Arsenal's Journey towards Glory : Huge win for Gunners

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Arsenal 1 Blackburn 0

(Santa Cruz celebrates his goal against his former side)

Roque Santa Cruz came off the bench to earn Arsenal a win over his former side Blackburn Rovers who paid the price for a missed penalty .The visitors had a chance to take the lead when William Gallas handled a cross but Morten Gamst Pedersen saw his spot-kick saved by Gunners keeper Igor Akinfeyev.

Santa Cruz punished the miss when he headed in a Fabregas' cross at the far post.Tomas Rosicky missed a free Newcastle header from 10 yards but, despite Reid nodding wide and having a shot blocked, the home side held on for the win.

The hard-fought victory continues the promising start the London club have made to the campaign after their season-opening win at Fulham. All three points at Craven Cottage had created an air of expectation around Emirates Stadium but that quelled early on by an attritional Blackburn side.

The visitors allowed Arsenal plenty of possession as they sat back and challenged the home side to find a way through their massed ranks.Rovers suffered a setback when striker Matt Derbyshire had to hobble off injured but a sign of their tactics came as defensive midfielder David Dunn was brought on in place of the Englishman.

And, when Arsenal did catch a backtracking Blackburn out with a pacy attack after clearing a corner, Ryan Nelsen cynically brought down Samir Nasri. Arsenal briefly stirred the crowd by penning Blackburn back and Cesc Fabregas and Rosciky had shots blocked but the Gunners lacked the creativity to unlock Blackburn.

Brett Emerton curled a shot wide from edge of box for the visitors in a rare Blackburn attack before the visitors were awarded a penalty the other side of the interval.Gallas was punished for handling a cross but was reprieved when Akinfeyev dived low to his left to keep out Pedersen's spot-kick.

Santa Cruz then saw a six-yard header saved by Paul Robinson, who scrambled the ball away before Mikael Silvestre could pounce to put in the rebound. But Roque Santa Cruz showed his customary clinical form in front of goal shortly afterwards when he converted Fabregas' cross to send the home crowd into raptures.

Rosciky's miss then almost came back to haunt the home side but Reid could not make the most of his two late chances.

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*Jose Mourinho

"van Persie and Adebayor looked in good form so I gave them to start . But Roque at half time said he wanted to play and so I gave him a 20 second warm up and asked him to go and he scored . We could have scored more today but we were just unlucky . Akinfeyev was good and said a great penalty . We hope to continue our form in the next game against Bolton."

*Paul Ince

"All know what kind of player Santa Cruz is . He is very dangerous when given free space and he just showed us his class . We had a great opportunity to take the lead with the spot kick but people do sometimes miss them . We had couple of good chances and we could have taken atleast something from the game."

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Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Silvestre ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry(Walcott 81') ; van Persie(Santa Cruz 56'), Adebayor(Ramsey 78')
Unused Subs: Almunia, Sagna

Booked: Fabregas, Gallas

Goals: Santa Cruz 69'

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson ; Ooijer, Nelsen(c), Khizanishvili, Warnock ; Reid, Emerton(Fowler 89'), Villanueva ; Derbyshire(Funn 39'), Pedersen, McCarthy
Unused Subs: Enckelman, Todd, Roberts

Booked: Warnock

Att: 57,786

Ref: Rob Styles

Man of the Match: Roque Santa Cruz​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Henry loan bid rejected

Yesterday FC Barcelona have rejected a swap loan bid for former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry . Arsenal had made a loan offer until the end of the season and in exchange FC Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor would be joining Barcelona for loan for a season .

But the Barcelona chairman came out and said ," After selling Ronaldinho we have no intentions to let go one of our key players . Henry is a great player and I know what Arsenal means for him . But sometimes its important to forget the part to achieve something in the future .

"Emmanuel Adebayor has been a target of the club but as he said he doesnt want to leave Arsenal we gave up on him and now we say we dont want him over here . We are happy Samuel Eto'o has decided to stay over here and is ready to sign a new contract and we hope Henry does the same for many coming seasons ."

"I have not been in the same form as I was at Arsenal over here . I would certainly love to join Arsenal again as its my home . Arsenal is in my blood and I am still a fan of Arsenal . But as the chairman said I have to forget the past and go on with my present . But I would always love to play for Arsenal anytime again." Henry said when he was approached by Arsenal.

Arsenal were ready to offer 1m to club and Henry's full salary . But Barcelona were not even wanted to listen to the offer and which meant that Arsenal wouldn't be able to sign Thierry Henry again until the start of the new season .​

 

[freddiw]

Henry hahahahah

 

[Jaztheman]

Good win against Blackburn Rovers, nice to see an old flame for Blackburn score against them. You've been doing better away than at the Emirates so far, based on goals. Henry on loan for Adebayor? They rejected? Stupid Barcelona.

Good frequent updates Shan, keep up the good work.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Bolton 2 Arsenal 1

(Kevin Davies celebrates his winner)

Kevin Davies scored a stoppage-time goal to give Bolton a shock win over Premiership challengers Arsenal. Davies picked up Delgado's pass on the edge of the six-yard area to rifle past Gunners keeper Igor Akinfeyev and send the home crowd into raptures.

Cesc Fabregas scored his first Premiership goal of the season to give Arsenal the lead, poking home Mikael Silvestre's cross. But Bolton's Antony Gardner headed in the equaliser in the second half from Joey O'Brien's free-kick.

Arsenal could find themselves in a pickle on more than one occasion this season based on Saturday's display at The Reebok. Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers started well and came close to taking an early and deserved lead through skipper Kevin Nolan, Delgado and Joey O'Brien.

New signing Roque Santa Cruz was in the starting lineup for the Gunners and looked very lively, although he was up against an experienced Bolton Wanderers back four. The Paraguay international came within inches of opening his account for Arsenal in this game when he just failed to get on the end of Gareth Barry's cross.

Fabregas and new midfield partner Samir Nasri appeared to be competing against each other, rather than aiming to forge a solid bond between themselves. If that was the case, then the Spaniard came out on top. He opened his Premiership account for this season after Bolton wasted their three early chances.

The move that led to the goal was brilliant. Silvestre, who had his second successive impressive game, sped down the left and exchanged passes with Gareth Bary before rifling in a low cross that Fabregas got to ahead of Quinton Fortune.

Fabregas was a joy to watch. He was clever without over-playing, and when he did come under a challenge, there were no histrionics. His best moment was not the goal, but when he raced down the left and delivered a superb ball for Samir Nasri, whose header rebounded off the post. Nasri had been quiet until then and did not have his best game .

The arrival on the pitch of veteran midfielder Ivan Campo and striker Eduardo appeared to change the game for Bolton. And with 10 minutes left, the home side were level. Antony Gardener headed home a free-kick from the left edge of the penalty area.

Then with time running out, Davies swiveled on a sixpence to fire a low shot past Akinfeyev to send the home support wild.

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* Gary Megson

"I am proud of my boys . They showed real character and after going one goal down it was real difficult to scored and win against a team like Arsenal but we did it and it a deserving win for us . Hats of to the boys and we have t play the same to challenge for the top 4."

* Jose Mourinho

"It was a good game . We could have won but we didnt take the chances . We had some good chances . But Fabregas' goal build up was brilliant . Well it was our first defeat . We are looking to improve our performance in the coming games . Overall it was good game ."

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Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen ; Samuel, Laursen(Eduardo 61'), A.Gardener, R.Gardener(Campo 61') ; Nolan(c), McCann, Fortune, O'Brien ; Delgado, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Taylor

Goals: A.Gardener 80' & Davies 89'.

Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue(Sagna 59'), Toure, Gallas, Silvestre ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri, Barry ; Santa Cruz(Adebayor 72'), van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Almunia , Ramsey , Sagna

Booked: Eboue

Goals: Fabregas 31'.

Att: 27,781

Ref: Dermont Gallagher.

Man of the Match: Kevin Davies​

 

[treva]

Well a poor loss there. Arsenal should have won with these opening games not really that big a challenge. Mourinho won't be happy with that result at all. Arsenal will have to win these types of games if they are to have a chance of winning the title.

Great stuff Shantanu, keep it going

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Gutted. Two late goals, typical Bolton . You had a lot of chances you didn't make the most of and got punished. Great update mate.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report: Arsenal 3 Galatsaray 1

(Adebayor score twice to give Arsenal all 3 points)

Arsenal began their Champions League campaign on a high after defeating Turkish side Galatasaray 3-1 at the Emirates . Emmanuel Adebayor fired the Gunners into a 12th-minute lead when he slotted home Gareth Barry's left wing cross.But Galatasaray hit back when Llic finished well just before the break.

The visitors looked the better side early in the second half but were undone when Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas netted with two fine strikes.Arsenal went into the game down from their defeat against Bolton which ended their undefeated run under Jose Mourinho .

Galatasaray were themselves hitting better form, as they were at the top of the Turkish League with the win over Fenerbache . But despite Galatasaray boss Erick Gerets setting his stall out by trying to get as many men behind the ball as possible, there was a sense of the inevitable when the Gunners made the early breakthrough.

Samir Nasri dispossessed Harry Kewell with a crunching tackle and fed Barry, whose whipped cross from the left was clinically dispatched by Adebayor. But despite losing Nasri minutes later to a head injury, Arsenal added even more firepower when Ramsey was handed his chance by Jose Mourinho. The Welsh striker was soon in the thick of the action when he was fouled just outside the Galatasaray penalty area by Asik.

Asik, who was the visitors' stand-out player of the half, then blocked Fabregas's subsequent 25-yard free-kick by heading over. Rosicky saw a superb 30-yard strike well parried by Galatsaray keeper Mondragon as the Gunners continued to pile on the pressure. But totally against the run of play, Galatasaray were level.

Manuel Almunia's weak clearance was intercepted by Juhichi Inamoto that enabled Harry Kewell to thread the ball in for Llic to finish. The goal lifted the visitors and they nearly went ahead in the 44th minute when Inamoto danced his way passed the Arsenal defence before forcing Almunia to save well to his right.

Galatasaray started the second half as they finished the first, with Arsenal looked rattled by some uncompromising tackling. Rosicky and Fabregas, in particular, felt the force of two solid blocks as they looked ready to shoot.

Mourinho's side nearly retook the lead when first Emmanuel Adebayor's effort was well saved by Mondragon and then Gareth Barry flashed a left-footed strike just wide. Santa Cruz was then denied twice inside three minutes - the first by a brilliant block from Tomas before Mondragon got down to keep out his powerful header.

But Arsenal's renewed pressure finally paid off in the 73rd minute when Galatasaray's defending for once let them down. They failed to clear their lines and Fabregas collected a loose ball just out the box before lashing home an unstoppable volley.

Llic had the ball in the back of the net at the other end three minutes later but was ruled offside after lobbing Almunia. And Galatasaray's brave resistance was finally ended when Barry jinked his way into the penalty area and his cross was converted by Adebayor.

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*Jose Mourinho

"We didn't expect City to get back to 1-1 after we took the lead but we had to wait for the win. I think we deserved the victory as we created a lot of chances and when we got our second it made it easier because they had to change their shape. But now we must try to build on this and win as many points as we can."

*Erik Gerets

I thought the endeavour of the players was fantastic tonight and I was disappointed for them when they didn't get the result. It was touch a touch of brilliance, a really fantastic strike that got them get back in front after we equalised. Now I hope we can try to get qualification for the knock out stage."

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Arsenal: Almunia ; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Silvestre(Clichy 85') ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri(Ramsey 20'), Barry ; Santa Cruz(van Persie 81'), Adebayor
Unused Subs: Akinfeyev, Eboue, Bischoff, Walcott

Goals: Adebayor 12' & 79' , Fabregas 73'

Galatasaray: Mondragon ; Song, Tomas, Asik, Oztorum(Ak 57') ; Sarigolu, Inamoto, Penbe, Kewell ; Llic, Karan(Ates 67')
Unused Subs: Ercetin, Haspolatli, Sukur, Carrusca, Buruk

Booked: Oztorum, Penbe

Goals: Llic 42'

Att: 59,795

Ref: Ole Hansen

Man Of the Match: Emmanuel Adebayor​

 

[treva]

A good victory although expected really. Adebayor seems in good form. Probably reacting to the story that he may have been swapped for Henry.

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Nice win there! Adebayor performing great there

Love the presentation! KUTGW!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Arsenal 3 Sunderland 0

(Fabregas celebrates a brilliant win over Sunderland)

Arsenal brushed aside Sunderland in clinical fashion to keep in touch with the Premiership pace-setters.Roque Santa Cruz put Arsenal ahead from close range five minutes before the end of an evenly contested first half.

But Arsenal moved into top gear after the interval, Cesc Fabregas racing on to Robin van Persie's clever pass to slide home a cool finish after 56 minutes.Substitute Emmanuel Adebayor was then left completely unmarked to head in Fabregas's corner to seal the win with 10 minutes left.

Sunderland's good new start to the season was completely derailed by a brilliant performance by Jose Mourinho's men. Sunderland boss Roy Keane persisted with Grant Leadbitter in a right-wing role, despite the absence of injured Danny Whitehead, so Steed Malbranque played in central midfield alongside his former Spurs team mate Teemu Taino. It was to prove a questionable decision, with Leadbitter very much a peripheral figure as Arsenal ran out comfortable winners.

Arsenal had the ball in the net inside 90 seconds but Gareth Barry handled the ball to deflect it past Craig Cordon and picked up a yellow card. But Sunderland settled quickly and Kieran Richardson was just off target with an ambitious lob. Sunderland thought they had taken the lead after 13 minutes when Djibril Cisse turned home Leadbitter's cross, but he had strayed offside.

The visitors had enjoyed more than their fair share of possession and territory in the first half but just as frustration was growing inside the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal took the lead with a trademark goal after 41 minutes. Tomas Rosicky played in Cesc Fabregas and his pass was met by the onrushing Santa Cruz, who got the vital final touch ahead of Nosworthy.

Sunderland needed to make a statement of intent after the break but it was Arsenal who doubled their lead. There was a hint of good fortune about the build-up, with Van Persie first failing with an attempted flick but then recovering to play in Fabregas at the second attempt to finish in style.

Sunderland needed to make a change and it came on the hour when David Healy replaced the ineffective Teemu Taino. Leadbitter moved into the middle to at least provide a hint of menace with a deflected shot from 30 yards that dipped just over the bar.

But Arsenal ended any debate about the destination of the points when Adebayor headed home Fabregas's corner. It prompted a heated exchange between Gordon and team-mate Phil Bardsley over the lack of marking, summing up a desperately disappointing display by the Black Cats.

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*Jose Mourinho

"We completely out played them today . The build up to the first goal was brilliant and that was typical Arsenal style of play . It was very good to see all three Fabregas, Santa Cruz, and Adebayor among the goals . Sunderland had some good chances in the first half which they didnt take and that lead to their downfall today ."

*Roy Keane

"It was a disappointing display by the boys today . I think the Cisse goal wasnt offside when we saw it on the DVD . But otherwise Arsenal completely dominated and we expected that . But I never expected to concede three goals and not score even one . The Premier League is getting tougher and tougher and we need to rise our game play to survive in the league ."

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Arsenal: Almunia ; Eboue(Sagna 58'), Toure, Gallas, Silvestre ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Walcott, Barry ; Santa Cruz, van Persie(Adebayor 67')
Unused Subs: Akinfeyev, Eboue, Bischoff, Walcott

Booked : Eboue , Rosicky

Goals: Santa Cruz 41' , Fabregas 56 , Adebayor 78'

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins ; Malbranque, Leadbitter, Taino(Healy 58'), Richardson ; Diouf, Cisse.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Chopra, Leadbitter, Stokes.

Att:59,695

Ref: Alan Wiley

Man Of the Match: Cesc Fabregas​

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Nice win for the Gunners there. Fabregas

League table please??

Nice presentation! KUTGW!

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Back to winning convincingly. Adebayor is on great form. Santa Cruz has also got off to a good start.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Middlesbrough 3 Arsenal 3

(Gareth Barry scores his first Arsenal gaol in style)

Arsenal twice came from behind to snatch a point against Middlesbrough. Gunners were briefly ahead when Roque Santa Cruz punished Boro goalkeeper Turnbull after he dropped the ball. Two Alfonso Alves goals put Boro ahead - he scored first with a volley in the 30th minute and claimed his second when Mido's powerful shot hit him.

Gareth Barry' free-kick pulled Gunners level on 63 minutes - only for Stewart Downing's header to make it 3-2 before Rosicky nodded in the equalizer. Gunners showed plenty of spirit to come away with a point and they were indebted to goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev, who denied Boro with numerous saves.

The visitors might even have stolen all three points but Boro keeper Turnbull made up for his first-half misjudgement when he stood up to Emmanuel Adebayor in the closing stages. The start was scrappy, interrupted by a succession of fouls and three bookings with Eboue, Digard and Chris Riggott yellow-carded.

Santa Cruz's goal sparked the game into life, although in keeping with the dour opening the Paraguan's effort is unlikely to make the goal of the season nominations. Turnbull, under pressure from Adebayor, was unable to catch the ball cleanly from Mikael Silvestre's cross and Santa Cruz reacted quickly to prod the ball towards goal, his effort trickling over the line.

Up to this point Boro had failed to force a single save from Akinfeyev but by the end of the half Gareth Southgates's side found themselves ahead. Alfonso Alves's first goal came from an incisive finish as he sent an angled volley past Akinfeyev.

The Brazilian's second goal was rather more fortunate and had more to do with Mido's attacking initiative rather than Alfonso Alves's striking instincts. Mido wove his way past Silvestre and Gallas before unleashing a fierce shot that a took a big deflection off the Brazilian into the net.

Alves was a mite unfortunate not to claim a hat-trick when his bullet header was tipped over by Akinfeyev early in the second half. But having done so much to give Boro the lead, Alves undid some of his good work when he lunged at Fabregas to concede a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Barry delightfully curled the ball over the Boro wall and past Turnbull's outstretched hand. Boro stormed back into attack and Akinfeyev did well to push Digard's shot round the post. But Akinfeyev could do nothing about Boro's third goal when - from a David Digard corner - Downing powered a header into the net off the bar. Akinfeyev was convinced the Englishman's header had not crossed the line and was booked by referee Mike Riley for protesting.

Gunners' second equalizer came from a corner, Rosicky rising above the Boro defence to guide a header into the net. The game had five minutes of stoppage time after Riggott was carried off on a stretcher unconscious but neither side was able to claim the three points. By the time Riggott had reached the dressing room he had regained consciousness.

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*Jose Mourinho

"We have come back from being one down many a times but this time we came twice back. If we're a bit cleverer we can win these games. We couldn't do it last year and I think we've improved in certain areas and it showed. I think we've got a great team spirit, physical strength and character."

*Gareth Southgate

"When we reached the dressing room Chris Riggott had a smile on his face and had a blow on his forehead . he looked much better and we would know the concussion tomorrow . We had a good game . After going up twice we lost the lead due to some poor defending and we need to get it right soon . "

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Middlesbrough: turnbull ; Riggott(Arca 87'), Pogatez, Huth, Hoyte(Morrison 71') ; Solano, Digard, Downing ; Tuncay sanli, Alves, Mido
unused Subs: O'Neil, Jones, Morrison

Booked: Digard, Riggott, Pogatez

Goals: Alves 30',43' and Downing 69'

Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue(Sagna 58'), Toure, Gallas, Silvestre ; Rosicky(c), Fabregas, Nasri(van Persie 65'), Barry ; Santa Cruz, Adebayor
Unused Subs: Almunia, Clichy, Walcott

Booked: Eboue

Goals: Santa Cruz 25', Barry 63', Adebayor 83'

Att: 35,010

Ref: Mike Riley​

 

[Karachi Xpress]

OMG! A draw against Middlesrough Oh well...League table please??