Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts

Swansea 1 Arsenal 2 Match Report and Match Reaction from Wenger and Ramsey

Published 29th September by ArsenalSupremo


Arsenal went back to the top of the Premier League with an excellent hard fought win over Swansea goals from youngster Serge Gnabry and man in form Aaron Ramsey, who produced another MOTM performance which sealed the win for the Gunners and made it 8 consecutive Premier League away wins.

Team Line Ups : 

Swansea : Vorm , Tiendalli , Flores , Amat , Davies, Canas , De Guzman, Dyer , Shelvey (Bony 60,), Routledge (Pozuelo 64,) Michu .
Subs not used: Taylor, Britton, Tremmel, Vazquez, Alfei.
Booked: De Guzman.

Goal: Davies 82

Arsenal : Szczesny, Sagna , Mertesacker , Koscielny , Gibbs, Flamini , Ramsey, Gnabry (Arteta 77), Ozil (Monreal 88), Wilshere (Jenkinson 90); Giroud .
Subs not used: Vermaelen, Fabianski, Bendtner, Miyaichi.
Booked: Flamini, Arteta. 

Goals: Gnabry 58, Ramsey 62

ArsenalSupremo's Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Match Stats and Facts  : 

Aaron Ramsey has now scored eight goals in his last eight appearances for Arsenal

Arsenal have equalled a club record eight consecutive away wins in the league

Serge Gnabry is the 97th player (excl. own goals) to score for Arsenal in the Premier League.

At 18 years and 76 days old, Serge Gnabry is the second youngest Premier League goalscorer for Arsenal, behind Cesc Fabregas (17 years and 113)

The record for consecutive away wins in the Premier League is 11, set by Chelsea in 2008

Aaron Ramsey and Arsene Wenger Match Reaction

Arsenal 3 Stoke 1 Match Highlights & Post Match Reaction

Published 24th September By ArsenalSupremo

Arsenal continued their fine run of form and returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3 1 win over Stoke at the Emirates Stadium. Things couldn't of started better as in the 4th minute of the game, the man in form Aaron Ramsey scored from a rebound after the Stoke keeper Begovic parried away Özil's free kick.

Cameron scored for Stoke in the 36th minute which silenced the crowd, however goals from unlikely goal scorers Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna  both from set pieces sealed the win.

Team Line Up's 

Arsenal (4-3-2-1): Szczesny , Sagna , Mertesacker , Koscielny , Gibbs ; Flamini , Wilshere  (Monreal 73), Ramsey , Gnabry  (Ryo 73), Ozil  (Arteta 81); Giroud.

Subs not used: Vermaelen, Viviano, Bendtner, Jenkinson

Stoke (4-3-2-1): Begovic 5; Cameron 6, Shawcross 6, Huth 6, Pieters 5 (Palacios 67); Wilson 6, N'Zonzi 6, Adam 6 (Ireland 59, 5); Walters 5, Arnautovic 6; Jones 6 (Pennant 75).

Subs not used: Whelan, Crouch, Etherington, Crouch, Sorensen

Referee: Mike Dean

ArsenalSupremo's Man of the match: Mesut Özil

Post Match Reaction



Match Highlights


Post by Arsenal Supremo.

Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3 Match Report MOTD Highlights & Post Match Reaction from the Manager and Players

Published 14th September 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend 

Aaron Ramsey's double helped Arsenal's club record signing Mesut Ozil enjoy a winning debut in a stormy 3-1 Premier League victory at Sunderland on Saturday.

Ozil underlined why the Gunners invested £43 million (51.3 million euros, $68.3 million) to lure him from Real Madrid with a role in two of his side's three goals as they were pushed all the way by their hosts, who remain without a league win this season.

But Arsenal were indebted to a controversial second-half decision from referee Martin Atkinson to rule out what appeared a perfectly good goal for the hosts from Jozy Altidore, with the visitors ahead by a single goal at the time.

Ramsey doubled the advantage shortly afterwards in the 76th-minute, swapping passes with Ozil and Olivier Giroud to beat Keiren Westwood with a confident finish from inside the area. On this early evidence, Ozil's hefty transfer fee is money well spent.


Before the break especially, the 24-year-old's movement, vision and range-of-passing was on a different plane to Paolo Di Canio's side, who with just one point from their first four games, look set for a season of struggle.
Özil makes his debut

Arsenal threatened to bury Sunderland under a deluge of early goals but Theo Walcott was guilty of a string of glaring first-half misses.

It kept the hosts in the hunt to such an extent that substitute Craig Gardner leveled from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half, sending Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way with his first touch after Adam Johnson was tripped in the area by Laurent Koscielny.

Steven Fletcher had the ball in the net soon after from Johnson's low cross but the Scotland international was rightly flagged offside as the Black Cats sensed blood.Ramsey met Carl Jenkinson's 67th-minute cross with a stunning first-time finish from just inside the box to restore the lead, before the controversial turning point which referee Atkinson will not reflect upon with any satisfaction.

Altidore out-muscled Bacary Sagna to beat Szczesny with a low finish from inside the area, despite Koscielny's attempted goal-line clearance.

Atkinson, however, brought play back, booked Sagna and awarded a free-kick to Sunderland, to the bemusement of the majority of a 39,000 crowd who expected advantage to be played. It was a major call to go against the hosts and took the steam out of their comeback as Ramsey's second goal of the contest gave the visitors valuable breathing space en route to a third victory in four Premier League games this season.

Operating in the middle of a forward three behind lone forward Giroud, in front of Mathieu Flamini, one of two holding midfielders, it took Ozil just 11 minutes to make his mark, with a key assist for the contest's opening goal. Kieran Gibbs's 30-yard pass from inside Arsenal's half found Ozil's purposeful run down the left.


The midfielder's touch and inviting low cross was swept home first time from 10 yards into the bottom corner by Giroud, the Frenchman's fifth goal of the season, and remarkably the first of his 15 Premier League goals to be scored outside London.

Sunderland quickly responded and Modibo Diakite came close to levelling inside the opening quarter-of-an hour. The defender rose above Giroud, only to see his header come back off the bar when he met a corner from Charis Mavrias, the Greece international making his full Premier League debut for the Black Cats, along with Ki Sung-Yeung, the South Korean midfielder.

Walcott compounded a personally disappointing first half by making it a hat-trick of missed chances, heading wastefully when meeting Jack Wilshere's perfect cross 12 yards from goal as Sunderland were again carved apart by some slick interplay from Arsene Wenger's side.

Gardner's introduction sparked some much needed life into the hosts, who were left to rue Atkinson's controversial call, with Di Canio sent from his technical area late on for his protests.

'The Mesut Özil's party was great at the end as the German enjoyed a fine debut even though Arsenal made hard work of what should have been a simple victory over Sunderland. Only bad news of the day was the confirmation from Arsene Wenger that Santi Cazorla will be out for 4-6 weeks, meaning the midfielder will likely miss 6 games.


Teams 

Sunderland (4 4 2): Westwood ; Celustka , Diakite , Roberge , Colback .Vaughan  (Gardner 46, 8) Ki 6; Johnson , Fletcher  (Wickham 77), Altidore 6, Mavrias 5 (Borini 72 ).

Subs not used: Brown, Larsson, Cuellar, Mannone.

Goal: Gardner 48 (pen)

Booked: Gardner.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny , Jenkinson , Sagna , Koscielny , Gibbs ; Flamini , Wilshere ; Ozil  (Vermaelen 80), Ramsey , Walcott  (Monreal 88); Giroud  (Akpon 90+3).

Subs not used: Frimpong, Miyaichi, Akpon, Gnabry, Fabianski. Booked: Flamini, Sagna.

Goals: Giroud 11, Ramsey 67, 76.

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Match Stats Via Squawka


Post Match Reaction's

Arsene Wenger 's Reaction 



MOTM Aaron Ramey give his reaction 


Arsenal Players Twitter Reactions 

Match Highlights  

Arsenal 1 Spurs 0 : MOTD Highlights & Post Match Reaction from the Manager and Players

Published 2nd September 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend Videos By ArsenalSupremo


Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud gave Tottenham a worrying glimpse of life without Gareth Bale as his first half strike clinched a 1-0 win in the north London derby on Sunday. Giroud netted his fourth goal of the season midway through the opening period at the Emirates Stadium to maintain Arsenal's revival since their dismal opening day defeat at home to Aston Villa.

That loss had triggered a barrage of abuse from fans frustrated by the club's eight-year trophy drought and boss Arsene Wenger's failure to make any marquee signings since the end of last season. But four successive victories, including two over Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualifying round, have at least temporarily silenced Wenger's critics.

Szczesny reacts to Giroud's goal
Even the more vociferous of the anti-Wenger faction could have few complaints as Arsenal took the north London bragging rights with a dominant display that left their bitter rivals nursing concerns that Bale's imminent departure may be a fatal blow to their hopes of a top-four finish. With Bale's world record move to Real Madrid set to be concluded before Monday evening's transfer deadline, Spurs have embarked on a frenzied spending spree. Villas-Boas has splashed out over £100 million on seven players and four of those new arrivals, Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli, were in the starting line-up at the Emirates. But, with little time to gel, Tottenham lacked cohesion and unity in their first serious test of the post-Bale era.

Spurs were under duress from the start and Santi Cazorla's free-kick brought a fine save from Hugh Lloris with just two minutes gone. The Gunners were playing with an intuitive understanding their rivals badly missed and they took the lead in the 23rd minute with the kind of immaculately constructed goal that makes Wenger's teams such a joy to watch when they hit top gear. An Aaron Ramsey pass located Tomas Rosicky in space on the right of midfield and the Czech veteran quickly shifted possession onto Walcott, who surged into the penalty area and whipped over a low cross that French striker Giroud, fatally granted too much space by Michael Dawson, met with a superb flicked finish past Lloris from close-range.

There was no let-up from Arsenal and Ramsey showed tremendous determination to fight his way past Mousa Dembele before slipping a pass into Walcott, whose shot was pushed away by Lloris. Lloris was then forced to race out of his area to make a last-ditch tackle on Walcott as the England winger surged clear of Tottenham's alarmingly flat-footed defence.

Walcott crashed to the turf, drawing inevitable Arsenal appeals for Lloris's dismissal, but referee Michael Oliver waved play on and replays showed he got the decision spot on. Deprived of Bale's blistering pace and lethal finishing, this was a Tottenham side sorely lacking inspiration. Chadli, Paulinho and Capoue were lacklustre in midfield, while Soldado was starved of service up front.

The loss of England midfielder Jack Wilshere, forced off just before half-time due to an illness, gave Mathieu Flamini the chance for his second debut after returning to Arsenal on a free transfer and offered Spurs hope of a second half fightback. But it was Arsenal who remained the more potent force and Giroud went close when his shot deflected wide off Danny Rose.

Villas-Boas sent on Argentine forward Eric Lamela for his debut following his move from Roma in the closing stages, while Capoue was stretchered off wearing an oxygen mask after falling awkwardly. Tottenham finally threatened an equaliser when Wojciech Szczesny pushed Jermain Defoe's deflected strike out to Soldado and the Spaniard lashed in a shot that drew rejected penalty claims for a handball by Carl Jenkinson. That was the signal for Spurs to throw bodies forward in the frantic final minutes, but Arsenal held firm to inflict their neighbours' first defeat of the season.

Giroud celebrates after the game
Team Line Ups

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere (Flamini 43), Rosicky (Monreal 78), Walcott (Sagna 90), Cazorla, Giroud

Subs not used: Fabianski, Zelalem, Gnabry, Sanogo

Booked: Rosicky, Flamini

Scorer: Giroud

TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Verthongen, Rose, Capoue (Sandro 74), Paulinho, Dembele (Defoe 68), Townsend (Lamela 74), Chadli, Soldado

Subs not used: Friedel, Naughton, Holtby, Sigurdsson

Booked: Defoe

Attendance: 60,073

Referee: Michael Oliver

Post Match Reaction

Arsene Wenger spoke after the game



Man of the Match Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramey 


MOTD Match Highlights


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Fulham 1 Arsenal 3 : Match Highlights and Post Match Reaction from MOTM Aaron Ramsey and Arsene Wenger

Published 24th August 2013 Written By Jeff @ArsenalTrend Edited by Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo


Lukas Podolski scored a brace and Olivier Giroud grabbed his third goal in as many games as Arsenal recovered from its poor start to the Premier League season to earn its first points with a 3-1 win at London rivals Fulham on Saturday. 

Arsene Wenger's team bounced back from a home defeat against Aston Villa in a convincing manner, looking in total control most of the time at a rain-soaked Craven Cottage.

Giroud scored the opener in the 14th minute with a left-footed shot from close range and Podolski doubled the visitors' lead four minutes before halftime with an excellent finish. Podolski completed the comfortable victory in the 68th after being set up by Santi Cazorla. England forward Darren Bent pulled one back for Fulham in the 77th.


Watch Giroud make it 1 0 to the Arsenal against Fulham. COYG ... on Twitpic
Video : Giroud's Goal


 It was Fulham's first loss this season after it opened the campaign with a win at Sunderland.

"It's never easy to play away or win away and we did it in a convincing way,'' Wenger said. ``We had a disappointing result against Villa and it was important to respond.''

The win is likely to appease Arsenal fans, who voiced their discontent and concerns after the Villa loss, urging their club to bring in new players.

Wenger, who is still hoping he can make a marquee signing before the end of the transfer window, left England midfielder Jack Wilshere on the bench to give Podolski a start while Fulham manager Martin Jol handed a debut to England midfielder Scott Parker, recruited from Tottenham earlier this week.

The match was played in difficult conditions, with heavy rain falling on the pitch. Arsenal created its first chance after 12 minutes when Theo Walcott's effort was parried away by Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale, who replaced the injured Maarten Stekelenburg.

Giroud opened the scoring two minutes later, tucking in the ball past Stockdale for his third goal in three games in all competitions this season after Aaron Ramsey's attempt deflected into the French striker's path.

Giroud had also scored in Arsenal's opening 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa and during the 3-0 win at Fenerbahce in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off.

"We picked up where we left off at Fenerbahce and played very well,'' said Aaron Ramsey. ``Lukas has a lethal left foot and proved that again.''

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny kept the Gunners ahead soon after with a double save, first blocking Adel Taarabt's shot then stopping Damien Duff's right-footed shot in the 16th minute.

Fulham then created chances through Taarabt but lacked the finishing touch. Parker went close after being assisted by Dimitar Berbatov but his left-footed shot from outside the box went over the bar in the 30th.

Arsenal doubled its lead ten minutes later as Podolski showed his finishing qualities, scoring from the edge of the box after a rebound off Walcott's shot.


Fulham 0 Arsenal 2 Podolski Goal on Twitpic
Video : Podolski makes it 2 0


Fulham got off to a good second-half start and made Szczesny work, with the Arsenal `keeper forced to deny another of Taarabt's efforts minutes before Bacary Sagna's sliding tackle stopped Parker's burst into the area.

But Podolski sealed Arsenal's win in the 68th minute with a shot between the legs of a defender that ended in the far corner.


Fulham 0 Arsenal 3 : Podolski's Goal on Twitpic
Video : Podolski makes it 3 0 


Bent, on a season-long loan deal from Aston Villa, gave the home fans something to cheer, tapping in the ball from close range after Szczesny failed to block a shot from Berbatov.

Team Line Ups

Fulham : Stockdale, Riether , Hughes , Hangeland , Riise , Duff  (Bent 59 ), Parker , Sidwell (Karagounis 75), Taarabt  (Kacaniklic 62 ), Kasami , Berbatov

Subs not used: Ruiz, Briggs, Boateng, Etheridge

Goal: Bent 77

Booked: Parker, Kasami

Arsenal : Szczesny , Jenkinson , Sagna , Mertesacker , Gibbs , Ramsey , Rosicky  (Wilshere 70), Cazorla , Podolski  (Sanogo 81), Walcott , Giroud  (Monreal 72)

Subs not used: Fabianski, Frimpong, Gnabry, Zelalem

Goals: Giroud 14, Podolski 41, 68

Booked: Ramsey, Wilshere

MOTM Aaron Ramsey Post Match Reaction


Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction


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Let us know in the comments below what you thought of the performance. Now its onto the Champions League play off second league against Fenerbache where Arsenal will take a 3 0 lead to the Emirates.

COYG

Arsenal Players Twitter Reactions 

Match Highlights

Arsenal Season Awards 2012-13 (Vote for the Best Player of the Season)

21 May 2013 by Panos Lennon


The season is over as of completing an unbelievable run of a 10-games unbeatable (8 wins) which was enough to keep us in the Top 4.  Let's highlight individual efforts and precious moments of a very challenging year for the Arsenal Team.



Match of the Season
Bayern Munich 0 - 2 Arsenal
                                                                                                  

This was the game that made Arsenal gain confidence. It proved to be a catalyst to an amazing  run in the Premiere League. Additionally, dropping out of the Team our captain Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny  due to their poor forms, proved to be one of the best decisions Wenger made this year.

Best Defender 
Laurent Koscienly


From a good defender last year he improved dramatically in 2013. In my opinion, right know, he is one of the strongest defenders in the world. His dedication, determination and bravery were significant. Through his career he had a lot of lows but right know he can simply make the difference. The partnership of Mertesacker and Koscienly is one of the most consistent ones. Wenger finally found the perfect combination in defense after experimenting for years.


Best Miedfielder
Santi Cazorla


What can I say about this amazing player ? He is probably one of the best players Wenger managed to sign in recent years. His talent and his vision, which made an impact since the first game, are simply exceptional. One of the most exceptional players this season proved to be the most consistent one. He played overall 48 games, scored 12 goals (all of them in EPL), and provided 16 assists.

Best Forward 


Theo Walcott


Theo is becoming better and better and his record of goals this year comes of no surprise. He proved to be one of the most proactive players on the field this year and a true Gunner. His contract extension came as a very happy ending. After all of those players who left, he was one of the first ones to sign an extension to his contract. This addressed a change of policy from a feeder club to an ambitious one, which aims for glory.

Player of the Season 

Now for this part you are going to choose your favorite Player of the Season 2012-13

Player of the Season 2012-13
  
 

Leave comments of which Moments, Games or Players were your favorite ones this season and your opinion about the awards.

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

QPR 0 Arsenal 1 Match Report Match Reaction & Highlights

4th May 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend 


Theo Walcott fired the fastest Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal moved back up to third place with a 1-0 victory at relegated QPR on Saturday.England winger Walcott struck after just 20 seconds to help Arsene Wenger's side establish a two-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, 24 hours before Rafael Benitez's side travel to Manchester United.


The Gunners were given a late scare when keeper Wojciech Szczesny was forced into a save from Loic Remy, but otherwise this was a comfortable step towards qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish.For QPR, there was only more disappointment following a painful week after last weekend's relegation at Reading as they slipped to the bottom of the table.

Tottenham's late victory over Southampton meant Arsenal had slipped back to fifth spot by the time they kicked off, but the news from White Hart Lane provided extra motivation for Wenger's men. They were ahead in quick time after unpicking the Rangers defence with a deceptively simple move that was capped by Walcott's right-footed finish for his 20th goal of the season.

The home side had touched the ball just once before Tomas Rosicky's right wing cross found Aaron Ramsey who headed down into the path of Mikel Arteta.The midfielder feigned to shoot, wrong-footing centre back Clint Hill, then slipped the ball to Walcott breaking inside the area and the winger's shot was powerful enough to find the net despite the efforts of keeper Robert Green.

Walcott had scored after just two minutes against Manchester United last time out but the Gunners had been unable to hold onto the lead with the newly crowned champions recovering to force a draw.This time, though, they were facing a side recently condemned to the Championship and the pattern of the first half suggested they were unlikely to suffer a similar disappointment. Arsenal were in complete control and should have added a second long before the interval.

In the 26th minute, Walcott produced a shot on the turn that struck the woodwork and would have led to the visitors' second had Rosicky followed up with more determination. QPR offered little by way of response and their efforts were summed up when Remy shot wastefully wide from 35 yards when he had team-mates in support. Park Ji-Sung did little better when he found space inside the Arsenal penalty area only to send his effort high over Szczesny's crossbar.


Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes had led the inquests into the club's failure to stay out of the bottom three this season, condemning the efforts of some of the expensive recruits as unacceptable and there was little during the opening 45 minutes to suggest the chairman's view was misguided. Harry Redknapp attempted to spark his side into life with the half-time introduction of Shaun Derry for the unimpressive Stephane Mbia. The changes appeared to have the desired effect as QPR finally showed signs they could yet go down fighting.


Andros Townsend tested the Arsenal goalkeeper with a powerful 25-yard shot that Szczesny was forced to punch away. The revival didn't last however, and it was Green who was by far the busier keeper as the second half progressed. The England international, recalled in place of Julio Cesar who was missing from the home squad after a week in which he has been linked with a move to Arsenal, was twice called into action, first to deny Santi Cazorla and then yet another effort from Walcott. Arsenal maintained control and apart from Remy's effort, they secured the points with ease.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said was quick to acknowledge it was not an easy game at the end of the game: "It was a very difficult game and the three points are absolutely vital. The focus was very good."


Two more crucial games left for Arsenal to clinch a champions league spot as its certain one of Chelsea or Spurs or even both will drop points when they both clash mid week, but Arsenal will play next in 10 days time.

Harry Redknapp:
"When you go 1-0 down to Arsenal in the first minute then you fear the worse, but I felt we played every bit as well as them.

"I felt we were always a threat and Andros Towsend was outstanding. I don't know where we'll get another Townsend from, he'll go back to Tottenham a better play.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge next season. I went to watch a (Championship) game today because we're going to be in that division next season."
Theo Walcott & Mikel Arteta Post Match Reaction 



Match Facts and Stats 

1. Theo Walcott's strike after 20 seconds is Arsenal's fastest in the Premier League era which beat Robin van Persie's deflected goal after 32 seconds for Manchester United against West Ham this season. 

2. Only five players have been subbed off more often in a single PL season than Lukas Podolski's 21 in 2012-13. 

3. Arsenal have won 10, drawn three and lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games.

4. Arsenal have now won all eleven Premier League games where they have been ahead at half-time this season.

5. Arsenal have won four in a row away from home for the first time since 2010. They haven't won five in a row since Sep 2004.

6. Match Stats FT Stats QPR v Arsenal Shots 13-12 On target 4-7, Fouls 8-9 Duels Won 43%-57%, Pass Accuracy 76%-84%, Possession 41%-59%

7. Arsenal have scored 18 goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this campaign; the most in the division.

Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1 Match Report, Match Reaction & Extended Match Highlights

28th April 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend Edited by Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo


Robin van Persie marked his return to Arsenal by scoring a penalty amid a chorus of boos to give newly crowned Premier League champion Manchester United a 1-1 draw on Sunday that also hurt his former team's chances of making the Champions League. Arsenal fans had already had to watch their team form a guard of honor for Van Persie and his United team before kickoff at the Emirates Stadium to salute the new champions. The crowd then reveled in Van Persie giving the ball away inside two minutes to allow Theo Walcott to put Arsenal in front. But after Van Persie was brought down by Bacary Sagna just before halftime, the former Arsenal captain sent the spot kick into the net. It was Van Persie's 31st goal this season since defecting last August in a 24 million-pound (then $36 million) transfer.



The draw meant Arsenal was dislodged from third place by Chelsea, which beat Swansea 2-0 as it looks to secure one of the top four Champions League qualification spots. And United, which is yet to be presented with the Premier League trophy, now cannot surpass Chelsea's record tally of 95 points with three games left. What made Van Persie's return to Arsenal more galling for the home fans was the fact he has won the league in his first season when they haven't seen the trophy lifted since 2004 when they were still playing at the nearby Highbury. In fact the Gunners haven't won anything since the 2005 FA Cup in Van Persie's first season with the team. The striker is so accustomed to the north London club that he attempted to walk into the home dressing room by mistake before Sunday's game, and then slapped his head as he realized his mistake. Whether it was a genuine mistake or a prank, Van Persie has had the last laugh. 


Tradition dictated that the Arsenal players lined the pitch next to the tunnel to welcome United, which clinched its 20th English title on Monday with a victory over Aston Villa. Such respect ended immediately after kickoff. And it will have be pleasing for Arsenal that it was Van Persie who gave the ball away in midfield so quickly, and Tomas Rosicky then picked out Walcott, who smashed in a low shot past goalkeeper David De Gea. The hosts, with a Champions League place to fight for, were playing the slicker more incisive football. And as they pushed for another goal, Santi Cazorla tried his luck from distance, drawing a save from De Gea. Arsenal was exerting the control so lacking at times in this season, which saw the team get off to its worst start since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996. United, meanwhile, seemed sluggish after the week's title celebrations. When Van Persie worked his way down the left and sent in a cross, the finish was weak from Phil Jones, whose header missed the target. 


As the encounter heated up, Van Persie was booked for a sliding challenge on Per Mertesacker, and United defender Evra squared up to Walcott. Van Persie was first denied a goal when his close-range header from Evra's cross was blocked by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny rushing off his line to make the save with his face But then it was Van Persie's turn to capitalize on a mistake as he intercepted Sagna's poor back pass and raced clear into the area, where the defender brought him down with a sliding challenge in the 44th. Van Persie was clinical from the spot, but his celebrations were muted as he reached 25 league goals for a second successive season. He also scored against Arsenal at Old Trafford and equalized his feat from last season when he also scored in both fixtures between the teams - although that time for Arsenal. 



Only Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Robbie Fowler have had consecutive 25-goal season in the Premier League according to the stats. Arsenal, though, made an assertive start to the second half, with Rosicky curling wide inside a minute. But they couldn't produce a winner. United was denied by poor finishing and Szczesny blocking Wayne Rooney's downward header. De Gea preserved the point for United late on by tipping Cazorla's powerful shot wide. 

This result throw the 3rd and 4th spot wide open again with the edge going back to Chelsea and Spurs with a game in hand over Arsenal. It also means the fight for the remaining two Champions League spot will likely go down to the last games of the season. Arsenal will now have to win their next game at Lotfus Road against already relegated QPR side, in order not to lose sight. Mathematically, if the Gunners go on to win their remaining three fixtures, one of the spot is guaranteed as Chelsea and Tottenham still to face each other. Tottenham welcomes Southampton to White Hart Lane next Saturday, while Chelsea travels to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, Sunday evening.

Teams 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosicky (Wilshere 62), Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey (Oxlade-Chamberlain 78), Cazorla, Podolski (Gervinho 71)

Subs not used: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson
Booked: Sagna, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Goal: Walcott 2

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael (Anderson 73), Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Valencia, Carrick, Nani (Giggs 83), Rooney (Hernandez 87), Van Persie

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Buttner, Cleverley, Kagawa
Booked: Rafael, Jones, Van Persie, Evans, Valencia
Goal: Van Persie 44 pen
Referee: Phil Dowd

Attendance: 60,112

Theo Walcott Post Match Reaction

"We have just got to concentrate on ourselves. We cannot keep on relying on other teams.

"As long as we get the three points and do not drop any points, that is all we can do.

"Hopefully, come the end of the season, we have kept that undefeated run of games. We need to make sure we are definitely there (in the top four)."




Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction

Wenger told Sky Sports after the final whistle: "From the first to the last minute, it was two teams giving absolutely everything to win.

"We gave everything and, at the end of the day, the regret you have is the way we conceded the goal. Just before half-time, that was a serious blow to us."


Match Stats & Facts

1. Laurent Koscielny won 100% of his 5 tackles against Manchester United and made more interceptions than any other player (7)

2. Arsenal are yet to lose in the Premier League this season when they have taken the lead in a game (W18 D2).

3. Only Arsenal (18) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than Manchester United (15) this season.

4. Arsenal are the only team in the Premier League with 3 players in double figures for goals (excl pens). Giroud 11, Walcott 12, Cazorla 12

5. Only three teams have conceded more penalties than Arsenal (six). The three teams are Villa, Norwich & Wigan all with seven each.

6. Arsenal have the joint-most errors leading to goals this season (14 along with Wigan) and six penalties conceded

7. Match Statistics : Arsenal v Man Utd Shots 19-12 On target 6-4, Fouls 11-12 Duels Won 47%-53%, Pass Accuracy 81%-83%, Possession 52%-48%

Gary Neville and Graeme Souness on the race for Europe 


What are your opinions on the game? Is it time for Sagna to leave the club after another inconsistent performance? What did you make of Podolski upfront? Do you still believe we will make it into Champions League Next Season? Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system and now easier for you to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans and when you get a reply to one of your comments you will get a notification Login using your social networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest.
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