A month ago, when Arsenal were licking their wounds as all routes to silverware had been closed off for yet another season, and they winced at the thought of what a home game with Tottenham would bring, an afternoon as contented as this seemed a far-fetched possibility. This was a comfortable, seventh successive Premier League victory in the sunshine, with not so much as a hint of anxiety, and their grip on a Champions League spot strengthened. All in all, it demonstrated how quickly footballing fortunes can be transformed.
After Aston Villa had been swatted aside with goals from Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta, Arsène Wenger was able to reflect on a position he never dared to hope for when Arsenal had slumped to 17th earlier in the campaign. "I agree, it was a dream," he said. "You just come in the next day and do your job as well as you can. We have had some difficult times and have learned that nothing is guaranteed."
Villa, too, must reflect that nothing is guaranteed for them either. While it is pushing it for them to feel overly concerned about their own position while they remain eight points in front of the relegation places, the fixture list presents several headaches, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke and Manchester United lined up as upcoming opponents.
Despite arriving as the club who have earned the most points from trips to the Emirates, Villa never looked like adding any more. It did not take long for Arsenal to hum through the gears. Their passing and movement rendered Villa clapped out in comparison.
In the 16th minute, Arsenal eased in front. When Kieran Gibbs was played in by Gervinho, the left-back aimed a low shot goalwards. A ricochet off James Collins was enough to befuddle Shay Given, and the ball squirmed in off the Villa goalkeeper. All of Arsenal's first-choice back-four have now scored over the past six games, recognition of how much it has helped the balance of their play to have authentic full-backs in position. "When you play at home and have ambition you need full-backs," Wenger said. "Without them it kills a bit of the offensive drive. Now there is more variation in our build up game."
Theo Walcott doubled the lead nine minutes later when he brought down a wonderful lobbed assist from Alex Song – which is becoming his speciality – and finished with a neat sidefoot. Incredibly, that signalled the first time that two English players have scored for Arsenal in the same league game since 1997. Wenger was keen for Song to get credit. "You do not see many defensive midfielders with so many assists. His numbers are top in Europe," the manager said.
The platform Song and Arteta (pictured left) provided underscored this win, and the Spaniard enjoyed the opportunity to show some of his creative instincts. He lashed a shot from distance that Given was able to tip over the bar, and enjoyed the opportunity to find his range from a series of free-kicks.
Villa looked ragged, and worryingly penetrable. Alex McLeish spoke of Arsenal having "oodles of class" but could not disguise his frustration that his own team did not fare better. "We were pretty lamentable in the first half," he said. "The goals we lost were weak. Coming to the Emirates you have to be realistic. But in my entire career I have never thought I'm not capable of getting a result at any club in the world."
It was hard to avoid the feeling that Villa lacked a certain something as soon as the team-sheet confirmed Emile Heskey as the lone striker in his second league start of the year. He made his presence felt to Johan Djourou as the Swiss defender felt the full force of Heskey's elbow in the face. But he otherwise laboured to little effect. Djourou was a late call-up for Laurent Koscielny, who woke up feeling the effects of tendinitis in his knee. Even a little setback like that does not easily interrupt the good vibrations at Arsenal at the moment. They finished on a high as Arteta added the gloss with a fabulous, ferocious, free kick that scorched past Given in stoppage time.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 24 Mar 12
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa match
on the performance…
I felt it was a very dynamic, fluent performance in the first half with top technical quality. It was a controlled performance in the second half, we controlled the game and managed not to concede a goal. Our fatigue came in a bit because we gave a lot at Everton on Wednesday night to win the game. Overall I am very happy, very pleased because we managed to score goals and not concede any. We have consistency at the moment, so let's go home and wait for the next game.
on rising from 17th to third…
At the time [we were 17th] I agree it was a dream to be in third but what you do is come in and do your job as well as you can, stay positive and work hard. I was optimistic because the attitude of the players was positive every day. We have gone through difficult times, we have learned that nothing is guaranteed and we must keep humility and focus to finish the season in a strong, convincing way.
on the team's resurgence…
I didn't expect we would be in third today because it didn't only depend on us. We needed our results and results in our favour from opponents. In the past month it has turned our way so we have to make sure we keep the momentum. We look to be a team on the up so that is positive. We look at the next game and try to win it - that's all we can do. We have eight games to go, four at home, four away. Next is QPR and that is certainly another battle for us so let's go there and try to be positive.
on the winning run justifying his faith in the team…
It is always very difficult in our game, because you multiply the positive vibes by 25 and also the negative vibes by 25. That makes our job look easy sometimes, and other times so difficult. When you are in a bad period it is very hard to get out of it, when you are in a good period you need to keep your urgency. The fact we are close to the end of the season means every game is a cup final.
on Laurent Koscielny…
Koscielny had tendinitis in his knee when he woke up this morning. I don't know what position he slept in but he could not walk properly. He tried in the warm-up but could not play. We decided in the morning when he woke up. He came to see me and said he was not sure that he could play with that pain. So we called somebody up and pushed him in the warm-up. Straight away after the first run he said he could not even move. How bad it is we have to assess.
on Robin van Persie's future…
We have had no indications yet and Champions League football is not guaranteed. We can manage it if we keep our performances at this level. Considering Van Persie, we have spoken many times about it and there is not much more to add.
on goals from all over the team…
I believe what people forget when you play at home, when we have the ambition that we have, is that you need full backs who go forward. We played for a long time with centre backs as full backs and that kills your offensive drive a little bit. Then we went a lot through the middle and relied on Van Persie. Now we have a bit more variation in our build-up play and therefore we are more dangerous as well.
on Theo Walcott's display…
Theo had a very good performance and scored a great goal. You have to give him credit for that. But I would like to give credit to the pass from Song, because it is not the first time he has done that. You do not see many defensive midfielders [do that]. If you look at the assists that he has made this season, you will see that his numbers are top in Europe.
on what has made the difference recently…
When we did not win games [earlier in the season], I did not feel we played as badly as people said. I feel we have gained a lot of confidence in our play out from the back and that makes a massive difference. The defenders who play out from the back give us a security now and that allows the team to be much more confident.
on Mikel Arteta's free-kick…
I prefer it when he takes free-kicks with his laces because he has short feet. Usually the guys who have good insight have bigger, longer feet, and when a guy has short feet like that they are very talented at hitting the ball with their laces. The ball floats a little bit when they take it and I think he is more built to hit the free-kicks like that.
Source: Arsenal.com on 24 Mar 12
I felt it was a very dynamic, fluent performance in the first half with top technical quality. It was a controlled performance in the second half, we controlled the game and managed not to concede a goal. Our fatigue came in a bit because we gave a lot at Everton on Wednesday night to win the game. Overall I am very happy, very pleased because we managed to score goals and not concede any. We have consistency at the moment, so let's go home and wait for the next game.
on rising from 17th to third…
At the time [we were 17th] I agree it was a dream to be in third but what you do is come in and do your job as well as you can, stay positive and work hard. I was optimistic because the attitude of the players was positive every day. We have gone through difficult times, we have learned that nothing is guaranteed and we must keep humility and focus to finish the season in a strong, convincing way.
on the team's resurgence…
I didn't expect we would be in third today because it didn't only depend on us. We needed our results and results in our favour from opponents. In the past month it has turned our way so we have to make sure we keep the momentum. We look to be a team on the up so that is positive. We look at the next game and try to win it - that's all we can do. We have eight games to go, four at home, four away. Next is QPR and that is certainly another battle for us so let's go there and try to be positive.
on the winning run justifying his faith in the team…
It is always very difficult in our game, because you multiply the positive vibes by 25 and also the negative vibes by 25. That makes our job look easy sometimes, and other times so difficult. When you are in a bad period it is very hard to get out of it, when you are in a good period you need to keep your urgency. The fact we are close to the end of the season means every game is a cup final.
on Laurent Koscielny…
Koscielny had tendinitis in his knee when he woke up this morning. I don't know what position he slept in but he could not walk properly. He tried in the warm-up but could not play. We decided in the morning when he woke up. He came to see me and said he was not sure that he could play with that pain. So we called somebody up and pushed him in the warm-up. Straight away after the first run he said he could not even move. How bad it is we have to assess.
on Robin van Persie's future…
We have had no indications yet and Champions League football is not guaranteed. We can manage it if we keep our performances at this level. Considering Van Persie, we have spoken many times about it and there is not much more to add.
on goals from all over the team…
I believe what people forget when you play at home, when we have the ambition that we have, is that you need full backs who go forward. We played for a long time with centre backs as full backs and that kills your offensive drive a little bit. Then we went a lot through the middle and relied on Van Persie. Now we have a bit more variation in our build-up play and therefore we are more dangerous as well.
on Theo Walcott's display…
Theo had a very good performance and scored a great goal. You have to give him credit for that. But I would like to give credit to the pass from Song, because it is not the first time he has done that. You do not see many defensive midfielders [do that]. If you look at the assists that he has made this season, you will see that his numbers are top in Europe.
on what has made the difference recently…
When we did not win games [earlier in the season], I did not feel we played as badly as people said. I feel we have gained a lot of confidence in our play out from the back and that makes a massive difference. The defenders who play out from the back give us a security now and that allows the team to be much more confident.
on Mikel Arteta's free-kick…
I prefer it when he takes free-kicks with his laces because he has short feet. Usually the guys who have good insight have bigger, longer feet, and when a guy has short feet like that they are very talented at hitting the ball with their laces. The ball floats a little bit when they take it and I think he is more built to hit the free-kicks like that.
Source: Arsenal.com on 24 Mar 12
24 March 2012: Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa, Emirates Stadium
Arsenal tightened their grip on third place with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Goals from Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott all but secured the victory in the first half. After that, Arsène Wenger’s side professionally ‘saw-out’ the victory until Mikel Arteta added a spectacular free-kick in injury time.
It was Arsenal’s seventh victory in a row in the Premier League – the club’s best run since October 2007 – and oozed of a new-found confidence.
Before this game, Arsenal’s nearest rivals in the table – Chelsea and Tottenham - had played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. The best result possible.
It all means Wenger’s team now have a three-point advantage over their north London rivals and are eight points in front of Roberto Di Matteo’s men.
Arsenal have been doing very special things of late. But, Arteta’s strike apart, this was probably not one of those.
It was a regulation win by the home side – well deserved and well controlled.
But the three points were no less important than those gained against Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The Arsenal success story just rolls on and on.
Wenger’s teamsheet showed one change from the side that had toughed out a crucial 1-0 win at Everton. Gervinho replaced Aaron Ramsey on the left.
However, there would be another alteration before kick-off as Laurent Koscielny injured his knee in the warm-up. Johan Djourou stepped up from the bench.
Villa arrived in 15th place having suffered heartbreaking defeats to Arsenal at home in the league and away in the FA Cup already this season.
However, their last Premier League trip to Emirates had brought them three points and had made them the most successful visitors to Arsenal’s new home.
The ground was bathed in spring sunshine this afternoon. Perhaps we should not have been surprised - after today Arsenal had only eight games left this term.
Summer was not far away and, it seemed, Wenger’s men had timed their run to perfection. In the past month they had eased their way past Chelsea and Tottenham to go third. Their early result gave Arsenal the opportunity to create some distance.
And, right from the first kick, that is precisely what they tried to do.
Villa had the first chance when Marc Albrighton raced clear and fired over. But after that Arsenal snatched control.
Thomas Vermaelen headed over in the seventh minute and then, shortly afterwards, Walcott’s touch sent Gervinho clear on the right.
He found Robin van Persie whose exquisite backheel invited the onrushing Englishman to shoot. Shay Given saved his drive and Bacary Sagna hacked the rebound wide.
Arsenal were finding their rhythm and, inevitably, they would soon find the net. In the 16th minute, Gervinho sent Gibbs into space on the left of the area. The full back fired low and hard to the near post. Given could only help the ball into the net.
It was Gibbs’ second goal of the season – and of his entire professional career. The other had come against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup earlier this term.
The goal was all the incentive Arsenal needed to attack. Their six-game winning run had already instilled them with confidence, going in front just handed them license to try for another.
It arrived in the 25th minute via Alex Song’s lofted assist, something in which he is becoming quite the expert. Walcott’s first touch was wonderful and his finish efficient. It was his ninth of the season.
Arsenal were now effervescent. Van Persie volleyed over at the near post before Arteta’s vicious long-range strike had to be hurriedly tipped over by Given. The keeper also clutched the Dutchman’s dangerous chip.
Six minutes from the break it might have been three. Song led a raid through the middle and fed Van Persie, who stumbled as he reached the ball and the chance seemed to have gone. However, he recovered instantly and, with Given stranded, fired at the seemingly empty goal. From nowhere, Stephen Warnock appeared to nod the ball over the bar. An incredible block that surely kept Villa in the game.
The visitors had more about them in the second half. They had to improve or Arsenal were simply going to increase the pain.
Villa started to foray forward more but, barring the odd corner, Wojciech Szczesny was barely tested.
In fact the chances were still coming from Arsenal. Gibbs’ telling cross saw Van Persie go close and then, midway through the half, Tomas Rosicky tested Given from long range.
Wenger brought on Andre Santos and Aaron Ramsey for Gibbs and Gervinho. The Brazilian full back made a nervous return after almost four months out. He gave the ball away to Andreas Weimann in a dangerous position. The Villa substitute fired straight across goal.
Arsenal seemed a little stung by the chance and dug in. Arteta’s free-kick rippled the top of the net and Ramsey fired wide.
As the time ticked away, the home seemed to become increasingly aware of their position. They had the points, all they need to do was stop Villa snatching them.
It made for a somewhat stilted second half but Arsenal were simply doing their job. The crowd certainly seemed happy enough, serenading their manager with shouts of “there’s only one Arsène Wenger.”
Eight minutes from time, substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain motored past Warnock and seemed to be brought down in the area by Stephen Ireland. Replays showed the Villa midfielder had won the ball.
Weimann had a shot blocked by Djourou towards the end, arguably Villa's best chance of the game. But, as ever, Arsenal had the last word. Song was fouled just outside the area and Arteta cracked home a delicious free-kick from long range.
The perfect ending as Arsenal march on.
* Before kick-off, Arsenal fans remembered their former player Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a heart attack last weekend while playing for Bolton. A giant banner was unfurled at the north end of the ground and passed over the heads of supporters. It drew rapturous applause.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 24 Mar 12
Goals from Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott all but secured the victory in the first half. After that, Arsène Wenger’s side professionally ‘saw-out’ the victory until Mikel Arteta added a spectacular free-kick in injury time.
It was Arsenal’s seventh victory in a row in the Premier League – the club’s best run since October 2007 – and oozed of a new-found confidence.
Before this game, Arsenal’s nearest rivals in the table – Chelsea and Tottenham - had played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. The best result possible.
It all means Wenger’s team now have a three-point advantage over their north London rivals and are eight points in front of Roberto Di Matteo’s men.
Arsenal have been doing very special things of late. But, Arteta’s strike apart, this was probably not one of those.
It was a regulation win by the home side – well deserved and well controlled.
But the three points were no less important than those gained against Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The Arsenal success story just rolls on and on.
Wenger’s teamsheet showed one change from the side that had toughed out a crucial 1-0 win at Everton. Gervinho replaced Aaron Ramsey on the left.
However, there would be another alteration before kick-off as Laurent Koscielny injured his knee in the warm-up. Johan Djourou stepped up from the bench.
Villa arrived in 15th place having suffered heartbreaking defeats to Arsenal at home in the league and away in the FA Cup already this season.
However, their last Premier League trip to Emirates had brought them three points and had made them the most successful visitors to Arsenal’s new home.
The ground was bathed in spring sunshine this afternoon. Perhaps we should not have been surprised - after today Arsenal had only eight games left this term.
Summer was not far away and, it seemed, Wenger’s men had timed their run to perfection. In the past month they had eased their way past Chelsea and Tottenham to go third. Their early result gave Arsenal the opportunity to create some distance.
And, right from the first kick, that is precisely what they tried to do.
Villa had the first chance when Marc Albrighton raced clear and fired over. But after that Arsenal snatched control.
Thomas Vermaelen headed over in the seventh minute and then, shortly afterwards, Walcott’s touch sent Gervinho clear on the right.
He found Robin van Persie whose exquisite backheel invited the onrushing Englishman to shoot. Shay Given saved his drive and Bacary Sagna hacked the rebound wide.
Arsenal were finding their rhythm and, inevitably, they would soon find the net. In the 16th minute, Gervinho sent Gibbs into space on the left of the area. The full back fired low and hard to the near post. Given could only help the ball into the net.
It was Gibbs’ second goal of the season – and of his entire professional career. The other had come against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup earlier this term.
The goal was all the incentive Arsenal needed to attack. Their six-game winning run had already instilled them with confidence, going in front just handed them license to try for another.
It arrived in the 25th minute via Alex Song’s lofted assist, something in which he is becoming quite the expert. Walcott’s first touch was wonderful and his finish efficient. It was his ninth of the season.
Arsenal were now effervescent. Van Persie volleyed over at the near post before Arteta’s vicious long-range strike had to be hurriedly tipped over by Given. The keeper also clutched the Dutchman’s dangerous chip.
Six minutes from the break it might have been three. Song led a raid through the middle and fed Van Persie, who stumbled as he reached the ball and the chance seemed to have gone. However, he recovered instantly and, with Given stranded, fired at the seemingly empty goal. From nowhere, Stephen Warnock appeared to nod the ball over the bar. An incredible block that surely kept Villa in the game.
The visitors had more about them in the second half. They had to improve or Arsenal were simply going to increase the pain.
Villa started to foray forward more but, barring the odd corner, Wojciech Szczesny was barely tested.
In fact the chances were still coming from Arsenal. Gibbs’ telling cross saw Van Persie go close and then, midway through the half, Tomas Rosicky tested Given from long range.
Wenger brought on Andre Santos and Aaron Ramsey for Gibbs and Gervinho. The Brazilian full back made a nervous return after almost four months out. He gave the ball away to Andreas Weimann in a dangerous position. The Villa substitute fired straight across goal.
Arsenal seemed a little stung by the chance and dug in. Arteta’s free-kick rippled the top of the net and Ramsey fired wide.
As the time ticked away, the home seemed to become increasingly aware of their position. They had the points, all they need to do was stop Villa snatching them.
It made for a somewhat stilted second half but Arsenal were simply doing their job. The crowd certainly seemed happy enough, serenading their manager with shouts of “there’s only one Arsène Wenger.”
Eight minutes from time, substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain motored past Warnock and seemed to be brought down in the area by Stephen Ireland. Replays showed the Villa midfielder had won the ball.
Weimann had a shot blocked by Djourou towards the end, arguably Villa's best chance of the game. But, as ever, Arsenal had the last word. Song was fouled just outside the area and Arteta cracked home a delicious free-kick from long range.
The perfect ending as Arsenal march on.
* Before kick-off, Arsenal fans remembered their former player Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a heart attack last weekend while playing for Bolton. A giant banner was unfurled at the north end of the ground and passed over the heads of supporters. It drew rapturous applause.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 24 Mar 12
Arsenal finally make sense of the topsy-turvy world of Theo Walcott
Arsenal face Aston Villa with a winger who was once famously the future and who now looks to be the future all over again
Welcome back, then, Arsenal. For a long time you were brilliant. Then you were just quite good. Then, suddenly, you were crap. Now you are quite good again. Perhaps you will soon go back to being crap. It is, let's face it, quite hard to keep up.
Either way Arsène Wenger's rejuvenated north London academy of the performing backheel will face Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday a team in an annoyingly unclassifiable state of turnaround: buoyantly crisis-ridden, resurgently slumped, triumphantly in fatal decline. For now, though, the mediocrity nouveau has stalled. This no longer looks like New Crap Arsenal. Albeit it also doesn't look like Old Good Arsenal either. Instead, out of enforced limitations Wenger appears to have come up with something a little different. Cheap Simple Arsenal: an Arsenal constructed out of locally sourced balsa wood, an Arsenal you can copy at home. Best of all, the new regime appears to centre quite heavily on dear old Theo Walcott, one of the more intriguing characters in English football; a player who was once so famously the future and who may now, six years later, be the future all over again.
Theo! Few England players in recent times have invoked such lapel-throttling frustrations. What acceleration! What speed! What … is he up to now? It is heartening to see such renewed purpose in Arsenal's late-blooming prodigy, the fastest slowest learner in the world, and a player who even in his most convincingly footballer-ish moments – when he doesn't seem too nice or too airily devoid of gimlet-eyed athletic cunning – still has an air of earnest otherworldliness, of having jetted in eagerly from some related realm of sporting endeavour, a job-swap wide receiver or a hurdler with a cribsheet.
Until recently Walcott still seemed indelibly marked by his premature elevation to England's 2006 World Cup squad, where he spent a month wandering the streets of Baden-Baden in flip-flops, a tourist, a mascot, a competition winner. This early Walcott still had the air of a foundling footballer, some scampering rural wood sprite spotted haring out of the treeline through the morning mist, ears pinned back, glossy-eyed, downy chest heaving.
Most commonly Walcott has been dismissed as having "no end product", often with such venom it is as though he has overtly rejected the chance to have an end product, or boisterously talked up his end product only to go rattling out of town at dawn at the reins of his snake oil wagon. Otherwise the objection is that Walcott is "just a sprinter". Make no mistake, though, his speed is born of rare physical gifts. At least one former Great Britain sprinter is given to eulogising over Walcott's effortless stride, the purity of the personal mechanics that keep him still thrumming along at top speed to the final whistle. It is a thoroughbred speed as opposed to, say, the rather frantic Aaron Lennon who runs like he's just burnt both his hands on a toasted pitta bread and is haring out into the back garden to plunge them into a pile of snow.
It seems clear now that Walcott is unlikely to develop into a Berkshire Luís Figo. But Arsenal have devised a tactical rejig that spotlights his gifts rather than his failings. The preoccupation with diffuse possession has been ceded slightly in favour of a toe-to-toe pressing game, based no doubt on the flash-mob roughings-up routinely handed out – on those rare occasions they find themselves no longer in possession of the ball – by the pigeon-chested skill-gnomes of Barcelona.
At the same time Arsenal have become selectively direct, their attack dwindled to a surgical point. Essentially they have a man who runs fast and a man who kicks the ball into the goal (you know: Him), while everyone else is charged with giving the ball either to the goal-running man or the goal-kicking man. It is a peculiarly English way of playing, a refined version of direct football whereby, rather than hoofing hopefully for the corners Arsenal instead instruct Walcott to run hopefully for the corner. Under this system the speeding Walcott is basically a punt downfield made flesh, a living breathing percentage-launch and chief instrument of, not so much kick and rush football, as rush and rush football.
In his trimmed-down role there is less need for an end product. Walcott must simply spread high-speed alarm, master the cutback not the cross, and surprise everybody by scoring occasionally (eight so far this season). He has been aided in this by the uselessness of many Premier League defences, but also by the emergence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a fearless, barrel-chested youth who can dribble and prompt with genuine acuity and who has in the process freed Walcott up to gallop with narrow-focus intensity like a jack russell chasing a wasp along a crowded beach.
There is something else, too. It may be contrary to the historical practices of Wengerism, but Arsenal now have four young players – Walcott, Oxlade‑Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs – hovering close to the England team. Unusual England players, too, in that they don't look frightened or embarrassing, or in the way of many young English players as though they've been cobbled together from spam and leather offcuts; or, like Andy Carroll, splinted into a clanking humanoid effigy from old deckchair ends and shards of corrugated iron.
There has been a peculiar ambient venom directed towards Wenger throughout the recent mixed results, a sense of having been somehow cheated by this frowsty financial puritan in his haggard nylon floor-length gown. A downturn into trophyless stability has been greeted not with a shrug but with scowling disbelief, the flaming torches gathered on the front lawn, scouring the atrium for a glimpse of that shadowy figure swishing his quilted puffa cape at the window, balance sheet clutched in one trembling hand.
Perhaps out of the constraints of squad-depletion and informed personal stinginess Wenger might even have come up with a blueprint for something just as effective as the sideways-shuffling exoticisms of old. A style we might call guerrilla-football. Sprint-kick. Run-foot. Or even perhaps Theoball: a way of playing that knows its technical limits and instead simply plays to its hand of refined athletic strengths, leaving behind the chintz of defeated expectation and just letting itself run.
Source: Barney Ronay, The Guardian on 23 Mar 12
Welcome back, then, Arsenal. For a long time you were brilliant. Then you were just quite good. Then, suddenly, you were crap. Now you are quite good again. Perhaps you will soon go back to being crap. It is, let's face it, quite hard to keep up.
Either way Arsène Wenger's rejuvenated north London academy of the performing backheel will face Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday a team in an annoyingly unclassifiable state of turnaround: buoyantly crisis-ridden, resurgently slumped, triumphantly in fatal decline. For now, though, the mediocrity nouveau has stalled. This no longer looks like New Crap Arsenal. Albeit it also doesn't look like Old Good Arsenal either. Instead, out of enforced limitations Wenger appears to have come up with something a little different. Cheap Simple Arsenal: an Arsenal constructed out of locally sourced balsa wood, an Arsenal you can copy at home. Best of all, the new regime appears to centre quite heavily on dear old Theo Walcott, one of the more intriguing characters in English football; a player who was once so famously the future and who may now, six years later, be the future all over again.
Theo! Few England players in recent times have invoked such lapel-throttling frustrations. What acceleration! What speed! What … is he up to now? It is heartening to see such renewed purpose in Arsenal's late-blooming prodigy, the fastest slowest learner in the world, and a player who even in his most convincingly footballer-ish moments – when he doesn't seem too nice or too airily devoid of gimlet-eyed athletic cunning – still has an air of earnest otherworldliness, of having jetted in eagerly from some related realm of sporting endeavour, a job-swap wide receiver or a hurdler with a cribsheet.
Until recently Walcott still seemed indelibly marked by his premature elevation to England's 2006 World Cup squad, where he spent a month wandering the streets of Baden-Baden in flip-flops, a tourist, a mascot, a competition winner. This early Walcott still had the air of a foundling footballer, some scampering rural wood sprite spotted haring out of the treeline through the morning mist, ears pinned back, glossy-eyed, downy chest heaving.
Most commonly Walcott has been dismissed as having "no end product", often with such venom it is as though he has overtly rejected the chance to have an end product, or boisterously talked up his end product only to go rattling out of town at dawn at the reins of his snake oil wagon. Otherwise the objection is that Walcott is "just a sprinter". Make no mistake, though, his speed is born of rare physical gifts. At least one former Great Britain sprinter is given to eulogising over Walcott's effortless stride, the purity of the personal mechanics that keep him still thrumming along at top speed to the final whistle. It is a thoroughbred speed as opposed to, say, the rather frantic Aaron Lennon who runs like he's just burnt both his hands on a toasted pitta bread and is haring out into the back garden to plunge them into a pile of snow.
It seems clear now that Walcott is unlikely to develop into a Berkshire Luís Figo. But Arsenal have devised a tactical rejig that spotlights his gifts rather than his failings. The preoccupation with diffuse possession has been ceded slightly in favour of a toe-to-toe pressing game, based no doubt on the flash-mob roughings-up routinely handed out – on those rare occasions they find themselves no longer in possession of the ball – by the pigeon-chested skill-gnomes of Barcelona.
At the same time Arsenal have become selectively direct, their attack dwindled to a surgical point. Essentially they have a man who runs fast and a man who kicks the ball into the goal (you know: Him), while everyone else is charged with giving the ball either to the goal-running man or the goal-kicking man. It is a peculiarly English way of playing, a refined version of direct football whereby, rather than hoofing hopefully for the corners Arsenal instead instruct Walcott to run hopefully for the corner. Under this system the speeding Walcott is basically a punt downfield made flesh, a living breathing percentage-launch and chief instrument of, not so much kick and rush football, as rush and rush football.
In his trimmed-down role there is less need for an end product. Walcott must simply spread high-speed alarm, master the cutback not the cross, and surprise everybody by scoring occasionally (eight so far this season). He has been aided in this by the uselessness of many Premier League defences, but also by the emergence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a fearless, barrel-chested youth who can dribble and prompt with genuine acuity and who has in the process freed Walcott up to gallop with narrow-focus intensity like a jack russell chasing a wasp along a crowded beach.
There is something else, too. It may be contrary to the historical practices of Wengerism, but Arsenal now have four young players – Walcott, Oxlade‑Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs – hovering close to the England team. Unusual England players, too, in that they don't look frightened or embarrassing, or in the way of many young English players as though they've been cobbled together from spam and leather offcuts; or, like Andy Carroll, splinted into a clanking humanoid effigy from old deckchair ends and shards of corrugated iron.
There has been a peculiar ambient venom directed towards Wenger throughout the recent mixed results, a sense of having been somehow cheated by this frowsty financial puritan in his haggard nylon floor-length gown. A downturn into trophyless stability has been greeted not with a shrug but with scowling disbelief, the flaming torches gathered on the front lawn, scouring the atrium for a glimpse of that shadowy figure swishing his quilted puffa cape at the window, balance sheet clutched in one trembling hand.
Perhaps out of the constraints of squad-depletion and informed personal stinginess Wenger might even have come up with a blueprint for something just as effective as the sideways-shuffling exoticisms of old. A style we might call guerrilla-football. Sprint-kick. Run-foot. Or even perhaps Theoball: a way of playing that knows its technical limits and instead simply plays to its hand of refined athletic strengths, leaving behind the chintz of defeated expectation and just letting itself run.
Source: Barney Ronay, The Guardian on 23 Mar 12
Friday, March 23, 2012
Third, but the comeback isn't complete
Now we’re actually there, we can’t assume that the job is done. As much as Spurs’ demise is hilarious, they’re still only a point behind us and have some winnable fixtures left. However confidence and momentum can be powerful things in sport. To make a change to recent seasons, we’re heading into the run-in with some confidence and momentum flowing through the team, while others around us continue to fail. Given the previous fragility of Arsenal, I can’t bring myself to be overly confident that we’ll hold onto third, but now it’s hard not to be positive about the way we’re playing.
The Everton game was slightly different to our recent wins, mainly because we didn’t have to go behind to click into gear, and because we allowed Wojciech Szczesny to have a quiet match. After Spurs lost at Goodison Park, I was really concerned that the hosts would be pumped up for the match and that we’d suffer up north again. Instead, we dominated the match in the early stages and looked capable of cutting Everton open every time we attacked.
The team are beginning to develop an encouraging aura of not looking scared to dominate matches by playing our passing style, whilst knowing that they can be strong enough defensively. Everton didn’t pressure Arsenal as much as I expected initially, but that was partly because they couldn’t get near our players because of clever movements and quick passing. We should have scored more in the opening 20 minutes considering the chances we created, however we did at least come out of that period of sustained pressure with a goal.
It can make a huge difference to the team to have a centre back who can regularly contribute goals, especially from corners. As much as we missed Thomas Vermaelen’s defending when he was injured last season and this season, and we really did miss it, his crafty knack of scoring goals wasn’t replaced in the team. In the last two games, the Belgian has now scored two winning goals.
When he scored on his Premier League debut at Goodison Park in 2009, I was struck by his ability in the air considering his relative height disadvantage as a centre back. That was vital again as he out-jumped three players to score on Wednesday. Having him back in the middle has been a big part of our recent recovery.
The whole team have improved defensively. Now the squad have been together long enough to have learnt each other’s games, players can fill gaps when they appear and they work as a team in closing down the opposition high up the pitch. It starts with Robin van Persie, and goes right through the midfield back to the defence. The back four do deserve special credit for the clean sheet on Wednesday.
Laurent Koscielny’s impressive season continued as he bossed things at the back alongside Vermaelen. Unlike some others, I’ve liked Per Mertesacker this season, but there is no doubt that when fit, Koscielny and Vermaelen are our strongest pairing at the back. The Frenchman’s reading of the game is now superb, his tackling is strong and he has the confidence to bring the ball out of defence to help get the team moving forward.
As for the full backs, their recovery has improved the balance of our team immeasurably. Given he said that it would be stupid to lose points because of not having full-backs, I’m still unhappy that Arsene Wenger didn’t address the problem when they were all injured in January, because we are now seeing the benefits of having proper full backs in the team. In fairness to Wenger though, it would have been difficult to have signed a full back on a short term basis that could have come close to the ability of Bacary Sagna. On the other side, Kieran Gibbs is arguably playing the best football of his Arsenal career at the moment. He might not be doing anything extravagant, however he hasn’t had a bad game since his return from injury.
I was surprised that Aaron Ramsey started the match ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, particularly as Ramsey seemed to operate from the left hand side. If there was a good game to try this in, facing Everton was probably it as Tony Hibbert isn’t known for being a marauding right-back that wingers need to constantly watch and track back with. This gave Ramsey a bit more freedom, and up until the moments he had to finish chances, he had a good game. I don’t think it would work as a tactic in bigger games, but it in away games that could be difficult, it’s a good option to have. In the long run, Ramsey will have to take his chances when in the team to displace Rosicky or Arteta in the starting line-up as both have been solid and effective in the last few weeks.
We should have killed the match off in the first half, but we didn’t convert chances and invited pressure onto ourselves by over-playing from the back. Song was lucky that Drenthe was wrongly flagged offside after he gave it away. The longer the second half went on, we seemed to drop deeper and were essentially asking Everton to attack. Usually, when Arsenal try and do that sort of thing, it fails miserably. However Koscielny and Vermaelen weren’t giving the Everton strikers a sniff of goal. I still wouldn’t advocate this Arsenal team sitting deeper when holding onto a tight lead, but we’re definitely better equipped to do so if needed.
The match wasn’t as dramatic as some of our recent wins, but it was just as tense and the win was arguably more important. Going forward, we created some good chances and just about did enough. Defensively, we were excellent.
Aston Villa come to the Emirates on Saturday, and I’m worried that I now expect us to win the match. Given how this season has lowered my expectations of Arsenal, I immediately fear that we’ll lose a so-called ‘easy’ game whenever we get on a good run of form and start climbing the table. Aston Villa are struggling this season, and should be beaten. Chelsea face Tottenham in the early kick off on Saturday, so a win will immediately increase our advantage over one of, or both of, those sides. We’re still got tough matches to come, albeit at home, so we have to win matches such as Aston Villa whilst we’re on a roll.
We’re used to being the chasers, and now we’re being chased. It’s a different challenge for the players, but one that we can have every hope that they can rise to. The way we’ve got ourselves up to third has been unbelievable, however we can’t relax now we’re there. Those behind us will be more determined to catch us, and we have to match them, otherwise this epic comeback will feel worthless.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 23 Mar 12
Thomas Vermaelen's early goal proves decisive for Arsenal at Everton
The speed and the extent of the swing in Arsenal's season was encapsulated in the song with which the travelling hordes toasted victory at Goodison Park. "Ten points and you messed it up" – or a word to that effect – they chanted. Arsène Wenger has steered the campaign away from chaos, Old Trafford poundings and talk of a seismic managerial change over several months and now there is cherished proof of progress in the Premier League – a perch above Tottenham Hotspur.
Less than four weeks ago, five minutes before half-time in the north London derby at the Emirates to be exact, Arsenal were staring at a 13-point gap between themselves and their local rivals. Now they are one point clear, in the final automatic qualifying place for the Champions League and, as a hard-fought defeat of Everton confirmed, able to lace defensive resilience with their trademark panache in the pursuit of third place.
"I was always optimistic," the Arsenal manager said, "because if you look at our results since October we've had only one bad spell when we lost three on the trot because we had no full-backs. But the attitude of the team was always good.
"We needed to be strong and we need that until the end of the season. We know what suffering means. In some press conferences I've been asked if we could go down. It shows that things change quickly in this league and that's why it's vital for us to keep our focus."
Fittingly, it was an Arsenal defender who secured victory on a night when the visiting back line outshone even Robin van Persie in what opened as a stroll against Everton but finished in a fight to preserve the Gunners' favourite scoreline. Thomas Vermaelen reprised the role of unlikely match-winner to follow his late goal against Newcastle United with the early and only breakthrough at Everton. His flicked header from Van Persie's corner ensured Arsenal recorded a sixth successive league win and succeeded where Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs have all failed in recent weeks by taking three points from Goodison.
Wenger said: "In the last month we have taken six points in Liverpool from two intense fights and we want to keep that going. We cannot think the most difficult part is done.
"The most difficult part is to do and it is important we keep our humility, our focus and fight for each other like we did tonight. We were resilient, focused and had a great desire to defend.
"I felt it was psychological in that we refused to play a bit towards the end and just wanted to keep the score. Credit to Everton for that because they responded very well. You've seen a side of us that usually people don't know but it was the only way to get a result tonight."
Arsenal were quickly into their stride against a tired and laboured Everton team giving credence to the argument that momentum went from their season when David Moyes made six changes for the comprehensive Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield. From 30 minutes onwards, however, the home side countered that theory impressively.
Vermaelen's eighth-minute goal, when he escaped his international team-mate Marouane Fellaini to glance a header beyond Tim Howard, had been a long time coming. Aaron Ramsey had squandered one glorious opening and had a second blocked by the flying frame of Tony Hibbert.
The visitors' confidence and control in the early stages was epitomised by the sight of Vermaelen playing a one-two with fellow defender Kieran Gibbs on the edge of the area before his shot was deflected wide. Van Persie also went close and Everton were fortunate to trail by only one by the time they began to stem the flow from Mikel Arteta and Alex Song in central midfield and to belatedly show some energy down the flanks.
For all of Arsenal's dominance, Everton should have been level from their first meaningful attack when Royston Drenthe converted following a flowing move but was wrongly given offside by the assistant referee John Flynn. It was the first of several erroneous offside calls by Flynn, including one against Van Persie when he volleyed Gibbs's knock-down against a post late on.
"Five [offside calls by Flynn] were onside. I've checked," said Moyes. "We've had a few poor decisions go against us recently and this one cost us."
Source: Andy Hunter, The Guardian on 21 Mar 12
Less than four weeks ago, five minutes before half-time in the north London derby at the Emirates to be exact, Arsenal were staring at a 13-point gap between themselves and their local rivals. Now they are one point clear, in the final automatic qualifying place for the Champions League and, as a hard-fought defeat of Everton confirmed, able to lace defensive resilience with their trademark panache in the pursuit of third place.
"I was always optimistic," the Arsenal manager said, "because if you look at our results since October we've had only one bad spell when we lost three on the trot because we had no full-backs. But the attitude of the team was always good.
"We needed to be strong and we need that until the end of the season. We know what suffering means. In some press conferences I've been asked if we could go down. It shows that things change quickly in this league and that's why it's vital for us to keep our focus."
Fittingly, it was an Arsenal defender who secured victory on a night when the visiting back line outshone even Robin van Persie in what opened as a stroll against Everton but finished in a fight to preserve the Gunners' favourite scoreline. Thomas Vermaelen reprised the role of unlikely match-winner to follow his late goal against Newcastle United with the early and only breakthrough at Everton. His flicked header from Van Persie's corner ensured Arsenal recorded a sixth successive league win and succeeded where Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs have all failed in recent weeks by taking three points from Goodison.
Wenger said: "In the last month we have taken six points in Liverpool from two intense fights and we want to keep that going. We cannot think the most difficult part is done.
"The most difficult part is to do and it is important we keep our humility, our focus and fight for each other like we did tonight. We were resilient, focused and had a great desire to defend.
"I felt it was psychological in that we refused to play a bit towards the end and just wanted to keep the score. Credit to Everton for that because they responded very well. You've seen a side of us that usually people don't know but it was the only way to get a result tonight."
Arsenal were quickly into their stride against a tired and laboured Everton team giving credence to the argument that momentum went from their season when David Moyes made six changes for the comprehensive Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield. From 30 minutes onwards, however, the home side countered that theory impressively.
Vermaelen's eighth-minute goal, when he escaped his international team-mate Marouane Fellaini to glance a header beyond Tim Howard, had been a long time coming. Aaron Ramsey had squandered one glorious opening and had a second blocked by the flying frame of Tony Hibbert.
The visitors' confidence and control in the early stages was epitomised by the sight of Vermaelen playing a one-two with fellow defender Kieran Gibbs on the edge of the area before his shot was deflected wide. Van Persie also went close and Everton were fortunate to trail by only one by the time they began to stem the flow from Mikel Arteta and Alex Song in central midfield and to belatedly show some energy down the flanks.
For all of Arsenal's dominance, Everton should have been level from their first meaningful attack when Royston Drenthe converted following a flowing move but was wrongly given offside by the assistant referee John Flynn. It was the first of several erroneous offside calls by Flynn, including one against Van Persie when he volleyed Gibbs's knock-down against a post late on.
"Five [offside calls by Flynn] were onside. I've checked," said Moyes. "We've had a few poor decisions go against us recently and this one cost us."
Source: Andy Hunter, The Guardian on 21 Mar 12
Wenger's reaction to the Everton 0-1 Arsenal match
on the performance…
I felt if we scored a second goal maybe we could give a psychological blow to Everton. We had a brilliant start and slowly Everton got back into the game after 30 minutes. In the second half, for the most we did hang on until the last 15 minutes when we started to create chances again. But it was all Everton [until then]. We were resilient, focused and with a great desire to defend. Our defence played very well tonight. I felt it was a bit psychological - we refused to play because we just wanted to keep the score. Credit to Everton they played very well in the second half.
on the team's resilience…
We showed a side of us that usually people don't know. It was the only way to get a result tonight. It was good to know that we can do that as well. We didn't panic, we did well on crosses which is usually not our strong point. We didn't panic and that is good for us.
on moving into third place…
We have learned in the last [few] months. For example we have taken six points in Liverpool in two weeks and it was 180 minutes of intense fighting. We want to keep going. We must keep our humility and focus and fight for each other. That is what we had to do here.
on how far the team has come…
I was always optimistic, because if you look at our results from October onwards we only had one bad spell when we lost three times on the trot because we had no full backs. The attitude of the team was always good, so I felt we could bounce back. We needed to be strong because we were under a lot of pressure and we will need that until the end of the season. Where we come from, we know what suffering means because in some press conferences I had to answer 'are you playing not to go down'. We know we have a difficult battle in front of us.
Source: Arsenal.com on 21 Mar 12
I felt if we scored a second goal maybe we could give a psychological blow to Everton. We had a brilliant start and slowly Everton got back into the game after 30 minutes. In the second half, for the most we did hang on until the last 15 minutes when we started to create chances again. But it was all Everton [until then]. We were resilient, focused and with a great desire to defend. Our defence played very well tonight. I felt it was a bit psychological - we refused to play because we just wanted to keep the score. Credit to Everton they played very well in the second half.
on the team's resilience…
We showed a side of us that usually people don't know. It was the only way to get a result tonight. It was good to know that we can do that as well. We didn't panic, we did well on crosses which is usually not our strong point. We didn't panic and that is good for us.
on moving into third place…
We have learned in the last [few] months. For example we have taken six points in Liverpool in two weeks and it was 180 minutes of intense fighting. We want to keep going. We must keep our humility and focus and fight for each other. That is what we had to do here.
on how far the team has come…
I was always optimistic, because if you look at our results from October onwards we only had one bad spell when we lost three times on the trot because we had no full backs. The attitude of the team was always good, so I felt we could bounce back. We needed to be strong because we were under a lot of pressure and we will need that until the end of the season. Where we come from, we know what suffering means because in some press conferences I had to answer 'are you playing not to go down'. We know we have a difficult battle in front of us.
Source: Arsenal.com on 21 Mar 12
21 March 2012: Everton 0-1 Arsenal, Goodison Park
On a key night in the race for the top three, Arsène Wenger’s side rose above Tottenham, who were held at home by Stoke, and cruised six points clear of Chelsea, who lost at Manchester City.
The visitors were irresistible in the opening 20 minutes and should have scored more than just the solitary goal provided by Thomas Vermaelen in the early stages. However, Everton improved before the break and might have equalised when Royston Drenthe’s strike was controversially ruled out for offside.
David Moyes' men continued to press after the interval but, gradually, Arsenal drew their sting. At times it was a backs-against-the-wall performance but successful seasons are based on those.
This was a sixth straight league win for Wenger’s side and, given they squeezed above their neighbours from N7, perhaps the sweetest.
Chelsea and/or Tottenham will drop further points this weekend as they play each other at Stamford Bridge.
Third place is now entirely in Arsenal’s hands and, if they show similar fortitude in the coming weeks, they will surely complete the job.
Wenger made one change from the side that had left it so late in beating Newcastle way back when last Monday, with Aaron Ramsey replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Nine days is a significant breather at this period of the campaign but Everton had been afforded no such luxury. On Saturday, Moyes’ team had played their part in blood-and-thunder FA Cup tie with Sunderland at Goodison Park. There were two changes this evening when there might have been more.
Both sides came out in shirts in support of Fabrice Muamba, the former Arsenal midfielder who had been struck down with a heart attack while playing for Bolton last weekend.
Supporters and players from both sides clapped their appreciation. The reaction was befitting with the standing Muamba holds in the game.
Arsenal started with pace and panache. Tomas Rosicky nudged a cross to the far post, Robin van Persie nodded it down and the onrushing Ramsey hoisted his shot over the bar.
Seconds later, Theo Walcott set up an even better chance for the Welshman but this time his shot was blocked.
Van Persie sent over the resultant corner and Vermaelen steered home a simple header.
Only eight minutes had elapsed but Arsenal had been imperious. They fully deserved their lead.
A couple of minutes later, it might have been doubled but Van Persie’s drive was blocked, as was Ramsey’s follow-up.
At the other end, Leon Osman drifted a header wide as Everton gradually found their feet.
But Arsenal were fluent when they had the ball and pressed with persistence when they did not. Wenger’s side had been irresistible for the first half-hour and their performance merited more than just a one-goal lead.
It was not just what they were doing but it was the way they were doing it. Such style, strength and speed.
However, the first half nearly flipped around in the 32nd minute. The visitors were fortunate to retain their lead when Drenthe’s goal was chalked off for offside. The Everton crowd vocalised their view and replays suggested they had a viable point.
It was a let-off for Arsenal and a sign that the game had swung.
Everton now enjoyed more possession and territory. However, they nearly shipped another just before the whistle when Rosicky’s swerving shot was batted away by Tim Howard in unconvincing fashion.
It had been an uneven half from Arsenal but they could go into the break very satisfied with their work.
But Everton continued their improvement at the start of the second half. Fellaini headed Leighton Baines’ free-kick straight at Wojciech Szczesny as the home side cranked up the pressure.
In an isolated chance, Van Persie bashed Kieran Gibbs’ nod-down against the post but the assistant referee flagged for offside.
The second half was now being played at Everton’s pace and Arsenal were struggling to cope – the reverse of the opening 20 minutes.
The home side pinged cross after cross into the visiting penalty area but Wenger’s back four had grace under fire. There was no better illustration when Laurent Koscielny hooked the ball away from Steven Pienaar when the South African went flying through on the left of the area. Szczesny also saved wonderfully when Fellaini burst through.
Gradually Everton began to lose intensity as we reached the midway point of the half. In the 71st minute, Walcott darted inside and set up Ramsey on the left but the Welshman’s drive was blocked. The corner fell to the same player… with the same result.
Van Persie burst through and poked the ball past Howard but no-one was on hand to turn it in. Then, after Drenthe had slashed a shot over the bar, the Dutchman planted a shot high following fine work from substitute Gervinho.
By now Everton were visibliy tiring and, despite Moyes ending with four strikers and Fellaini all up front at the finish, Arsenal held on.
A crucial win on a crucial night.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 21 Mar 12
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Arsenal come from behind again with late goal to beat Newcastle
Arsenal cannot win like a normal team. It seems they must wring every last ounce of drama from the occasion. Their standard policy in recent weeks has been to give their opponents the lead before roaring back – and here they left it until the Fat Lady had shouted herself hoarse.
Five minutes of injury time had been signalled and it looked as though Arsenal would not be able to summon the knock-out blow against a Newcastle United team that was out on its feet. The second half had amounted to a siege but Arsenal raised the intensity still further in the closing stages and they carved out the chances to have turned several games.
Thomas Vermaelen alone had a header cleared from in front of the line by Danny Simpson and another acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Tim Krul. Yet the defender mustered one last surge upfield, in the very final minute, to emerge as the match-winner.
One of the most painful cuts felt by a Newcastle side now without a win in four games was that they had the ball deep in Arsenal territory yet somehow they contrived to be felled on the counter.
With Simpson injured and unable to get back, Vermaelen made his move, overtaking players in black and white as he devoured the ground from the edge of his own area. His gallop might have been set to the music from an action film. The outstanding Theo Walcott duly supplied the cross from the right and when the ball broke, Vermaelen was unmarked at the far post to crash home his shot from close range. The crowd lost themselves in frenzy.
Arsenal have now come from behind to win their last four Premier League matches, which is a record for the competition. Their supporters might prize most highly the 5-2 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, having been 2-0 down, but, hard on the heels of the last-minute victory at Liverpool, this was another impossibly sweet success for them.
Emotions stamped wildly through the stadium and they bubbled over when Robin van Persie taunted Krul, his fellow Dutchman, after the winning goal. Van Persie had been incensed from late in the first half at what he felt had been time-wasting from Krul and it was easy to imagine him telling the goalkeeper that he could take all the time he wanted after he picked the ball from his net. A mêlée flared and both players were booked. Arsène Wenger suggested that there was history between the pair.
But if divisions among Dutchmen felt like nothing new, nor was Arsenal's never-say-die spirit, which has defined their battle back from the dark days of the early season and their push for automatic Champions League qualification. Before the derby a little over two weeks ago Wenger's team had trailed Tottenham in third by 10 points. The deficit now stands at one, with momentum and belief most assuredly in the red corner. Wenger said his players refused to bow to the inevitable while Walcott noted that how a team finished the season was of the greater importance.
It was heartbreaking for Newcastle, who had taken the lead through Hatem Ben Arfa and, having ridden their luck and dug deep defensively, looked set to emerge with a point coated in endeavour. Alan Pardew had billed the game as a must-win in terms of his club's Champions League aspirations, although he might take comfort from the likelihood that sixth ought to carry a Europa League berth.
There had been a looseness about Arsenal when Ben Arfa scored. Vermaelen gave the ball away to Chiek Tioté and, in a flash, Demba Ba and Gabriel Obertan had worked it right to Ben Arfa. He jinked inside Kieran Gibbs, who was a long way from being tight, and exposed Wojciech Szczesny at his near post with a fierce shot. Newcastle's players strutted en masse in celebration.
But to Pardew's dismay, the lead lasted less than a minute. Walcott's first assist of a pulsating evening picked out Van Persie in the area and his touch and cuteness embarrassed Mike Williamson. The Arsenal captain dispatched his 33rd goal of the season beyond Krul.
Wenger's team were the more adventurous in the first half and they pressed harder and harder on to the front foot in the second. Newcastle were stretched and they repeatedly put bodies on the line, with Tioté epitomising their work ethic. The Ivorian might clatter on the edge of the game's margins – and he was booked for clipping Tomas Rosicky – but his bite was vital.
Arsenal and the home support raged at what they felt were cynical efforts by Newcastle to remove the sting from the game. Krul was jeered as he eked away seconds when he had the ball and Van Persie, in particular, felt his hackles rise. Pardew attempted to explain away the tactics, arguing that his team needed to wait for their strikers to "get set" upfield. Newcastle have endured worse at St James' Park this season, he said.
Yet the chances came in increasing volume for Arsenal. Rosicky drew a save from Krul with a sharp header while Van Persie should have done better from Mikel Arteta's low ball. Rosicky miskicked when gloriously placed; the substitute Gervinho scuffed as the goal gaped; Vermaelen threatened and so did Walcott.
In the end, though, Vermaelen simply refused to accept that it would not be Arsenal's night.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 13 Mar 12
Five minutes of injury time had been signalled and it looked as though Arsenal would not be able to summon the knock-out blow against a Newcastle United team that was out on its feet. The second half had amounted to a siege but Arsenal raised the intensity still further in the closing stages and they carved out the chances to have turned several games.
Thomas Vermaelen alone had a header cleared from in front of the line by Danny Simpson and another acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Tim Krul. Yet the defender mustered one last surge upfield, in the very final minute, to emerge as the match-winner.
One of the most painful cuts felt by a Newcastle side now without a win in four games was that they had the ball deep in Arsenal territory yet somehow they contrived to be felled on the counter.
With Simpson injured and unable to get back, Vermaelen made his move, overtaking players in black and white as he devoured the ground from the edge of his own area. His gallop might have been set to the music from an action film. The outstanding Theo Walcott duly supplied the cross from the right and when the ball broke, Vermaelen was unmarked at the far post to crash home his shot from close range. The crowd lost themselves in frenzy.
Arsenal have now come from behind to win their last four Premier League matches, which is a record for the competition. Their supporters might prize most highly the 5-2 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, having been 2-0 down, but, hard on the heels of the last-minute victory at Liverpool, this was another impossibly sweet success for them.
Emotions stamped wildly through the stadium and they bubbled over when Robin van Persie taunted Krul, his fellow Dutchman, after the winning goal. Van Persie had been incensed from late in the first half at what he felt had been time-wasting from Krul and it was easy to imagine him telling the goalkeeper that he could take all the time he wanted after he picked the ball from his net. A mêlée flared and both players were booked. Arsène Wenger suggested that there was history between the pair.
But if divisions among Dutchmen felt like nothing new, nor was Arsenal's never-say-die spirit, which has defined their battle back from the dark days of the early season and their push for automatic Champions League qualification. Before the derby a little over two weeks ago Wenger's team had trailed Tottenham in third by 10 points. The deficit now stands at one, with momentum and belief most assuredly in the red corner. Wenger said his players refused to bow to the inevitable while Walcott noted that how a team finished the season was of the greater importance.
It was heartbreaking for Newcastle, who had taken the lead through Hatem Ben Arfa and, having ridden their luck and dug deep defensively, looked set to emerge with a point coated in endeavour. Alan Pardew had billed the game as a must-win in terms of his club's Champions League aspirations, although he might take comfort from the likelihood that sixth ought to carry a Europa League berth.
There had been a looseness about Arsenal when Ben Arfa scored. Vermaelen gave the ball away to Chiek Tioté and, in a flash, Demba Ba and Gabriel Obertan had worked it right to Ben Arfa. He jinked inside Kieran Gibbs, who was a long way from being tight, and exposed Wojciech Szczesny at his near post with a fierce shot. Newcastle's players strutted en masse in celebration.
But to Pardew's dismay, the lead lasted less than a minute. Walcott's first assist of a pulsating evening picked out Van Persie in the area and his touch and cuteness embarrassed Mike Williamson. The Arsenal captain dispatched his 33rd goal of the season beyond Krul.
Wenger's team were the more adventurous in the first half and they pressed harder and harder on to the front foot in the second. Newcastle were stretched and they repeatedly put bodies on the line, with Tioté epitomising their work ethic. The Ivorian might clatter on the edge of the game's margins – and he was booked for clipping Tomas Rosicky – but his bite was vital.
Arsenal and the home support raged at what they felt were cynical efforts by Newcastle to remove the sting from the game. Krul was jeered as he eked away seconds when he had the ball and Van Persie, in particular, felt his hackles rise. Pardew attempted to explain away the tactics, arguing that his team needed to wait for their strikers to "get set" upfield. Newcastle have endured worse at St James' Park this season, he said.
Yet the chances came in increasing volume for Arsenal. Rosicky drew a save from Krul with a sharp header while Van Persie should have done better from Mikel Arteta's low ball. Rosicky miskicked when gloriously placed; the substitute Gervinho scuffed as the goal gaped; Vermaelen threatened and so did Walcott.
In the end, though, Vermaelen simply refused to accept that it would not be Arsenal's night.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 13 Mar 12
Robin van Persie proves to be a captain fantastic in the Vieira mould
Arsène Wenger's decision to hand the striker the armband has given Arsenal the kind of leadership not seen since 2005
Robin van Persie might not have been everybody's idea of a captain when Arsène Wenger announced in pre-season, after the sale of Cesc Fábregas, that the armband he had passed around so flippantly to Lukasz Fabianski, Sébastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou would be given to an injury prone No 10.
As it turns out, not only is Van Persie Arsenal's supreme scorer this season but he has displayed the kind of leadership that suggests he is the most natural captain the club has had since Patrick Vieira. In his actions, his equalising goal and his at times overwrought emotions as he displayed contempt for the time-wasting of Tim Krul, he set the tone which has summed up his team of late. They are not prepared to be pushovers any more.
Where not so long ago questions were rightly asked about the fragility of the team and mere mention of Wenger's catchphrase about "mental strength" was enough to make Arsenal supporters feel like banging their heads against the nearest brick wall, now few would argue with Thomas Vermaelen's assertion that they have the "mentality of fighters".
Vermaelen's theatrically timed matchwinner, bustled in as the sands disappeared in five minutes of stoppage time, set a Premier League record. With it Arsenal became the first team to win from a losing position on four consecutive occasions. In three of those games – at Sunderland, Liverpool and now at home to a resilient and effective Newcastle – the turnaround was sealed in the 90th minute or later.
Add the comeback of sorts that they mustered against Milan in the Champions League, coming to within a goal of clawing back a 4-0 deficit, and the evidence is quite striking that something profound has changed in the personality of a side who seemed doomed on more than one occasion this season. The wind in Arsenal's sails is gusting strong.
This is the second time during a turbulent campaign that they have dragged themselves back from depression. After the recovery from a dismal start summed up by the stomach churning defeats at Old Trafford and Ewood Park, Arsenal went backwards again with a lean January. In a run that was the polar opposite to what they are experiencing now, they squandered winning positions against Fulham and Swansea and lost. Then they fought against Manchester United and lost. That match remains symbolic this season for the moment Wenger was rudely challenged by the Emirates crowd for hauling off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrey Arshavin. It felt like the end of something. Who could have imagined it might be a watershed from which Arsenal could forge a brave beginning?
They have gone from mutiny to exhilaration, from bleakness to hopeful anticipation that Arsenal can finish the season strongly for the first time in a while and hurdle Tottenham into a third-placed finish which would be something of a miracle considering the black ice they have skated over this season.
It speaks volumes for their newly forged character that Newcastle's opening goal, taken skilfully by Hatem Ben Arfa, did not disrupt Arsenal's "relentlessness", as Wenger described it, for a second.
They withstood that body blow and quickly jabbed their way back off the ropes. That it was Van Persie at the heart of it was only what this crowd have come to expect. When the ball came his way less than a minute after Wojciech Szczesny had fetched it out of Arsenal's net, the master marksman coerced it past Mike Williamson with absolute determination to give himself the chance to drive past Krul.
His body language spoke volumes. His response to Arsenal conceding a goal was rooted as much in raw determination as the talent that has brought him an avalanche of goals this season. Van Persie's influence in the dressing room is hugely significant. He is by nature a very positive thinker and, as Wenger puts it, a "football fanatic" whose knowledge of and fascination for the game make him a person you want to listen to.
Wenger has always been of the opinion that a team has many leaders, that the armband itself is not the most significant thing in the world. It was symbolic, then, that one of the team's other big leaders came up with the goal that keeps Arsenal's momentum rolling. Vermaelen's partnership with the team's most improved player, Laurent Koscielny, has been a feature of this revival. The team's backbone has been hardened by the return of a more balanced back four, with Bacary Sagna's reappearance in the first of the four comeback games also hugely important.
The timing of the stoppage-time winner was a bitter pill for Newcastle, who have showed they have developed spirit of their own in this season of the unexpected. Ultimately, though, it was not enough to send galvanised Arsenal off course.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 13 Mar 12
Robin van Persie might not have been everybody's idea of a captain when Arsène Wenger announced in pre-season, after the sale of Cesc Fábregas, that the armband he had passed around so flippantly to Lukasz Fabianski, Sébastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou would be given to an injury prone No 10.
As it turns out, not only is Van Persie Arsenal's supreme scorer this season but he has displayed the kind of leadership that suggests he is the most natural captain the club has had since Patrick Vieira. In his actions, his equalising goal and his at times overwrought emotions as he displayed contempt for the time-wasting of Tim Krul, he set the tone which has summed up his team of late. They are not prepared to be pushovers any more.
Where not so long ago questions were rightly asked about the fragility of the team and mere mention of Wenger's catchphrase about "mental strength" was enough to make Arsenal supporters feel like banging their heads against the nearest brick wall, now few would argue with Thomas Vermaelen's assertion that they have the "mentality of fighters".
Vermaelen's theatrically timed matchwinner, bustled in as the sands disappeared in five minutes of stoppage time, set a Premier League record. With it Arsenal became the first team to win from a losing position on four consecutive occasions. In three of those games – at Sunderland, Liverpool and now at home to a resilient and effective Newcastle – the turnaround was sealed in the 90th minute or later.
Add the comeback of sorts that they mustered against Milan in the Champions League, coming to within a goal of clawing back a 4-0 deficit, and the evidence is quite striking that something profound has changed in the personality of a side who seemed doomed on more than one occasion this season. The wind in Arsenal's sails is gusting strong.
This is the second time during a turbulent campaign that they have dragged themselves back from depression. After the recovery from a dismal start summed up by the stomach churning defeats at Old Trafford and Ewood Park, Arsenal went backwards again with a lean January. In a run that was the polar opposite to what they are experiencing now, they squandered winning positions against Fulham and Swansea and lost. Then they fought against Manchester United and lost. That match remains symbolic this season for the moment Wenger was rudely challenged by the Emirates crowd for hauling off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrey Arshavin. It felt like the end of something. Who could have imagined it might be a watershed from which Arsenal could forge a brave beginning?
They have gone from mutiny to exhilaration, from bleakness to hopeful anticipation that Arsenal can finish the season strongly for the first time in a while and hurdle Tottenham into a third-placed finish which would be something of a miracle considering the black ice they have skated over this season.
It speaks volumes for their newly forged character that Newcastle's opening goal, taken skilfully by Hatem Ben Arfa, did not disrupt Arsenal's "relentlessness", as Wenger described it, for a second.
They withstood that body blow and quickly jabbed their way back off the ropes. That it was Van Persie at the heart of it was only what this crowd have come to expect. When the ball came his way less than a minute after Wojciech Szczesny had fetched it out of Arsenal's net, the master marksman coerced it past Mike Williamson with absolute determination to give himself the chance to drive past Krul.
His body language spoke volumes. His response to Arsenal conceding a goal was rooted as much in raw determination as the talent that has brought him an avalanche of goals this season. Van Persie's influence in the dressing room is hugely significant. He is by nature a very positive thinker and, as Wenger puts it, a "football fanatic" whose knowledge of and fascination for the game make him a person you want to listen to.
Wenger has always been of the opinion that a team has many leaders, that the armband itself is not the most significant thing in the world. It was symbolic, then, that one of the team's other big leaders came up with the goal that keeps Arsenal's momentum rolling. Vermaelen's partnership with the team's most improved player, Laurent Koscielny, has been a feature of this revival. The team's backbone has been hardened by the return of a more balanced back four, with Bacary Sagna's reappearance in the first of the four comeback games also hugely important.
The timing of the stoppage-time winner was a bitter pill for Newcastle, who have showed they have developed spirit of their own in this season of the unexpected. Ultimately, though, it was not enough to send galvanised Arsenal off course.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 13 Mar 12
Walcott wide awake as Arsenal ascend
Those of us who were present inside Emirates Stadium for the north London derby against Tottenham just two weeks ago will confirm that Walcott was being singled out as the fall guy for the Gunners' imminent failure, the symbol of false promise in a season that was apparently set to confirm their demise.
An increasing majority of the fans who had grown frustrated with Walcott's consistent inconsistency decided the moment had come to abandon their patience and give up on Walcott once Spurs moved into a 2-0 lead in a game Arsenal dare not lose. At that moment, it seemed as if the one-time 'next big thing' in English football was about to drown in his own mediocrity.
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted he contemplated "removing Walcott from the firing line" as the supporters turned against him, yet that Spurs game proved to be the afternoon when the kid who has long promised so much finally awoke from his slumber.
Two superb second-half goals against the old enemy meant those same Arsenal fans who were goading Walcott at will were quick to hail him as their darling once again and while his displays since that memorable Sunday afternoon have hardly been a revelation, it seems as if something has clicked in Walcott's fragile mind.
The emergence of a young man signed from the same south coast club he was recruited from may well have sparked Walcott into life, as just when it seemed as if his fellow Southampton academy graduate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was about to steal the crown previously reserved for him, the original boy wonder has shot to the forefront once again.
Creator-in-chief as a Van Persie strike and dramatic late Thomas Vermaelen winner sealed a vital win against battling Newcastle, the player vilified as one of the architects of Arsenal's demise is now leading their improbable end-of-season revival.
Walcott looked capable of ruffling Newcastle's feathers throughout this game and while the visitors' eagerness to unsettle their opponents by wasting time at every opportunity nearly paid off, a winning goal was always likely to stem from the Arsenal No.14. And so it proved.
His threat throughout this game rarely waned. Midway through the first half, Walcott so nearly swung the game in his side's favour with a burst of his trademark pace. A perfectly-weighted ball invited Tomas Rosicky to convert from close range, only for the in-form Czech to screw his effort wide.
The removal of Oxlade-Chamberlain moments later sparked a heated debate among the Arsenal fans sitting around the press box, many of whom would have preferred to see Walcott removed. That would have been a harsh sentence for the winger, though, whose willingness to make himself available and improved desire earned him the right to remain.
Walcott so nearly snatched the winning goal as his shot was blocked by the back of talismanic Newcastle skipper Fabrico Coloccini in the final seconds of normal time, yet the winger who has flattered to deceive so often was not ready to give up on his mission to win this game.
The 95th minute began with Walcott offering a final burst of pace down the flank and as the ball fell fortuitously for the onrushing Vermaelen in the box, the big defender gleefully tapped home a winner that sparked a stunning roar from fans who believe in their team all over again.
"Tottenham have got to be watching over their shoulders now," boasted a delighted Walcott afterwards. "It has been an up and down season, but it is how you finish that matters. I put the ball into a decent area in the end and we had someone who could tuck it again. It's a big win for us, but we have to crack on from here."
Wenger was equally bullish as he was quick to hail the performance of his previously-maligned winger. "Walcott produced an exceptional performance in this game as we proved once more how incredible the spirit is in this team," said Wenger. "We look like we are refusing to give up at the moment and that has led to us getting last-minute winners against Sunderland, Liverpool and now Newcastle.
"Despite this, we have to keep our feet on the ground. We are giving everything right now and we now find ourselves in a much better position that we were a few weeks ago, but there are still ten games to play and nothing is decided yet."
Arsenal's late winner was harsh on a Newcastle side who had given their all to the cause, with boss Alan Pardew admitting fatigue cost his side in the end. "When the board went up with five minutes added time, I looked at the bodies I had out on the pitch and realised we would do well to get through it," he conceded.
"We had given everything and while I felt we had just about done enough to see it through, it was not to be in the end. What we cannot do is allow this disappointment to deflate us unduly as there is still a real chance for us to challenge for a Europa League place this season."
Fittingly, Walcott was the last Arsenal player to leave the field, with cries of 'Theo, Theo, Theo' heralding his exit. What a difference two weeks can make.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Theo Walcott
With two assists and an energetic display down the flank, Walcott has gone from zero to hero in double-quick time at Arsenal. Now he needs to maintain this improved form.
LATE DRAMA
Arsenal skipper Van Persie was at the centre of a scuffle with compatriot Tim Krul after the Gunners snatched their late goal. Clearly annoyed by the time wasting efforts of the big goalkeeper, the feud continued down the tunnel.
NEWCASTLE VERDICT
For all their hard work and effort, Newcastle left Emirates Stadium empty handed. There was much for boss Pardew to take from his side's display, but the point he craved was snatched from his grasp at the last.
ARSENAL VERDICT
Momentum is a vital commodity in any sport and Arsenal have it in abundance all of a sudden. Having come from behind four times in succession to win in the Premier League, they are now firm favourites to claim third sport after a revival not even their most blinkered of followers saw coming.
Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 12 Mar 12
Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle United match
on setting a new Premier League record…
That is the best response to something that has been questioned sometimes this season. I believe that shows we have quality, we have spirit, which I have never questioned. It was a relentless effort again tonight from the first to the last minute. The tempo was absolutely top level tonight. We kept going until the last second and just managed to win the game.
Certainly the fact we have done it before helped us. Even when we were 1-0 down we just kept going and we feel now at the moment in the team we just have that complete and total commitment to do as well as we can and give absolutely everything. That gets the crowd behind the team and you saw a very entertaining game tonight against a very good Newcastle side.
on Van Persie's altercation with Krul…
I don't know, is it history from Holland? Is it just today's story? I don't know, they both looked a bit nervous. I have not spoken to Robin yet. I will find out but I am happy it stayed yellow and did not become red. He is absolutely committed and he gave everything again tonight. He got us a quick equaliser. But the whole team played very well and Walcott also had an exceptional performance tonight.
on the potential to overtake Tottenham…
We played recently against Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland who are all very difficult to beat and we won all of these games. We know every time it was very tight and we won in the last minute in three of them. There is definitely complete commitment in every single game. Where we finish is down to how we keep going and if we put that same amount of effort into every single game.
on whether Tottenham will be concerned…
I don't know, I don't focus on Tottenham. I feel what is at stake for us is our commitment and that's all we want to do.
on cutting the gap to one point…
I don't compare us to any other team, I just think we have rebuilt confidence and belief and that will be vital in the race until the end. It can change very quickly because as soon as you lose a little bit of urgency you are in trouble in this league. So let's focus on keeping that and after we will see when we finish.
on the importance of third place…
At the moment I maintain that because we have gone through some difficult periods and it's very important that we keep our feet on the ground, keep our complete focus and give absolutely everything until the end. We have done that recently because we produced a great game tonight, we produced a great game against Milan and we produced a great game against Tottenham. That has to be our real target.
on frustrations at missing out on the title…
If you look at our run from the Chelsea win until January you will see that our run was quite positive. But we had four full backs out in January and it is something that can work one game but it cannot work for five or six games. For that I believe we were punished but the quality was always there. Today we have 52 points with ten games to go and we have gone through a difficult period in January but recently we have won the games in the last minute whereas we lost the games in the last minute against Fulham and Manchester United.
on the atmosphere in the dressing room…
The atmosphere is great within the squad, and tonight it was exceptional in the dressing room because the pleasure is even more intense when you win in the final minute of the game where you have given everything. And the disappointment is intense when you have lost in the last minute of a game.
on the team refusing to lose…
That is fantastic. It shows that as much as two defeats are quicksand, the positive recent history of a team has a very positive influence and the positive vibes make everyone stronger.
on players coming back from injury…
Diaby is not far [away], Santos I think will play on Wednesday night in the Reserves against West Brom. He will need 90 minutes. Diaby should be back for Everton, he has a little chance. Jack [Wilshere] is less imminent.
on Theo Walcott's form…
I think that he is so long in the spotlight that people forget that he is 22 years old and getting now to an age where you perform. It is as simple as that. He develops well because he is intelligent. Tactically, technically tonight he had a complete game.
Source: Arsenal.com on 12 Mar 12
That is the best response to something that has been questioned sometimes this season. I believe that shows we have quality, we have spirit, which I have never questioned. It was a relentless effort again tonight from the first to the last minute. The tempo was absolutely top level tonight. We kept going until the last second and just managed to win the game.
Certainly the fact we have done it before helped us. Even when we were 1-0 down we just kept going and we feel now at the moment in the team we just have that complete and total commitment to do as well as we can and give absolutely everything. That gets the crowd behind the team and you saw a very entertaining game tonight against a very good Newcastle side.
on Van Persie's altercation with Krul…
I don't know, is it history from Holland? Is it just today's story? I don't know, they both looked a bit nervous. I have not spoken to Robin yet. I will find out but I am happy it stayed yellow and did not become red. He is absolutely committed and he gave everything again tonight. He got us a quick equaliser. But the whole team played very well and Walcott also had an exceptional performance tonight.
on the potential to overtake Tottenham…
We played recently against Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland who are all very difficult to beat and we won all of these games. We know every time it was very tight and we won in the last minute in three of them. There is definitely complete commitment in every single game. Where we finish is down to how we keep going and if we put that same amount of effort into every single game.
on whether Tottenham will be concerned…
I don't know, I don't focus on Tottenham. I feel what is at stake for us is our commitment and that's all we want to do.
on cutting the gap to one point…
I don't compare us to any other team, I just think we have rebuilt confidence and belief and that will be vital in the race until the end. It can change very quickly because as soon as you lose a little bit of urgency you are in trouble in this league. So let's focus on keeping that and after we will see when we finish.
on the importance of third place…
At the moment I maintain that because we have gone through some difficult periods and it's very important that we keep our feet on the ground, keep our complete focus and give absolutely everything until the end. We have done that recently because we produced a great game tonight, we produced a great game against Milan and we produced a great game against Tottenham. That has to be our real target.
on frustrations at missing out on the title…
If you look at our run from the Chelsea win until January you will see that our run was quite positive. But we had four full backs out in January and it is something that can work one game but it cannot work for five or six games. For that I believe we were punished but the quality was always there. Today we have 52 points with ten games to go and we have gone through a difficult period in January but recently we have won the games in the last minute whereas we lost the games in the last minute against Fulham and Manchester United.
on the atmosphere in the dressing room…
The atmosphere is great within the squad, and tonight it was exceptional in the dressing room because the pleasure is even more intense when you win in the final minute of the game where you have given everything. And the disappointment is intense when you have lost in the last minute of a game.
on the team refusing to lose…
That is fantastic. It shows that as much as two defeats are quicksand, the positive recent history of a team has a very positive influence and the positive vibes make everyone stronger.
on players coming back from injury…
Diaby is not far [away], Santos I think will play on Wednesday night in the Reserves against West Brom. He will need 90 minutes. Diaby should be back for Everton, he has a little chance. Jack [Wilshere] is less imminent.
on Theo Walcott's form…
I think that he is so long in the spotlight that people forget that he is 22 years old and getting now to an age where you perform. It is as simple as that. He develops well because he is intelligent. Tactically, technically tonight he had a complete game.
Source: Arsenal.com on 12 Mar 12
12 March 2012: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle United, Emirates Stadium
Arsène Wenger's side went into this fixture having turned around their last three top-flight games and Hatem Ben Arfa's early strike left them in familiar territory.
But Robin van Persie equalised within a minute with his 33rd goal of the season and Vermaelen ended Newcastle's resistance with a close-range finish in the dying seconds.
No other team has come from behind to win four consecutive Premier League matches and, make no mistake, Arsenal had to dig deep against a talented and committed Newcastle side.
Their heads could have dropped when chances went begging in a one-sided second half but another relentess effort carried them through.
With 10 games left Arsenal lie fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea and just one behind their old rivals Tottenham. There will be twists and turns in the chase for Champions League places. But Wenger's side have the momentum and if they maintain these high standards - and this work ethic - they should get what they want come May.
The manager had plenty of good news before Newcastle's visit as Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Yossi Benayoun and Andre Santos all returned to the squad, the latter after three months on the sidelines. But the manager opted for a tweak rather than wholesale changes, merely replacing Gervinho with Arteta.
All the same it was heartening to see some game-changers on the bench.
This fixture brought together two of the Premier League's most prolific scorers - between them Van Persie and Demba Ba had mustered 41 goals in 47 starts - so it was no surprise to see them fire the game's warning shots.
Ba got one away after just 65 seconds and Van Persie was inches away from connecting with Theo Walcott's inviting cross in the third minute. The Dutchman might have done better moments later too when he lost control of Alex Song's deflected pass and Tim Krul was able to grab the loose ball.
This was already shaping up as a decent game. Newcastle, bright, tenacious and attack-minded, looked every inch the top-four contenders while Arsenal looked busy and dangerous, especially down the right when Walcott and Bacary Sagna got on the ball.
The flanks seemed the best option with Gabriel Obertan shadowing Song and Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye buzzing around Tomas Rosicky and Arteta. A confident Walcott gave Davide Santon plenty of problems throughout the first half.
But it was Newcastle's own flying winger who made the breakthrough in the 14th minute. Tiote cut out Vermaelen's pass and fed Ba before Obertan picked out Ben Arfa's run on the right. The Frenchman cut inside and arrowed a shot just inside Wojciech Szczesny's near post.
The visitors celebrated but they led for just 55 seconds.
That's how long it took Tomas Rosicky, proud owner of a new contract, to send Walcott racing down the right. The England international crossed and Van Persie shrugged off Mike Williamson before slamming a shot low into the corner. The perfect riposte.
For the record, it was Van Persie's 33rd goal of a remarkable campaign and it saw him eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy as the most prolific Dutchman in a single Premier League season.
The Arsenal captain set about doubling his tally, firing a speculative shot over from 20 yards before testing Krul with a fiercely-struck free kick.
Goalmouth action was in shorter supply for the rest of the half but the game was no less compelling as Arsenal probed and attempted to pick their way through a committed Newcastle rearguard.
Santon was withdrawn at the break but Walcott had the beating of his replacement, James Perch, and he swung over another dangerous cross four minutes into the second half. Rosicky got power on his header but Krul threw up an arm to deny the Czech.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was next to go close with a bolt from the blue, fizzing a volley over the bar from 20 yards. Then Van Persie shot straight at Krul after Arteta had flicked a cross into the box.
This was nip and tuck no longer - Arsenal were very much in the ascendancy and cracks were beginning to appear in the Newcastle defence.
The hosts should have gone ahead in the 67th minute. Once again Walcott was the instigator, collecting a pass from Rosicky on the right and surging past his marker. He squared for Rosicky, who had continued his run, but the Czech sliced his shot wide.
Three minutes later the old one-two of Song and Van Persie linked up - but this time the end product was a virtual mis-kick instead of a deadly volley.
Wenger turned to his subs, bringing on Gervinho for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey for Rosicky.
Van Persie lashed a right-footed effort wide after Kieran Gibbs had robbed Ben Arfa on the byline and Gervinho failed to make solid contact after a left-wing corner reached him beyond the far post.
By now it was a siege. Vermaelen saw his firm header tipped over by Krul and five minutes of stoppage time began with Fabricio Coloccini deflecting Walcott's effort over the bar.
But Arsenal deserved their winner and eventually it came, Vermaelen stealing in at the far post to bundle a close-range effort past Krul.
Source: Chris Harris, Arsenal.com on 12 Mar 12
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Out but proud
Ultimately, having pride doesn’t bring you trophies. The fact of the matter is that despite playing superbly against AC Milan at home, we’re still out of the Champions League. Whenever a game has gone badly, I’m keen to look at the bigger picture. It should also be considered when we’ve played well.
The bigger picture is that it is now definite that we won’t win a trophy this year, and that we’re still struggling for consistency at the highest level. We have so many regrets from the tie with AC Milan, mainly for the non-performance of the majority of the team in the San Siro. However as an individual match, the home leg at the Emirates showed the fans and the team, that Arsenal do belong at Europe’s top table. Not many teams will beat AC Milan 3-0 this season.
Now isn’t the time in the season for negativity. The fans know, the players know and the whole club knows that the performances in Milan and Sunderland in the cup were abysmal. On a long term basis, those poor performances in key cup games need to be addressed. In the short term, performances have definitely been addressed and sorted out. If after those games, someone said to me that we’ll beat Tottenham, Liverpool and Milan, score 10 goals and concede three, I’d have dismissed them as crazy.
I expected nothing from the match at the Emirates, but this team are playing with a sudden new found confidence. In a way, it didn’t feel like we went out, because it felt like that happened three weeks ago. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable and committed performance from everyone in red and white, and we came close to pulling off a genuine miracle. Against a team that we previously struggled to muster some half chances against, we absolute over-ran them and bossed them all over the pitch. Even though we went out, the players and the fans showed real pride in the red and white shirt and that hasn’t been the case for some of this season. The match might not have salvaged our Champions League season from a position of nothing, but it has helped the increasingly rapid healing of the relationship between the team and the fans.
It would have been easy for the team to just accept they weren’t going to make it through, but they didn’t. There does seem to be belief in this squad that hasn’t been evident in the last few seasons. Obviously we need to cut out the set-backs, but we’re undoubtedly better at recovering from them. We couldn’t fully recover from being 4-0 down, but the team understandably ran out of energy. Some of them almost had to be dragged off the pitch after the game. Whatever the result, when you see players like that after a match, you can’t help but be full of admiration and know that they’ve given absolutely everything for Arsenal Football Club. You can’t ask for more than that. Including the international friendlies, a number of those players have played four games in a week and a half. It would have been almost impossible to keep playing at the same intensity for the whole match.
The first half was probably the best half we’ll see from Arsenal this season. The whole team pressured Milan, forced mistakes, and cut through a defence that is renowned for being stubborn. There were so many individuals that performed brilliantly, but that contributed to the whole ethic and game plan of the team. Arsene Wenger got the tactics right, and although his team selection was limited due to injuries, playing Oxlade-Chamberlain as a deeper lying central midfielder was brilliant.
On seeing the Ox in the starting line-up, I expected him to play behind Robin van Persie, with Tomas Rosicky dropping back. However with the form Rosicky has been in for the last few games, he deserved to stay in the influential advanced role. He has typified the recovery of this team, and the responsibility being taken by some players that have lived in the shadow of others in recent years. He ran the midfield, harried the opposition, was always looking to move forward at pace, and scored a deserved goal with an excellent finish. He is definitely a player that deserves a contract renewal.
Ordinarily, playing an 18 year old winger as a central midfield against a quality team like AC Milan, would be risky. However Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t an ordinary 18 year old winger. He combined well with those around him, and added lightning pace from the middle of the pitch. Had we been patient in our build up, Milan would have got players back and would have been difficult to break down. Instead, the presence of Oxlade-Chamberlain allowed us to stretch the Italians. His direct running for the penalty was excellent, and showed his confidence. He saw the gap, he went for it, knowing he had the pace meaning that he’d have to be fouled to be stopped. Eventually, he ran out of steam, but he covered so much of the pitch for an 18 year old who had flu the day before.
Robin van Persie’s penalty, following the gamesmanship of Mark van Bommel, was brilliantly dispatched. There will be regrets about his second half miss, but the goalkeeper deserves credit for being in front of our captain. It’s quite difficult to criticise van Persie after the season he’s had.
If any of our wild dreams about winning 5-0 were going to come to fruition, we weren’t just reliant on attacking well, we needed to keep a clean sheet against a team that easily put four past us three weeks ago. We did that, mainly because Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen were awesome. Koscielny showed set-backs don’t affect him anymore. An own goal on Saturday, was followed by a goal at the right end after five minutes of the next match. Defensively, he bossed things. Robinho and Ibrahimovic got nothing out of him. Vermaelen looked sharp again, and as always, played with his heart. With our attacking approach, Milan could have been dangerous on the break, but the pace and determination of Koscielny and Vermaelen stopped that from happening.
Milan improved in the second half, and we were reliant on the starting XI doing the majority of the work as injuries meant our bench wasn’t filled with good options. Had we made it to extra time, we’d probably have gone out given how knackered our players were.
The brutal reality is that pride and unity doesn’t win you trophies, but it undoubtedly helps and makes fans enjoy supporting their team. We’ve been drastically short of at times this season. It’s fluxed from one its lowest points in recent seasons, to one of its highest within a couple of weeks. The atmosphere at the Emirates on Tuesday was positive, loud and proud. We’re out of Europe, but we’re feeling good as fans again and believe that we can get back into the Champions League next season. Cynics who think it would be a good thing to miss out on the tournament next season should have been inside the ground against Milan. We took on an excellent side and tore them apart, and the atmosphere was epic.
I’m not usually a big fan of football on a Monday night, but given the state of some of our players at the end of the game on Tuesday, the extra time will be needed to prepare for the Newcastle match.
Hopefully the team won’t feel too disappointed from the aggregate defeat, but take heart from the result on the night. We’ve shown that the team can be competitive in the Champions League, they just need to ensure that they’re there next season.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 8 Mar 12
The bigger picture is that it is now definite that we won’t win a trophy this year, and that we’re still struggling for consistency at the highest level. We have so many regrets from the tie with AC Milan, mainly for the non-performance of the majority of the team in the San Siro. However as an individual match, the home leg at the Emirates showed the fans and the team, that Arsenal do belong at Europe’s top table. Not many teams will beat AC Milan 3-0 this season.
Now isn’t the time in the season for negativity. The fans know, the players know and the whole club knows that the performances in Milan and Sunderland in the cup were abysmal. On a long term basis, those poor performances in key cup games need to be addressed. In the short term, performances have definitely been addressed and sorted out. If after those games, someone said to me that we’ll beat Tottenham, Liverpool and Milan, score 10 goals and concede three, I’d have dismissed them as crazy.
I expected nothing from the match at the Emirates, but this team are playing with a sudden new found confidence. In a way, it didn’t feel like we went out, because it felt like that happened three weeks ago. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable and committed performance from everyone in red and white, and we came close to pulling off a genuine miracle. Against a team that we previously struggled to muster some half chances against, we absolute over-ran them and bossed them all over the pitch. Even though we went out, the players and the fans showed real pride in the red and white shirt and that hasn’t been the case for some of this season. The match might not have salvaged our Champions League season from a position of nothing, but it has helped the increasingly rapid healing of the relationship between the team and the fans.
It would have been easy for the team to just accept they weren’t going to make it through, but they didn’t. There does seem to be belief in this squad that hasn’t been evident in the last few seasons. Obviously we need to cut out the set-backs, but we’re undoubtedly better at recovering from them. We couldn’t fully recover from being 4-0 down, but the team understandably ran out of energy. Some of them almost had to be dragged off the pitch after the game. Whatever the result, when you see players like that after a match, you can’t help but be full of admiration and know that they’ve given absolutely everything for Arsenal Football Club. You can’t ask for more than that. Including the international friendlies, a number of those players have played four games in a week and a half. It would have been almost impossible to keep playing at the same intensity for the whole match.
The first half was probably the best half we’ll see from Arsenal this season. The whole team pressured Milan, forced mistakes, and cut through a defence that is renowned for being stubborn. There were so many individuals that performed brilliantly, but that contributed to the whole ethic and game plan of the team. Arsene Wenger got the tactics right, and although his team selection was limited due to injuries, playing Oxlade-Chamberlain as a deeper lying central midfielder was brilliant.
On seeing the Ox in the starting line-up, I expected him to play behind Robin van Persie, with Tomas Rosicky dropping back. However with the form Rosicky has been in for the last few games, he deserved to stay in the influential advanced role. He has typified the recovery of this team, and the responsibility being taken by some players that have lived in the shadow of others in recent years. He ran the midfield, harried the opposition, was always looking to move forward at pace, and scored a deserved goal with an excellent finish. He is definitely a player that deserves a contract renewal.
Ordinarily, playing an 18 year old winger as a central midfield against a quality team like AC Milan, would be risky. However Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t an ordinary 18 year old winger. He combined well with those around him, and added lightning pace from the middle of the pitch. Had we been patient in our build up, Milan would have got players back and would have been difficult to break down. Instead, the presence of Oxlade-Chamberlain allowed us to stretch the Italians. His direct running for the penalty was excellent, and showed his confidence. He saw the gap, he went for it, knowing he had the pace meaning that he’d have to be fouled to be stopped. Eventually, he ran out of steam, but he covered so much of the pitch for an 18 year old who had flu the day before.
Robin van Persie’s penalty, following the gamesmanship of Mark van Bommel, was brilliantly dispatched. There will be regrets about his second half miss, but the goalkeeper deserves credit for being in front of our captain. It’s quite difficult to criticise van Persie after the season he’s had.
If any of our wild dreams about winning 5-0 were going to come to fruition, we weren’t just reliant on attacking well, we needed to keep a clean sheet against a team that easily put four past us three weeks ago. We did that, mainly because Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen were awesome. Koscielny showed set-backs don’t affect him anymore. An own goal on Saturday, was followed by a goal at the right end after five minutes of the next match. Defensively, he bossed things. Robinho and Ibrahimovic got nothing out of him. Vermaelen looked sharp again, and as always, played with his heart. With our attacking approach, Milan could have been dangerous on the break, but the pace and determination of Koscielny and Vermaelen stopped that from happening.
Milan improved in the second half, and we were reliant on the starting XI doing the majority of the work as injuries meant our bench wasn’t filled with good options. Had we made it to extra time, we’d probably have gone out given how knackered our players were.
The brutal reality is that pride and unity doesn’t win you trophies, but it undoubtedly helps and makes fans enjoy supporting their team. We’ve been drastically short of at times this season. It’s fluxed from one its lowest points in recent seasons, to one of its highest within a couple of weeks. The atmosphere at the Emirates on Tuesday was positive, loud and proud. We’re out of Europe, but we’re feeling good as fans again and believe that we can get back into the Champions League next season. Cynics who think it would be a good thing to miss out on the tournament next season should have been inside the ground against Milan. We took on an excellent side and tore them apart, and the atmosphere was epic.
I’m not usually a big fan of football on a Monday night, but given the state of some of our players at the end of the game on Tuesday, the extra time will be needed to prepare for the Newcastle match.
Hopefully the team won’t feel too disappointed from the aggregate defeat, but take heart from the result on the night. We’ve shown that the team can be competitive in the Champions League, they just need to ensure that they’re there next season.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 8 Mar 12
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tomas Rosicky back to his playmaker best in Arsenal's heartland
Of all the Arsenal players taking in the strangely sweet and sour emotions of an elimination after a 3-0 triumph, the one who looked the most crestfallen was Tomas Rosicky, who lay prone on the pitch at the end of it all as if clobbered by a heavyweight's uppercut. The Czech midfielder had put in a particularly inspiring performance. Such was the calibre of his play, once the Arsenal supporters had stopped applauding they were left ruminating the question: where has this little maestro been hiding all these years?
In the past month Rosicky has upped his game to the levels that made him such an exciting signing from Borussia Dortmund when Arsène Wenger did his business nice and early in the summer of 2006, and sealed the deal before the World Cup began in Germany. Rosicky scored two peaches against the USA during that tournament, cementing his reputation as a refined talent. His first season in England was promising enough, but then his career hit the buffers.
The nickname "Rosick-note" sums up a period so bleak there was genuine concern about if, rather than when, he would return. The entire 2008-09 season was wiped out. He did not play a single minute of football. There were whispers that the injury had been misdiagnosed. Others suggested nobody knew how to get to the bottom of it. Whenever Wenger was quizzed about what was wrong or asked for an estimated date for a comeback, the manager was ambivalent. He even referred to it as a "mystery" injury. It seemed everybody was baffled.
In fairness, this kind of obscure extended injury has become worryingly familiar at Arsenal, with Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen all suffering lengthy spells out that seem difficult to explain. Cesc Fábregas, Rosicky's best friend when they were both at Arsenal, was one of his biggest supporters. "I have spent a lot of time with him and I know how he feels," Fábregas said when Rosicky was on the long road back to playing football. "I know what he wants and I have never seen a guy being so committed, so professional and never giving up. If this happened to me I probably wouldn't want to talk to anyone, I would be always down and angry. But he's unbelievable.
"He's the type of player you enjoy playing alongside and as a guy he's amazing. He has been through a lot. I told him to be strong and to keep believing in himself and that he could play football again."
The journey back to the peak of his game has not been easy, though. Through a combination of niggly injuries and struggles to rediscover his rhythm, Rosicky has never started more than 20 games in a season since he came back from his year out. Establishing himself as a guaranteed pick for the first XI has been challenging.
But recent displays have put him to the forefront of Wenger's plans. Most interestingly, in his outstanding displays in Arsenal's past three home games against Blackburn, Tottenham and Milan (won with an aggregate scoreline of 15-3) he has played in his preferred position, as a central schemer.
He has always been a classical playmaker. But rather like Andrey Arshavin, he suffered from Wenger's desire to position players who arrive at the club as an authentic No10 out wide. Neither of them – both experienced internationals who are trusted by their countries to dictate the game from the middle – ever looked at their happiest on the flank.
For much of this campaign Wenger has preferred Aaron Ramsey in the playmaker role. But it is, as far as Rosicky is concerned, a twist of fate that has allowed him to move into the attacking midfield heartland with the young Welshman injured (and looking burned out to boot). Rosicky got this chance to shine, and he has grabbed it. His dribbling and darting across the pitch against Milan rolled back the years. He looked liberated. It was a great team performance, but he was definitely the one who gave Arsenal the impulse to make a game of it.
Robin van Persie defines it as Rosicky being "football clever" and the captain is another big admirer. "I just love playing with him because he's so quick in his mind. That's something you can't pick up later in your career. You either have it or you don't."
The "Little Mozart" moniker, one that had not felt particularly appropriate for much of his five-year spell in England, suddenly feels fitting again. Some cynics noted that Rosicky's return to his best coincides conveniently with the time contract renewals come to the fore. A kinder view is that an injury-free player positioned in his most suitable role has made everything click again. Now aged 31, Rosicky has no more time to lose.
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 7 Mar 12
Brave Gunners bow out
Trailing 4-0 after a nightmare performance at the San Siro a fortnight ago, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger knew his side faced a tall order to rewrite history and become the first team to recover from such a deficit in the competition.
For an hour or so at Emirates Stadium tonight it appeared as the record books would be torn up, as the Gunners reduced the deficit with first-half goals from Laurent Koscielny, the impressive Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie's penalty.
However, the second-half onslaught never came as Milan - who had somehow managed to go out to Deportivo La Coruna in the 2003-04 quarter-finals, losing the second leg in Spain 4-0 having won 4-1 at home - regrouped and were not really troubled during the closing stages.
Despite all their courageous endeavour, Arsenal must now concentrate all of their energy on retaining a place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League to make sure such engaging European nights return next season.
Arsenal needed an early breakthrough, which came after just seven minutes when Koscielny - who had scored an own goal at Liverpool on Saturday - headed in a corner from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After Van Persie had seen his near-post effort from a tight angle saved, there was a moment of panic in the Gunners defence when Kieran Gibbs was booked after hacking down Stephan El Shaarawy, the 19-year-old making his Champions League debut, following a poor clearance by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal were soon back on the offensive, when after 18 minutes Van Persie's curling 20-yard effort was acrobatically beaten away by Christian Abbiati.
The shaky Milan rearguard was breached again in the 25th minute. Theo Walcott surged down the right, and when his cross was half-cleared by Thiago Silva, the ball dropped to Rosicky who planted it back inside the near post.
The Emirates Stadium faithful, so seething in their criticism of Wenger and his side this season, were now in full voice as the unlikeliest of comebacks was very much now on.
Rosicky, the 31-year-old Czech, was running the midfield, more than making up for injured colleagues Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta.
As half-time approached, Arsenal continued to press.
Oxlade-Chamberlain powered into the right side of the Milan penalty area, when he was sandwiched by Antonio Nocerino and Djamel Mesbah.
It seemed an age before Slovak referee Damir Skomina pointed to the spot and after another delay for the ball to be relaid, Van Persie kept his cool to smash home his 32nd goal of the season.
Despite their dominance, one break for Milan would have changed the whole dynamic of the tie.
The Italians' big chance came just before half-time when El Shaarawy was played into acres of space on the right, but as the goal opened up, the teenager shot wide.
Arsenal started the second half on the offensive, but Milan had now regrouped and were closing down quickly, with Alex Song, the Gunners midfield enforcer, booked after 57 minutes for clattering into Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Another goal hovered closer when Gervinho went clear on the left side of the Milan box, but his deflected shot hit the legs of the keeper, with Van Persie's follow-up hit straight at a relieved Abbiati.
A careless pass from Szczesny almost proved costly as Ibrahimovic wrestled the loose ball from Song, but shot wide from 25 yards past the backtracking, and embarrassed, Arsenal number one.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was replaced by Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh as Wenger injected a new dimension to the frontline.
Nocerino should have put the result beyond any doubt when he arrived at the back post onto Alberto Aquilani's low cross, but stabbed a tame effort straight at Szczesny.
Walcott, who looked to have picked up a knock, was replaced for the final six minutes by Korean forward Park Ju-young, who has seen little action since his summer move from Monaco - but Arsenal were unable to get a late chance and Milan went through to the quarter-finals.
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 6 Mar 12
Arsène Wenger praises 'faultless' Arsenal's brave effort against Milan
"We are disappointed because we touched qualification," Wenger said. "We had the chances. We didn't do it but we were very close. The players put in a faultless performance, with fantastic spirit, and you can only congratulate the whole team. It is a night when the players can be proud to play for this club. They put absolutely every effort in."
Having soared into a 3-0 lead, the search for the crucial fourth goal proved fruitless and Milan were indebted to their goalkeeper, Christian Abbiati, whose fingertip save from Robin van Persie in the second half proved decisive.
"What can I say?" Wenger mused. "The one you would want the chance to go to is Van Persie. But he wanted to chip the goalkeeper. You have to give credit to Abbiati; he came up very quickly."
Fatigue caught up with Arsenal, as well as a lack of options on the bench. Part of that is self-inflicted considering the attacking substitutes – Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-young – are not seemingly made for the grandstand finish, though Wenger's frustration was that he could not bolster his midfield.
"I felt we suffered a bit in the second half physically because we had given a lot at Liverpool," he said. "Overall I felt we did not have many opportunities on the bench in midfield. In the second half we had more problems to keep the ball than the first half. The regret I have is there. We missed a player like [Mikel] Arteta, who had concussion."
The midfield impetus fell to Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, both of whom drew praise from Arsenal's manager. He described Rosicky's contribution as "outstanding" and praised the Czech's influential contribution to the recent recovery that has seen Arsenal beat Tottenham, Liverpool and Milan in quick succession, scoring 10 goals in the process.
A generally positive night had a sour ending as Wenger became embroiled in an altercation with the referee, the Slovenian Damir Skomina, in the tunnel. Wenger was upset with a performance in which he believed the official gave too many fouls in Milan's favour. Arsenal conceded 21 fouls to Milan's eight. "I was not happy with the referee because he gave them many free-kicks in the centre of the park.
"Every single free-kick every time they went down it was for them. They sensed that very quickly on the pitch the players and they used it very well," he said. Skomina may include details of their exchange of views in his referee's report, which could land Wenger in some familiar hot water with Uefa.
It had echoes of the row with officialdom as Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League last season at Barcelona. On that occasion Wenger was furious that Van Persie had been sent off by the Swiss referee Massimo Busacca, who gave the Arsenal striker a second booking for shooting when play had stopped even though Van Persie claimed he had not heard the whistle. Wenger received a touchline ban for that episode.
His bad feeling about the tie extended to another complaint about the pitch at San Siro, so if Uefa feels inclined to reprimand Wenger he would be inclined to say the feeling is mutual: "It's maybe an easy excuse but I feel Uefa has a lot to answer for because when you arrive at 7.46 you get fined but you can play on a bad pitch and they don't say a word. I just feel it is part of the respect for people who pay their money and go to a football game to at least put the game in conditions where people can play football. That's what we try to do here. It's unacceptable from Uefa that they accept pitches like we had in Milan."
At the end of it all, Arsenal's players looked shattered - physically and emotionally - and Wenger conceded it will be a tough job to pick them back up. "It will be difficult because it is a big disappointment for the players. The team has grown together and hopefully we can finish the season in a strong way because there is no room for disappointment in the league. For us every point is a battle; that is what is in front of us."
Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 7 Mar 12
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain embodies Arséne Wenger's faith in spirit
Arsenal's exhausted players left the pitch bathed in warm applause from supporters who sometimes turn their backs on the sight of adversity but this time stayed on after the final whistle, setting aside their disappointment to salute something that felt like a rebirth.
"Everybody fought together and helped his team-mate," Laurent Koscielny said, summing up the virtues of a performance that seemed more significant than the result. They had gone out the Champions League but the manner of their departure seemed to lift their hopes of hanging on to fourth place in the Premier League and securing qualification for next season's competition.
This was a tie of four halves. Arsenal lost the first one 2-0 and the second by the same score in Italy, won the third 3-0 at home and drew the fourth after Milan's players finally pulled themselves together. No doubt Massimiliano Allegri had used his half-time address to remind them of the humiliation suffered by their predecessors at Liverpool's hands seven years ago – although none of the Italian club's players on the pitch in Istanbul was involved on Tuesday night.
As Arsène Wenger's players fought their way back to the brink of redemption, they gave substance to the Frenchman's frequent expressions of faith in their spirit – a quality long obscured, perhaps, but unearthed as they put the seven-times European champions on the rack. With those three unanswered first-half goals, they took a further giant step in the restoration of their battered pride, making the outcome of the tie seem less significant than the effect of their resilience on the club's morale.
At the heart of their performance was a display by a teenager who will certainly have lodged a few thoughts in the mind of whichever coach is destined to take England to the finals of the European Championship this summer. Injuries to Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Yossi Benayoun and Francis Coquelin, not to mention the long-term absence of Jack Wilshere, gave Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a chance to start the match in the centre of midfield, alongside Alex Song and in front of the back four. Not quite the position just behind the front line that he says is the one best suited to his talents, but closer to it than the role on the wing in which he has been nurtured in his early days as a first-team player.
Theo Walcott is still waiting for a similar opportunity to come in from the touchline, where he has been stationed since his arrival six years ago – like Oxlade-Chamberlain, a teenaged prodigy from Southampton. Walcott always believed himself to be better suited to a striker's role, and his goalscoring record with his original club and with England's Under-21s supported his contention, as did his brace of goals in the dramatic 5-2 win in the recent north London derby. He must have been envying the apparent ease with which the 18-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain, five years his junior, has impressed Wenger with his precocious football intelligence.
Oxlade-Chamberlain took hardly any time at all to make his mark against Milan. Only five minutes had gone when he moved out of his withdrawn starting position and turned up on the left wing, measuring a cross which was turned behind for a corner. He took it himself, whipping it in with his right foot and seeing it cleared for a second corner on the same side.
Once again he delivered a telling effort which snaked in to meet the head of Koscielny, the centre-back's lateral run towards the near post conspicuously unhindered by the presence of defenders who stood and watched him score with the most straightforward of headers. But it was the quality of the corner that had made it possible, although Oxlade-Chamberlain could not quite manage to recreate the same damaging effect when offered two further opportunities from the same quadrant a dozen minutes later.
Three minutes before the interval, with Arsenal now two goals up, came his most influential contribution to an extraordinary first half. Charging at an angle into the right-hand corner of the Milan penalty area, showing the kind of bullocking power and directness associated with Barcelona's Alexis Sánchez, he aimed his run towards the rapidly closing gap between Antonio Nocerino and Djamel Mesbah before sprawling to the ground under the Algerian left back's challenge. Robin van Persie hammered the penalty kick past Christian Abbiati with a force that redoubled the intensity of the message to his team-mates: they were right back in this contest with the chance of a reversal that would make the obliteration of Tottenham's 2-0 lead look like a rehearsal.
Before his withdrawal with 15 minutes left, Oxlade-Chamberlain came close to producing an equaliser that would have sealed the miracle when he bore in from the left to strike a confident 20-yarder that curled past the angle of crossbar and far post. But he had already played his part in a display that surely put Arsenal back in credit with their followers, even the most sceptical of them given a glimpse of a brighter future.
Source: Richard Williams, The Guardian on 7 Mar 12
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