Arsenal's Journey towards Glory : Huge win for Gunners

[treva]

Good win against Sunderland, and then another 3 goals at Middlesborough. Looks like it's the defence that is letting Mourinho down at the moment. Been quite an easy start if you look at who you have played. Arsenal will have to step it up a notch if they are to compete with Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool!

 

[Jaztheman]

Agree with Jack. Your attack is doing wonders at the moment, just the defence is looking like it is leaking a little bit. It might be worth investing in your defence, perhaps. Still a draw away at the Riverside isn't bad as I remember a few years ago the Riverside was feared by all the big clubs.

Great work, writing and everything Shantanu. Keep this level of standard up mate.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Trio set to leave Gunners

Robin van Persie , Alexandre Song Bilong and Johan Djourou are set to be leaving Arsenal . Djourou and Song would be leaving Arsenal in the coming January Transfer window while Robin van Persie will depart the club at the end of the season .

Robin van Persie ,25 who joined Arsenal on may 17,2004 from Feyernoord for about ?3m pounds is set to make is his back to Netherlands and join the Dutch Champions AFC Ajax for a fee about ?10.5m . The Dutch striker who made his Arsenal debut against Manchester United in the Community shield has played about ninety-seven times for arsenal and scored only thirty times . His Arsenal career was most affected by injuries .

For his country he was a vital part in their World Cup 2006 and EURO 2008 qualifying campaign . He has made twenty-nine appearances and scored ten times for Netherlands .

Alxendre Song Bilong the Cameroon international has signed a two year contract with Chelsea for a transfer fee of ?3.5m . Song has not been a regular part of the Arsenal squad and has made only twelve appearances for Arsenal . While for his country he has started elevn times .

John Djourou will move to Wigan Athletic for ?2.7m . Djourou who has spent most of his time of his Arsenal contract on loan Birmingham City . Since signing for Arsenal in 2004 he has played thirty-one times for Arsenal . the Swiss defender has scored only once for his country in seventeen appearances .

"Robin is a great player . he has good talent . But the problem is that after suffering many serious injuries he has lot of his pace and is not the same Robin van Persie the world knows . I wish him best for his career at Ajax . Johan and Alexandre are decent players . But they were never gonna be in my plans and would hardly start for Arsenal . So its best for them they play at a club which needed them . I wish all them good luck " Jose Mourinho said to www.arsenal.com​

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Van persie should be a bad loss for Arsenal! Lets see who is going to join Arsenal then....

 

[Jaztheman]

Song is going to Chelsea? Wow. Very very strange addition to their team. Johan Djourou would of been an ace player for the future but it seems you got a decent deal for him.

Robin Van Persie is going for a nice amount of money and with all this money coming in and all the money left, I can see you buying another defender. Which you should.

Great update Shan, and love the writing and detail.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Djourou is a real talent, I think Mourinho should keep him. VP has served the team well and has a lot more to give and is another questionable one.

 

[treva]

Van persie is a great player and so surprised to see him go. I think Mourinho definitely needs to look to bring in some new defenders...

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Dynamo Kiev 2 - 5 Arsenal:

(Toure celebrates his goal)

Arsenal maintained their 100 percent Champions League record with a 5-2 victory at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday .Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure gave the visitors a two-goal cushion by the quarter-hour. Emmanuel Adebayor added a penalty in the 41st minute but Aliev replied shortly afterwards to keep the home side in the game. Diogo's solo strike sparked some Ukrainian optimism 15 minutes from time, but Aaron Ramsey had assured Arsenal's superiority by the end.

For Arsenal, Gael Clichy recovered from his ankle knock to resume his place in the Arsenal defence after missing the start of the season. As in both their Champions League games so far, Arsenal quickly established a stranglehold. In the 10th minute, Fabregas hooked a ball into the path of the unmarked Clichy at the far post and the Frenchman steered home his shot.

Seven minutes later, Barry sent a high, teasing corner to far post and Toure hung in the air before steering a header back across the keeper and into the far corner. Kiev had offered little up to this point but that did not stop the home crowd screaming their support when they got anywhere near the Arsenal goal. Their first real encouragement came in the 33rd minute when Diogo's swirling cross was met by combination of Kleber and Gallas. The Kiev striker got the better of the aerial duel and, as Kolo Toure came out, managed to steer his side past the keeper. It trickled past the post as well.

Arsenal's response was immediate. Roque Santa Cruz's first-time ball was handled by the sliding Rodrigo just inside the area and Adebayor sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. The visitors looked all set to cruise but then, in the 38th minute, Kiev scored. Correa sent over a corner from the right and Santa Cruz inadvertently headed the ball nicely for Aliev to volley home ferociously from eight yards.

The striker nearly grabbed another two minutes later but Emmanuel Eboue got his body in the way. Before the break, Guisev had to nod off the line from Santa Cruz and Barry produced an outrageous flick over a Kiev defender in the area but failed to get his shot away. Frankly the game dozed off in the middle of the second half. It was roused with 20 minutes left when Eboue had to harry the ball from Vashchuck after the striker looked to be clear.

In the minutes that followed Fabregas had a shot well saved by Shovkovsky then, from the resulting corner, Rodrigo kicked a drive from the same player off the line. Fifteen minutes from time, Kiev struck again when Diogo weaved through in the right hand channel before driving shot under the body of Igor Akinfeyev. The contest seemed alive again. But, as it turned out, only for a few minutes as Ramsey showed even better footwork to fool the keeper and tap into the empty net shortly afterwards. Substitute Aaron Ramsey added one more to his tally with a header in the dying seconds.

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*Jose Mourinho

"It was an easy game for us . We played brilliantly today and we deserved the win. I proud of the team and I think we are capable of winning the Champions League. Aaron was brilliant today and it was good to see the teenager get two goals today . We hope to continue the same for against Liverpool on Sunday ."

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Dynamo Kiev: Shovkovsky ; Rodolfo(Rebrov 87'), Vashchuk, Ibarra(Gavrancic 71'), Rodrigo ; Belkevich, Diogo, Correa ; Aliev, Kleber, Guisev
unused Subs: Verpakovskis, Milevsky, Sablic, Nesmachiny, Shatskikh

Booked: Belkevich, Correa

Goals: Aliev 45' , Diogo 76'

Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry ; Santa Cruz(Walcott 67'), Adebayor(Ramsey 71')
Unused Subs: Almunia, Silvestre, van Persie, Sagna , Bischoff

Goals: Clichy 10' , Toure 14' , Adebayor 41' , Ramsey 79' & 91'

Att: 13,060

Ref: Paolo Dondarini​

 

[Jaztheman]

I told you that Kiev away wouldn't be hard.

Great victory and nice to see lots of people chipping in with the goals, even though the defence let in 2 again! That needs to be sured up.

Nonetheless, it was a good victory. Great presentation Shan.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Manchester United Duo scoops Monthly Award

Manchester United have won the awards for both manager and player of the month after the club went one point clear at the top of the Premiership.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the Barclays manager of the month for September and Ryan Giggs has won the player of the month prize.

United won all four of their league games in September, scoring 10 goals, to go one point ahead of West Ham United. Ferguson has won the manager of the month award 20 times.

Well some experts feel that Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor should have got the Player of Month award as he had netted 3 Premier League and 4 Champions league goals in the month .

 

[Jaztheman]

Congratulations to Manchester United but your only in 5th. Win your game in hand and you go 3rd, you just need to sure up the defence.

Good luck mate. Brilliant stuff.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1

(Gerrard frustrated on penalty miss)

Mikael Silvestre headed the winner seconds after coming on as substitute to keep Arsenal in the hunt of winning the premier League after a win against Liverpool. Roque Santa Cruz put Arsenal ahead after 48 minutes in the the big clash from a Samir Nasri back-heel. Fernando Torres powered home in the 66th minute, then Steven Gerrard's penalty was saved by Igor Akinfeyev after Kolo Toure fouled the Irish.

Substitute Silvestre strode on after 76 minutes and turned in Fabregas' corner. It was a goal that left Liverpool without a victory against their rivals in at the new stadium and also it was again Rafa failed to defeat Jose at his home ground.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez sprang a surprise by giving a first start to Fabio Aurellio - and the 26-year-old distinguished himself in a dreadful first half. Samir Nasri hooked wide early on but the visitors were well-disciplined and never allowed Arsenal into their normally smooth stride.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina saved well from Tomas Rosicky's shot and Toure's header but there was little sign of the defensive frailties that have plagued Liverpool's season. The game burst into life three minutes after the re-start when a brilliant flick from Nasri sent in Santa Cruz, who slid a composed finish past Reina.

But Liverpool were well in contention and Keane should have equalised after 65 minutes, only to lash a volley against the bar from eight yards when Jermain Pennant's cross found him unmarked at the far post. Liverpool, however, only had to wait a matter of seconds for the equaliser. Keane produced a neat flick near the byeline and the lurking Torres smashed high past Akinfeyev at his near post.

Liverpool then wasted a golden opportunity to set the platform for victory after 71 minutes. Referee Rob Styles rightly pointed to the spot when Toure upended Keane but Gerrard's penalty was too casual and too central, allowing Akinfeyev to dive to his right to save. And punishment was instant and painful for Liverpool as Arsenal went ahead in remarkable circumstances.

Both managers made changes, with Ryan babel replacing the dreadful Aurellio and Silvestre replacing Clichy.Silvestre had not touched the ball when he made his way into the Liverpool penalty area and rose to power Fabregas' corner past Reina, once again proving Gunners' boss Mourinho has the Midas touch against Benitez at home.

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*Jose Mourinho

"We were lucky not to have conceded the goal through a penalty. But we deserved the win as we played well . We didnt click in first half but in the second we came alive. The first goal was just brilliant but it was good to see Silvestre on the score sheet with his first touch of the game."

*Rafael Benitez

"Its very rare to see Gerrard miss from the spot but yeah it happens sometimes . arsenal have improved a lot under Jose . The style of play has been more aggressive and they surely can run away and win the league . We didnt play that bad but after all we lost concentration and we lost the game. "

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Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue(Sagna 88'), Toure, Gallas, Clichy(Silvestre 76') ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry ; Santa Cruz, Adebayor(van Persie 81')
Unused Subs: Almunia, Walcott

Booked: Rosicky

Goals: Santa Cruz 46',Silvestre 76'

Liverpool: Reina ; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia(Serginho 76'), Bridge ; Aurellio(Babel 76'), Xabi Alonso, Gerrard(c), Pennant ; Keane, Torres
Unused Subs: Kuyt, Agger, Martin

Booked: Pennant

Goals: Torres 66'

Att: 59,110

Ref: Rob Styes​

 

[Pakistani Army]

Damn you Gerrard! : How can you miss the penalty? Oh well, mistakes happen

Great works Shantanu! Very neatly presented!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Wigan 1 Arsenal 2

(Gallas celebrates on scoring the winner)

Arsenal came from behind to hand Wigan their first defeat in three games.Franklin Salas outmuscled Kolo Toure at a corner to thump a header into the net and give Wigan a deserved lead.But Gunners, who last lost away from home back in August, pulled level early in the second half when Emmanuel Adebayor angled a header past Chris Kirkland.

Gunners' winner showcased the skills of their emerging young players as aaron Ramsey teed up the ball for William Gallas to flick home a header. Wigan initially mastered the testing conditions - a rutted pitch and blustery wind - more competently than Arsenal and deserved to go in at the interval ahead.

Oliver Kapo was particularly impressive for Wigan on their right wing in the opening period and he gave Mikael Silvestre all sorts of problems. In the second half, those two had a minor spat after a Silvestre tackle angered the French international, whose influence waned.

Gunners had to rejig their team after just 11 minutes when Aaron Ramsey replaced Gareth Barry, who was injured after being tackled by Motoyama. The loss of Barry saw Arsenal struggle to hold up the ball in left side of midfield and it took them well over half an hour before they threatened the Wigan goal.

By then Wigan were in front as Vampeta won and took the corner that enabled Franklin Salas to power a header past Igor Akinfeyev after he got to the ball ahead of Kolo Toure. Tomas Rosicky hinted at better things to come from Gunners when he forced the first save of the game as Kirkland moved quickly across his line to gather the former Dortmund midfielder's shot.

Moments later, Ramsey might have done better when he picked up the ball at the far post but the Gunners winger slashed widely with his shot. Gunners' equaliser also came from a corner as Adebayor sent an arcing header past Kirkland, with Oliver Kapo unable to clear the ball on the line.

This was Adebayor's forth goal of the season as he again scored to bring Arsenal back in the hunt of all three points . His strike emboldened Gunners and the speed of Ramsey and Walcott began to unsettle Wigan. Ramsey's run and cross for Gunners' second was quite superb - the former Cardiff striker skipped past Kapo and Boyce with nonchalant ease - and standing skipper Gallas' delicate headed finish was just as noteworthy.

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*Steve Bruce:

"We deserved something from that game. Both sets of players deserve a pat on the back for the effort and endeavour they've put in. They were atrocious conditions out there. There is nothing worse than that, with horrible, swirling wind, lashing rain and a poor pitch."

*Jose Mourinho:

"It was a good comeback by us . We are now really thinking of strengthening the defence and thats why I am going to sign a new player in January . But about todays game it was just good . The conditions were really bad still then we played very well . "

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Wigan: Kirkland ; Boyce(Koumas 81'), Senderos, Bramble, Edman ; Kapo, Brown(Scharner 70'), Motoyama(c), Vampeta ; franklin Salas, Heskey
Unused Subs: Keller, Kilbane, Hall

Booked: Vampeta

Goals: Franklin salas 28'

Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Sagna(Eboue 68'), Toure, Gallas, Silvestre ; Rosicky(c)(Walcott 68'), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry(Ramsey 11') ; Santa Cruz, Adebayor
Unused Subs: Almunia, Clichy

Booked: Gallas

Goals: Adebayor 55',Gallas 70'

Att: 22,914

Ref: Neale Barry​

 

[treva]

Two good wins there, especially against Liverpool. Adebayor continues to score and it seems the defence has finally got their act together.