangers to the foot of the table.


There was even better news for Arsenal from Southampton, where Chelsea's 2-1 defeat meant the fifth placed Gunners are now just two points outside the top four. After successive victories over Bayern Munich and Swansea, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger kept faith with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and recalled Aaron Ramsey, Bacary Sagna, Gervinho and Tomas Rosicky to his starting line-up. Adkins only made two changes from predecessor Brian McDermott's last game in charge, with Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie both included.

Line Ups
Reading had lost their last six in all competitions, but began brightly, forcing a corner that Alex Pearce nodded two yards wide of Fabianski's far post. Arsenal were content to keep possession in the opening exchanges, but came alive after a minute's applause in tribute to former midfielder David Rocastle, who died of cancer on March 31, 2001. Gervinho was the architect in the 11th minute as he turned Nicky Shorey on the right touchline and fed Giroud inside the penalty area. Pearce managed to clear but only as far as Cazorla on the edge of the box and his pinpoint cross picked out Gervinho to side-foot home. Giroud thought he should have had a penalty when he was felled in the box by Reading goalkeeper Stuart Taylor but referee Chris Foy waved away the protests.

A bursting run from Gervinho that took him from his own half into the opposition penalty area should have ended in at least a shot on target but again his finishing let him down. Reading then had a lucky escape when the ball appeared to strike Mikele Leigertwood's hand following a corner and Foy failed to award the penalty. Seven minutes before the break, Cazorla had a golden opportunity for Arsenal to score the second goal that their build-up play deserved but his left-footed strike missed by a matter of inches. Gervinho also wasted a great chance just before the break to leave Wenger frustrated on the touchline. Any concerns that Arsenal may live to rue those missed opportunities evaporated two minutes after the break. Gervinho's short pass into the feet of Cazorla gave the Spaniard time to pick his spot and he unleashed a perfect curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that left Taylor grasping at thin air.

Santi Cazorla perfect curling shot
A superbly-timed tackle from Laurent Koscielny then denied Pogrebnyak the opening to register Reading's first shot on target. Pearce managed that from the resulting corner but his volley was comfortably held by Fabianski. A simple finish from Giroud after another quick break from Gervinho made it 3-0 in the 67th minute. However, Reading continued to fight for everything and they got their reward less than 90 seconds later when Jobi McAnuff picked out Robson-Kanu to head in.

Pic Via @ArsenalRealm
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on for the final 15 minutes and the England youngster had an immediate impact. A clumsy challenge from Adrian Mariappa finally saw Chris Foy point to the spot, with Spanish midfielder Arteta slotting home. It was an all round brilliant performance from the Gunners, recording another crucial win.

Mikel Arteta celebrates his goal
The only downside of the game was when Nacho Monreal was replaced by Gibbs in the 71st minute after he collided with the post in an attempt to defend/save Reading's only goal. Arsene Wenger however, during his post match presser confirmed Monreal only suffered bruises and no not an injury. More good news from the injury front when Wenger also confirmed Theo Walcott is expected to return to the squad ahead of next game against West Bromich Albion, but Jack Wilshere still 2 weeks away. It was a day of near perfect display from Arsenal. The challenges ahead still massive, hope the lads are really up for it. What do you think of the result? Is it possible to get third place having seen the dip Chelsea are on, as they are still in 3 competitions. Free free comment below on what you think.

Lukas Podolski on the win
Stats and Facts : 

Arsenal have scored 16 goals against Reading this season. More than against any team in a single season in club history.

Kieran Gibbs made his 100th appearance for Arsenal after coming on as a second half substitute.

Bacary Sagna created three chances on his return to the Arsenal side - no defender made more in the Premier League on the day.

Mikel Arteta  made (107) and completed (99) the most passes in the Premier League on the day and also scored a penalty.

Santi Cazorla added his fourth Premier League goal in two games vs Reading and also set one up for Gervinho.

Gervinho  scored one and assisted two of Arsenal's four goals against Reading today.

Arsenal are now second in the form table only just behind leaders Manchester United after losing just once in the last 6 games and winning the rest. 

Matt Le Tissier spoke about the game who was covering the match for SkySports


John Motson BBC Match of the Day commentator : 

"Reading were taken apart by an Arsenal side who are running into form. Their defeat could have been heavier and new manager Nigel Adkins will have to work hard before his side take on his former club Southampton. For Arsenal, it was a comfortable victory."

Reading manager Nigel Adkins:

"I thought Arsenal were very good, they've come here and passed the ball very well. Unfortunately, we've made our own downfall on a couple of goals. We wanted to adapt a couple of changes, but any team who came here would have found it difficult today.

Arsenal fixtures in April : W.B.A. (Away) Norwich (Home) Everton (Home) Fulham (Away) Manchester United (Home) What do you make of these fixtures do you think we can get maximum points from this please leave your comments on your opinions we would love to see what you think.

Arsene Wenger Post Match Press Conference Click Here
Match Pictures Click Here

Swansea 0 Arsenal 2 Match Report & Extended Match Highlights (MOTD)

16th March 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend & ArsenalSupremo



Arsenal remained firmly in the race for Champions League qualification after Nacho Monreal and Gervinho secured a 2-0 win at Swansea on Saturday. Arsenal bounced back from their Champions League exit to step up their challenge for a top-four Premier League finish as goals from Nacho Monreal and Gervinho secured a 2-0 win at Swansea City on Saturday.

The win moved Arsene Wenger's side to within two points of fourth-place Chelsea, 24 hours before Rafael Benitez's side face West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners struggled to break down Michael Laudrup's side but eventually made the breakthrough when Monreal scored his first goal since arriving at the club in an £8.3 million ($13.2 million, 9.7 million euros) move from Malaga in January.


Then, with Swansea looking for a equalizer, Gervinho secured the win in added time. Wenger had called on his side to display the qualities they had shown in beating Bayern Munich in mid-week, when they went out of the Champions League on away goals. The message appeared to get through, with Arsenal pressing forward immediately and only narrowly failing to match their efforts in Munich, when Olivier Giroud had set them on their way with a third-minute goal. This time the early opportunity fell to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who tricked his way past Swansea right-back Angel Rangel before firing a right-foot shot that rebounded to safety off the crossbar. But Swansea were equally positive in their response and Rangel made his presence felt at the opposite end of the pitch when he broke clear in the visiting area, only to slice his shot wide.


Swansea's victory at Newcastle United two weeks previously had taken the League Cup winners to the 40-point target set by Laudrup at the start of the season, prompting him to set a new target of a top-half finish.His side looked capable of taking the first step towards that mark when Michu turned Per Mertesacker in the 17th minute, only to pull his left-foot shot across the face of Lukasz Fabianski's goal. Fabianski had again been preferred to Wojciech Szczcesny in the Arsenal goal, with Szczesny taking his place on the substitutes' bench alongside Thomas Vermaelen, the club captain.

In Vermaelen's absence, the centre-back pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Mertesacker had impressed in Munich and the duo again provided a solid barrier in front of Fabianski, denying Swansea for the rest of the first half. And with more luck, the visitors might have reached the interval ahead, as Oxlade-Chamberlain again hit the bar with another long-range effort after good work from the impressive Santi Cazorla three minutes before the break.


Arsenal maintained their momentum after the restart, with Abou Diaby firing over from outside the Swansea box. The home side had looked like a team sat comfortably in mid-table, but they began to show more urgency as the second half progressed, with Michu and Pablo Hernandez firing over from good positions. But it was Arsenal who finally made the breakthrough, three minutes after Wenger had freshened up his side with the introduction of Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diaby. A period of sustained pressure brought about a corner that Swansea failed to clear effectively. The home defence was then stretched by a strong Cazorla run across the face of goal and when the home side again failed to clear the Spaniard's low cross, Monreal was on hand to finish left-footed. Swansea pressed for an equalizer but were caught out on the break when Ramsey sped down the right before squaring for Gervinho to finish from 12 yards.


The victory is more interesting as Arsenal paid Swansea back in same coin as the reserve fixture was a 2-0 loss at the Emirates. Arsenal are back on track for the Champions League, but still nine more crucial games to go with everything still left to play for. So what do you think of the victory? It certainly hard thought but got thier in the end. Onwards and upwards now as out next fixture is home to Reading. COYG!

Match Pictures Click Here
Brief Report with goal highlights & analysis Click Here
Post Match Reaction from the boss Click Here
NEW : Carl Jenkinson Match Reaction Click Here

Bayern Munich 0 Arsenal 2 Extended Match Highlights

14 March 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend


It was an unstoppable chant of "we love you Arsenal, we do" from the Arsenal fans inside the Allianz Arena in Munich after the final whistle. Pride is the key word, everyone including the manager was proud of the Arsenal performance on a memorable night. Arsenal became the last English club to bow out of the Champions League on Wednesday despite a 2-0 second-leg win at Bayern Munich as the Gunners lost their last-16 tie on away goals, but the Gunners did so on a high.

Having beaten Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg in London three weeks ago, Bayern had been odds on favorites to finish the Gunners off in the Bavarian capital to go into Friday's quarter-final draw. Arsenal took the fight to their German hosts with striker Olivier Giroud giving the Gunners an early lead before center back Laurent Koscielny netted with 86 minutes on the clock to set up a frantic finish, but the 3-3 aggregate score saw Bayern sneak through.


Much had been made in the build-up of Arsenal's "Mission Impossible in Munich" with the Gunners needing three goals at Bayern's fortress-like Allianz Arena, but Arsenal quickly dismissed any notion this tie was already decided. The game was just three minutes old when Tomas Rosicky found space, Theo Walcott fired in a cross and Giroud drilled his shot into the roof of the net, seized the ball and sprinted back to the halfway line. It was the first time Bayern had conceded a goal inside the first 15 minutes this season and there were plenty of blank expressions in the Munich ranks. Bayern responded by playing predominantly in Arsenal's half, but Rosicky, who took the place of the injured Jack Wilshere behind Giroud, was at the centre of everything the Gunners did with the hosts clearly rattled by the opening goal.

The patience and composure which has left Jupp Heynckes' side 20 points clear in the Bundesliga suddenly seemed to desert them. Bayern did begin the second half with intent as both Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos fired wide, while right-winger Thomas Mueller twice forced Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski into diving saves. Munich controlled possesion, but poor final passes kept offering Arsenal some hope with Bayern missing injured France star Franck Ribery on the left wing while suspension meant Bastian Schweinsteiger was absent in midfield. Robben let a golden chance go begging with 67 minutes gone when he got in behind the Arsenal defence, but he fired straight at Fabianski. With 10 minutes left substitute Gervinho came perilously close to adding Arsenal's second, but the ball harmlessly rolled out of play for a goal-kick.

The second goal finally came when Santi Cazorla's corner fell to Koscielny, who beat Bayern's Javi Martinez to head into the bottom right corner. There was plenty of pushing and shoving in the Bayern goal when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer briefly laid on the ball to eat up a few seconds with the Arsenal players desperate to kick-off again, but the third goal ultimately eluded them. Very key fact that Arsenal seemed more organised, certainly when defending and Bayern were pretty much reduced to taking long shots at the goal, most of which went high or wide.


Fabianksi was called upon a few times and I don't think anyone will be too disappointed with his performance, he looked confident, much more confident than he used to and a couple of saves were quality. It was the first time in 37 matches this season that Bayern failed to score. That clearly shows Arsenal are better than the side that lost 1-3 at home against a brilliant Bavarian unit. All attention now towards another crucial away game at Swansea, where the Gunners must triumph to brighten their chances of a top 4 finish.

Match Report from FlittsTheGooner Click Here
More Match Pictures Click Here
Arsene Wenger Post Match Press Conference Click Here

News : Spurs 2 Arsenal 1 - Arsenal lose the North London Derby. 03.03.13



Despite dominating the first 25 minutes of the first half yet again defensive errors and playing a high line cost Arsenal dear as Spurs had 2 shots on goal in the whole half and scored them both from Bale and Lennon. We had most of the ball but just couldn't create too many clear cut chances mustering only 2 shot on goal all match. In the match analysis in the video Walcott made many runs for the midfielders but no one could find him.

Podolski was left on the bench which was strange as he scored in the previous fixture so he played Ramsey along with Arteta and moved Cazorla to the wings which isn't his favorite position and wasn't that effective in the game.Now its going to be a massive challenge to get into the top 4 as we are now 7 points behind Spurs and 5 behind Chelsea.



Match Reaction from Arsene Wenger
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)