At a time when the battle for Champions League qualification is becoming increasingly tense, Arsenal could not have wished for a more comfortable night to strengthen their grip on third place in the Premier League. Arsène Wenger's side recorded a ninth league victory in 10 matches to open up a five-point gap over their nearest rivals, Tottenham and Newcastle, and push Wolverhampton Wanderers ever closer to relegation in the process.
Wolves, to their credit, never surrendered, although the odds were stacked against them from the moment that Sébastien Bassong was sent off in the eighth minute for a professional foul on Theo Walcott. Robin van Persie duly scored from the penalty spot with an outrageous chip to register his 27th Premier League goal of the season, and his first in five matches, to put Arsenal on their way to a straightforward win that makes them clear favourites to secure the third automatic Champions League place.
Walcott added a second two minutes later, after smartly combining with Van Persie, and Yossi Benayoun scored the third midway through the second half to underline their superiority. With none of the chasing pack playing in the Premier League over the weekend and Arsenal facing Wigan at home on Monday, Wenger's side have the chance to extend their lead over Spurs and Newcastle to eight points and also open up a 10-point gap on sixth-placed Chelsea.
As well as expressing his satisfaction with his team's position, Wenger singled out Van Persie for special praise after the Dutchman scored another landmark goal. "I think he has equalled the record of Ian Wright [in 1996-97]. He has scored against 17 different teams in the Premier League That's absolutely remarkable in the modern game to do that, so I would like to congratulate him. It's something sensational," the Arsenal manager said.
Fulham and Manchester City are the only two teams that have kept Van Persie quiet this season, which was something Wolves never looked like doing from the moment that Bassong departed.
The defender, on loan from Spurs, was caught the wrong side of Walcott after the winger exchanged passes with Van Persie, and bundled into the back of the Arsenal forward as he bore down on goal. Neil Swarbrick, the referee, had little option but to apply the letter of the law and show the red card as well as point to the spot, even if Wenger sympathised with Wolves.
"I think the rules look a bit harsh, that you get the penalty against you and lose a man as well," he said.
The Wolves manager Terry Connor responded by withdrawing the midfielder David Davis and replacing him with Christophe Berra, an orthodox central defender, which seemed like a perfectly logical decision in the circumstances, yet vitriol rained down from the stands. "You don't know what you're doing," chanted those in the South Bank followed by: "That's why we're going down."
Connor was unsurprisingly unimpressed. "Before we played Blackburn [last month], 99% of the crowd would not have known David Davis — it was me who gave him a chance," he said. "I must admit I didn't really appreciate that reaction from the crowd. After that, they gave tremendous support. I just wished they could have done that for 90 minutes."
Although Walcott's goal, coolly dispatched inside Wayne Hennessey's near post in the 11th minute, after another slick interchange with Van Persie, effectively put the game to bed, Wolves battled on and went close when Wojciech Szczesny made a superb one-handed save to deny Kevin Doyle in the second half.
The Arsenal keeper also parried an effort from Nenad Milijas in the closing stages, although by that point Benayoun had drilled home a third to leave Wolves nine points adrift offrom safety with five matches remaining. "If the lads play with the heart, spirit and determination they did tonight, I can't ask any more," said Connor.
Source: Stuart James, The Guardian on 11 Apr 12
Showing posts with label Wolverhampton Wanderers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wolverhampton Wanderers. Show all posts
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wenger's reaction to the Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Arsenal match
on the result…
We started well and then had a situation where we could control the game. Did we push on or not? After that we played a bit with the handbrake on, they played deeper and defended like mad with a great spirit until the end of the game. If they keep that spirit then they still have a chance of staying in the league. On our part we controlled the game, although they actually had a spell in the second half where they created chances. Szczesny made a good save but after that it was a comfortable win.
on top-three situation…
I am very happy that we are in this position but I am also very cautious because some teams have been in that position before. We want to win our next game because where we have come from this season we must be focused. We have come from very deep and to stay in this position we have to focus on our next game.
on the penalty…
It looked to me [like a penalty] but I have not seen it again. You could argue that he is the last man as well. The referee had no choice but I think the punishment is harsh because you give away a penalty and you lose a man as well.
on spoiling the game…
It spoils the game for the supporters because they know they have little chance to come back after. I never forget that we lost Robin van Persie in Barcelona last season when he got a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. It was just strict application of the rules. Today I think the referee had no choice because it is the rule.
on Van Persie's finish…
It was a surprise to me because I have never seen him doing that. It was just what came into his mind at the last second he said.
on ending his four-game goal drought…
It is not easy for a striker like Van Persie who is not used to not scoring. I think he equalled the record of Ian Wright by scoring against 17 different teams in the Premier League out of 20. That is absolutely remarkable in the modern game so I would like to congratulate him because that has never been done before. When your striker scores against 17 different teams, that is sensational.
on possibility to improve on record…
He could have beaten it if he had scored against Manchester City. The last two chances he had were Man City and tonight. He hit the post twice and Vermaelen saved one on the line against City.
on the Wigan game…
Wigan did not deserve to lose at Chelsea and they got a great result tonight. It is a good warning for us to prepare well in that game.
on FA decision not to extend Balotelli ban…
I still don't understand. If you look at the case of Balotelli you get an explanation and you have to accept it. Then you look at the case of Derry, you get an explanation and you can accept it. But if you put the two together it looks absolutely unbelievable. When the referee has seen something nobody can get over the rule.
We need an exceptional committee of ethics who can get over that. The global situation does not make common sense. For people who love football you cannot accept that one is punished and the other is not. But I am not keen to get Balotelli suspended because I have no interest at all in that.
Source: Arsenal.com on 11 Apr 12
We started well and then had a situation where we could control the game. Did we push on or not? After that we played a bit with the handbrake on, they played deeper and defended like mad with a great spirit until the end of the game. If they keep that spirit then they still have a chance of staying in the league. On our part we controlled the game, although they actually had a spell in the second half where they created chances. Szczesny made a good save but after that it was a comfortable win.
on top-three situation…
I am very happy that we are in this position but I am also very cautious because some teams have been in that position before. We want to win our next game because where we have come from this season we must be focused. We have come from very deep and to stay in this position we have to focus on our next game.
on the penalty…
It looked to me [like a penalty] but I have not seen it again. You could argue that he is the last man as well. The referee had no choice but I think the punishment is harsh because you give away a penalty and you lose a man as well.
on spoiling the game…
It spoils the game for the supporters because they know they have little chance to come back after. I never forget that we lost Robin van Persie in Barcelona last season when he got a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. It was just strict application of the rules. Today I think the referee had no choice because it is the rule.
on Van Persie's finish…
It was a surprise to me because I have never seen him doing that. It was just what came into his mind at the last second he said.
on ending his four-game goal drought…
It is not easy for a striker like Van Persie who is not used to not scoring. I think he equalled the record of Ian Wright by scoring against 17 different teams in the Premier League out of 20. That is absolutely remarkable in the modern game so I would like to congratulate him because that has never been done before. When your striker scores against 17 different teams, that is sensational.
on possibility to improve on record…
He could have beaten it if he had scored against Manchester City. The last two chances he had were Man City and tonight. He hit the post twice and Vermaelen saved one on the line against City.
on the Wigan game…
Wigan did not deserve to lose at Chelsea and they got a great result tonight. It is a good warning for us to prepare well in that game.
on FA decision not to extend Balotelli ban…
I still don't understand. If you look at the case of Balotelli you get an explanation and you have to accept it. Then you look at the case of Derry, you get an explanation and you can accept it. But if you put the two together it looks absolutely unbelievable. When the referee has seen something nobody can get over the rule.
We need an exceptional committee of ethics who can get over that. The global situation does not make common sense. For people who love football you cannot accept that one is punished and the other is not. But I am not keen to get Balotelli suspended because I have no interest at all in that.
Source: Arsenal.com on 11 Apr 12
11 April 2012: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Arsenal, Molineux Stadium
This game was won in the first 11 minutes. First the galloping Theo Walcott was brought down in the area by Sebastien Bassong. Robin van Persie dispatched the penalty (his first Premier League goal in 444 minutes of football) and the Wolves defender was sent off.
Then, a couple of minutes later, Walcott lashed home a second from the edge of the area.
After that, Arsenal had control of the game. Wolves battled on manfully but they are struggling for form and their Premier League status right now.
Aside from Wojciech Szczesny’s admittedly stunning save from Kevin Doyle's header, they created little before Yossi Benayoun killed any chance of a comeback by firing home from the edge of the area in the 69th minute.
The rest of the game was played out with an eerie ease.
Arsenal’s record now goes to nine wins in their last 10 games. They are fast closing in on an automatic spot in next season’s Champions League.
Wenger made three changes from the side that had outplayed Manchester City on Sunday – two were enforced, one was rotation.
At the weekend, Laurent Koscielny had picked up his 10th booking of the season while Kieran Gibbs aggravated his groin. Johan Djourou and Andre Santos deputised.
After eight consecutive starts, Tomas Rosicky dropped to the bench and Aaron Ramsey came in.
Wolves were on a woeful run having taken one point out of a possible 24. Only 18 more were available and Terry Connor’s side were six from safety.
The survival numbers just did not add up and, inside 11 minutes this evening, the arithmetic got much, much worse.
In the ninth minute, Van Persie sent Walcott clear. The England winger muscled his way past Bassong and was bundled over as he shaped to shoot. It was a clear penalty and, by the letter of the law, a sending off.
Van Persie calmly dinked the penalty over Wayne Hennessey in Panenka style. The Dutchman was clearly running with chilled blood in his veins this evening given the goal ended a run of four Premier League games without scoring – a veritable ice age for one of the top flight’s hottest players this season.
Wolves were rattled and had not recovered by the time Walcott doubled the visitors’ advantage two minutes later. Van Persie’s flick sent the 23-year-old through and he rifled home his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
The brace killed the contest for the remainder of the first half. Wolves were bang out of form before this game; down by two goals and one man was never going to be a recoverable position.
Benayoun saw a shot deflected wide and Andre Santos had a go from distance. But Arsenal limited their ambitions to containment.
They had everything they needed; all they had to do was keep it.
Bolstered by a boisterous crowd, Wolves tried to up their game. Christophe Berra’s header deflected narrowly wide from Michael Kightly’s corner while Ronald Zubar’s storming ended with a dangerous ball across the face of goal.
However, Szczesny was not troubled.
There was a little more impetus about Arsenal at the start of the second half. Ramsey saw a shot blocked and then set up Vermaelen for a header at the far post, only for Zubar to intervene.
Then Arteta darted into the area and set up Van Persie at the near post. The Dutchman hooked his effort a yard wide.
Arsenal were on top but Wolves had not given up the ghost. Just before the hour, Jarvis jinked himself some space on the left and crossed to the far post. Doyle evaded his marker and seemed to have guided his header into the far corner – only for Szczesny’s big right hand to bat the ball aside at the last second.
The Pole has had an impressive season but that was one of his best saves.
Seconds later, Doyle whipped in a cross that skimmed the head of the onrushing Jarvis.
Wolves were pressing in search of a lifeline. However, they soon found themselves 3-0 down.
Van Persie stole the ball in midfield and released Song on the left. He cut the ball back for Benayoun just outside the area. The Israeli fired home his first Arsenal goal since that late winner at Aston Villa just before Christmas.
Benayoun nearly snaffled another straight away then, 15 minutes from time, Ramsey’s shot was blocked at the near post.
The third goal had knocked the stuffing out of Wolves but they would rally in dying minutes.
Substitute Steven Fletcher fired wide and Nenad Milijas forced another stunning save from Szczesny.
It preserved Arsenal’s fourth clean sheet in their last five games.
Wenger’s men march on.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 11 Apr 12
Saturday, December 31, 2011
We can’t afford to have ‘one of those days’
It’s easy to write off the Wolves match as ‘one of those days’. One where we have a large number of shots, the visiting goalkeeper plays a blinder and we find ourselves generally lamenting the lack of a plan B.
Ordinarily, we’d just accept that whatever we tried, we just weren’t going to score. However the position we find ourselves in at the moment means we can’t afford to have ‘one of those days’. With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points the day before the Wolves game, it was the perfect opportunity to move into the top four, and put some pressure on Tottenham.
Whilst Wayne Hennessey did have a superb match, the lack of a plan B when Robin van Persie couldn’t find the net continued to be a worry.
Given we were on the front foot for the majority of the second half, Marouane Chamakh was only introduced as a second striker near the end of the game. Usually, when you’re chasing a goal, you’d send a second striker on earlier than the 85th minute. It either shows a lack of trust from Wenger in Chamakh, or that there really is too much reliance on Robin van Persie to score. It also makes you wonder why Ju-Young Park hasn’t yet made his Premier League debut. He could offer something different, but we’ve seen so little of him, it’s hard to know. I think Chamakh or Park will start against QPR on Saturday because of playing Fulham on Monday as well.
With Chamakh going off to the African Cup of Nations, we’ll be only one injury away from having one striker, hence the substantial need for one, or two forwards. The rumours are intensifying about the short term return of Thierry Henry, and I think that would be brilliant. He’d only be signed as a short term solution because of having to go back to America in March. We still need a long term solution as well, however as cover for Chamakh when he’s away, I doubt we could get a better striker on loan than Thierry Henry. Even when Chamakh returns, I think most Gooners would take a 34 year old Henry over the Moroccan.
Henry’s role in the team would be different as he wouldn’t have to be the creative player he used to be. He wouldn’t necessarily be needed to fly down the left and cut inside as his pace has decreased, although that isn’t out of the question with Gervinho also going to the African tournament, but he’d just have to be there as a finisher. The likes of Walcott can do most of his running, but Henry just needs to find space in the box and add the final touch. I’m certain he’d still be able to do that.
The other long term solution is more difficult. Of the names mentioned in the press, I think Lukasz Podolski would be a good signing, and with his contract situation at Cologne, we could get a good deal. He’s also able to play as a winger so could get into the side that way if he can’t get past van Persie as the main front man. Whether we actually sign him in January remains to be seen. Personally, I’d be surprised if we signed two strikers in January because it’s unusual for Arsene Wenger to do so, however I think it’s what is needed.
Against Wolves, it was noticeable how we missed both Walcott and Ramsey. Their replacements, Benayoun and Rosicky, didn’t have bad games, and were heavily involved in the build up for the goal, however we missed the pace of Walcott and direct passing of Ramsey. The Welshman’s form may have tailed off in recent weeks, but I think he adds a more direct nature to our style of play as he’s always got his head up and is looking to supply either van Persie or the wingers. Although Wolves were sitting deeper, Ramsey did have a positive impact in driving the team forward when he came on. It was the sort of match that we really missed the inventive and driving nature of Jack Wilshere. Hopefully he’s entering the final stages of his recovery and we won’t have to wait ages in 2012 for him to make his first appearance of the season.
Defensively, it was disappointing to concede following a corner. It’s an area of the game that we’ve improved massively on this season with the improvement of Laurent Koscielny, the return of Thomas Vermaelen, the signing of Per Mertesacker and the organisation of Wojciech Szczesny. At 1-0 up, we should have stayed focussed at the back, and we were punished for not doing so. Even after that goal though, we still should have been able to do enough to win the game.
The draw with Wolves means it’s almost vital that we pick up six points from the two games in three days over the weekend. QPR will be difficult because of the likely rotation, and Fulham will be difficult because generally they’re hard to beat at Craven Cottage. How we come out of this three day period will go a long way to dictating our actions in the January transfer window. With Manchester United coming to the Emirates in January, some momentum going into that match will be important, plus we don’t want to have further points to have to try and make up on those ahead of us. Having worked so hard to get ourselves back within striking distance of the top four, we don’t want to see that unravel in three important days.
Hopefully, day one will see us collect three points against QPR, day two will have the return of the King, and day three will finish the festive period with three points at Fulham. Football is never that straightforward so hopefully it’s doable for this team and that some of them don’t turn out to be ‘one of those days’.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 29 Dec 11
Ordinarily, we’d just accept that whatever we tried, we just weren’t going to score. However the position we find ourselves in at the moment means we can’t afford to have ‘one of those days’. With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points the day before the Wolves game, it was the perfect opportunity to move into the top four, and put some pressure on Tottenham.
Whilst Wayne Hennessey did have a superb match, the lack of a plan B when Robin van Persie couldn’t find the net continued to be a worry.
Given we were on the front foot for the majority of the second half, Marouane Chamakh was only introduced as a second striker near the end of the game. Usually, when you’re chasing a goal, you’d send a second striker on earlier than the 85th minute. It either shows a lack of trust from Wenger in Chamakh, or that there really is too much reliance on Robin van Persie to score. It also makes you wonder why Ju-Young Park hasn’t yet made his Premier League debut. He could offer something different, but we’ve seen so little of him, it’s hard to know. I think Chamakh or Park will start against QPR on Saturday because of playing Fulham on Monday as well.
With Chamakh going off to the African Cup of Nations, we’ll be only one injury away from having one striker, hence the substantial need for one, or two forwards. The rumours are intensifying about the short term return of Thierry Henry, and I think that would be brilliant. He’d only be signed as a short term solution because of having to go back to America in March. We still need a long term solution as well, however as cover for Chamakh when he’s away, I doubt we could get a better striker on loan than Thierry Henry. Even when Chamakh returns, I think most Gooners would take a 34 year old Henry over the Moroccan.
Henry’s role in the team would be different as he wouldn’t have to be the creative player he used to be. He wouldn’t necessarily be needed to fly down the left and cut inside as his pace has decreased, although that isn’t out of the question with Gervinho also going to the African tournament, but he’d just have to be there as a finisher. The likes of Walcott can do most of his running, but Henry just needs to find space in the box and add the final touch. I’m certain he’d still be able to do that.
The other long term solution is more difficult. Of the names mentioned in the press, I think Lukasz Podolski would be a good signing, and with his contract situation at Cologne, we could get a good deal. He’s also able to play as a winger so could get into the side that way if he can’t get past van Persie as the main front man. Whether we actually sign him in January remains to be seen. Personally, I’d be surprised if we signed two strikers in January because it’s unusual for Arsene Wenger to do so, however I think it’s what is needed.
Against Wolves, it was noticeable how we missed both Walcott and Ramsey. Their replacements, Benayoun and Rosicky, didn’t have bad games, and were heavily involved in the build up for the goal, however we missed the pace of Walcott and direct passing of Ramsey. The Welshman’s form may have tailed off in recent weeks, but I think he adds a more direct nature to our style of play as he’s always got his head up and is looking to supply either van Persie or the wingers. Although Wolves were sitting deeper, Ramsey did have a positive impact in driving the team forward when he came on. It was the sort of match that we really missed the inventive and driving nature of Jack Wilshere. Hopefully he’s entering the final stages of his recovery and we won’t have to wait ages in 2012 for him to make his first appearance of the season.
Defensively, it was disappointing to concede following a corner. It’s an area of the game that we’ve improved massively on this season with the improvement of Laurent Koscielny, the return of Thomas Vermaelen, the signing of Per Mertesacker and the organisation of Wojciech Szczesny. At 1-0 up, we should have stayed focussed at the back, and we were punished for not doing so. Even after that goal though, we still should have been able to do enough to win the game.
The draw with Wolves means it’s almost vital that we pick up six points from the two games in three days over the weekend. QPR will be difficult because of the likely rotation, and Fulham will be difficult because generally they’re hard to beat at Craven Cottage. How we come out of this three day period will go a long way to dictating our actions in the January transfer window. With Manchester United coming to the Emirates in January, some momentum going into that match will be important, plus we don’t want to have further points to have to try and make up on those ahead of us. Having worked so hard to get ourselves back within striking distance of the top four, we don’t want to see that unravel in three important days.
Hopefully, day one will see us collect three points against QPR, day two will have the return of the King, and day three will finish the festive period with three points at Fulham. Football is never that straightforward so hopefully it’s doable for this team and that some of them don’t turn out to be ‘one of those days’.
Source: Sam Limbert, ESPN Soccernet on 29 Dec 11
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Realistic resolutions needed at Arsenal
The cards could not have been stacked more heavily in Arsene Wenger's favour as his side aimed to reclaim their place among the Premier League's top four, yet Arsenal's year from hell had another nasty surprise up its sleeve.
This was billed as the day when skipper Robin van Persie had history in his sights as he eyed Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year, with the added bonus of Chelsea and Liverpool's failure to win their Boxing Day matches seemingly paving the way for the Gunners' return to the top four.
Such an upbeat finish to 2011 appeared to be improbable for much of a year that has seen this club constantly dazed by a series of hammer blows, yet it seemed as if the black mist that has clouded Wenger's annus horribilis was beginning to clear for a remodelled Arsenal before Wolves pulled the rug out from under their feet once again.
A world-class display by Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessey earned his side a point after a below-par Arsenal were given a huge helping hand by the latest lamentable refereeing performance from Stuart Attwell, but the truth was that Arsenal lacked the killer touch to put their 10-man opponents to bed.
An eighth-minute Gervinho goal should have paved the way for the floodgates to open for Wenger's side, but an equaliser from Steven Fletcher seven minutes before half-time proved to be the final scoring action of a game that was captivating despite its lack of quality.
Hennessey's sublime display between the sticks meant that Wolves deserved their point after hapless official Attwell sent off Wolves midfielder Nenad Milijas for a challenge on Mikel Arteta that was barely worthy of a free-kick, never mind a card, 15 minutes from time. The setback would not deny McCarthy's warriors and, as ever, his press briefing was loaded with dry wit and humour as he attempted to give his overview of a game that saw his side defy the odds once more.
"It was never a red card so long as I have a hole in my bum," was McCarthy's typically forthright offering on the red card incident. "I've not spoken to the referee, but I will because Milijas' foot is on the ground, he gets his foot on the ball and clearly the official was affected by the pressure of the moment. We will appeal it obviously.
"Taking that decision into account, I feel pride and delight at this performance. Wayne Hennessey produced another fantastic performance, but that should not surprise anyone as he is one the best keepers in the Premier League. He gets a bit too much work playing at the back of our team, but he does it job so well.
"It's a great point for us and Arsenal must be devastated. Held to a point by lowly Wolves at home, how bad must they feel? It must be terrible for them. Our performance meant we deserved a point."
It was always likely to be impossible for Wenger to find a miracle cure for a side that sank to unimaginable depths of despair in 2011, yet as the year that pushed him to the very brink edges towards a conclusion, some perspective needs to be sprinkled on this disappointing result.
While relying on Van Persie's goals has proved to be a successful gameplan for Wenger in recent months, the talisman of this team had a rare off-day against Wolves and yet his boss is not ready to hit the panic button any answer the calls from fans for him to re-sign club legend Thierry Henry on a temporary loan deal from MLS side New York Red Bulls.
"There are no further developments with Henry and I don't expect there to be any in the near future," was Wenger's response to questions about a possible return for his greatest ever recruit and yet, on this evidence, the temporary signing of such an iconic figure can only help the Gunners.
Van Persie looked laboured when trying to convert the chances that came his way against a dogged Wolves, with Wenger conceding his opponents were worthy of the point they toasted with glee.
"I give credit to Wolves because they battled hard, fought for every ball and their keeper was exceptional," added Wenger. "The frustration for us is that we have missed a great opportunity to make up ground on the teams ahead of us and that is difficult to accept.
"At 1-0 up, we became a little too comfortable. We lost our way, an got caught out. The keeper played the game of his life, they fought like mad and well done to them. If you play that game 20 times, we will win 19 and draw one. Sadly this was the day we couldn't afford to slip up, but we did."
McCarthy's ambitions for 2012 could not be easier to define: survival in the Premier League is his sole target. Arsenal's ambitions for the New Year, on the other hand, are a little more complex to comprehend.
Convincing the sceptics that fourth spot in the league should be hailed as success for Arsenal this season will be a hard sell, but this stalemate provided further evidence that the second phase of the biggest revolution he has undertaken as Gunners boss may take a little longer than some might appreciate.
If a remodelled Arsenal bounce back from their nightmares of 2011 to claim a top four finish and enjoy half-decent runs in the Champions League and FA Cup, Wenger would have every right to label this season a triumph.
Anything more impressive would exceed reasonable expectations.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wayne Hennessey
The Wolves keeper pulled off a series of spectacular saves as he kept his side in the game. This was a world-class performance.
ARSENAL VERDICT
They need to set their targets at realistic levels, with fourth place in the league a viable goal for 2012. The re-signing of club legend Thierry Henry would provide a welcome, temporary lift and Wenger should consider pushing a deal through.
WOLVES VERDICT
The Wolves fans who questioned whether their team was playing for their manager a few weeks back needed to be here at Emirates Stadium to witness this display. Oozing with passion and character, this was a Mick McCarthy team cut from his own soul. It was stirring stuff, especially after they were reduced to ten men.
ATTWELL NIGHTMARE
Trouble seems to follow this ref with annoying consistency and he was centre of attention again in North London. He lost control of the game in the second half and confirmed as much when he got in Van Persie's way as he attempted to take a free kick.
Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 27 Dec 11
This was billed as the day when skipper Robin van Persie had history in his sights as he eyed Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year, with the added bonus of Chelsea and Liverpool's failure to win their Boxing Day matches seemingly paving the way for the Gunners' return to the top four.
Such an upbeat finish to 2011 appeared to be improbable for much of a year that has seen this club constantly dazed by a series of hammer blows, yet it seemed as if the black mist that has clouded Wenger's annus horribilis was beginning to clear for a remodelled Arsenal before Wolves pulled the rug out from under their feet once again.
A world-class display by Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessey earned his side a point after a below-par Arsenal were given a huge helping hand by the latest lamentable refereeing performance from Stuart Attwell, but the truth was that Arsenal lacked the killer touch to put their 10-man opponents to bed.
An eighth-minute Gervinho goal should have paved the way for the floodgates to open for Wenger's side, but an equaliser from Steven Fletcher seven minutes before half-time proved to be the final scoring action of a game that was captivating despite its lack of quality.
Hennessey's sublime display between the sticks meant that Wolves deserved their point after hapless official Attwell sent off Wolves midfielder Nenad Milijas for a challenge on Mikel Arteta that was barely worthy of a free-kick, never mind a card, 15 minutes from time. The setback would not deny McCarthy's warriors and, as ever, his press briefing was loaded with dry wit and humour as he attempted to give his overview of a game that saw his side defy the odds once more.
"It was never a red card so long as I have a hole in my bum," was McCarthy's typically forthright offering on the red card incident. "I've not spoken to the referee, but I will because Milijas' foot is on the ground, he gets his foot on the ball and clearly the official was affected by the pressure of the moment. We will appeal it obviously.
"Taking that decision into account, I feel pride and delight at this performance. Wayne Hennessey produced another fantastic performance, but that should not surprise anyone as he is one the best keepers in the Premier League. He gets a bit too much work playing at the back of our team, but he does it job so well.
"It's a great point for us and Arsenal must be devastated. Held to a point by lowly Wolves at home, how bad must they feel? It must be terrible for them. Our performance meant we deserved a point."
It was always likely to be impossible for Wenger to find a miracle cure for a side that sank to unimaginable depths of despair in 2011, yet as the year that pushed him to the very brink edges towards a conclusion, some perspective needs to be sprinkled on this disappointing result.
While relying on Van Persie's goals has proved to be a successful gameplan for Wenger in recent months, the talisman of this team had a rare off-day against Wolves and yet his boss is not ready to hit the panic button any answer the calls from fans for him to re-sign club legend Thierry Henry on a temporary loan deal from MLS side New York Red Bulls.
"There are no further developments with Henry and I don't expect there to be any in the near future," was Wenger's response to questions about a possible return for his greatest ever recruit and yet, on this evidence, the temporary signing of such an iconic figure can only help the Gunners.
Van Persie looked laboured when trying to convert the chances that came his way against a dogged Wolves, with Wenger conceding his opponents were worthy of the point they toasted with glee.
"I give credit to Wolves because they battled hard, fought for every ball and their keeper was exceptional," added Wenger. "The frustration for us is that we have missed a great opportunity to make up ground on the teams ahead of us and that is difficult to accept.
"At 1-0 up, we became a little too comfortable. We lost our way, an got caught out. The keeper played the game of his life, they fought like mad and well done to them. If you play that game 20 times, we will win 19 and draw one. Sadly this was the day we couldn't afford to slip up, but we did."
McCarthy's ambitions for 2012 could not be easier to define: survival in the Premier League is his sole target. Arsenal's ambitions for the New Year, on the other hand, are a little more complex to comprehend.
Convincing the sceptics that fourth spot in the league should be hailed as success for Arsenal this season will be a hard sell, but this stalemate provided further evidence that the second phase of the biggest revolution he has undertaken as Gunners boss may take a little longer than some might appreciate.
If a remodelled Arsenal bounce back from their nightmares of 2011 to claim a top four finish and enjoy half-decent runs in the Champions League and FA Cup, Wenger would have every right to label this season a triumph.
Anything more impressive would exceed reasonable expectations.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wayne Hennessey
The Wolves keeper pulled off a series of spectacular saves as he kept his side in the game. This was a world-class performance.
ARSENAL VERDICT
They need to set their targets at realistic levels, with fourth place in the league a viable goal for 2012. The re-signing of club legend Thierry Henry would provide a welcome, temporary lift and Wenger should consider pushing a deal through.
WOLVES VERDICT
The Wolves fans who questioned whether their team was playing for their manager a few weeks back needed to be here at Emirates Stadium to witness this display. Oozing with passion and character, this was a Mick McCarthy team cut from his own soul. It was stirring stuff, especially after they were reduced to ten men.
ATTWELL NIGHTMARE
Trouble seems to follow this ref with annoying consistency and he was centre of attention again in North London. He lost control of the game in the second half and confirmed as much when he got in Van Persie's way as he attempted to take a free kick.
Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 27 Dec 11
Wayne Hennessey frustrates Arsenal as 10-man Wolves make their point
Arsenal will wonder how what amounted to a second-half siege failed to yield the victory that would have lifted them into the Premier League's top four. Mick McCarthy, the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, might have similar thoughts in private. But when the dust had settled on a pulsating game, which was marked by thrills, spills and controversy, he and his visitors could savour a point that came coated in endeavour.
McCarthy punched the air at full-time as though relegation had been avoided. It was a release of so much emotion. He had raged at Stuart Attwell's decision to dismiss Nenad Milijas in the 75th minute; the midfielder had merely stretched into a tackle on Mikel Arteta with one foot and McCarthy might have been justified in asking why Attwell, who endured another of those days, had permitted Alex Song to remain on the field.
The Arsenal midfielder lost his cool in the 70th minute and lunged into Steven Fletcher and then Stephen Hunt, leaving both Wolves players on the floor. Attwell, though, brandished only one yellow card. Arsène Wenger, perhaps sensing that Song had become a liability, substituted him moments later. To his credit, McCarthy did not moan about that. As he pointed out, anybody who had seen him play would know that he would not want rumbustiousness to be outlawed.
It is hard enough for visiting teams with 11 men at the Emirates Stadium. But, happily for McCarthy, he had his goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey performing the job of several. To describe his efforts as heroic would be to grossly undersell them. The Welshman made a string of breath-taking saves, the pick of them the ones that repelled Per Mertesacker's header and Thomas Vermaelen's stab from point‑blank range at the death.
Wenger rued the dropped points, particularly as this had been an opportunity to make up ground on rivals in the Champions League places. "Play this game 20 times," he said, "and you win 19 and draw one." Nobody was arguing. But nothing could detract from the bodies-on-the-line splendour of the Wolves defensive effort. There is something exhilarating about the chiselling of an unexpected point, in the face of an onslaught and McCarthy revelled in it.
"I'm extremely delighted and proud," McCarthy said. "It's a difficult old place to come and play. I think Wayne is one of the best keepers in the league and he gets a bit to do at times playing behind us. But we know we can rely on him and trust him."
Arsenal might have won this game several times over and Robin van Persie could have done so by himself and, in the process, moved past Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year. Thanks to Hennessey, the Dutchman remained on 34, with only Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Eve to come. Wenger did not disagree that Van Persie might have felt the burden of expectation. "Maybe we wanted it too much," he said of his players' finishing in general. "We were a bit too much in the wanting zone and not enough in just the technical zone."
Things had started well for Arsenal, with Gervinho scoring his fourth goal for the club and Wolves enduring shaky moments at the back. Gervinho has sometimes struggled to furnish his quicksilver all-round game with an end product and when he darted clean through onto Yossi Benayoun's pass, with Ronald Zubar playing him onside, it felt as if he had too much time. But he jinked sharply to his left, taking Hennessey out of the picture and he kept his cool to cut his shot back into the corner.
Wolves, however, refused to lie down. The winger Matt Jarvis epitomised their first-half positivity and with Arsenal allowing their focus to dip, McCarthy's men entered the interval on terms. Johan Djourou headed Milijas' corner as far as the edge of the area, where Hunt got around Tomas Rosicky too easily and shot. Fletcher read the subsequent deflection and headed his seventh of the season inside the far corner.
Wolves lost Zubar to a knee injury early in the second-half but their battle lines were drawn. With Hunt dropping back to bulk up the midfield, Arsenal, missing Theo Walcott because of illness, faced a test of their creativity. It was increasingly dramatic and fractious. Arsenal thought that they should have had a penalty when Laurent Koscielny's cross struck Christophe Berra's arm while Hennessey distinguished himself with save after save.
Arsenal cranked up the pressure in the furious closing stages and, after the sending-off, McCarthy's mind went back to April 2010 when Karl Henry's red card here was the precursor to a last-minute winner from Nicklas Bendtner. This time, though, as the substitute Andrey Arshavin shaved the far post and Van Persie did everything but score, the frustration belonged to Arsenal.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 27 Dec 11
McCarthy punched the air at full-time as though relegation had been avoided. It was a release of so much emotion. He had raged at Stuart Attwell's decision to dismiss Nenad Milijas in the 75th minute; the midfielder had merely stretched into a tackle on Mikel Arteta with one foot and McCarthy might have been justified in asking why Attwell, who endured another of those days, had permitted Alex Song to remain on the field.
The Arsenal midfielder lost his cool in the 70th minute and lunged into Steven Fletcher and then Stephen Hunt, leaving both Wolves players on the floor. Attwell, though, brandished only one yellow card. Arsène Wenger, perhaps sensing that Song had become a liability, substituted him moments later. To his credit, McCarthy did not moan about that. As he pointed out, anybody who had seen him play would know that he would not want rumbustiousness to be outlawed.
It is hard enough for visiting teams with 11 men at the Emirates Stadium. But, happily for McCarthy, he had his goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey performing the job of several. To describe his efforts as heroic would be to grossly undersell them. The Welshman made a string of breath-taking saves, the pick of them the ones that repelled Per Mertesacker's header and Thomas Vermaelen's stab from point‑blank range at the death.
Wenger rued the dropped points, particularly as this had been an opportunity to make up ground on rivals in the Champions League places. "Play this game 20 times," he said, "and you win 19 and draw one." Nobody was arguing. But nothing could detract from the bodies-on-the-line splendour of the Wolves defensive effort. There is something exhilarating about the chiselling of an unexpected point, in the face of an onslaught and McCarthy revelled in it.
"I'm extremely delighted and proud," McCarthy said. "It's a difficult old place to come and play. I think Wayne is one of the best keepers in the league and he gets a bit to do at times playing behind us. But we know we can rely on him and trust him."
Arsenal might have won this game several times over and Robin van Persie could have done so by himself and, in the process, moved past Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year. Thanks to Hennessey, the Dutchman remained on 34, with only Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Eve to come. Wenger did not disagree that Van Persie might have felt the burden of expectation. "Maybe we wanted it too much," he said of his players' finishing in general. "We were a bit too much in the wanting zone and not enough in just the technical zone."
Things had started well for Arsenal, with Gervinho scoring his fourth goal for the club and Wolves enduring shaky moments at the back. Gervinho has sometimes struggled to furnish his quicksilver all-round game with an end product and when he darted clean through onto Yossi Benayoun's pass, with Ronald Zubar playing him onside, it felt as if he had too much time. But he jinked sharply to his left, taking Hennessey out of the picture and he kept his cool to cut his shot back into the corner.
Wolves, however, refused to lie down. The winger Matt Jarvis epitomised their first-half positivity and with Arsenal allowing their focus to dip, McCarthy's men entered the interval on terms. Johan Djourou headed Milijas' corner as far as the edge of the area, where Hunt got around Tomas Rosicky too easily and shot. Fletcher read the subsequent deflection and headed his seventh of the season inside the far corner.
Wolves lost Zubar to a knee injury early in the second-half but their battle lines were drawn. With Hunt dropping back to bulk up the midfield, Arsenal, missing Theo Walcott because of illness, faced a test of their creativity. It was increasingly dramatic and fractious. Arsenal thought that they should have had a penalty when Laurent Koscielny's cross struck Christophe Berra's arm while Hennessey distinguished himself with save after save.
Arsenal cranked up the pressure in the furious closing stages and, after the sending-off, McCarthy's mind went back to April 2010 when Karl Henry's red card here was the precursor to a last-minute winner from Nicklas Bendtner. This time, though, as the substitute Andrey Arshavin shaved the far post and Van Persie did everything but score, the frustration belonged to Arsenal.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 27 Dec 11
Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers match
on the result...
It is frustrating but I am more frustrated by the result than the performance and the spirit. You cannot fault the attitude or the commitment or the desire to win the game. We missed a great opportunity but we just have to keep going and take the positives out of the game today.
on letting the lead slip...
At the moment what we have to learn is that when we are 1-0 up in some departments we cannot be too comfortable. We were caught in a position where we can only blame ourselves. Apart from that their keeper had the game of his life, Wolves fought like mad and well done to them. I don't know how many shots we had on goal and how many they had, but it was the kind of game that if you play it 20 times you win 19 and you draw one - and it was today. On the day we couldn't afford it, it was today.
on missing chances...
Their keeper had a good performance, they saved a few on the line, they did fight like mad. It was more important for us to go in 1-0 up at half-time because I know with the way they defend they would not survive like that for 90 minutes and we would have much more space in which to play. At some stage they would have had to come out. But I felt we lost our way a bit between 30 and 40 minutes and on that occasion we were caught. The only thing we can learn today is to keep the spirit and when you're 1-0 up to keep our level up.
on a possible penalty…
I have heard that, yes, but what can I do? It looks like, for us, to get a penalty we will have to fight very hard. I have seen the handball at Man City and it was definitely handball.
on Vermaelen being penalised…
I personally am responsible for the performance of my team, that's personally a lot. Not for the performance of the referee, I have no influence. I think despite that we could have won the game today and that's what we have to look at. I can complain about the referee or not. We had enough to win the game without these decisions.
on his side not being given penalties…
I don't say they [the referees] are reluctant, I just say that there should have been a penalty in the Man City game. Today I have not seen it, that's all I can say at the moment. The decisions did not go in our favour but we do not blame them today. We blame nobody in fact, it was a game we could have won anyway.
on chances to score a winner...
Gervinho scored today and we had other opportunities, Arshavin was very close, Rosicky was close, Mertersaker was close. It was the kind of day where maybe we were not relaxed enough, maybe we wanted it so much, that we were a bit too much in the 'wanting zone' and not enough in just the technical zone.
on rivals dropping points...
There are going to be a lot of twists and turns, but unfortunately we could not take advantage of that, which is the real frustrating thing today. When you have the luck of the results yesterday and you play today, you can take advantage of it, that is where the worrying thing is because in the season you have to take your opportunities.
on the prospect of signing Henry...
No, nothing has happened since last week. I expect nothing at the moment, just to calm down.
on Walcott's absence...
Walcott is sick, he has a stomach problem. He is already better today. He could not come to training yesterday, but should be available for Saturday's game.
Source: Arsenal.com on 27 Dec 11
It is frustrating but I am more frustrated by the result than the performance and the spirit. You cannot fault the attitude or the commitment or the desire to win the game. We missed a great opportunity but we just have to keep going and take the positives out of the game today.
on letting the lead slip...
At the moment what we have to learn is that when we are 1-0 up in some departments we cannot be too comfortable. We were caught in a position where we can only blame ourselves. Apart from that their keeper had the game of his life, Wolves fought like mad and well done to them. I don't know how many shots we had on goal and how many they had, but it was the kind of game that if you play it 20 times you win 19 and you draw one - and it was today. On the day we couldn't afford it, it was today.
on missing chances...
Their keeper had a good performance, they saved a few on the line, they did fight like mad. It was more important for us to go in 1-0 up at half-time because I know with the way they defend they would not survive like that for 90 minutes and we would have much more space in which to play. At some stage they would have had to come out. But I felt we lost our way a bit between 30 and 40 minutes and on that occasion we were caught. The only thing we can learn today is to keep the spirit and when you're 1-0 up to keep our level up.
on a possible penalty…
I have heard that, yes, but what can I do? It looks like, for us, to get a penalty we will have to fight very hard. I have seen the handball at Man City and it was definitely handball.
on Vermaelen being penalised…
I personally am responsible for the performance of my team, that's personally a lot. Not for the performance of the referee, I have no influence. I think despite that we could have won the game today and that's what we have to look at. I can complain about the referee or not. We had enough to win the game without these decisions.
on his side not being given penalties…
I don't say they [the referees] are reluctant, I just say that there should have been a penalty in the Man City game. Today I have not seen it, that's all I can say at the moment. The decisions did not go in our favour but we do not blame them today. We blame nobody in fact, it was a game we could have won anyway.
on chances to score a winner...
Gervinho scored today and we had other opportunities, Arshavin was very close, Rosicky was close, Mertersaker was close. It was the kind of day where maybe we were not relaxed enough, maybe we wanted it so much, that we were a bit too much in the 'wanting zone' and not enough in just the technical zone.
on rivals dropping points...
There are going to be a lot of twists and turns, but unfortunately we could not take advantage of that, which is the real frustrating thing today. When you have the luck of the results yesterday and you play today, you can take advantage of it, that is where the worrying thing is because in the season you have to take your opportunities.
on the prospect of signing Henry...
No, nothing has happened since last week. I expect nothing at the moment, just to calm down.
on Walcott's absence...
Walcott is sick, he has a stomach problem. He is already better today. He could not come to training yesterday, but should be available for Saturday's game.
Source: Arsenal.com on 27 Dec 11
27 December 2011: Arsenal 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers, The Emirates
Arsenal endured festive frustration as ten-man Wolves held out for a point at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Arsène Wenger’s side looked set to dominate after Gervinho fired them in front after just eight minutes but, despite numerous chances, they could not grab a second.
Steven Fletcher punished them with an opportunist equaliser just before the interval and, though under incessant pressure throughout the second half as well as losing Nenad Milijas to a straight red card, Wolves held out.
Their keeper Wayne Hennessey made stunning saves from Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Robin van Persie twice. Referee Stuart Attwell also turned down a strong penalty appeal after Christophe Berra appeared to handle.
Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh nearly knocked each other out going for a far-post header in the final seconds. It was indicative of Arsenal’s commitment this afternoon.
Just to put the cap on an agonising afternoon, the Emirates Stadium side stay fifth when they knew a win would have put them properly, undeniably fourth for the first time this season.
Reactions at the final whistle are always indicative. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy punched the air while his players ran in jubilation to their keeper. The Arsenal players, of course, had the opposite emotion.
They must just dust themselves down and move on to QPR on New Year’s Eve.
Nine times out of ten, this amount of effort and ingenuity brings three points.
Not today.
Wenger made four changes from the side that had sneaked an important win at Villa Park just before Christmas. Johan Djourou had recovered from his groin problem sufficiently to resume his role at right back. Francis Coquelin dropped to the bench. Emmanuel Frimpong was replaced by Alex Song, who had served his one-match suspension.
Theo Walcott was ill so the scorer that night, Yossi Benayoun, started on the right-hand side of midfield. Finally, Tomas Rosicky for Aaron Ramsey was a straight swap in central midfield.
This game had been postponed from Boxing Day due to strike action by transport workers. The change meant Arsenal would be once more defending a 45-year unbeaten run on December 27.
And they looked dominant from the eighth minute onwards this afternoon. But only after they had suffered a couple of scares – both provided by Matt Jarvis.
First he weaved inside and got a powerful shot away, only for Mertesacker to time his blocking tackle to perfection. Then the winger beat Djourou on the byline but Arsenal smuggled away his dangerous cross.
The home side used the space created from that last attack to go ahead. A quick counter saw Benayoun thread a pass through for Gervinho, who timed his run to perfection. The Ivorian raced clear, steadied himself and fired home his fourth goal of the season.
Not surprisingly, the strike turned a sluggish start into a sprint. On the quarter-hour, Gervinho prodded Van Persie clear and the sliding Dutchman hooked his shot past the far post. Unbeknown to the captain his marker, Roger Johnson, had slipped so he had more time than he realised. Seconds later, Benayoun went through but stumbled as he dithered with defenders in close attendance.
Wolves were losing but still displayed a positive approach. Ronald Zubar darted to the byline on the right-hand side and his cutback eventually found Stephen Hunt. However, the Irishman could not get his shot away.
But, as the game went past the half-hour, Arsenal were threatening to take over using their usual method - the talent of Van Persie.
First he robbed Karl Henry and, via Rosicky, set up Arteta to fire wide. Then he had a crack from distance himself and forced a fine save from Hennessey.
In the 32nd minute, he burst through and was brought down by Johnson just outside the area. Arteta could only clip the ball into hands of the keeper.
Arsenal were utterly on top and looking to takeover. But minutes later they were staring blankly at each other as Wolves equalised.
Mertesacker conceded a corner, which was cleared to Hunt on the edge of the area. His shot deflected off Vermaelen towards Fletcher, who showed admirable alertness to steer a header into the far corner.
The goal brought back all of the confidence Wolves had displayed early on but Arsenal were rejuvenated by the interval.
However, for all their energy, some of the first-half slickness was lacking.
Just before the hour, Vermaelen was booked for protesting after referee Stuart Attwell turned down his appeals for a penalty. Certainly Koscielny’s cross had hit the hand of Christophe Berra. The only issue was how much the Wolves defender knew about it.
As Arsenal’s early second-half impetus started to die out, Wenger replaced Benayoun with Andrey Arshavin.
The change helped the home side build up a proper head of steam for the first time since midway through the first half. Gervinho was clipped and Van Persie’s subsequent free-kick was tipped over then Mertesacker met Arteta’s cross with a towering header - but Hennessey pulled off a stunning save.
The game was now being played at a frantic pace and frustrations were rising on both sides. Wolves were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes left when Milijas went through on Arteta just outside the area.
Even before the reduction the visitors had been on the back foot while the introduction of Aaron Ramsey had given Arsenal something extra.
Immediately the Welshman stole the ball and Rosicky dragged a shot wide. Then, after Van Persie pulled his own effort past the post, Arshavin fired a rising, rocket of a shot inches past the upright.
As we entered the final 10 minutes, Arsenal were camped just outside the Wolves area prodding and poking for opportunities.
Van Persie saw a free-kick palmed away by Hennessey and then a near-post drive trapped by the keeper’s legs.
Wenger brought on Chamakh as Arsenal just kept battering on Wolves defence. Koscielny and Vermaelen both had near-post efforts saved by Hennessey, while the ball would not fall for Van Persie on a couple of occasions.
Arsenal kept thundering forward until the final seconds but, by now, the visitors had little offensive ambition.
When the final whistle went, Wolves were jubilant, while the Arsenal supporters did not know what to feel.
Their side had been kept at bay.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 27 Dec 11
Arsène Wenger’s side looked set to dominate after Gervinho fired them in front after just eight minutes but, despite numerous chances, they could not grab a second.
Steven Fletcher punished them with an opportunist equaliser just before the interval and, though under incessant pressure throughout the second half as well as losing Nenad Milijas to a straight red card, Wolves held out.
Their keeper Wayne Hennessey made stunning saves from Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Robin van Persie twice. Referee Stuart Attwell also turned down a strong penalty appeal after Christophe Berra appeared to handle.
Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh nearly knocked each other out going for a far-post header in the final seconds. It was indicative of Arsenal’s commitment this afternoon.
Just to put the cap on an agonising afternoon, the Emirates Stadium side stay fifth when they knew a win would have put them properly, undeniably fourth for the first time this season.
Reactions at the final whistle are always indicative. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy punched the air while his players ran in jubilation to their keeper. The Arsenal players, of course, had the opposite emotion.
They must just dust themselves down and move on to QPR on New Year’s Eve.
Nine times out of ten, this amount of effort and ingenuity brings three points.
Not today.
Wenger made four changes from the side that had sneaked an important win at Villa Park just before Christmas. Johan Djourou had recovered from his groin problem sufficiently to resume his role at right back. Francis Coquelin dropped to the bench. Emmanuel Frimpong was replaced by Alex Song, who had served his one-match suspension.
Theo Walcott was ill so the scorer that night, Yossi Benayoun, started on the right-hand side of midfield. Finally, Tomas Rosicky for Aaron Ramsey was a straight swap in central midfield.
This game had been postponed from Boxing Day due to strike action by transport workers. The change meant Arsenal would be once more defending a 45-year unbeaten run on December 27.
And they looked dominant from the eighth minute onwards this afternoon. But only after they had suffered a couple of scares – both provided by Matt Jarvis.
First he weaved inside and got a powerful shot away, only for Mertesacker to time his blocking tackle to perfection. Then the winger beat Djourou on the byline but Arsenal smuggled away his dangerous cross.
The home side used the space created from that last attack to go ahead. A quick counter saw Benayoun thread a pass through for Gervinho, who timed his run to perfection. The Ivorian raced clear, steadied himself and fired home his fourth goal of the season.
Not surprisingly, the strike turned a sluggish start into a sprint. On the quarter-hour, Gervinho prodded Van Persie clear and the sliding Dutchman hooked his shot past the far post. Unbeknown to the captain his marker, Roger Johnson, had slipped so he had more time than he realised. Seconds later, Benayoun went through but stumbled as he dithered with defenders in close attendance.
Wolves were losing but still displayed a positive approach. Ronald Zubar darted to the byline on the right-hand side and his cutback eventually found Stephen Hunt. However, the Irishman could not get his shot away.
But, as the game went past the half-hour, Arsenal were threatening to take over using their usual method - the talent of Van Persie.
First he robbed Karl Henry and, via Rosicky, set up Arteta to fire wide. Then he had a crack from distance himself and forced a fine save from Hennessey.
In the 32nd minute, he burst through and was brought down by Johnson just outside the area. Arteta could only clip the ball into hands of the keeper.
Arsenal were utterly on top and looking to takeover. But minutes later they were staring blankly at each other as Wolves equalised.
Mertesacker conceded a corner, which was cleared to Hunt on the edge of the area. His shot deflected off Vermaelen towards Fletcher, who showed admirable alertness to steer a header into the far corner.
The goal brought back all of the confidence Wolves had displayed early on but Arsenal were rejuvenated by the interval.
However, for all their energy, some of the first-half slickness was lacking.
Just before the hour, Vermaelen was booked for protesting after referee Stuart Attwell turned down his appeals for a penalty. Certainly Koscielny’s cross had hit the hand of Christophe Berra. The only issue was how much the Wolves defender knew about it.
As Arsenal’s early second-half impetus started to die out, Wenger replaced Benayoun with Andrey Arshavin.
The change helped the home side build up a proper head of steam for the first time since midway through the first half. Gervinho was clipped and Van Persie’s subsequent free-kick was tipped over then Mertesacker met Arteta’s cross with a towering header - but Hennessey pulled off a stunning save.
The game was now being played at a frantic pace and frustrations were rising on both sides. Wolves were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes left when Milijas went through on Arteta just outside the area.
Even before the reduction the visitors had been on the back foot while the introduction of Aaron Ramsey had given Arsenal something extra.
Immediately the Welshman stole the ball and Rosicky dragged a shot wide. Then, after Van Persie pulled his own effort past the post, Arshavin fired a rising, rocket of a shot inches past the upright.
As we entered the final 10 minutes, Arsenal were camped just outside the Wolves area prodding and poking for opportunities.
Van Persie saw a free-kick palmed away by Hennessey and then a near-post drive trapped by the keeper’s legs.
Wenger brought on Chamakh as Arsenal just kept battering on Wolves defence. Koscielny and Vermaelen both had near-post efforts saved by Hennessey, while the ball would not fall for Van Persie on a couple of occasions.
Arsenal kept thundering forward until the final seconds but, by now, the visitors had little offensive ambition.
When the final whistle went, Wolves were jubilant, while the Arsenal supporters did not know what to feel.
Their side had been kept at bay.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 27 Dec 11
Monday, February 14, 2011
Arsenal's Robin van Persie tames Wolves and is primed for Barcelona
A mouth-watering contest awaits in midweek. Everything about Arsenal at present suggests Barça should be wary of the Champions League tie ahead; or at least warier than they needed to be last season when the sides collided with the Londoners so depleted and, ultimately, easily dispatched from the competition. Their preparations this time around could not have been smoother, with Saturday's stroll against a team who have unsettled all-comers in the title race so often this season ensuring confidence and conviction are pepped ahead of the Catalans' arrival in the capital.
Arsenal purred here, with their key attacking players resplendent. Robin van Persie is at his prolific best, with 11 goals in nine games. Cesc Fábregas played within himself but was still untouchable, his first-time pass that sent the jet-heeled Theo Walcott through in the build up to the hosts' second goal jaw-dropping in its exquisite execution. Jack Wilshere, who idolises Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, was all subtle invention and energy alongside the reassuring Alex Song in the centre. This team have grown since last year's brush with Barcelona's effervescence. Time will tell whether they can unsettle Spain's best but, even with Pep Guardiola's side so breathtaking this term, Arsenal will surely have a better chance than a year ago.
This was admittedly no occasion to assess their defensive resilience, with Wolves utterly unable to wrest back possession to test Wojciech Szczesny, but there was huge encouragement to be had in their ability to keep the visitors at arm's length throughout. This team will never abandon their principles to suffocate opponents with strong-arm tactics or ferocious tackling – Wenger would not countenance such an approach – but there will be feverish industry and attempts to retain possession in higher areas of the pitch on Wednesday than Arsenal mustered last season. "If we manage to put them under pressure, we will create chances," said Wenger. "Sometimes you have that extra focus in these kind of games, which makes you more efficient with the chances you create. Hopefully we will have that."
Profligacy was arguably their only annoyance on Saturday, when Wolves might have been dismissed by a cricket score, only for Wayne Hennessey's excellence to maintain the visitors' vague interest. The Welshman's saves from Walcott and Van Persie before the interval were outstanding, though they counted for little with the Dutch striker irrepressible at present. His tumbling volley that opened the scoring effectively settled the contest, with Arsenal feeling more and more like Manchester United's only coherent challengers at the top.
Van Persie had been absent from early November to mid-April last season, denying him any involvement in the knock-out meeting with Barça. He will provide this team's bite this time around. "We used him well when he first came back from his [ankle] injury in November, not rushing him, and we're seeing him now at his best," said Wenger. "We played with five offensive players – five strikers, basically – with Walcott, [Andrey] Arshavin, Van Persie, Fábregas and Wilshere. That's what we like to do."
It was all too much for Wolves, whose thoughts must have drifted to next weekend's far more critical visit to their bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion long before the end. Defeat consigned them back to the foot of the table but their run-in feels less awkward than that of some of their rivals at the bottom. Kevin Doyle admitted he would "prefer to win" at The Hawthorns than to have done so here. Victory against fellow strugglers would arguably carry more resonance. A year ago Wolves had just a point more than their current 24 and survived comfortably. There is still hope.
"We came up against a team who are playing Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, and they were just better than us," said McCarthy. "We admire their performance, actually, and try and aspire to getting somewhere near that, because they were terrific. But it's meaningless for us. We'll play better against West Brom, and Spurs and Blackpool at home. Get another five wins, which I believe we can and will do, and we'll have a chance of staying in this league." Attention, for now, focuses more on whether Arsenal can prolong their campaign in the Champions League.
Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 14 Feb 11
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Van Persie nets brace
Robin van Persie scored both goals, the first an athletic volleyed effort, and having surrendered a four-goal lead at St James' Park, the Gunners never looked like losing their way this time.
Relegation candidates Wolves, meanwhile, may just be happy not to have conceded more after the hosts somehow failed to add to their tally despite numerous chances.
Having been deployed in the anchor role for England in midweek, Jack Wilshere almost immediately set about showing his attacking credentials.
One nice touch set up an early Arsenal break and then, with three minutes gone, he left Jamie O'Hara for dead as he surged toward the Wolves box.
Christophe Berra tripped him just outside the area to set up a promising free-kick for Van Persie, but he shot well over.
The Dutchman's radar was even further off moments later when he screwed Alex Song's pass well wide from 20 yards.
With 16 minutes gone Arsenal scored the opener, Cesc Fabregas floating a cross in from the right channel and Van Persie executing a wonderful volley from a horizontal position.
Andrey Arshavin should have made it 2-0 four minutes later but fluffed his shot after Wayne Hennessey misread a Van Persie corner.
Wolves seemed most troublesome from corners, Berra and Ronald Zubar both winning headers but failing to test Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal.
The visitors seemed increasingly nervy though, Hennessey suffering from a lack of communication with his defenders and Wilshere coasting into the box uncontested.
Wolves somehow avoided going further behind twice in the space of seconds as Arsenal exerted more pressure.
Wilshere freed Arshavin with a glorious long pass before the Russian left Zubar on his backside as he pivoted and cut across to Van Persie.
His shot was saved brilliantly by Hennessey only for the loose ball to reach Fabregas, whose low drive ricocheted off the retreating Richard Stearman on the line.
An offside flag, as well as a modest finish, denied Arshavin after fine work by Walcott and despite being just one behind, Wolves looked shellshocked.
Referee Chris Foy turned down a penalty appeal from Arshavin and Hennessey saved well from Van Persie at his near post seconds before the interval to leave Wolves, improbably, still in the game.
Wilshere continued to show his class as the second period started, easing past a handful of Wolves players in the penalty area and laying the ball off to the supporting Walcott for what looked a certain goal.
Walcott contrived to send his shot wide and looked almost as shocked as his team-mates not be celebrating a second.
Hennessey was playing his part too, saving smartly with his foot after Nenad Milijas looked as if he might turn Walcott's cross over his own line.
By now the game was being played almost exclusively in Wolves' final third, with Arshavin and Walcott causing endless problems on the wings.
Finally, with 56 minutes on the clock, Van Persie made it 2-0.
Fabregas was the creator with a perfectly-weighted pass from the deep leaving Walcott and Van Persie with a two on one against Berra.
The England winger did his job, rolling the ball to his team-mate who slotted home his 10th league goal of the season.
The chances continued, first Fabregas and then Van Persie going close.
Walcott had more energy than even the Wolves substitutes and drew a foul from replacement striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake after 72 minutes.
With Barcelona awaiting on Wednesday, Arsene Wenger used the break in play to withdraw Arshavin and Van Persie, with the superb Wilshere following soon after.
Arsenal's tempo slowed from then and they had a hairy moment off an 82nd-minute corner when Szczesny was forced to palm a looping ball over the bar.
Walcott probably deserved a goal and was unlucky to see a late effort smothered by the brave Hennessey following a neat one-two with Marouane Chamakh.
After the match, Arsene Wenger praised Jack Wilshere's offensive skills as title-chasing Arsenal sent Wolves to the bottom of the Premier League with a fine attacking display.
Wenger said: "Jack is a talented player who can defend and attack. He had a very good game. He defends well, he attacks well, he creates, he has assists.''
The one thing notably missing from that list is a tendency to score goals. Wilshere conjured a presentable shooting chance for himself against Wolves with score at 1-0 but watched Walcott shoot wide after opting to pass.
Wenger once saw a similar reticence in Cesc Fabregas and believes it will not be long before Wilshere is a regular scorer.
"He is a very confident lad but he has not scored yet. Cesc was like that for a while,'' said Wenger. "I believe he will score soon because he looks very close.
"He has a hesitation some time to shoot himself and chooses to always give the ball. When he is a bit more confident he will score goals.''
After seeing off domestic relegation candidates Wolves, Arsenal's next challenge is to overthrow European giants Barcelona in their Champions League meeting on Wednesday.
Wenger revealed that Samir Nasri has an outside chance to play some part in the match as he approaches his return from a hamstring injury.
It was thought the playmaker would need at least another week on the sidelines, but Wenger said: "I wouldn't say he has no chance (of playing against Barcelona). I would say there is a chance.''
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was brought back down earth unceremoniously after the highs of last week's shock win over Manchester United.
He admitted his side were thrashed and praised Arsenal for their all-energy display.
"There was a murder going on there and we could do nothing about it," he said. "They've murdered us. All over the park from one to 11 they were better than us, stronger than us, quicker than us, passed it better than us.
"I don't want to get beaten but I have to admire the way they play and the class they have. We have been done today but I admire the way they play and aspire to that level of performance."
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 12 Feb 11
Gunners show their bouncebackability
When Arsenal cruised into a 4-0 lead as they produced some sublime football on Tyneside last Saturday, Wenger's most devoted doubters were beginning to wonder whether scepticism over the Gunners' credentials had been misplaced, but the second 45 minutes of a never-to-be-forgotten fixture raised a familiar clutch of doubts all over again.
When the going is good, Arsenal can look like the best team in this unpredictable Premier League, though there is always a feeling that the tide has a habit of turning against them at a more damaging rate than any of the other sides battling it out at the top of the table.
Every team is entitled have the odd off-day, yet Arsenal's ability to self destruct always appears to be closer to the surface than their rivals. This team often reacts more negatively to setbacks than any other with a tendency to allow a sense of injustice to linger an alarming trait.
The last time Arsenal surrendered a big lead to draw 4-4 against Tottenham a couple of years back, Wenger was forced to admit a fear of conceding late goals haunted his side for the months that followed. He must have quivered with uncertainty as he waited to see how his troops would bounce back after their altogether more disturbing collapse against Alan Pardew's men.
Defeats have tended to come in bursts for Arsenal in recent years, so a home fixture against relegation strugglers Wolves offered them the perfect opportunity to banish their latest horrors.
Yet such a story was never likely to be written in this game. If Wolves had scored first in this clash, the potential was there for Arsenal to plunge into a spiral of self-doubt. Those fears were banished once Robin van Persie bagged a brilliant opener after 16 minutes.
A perfectly-weighted through ball by skipper Cesc Fabregas needed a clinical volleyed finish from the Dutchman and he duly applied just that, swivelling inside the box to place a shot past Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey.
The rest of the first half was far from vintage Arsenal, yet any nerves in their much maligned defensive ranks were diluted as Wolves only threatened sporadically from set-play routines. Indeed, the home side should have been further ahead at the break as Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott were guilty of missing glorious chances to double their side's advantage.
As Arsenal continued to miss chances aplenty, there was always a danger that Wolves could snatch a goal out of nothing, but Van Persie ended the contest as he combined with Walcott to rip open the visitors' defence once again and the Dutchman made no mistake as he drilled the ball past an overworked Hennessey.
With that, a curiously muted air then fell over Emirates Stadium as both sides appeared to settle for the 2-0 scoreline, as the Wolves side that beat United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City this season were nowhere to be seen, but Wenger was not complaining.
"There was no hangover from the Newcastle game and I never expected that there would be," stated a defiant Wenger. "When you look at what happened last Saturday, we produced a fantastic performance when it was 11 against 11 and our problems only came after the red card.
"We continued that type of football against Wolves and the only complaint I have from this game is that we did not score more goals. Their goalkeeper was inspired and we missed too many chances, but anyone who was looking for a negative reaction from the Newcastle game were to be disappointed.
"This team have proved they are capable of maintaining their focus on all competitions this season and even though the Newcastle game looked like it was going to leave a lasting mark on us, I feel we are better than that now. We believe we can win this Premier League and hopefully we will prove that in what is left of this season."
Wolves boss McCarthy offered a typically blunt assessment of his side's efforts, with the press room occupants chuckling at his honest critique. "A murder took place on that pitch today and we were the victims," stated the former Republic of Ireland boss. "We tried everything, but they were better than us from start to finish.
"You can ask me any question you want and I will give you the same answer. I'm not upset because Arsenal are clearly a better team than us and we can only aspire to be as good as them one day. Without my keeper, we could have lost by eight goals here, but the West Brom game next week was always going to be the big one for us."
So Arsenal confirmed that their Geordie demons have been banished to the history books, yet Barcelona are unlikely to be quite as welcoming when they come to this venue in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wayne Hennessey
As Wolves boss Mick McCarthy readily admitted, Hennessey kept the score line respectable in this one-sided contest as he made save after save to deny the Gunners.
WALCOTT WOES
Arsenal wide man Theo Walcott missed a host of chances to kill off Wolves, as he endured one of those afternoons that infuriate his admirers. Quite how he missed an open goal at the start of the game was a mystery for all.
ARSENAL VERDICT
After Wayne Rooney's heroics in the Manchester derby, Wenger's men knew they had no margin for error against Wolves and this win ensures they remain the most United's likely challengers in the title race. They will face much tougher tests than this in the months ahead.
WOLVES VERDICT
Outclassed from the off, Mick McCarthy's men offered little attacking intent as they made life all too easy for Arsenal. They will need to toughen up away from home if they are to survive in the Premier League.
Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 12 Feb 11
Robin van Persie double helps Arsenal cruise to victory over Wolves
Wolves began with the composure of a team whose record against the top sides this season has been perversely positive and, with Jamie O'Hara and Nenad Milijas probing with precision, the initial signs were that this was going to be a close contest. Yet the reason Wolves are in the relegation zone is that for all their bright play this season they have been tainted by haplessness, sudden outbreaks of ineptitude sabotaging otherwise accomplished performances.
It was no surprise then to see George Elokobi standing off Cesc Fábregas in the 14th minute, almost advising the Spaniard to take his time and pick out the cross of his choice. Fábregas duly clipped the ball towards the penalty spot, where Richard Stearman had lost track of Robin van Persie. The striker volleyed past Wayne Hennessey and into the net.
Having thus sunk their teeth into Wolves, Arsenal proceeded to tear them to shreds. Jack Wilshere, the 19-year-old whom Fabio Capello has acclaimed as the brain of England's midfield for the foreseeable future, masterminded the dismemberment.
Five minutes after the opening goal he made another incision, serving Andrei Arshavin with a superb long pass from deep. The Russian jinked past Ronald Zubar and cut the ball back for Theo Walcott, whose shot from eight yards was clawed away by Hennessey. Fábregas followed up and fired low towards the corner but Stearman, covering his goalkeeper, cleared off the line.
Two minutes later Arsenal cut through again, Wilshere this time outfoxing the Wolves' defence with a sweet dink towards Fábregas. Hennessey scampered off his line to prevent the midfielder from applying a fatal touch.
Hennessey denied Fábregas again in the 37th minute and had to produce two more fine saves from Van Persie before the break to keep the deficit to a single goal. Wilshere was showing the poise and vision that has enraptured Capello, but in the 46th minute he demonstrated that he still has scope to improve.
After waltzing through the defence he teed up Walcott for a simple tap-in, only for the winger to slash his shot wide from eight yards. Such wastefulness remains a persistent failure for Walcott despite the clear progress that he has made this season, but Wenger preferred to point out that Wilshere could have scored himself.
"He had a very good game but there is just a hesitation sometimes to finish himself," said Wenger of Wilshere, who has scored twice this season. "At the moment he always chooses to give the ball to someone else. Cesc [Fábregas] was like that for a while. When he is a bit more confident he will score more goals."
Walcott should score more goals, too, but at least he showed that his decision-making and execution are not as unreliable as they once were by creating Arsenal's second goal in the 56th minute. After being released by Fábregas he played a perfect square ball to Van Persie. The Dutchman finished emphatically, rifling past Hennessey from the edge of the area.
At no point did Arsenal look like repeating their capitulation against Newcastle, partially because Johan Djourou, who had been forced off with injury at St James' Park, remained immaculate throughout and partially because Arsenal, without going gung-ho as in the past, mostly kept Wolves on the back foot.
Walcott was given the best opportunity to make the victory more emphatic but mis-controlled when put through by Fábregas before recovering to curl a shot wide from an acute angle. Two minutes from time the winger combined with the substitute Marouane Chamakh to rip Wolves apart anew but again he erred at the finish, shooting straight at Hennessey.
"I can't say we were unlucky, there was a murder going on out there and there was nothing we could do about it," McCarthy said. The Wolves manager added: "But for Wayne Hennessey we could have lost by six, seven or eight. To get better we have to admire that performance by Arsenal and aspire to it."
Wenger, meanwhile, aspires to beating a team that, he concedes, are currently at an even higher level than Arsenal and believes this victory will help. "We are playing certainly the best team in world [Barcelona] so it is important to go in with confidence and in a strong situation in the league," he said. "We have the hunger to do well in all competitions and we showed here that we can focus on one at a time."
Source: Paul Doyle, The Guardian on 12 Feb 11
Wenger's reaction to the Arsenal 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers match
On the absence of a Newcastle 'hangover'...
There was none. In fact it confirmed the quality of our performance at Newcastle, what was not easy to read in the media, because we had an outstanding game as long as it was 11 against 11. It was confirmed today with the number of chances we created, the quality of our play. We were defensively solid and that was important after the four goals we conceded. We create many chances, the only regret is that maybe we didn't score enough goals. Part of that is down to their goalkeeper - all the goalkeepers look very inspired here at the Emirates. The keeper had an outstanding game.
On Robin van Persie's brace...
He scored two different goals, one with his right foot - that is not usually what he likes to do - and one on the counter-attack where we know we can be very dangerous.
On whether Nasri has a chance of facing Barcelona...
I wouldn't say 'no chance'. There is a chance.
On staying focused against Wolves...
We had to stay focused. For us it is important because [on Wednesday] we play certainly at the moment the best team in the world. It is important to go into the game with psychological confidence and as well in a strong position in the league. We are in a Premier League race, we believe we can do it, we have the hunger, and we can focus on every single competition and that is important. For me it was important we showed the focus today and did not have Barcelona in their mind.
On Jack Wilshere's performance...
I think he had a very good game. He defends well, attacks well, creates chances, had assists. At the moment I believe he will soon score, he looks very close. He has a hesitation sometimes to finish himself and chooses at the moment to give the ball, but I think when he will be a bit more confident he will score goals. He has not scored yet but Cesc was for a while like that.
On comparisons with Claude Makelele...
It's very difficult for me to speak about that but Jack is a talented player who can defend and attack.
On whether Wilshere can prove himself against Barcelona...
You wouldn't want to put too much responsibility on Wilshere in a game like that. When you play against an opponent of that quality you need everybody, all 11 to be absolutely at their top end. For us it is important that we play with belief and with full cylinders. What we have learned from last season is that in the first half we gave them too much respect and we were lucky to get away with it.
On whether it is a 'bonus' to beat Barcelona...
We are not favourite in this game but I think we can do it.
On Van Persie's knee injury...
Yes [he is OK]. He looks alright, I think he will be alright for Wednesday. I have decided not to talk about the challenge [by Zubar].
Source: Arsenal.com on 12 Feb 11
There was none. In fact it confirmed the quality of our performance at Newcastle, what was not easy to read in the media, because we had an outstanding game as long as it was 11 against 11. It was confirmed today with the number of chances we created, the quality of our play. We were defensively solid and that was important after the four goals we conceded. We create many chances, the only regret is that maybe we didn't score enough goals. Part of that is down to their goalkeeper - all the goalkeepers look very inspired here at the Emirates. The keeper had an outstanding game.
On Robin van Persie's brace...
He scored two different goals, one with his right foot - that is not usually what he likes to do - and one on the counter-attack where we know we can be very dangerous.
On whether Nasri has a chance of facing Barcelona...
I wouldn't say 'no chance'. There is a chance.
On staying focused against Wolves...
We had to stay focused. For us it is important because [on Wednesday] we play certainly at the moment the best team in the world. It is important to go into the game with psychological confidence and as well in a strong position in the league. We are in a Premier League race, we believe we can do it, we have the hunger, and we can focus on every single competition and that is important. For me it was important we showed the focus today and did not have Barcelona in their mind.
On Jack Wilshere's performance...
I think he had a very good game. He defends well, attacks well, creates chances, had assists. At the moment I believe he will soon score, he looks very close. He has a hesitation sometimes to finish himself and chooses at the moment to give the ball, but I think when he will be a bit more confident he will score goals. He has not scored yet but Cesc was for a while like that.
On comparisons with Claude Makelele...
It's very difficult for me to speak about that but Jack is a talented player who can defend and attack.
On whether Wilshere can prove himself against Barcelona...
You wouldn't want to put too much responsibility on Wilshere in a game like that. When you play against an opponent of that quality you need everybody, all 11 to be absolutely at their top end. For us it is important that we play with belief and with full cylinders. What we have learned from last season is that in the first half we gave them too much respect and we were lucky to get away with it.
On whether it is a 'bonus' to beat Barcelona...
We are not favourite in this game but I think we can do it.
On Van Persie's knee injury...
Yes [he is OK]. He looks alright, I think he will be alright for Wednesday. I have decided not to talk about the challenge [by Zubar].
Source: Arsenal.com on 12 Feb 11
12 February 2011: Arsenal 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers, The Emirates
It looks like Arsenal and Manchester United will fight it out for the Premier League crown after a pivotal day in the title race.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side beat third-place Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime to pour pressure on Arsène Wenger’s outfit before they faced Wolves at Emirates Stadium.
However, Arsenal rolled up their sleeves once again and ground out a 2-0 victory.
Robin van Persie grabbed both – one in each half. The first was a cute volley from a cross by Cesc Fabregas, the second a cool finish from a breakaway inspired by the Spaniard and spurred on by Theo Walcott.
Wolves had beaten Manchester United last week and tried to be their usual dogged, resolute selves this afternoon. However, Arsenal just did not allowed that to happen.
Wenger’s men went at them from the first whistle and kept going all afternoon. It could and should have been more but a safe, assured 2-0 was just fine.
Manchester United now lead Arsenal by four points, with Manchester City another four adrift having played a game more.
It looks like Fergie v Wenger, Red Devils v Red-and-White for the title.
Let battle commence.
The early result was always going to colour this afternoon’s match with Wolves but, at his pre-match press conference, Wenger had remained resolute that the upcoming clash with Barcelona would not influence his team selection today.
As a result, Arsenal were at full strength with only one change – Alex Song for the suspended Abou Diaby in central midfield.
Of course it was Wolves who had foiled Manchester United’s unbeaten campaign last weekend. They had also overturned Chelsea and Manchester City at Molineux but were a very different proposition away from home – a weaker one.
In fairness that victory had helped Arsenal get off the hook last Saturday but, this afternoon, the earlier result had put the pressure squrely on the shoulders of Wenger’s men.
In truth they never looked like buckling this afternoon.
Emirates Stadium was hit by a short, sharp shower as the game kicked off but, by the quarter-hour, the sun was shining.
Arsenal, however, were temperate throughout.
Fabregas put the ball in the net in the opening seconds but the referee had already blown for a foul on Jack Wilshere. Van Persie thumped the resulting free-kick over the bar. The Dutchman then thrashed high from open play a few minutes later.
It was hardly the marauding stuff sometimes seen at Emirates Stadium but it was the right response to both the draw at Newcastle and the Manchester derby.
The deadlock was broken just as Arsenal were starting to settle down. The goal was out of nothing. Fabregas crossed from the right and Van Persie sent a low volley in to the far corner. It was wonderful technique from what he calls his ‘chocolate leg’ – his unfavoured right.
In the wake of the goal, Arsenal looked to take the game by the throat. Their preferred method, as always, was an iron first in a velvet glove.
Djourou looped a deflected header onto the top of the net from Andrey Arshavin’s free-kick then the Russian sidefooted wide from the subsequent corner when he should have scored.
Just after the half-hour, Arshavin fashioned a brace of better chances. He beat Ronald Zubar on the left and squared to the unmarked Walcott eight yards out. Wayne Hennessey clawed the ball out to Fabregas, whose shot was cleared off the line by the backtracking Richard Stearman.
Wolves had only mustered a little, unfocussed pressure, to this point. But they had half a shout for a penalty late on when Adam Hammill appeared to be bundled over.
But, this had been about as one-sided a half as we had seen at Emirates this season, an equaliser would have been a travesty.
And Arshavin’s penalty shout a few minutes later was probably stronger anyway.
As ever, the main complaint from an Arsenal perspective was the ratio of goals to overall dominance.
On the whistle, Song nudged a ball to Van Persie whose snapshot was blocked by Hennessey’s trailing leg. The keeper had been the stand-out performer in the first 45 minutes.
And that tells you everything you need to know.
Seconds after the restart, Wilshere waltzed through the Wolves defence and squared for Walcott, who had time and space to pick his spot but blazed wide.
Arsenal were now dominant in everything but the scoreline. In days gone by they have been vulnerable in such scenarios. But not today.
They blitzed Wolves early in the second half and eventually grabbed a second through sheer force of will.
Hennessey made a fine save from Stearman, his own defender, and then Arshavin's drive.
The game was now even more one-way and, in the 56th minute, Arsenal finally grabbed that second. Given their pressure it was ironic that its origins came from a Wolves attack.
A raking pass from Fabregas sent Walcott sprinting down the right. He had Van Persie in support but only one covering defender. The Englishman found the unmarked Dutchman just inside the area. He took his time and pulled the trigger. It was his 10th goal in his last seven Premier League games.
Arshavin nearly added a third by charging down Hennessey’s clearance and then Van Persie volleyed wide.
But, with 18 minutes left, Wenger felt confident enough to withdraw his main two attacking outlets this afternoon – Arshavin and Van Persie. Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner came on.
Perhaps Wednesday was finally entering his thoughts.
To be honest, the game petered out after that. Arsenal wanted to cruise home and allowed Wolves a little joy further forward.
In the final few minutes, Walcott flashed a shot inches wide and Fabregas forced another decent save from Hennessey. But by now, maybe Barcelona was part of the equation.
It was understandable, that is a massive game in Arsenal’s season.
However, according to Wenger, the game they had just won was always more important.
Time will tell if he is right.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Feb 11
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Match Preview: Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
“Barcelona will be an interesting game but, for us, the best way to be in a good position to beat them is to defeat Wolves on Saturday,” said Arsène Wenger with a stern sincerity at the end of his press conference on Friday.
"This game is as important, if not more important, than Barcelona. In my opinion it is actually more important by far.
“We have four days after this game to prepare for Barcelona. We play Saturday afternoon and Wednesday night, so there's no need [to save players]. I concede that when it's Monday, Wednesday, Saturday then you have to make decisions.
"But anyway, in August, we started to fight for every single ball to be in a position to go for the Premier League and now is the time of truth.
“This is the time for us to make an impact. We are in a strong position and so it would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League.
"We go for four different challenges and you only have a chance to achieve that if you can put your total focus in every single game. That's why it's so difficult and that's why it demands special mental strength and preparation.
"So mentally, getting ready for Wolves is the most important thing."
Got the message out there, everyone? Be it Barcelona on Wednesday or Brisbane Road next Sunday, Arsenal are unconcerned.
Wolves are what it is all about.
After last weekend’s four-goal fall away, the call for focus is hardly surprising. Before their visit to Newcastle, Arsenal had let in one goal in their previous five Premier League games. The quartet they would concede inside the final 22 minutes at St James’ Park seemed to draw more criticism than Manchester United’s defeat to this weekend’s opponents. It is understandable yet, looking at the table alone, Arsenal actually caught up ground.
But then football’s logic has never worked in straight lines.
“I hope the Newcastle game will have a positive effect,” said Wenger.
“Every result has a psychological impact. I am confident it will be a positive one on the players and that we got away with what happened against us without being really punished.
“Our distance with Manchester United is not bigger but shorter. So let’s take advantage of that in the next games.”
That Wolves win was widely celebrated by Arsenal fans. Not just because it tightened the table or put perspective on their profligacy earlier in the day, but because it ended the unbeaten campaign of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
The feat of the ‘Invincibles’ in 2004 is unprecedented in modern English football but Manchester United were starting to sniff parity. Losing that chance is a blow in itself but, when Arsenal’s 49-game run was ended in controversial fashion at Old Trafford in October 2004, they struggled to respond. This season, even dropping a few draws could cost them the title with so little to choose between the top three - and Manchester United start their recovery against cross-town rivals City on Saturday morning.
“It is very difficult psychologically to start again,” admitted Wenger. “For us it was 49 games and we lost the 50th game under special circumstances. So the sense of injustice was even more difficult to swallow. But it’s always difficult when you are on an unbeaten run and you lose it.
“I will look at it and see how they respond. Usually, they respond well. But it is a derby so anything can happen. It is maybe a chance for Man City to come back to Man United. But it will be a very open derby, more than ever.”
Johan Djourou has been passed fit after coming off with a knee problem before the comeback at Newcastle. Alex Song (thigh) and Denilson (hamstring) should be fit after missing that the trip.
Abou Diaby is injured but started a three-game domestic suspension anyway. Tomas Rosicky misses out after picking up a groin injury on international duty. The latter should be OK for Barcelona, the former has a little chance.
Perhaps that Wolves win over Manchester United should not have been a massive surprise. They had already beaten Chelsea and Manchester City at Molineux. Those nine points represent 37 per cent of their total accumulation in the Premier League this season.
They clearly like playing against the big boys but, at the same time, their away form is clearly letting them down. They have taken four points and scored just nine goals - both Premier League lows.
Arsenal have won their last 11 straight games against Wolves but that run was nearly halted last season when Mick McCarthy’s side were beaten by the latest of last-gasp headers from Nicklas Bendtner.
Back then it kept alive Arsenal’s title bid. Depending on what happens at Old Trafford, this season's victory just might shape it, you never know. But just don’t expect the same strong-arm, organised approach from the West Midlanders.
“Wolves play in a very positive way,” said Wenger. “They have changed their approach a little bit now.
“They take care of the quality of their passes. They have a good technical midfield with Henry, Milias and O’Hara. They are very strong in the centre and so it is very important to take care of our midfield play.
“But I told you at the beginning of January that our home form will be the key for us to have a good chance to win the Premier League. Since then we have responded very well at home and every game is a real challenge for any top team.”
The next two games at Emirates Stadium could massive for Arsenal. In the knee-jerk arena of the Premier League, fans and the media are always looking for ‘defining’ moments. But only history gives us clarity.
At 5pm last Saturday, it felt like Wenger’s men had suffered a mortal blow. But, in fact, it was Manchester United who cost themselves much more a couple of hours later.
Get used to it. This title race will be goal-for-goal, point-for-point, blow-for-blow for the remainder of the season. Hero one week, zero the next.
That is why Barcelona will have to wait for now.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Feb 11
"This game is as important, if not more important, than Barcelona. In my opinion it is actually more important by far.
“We have four days after this game to prepare for Barcelona. We play Saturday afternoon and Wednesday night, so there's no need [to save players]. I concede that when it's Monday, Wednesday, Saturday then you have to make decisions.
"But anyway, in August, we started to fight for every single ball to be in a position to go for the Premier League and now is the time of truth.
“This is the time for us to make an impact. We are in a strong position and so it would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League.
"We go for four different challenges and you only have a chance to achieve that if you can put your total focus in every single game. That's why it's so difficult and that's why it demands special mental strength and preparation.
"So mentally, getting ready for Wolves is the most important thing."
Got the message out there, everyone? Be it Barcelona on Wednesday or Brisbane Road next Sunday, Arsenal are unconcerned.
Wolves are what it is all about.
After last weekend’s four-goal fall away, the call for focus is hardly surprising. Before their visit to Newcastle, Arsenal had let in one goal in their previous five Premier League games. The quartet they would concede inside the final 22 minutes at St James’ Park seemed to draw more criticism than Manchester United’s defeat to this weekend’s opponents. It is understandable yet, looking at the table alone, Arsenal actually caught up ground.
But then football’s logic has never worked in straight lines.
“I hope the Newcastle game will have a positive effect,” said Wenger.
“Every result has a psychological impact. I am confident it will be a positive one on the players and that we got away with what happened against us without being really punished.
“Our distance with Manchester United is not bigger but shorter. So let’s take advantage of that in the next games.”
That Wolves win was widely celebrated by Arsenal fans. Not just because it tightened the table or put perspective on their profligacy earlier in the day, but because it ended the unbeaten campaign of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
The feat of the ‘Invincibles’ in 2004 is unprecedented in modern English football but Manchester United were starting to sniff parity. Losing that chance is a blow in itself but, when Arsenal’s 49-game run was ended in controversial fashion at Old Trafford in October 2004, they struggled to respond. This season, even dropping a few draws could cost them the title with so little to choose between the top three - and Manchester United start their recovery against cross-town rivals City on Saturday morning.
“It is very difficult psychologically to start again,” admitted Wenger. “For us it was 49 games and we lost the 50th game under special circumstances. So the sense of injustice was even more difficult to swallow. But it’s always difficult when you are on an unbeaten run and you lose it.
“I will look at it and see how they respond. Usually, they respond well. But it is a derby so anything can happen. It is maybe a chance for Man City to come back to Man United. But it will be a very open derby, more than ever.”
Johan Djourou has been passed fit after coming off with a knee problem before the comeback at Newcastle. Alex Song (thigh) and Denilson (hamstring) should be fit after missing that the trip.
Abou Diaby is injured but started a three-game domestic suspension anyway. Tomas Rosicky misses out after picking up a groin injury on international duty. The latter should be OK for Barcelona, the former has a little chance.
Perhaps that Wolves win over Manchester United should not have been a massive surprise. They had already beaten Chelsea and Manchester City at Molineux. Those nine points represent 37 per cent of their total accumulation in the Premier League this season.
They clearly like playing against the big boys but, at the same time, their away form is clearly letting them down. They have taken four points and scored just nine goals - both Premier League lows.
Arsenal have won their last 11 straight games against Wolves but that run was nearly halted last season when Mick McCarthy’s side were beaten by the latest of last-gasp headers from Nicklas Bendtner.
Back then it kept alive Arsenal’s title bid. Depending on what happens at Old Trafford, this season's victory just might shape it, you never know. But just don’t expect the same strong-arm, organised approach from the West Midlanders.
“Wolves play in a very positive way,” said Wenger. “They have changed their approach a little bit now.
“They take care of the quality of their passes. They have a good technical midfield with Henry, Milias and O’Hara. They are very strong in the centre and so it is very important to take care of our midfield play.
“But I told you at the beginning of January that our home form will be the key for us to have a good chance to win the Premier League. Since then we have responded very well at home and every game is a real challenge for any top team.”
The next two games at Emirates Stadium could massive for Arsenal. In the knee-jerk arena of the Premier League, fans and the media are always looking for ‘defining’ moments. But only history gives us clarity.
At 5pm last Saturday, it felt like Wenger’s men had suffered a mortal blow. But, in fact, it was Manchester United who cost themselves much more a couple of hours later.
Get used to it. This title race will be goal-for-goal, point-for-point, blow-for-blow for the remainder of the season. Hero one week, zero the next.
That is why Barcelona will have to wait for now.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Feb 11
Wolves are more important for us than Barcelona, says Wenger
The Arsenal manager said the best way to prepare for next Wednesday's last-16 first-leg tie at the Emirates Stadium was to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, the competition that he considers the priority.
But he did address the hot topic of Barcelona, who defeated his team 6-3 on aggregate in last season's quarter-final. The Spanish club's midfielder Xavi told the Guardian that he felt Arsenal were too ready to allow them to have the ball in both legs. He worried, though, that Arsenal might have learned their lessons while he added that it was a "disadvantage for us that we played last year".
Wenger intends his fears to be realised. "I can't deny we showed them too much respect last season, especially in the first half of the first game," Wenger said. "Also, I can't deny that it's a disadvantage for them to play us as well. Barcelona are maybe better this season than last season but so are we.
"The best way to be in a good position to beat Barça is to beat Wolves. That game is, in my opinion, more important by far. We started in August to fight for every single ball to be in a position to fight for the Premier League and now is the time of truth. We are in a strong position. It would be absolutely stupid now not to prioritise the Premier League."
Wenger will keep tabs on the Manchester derby and he will be fascinated to see how United react to the end of their 29-match unbeaten league run at Wolves last Saturday. He knows from experience how hard such a blow can hit. His team stumbled after losing their 49-game unbeaten league record at Old Trafford in October 2004, a result that was triggered by a contentious United penalty.
"It's very difficult psychologically to start again," Wenger said. "For us, we lost the 50th game under special circumstances and it was even more difficult to swallow the sense of injustice. Will it affect United? We'll see. Usually, they respond well. It is a derby, so anything can happen. It is maybe a chance for Man City to come back to Man United."
Wenger was asked whether his players could handle the pressure, in light of them losing a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 at Newcastle United last Saturday. United would fail to capitalise in the late kick-off at Molineux.
"What would you say then of Man United?" Wenger replied. "When they started their game, they knew our result. If they win, they are seven points ahead. It is the same for them, even worse."
Wenger said that he was opposed to the idea of the midfielder Jack Wilshere playing in England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on 4 June and then linking up with the under-21 squad for the European Championship finals in Denmark.
"Once a player has moved up, you don't help him at all if you move him down," Wenger said. "Psychologically, you feel you go down. It's also important that you don't overload players after a long season. We have already spoken about this [with the Football Association]."
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 12 Feb 11
Friday, November 12, 2010
Marouane Chamakh strikes twice to give Arsenal win at Wolves
Heartily sick as he is of seeing his players cast as heroic losers, Mick McCarthy had little choice other than to praise them for another near miss against the big fry after Arsenal had eased the pressure that had descended once more following successive defeats in Europe and at home against Newcastle United.
Wolves' manager showed grace, though, that others might have struggled to extend in accepting as an accident a reckless, late Cesc Fábregas tackle that led to Stephen Ward being taken off on a stretcher to the dressing room just before the end. The referee Mark Halsey consulted his perfectly placed assistant before reaching for a yellow card for the Arsenal captain when the side's fifth red of the season seemed a distinct possibility.
Molineux's collective hackles were raised by the incident – a predictable reaction to the dismay the home club have felt at being labelled this autumn as over-physical. But McCarthy was pacified by the appearance of Fábregas in the home dressing room to apologise afterwards and check on the damage to Ward's gashed leg.
"I have no problem with it at all," he insisted. "Wardy has accepted it like a man. This has been like a throwback to the old days where one player catches a player with a mistimed tackle, buys him a pint afterwards and the other says he will get him back later in the season.
"What I can't stand is people whingeing at my players. It's all amateur dramatic bullshit."
The reaction was particularly generous given that Fábregas (right) threaded through the pass seconds later for Chamakh to clip in off Marcus Hahnemann's hand for the killer goal, his eighth of the campaign, at a time when Wolves were pushing hard for an equaliser.
At the end of a succession of near misses, Kevin Doyle drove inches wide of the far post and Christophe Berra brought an outstanding full-length save from Lukasz Fabianski, the goalkeeper having already staked a claim for star billing with a tip-over from Doyle's 20-yarder and a claw-away from Sébastien Squillaci's first-half deflection.
Arsenal looked vulnerable to crosses by Stephen Hunt and the impressive Matt Jarvis, with Kevin Foley and Doyle also sending headers off target. It summed up Fabianski's return to favour that, in addition to shutting Wolves out at one end, his throw-outs led to both goals at the other.
"The victory was so important that we focused more on defending in this game," said the Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. "We still had many chances but you have to give credit to Wolves. They are a good side and are always dangerous.
"Chamakh was sick all last week and only played for an hour on Sunday but I thought he would be sharper tonight."
The Moroccan international, signed early in the summer on a free transfer after his contract expired at Bordeaux, had not scored away from home for the club in the Premier League until becoming the latest beneficiary of Wolves' generous defending.
It was deep in stoppage time that the 2009 Championship winners were beaten both at Old Trafford on Saturday and with 10 men at the Emirates in April.
But the damaging first incision here arrived after only 37 seconds. Tomas Rosicky initiated an attack that was continued by Alex Song's right-wing centre and turned to substantial profit as Chamakh drifted away from Richard Stearman to plant a fine downward header past Hahnemann's right hand.
Only the American's fine save denied a clean-through Andrey Arshavin following Stearman's mistake shortly afterwards, then Fábregas drove a shot against the goalkeeper's knees from near the penalty spot.
Despite losing David Edwards through an early foot injury, though, Wolves regained some ground as the half wore on, having hit back from behind to beat Manchester City 12 days ago. And they were the better side in the second half, although Fábregas casually drove wide an opportunity gifted to him by Stearman's dreadful pass and Arshavin was unlucky with a low shot on the run that struck the foot of the far post.
Position-wise, the status quo was preserved for both teams, Arsenal remaining third and Wolves – now beaten in seven of their last nine league games – kept off the bottom only by their neighbours West Bromwich Albion's late equaliser at West Ham. "We have to score when we play as well as that," McCarthy added. "Fabianski was hopeless for Newcastle's goal on Sunday but he was brilliant here."
Source: David Instone, The Guardian on 10 Nov 10
Chamakh at the double for Gunners
Chamakh struck after only 39 seconds when he headed in a cross from Alex Song and wrapped up victory in injury-time.
It was the perfect riposte after their shock home reversal against Newcastle and kept Mick McCarthy's side in the bottom three.
The Gunners threatened to run away with the game in the early stages with their one touch football.
Wolves were indebted to keeper Marcus Hahnemann for keeping them in the hunt during that period.
But they hauled themselves back into contention via the creativity of Nenad Milijas and the endeavour of Stephen Hunt.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start through Chamakh's seventh goal of the campaign.
Song made a break down the right before delivering a probing cross - and Chamakh was first to react in sending his header past Marcus Hahnemann into the corner of the net.
It needed a fine save from Hahnemann to prevent Arsenal from doubling their lead.
Andrey Arshavin raced clear of the Wolves rearguard but Hahnemann came quickly off his line to reduce the angle and he blocked the resulting shot.
The home side were forced to make a change after only eight minutes when Dave Edwards limped out of the action to be replaced by Hunt.
Wolves were taking time to recover from their early setback and were indebted to Hahnemann for a second time.
Arshavin's low cross was only half cleared by Richard Stearman and Fabregas' shot was blocked by the feet of Hahnemann.
Wolves were being pulled apart and Christophe Berra had to make a timely block on Arshavin's shot after being found in space by Fabregas.
Wolves started to get a foothold in the game and Kevin Doyle, without a league goal this season, came close to putting them on level terms after 28 minutes.
Hunt floated in an inswinging free-kick from the right flank and Doyle's back header was only inches too high with Fabianski scrambling across his goal.
Doyle was then found in space by Milijas' raking long pass but his control let him down as he bore down on goal and Gael Clichy was able to make the interception.
Fabianski had to palm away a cross from Matt Jarvis that took a wicked deflection off Sebastien Squillaci and was about to creep inside the far post.
Wolves came close to emulating Arsenal's quickfire start to the first half in the opening minute of the second period.
Jarvis' low ball across the six yard box was met by Milijas but Sagna made a crucial block to deny him the equaliser.
Arsenal should have doubled their lead after a misplaced pass from Stearman fell to Rosicky outside the Wolves box.
He delivered the ball back into the penalty area to the unmarked Fabregas but he sent his shot wide.
Wolves started to apply pressure and Fabianski tipped over a curling effort from Doyle which looked destined for the top corner of the net.
Rosicky came to Arsenal's rescue after 58 minutes when he cleared Stearman's close range effort off the line from Milijas corner.
Wolves were saved by the woodwork six minutes later as Arshavin's low drive beat the dive of Hahnemann but rebounded to safety off a post.
Arsenal substitute Denilson was booked after 73 minutes for not retreating after Wolves had been awarded a free-kick.
Wolves skipper Karl Henry deflected a low effort off the line from Johan Djourou after Sebastien Squillaci had initially mis-kicked inside the six yard box.
Stearman was yellow carded in the 86th minute for chopping down Arshavin.
Then Fabregas went into the book 60 seconds later for a touch-line lunge on Stephen Ward who was stretchered off and replaced by Steven Fletcher.
Doyle almost rescued a point for Wolves when his low shot flew inches wide.
But in the dying seconds Chamakh wrapped up the points with a clinical piece of finishing.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insisted he had no problem with Cesc Fabregas' tackle on Steven Ward, revealing the Arsenal captain had apologised to the player.
"Fabregas has gone for the ball. It is one of those when two blokes are running at full tilt and you slide in and he has got a cut on his leg," McCarthy said.
"Fabregas has been in to apologise and Wardy has accepted it like a man and I wish everyone would stop whingeing about tackling and complaining.
"It wasn't a bad tackle. I've no problem with it at all. It happens. What I can't do with is everyone bitching at my players and my team when we tackle.
"Just stop whingeing and accept it. Fabregas has been in and Wardy has accepted it and isn't it lovely? I said to Arsene I've no problem with the tackle and I really appreciate the apology."
Arsene Wenger said he did not see the incident, but claimed Fabregas was attempting to play the ball.
"I think it was an accidental tackle. That's what Cesc told me. He touched him (Ward) of course but he wanted to play the ball. He went to the dressing room and apologised to the player and he is all right.
"I have not seen the tackle yet but I have just apologised to McCarthy if the player is injured because I didn't know exactly what had happened because the linesman was in my view.
"Cesc says to me it was completely accidental but he still went to see the player to see how badly he was hurt. It doesn't mean he feels guilty."
Wenger was pleased to see his team get back to winning ways, reserving special praise for two-goal hero Marouane Chamakh.
"He was not sharp against Newcastle and I only played him for an hour after he had been sick for all the previous week," he said. "I thought he would be sharper tonight. If you look back since the start of season, he has been decisive in many games.
"We went early into the lead and the victory was so important for us tonight that the focus was more on defending and keeping the result safe.
"If you look at the game, we had many chances but I must say you have to give credit to Wolves. They are good defensively, they are good at winning the ball back and they always looked dangerous. They will give problems to anyone in this league."
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 10 Nov 10
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