Theo Walcott stretches Arsenal's winning run as Aston Villa fold

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

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

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

Robin van Persie scores two penalties to take Arsenal past Aston Villa

So now we know. If you wish to substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, you do it with two minutes to go, with your team in the lead, and you bring on Thierry Henry. Signal joyous whoops all round. As it happened, the idea of any kind of happy ending was difficult to imagine at half‑time, as Arsenal trailed 2-0 and appeared to be on their way to yet another crushing blow after three straight Premier League defeats.

All reason pointed towards gloom. Few inside the stadium would have backed Arsenal to rebound from another punishing spell on the ropes. As Arsène Wenger admitted: "When you don't win, belief goes."

But against all expectation, the players rallied during the interval in the bowels of the Emirates Stadium, found reserves of courage to disprove the doubters, and scored three goals in a frenetic seven‑minute burst to tip this compelling Cup tie on its head.

Theo Walcott, one of those who comes most under scrutiny at times like this, was quick to suggest that there can be more to this team than meets the eye. "It just shows we have got characters in the dressing room even though no one thinks we do," he said pointedly.

The Arsenal manager had suggested that his team required a performance to get their crowd back onside but, with nerves frayed by recent events, just what they needed was to go a goal behind. And just to make them feel even better about themselves it was assisted by typically passive defending.

Villa had already come close to a gift in the 21st minute as Lukasz Fabianski pelted off his line to meet a 50‑50 ball against Darren Bent. The Arsenal goalkeeper missed, and the Villa striker was centimetres away from a clean connection in front of an unguarded net.

It was not long before the visitors profited from Arsenal's aerial hesitancy. Just after the half‑hour they eased in front when Robbie Keane found space to angle in a cross which invited Richard Dunne to leap highest, and with most conviction, to thump in a header. The two old Irish team-mates, who knew each other's game inside out, were thrilled.

In an instant the home tension‑ometer ratcheted up a few notches. Then on the stroke of half‑time the mood worsened. Arsenal again found little resistance as Villa launched an electric counterattack. When Stephen Ireland helped the move on to Bent, the England forward lashed in an angled shot.

Although Fabianski parried, Bent steered the rebound in from an even tighter spot. Villa's noisy contingent, who benefited from the chairman, Randy Lerner, laying on 70 coaches for this expedition, erupted. "The first half was blinding, brilliant, international class," said Alex McLeish. "But it's never over, is it. I said to the boys at half‑time there's 45 minutes to go."

Arsenal were reeling. They had enjoyed a decent amount of possession, even testing Shay Given a couple of times. Thomas Vermaelen whacked in a shot from 30 yards and Oxlade-Chamberlain took aim from long range. Effort was not really the problem for Arsenal. Quality was. They emerged after half‑time accompanied by an anthem by the aptly named House of Pain.

Could they muster the fortitude, and the finesse, to recover? Recent form would suggest absolutely not. Yet in an dazzling turnaround Arsenal transformed 0-2 into 3-2.

Per Mertesacker and Aaron Ramsey both glimpsed chances before Robin van Persie was able take control by getting into shooting territory.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Alex Song carved Villa open with a threaded pass to Ramsey, who was felled by Dunne. The defender, who had already been cautioned, was fortunate not to receive double punishment as a clear scoring opportunity was denied. Van Persie stepped up to slot his kick low and true past Given.

Arsenal were level when Walcott cruised past Stephen Warnock and saw his dinked shot repelled by Given on the line. Alan Hutton attempted to clear, but only shunted the ball against the winger and in.

Astonishingly, moments later Arsenal were in front. Laurent Koscielny galloped upfield and left the chasing Bent in his wake, which takes some doing. Bent was lured into a clumsy challenge and the referee awarded his second penalty. The ever confident Van Persie crashed his second effort high into the net. He ran into the arms of the substitute Henry.

Wenger, who has felt aggrieved about the non-award of some clear penalty appeals for his team in recent games, was pleasantly surprised to see Michael Jones deliver two. "That was one of the positives of the day," he said wryly.

Villa staggered around for a while, unable to take in quite what had happened, and then refocused. Stilian Petrov was a picture of frustration when his move was intercepted by Mertesacker. Ciaran Clark nodded in a header which Fabianski smothered. Van Persie retreated to help and blocked off Keane. McLeish was incandescent about an offside decision that went against his team. "To say I am disappointed we did not see it out is an understatement."

Arsenal reclaimed control and a gutsy mission was accomplished.

Source: Amy Lawrence, The Guardian on 29 Jan 12

Gunners get out of jail

Arsene Wenger may have delivered nearly 900 half-time team talks as Arsenal manager, yet few have been more significant than the oration he offered during the interval in this FA Cup fourth round tie.

With the jeers of his own supporters ringing in his ears after a lamentable first half performance from his lacklustre team saw them reach the halfway point 2-0 behind, Wenger knew his well-worn script of excuses would not drown out the growing frustration of supporters whose previously unshakable devotion to their manager is being tested like never before.

If a month that has included defeats against Fulham, Swansea and Manchester United had concluded with a harrowing FA Cup exit against Aston Villa in front of a disgruntled Emirates Stadium audience, the final, substantial clutch of devotees to the Wenger cause may have struggled to contain the bubble of anger that has been simmering under the surface.

As he assembled his shell-shocked troops for this interval dressing down, the need for him to deliver the right message had never been more acute. Blunt in attack and lacklustre in defence, the first scenes of this drama offered up an all-too familiar tale for an Arsenal side playing before a larger than average array of unoccupied red seats.

Those unwanted pews, despite an official attendance of 60,019, provided some confirmation that a growing number of Arsenal fans are losing faith in a team who have guaranteed little more than false promise in recent years, with the looming disaster offered by this FA Cup tie threatening to plunge Arsenal's season into a full blown crisis.

Goals from Richard Dunne and Darren Bent were all too predictable as, in truth, Arsenal looked vulnerable every time Villa broke into their attacking third in the opening 45 minutes. The persistently uncomfortable presence of reserve keeper Lukas Fabianski and the consistently unconvincing Per Mertesacker were fuelling the suspicion that Wenger had fluffed his lines with his latest starting line-up, with Arsenal's supporters hardly in forgiving mood on a day when victory was demanded.

It is at moments such as this that the game's great managers tend to rise to the occasion and such was the plotline here, with a stony-faced Wenger delivering what he later described as a 'calm' team-talk that inspired an instant response in the opening 15 minutes of what could be a season-defining second half.

Two Robin van Persie penalties sandwiched a fortunate Theo Walcott goal to transform this captivating tie in thrilling fashion, giving the always immaculately presented Wenger an opportunity to insist those who may have been preparing obituaries for his team should steer clear of such pessimism.

"Our desire to stay in the FA Cup was enough to get us back into the game, but I always believed in this team's spirit and ability to perform as they did after the break," stated a curiously sombre Wenger. "I felt the 2-0 half-time score line was very harsh on us and so long as we scored the next goal, we would always have a chance.

"Villa were catching us on counter attacks and that is something we needed to address, but the key for me was that we needed to stay focused and calm. The second half performance confirmed that we can produce under pressure and this is what we need to build on. We are through to the next round of the cup and it doesn't matter so much now how we got there.

"I look at the performance in the second half against Manchester United last week and the display in the second half here was another example of what we can do when we play with a good tempo and with a clear mind."

Villa's red-faced and fiery Scottish boss Alex McLeish was never likely to be as laid back as he assessed the wreckage of his FA Cup dream, with what he described as a 'terrible eight minute spell' costing his side what could have been a famous victory at Emirates Stadium.

"We have to take this result on the chin, even though that seems hard to do at this moment," stated McLeish. "The first Arsenal goal gave them the lift they needed and we spoke about trying to avoid that at half-time. Their second goal came far too quickly for us as well and amid it all, we had the chances to snatch a draw.

"I felt the second of their penalties was a little harsh, but we gave them a chance to come back into the game and they have the pace to hurt you on the flanks. Still we have to get over this and look to our next league game, which is vitally important to us."

On a day when so many of Arsenal's enduring failings were given another public airing, it seems a little over optimistic to suggest this victory is a turning point that offers the potential to direct their troubled season on a more glorious course.

However, that has to be the mantra Arsene Wenger promotes after this ominous brush with disaster.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Robin van Persie
Two coolly taken penalties were required by the captain to ease Arsenal into the fifth round of the FA Cup. When they needed their leader to deliver, he held his nerve superbly.

WENGER PROGRAMME NOTES
The Arsenal manager conceded his side need to improve their focus over the course of an entire 90 minutes if they are to achieve their targets for this season, yet the first half of this game was another example of their inability to do just that.

DUNNE ESCAPE
Referee Mike Jones was bizarrely generous as he refused to hand Villa's Richard Dunne a second yellow card for hacking down Aaron Ramsey in the box to hand Arsenal their first penalty. The challenge could even have resulted in a straight red card, and the already cautioned Irishman was hugely fortunate to stay on the field.

SAGNA RETURN
Wenger was delighted to see Bacary Sagna make his long-awaited return from injury in this game, but he could offer no suggestion of a possible comeback date for midfielder Jack Wilshere after his latest injury setback.

VILLA VERDICT
Tactically superb and oozing with energy in the first half, the visitors executed their game plan with clinical precision in the first half. Stephen Ireland, in particular, shone in their early burst, yet their second half capitulation was a major disappointment for boss Alex McLeish.

ARSENAL VERDICT
Having dodged this potentially devastating FA Cup bullet, Wenger now has the Champions League tie against AC Milan, an FA Cup fifth round date against Middlesbrough or Sunderland and league games against Spurs and Liverpool on the horizon. January has hardly been a triumph for Arsenal, but February seems certain to make or break their season.

Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 29 Jan 12

Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa match

on the match overall...
It was a good test to show that we had the mental qualities to come back. On the other hand it was important that we didn't panic [at half time]. To concede a goal just on half time for 2-0 was a difficult blow, but we responded very well against Manchester United here [last week] and we did it again today. Overall it was a classic FA Cup tie, 2-0 down and we came back. We had to fight to score three goals and we did it well. I felt it was harsh to be 2-0 down at half time, but Aston Villa are a good counter-attacking team and unfortunately we couldn't score in the first half. In the second half it was all us.

on Arsenal's spirit in the second half…
I was very impressed because I felt that when you come out of a bad period like we are, and you are 2-0 down, you can feel sorry for yourself or you can show you have the mental qualities to play for this club. I was very proud that the team came out and showed they are not ready to lie down.

On what was said at half time…
We always keep what is said in the dressing room [to ourselves]. The players were all very positive at half time and we showed that in the second half. It was important to put massive pressure on them in their half and not let them come out [with the ball]. We closed them down very hard in their own half.

on what the comeback might mean…
I hope [it means] that we can bounce back in the Premier League as well. I hope it convinces the team we have the required qualities and we can transfer that to the Premier League.

on Jack Wilshere's fitness…
I spoke to Jack today. We have no real news yet. The first news we have had is better than expected. He is not in a boot, but I don't know more. His morale looks quite good and I hope it will only be a short setback.There will be more tests this week.

on the players having something to prove…
Last year was a learning process. We went for four trophies and in February we were still in all four. When we had to play the Carling Cup final we were a bit nervous because we hadn't delivered, but they have learnt from that. Hopefully we can show it this year.

on Abou Diaby's comeback…
He is coming back on Tuesday. He has been in a rehab centre and has worked very hard. We feel that when he comes back he will need three more weeks of training, so the earliest he will play will be the end of February.

on Ryo's future…
I will have a chat with him tomorrow and I have a little plan. Oxlade-Chamberlain plays on the flanks now too, so if I can find an opportunity for him to play somewhere I will decide whether to do that tomorrow. It will have to be in England because he will lose the homegrown [status] if he leaves the country.

on winning two penalties…
I must say that was one of the positives today!

on Lukasz Fabianski…
He lacks a bit of match practice. Overall he did well. On the second goal he parried [Bent's shot] well, and it was unlucky because the ball came back to Bent, who is a great finisher.

on whether the players' belief has waned…
When you don't win, the belief goes and we lost three games in the Premier League. The belief is not stable no matter what your history is. It depends on the recent history of the team.

on whether he will sign anyone…
Certainly not. But you never know!

Source: Arsenal.com on 29 Jan 12

29 January 2012: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa, The Emirates

Arsenal struck three goals in seven superb second-half minutes to storm into the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

After 45 minutes this afternoon at Emirates Stadium, Arsène Wenger’s side were staring at an early exit.

Richard Dunne and Darren Bent had given the visitors a 2-0 lead. It seemed that they would be travelling to Sunderland or Middlesbrough in the last 16.

However, sometimes you only realise your own strength when it is truly tested.

Robin van Persie started the comeback from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Dunne had clattered Aaron Ramsey. Shortly afterwards, Alan Hutton’s clearance cannoned off Theo Walcott and flew into the net.

Then, in the 61st minute, Bent fouled Laurent Koscielny and Van Persie put Arsenal in front for the first time.

By way of celebration the Dutchman jumped into the arms of substitute Thierry Henry, who was warming up on the sidelines.

The expected Villa reply did not really materialise. But then Arsenal had not deserved to be trailing at the break. Sheer guts had hauled them back into a game in which everything had gone against them.

That will surely have a galvanising effect on the squad for the challenges ahead this season.

Underestimate Arsenal at your peril.

Wenger had spent the weekend waiting on fitness tests and mulling over his side. The manager was aware that he would face Bolton and Blackburn in two key Premier League fixtures over the next six days.

In the end, all the injury news was positive and the manager went for a strong line-up. Francis Coquelin returned at right back for the first time since January 2. Lukasz Fabianski had last played at Olympiacos a month earlier. This afternoon he came in as Wojciech Szczesny was rested.

Van Persie had missed the 1-0 win over Leeds in the last round but he started today. Henry and Mikel Arteta were both declared fit but began on the bench.

And, for the first time since October 2, Bacary Sagna was named in a first-team squad. The right back had recovered ahead of schedule from the broken ankle he had suffered at White Hart Lane.

Most of the crowd at Emirates Stadium had already taken their seats when the fifth-round draw was made.

However, focus could not be taken from the matter in hand. Villa had lost only once since they had been narrowly beaten by Arsenal in Birmingham four days before Christmas. And during that spell they had won at Chelsea.

But then, if anything, Villa are an ‘away’ side - they have only lost twice on the road in the Premier League this season.

They would demonstrate that form during this game but it was the home side who took control early on.

After five minutes, Van Persie rolled a free-kick to Thomas Vermaelen who thundered 30-yard effort towards goal at a venomous pace. Shay Given did well to fist the ball over the bar.

Then Tomas Rosicky freed Walcott on the right. He struggled for balance after being clipped and fired his shot wide.

In the 19th minute, Van Persie just failed to connect with Walcott’s low cross and, midway through the half, the captain fired a free-kick into the wall.

To this point, Villa had not registered an effort on goal. But they had threatened. The pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor stretched Arsenal on their right flank while the visitors had a willing worker in Robbie Keane.

And the Irishman played a pivotal role when Villa took the lead just past the half hour. Keane worked a short corner with Stiliyan Petrov before clipping a cross to the far post. Dunne rose highest to plunder a header from close range.

Arsenal’s response was immediate. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was catching the eye once again, reached the byline but his cutback was cleared. Then Rosicky’s snap shot was momentarily spilt by Given.

As half time approached, the home side had built a head of steam. Coquelin’s angled drive through a crowded area was hurriedly hacked clear by Stephen Warnock. Then Aaron Ramsey tricked his way to the byline but Given managed to block as the Welshman tried to squeeze in a shot at the near post.

On the whistle, Van Persie rolled a free-kick to Oxlade-Chamberlain who, like Vermaelen, cracked a rocket-fuelled effort at Given. Again the keeper could not hang on.

Arsenal were piling on the pressure in search of an equaliser. However, they would concede again in injury time.

Villa broke clear and Stephen Ireland fed Bent on the right of the area. Fabianski saved superbly from his first effort but the Englishman pounced on the rebound and squeezed home his shot from the narrowest of angles.

The half-time statistics suggested Arsenal were unfortunate to be trailing at all. However, they had to score twice, at least, in order to stay in the FA Cup.

They might have grabbed one in the opening three minutes. Van Persie’s right-wing was met by the head of Mertesacker. Ireland booted the ball off the line at the far post.

Walcott nearly dribbled his way through and another intricate move saw Ramsey prod a shot at Given.

You sensed Arsenal needed to get some reward in this period if they were to come back.

Fortunately, it arrived just at that moment.

In the 54th minute, Alex Song’s perceptive through ball sent Ramsey clear. He was clean through but Dunne cleaned him out. Van Persie scored from the spot. No 24 of the season.

Three minutes later, Arsenal were level. Walcott darted in from the right, reached the byline and poked a cross into the heart of the area. Hutton swung at his clearance which hit the Arsenal striker and bounced into the unguarded net.

You can call that lucky if you like but Liverpool had scored a similar goal into the same net at the Emirates in the opening home game of the Premier League season.

A small illustration that footballing fortune can even itself out.

Often you find teams that draw level in such rapid fashion and draw breath soon afterwards. However, Arsenal did not take their foot off the pedal this afternoon and, in the 61st minute, grabbed the lead.

Koscielny went marauding down the left and was clumsily brought down by Bent just inside the area.

Van Persie scored No 25 from the spot.

Emirates Stadium had been a cauldron while those three goals were going in. Now it became just a little becalmed. Walcott nearly gave Arsenal a cushion, but Given beat away his drive.

Villa had been caught in a maelstrom. However, time was ticking away and they had to gamble.

Petrov popped up on the byline but Mertesacker blocked his cross with Bent lurking behind him.

Then Ireland’s cross was steered into Fabianski’s arms by the head of Ciaran Clark from point-blank range.

But it was Arsenal pressing forward in the dying minutes. Henry had a glimpse of a chance and Sagna even grabbed a few minutes at the end.

The striker had performed a fairytale comeback in the last round. This time the team had done the job.

Either way, Arsenal are conjuring up special moments in the FA Cup this season.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 29 Jan 12

Yossi Benayoun's late header for Arsenal breaks Aston Villa

On a night of landmark goals, Yossi Benayoun upstaged Robin van Persie and Marc Albrighton to head home three minutes from time to haul Arsenal level with Chelsea and pile more misery on Alex McLeish and Aston Villa. Benayoun came off the substitutes' bench late in the second half to strike a blow that felt cruel on a Villa side who had produced an impressive performance that deserved so much more than a fourth home defeat in five matches.

Arsenal's winner came after Albrighton had etched his name into the record books with the 20,000th Premier League goal, the winger capitalising on a defensive mix-up between Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker. At that point Villa looked the more likely to go on and win the game, as an Arsenal team who had taken the lead through Van Persie's 34th Premier League goal of the calendar year – he has now equalled the club record Thierry Henry set in 2004 and is only two behind Alan Shearer – were pinned back for long periods.

Yet Villa's inability to defend corners resurfaced when Van Persie swung in a kick that Benayoun, one of the smallest players on the pitch, met with a free header to beat Brad Guzan. It was the ninth goal that Villa have conceded from a corner this season – both Liverpool's came via that source on Sunday – and allowed Arsenal to celebrate a win that even Arsène Wenger conceded was fortunate. "I can only congratulate Villa, they played well and gave everything," the Arsenal manager said.

"We got a very late three points that are vital for us. We were a bit unlucky on Sunday [against Manchester City] and today maybe a bit lucky. You could see that some legs were jaded from Sunday and some minds as well in the speed of the decision-making. But we kept going and there is an exceptional attitude and spirit in the side. And tonight, very unusually for us, we scored from two set-pieces. That is basically historical for us."

To rub salt into McLeish's wounds, Villa had Alan Hutton sent off in the closing seconds after the Scotland international picked up two yellow cards in the space of little more than a minute in stoppage time. Hutton became embroiled in a flare-up with Van Persie, for which he was cautioned, and then collected a second yellow followed by a red when he recklessly brought down Vermaelen. McLeish was particularly annoyed with the first incident. "Alan has just got to walk away from that," he said.

The Villa manager could, however, take great encouragement from a team display that galvanised their supporters. Villa played at a high tempo, pressing Arsenal when they were without the ball and attacking with purpose whenever they broke forward. Albrighton and Charles N'Zogbia in particular looked particularly dangerous on the flanks against a makeshift Arsenal back four that saw Francis Coquelin, a 20-year-old Frenchman who is a holding midfielder by trade, deployed at right‑back.

Villa had made the better start, as N'Zogbia created two chances for Gabriel Agbonlahor inside the opening 11 minutes, yet it was Arsenal that drew first blood. Theo Walcott turned Ciaran Clark with a neat piece of skill and the Villa midfielder, who was one of four changes from the side that lost so meekly to Liverpool, tugged at the shirt of the Arsenal winger, leaving Jonathan Moss, the referee, with no option but to point to the spot. Van Persie dispatched his penalty high into the roof of the net.

Although Walcott and Ramsey both had chances to double Arsenal's advantage, Villa finished the first half much the stronger and it was no surprise when they equalised shortly after the restart. It was a poor goal for Arsenal to concede, Vermaelen's header from Guzan's long punt upfield dropping a little short of Mertesacker, who was caught on his heels. Albrighton nipped in front of the central defender and beat Wojciech Szczesny with an assured finish.

Within the blink of an eye Mertesacker was denied at the opposite end and Van Persie was later booked for diving, when Moss adjudged the striker was falling to the ground before Stephen Warnock made contact with him in the area. That was a measure of Arsenal's desperation at a time when Villa were largely in control, although Benayoun's introduction nine minutes from time provided the late twist that left McLeish cursing what might have been. "If we play like that every game, I'll be quite confident," the Villa manager said.

20,000th Premier League goal to Albrighton
Marc Albrighton registered the 20,000th Premier League goal, 19 years after Brian Deane scored the first, to write his name into the record books on Wednesday night. The Aston Villa winger pounced following a defensive misunderstanding between Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker to score Villa's goal in their 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal. Ryan Giggs had scored the 19,999th in Manchester United's 5-0 win at Fulham, paving the way for Albrighton to make the headlines when he beat Wojciech Szczesny. "It was great to score the goal," said Albrighton, who has donated the £20,000 cheque pledged by Barclays to Villa's official charity partner, Acorn's Children's Hospice. "It's one of those things you will remember for the rest of your life and people will remind you of for years to come. It's been soured slightly by the fact we lost but it was a great feeling to score it in front of the Holte End."

Source: Stuart James, The Guardian on 21 Dec 11

Wenger's reaction to the Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal match

on the result…
Villa were dangerous but first I must say two things. We had two difficult away games where we had to give absolutely everything just over Christmas, physically. In the first half we controlled the game quite well and in the second half when they came back to 1-1 we had quite a difficult period. Then we stabilised the game and in the last 15 minutes you could feel we were on top again.

I can only congratulate Villa - they played well, gave everything and again it was a very intense game. In the end we got three very late points that are vital for us. We were a bit unlucky on Sunday and today maybe a bit lucky. Overall it was important to re-start with a win tonight. But if Villa continue to play like that then they will go up in the table, they had an outstanding game.

on the team spirit…
Our spirit is exceptional and that's why we came from a bad start to the season to such a strong run. You could see that some legs were a bit jaded from Sunday, and some minds in the speed of the decision making. But we still kept going and there is an exceptional attitude and spirit in the side.

Tonight, very unusually for us we scored from two set-pieces, that is basically historical!

on Robin van Persie…
He keeps going. Of course you always have that question when he plays against Manchester City and then again with that intensity, do I rest him? At the moment he feels alright so I just take a gamble. Now we have a little breather to prepare for our home game and let's hope we can win then.

We have to give credit to Villa tonight, we know they always give us a good reception here. They always make it very difficult for us.

on approaching Alan Shearer's record…
Now I will start to rest him!

on his booking...
My press officer told me it was a penalty. He is very objective, believe me! From outside I must say it didn't look like a penalty but maybe he has been touched, I don't know. It didn't look like a penalty to me. I don't know [if he was disappointed], I haven't spoken to him about it.

on Yossi Benayoun…
We have him on loan until the end of the season so we do not need to decide [on a permanent transfer] tonight.

on Kieran Gibbs' injury…
Gibbs sees a specialist tomorrow, he had a setback. We will know more about it tomorrow morning.

on going into the market…
Frankly I don't know yet, it depends on what happens to Gibbs. Vermaelen does quite well at left back, it is not the position where he feels happiest but he does it with a good spirit. On the right side tonight I played a midfielder [Francis Coquelin], who I feel has done quite well.
 
Source: Arsenal.com on 21 Dec 11

21 December 2011: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal, Villa Park

Substitute Yossi Benayoun grabbed an 87th-minute winner as Arsenal started their festive fixtures in fine style at Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

In truth, the Israeli has been a largely peripheral figure at Emirates Stadium since signing on loan from Chelsea in August but his stooping header provided a crucial three points for Arsène Wenger’s side this evening.

It was a nice moment for one of the team's truly nice guys.

Robin van Persie fired Arsenal in front from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Ciaran Clark tugged Theo Walcott. It was his 34th Premier League goal in 2011.

Villa were probably worth more at the interval and grabbed the equaliser just before the hour when Marc Albrighton stole in before slotting past Wojceich Szczesny.

In all honesty, this was not Arsenal at their best or their most fluent. But this newly-formed side has spirit.

Wenger’s second-half substitutions were crucial. Tomas Rosicky put the visitors on the front foot for the first time in the game and Benayoun added the energy.

Alan Hutton’s late red card made it a miserable night for Villa.

But, after having their long unbeaten run ended at Manchester City on Sunday, Arsenal are on the march again.

Wenger made two enforced changes from the side narrowly beaten at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Emmanuel Frimpong replaced the suspended Alex Song in central midfield while Francis Coquelin filled at right back following Johan Djourou’s groin injury.

Arsenal came into this game with a mighty record at Villa Park - six wins and six draws in their last 12 visits.

They had played well in defeat at Manchester City on Sunday but, with Villa struggling for form, they need a replenishing three points this evening.

However, McLeish’s men had not read the script. They tore into Arsenal in the opening stages and should have taken the lead.

In the sixth minute, Charles N’Zogbia’s cross was met at the far post by Gabriel Agbonlahor's header and Szczesny threw himself to his right to bat the ball off the line.

Five minutes later, N’Zogbia jostled Coquelin off the ball near the left-hand byline and, although Agbonlahor met a low cross just four yards out his bobbling shot bounced over the bar.

Villa were having joy down the flanks and Arsenal were struggling to stop them firing penetrative crosses into the box. Szczesny’s hands were warmed with regularity but Koscielny’s head was ice-cool in a sometimes congested area.

Arsenal had only just grabbed a foothold in the game when they took the lead. Walcott darted inside from the left-hand side and Clark threw out a grabbing arm and hauled him back. Van Persie fired a confident penalty into the top corner.

It equaled Henry’s Arsenal record for Premier League goals and, incredibly, was his first at Villa Park.

The lead had been stolen but, seconds later, it was nearly doubled. Walcott went through again on the right this time but his shot deflected off the onrushing Brad Guzan.

Just past the half-hour, Gervinho and Van Persie prodded Aaron Ramsey clear momentarily but, with defenders closing in, the stretching Welshman slashed his shot well wide.

By now Villa’s early thirst had been quenched and Arsenal began playing the game in their half for the first time. As is the Wenger way, they had imposed their will with patient passing and Mikel Arteta was the orchestrator.

Shortly before half-time Barry Bannan replaced Stephen Ireland and, with his first touch, curled a free-kick into the side-netting.

Villa went for Arsenal again at the start of the second half but it was all a bluster.

Ironically their goal came when they were just starting to run out of steam. Vermaelen nodded Agbonlahor’s flick-on towards Per Mertesacker but Albrighton nipped in, raced through and slotted his shot past Szczesny.

The goal stung Arsenal. Wenger brought on Rosicky for Frimpong and the visitors started to sustain pressure for the first time in the game. They forced a flurry a corners and, from one, Mertesacker’s drove a drop-down goalward. Guzan made a fine save.

As we approached the final 15 minutes, the game was on a knife-edge. Villa continued to throw probing crosses into the box, Arsenal started to exploit their pace in wide areas.

In the last 10 minutes, Wenger introduced Benayoun and Andrey Arshavin. It upped the ante immediately and one fluent move saw Rosicky’s drive blocked.

The visitors were asking all the questions and the Israeli finally answered by nodding home at the far post from Van Persie’s corner. It was cruel on Villa but they had lost concentration at the vital time and Wenger's side meted out football's punishment.

Hutton’s two yellow cards in the final minutes showed how much the goal had hurt Villa.

Arsenal, on the other hand, had bounced back in style.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 21 Dec 11

Wenger's view: Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa

Wenger: Fans have a right to boo

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts Arsenal fans have every right to vent their frustrations after his team's final home game of the season ended with boos ringing out around Emirates Stadium following a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Thousands of Arsenal fans had already headed for the exit doors ahead of the squad's lap of appreciation. Wenger, though, said: "It was our job to thank the fans and you never have to be embarrassed when you do your job.

"It was not a tour of glory, of course, but I think, no matter what happens, you have to respect your fans for turning up for the whole season. You have to accept that [some left] and you have to thank those who are still in the stand.

"What is important is that this club has values and respects those values. We are in a job where you have to please people and if they are not happy, we have to accept that.''

Wenger added: "The fans will not check how much money we spend, they want to win football games. When we don't, they are not happy and that is completely normal. We will try to strengthen our team, of course, but the best way to keep our fans happy is to win the games.''

Arsenal, though, looked anything but likely to repeat the victory over champions Manchester United here two weeks ago and the manager readily acknowledged his side had played for a slow start. "We were caught on a very bad start. We became stronger as the game went on and on top of that we were a bit unlucky,'' Wenger said.

"I feel we had a penalty, a goal that I have not seen cancelled often away from home. We were punished because we went into the game too tentative. We have been hit very hard by bad results and you could see that at the start of the game, but we have to rise above that. Once we were in the game we looked comfortable, but it was too late.''

And the Frenchman admitted it would be a big blow if his side are overhauled by City and need to go through qualifying for the Champions League. "We dropped three points today which could cost us the automatic qualification for the Champions League,'' he said. "That would be a big setback, but we will adapt our preparation in pre-season to it.''

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen made his long-awaited return from eight months out with an Achilles problem, but took time to grow into the game alongside Sebastien Squillaci, who was substituted at half-time in a tactical change. "They are two players with experience so normally it should work,'' said Wenger.

"Vermaelen grew stronger and stronger as the game went on and they have not played since September, so it is a lot to ask to be dominant like he was before. But I believe we gave very cheap goals away today.''

Wenger, meanwhile, revealed captain Cesc Fabregas will not play again this season for club or country because of a thigh injury, while France midfielder Samir Nasri is also struggling with a hamstring problem. Villa were in need of at least a point to mathematically secure their top-flight status and produced a display worthy of their vocal travelling support.

"You have to be happy with everything,'' said assistant manager Gary McAllister. "It has been a good day, with a great performance and result. There has not been a great deal to shout about, but the journey home will be sweet and we appreciate the support because it is not been a great year but they stuck by us.''

McAllister hailed Bent's contribution. "Darren has been class since the first minute he arrived and has been excellent around the place,'' he said. "People raised eyebrows at the £18million fee at the start of the transfer window, but by the end of the month when there was a few gone for £50m and £35m, I think he is looking at not a bad buy.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 15 May 11

Bent double ensures Villa survival

Arsenal's frustrating end to the season continued as Aston Villa ran out 2-1 winners at Emirates Stadium after an early brace from Darren Bent.

The Gunners are now in real danger of seeing FA Cup winners Manchester City, who have a match in hand, overtake them in the race for automatic Champions League qualification after a third defeat in four games.

Bent struck twice inside the opening 15 minutes following more poor defending from Arsene Wenger's men.

While the Gunners boss will no doubt point to key decisions from referee Michael Oliver to turn down a first-half penalty shout and then rule out a close-range header from substitute Marouane Chamakh before Robin van Persie bundled home a late consolation, the boos which rang out at the final whistle sent a clear message that more of the same next season will not be tolerated.

There were plenty of empty seats at kick-off for the final home match in another season which promised so much but failed to deliver.

Wenger, though, used his programme notes to urge supporters - some of whom held protests on their way to the ground with thousands then leaving before the players' lap of appreciation - to continue to trust in his young team, and again pledged he would add "what is needed'' over the summer.

It was a scrappy start by both sides, with no-one really getting hold of midfield possession.

Villa - who were in need of at least a point to mathematically secure their top-flight status - took the lead on 11 minutes.

A simple high ball from Kyle Walker drifted over Sebastien Squillaci and through to an unmarked Bent, who collected it on his chest and turned to volley past Wojciech Szczesny.

Before Arsenal could mount a comeback, they were 2-0 down inside 15 minutes.

A slip from Thomas Vermaelen, on his return from eight months out with an Achilles problem, allowed Ashley Young time on the ball. He slipped a pass through to Bent, with full-back Bacary Sagna left appealing for a non-existent offside as the England striker slotted into the bottom corner.

Villa, who had not won for three games, were in complete control as the Gunners - who just two months ago had genuine hopes of success in all competitions - failed to get out of first gear.

However, Aaron Ramsey felt he should have had a penalty when he was hacked down by Richard Dunne's flying challenge after collecting a chip into the Villa box, but despite replays showing no contact with the ball, referee Oliver was unconvinced and waved play on.

Van Persie was unfortunate not to be rewarded for his industry when collecting the ball in the left side of the penalty area, and twice turning defenders before a low strike across the face of goal came back off the post.

Arsenal had left the field with boos from disgruntled sections of the Emirates Stadium faithful ringing in their ears - and the substitution of the hapless Squillaci for Morocco striker Chamakh was greeted with sarcastic cheers.

A slip from Alex Song, dropped into the centre-back role, was almost punished as Bent raced clear, but Vermaelen recovered enough ground as the striker's shot-under-pressure was straight at Szczesny.

Arsenal were camped in Villa's half, yet without finding any creativity in the final third or halted by an offside flag.

When Van Persie did open up the defence after a neat one-two with Kieran Gibbs, Friedel made a smart save at his near post.

Szczesny twice denied Villa a third, first from Young's 20-yard effort and then beating away a follow-up from Stewart Downing at the near post.

Chamakh - whose last league goal came against Villa away in November when the Gunners could do no wrong - saw his close-range header ruled out for a push on Walker, with contact looking minimal at best.

Friedel denied Van Persie after the Dutchman was played in on the right side of the Villa penalty area.

Arsenal finally bundled the ball in through Van Persie during the final minute of normal time, but it was too little too late, as injured captain Cesc Fabregas was left to lead his team around the stadium once more with a sense of what might have been.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 15 May 11

Darren Bent's first-half double for Aston Villa stuns Arsenal

The Arsenal support voted with their feet, as much as their voices, after watching a performance that was typical, in so many ways, of their team's frustrating season. Despite being on the front foot for much of the match, they struggled to capitalise on their chances, while at the back, they undermined themselves grotesquely. Throw in unhealthy doses of bad luck and you get the general picture.
Booed off at half-time and full time, Arsenal had to endure a lap of honour in a stadium that was barely a third full. The fans continue to rage at next season's 6.5% ticket-price hikes, while the six-year trophy drought has fuelled discontent.

The team now face a battle to finish in third place; if Manchester City were to win their remaining two fixtures, Arsenal would be pressed into an unwanted Champions League qualifier. "It will be a big setback [to finish fourth] but we will adapt our pre-season preparations to it," said the manager, Arsène Wenger.

The post-match lap was excruciating, although most of the fans who stayed did their best to drown out the jeers. Wenger and plenty of the players looked like they wanted to be elsewhere and perhaps some of them will be next season. Uncertainty clouds the futures of Cesc Fábregas, Samir Nasri and Gaël Clichy, with each of the trio missing this game through injury. Wenger said that Fábregas had suffered a setback in relation to his thigh problem and was "out for three to four weeks", while he gave Nasri "very little chance" of making the Fulham game on Sunday.

Wenger lamented the "tentative" and "nervous" start that his team made, but his misery was Aston Villa's joy. Twice in the first 15 minutes, Darren Bent was given sniffs of goal, following sloppy Arsenal defending and, on both occasions, he finished in predatory fashion. The boyhood Arsenal supporter has made a habit of punishing the club. He now has six goals in 10 appearances against them, including the last-minute equaliser for Sunderland last September.

Bent's first goal was of the highest order. He leapt to control Kyle Walker's floated ball with his chest before, acrobatically and off-balance, dinking a right-footed volley past Wojciech Szczesny. The defensive inquest, though, would surely have been gory. Sébastien Squillaci, in for Johan Djourou, who is nursing an ankle injury, was guilty of ball-watching and he allowed Bent to tiptoe in behind him.

Worse was to follow. After Thomas Vermaelen, playing his first club football since last August, had slipped to allow Ashley Young to take James Collins's pass and get his head up, Squillaci once again allowed Bent in on his blind side and the striker side-footed home. Squillaci was substituted at the interval, with Wenger preferring to ask the midfielder Alex Song to drop back to fill the position. Squillaci's debut season at the club has been pockmarked by disasters. This was a new low.

"Bent has been class from the moment we signed him in January," said Gary McAllister, Villa's caretaker manager. "And Stewart Downing and Ashley Young were also electric. Two of Arsenal's back four were ring rusty and we caught them a wee bit."

Little went right for Arsenal. They rallied in the first half only to be denied a penalty for Richard Dunne's borderline challenge on Aaron Ramsey, while Van Persie watched a low shot hit the far post. Arsenal controlled the second half and they created a clutch of chances, but the substitute Marouane Chamakh had a header harshly ruled out for a push, and Van Persie's close-range finish, his 21st goal of the season, proved scant consolation.

The home crowd had voiced their frustration midway through the second period, after the attendance was announced over the PA system, together with the promise of the lap of honour. According to the official figures, the stadium was sold out, yet the empty seats showed that thousands had stayed away. The chant went up, "Six per cent, you're having a laugh," in reference to the price rises.

Villa's fans had a whale of a time but plenty of their counterparts had made for the exits long before full time and the players' shuffle around the pitch. "It was not a tour of glory," Wenger said, "but you have to respect your fans for turning up all season. It was not embarrassing. When people are not happy, they can show it."

Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 15 May 11

Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa match

on the result...
It's very disappointing because we were caught on a very bad start. After that we became stronger as the game went on and we were a bit unlucky on top of that. So we come out of the game very disappointed. We dropped three points today which could cost us the automatic qualification for the Champions League.

on a slow start to the game...
We were punished because we went into the game too tentative. We were not dominant enough in anything we did and we were on the back foot at the start. After that we battled to get back into the game but we were a bit unlucky. I feel we had a penalty, a goal that I have not seen cancelled often away from home. Overall of course we are frustrated and I am frustrated by the performance.

on the reason for their tentativeness...
We have been hit very hard by bad results and you could see that at the start of the game, we suffered a little bit. But we have to rise above that and overall you could see we were a bit nervous defensively. Once we were in the game we looked comfortable but it was too late.

on Squillaci and Vermaelen's partnership...
They are two players with experience so normally it should work. Vermaelen grew stronger and stronger as the game went on and they have not played since September so it is a lot to ask to be dominant like he was before. I believe we gave very cheap goals away today.

on his half-time substitution...
I was in a position where we had to take a gamble, we had to score two goals. Because they closed us down we had to play out from the back and we needed somebody - a midfielder - at the back.

on the prospect of finishing fourth…
It will be a big set-back but we will adapt our preparation in pre-season to it.

on the 'lap of appreciation'…
It was our job to thank the fans and you never have to be embarrassed when you do your job. It was not a tour of glory, of course. But I think, no matter what happens, you have to respect your fans for turning up for the whole season. It is not an ego trip, it is a respect trip for the fans.

on fans leaving the stadium beforehand…
You have to accept that and you have to thank those who are still in the stand. What is important is that this Club has values and respects those values. I feel fortunate that for 15 years we have played with full stands so when people are not happy they can show it. We are in a job where you have to please people and if they are not happy, we have to accept that.

on whether he feels pressure to spend money…
The fans want to win football games. They will not check how much money we spend, they want to win football games. When we don’t, they are not happy and that is completely normal. We will try to strengthen our team, of course, but the best way to keep our fans happy is to win the games.

Source: Arsenal.com on 15 May 11

15 May 2011: Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa, Emirates Stadium

Arsenal’s pursuit of third place in the Premier League is now out of their hands.

A deeply disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on Sunday means Manchester City will leapfrog Arsène Wenger’s side if they win their final two games.

Both teams are assured Champions League football next season but the third-place side will go straight in to the Group Stage while fourth place will have to take their chances in the Qualifying Round. It is a significant difference.

Villa grabbed the game in the opening 15 minutes. Arsenal were slow out of the blocks and Darren Bent scored twice. He volleyed in from Kyle Walker’s punt forward in the 12th minute and, shortly afterwards, slotted home after Ashley Young sent him clear.

Arsenal’s response might have been very different had Richard Dunne been penalised for clipping Aaron Ramsey in the area as he seemed set to score towards the end of the first half. The home side scrapped away in search of a goal but they have been struggling in recent games and, though they pressed back Villa, they could not find a way through until Robin van Persie prodded home in the last minute.

Injury time was frantic but fruitless. Arsenal must now rely on Manchester City to stumble in similar fashion in their final two games or they will face a busy start to the next campaign.

The main team news concerned the centre back position. Thomas Vermaelen started his first game after nine months out of the Arsenal side with an Achilles problem. His partner this afternoon was Sebastien Squillaci as Johan Djourou, who had been nursing his way through training since the Manchester United game with an ankle problem, was missing.

Laurent Koscielny had been ruled out with a thigh problem. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) and Samir Nasri (hamstring) had failed fitness tests on Saturday as neither appeared this afternoon. Youngsters Ignasi Miquel and Conor Henderson were named on the bench.

Arsenal had begun the day in third - three points behind Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City in fourth. A late equaliser by Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in the early kick-off had given Wenger’s men a reasonable shout of second but, in reality, their main task in the final 180 minutes of the season was to secure third. However, this afternoon, they started slowly and would find themselves 2-0 by the quarter-hour.

The first came when Walker’s lofted pass was controlled and volleyed past Wojciech Szczesny with precision by Bent.

Four minutes later James Collins’ free-kick found Young. His marker, Vermaelen, slipped allowing the England winger to find Bent in space. He slotted home his ninth goal for Villa since a big-money move from Sunderland in January.

Emirates Stadium was stunned into silence while the Villa fans, who had been vocal in the opening stages anyway, cranked up the volume.

By the midway point of the half, Arsenal had started to stir. Villa had been much the better side in the opening 10 minutes and deserved their first. The second rubbed salt in the wound.

On the half-hour, referee Michael Oliver had to make a major call when Dunne felled Aaron Ramsey after the Welshman seemed set to pull the trigger 12 yards out. The defender certainly got the man, the question was whether he got the ball. Replays suggested it was 50:50 but, as we already knew, this was not looking like Arsenal’s day.

However the home side had finally found their feet. Van Persie and Bacary Sagna saw deflected shots fly wide. Then, in the 36th minute, the Dutchman weaved himself some space in the area before firing his cross-shot against the base of the far post. The move ended in a corner, which Vermaelen deposited just over the bar.

However, Arsenal’s head of steam rather blew itself out as half-time approached.

The home fans showed their displeasure as the teams went down the tunnel. Defeat this afternoon would mean Manchester City had third place in their hands.

Wenger's actions at the break suggested he was well aware. He withdrew Squillaci for Marouane Chamakh and pulled Alex Song into central defence.

However Villa nearly caught Arsenal cold once again. Bent burst through in the opening minutes with Vermaelen on his tail. Fortunately for Arsenal, the Villa striker blasted his hat-trick chance straight at Szczesny.

This time, however, Arsenal wrestled control of the game quickly. In the 56th minute, Van Persie set up Kieran Gibbs but Brad Freidel pulled off an excellent block from close range. On the hour, the Dutchman fired over and, just after replacing Andrey Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner set up Theo Walcott to stab a shot past the upright.

Ramsey fired over and Walcott saw a drive deflect wide. But in between Villa had a better opportunity when Stewart Downing thumped a near-post drive at Szczesny. The Pole held on at the second attempt.

Thirteen minutes from time, Arsenal seemed to have grabbed a lifeline when Chamakh headed home. But referee Oliver felt the Moroccan had pushed Walker in the build-up. Seconds later, Friedel made another fine save from the same player.

As we entered the final 10 minutes, desperation had set in. Arsenal were on the attack incessantly but those early goals had put Villa in a position to defend and threaten on the break. Excellent displays from the centre backs and keeper had snuffed out Arsenal’s response.

With a minute left, the home side finally broke through. Sagna’s cross was collected by Bendtner but then lost as he tried to weave through traffic in the area. However the ball fell to Van Persie, who prodded home his 21st goal of the season.

Arsenal threw the ball into the area in added time as they searched for the equaliser but the whistle seemed inevitable.

As a consequence, the team’s lap of appreciation to the fans was a little muted. This was an unhappy dénouement to the campaign at Emirates but in a way perhaps it was fitting because it was here, more than anywhere, that Arsenal’s title bid had faltered.

However at least there is Champions League football to saviour next season.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 15 May 11

Wenger hopes for improvements

Arsene Wenger feels Arsenal's shortcomings this season can be solved both on the training pitch and in the transfer market.

The Gunners host Aston Villa on Sunday looking to stay ahead of FA Cup finalists Manchester City in third and secure automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

However, Wenger knows the campaign should be drawing to a close without another sense of frustration after six trophyless years. The Gunners boss accepts his young squad need a bit of help to "get over the line'' in 2011-12, having seen the season quickly unravel after suffering a shock defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final. Wenger, though, is confident major surgery is not needed, more perhaps a change in focus.

"The players had a fantastic attitude for the whole season and I am frustrated because they have not been rewarded,'' said the Arsenal manager. "The players have produced every single effort they could on the pitch, but maybe we were a bit to nervous when we had to cross the line.

"In the final minutes of big games, we lost and it was not down to the fact the players did not want it, they want to do well and have been remarkable, but we lacked a bit of calm in some situations. Experience will help with that and also the transfer market will help as well.''

Wenger maintains there have been positives from a "frustrating'' season. "We do not feel that we under-performed overall because we were in the Carling Cup final, the quarter-final of the FA Cup against Manchester United, where we lost three days after [going out to] Barcelona [in the Champions League], so we produced quality games and at the end of the day there are objective signs for us that show we have the quality,'' he said.

"We feel we have made up some of the gap between us and the top teams from the seasons before - we are top of the league in the top four of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, so we have every reason to be frustrated.''

Despite United having all but wrapped up the title with victory over Chelsea last weekend, Wenger maintains there is still all to play for behind the champions elect. Arsenal are two points ahead of City and three behind Chelsea with two games left.

"We can still catch the second place and we can finish second, third or fourth, depending on our results,'' he said. "Of course we want to finish in the top three and if possible second. It is not unrealistic [to finish second] when you are just three points behind. Manchester City can want third place because they are only two points behind, so it is open.''

Wenger is expected to add some experienced cover over the summer, most notably in defence. However, the Arsenal manager will not be drawn on potential targets.

"We are looking to strengthen every year. First we look not to weaken because we want to keep all our players, and then try to strengthen,'' he added. "It is not the number, it is the quality. But we don't rule out any position and we don't target any special position before the transfer market.''

Meanwhile, Wenger admitted his surpise at the news that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his comments towards referee Howard Webb.

Wenger quipped: "They are not used to him being complimentary. It was a shock to the FA! It doesn't sound very serious. It doesn't look a major problem to say somebody is good. I wouldn't charge him for that."

Wenger does, however, disagree with managers who speak about referees prior to kick-off, and the Arsenal coach suggested his own system to avoid the problem in future.

He remarked: "Before a game I don't like comments about a referee, you will never hear me saying anything about a referee before the game. After, I can understand that a manager should have freedom to express his frustrations sometimes.

"I personally believe we should not know the name of the referee before the game. It should be drawn 48 hours before the game, and therefore nobody should know the name of the referee. That would keep anybody out of problems before the game.

"England is not a massive country. If referees are known to have a liking for a certain club, keep them out of the draw [for the team in question]. But I believe this is the best way to take suspicion away. Same for Europe, because you've had problems before with Barcelona and Real Madrid, once nominations of the referee has taken place."

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 13 May 11

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Contrary to popular belief Arsenal’s season is very much alive.

OK, their fading, flickering chance of silverware was extinguished in that 3-1 defeat at Stoke last Sunday. But if the minds of Arsène Wenger’s side are already ‘on the beach’ then, come August, they may just find Manchester City have placed their towels on that highly-prized Champions League sun-lounger.

The Eastlands side secured their place in the competition in midweek with a 1-0 win over Tottenham. But fourth place means a qualifier – and a disrupted pre-season. Third means you can relax until the group stages.

Meanwhile Arsène Wenger is still eying second.

Right now, the final 180 minutes of the season feels half-empty not half-full. Realistically, Arsenal need four points to secure third place and the fixtures – Aston Villa at home on Sunday, Fulham away next weekend – seem to be in their favour.

With Manchester City otherwise engaged in the FA Cup Final on Saturday, a victory this weekend would be a giant stride towards a 14th successive stint in the Champions League group stages.

“Our chances of third are quite good and we can still catch the second place,” said Wenger.

“We can finish second, third or fourth depending on our results. Of course we want to finish in the top three and, if possible, second. It is not unrealistic [to finish second] when you are just three points behind but Man City are only two points behind us, so it's open.

“City have lost games as well recently so it is down to us. We need to win our games. Let's beat Aston Villa so we can get five points away from them again.

“The FA Cup is not ideally positioned, I must say, for the League’s interest. But, as well, Chelsea had a huge disappointment on Sunday and it will be difficult for them to recover so we have an opportunity we must take.”

For some, Champions League qualification will be cold comfort for a season that was promising so much at the start of February but tailed-off alarmingly. It is not a trophy but it certainly felt like one for Manchester City on Wednesday, like it did Tottenham 12 months earlier.

It is certain to define next season for Mancini’s men. And it would do the same for Arsenal if they did not reach the groups.

“People take it for granted that we are in there every year,” said Wenger. “ But, believe me, it is hard work. You have clubs like Liverpool who are out of it and Tottenham were a big candidate this season.”

Thomas Vermaelen is likely to make his first appearance in nine months because of the thigh injury picked up by Laurent Koscielny at Stoke last weekend. Gael Clichy missed that game but returns for Villa.

Cesc Fabregas (thigh) and Samir Nasri (hamstring) both face late tests. Abou Diaby (calf) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh) are both ruled out.

Aston Villa have had an unhappy campaign. They achieved safety a few weeks ago but have never found a rhythm after Gerard Houllier took over from Martin O’Neill in pre-season.

Villa have registered just three away wins all season – at Wigan, Wolves and West Ham. But then Arsenal’s form is patchy too. They have won just two of their last nine games.

In the end, this game may suffer from an end-of-season malaise but it really should not. Arsenal still have a job to do.

Wenger defines Champions League qualification as his side’s minimum standard. They either do the job now or leave it till August.

Giving Manchester City a little early-season headache will be no bad thing either. Like the rest of the football world, he expects Roberto Mancini’s side to be serious title challengers next term.

“They will now be contenders, that is for sure,” he said. “It will be easier for them to buy players now they are in the Champions League.

“But you can see they will still have us, Manchester United, Liverpool will come back and Chelsea will invest again.

“Man City were very close last year and then they bought Yaya Toure, Silva and they added Dzeko. They missed out on a Champions League place on the final day of last season so it is not super-surprising where they are.”

The same is true of Arsenal. Trailing Manchester United and/or Chelsea by a small but significant margin has been a regular situation in recent seasons.

The discussion over changing that scenario will dominate the summer. And it can wait till then.
Arsenal’s singular task in the final throes of the season is finish third or above.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 14 May 11

Aston Villa outmanoeuvred as Arsenal hit their peak

Arsenal stayed at the top of the Premier League on Saturday long enough to admire the view but with no time to set up camp. Their main satisfaction lay in proving that they could, after all, hold a two-goal lead at half-time and win by a similar margin in spite of doubts about their ability to do so after Tottenham Hotspur had come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at the Emirates a week earlier.

True, it did look like Groundhog Day for Arsène Wenger's team when Aston Villa, outmanoeuvred and outwitted in the first half, got a goal back at roughly the same time early in the second half that Spurs had begun their comeback. But the feeling only lasted for the four minutes it took Arsenal to score a third goal and even after Villa's second, 20 minutes from the end, Wenger's players retained their composure and completed a 4-2 victory in stoppage time.

"At half-time you could feel among the players that what happened last week had had an impact in their heads," said Wenger. "When Villa came back to 2-1 it was an interesting test for my team. We could have crumbled or we could score again – and we did the latter. We got a good mental response. This team is very interesting because they are on the same wavelength the way they want to play. But they also fight for each other."

"Very interesting ..." Wenger is starting to sound like the joke German spy who kept cropping up on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. In fact the principal point of interest of the performance at Villa Park was that Arsenal played some of their best football of the season so far without Cesc Fábregas, who continues to be hampered by a hamstring problem that could keep him out until after Christmas.

With Fábregas there is no question of replacing like with like but in terms of influencing a match Samir Nasri is proving a highly acceptable alternative. Whereas Fabregas is a master strategist, Nasri is an inspired improviser, more inclined to play it off the walls and sometimes literally so as he exchanges quick wall passes in the crowded areas near goal. With Andrey Arshavin full of pace and penetration and Marouane Chamakh showing the swift reflexes and close control that bode ill for the future of Nicklas Bendtner at the Emirates, especially when Robin van Persie is playing regularly again, Arsenal could and should have won by more.

Villa have now won only once in nine Premier League games and Saturday showed why. After a poor first half, when they stood off Arsenal and were punished for it, they made a better fist of things in the second but in the end were left to rue a long casualty list that has left Gérard Houllier short of fit bodies. John Carew's strength in the air badly needed to be complemented by another experienced striker, although Ciaran Clark took his two goals smartly enough and might have had a hat-trick.

The only surprising thing about Arsenal's opening goal was that it took them 39 minutes to score it, Arshavin seizing on a cock‑up between Luke Young and James Collins to cut in from the left and squeeze a shot past Brad Friedel. The Villa goalkeeper made the save of the game at the end of the half, turning Chamakh's sharp downward header behind, only to be beaten by the goal of the game when Nasri met Arshavin's corner with a superb volley inside the near post. Chamakh answered Clark's first reply for Villa after being sent through by Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere's diving header provided the final word, following his second, from Chamakh's carefully aimed ball to the far post.

"It's just a shame that when the score got to 2-1 we couldn't keep it like that for 10 minutes because after what happened to Arsenal last week they would have been shaky," said Houllier. "Overall we were beaten by a better team than ourselves – simple as that." For Arsenal things are never that simple.

Source: David Lacey, The Guardian on 29 Nov 10

Win at Villa Steadies the Ship

Arsenal bounced back from their defeats against Spurs and Braga to claim a vital away victory at Villa Park yesterday. It was a match that they largely dominated and yet they still seemed to make hard work of dispatching a very average-looking Aston Villa side.

It seems a little ridiculous that the Gunners had to score four goals to truly put this match to bed when, again, leading 2-0 at the break, the game should have been shut down in the second half with Villa never getting anywhere near any sort of result.

The problem seems to be that this Arsenal’s idea of “shutting a game down” is to slow the tempo of their play and make their passing movements even more elaborate and lacking in any real purpose. This doesn’t work as a tactic as the team loses its momentum and possession is given away as the endless passages of passing dry up.

This was perfectly exemplified when, having conceded an early goal in the second half, Marouane Chamakh quickly restored the two-goal cushion. At this point, everything slowed down and Villa were allowed back into a match that they had no right to take anything from. Though the Ciaran Clark’s first goal should have been ruled out for offside against John Carew, his second saw him given plenty of time by the Arsenal defence to pick his spot.

Last week, I complained that they played too high up the pitch against Spurs in the second half and invited their visitors to hit them on the break. Against Villa, they tried to be more conservative but it seems they don’t really know how to contain opponents and strangle the life out of games. They got away with it at Everton, Wolves and yesterday at Villa but when they come up against better sides – and it begrudges me to say that Spurs are one of those – this factor is going to be a recurring problem.

The remainder of the match saw Villa give the Arsenal fans a few heart-attack moments and it was only when Jack Wilshere’s diving header hit the net in stoppage time that the victory could genuinely be celebrated.

The result and three points aside, Wilshere’s individual display was one of the real highlights of yesterday’s performance. In the absence of Cesc Fabregas, he took the role of anchoring the midfield completely in his stride. His passing was crisp and accurate and he rarely seems to put a foot wrong. He shows a confidence far beyond his years. It really is quite incredible considering his youth and lack of experience.

His goal - the first he has scored in the Premier League - was a perfect and deserved finale to a thoroughly accomplished performance and, hopefully, it will fire him with more confidence to chance his arm going forward a little more in future.

Elsewhere, Marouane Chamakh and Samir Nasri once again turned in good displays. These two are emerging as some of the most reliable performers in the squad this season. It was good to see Andrey Arshavin get on the scoresheet too but he still resides in the category of promising much but delivering not enough.

So, even with its flaws, the win at Villa was a tonic after the recent defeats and will hopefully help get the team back on track. It was a definite boost ahead of Tuesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Wigan. Many see this tournament as the Gunners’ most obvious route to silverware this season and a home draw in the quarter-finals is most welcome after having to negotiate trips to Spurs and Newcastle in the earlier rounds.

Much will depend on the strength of the team that Arsene Wenger decides to field. However, the manager has not held back in this competition this year and it seems unlikely that he will change tack now with a semi-final at stake. Though he will probably ring the changes from Saturday’s starting line-up, one can’t imagine him digging too far into the youth squad for this game.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 29 Nov 10