Robin van Persie fails to give Arsenal the power to challenge United

Dutchman's struggles in front of goal blunt Arsenal's pretty approach play against Manchester City

Consistency, Arsène Wenger stressed this week, will be the key to ultimate success in this season's Premier League. Not, however, the kind of consistency his team showed last night in a goalless draw that felt like a significant defeat.

The whistles and jeers of the home fans as the players of Manchester City left the pitch illustrated their distress at having seen their team fail to overcome their rivals as much as a disapproval of the cautious tactics dictated by Roberto Mancini, Wenger's opposite number.

Arsenal's consistency was in their old, worryingly familiar habit of stitching together lovely approach work, all twinkling feet and intricate interplay, without tangible profit. With all his creative players available, Wenger was unable to find the combination capable of piercing City's defensive mesh.

Only Manchester United have the kind of consistency to which Wenger aspires, expressed in an unbeaten run of 20 games since the campaign kicked off. Arsenal are now undefeated in six matches, the first time they have managed more than three in a row this season, but they have lost five, three of those defeats at home.

To start the new year by beating the team lying one place above them in the top three would have been to take a big step on the way to maintaining a challenge for the club's first league title since 2003-04. And to achieve it they needed a continuation of the developing partnership between Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, a continuation of the form that persuaded Wenger to prefer Theo Walcott to Andrey Arshavin for the third time in their past four league matches, and something more from Robin van Persie than the Dutchman has shown this season.

Van Persie's form, for club and country, has been open to question since he returned last April from an ankle injury, suffered in an international friendly in November 2009. As Holland's first-choice striker in South Africa, he proved to be the least effective member of the losing finalists' attack, scoring only one goal, against Cameroon. In 11 appearances for Arsenal this season he has scored only twice: against Partizan in the Champions League last month and against Birmingham City in the 3-0 win at St Andrew's last Saturday, when his side gave the impression that they have finally learnt how to withstand bullying.

That impression, at least, was confirmed last night, particularly in the diligence and alertness with which Jack Wilshere and the greatly improved Alex Song screened their back four. And whenever the ceaselessly ingenious Carlos Tevez managed to create an opening, Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny looked equal to the task.

Up front, Van Persie strained to make an impact, turning his old team-mate Kolo Touré on the left-hand side of the area in the ninth minute and smashing his shot against Joe Hart's post. There would be another shot from a similar distance half an hour later, curled into Hart's arms, but probably the striker's most effective contribution of the half came when he headed James Milner's right-wing cross out of his own goalmouth as City tried to counter Arsenal's incessant pressure.

If consistency is indeed the key, then none of Wenger's players has displayed more of it than Fábregas and Nasri, whose combination play can delight the eye. They were at it as early as the second minute, creating the move from which Wilshere produced a low cross which skidded across the empty goalmouth, inches ahead of Van Persie's lunge.

Nasri's emergence this season seems to have been very much to the liking of his captain, and one of the most fascinating prospects of the winter will be to see how they match up against Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta when Arsenal face Barcelona next month. Against City's obdurate three-man midfield, there was no such like-for-like comparison to be made.

If they were to do more than weave effortlessly pretty patterns, however, Arsenal needed a cutting edge, preferably from Van Persie or Walcott. The Englishman could leave Pablo Zabaleta trailing in his slipstream at will, but the right opportunity to make capital was slow in coming, although he showed a greater aptitude for joining in the combination play which is his colleagues' speciality.

Van Persie again proved profligate after the interval, pricking the bubble of expectation by sending a poor shot high and wide in the 49th minute, burying another in the side-netting from a narrow angle six minutes later, thumping a 25-yard drive that forced Hart to leap to his right to turn the ball around the angle on the hour.

A desperate Wenger threw on Arshavin for Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner for Wilshere but the crowd, painfully aware of the night's significance, grew tense and fretful, no longer satisfied with mere inventiveness.

Source: Richard Williams, The Guardian on 6 Jan 11

The Grass Isn't Always Greener

Well, everyone expected City would come to Ashburton Grove to play for a draw but who knew that one of the most expensively-assembled teams in the world could be quite so negative and technically bereft?

Waiting for the players to emerge from the tunnel before last night’s match, I looked to the stadium’s away section and wondered why the visiting fans had only taken half the allocation normally afforded to traveling supporters. It was very odd. I know it was a Wednesday night but, for such a big game, you would still expect a team like City to fill the full corner where the Clock End and East Stand meet. They had always done so on recent visits. But, by the end of the 90 minutes, it was perfectly evident why their fans weren’t there in any great numbers. Who would travel half the length of the country and pay good money to watch their team intentional play like that?

City’s performance last night was reminiscent of the way Chelsea used to play in the first few seasons after Roman Abramovich’s arrival. Having spent millions on players and management staff, every week they ground out results with turgid but grimly efficient displays. In a way, it was understandable. They hadn’t won the league for decades and, for them, the destination was more important than the journey. And, on the evidence of the last night, so it also seems to be with City. They offered very little going forward except hopeful punts in the direction of Carlos Tevez and they set themselves up more like a team struggling to avoid relegation rather than one going for the title.

When Arsenal fans used to mock Chelsea supporters for the way their team played back then, their response was that we didn’t seem to mind grinding out one-nil victories under George Graham in order to win trophies after several barren years. There is a grain of truth in that but the difference is that George Graham hadn’t spend several hundred million pounds on players and was happy to make do with - and get the best out of - individuals like David Hillier, Martin Hayes and Perry Groves.

As for Arsenal last night, there can be no real complaints about their performance. In the first half they tore into City hitting the woodwork three times and coming close on several other occasions. The match should have been over by the interval but, sadly, it just seemed to be one of those days when the ball was destined not to end up in net.

In the second half, the Gunners had rather punched themselves out and looked wearied by trying to batter down City’s brick wall. Robin Van Persie forced a full-stretch save from Joe Hart but, aside from that, the team couldn’t quite muster the same impetus that they had in the first period.

Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta got sent off for some innocuous handbags at the end of the match. Though Sagna looked the guiltier party, it seemed harsh on both players particularly with only a minute or two to go. Still, in today’s game, we all know you can’t put your head near anyone’s face so there cannot be too many grumbles at the Arsenal man’s dismissal.

At the end of the night, it felt like two points dropped. Arsenal deserved the win but City came to the Grove and got what they wanted. We could spent all day moaning about the way the visitors played but, as Arsene Wenger said before the game, they do it their way and we’ll do it our way. It was the Gunners’ job to find a way through the massed ranks of hulking defenders. They managed that, but just couldn’t find the back of the net at the end of it.

You don’t get any points for moral victories but maybe last night’s match gave the Arsenal supporters who want Arsene Wenger to throw money around like it's going out of style a glimpse that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I have no idea if City play like that every week; I am not interested enough in them to bother finding out. However, if what they showed last night is what a couple of hundred million quid buys you in today’s transfer market, then I would far rather Wenger stuck to his guns and carried on frugally building a team that can challenge for trophies every year but also plays some decent football along the way.

The last five trophy-less seasons have been frustrating and it might sometimes be exasperating that the manager sticks so doggedly to his vision of developing a team from the bottom up when results aren’t going our way. However, seeing the alternative that City offered yesterday ought to make us appreciate far more acutely what the Frenchman is trying to achieve.

City can do it their way. But if that is the sort of football they play every week, they are welcome to it.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 6 Jan 11

Wenger: Draw gives us title belief

Arsene Wenger and Roberto Mancini were both upbeat about their sides' title prospects despite witnessing a dull goalless draw that had Arsenal's fans booing Manchester City off the pitch at the Emirates.

Arsenal's failure to break down a defensive City side intent on playing for a point will raise questions about their killer instinct while Mancini was asked whether City had the ambition to be champions after their negative display.

But Wenger insisted Arsenal should gain belief in their title tilt from the result, not lose it, because of the quality of their performance. They hit the woodwork twice in the first half through Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, with England goalkeeper Joe Hart then saving superbly from the Dutchman's 25-yard drive on the hour.

Both sides finished with 10 men after full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna were shown straight red cards by referee Mike Jones for a needless clash on the far touchline. City drew plenty of criticism both from the television pundits for the live match and also the Emirates Stadium faithful. While Blues boss Roberto Mancini was not concerned by the chants of 'boring, boring City', Arsenal manager Wenger believes his youngsters can take plenty of positives.

"Overall there is no way we should lose courage or belief in our team. It is the opposite,'' he said. "We should even come out with even more belief in our quality and be more resolute in the coming games because we have shown we have what it takes to be a serious contender in this league.''

Wenger continued: "The regret I have is that we did not take our early chances because that would have changed the game. They came here to have a 0-0 and they got what they wanted. We played for long periods against 10 men, even Carlos Tevez, I have never seen him so deep. We always try to win our games, but maybe it was their way to try to win, to defend deep and to catch us on the break and make something special."

"But we have to respect that and sort out the problems we face. Even if a team defends deep, we have to find a way to score and you cannot reproach Manchester City for that. Maybe it was not the most spectacular way but still they were efficient in what they wanted and they got it.''

Mancini maintained he had no issue with getting under the home fans' skin.

"It is not important for me,'' the Italian said. "I prefer booing at the end and to go home with one point than with three goals in our net. When you play here against Arsenal, it could be that Arsenal play better than you and you might defend, and this is football. It's the same when you play against Barcelona. You play in Barca, and you must defend very well if you don't want to lose the game. I think that if we had Silva, Balotelli probably it might have been a different game.''

Mancini also insists the title race is far from over.

He said: "We are in a good position, like Arsenal and Manchester United. The season is very long. Also, although Chelsea and Tottenham both lost, I think they can still arrive on the top.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 6 Jan 11

Negative City defend their way to a point

Arsenal twice hit the woodwork as somehow Premier League title rivals Manchester City left Emirates Stadium with a point.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both saw their first-half shots come back of the base of the same post.

City then had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank after he produced a wonderful fingertip save to deny Van Persie on the hour as Arsenal had to be content with only a point.

The teams each finished with 10 men after full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna were shown straight red cards by referee Mike Jones for a needless clash by the touchline.

Arsenal almost snatched an early lead when Samir Nasri played Jack Wilshere into the left side of the penalty area - but his cut-back was just too far ahead of Van Persie, with Theo Walcott's cross from the goalline then hacked clear.

City - expected to shortly complete the £27million signing of striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg - broke quickly down the right and James Milner drilled a low shot across the area.

Van Persie again went within inches of putting Arsenal ahead when, after nine minutes, the Dutchman created space for a shot from the edge of the City box - and promptly drilled the ball against the base of Hart's right-hand post.

After such a frantic start, it was no surprise to see the tempo of the match drop.

Gareth Barry was cautioned after 21 minutes when he clattered into Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna as the right-back looked to break clear.

At the other end, a deep free-kick found its way through to Carlos Tevez at the back post, but Alex Song was able to divert the loose ball behind.

After 27 minutes, Arsenal again hit the woodwork after a quick break through Nasri and Fabregas down the left, with the Arsenal skipper cutting back inside to wrongfoot Heart only for his shot to bounce off the base of the same post as Van Persie's did.

From the rebound, Walcott smashed an angled drive against the other upright, but the offside flag was already raised.

There was a warning for Arsenal when City broke quickly down the right and Tevez drilled the ball just over from 20 yards.

Arsenal were calling for a penalty when Walcott's cross hit Vincent Kompany's trailing arm, but the referee instead gave a only a corner.

The Gunners continued to press as half-time approached, yet were thwarted by some brave last-gasp defending Arsenal soon were back on the offensive following the restart.

Walcott was almost released, but Wilshere's pass ran through to Hart.

On the hour, City's England number one made a fantastic save to send a goal-bound 25-yard drive from Van Persie over the crossbar.

City boss Roberto Mancini then made a change, replacing the ineffective Jo with England winger Adam Johnson and the visitors looked much more balanced.

As the match entered the final 22 minutes, Walcott was replaced by Arshavin.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger then sent on Nicklas Bendtner, for Wilshere, with 10 minutes left, looking to give Arsenal more presence in attack.

Both teams finished the match with 10 men after full-backs Zabaleta and Sagna were shown straight red cards after pushing their heads together.

Despite four minutes of stoppage time, the breakthrough would not come and City held on for a point which keeps them second, but sees leaders Manchester United the night's big winners.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 5 Jan 11

5 January 2011: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City, The Emirates

It was a night of frustration.

Arsenal dominated second-place Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday but just could not score.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both bashed shots against the same post in a breakneck first half. An offisideTheo Walcott hit the other. The early pace ebbed away somewhat in the second period and the key moment came on the hour when the Dutchman was denied by a spectacular save from Joe Hart.

Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta were dismissed in the dying seconds for a clash on the sidelines. The sendings-off sapped the final drops of spirit from a difficult game.

However, Arsène Wenger will be buoyed by the domination his side enjoyed against a direct title rival.

On the evidence of this evening it is Arsenal who will challenge Manchester United more strongly for the Premier League crown over the course of the coming months.

Tonight was Twelfth Night. The evening when tradition demands that the Christmas decorations must come down.

It was the end of the Festive Football and, not surprisingly, Wenger chose the side that had brought his success during that period.

This was the side that had beaten Chelsea and Birmingham so comprehensively. Lukasz Fabianski caused a slight concern when he appeared to hurt his shoulder in the warm-up but it did not prevent him starting the game.

Of course this was second versus third – a massive encounter for both sides.

About 95 per cent of the time, matches of this magnitude start slowly.

This one fell into the other five per cent.

It took desperate defending and a dash of luck to keep out a rampant Arsenal in the opening 15 minutes or so.

Samir Nasri burst in to the area and tapped a pass to the unmarked Jack Wilshere on the right of the area. The Englishman elected not to shoot and tried to find Van Persie at the far post. His cross trickled past the foot of the stretching Dutchman.

Manchester City flew up the other end and James Milner drove wide.

Then Wilshere stung the hands of Hart from the edge of the area.

All this happened with barely 200 seconds on the clock. It was a thunderous start and the pace was just settling down when the game received another jolt.

There seemed little on when Van Persie pirouetted himself some space on the edge of the area in the ninth minute. But then he thumped a rasping left-foot shot against the base of the post.

The visitors arrived at Emirates Stadium with the best defensive record in the top flight but they seemed to be struggling with Arsenal this evening.

In the 11th minute, Nasri and Theo Walcott created a melee in the penalty area. Eventually the ball found its way to Wilshere 12 yards out. His sidefoot shot was clutched on the line by the grateful Hart.

The game could not maintain that pace - and it didn’t. But, despite the lull, Arsenal were on still top.

In the 23rd minute, Wilshere and Van Persie combined over a right-wing free-kick to give Walcott an ounce of space in the area. The winger drove his cross-shot just wide.

Manchester City were offering little of substance but they rallied as the half-hour approached. Gareth Barry’s free-kick sailed over Sagna and Alex Song had to bundle behind from a Carlos Tevez cutback. Seconds later, Van Persie won a crucial back-post header when surrounded by three visiting players.

In the 30th minute, Nasri darted inside and found Fabregas. His drive hit the same piece of post that Van Persie had rattled earlier. The rebound flew across goal and fell to Walcott who fired against the other post. The latter effort would not have counted. The Englishman had been flagged offside.

Walcott was having another eye-catching game. Six minutes before the half-time whistle he raced through in the right-channel and reached the byline. His cross certainly hit the hand of Vincent Kompany. Referee Mike Jones presumably thought the Manchester City defender was so close he could not have got it out of the way.

In injury time, Walcott weaved inside and a Fabregas shot was deflected over by the diving Nigel de Jong.

It was another chance for Arsenal in a half they had dominated. Their performance had been fine. The only problem was that they had not secured the lead they so richly deserved.

The tide was generally in the same direction after the restart but the current was weaker.

Van Persie drove into the sidenetting in the 52nd minute but by now the visitors were offering much more of a blockade. And when they did get through, Hart blocked their path.

On the hour, Van Persie tried his luck from 25 yards and the England keeper threw himself to his right to turn the ball aside. A fantastic save.

With 21 minutes left, Wenger replaced Walcott with Andrey Arshavin. It produced more of the same frustation so, with 10 minutes left, he brought on Nicklas Bendtner for Wilshere.

But the story continued.

In the final minute of full time, Sagna and Zabaleta squared up. Both received their marching orders.

Van Persie’s free-kick forced another block from Hart in injury time but this was one of those nights for Wenger’s men.

Source: Richard Clarke, The Guardian on 5 Jan 11

Arsène Wenger's good old days had more clubs like Man City than today

The big-spending dreamers of 14 years ago paid a heavy price for trying to buy away the title from Old Trafford

Arsène Wenger has just drawn attention, as Manchester City prepare to pay Wolfsburg £27m for Edin Dzeko, to the number of £20m players who do not even get on the bench at Eastlands, not to mention a player such as Craig Bellamy whom City are effectively paying to play for someone else.

The Arsenal manager has a point. City's spending in the last couple of seasons has been beyond reckless, yet because their owners can easily afford the sums it does not destabilise the club but distorts the market for everyone else. That said, one imagines Carlo Ancelotti wishes he had a few more £20m options on the bench. Chelsea have spent big in the past but appear to have trimmed their squad a little too tightly this season. They still have plenty of quality and the loss might be more imagined than real, though it is beginning to look as though a significant part of the Chelsea success story lay in having genuine competition for all places at all times.

Manchester City at least have that. Whether they can become the sort of relentless machine Chelsea resembled under José Mourinho and then reprised more briefly for Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti remains to be seen, but the lesson from London appears to be that saving money and running the side on more sensible lines is at least as difficult as building a title-winning team through extravagant spending.

When Wenger came to England 14 years ago, he claims this sort of blackjack table mentality was unheard of. "In 1996 the question did not exist," he suggested. "Every club was run within its resources. The Chelsea and the Man Citys are new problems in football."

Wenger may be correct, though it is mostly a matter of scale. A glance at the league table for September 1996 shows a much cosier, close-knit group of teams enjoying what looks like a more competitive and open contest – Wimbledon are in third place, for example, while Southampton and Coventry are still hanging around near the bottom – yet it is not quite true to say that all 20 teams were happily living within their resources.

At the bottom of the table sit Blackburn, with £15m in the bank following the sale of Alan Shearer to Newcastle in July, but without a win in eight games. The 1996 Blackburn had so far been the only team other than Manchester United to win the Premier League trophy, but now the glow of Jack Walker's money is just a memory, like Shearer and Kenny Dalglish, and the side will not be hitting those heights again. Rovers finished 13th in 1996-97 but were relegated two years later, and though now a Premier League fixture for a decade, along with Fulham and Bolton, they no longer even dream of winning the league. Their new owners might, though their fans knows it is not going to happen. The point is that even by the time Wenger arrived in England the model for Chelsea and City to follow had been set.

The brief Blackburn phenomenon does rather bear out Wenger's claim, that with most clubs on a roughly comparable financial footing in the mid-90s it was possible for the smallest and most unfashionable to get ahead if they could find money from somewhere, though Rovers were also unusual in having a benefactor who did not seem to mind that his investment in the team would not be sustainable in the long run and who wisely upgraded the stadium and training facilities as well. By 1996 other teams were spending money rather more frivolously. Wenger's first season was also the season when Middlesbrough brought in Fabrizio Ravanelli and others on silly wages, enjoying a brief few days in the sun at the start – they were ninth when Wenger arrived – before ending up relegated after being deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture at Blackburn. The team setting the pace at the very beginning of the season was Sheffield Wednesday, and look where they ended up, although it was Nottingham Forest and Sunderland who went down with Boro at the end of the season.

Looking at the 1996-97 table now, one immediately sees many more 'City' clubs than one does at present. Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester, Derby, Coventry, Nottingham, Southampton and Leeds are all represented, and it is not only the case that those large population areas are no longer to be seen in the English top flight, some have experienced double relegations and almost all have had severe financial difficulties, usually of their own making. Back in 1996-97, when Wigan won Division Three (ie, the bottom league in old money) on goal difference from Fulham, few would have predicted both clubs would not only reach the Premier League in a short time but go on to establish themselves quite comfortably.

Bolton won the First Division under Colin Todd in 1996-97 and even then were beginning to be regarded as a "division one and a half" outfit, but 14 years ago most people would have been baffled to find teams such as Stoke and Blackpool thriving in the top flight. Perhaps this is a consequence of the reality that no one from outside the Champions League bracket can really win anything any more, and clubs of moderate means and support find subsistence easier to deal with than clubs of a certain size who have known success in the past, and perhaps it is precisely this process, with Manchester City now joining Chelsea among the monied contenders, that is making life tough for Arsenal and prompting Wenger to think fondly of the past.

Maybe we all think fondly of the past. It is often preferable to viewing yet more pictures of City's millionaire reserves squabbling on the training pitch, their captain talking of quitting football, Liverpool fans forming hate campaigns against their own manager or Spurs and Blackburn (allegedly) fighting over a 34-year-old and barely fit David Beckham. The trouble is, none of us know how bad the future is going to be. Perhaps in 14 or 15 years we will be looking back to the present and coming over all nostalgic. It is hard to say with any certainty whether 1996-97 was any better than now, either financially or competitively, it was mostly just different. It was, however, an interesting and eventful season, and not just because Wenger arrived to transform Arsenal. Here are just a few of the headlines – you will have to make up your own minds.

United win title by seven points from Newcastle, their fourth in five seasons, though 75 points is lowest ever points total ... Kevin Keegan quits Newcastle in January, Eric Cantona retires from United in May... all four divisions are won by teams from a tiny area of the north-west – United, Bolton, Bury, Wigan ... Chelsea pay a club record £4.9m to Lazio for Roberto di Matteo ... United sign Karel Poborksky, Ronny Johnsen, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jordi Cruyff ... Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher make debuts for Liverpool ... First Division Manchester City pay £1m for Paul Dickov, their manager, Alan Ball, resigns three days later, replacement Steve Coppell lasts barely a month ... season begins with David Beckham scoring from halfway against Wimbledon, ends with last games at Burnden Park and Roker Park ... Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup final.

Those were the days ... or were they?

Source: Paul Wilson, The Guardian on 5 Jan 11

Title challengers set for Emirates tussle

Genuine title challengers for the first time in a generation, Manchester City find themselves in unfamiliar surrounds at the start of 2011 and their newly-won credentials face a stern test on Wednesday with a trip to third-placed Arsenal, who themselves have designs on ending a trophy drought, albeit a considerably shorter one.

Not since the late 1970s have City troubled the very top of the league table but they currently occupy joint top spot alongside Manchester United, even if Sir Alex Ferguson's unbeaten side have played two games fewer. Arsenal, with one game in hand over City, are two points back on the Mancunian pace setters but are the division's top scorers with 42 goals. City boast the league's meanest defence, having conceded only 16 times in 21 games, and it remains to be seen whether Roberto Mancini will go on the retreat and sacrifice attacking flair for solidity. With Mario Balotelli and David Silva both missing out due to injury, James Milner could come in.

Wednesday's game could also represent City's last before the arrival of £27 million Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who is expected to join the club imminently in another huge transfer deal. He is expected to perform as a lone striker when he joins up with the club, pushing Carlos Tevez into a more withdrawn role, and Dzeko's arrival will further call into question the future of former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor. The man who provoked a furious reaction from travelling supporters when scoring against Arsenal last season has played only one minute of Premier League football since October and is highly unlikely to feature on Wednesday, sparing him a vitriolic reception from a crowd that still denigrates him via the medium of song on a weekly basis.

Arsenal - fresh from impressive victories over Chelsea and Birmingham with their first-choice starting XI over the holiday period, and a draw at Wigan without - secured a 3-0 win at Eastlands earlier in the season but the result was distorted by a red card shown to City defender Dedryck Boyata after only five minutes. It is likely that a tighter test awaits in North London, and a defeat would once again lead to accusations of fatal inconsistency in the Gunners camp. However, Arsenal are brimming with confidence and are unlikely to make changes from the side that sauntered to a 3-0 win over Birmingham.

Arsenal player to watch: Robin van Persie
The Dutchman appears to have supplanted Marouane Chamakh in the starting line-up following his return from injury but is some way short of his best. Though he scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Birmingham on New Year's Day, Van Persie was also guilty of a string of misses and was involved in two moments of controversy - appearing to dive to win the free-kick from which he scored and escaping punishment for a handball in the Arsenal box. If picked ahead of Chamakh again, Van Persie will need to be more ruthless and less of a liability against City, and will need to demonstrate why, when fit and on form, he is one of the finest forwards in European football.

Manchester City player to watch: Yaya Toure
The Ivorian had a trial with Arsenal in 2005 but passport issues meant the Gunners were unable to unite him with brother Kolo, though it remains the suspicion that Wenger did not entirely rate him either. Certainly, the midfielder has impressed since joining City from Barcelona this summer, revelling in a more advanced position to what which he was asked to occupy at Camp Nou. Yaya is City's driving force in midfield and also adds a touch of finesse in the final third.

Key Battle: Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri vs Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry
Arsenal's creative hub will take on City's destructive force in the battle for midfield superiority that could decide the game. Nasri and Fabregas were both outstanding in the 3-0 win at Birmingham, exchanging passes with a level of intuition that evoked Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and City will need to suppress the two attacking talents if they are to get anything from the game. Key to their hopes of doing so are holding midfielders Barry and De Jong, who will be instructed to close down the Arsenal pair at every opportunity and deny them the space to carve City apart.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 5 Jan 11

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Manchester City

Arsène Wenger knows that one of the top five - somehow, sometime - will find a modicum of momentum in the New Year.

And he believes it will be enough to win them the title.

The Premier League has been a mish-mash this season. Leaders Manchester United look the team most likely at the moment - and remain unbeaten – yet their performances have hardly inspired.

But if it is not to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s side then Arsenal and Manchester City are next in the line.

That is why even the normally reserved Wenger could not help but build up the clash between the two sides at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Arsenal’s Christmas was decent. They won the tougher-looking games – Chelsea (h) and Birmingham (a) – and drew at Wigan with a much-changed side.

A victory over Manchester City would move them both into second place and, surely, the role of chief challengers to the Old Trafford outfit.

“It is a very, very big game because we are very ambitious in this League,” he said at his pre-match press conference.

“We have a good away record and if we beat the big teams at home - and we made a start against Chelsea - we have a chance to win the title. That’s why this game is very big.

“The squad is confident and has great belief. They are very hungry, highly motivated to do well and physically we are in great shape.

“I had a two-point frustration over Christmas but I am very happy with the attitude of the players and the way we improve from game to game.

“You always have a team after the New Year who finds a momentum and this team will win the title.

“That is why it is down to consistency. But this team have a good wave of belief, togetherness and quality. I am confident that we will maintain that and get stronger and stronger.

“There are five teams in the fight. Some teams have a bit more belief than others but that can change very quickly. So overall it promises to be a very interesting sprint.”

Arsenal’s back has jettisoned a few monkeys this season, only for a couple more to clamber on.

Winning at ‘tough’ places has been a perennial problem. This term they have taken three points on the grounds of Birmingham, Blackburn, Wolves, Everton and Aston Villa.

They have also beaten title rivals – Chelsea at home and Manchester City away.

In addition, on Tuesday Wenger acknowledged his injury list was as short as it has ever been at this stage of the season.

But then who could have predicted that they would have lost three times at Emirates Stadium before Christmas.

Arsenal have dropped nine points at home so far. No title-winning team have let slip more than ten since Wenger’s side scooped the trophy in 2001/02. No wonder the manager has said home form will make or break his side’s challenge.

Only Lukasz Fabianski, Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny have played throughout Christmas. Having beaten Chelsea so comprehensively on December 27, Wenger swapped the remaining eight two days later and let in a late goal to draw 2-2 at Wigan. He brought the same eight back at Birmingham on New Year’s Day and steamrollered Birmingham 3-0.

With the FA Cup Third Round coming on Saturday, the manager may broadly stick with the same squad this time and change it around when Leeds come to Emirates Stadium at the weekend.

It is a gamble but this is one of the biggest squads Wenger has had.

There were no unfamiliar names on show at Wigan or Birmingham but Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were omitted from the squad for the first game and Marouane Chamakh for the second.

The current strength of personnel is based on the gradual maturing of players who were given their debuts as teenagers – often in the Carling Cup.

Manchester City have a different model. They are expected to sign striker Eden Dzeko from Wolfsburg in the next few days for a fee rumoured to be £27 million.

“We know they can decide to do it if they want,” said Wenger. “And they did it because they have the financial power.”

The Bosnian is another massive investment following the likes of David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Joleon Lescott, Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, Jerome Boateng, plus a couple from Arsenal, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

That investment has given Manchester City the best defence in the Premier League but, while their ‘goals for’ column does not measure up too badly, Mancini is still accused of being too cagey.

The obvious example came in this fixture last season when an Arsenal side still smarting from consecutive defeats to Barcelona, Tottenham and Wigan rather ‘got away with’ a goalless draw.

Manchester City, who were chasing hard for fourth spot, seemed satisfied with a point when a little more adventure may have brought them all three.

According to Wenger, Mancini may do something similar on Wednesday.

“I expect them to try and be tight defensively and catch us on the break,” said the Frenchman. “We will be faithful to what we do and try to put them under pressure. But as well it could be a very open game – you never can predict that.”

The same goes for this season. However a festive period topped and tailed with home wins over title rivals will give Arsenal something for which they have striven all season - consistency.

And, it will be the springboard for a proper title assault in the second half of this season.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 5 Jan 11

Festive round-up

Arsenal completed their trio of festive fixtures and rung in the New Year with an emphatic win at St Andrew's which keeps them well up with the pace at the top of the table.

The Christmas and New Year period is always a testing time as the games come thick and fast. Going into the three games over the holidays, most Arsenal supporters would probably have settled for seven points from a possible nine but, after the team produced such a magnificent victory over Chelsea, it was disappointing that they let themselves down at Wigan two days later. The win at Birmingham today though got the team back on track and was a great confidence booster ahead of the visit of Manchester City to Ashburton Grove on Wednesday night.

The performance against Chelsea was undoubtedly the best of the season. Even though their West London rivals were well below form and came into the match on the back of a dismal run of results, Arsenal summoned a patient, disciplined and spirited display and thoroughly deserved all three points. Ivanovic’s reply to strikes from Song, Fabregas and Walcott might have got a few nerves jangling in the crowd but, in truth, Arsenal never looked seriously troubled in the latter part of the match and cantered to victory.

On the back of this result, the draw at Wigan was a massive disappointment. Having got themselves into a 2-1 lead at the break it would only have taken a third goal to have killed the match off. Despite this, the Gunners lost impetus in the second half and failed to really turn the screw on their hosts. Even when Wigan were reduced to ten men following N’Zogbia’s sending off, a one-goal lead never seemed enough and when the home team equalised from a set-piece it felt like an accident that had been waiting to happen.

Many supporters complained that the eight changes that Arsene Wenger made for this match following the Chelsea win was too many but I don’t think this is a valid excuse for what happened at the DW Stadium. None of the players that came in were untried rookies. All of them have plenty of experience, most were internationals and there were no names on the team-sheet that would look out of place in the starting line-up of any current Arsenal team. In fact, most of the players selected for that match were exactly the men who ought to have had a point to prove to the manager. As frustrating as it was to concede yet another goal from a set-piece to draw the match, what was more annoying was the lack of edge and failure to find a third goal to shut the game down with.

Happily though, the experience at Wigan didn’t seem to play on the minds of the players who appeared at Birmingham and the same line-up that had seen off Chelsea delivered the goods again at St Andrews. The free-kick that led to Arsenal’s first goal might have been questionable but it was good to see the Gunners get a goal from a set-piece of their own. The longer the match went on, the more dominant the Gunners became and, with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri playing starring roles, they could have run away with it by a far wider margin.

So, what did we learn from these three games? Well, for one thing, Arsene Wenger knows what his strongest eleven is at the moment. The team he selected to face Chelsea and Birmingham has to be the one that faces City on Wednesday. It was clear from the Wigan match that players like Denilson, Rosicky, Diaby, Bendtner and Arshavin are not in the sort of form where they can be commanding a place in the starting line-up right now.

In defence, Johan Djourou is currently looking very good. He might go about his business quietly and with the minimum of fuss but he is showing a good deal of strength and solidity at the moment. His performance against Chelsea was particularly assured. Before the match, there was much talk about the hoodoo Didier Drogba has over Arsenal. Thanks to Djourou though, the Ivorian barely got a kick. Whilst we await the return of Thomas Vermaelen, the Swiss international looks like an automatic choice at the centre of defence.

Most heartening though, has been the return to form of Cesc Fabregas. He was suspended for the Wigan match, but against Chelsea and up at Birmingham he showed clear signs that he is really starting to tick again. Due to injury and, possibly, World Cup fatigue, he has had a stuttering start to the season but his last two appearances have suggested he is getting back to his best. We all know how vital he is to the team but if he reaches his peak again between now and the end of the season, coupled with players like Nasri, Wilshere and Chamakh continuing their rich veins of form, then Arsenal are going to be a match for anybody - assuming they can cut out the defensive lapses and the concession of soft set-piece goals.

Manchester City visit Ashburton Grove on Wednesday night for what is going to be another hugely significant match. This will arguably be a more rigorous test of the Gunners’ title credentials than the Chelsea game as City are in far better form having won all three of their Christmas and New Year games. However, Arsenal should be fuelled with confidence by today’s win at Birmingham and the City game is definitely one to look forward to.

Happy New Year.

Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 2 Jan 11

Arsenal rise above predictable provocation from Birmingham's Lee Bowyer

Old habits die hard, and while Arsenal appear to have broken an unwanted one, Birmingham City and the unreconstructed miscreant Lee Bowyer are unable to shed theirs and are destined to pay the penalty in more ways than one.

Conventional wisdom has long held that the way to upset Arsène Wenger's elegant team is to make life hard for them, literally. Birmingham tried it, playing rough, but Arsenal gave alternative meaning to new year's resolution, refusing to be cowed in the face of intimidation typified by Bowyer, who is certain to be suspended for three matches for one nasty piece of work, and could be banned for even longer if the second of two offences missed by the referee is deemed serious foul play upon review.

For the time being these two teams are in a different league only metaphorically, but next season it may well be in reality. Arsenal have the title in their sights, but for Alex McLeish's Blues, with only one win in their past 10 league games, the future looks increasingly like the Championship with a capital C. Not for the first time, they tried to bridge the class gap with a bruising, mean‑spirited approach which saw Bowyer stamp on Bacary Sagna's thigh on one occasion and rake the same player's achilles on another, and Roger Johnson fortunate not to be sent off for a potential leg-breaker of a challenge on Cesc Fábregas. That one was horribly reminiscent of the corresponding fixture three years ago, when Martin Taylor's reckless assault on Eduardo da Silva nearly ended the Croatia striker's career.

There has been bad blood between the teams ever since, and while Wenger preferred to dwell on the quality of Arsenal's football and their determined attitude, he made it plain that he was again unhappy with the illegitimate aggression they had to withstand. The referee, Peter Walton, missed Bowyer's worst excesses, but indicated afterwards that he sensed his malevolence, and was relieved when he was substituted. Walton added that he had been told about the two incidents and that if the information he had been given was correct, they would both have been red card offences. In such circumstances it is conceivable, but unlikely, that the consequent punishment could be doubled. The Football Association confirmed yesterday that it would ask the referee about both.

Wenger made eight changes, or rather reverted to the team who had beaten Chelsea on 27 December in a tacit admission that his squad rotation at Wigan Athletic in midweek, when two points were dropped, had been ill considered. Back at full strength, Arsenal were convincing winners at a venue where Chelsea have lost this season and Manchester United could only draw. Two of the goals were scruffy, Robin van Persie's early free-kick deflected in off Bowyer and an inadvertent nudge from Johnson supplied the third, but in between Samir Nasri's 13th goal of the season was a high‑class effort from 18 yards, and the margin was a fair reflection of the disparity between the teams.

Without a trophy since 2005, and in seemingly endless transition, Wenger believes it may be Arsenal's turn at last. Why this year? "There is a hunger there and a determined attitude," he said. "Our away record is the best in the league and to travel successfully in England you have to be physically resilient. That's where we have improved. We are showing more personality and more authority. We panic less.

"This was a very physical game but our persistence in getting the ball down and playing our game gradually took over. We were always composed, especially at the back, and composure on the ball is very important. It is a form of bravery to get the ball down and play and we tried to do it all the time, even under pressure. That's where I was most pleased because it shows the players believe in what we are trying to do. The positive effect of the Chelsea result was there for all to see. We are ready for the fight. The belief is strong and now it is down to us to show mental stamina."

If Stoke City do them a favour by avoiding defeat at Old Trafford tomorrow, Arsenal could take over at the top of the table by beating Manchester City at the Emirates on Wednesday. "It's a big game and we are confident," Wenger said.

Birmingham, now next to bottom, are left wondering where their next win is going to come from. McLeish's main problem is obvious, not enough goals. No team in the league have scored fewer at home and their overall total is a dismal 18 from 19 matches. Their main striker, Cameron Jerome, has contributed three in 17 appearances and their leading scorer, Craig Gardner, has only four. They got away with it last season because they were so parsimonious at the back, but suddenly the defence acts like a colander.

As the home fans melted away early, their visitors taunted them with the inquiry: "Is there a fire drill?" There's certainly an emergency.

Source: Joe Lovejoy, The Guardian on 3 Jan 11

Steady Alex Song gives Arsenal their rhythm and exposes Birmingham

Always artful in attack, it is the forceful presence of the Cameroonian that has been at the heart of the Gunners' recent wins

Birmingham City began sharply after sticking with the same XI whose Trojan efforts had held Manchester United to a draw but faded in the second half against Arsenal's 11 victors over Chelsea. The home side started by pressing in the middle third of the field, determined to disturb Arsenal's rhythm. In doing so, however, they conceded free‑kicks which proved their early downfall when Robin van Persie fortuitously scored.

The threat of the pace of Samir Nasri down the left and Theo Walcott on the right restricted the Birmingham full‑backs' route forward. Despite Birmingham regaining their shape early when possession changed hands Arsenal were able to play from the back fairly comfortably in a below‑par first half.

In the second half Arsenal moved the ball with purposeful tempo around the front six – Walcott and Jack Wilshere, rich, improving youthful talent, and Nasri, Cesc Fábregas and Van Persie all subtlety and cunning. But this attractive quintet would struggle without the input of Alex Song.

Song has grown into the role. Originally a centre-back, he has developed into an accomplished, powerful and pacy midfielder who has flourished since receiving early criticism when asked to play there. He recognises where to challenge and is much quicker than similar Premier League players who play this way such as Mikel John Obi, Michael Carrick, Lucas Leiva and Nigel de Jong. Strong in the tackle, he can burst quickly with the ball to leave the man he dispossesses but his most important contribution is in setting the tone from the midfield third by giving his colleagues further forward the benefit of a quick pass before they get tightly marked. He rarely kicks it; he strokes it easy and early. Simplicity is genius.

In a one-sided second half Arsenal were irresistible in the attacking third, Nasri alternated positions and Walcott's pace and positioning dragged Blues defenders out of covering roles. Alex McLeish's team battled but lacked depth and the highest quality while Arsenal showed shades of the very best patterns of attacking combination play.

Source: David Pleat, The Guardian on 3 Jan 11

Arsenal stroll restates title credentials

Arsenal's title challenges have had a disturbing habit of falling apart at this particular venue in recent years, so a convincing victory against an outclassed Birmingham side should add to the positive tide welling up behind Arsene Wenger's unlikely lads.

A last minute Kevin Phillips equaliser cost the Gunners vital points as they strived to get involved in a top of the table battle last March, while the infamous fixture that ended with Eduardo breaking his leg and skipper William Gallas staging an on-pitch sit-in protest is etched in history as one of the darkest days in Arsenal's recent history.

As Wenger's troops arrived in Birmingham with all this baggage in mind, this thumping triumph suggests the team written off by most observers as title no-hopers after they lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford last month are worthy of respect after all.

Beating Chelsea at the start of the hectic Christmas fixture pile-up was the first step in Arsenal's rehabilitation, as they looked to confirm their class following a series of setbacks in the first half of the Premier League campaign. They now seem to be growing in belief just as their rivals flounder.

Manchester United, their local rivals at City and Tottenham all won on this New Year's Day, but none were anywhere near as convincing as Arsenal, who cruised to three points thanks to strikes from Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri and a Roger Johnson own goal.

It was just what Arsenal needed in a week when their all-too familiar failings and their glorious flamboyance have been on display in equal measure, with the glory of the victory against Chelsea last Monday night contrasted by the failure to build on the triumph in the 2-2 draw at Wigan 48 hours later.

Any cynic who has dared to suggest Arsenal will win nothing so long as they continue to defend set-plays in such an incompetent manner will have viewed Wenger's rant at his own defenders as they conceded once more from a corner at the DW Stadium during the week as justification for that long-standing gripe.

However, their weak underbelly was not to be exposed in this one-sided battle and even though Arsenal floundered when trying to deal with the only threatening free kick they were served up, this is not a day to find fault in a glossy display.

Clinical, confident and bristling with that touch of arrogance that champions boast, Arsenal were brilliant for long periods at St Andrew's, yet it could have been so different if referee Peter Walton had followed a different path as he made the key decisions in this game.

The free kick he awarded that led to Van Persie's deflected opening goal was very soft, but it was his second moment of generosity towards the Dutch striker at the other end of the pitch that set tongues wagging. Only Mr Walton failed to spot Van Persie's blatant handball in the box as Birmingham pushed for a first-half equaliser, though Arsenal deserve credit for making the most of their fortune and moving through the gears with impressive ease.

The second half was dominated by an Arsenal side that pieced together some sumptuous passing moves and manager Arsene Wenger was a vision of contentment as he met the media. "We showed physical courage in this game and we are a team that continues to look stronger," was the opinion of a cool and delighted Frenchman. "We got the ball down, had faith in our method of playing and in the end it has resulted in a win that strengthens our belief.

"We have the talent to do well in this title race and having come through a very difficult Christmas schedule with seven points, we have shown great stamina and commitment. Keeping a clean sheet today was also important for us because that is something we have been working on."

It is fair to suggest that Arsenal achieved their victory while carrying a passenger in the misfiring Van Persie and while the Dutchman's exuberance delight at scoring from a deflected shot early on was evidence that he was in desperate need of a goal, his first touch was lacking and his finishing was woeful when three more presentable chances came his way before the end of the 90 minutes.

Arsenal have waited a long time to see their lead striker return to top form, but he is a long way from that right now and it may be that Wenger's side will not realise their full potential until their No. 10 clicks back into gear.

The main focus for Birmingham manager Alex McLeish after this game was Van Persie's contribution at the other end of the pitch, as he suggested the Dutchman's first-half handball altered the course of the game.

"Decisions change football matches and we should have had a penalty in the first half when Van Persie handled the ball," was the justifiable moan of the Scot. "If a big decision like that goes against you against a top side, then it is always going to be tough and we found it hard to get the ball of Arsenal for much of the second half.

"They were excellent in possession and took care of the game once Nasri fired in the second goal, but this result doesn't change too much for us. Our target is to stay in the Premier League this season and I would take a 17th-place finish if it was offered to me right now."

So another layer has been added to Arsenal's growing belief and while the flaws that have undermined them time and again in the last five years may not be banished for good, the title race they were dreaming of joining less than a month ago has welcomed them back onto its starting grid.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Cesc Fabregas
While Nasri was superb once again, it was Fabregas who drove Arsenal on with a brave and brilliant display. They need to keep this little maestro fit if they are to challenge for the title.

PRESS ROOM RUMOUR
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has let slip that Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is his chief target in the January transfer rush. Newcastle and Wolves are also said to be interested in the Republic of Ireland skipper.

WALTON WONDERLAND
Referee Peter Walton had a poor game as he only awarded a yellow card for a dangerous Roger Johnson challenge on Cesc Fabregas, missed Lee Bowyer stamping on Bacary Sagna and, most significantly, failed to spot Van Persie's first-half handball in the box. Maybe the match officials had a few too many glasses of champagne on New Year's Eve.

ARSENAL VERDICT
Any one of five teams can win the title this season and Arsenal are certainly in the mix. If they solve their set-play woes and get Van Persie firing, they could just go all the way, yet those two failings may just hold them back from the ultimate glory.

BIRMINGHAM VERDICT
Midlands football appeared to be on a high as four of its teams started this season in the Premier League, but there is a real chance that three of them could be relegated this season. The muted atmosphere around St Andrews did little to lift Alex McLeish's men and it made life easier for Arsenal.

Source: Kevin Palmer, ESPN Soccernet on 1 Jan 11

Wenger hails Arsenal display

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted with his side's 3-0 victory over Birmingham at St Andrew's.

A Robin van Persie free kick and Samir Nasri's 13th goal of the season put the visitors in control before an own goal from Roger Johnson added to City's misery.

The Gunners remain in third spot, two points adrift of Manchester United and Manchester City, after a sixth away success of the season.

"I am delighted because we have shown physical qualities, we were up for the challenge and mentally as well we kept our calm,'' Wenger said. "We kept faith in our game, that we could put the ball down and play our game. I feel we have had a great performance."

Van Persie said: "Birmingham has a great side, they work unbelievably hard and have got points from big games. We knew that and everyone worked quite hard for each other and we got some good goals.''

Asked about the debatable free-kick from which he scored, Van Persie insisted: "There was contact before, that's why I was out of balance and went down. It was a clear free-kick."

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, whose side dropped into the bottom three after results elsewhere, felt key decisions went against his side.

"Decisions can change games and we feel aggrieved at not getting a penalty in the first half when he (Van Persie) led with his arm,'' McLeish said. "How the officials can't see that ...You need a decision like that against the top sides.''

However, McLeish conceded Van Persie probably had been fouled for the free kick from which he scored the opening goal.

"They do go down easily at times the foreign players, but when I've seen the replay maybe he was taken off balance by one of our defenders,'' McLeish said. "We were a bit sloppy in the first 15 minutes and gave away a few free-kicks that maybe weren't but got punished with one that probably was.''

Asked if he was surprised to be in the relegation zone after finishing ninth last season, McLeish added: "I've never taken anything for granted, it's very much still development for this club and a top-17 finish for this club would be the target.''

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 1 Jan 11

Gunners cruise to win at St Andrew's

Arsenal kept the pressure on the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League as they overwhelmed Birmingham at rainswept St Andrew's.

A Robin van Persie free-kick and Samir Nasri's 13th goal of the season put the visitors in control before an own goal from Roger Johnson added to City's misery.

The Gunners remain in third spot, two points adrift of United and City, after a sixth away success of the season.

Arsenal were worthy winners and carved out a host of gilt-edged opportunities. Skipper Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings in midfield and City struggled to cope with the runs of Van Persie and Nasri. Only poor finishing and a couple of fine saves from Ben Foster kept the scoreline respectable.

Birmingham had already slipped back into the relegation zone before kick-off and failed to match the quality of their performance in the midweek draw with Manchester United.

Manager Alex McLeish will not press the panic button and is aware of the need to bring in a quality striker during the January transfer window. But he will also be concerned at the way his normally frugal defence was cut to ribbons by the rampant Gunners.

Arsenal started brightly and Theo Walcott skated past the challenge of left-back Liam Ridgewell but shot into the side netting from a narrow angle.

Foster was called into action for the first time in clinging onto a low drive from Van Persie after being teed up by Fabregas. Arsenal were in the ascendancy and after 13 minutes Van Persie put them ahead when Scott Dann was adjudged to have brought down Van Persie just outside the area. Van Persie's free-kick took a deflection off Lee Bowyer and flew past Foster into the corner of the net.

Birmingham tried to retaliate and it needed a fine save from Lukasz Fabianski after Fabregas had fouled Craig Gardner.

Former Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson's free-kick was lifted over the defensive wall and Fabianski had to go full stretch to his right to keep out the effort.

Arsenal were still looking the more dangerous and a reverse pass from Nasri played in Van Persie only for his control to let him down. A defence-splitting pass from Fabregas picked out Walcott but his first touch left a lot to be desired and Foster was able to collect.

Birmingham were struggling to move out of second gear although Johan Djourou was yellow carded after hauling down Jerome. The home side had claims for a penalty turned down when Van Persie looked to control the ball with his arm after Johnson headed back across goal.

Arsenal were carving out plenty of chances and Van Persie found himself with only Foster to beat, but he tried to clip the ball over the goalkeeper and failed to make proper contact on his shot.

The game was now more open and Johnson squandered a good opportunity when he volleyed wide after Jerome had flicked on a Larsson free-kick. But Arsenal were soon back on the offensive at the start of the second half and the influential Fabregas, on his 200th Premier League appearance, created an opening for Walcott. However, the England winger completely miskicked across the face of goal.

The chances continued to fall to Arsenal and Wilshere should have marked his 19th birthday with a goal. Walcott's chip was turned back to an unmarked Wilshere eight yards out but he sidefooted over the bar.

Foster then did well to block an effort from Nasri after a mistake by Johnson had allowed him a free run at goal, but it came as no surprise when Nasri made it 2-0 after 57 minutes. He exchanged passes with Fabregas before driving a low shot past Foster just inside the box.

Eight minutes later it became 3-0 with an own goal from Johnson. Nasri set up Fabregas, whose shot was blocked by Foster, but the loose ball bounced off Dann and then Johnson and over the line.

Arsenal were now rampant and Fabregas had a free run into the area but fired high and wide. Foster was equal to a low drive from Walcott who was in acres of space and then turned a low shot round the post from substitute Andrey Arshavin.

Blues looked well beaten and Dann needed to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Van Persie a second goal.

Source: ESPN Soccernet on 1 Jan 11

Arsenal see off Birmingham in style to step up title chase

This ground has been a graveyard for the Premier League's top clubs over the past few years but Arsenal made it look like a playground. Arsène Wenger and his players have suffered more than their fair share of torment at St Andrew's but this emphatic victory will go some way to erasing those painful memories as well as providing answers to any lingering questions about the strength of their title challenge.

Birmingham, lest it be forgotten, had lost one of their previous 29 matches at home, yet Arsenal comprehensively outplayed their hosts to such an extent that it made you wonder why Manchester United had made such hard work of breaking Alex McLeish's side down on Tuesday night. Arsenal were playing exhibition stuff at times, in particular during the lead-up to their second and third goals, which were prefaced with long spells of possession.

Robin van Persie's first Premier League goal since the final day of last season got Arsenal on their way, and although Birmingham rallied and had legitimate claims for a spot-kick in the first half, the visitors quickly killed the contest after the break. Samir Nasri drilled in his 13th goal of the season after twice exchanging passes with Cesc Fábregas and the same pair linked brilliantly for the third goal, which ended with Roger Johnson knocking the ball over his goalline after it bounced off Scott Dann.

This fixture has been synonymous with controversy in recent years and it took seven minutes for old wounds to reopen. In a spot remarkably similar to where Martin Taylor broke Eduardo da Silva's leg a little less than three years ago, Johnson overran the ball and, with his studs up, lunged dangerously into Fábregas. Arsenal's players reacted furiously, Fábregas held his shin in agony and Wenger looked on from the touchline with the pained expression of a man who feared the worst.

It was some time before play resumed and Peter Walton reached for his back pocket at one point, but after a lengthy discussion with Johnson, when the central defender did everything he could to plead his innocence, the referee brandished a yellow card. Although Johnson might claim that he made some contact with the ball, his challenge was reckless and he should have been grateful for the reprieve. Wenger, shaking his head on the touchline, made his own feelings known.

The Arsenal manager's mood quickly improved, however, when the visitors took the lead six minutes later. Dann conceded what looked like a soft foul when Walton deemed he had tugged at Van Persie's shirt. The Dutchman's free-kick would not have troubled Ben Foster but the ball took a deflection off Lee Bowyer – who will win no prizes for bravery on the basis of his attempt to block – and left the Birmingham goalkeeper stranded as it drifted into the net.

Van Persie wasted a wonderful chance to double Arsenal's lead later in the half, but after Fábregas and Nasri combined brilliantly to prise open the Birmingham defence, the forward tried to dink the ball over the advancing Foster and failed miserably, his weak attempt gratefully gathered by the England international. It was an opportunity Wenger had good reason to lament, especially as Birmingham had caused Arsenal one or two problems of their own before half-time.

Sebastian Larsson's curling free-kick was tipped behind by Lukasz Fabianski in the 18th minute and there was another scare for Arsenal before the interval when Johnson, looking every bit a defender in attack, volleyed over from six yards with the goal yawning invitingly in front of him. Two minutes before that chance, Birmingham also had strong appeals for a penalty when Johnson's towering back post header from Larsson's free-kick clearly struck Van Persie on the arm.

Wenger, who recalled all eight of the players that were rested at Wigan on Wednesday night, should have been celebrating a second Arsenal goal early in the second half but Jack Wilshire volleyed over and Nasri was denied by Foster after he tore clear.

But after a prolonged spell of keep-ball, Nasri despatched Fábregas's pass with the confidence of a player who is performing at the top of his game. The third goal followed eight minutes later, when the left side of Birmingham's defence was carved wide open. Foster repelled Fábregas's close-range drive but the loose ball pinged between Johnson and Dann and trickled over the line.

Source: Stuart James, The Guardian on 1 Jan 11

Wenger's reaction to the Birmingham City 0-3 Arsenal match

On the side he picked for the game…
It’s not necessarily down to the players, I decided from the start when I saw the fixtures that I needed to rotate. You can do four or five in one game and four or five in the other game but I decided to go with the whole lot in one game and come back with the whole lot in the third game.

On matching Birmingham physically…
We were prepared mentally today to face physical challenges and we prepared ourselves not to lose our game and be calm, intelligent and especially to have the focus to put the ball down and play our game. We had chances in the first half and in the second half we had an outstanding game.

On Lee Bowyer’s challenge on Bacary Sagna…
I don’t want to talk too much about that because I haven’t seen a replay yet. I don’t want to keep that in my mind tonight because what’s more important is the way we want to play football. I am convinced this win today will strengthen the belief of the squad.

On taking confidence into the Manchester City game…
It is a big game. We have known since the start of December that the games at home against the big sides will have a big impact on the league. We started well with Chelsea and I think that win lifted the team and we can go into the Manchester City game with confidence.

On facing their rivals at Emirates Stadium…
We have played 20 games, with 11 away and nine at home. We have a good opportunity to take advantage of the number of games we have to play at home, especially against the big teams.

On the importance of away victories…
A draw away is not a good enough, especially if you look at the results of the other teams today. Every time when you play away from home you think a point is a disaster because you lose ground and you cannot afford to because there are so many teams fighting. You do not want to get behind.

On the criticism of his rotation policy over the festive period…
In fairness, I am used to criticism! I can understand that I was critisied but I think what is important is that I am paid to make decisions. Strong decisions are better than half decisions. I took a decision and it nearly worked, we were a little bit unlucky. I could have played the same team three times and lost at Wigan and tonight. I consider that we dropped two points at Wigan but you can also say that Manchester United dropped two points at St Andrew’s. Over the festive period we were the team with less recovery time than any team and the team who played, along with Manchester United, twice away from home.

The psychological impact of the wins over Chelsea and Birmingham…
We are in a race where every game becomes important. You cannot choose your games. We have learnt two things since the start of the season: the most consistent team will win it and you can drop points anywhere. West Brom, who are in the second half of the table, play outstanding football and that has changed in the Premier League.

On whether Birmingham were unlucky…
I cannot say objectively that Birmingham were unlucky to lose the game because if you look at the number of chances we had, we deserved to win.

On coping with Birmingham’s physicality…
We needed to be resilient without losing our nerves. I give great credit to my players for doing that because they kept calm, intelligent and never let nerves come out in their game. I am very proud of my team today.

On a pleasing clean sheet…
We needed that because we are questioned so much about that.

On Robin van Persie’s first league goal of the season…
He is an exceptional player but when you play up front you want to score goals. Fortunately, he got one today.

On Samir Nasri’s improvement this campaign…
He played too deep before and he goes much more in the final third. I could see in training last year that he has that ability.

Source: Arsenal.com on 1 Jam 11

1 January 2011: Birmingham City 0-3 Arsenal, St Andrew's Stadium

Arsenal began 2011 in the best possible style by winning 3-0 at Birmingham on New Year’s Day.

After letting two points slip at Wigan in midweek, Arsène Wenger’s side needed to respond in the Midlands. And the pressure was cranked up just before kick-off with the title-chasers all winning their fixtures.

However this evening, Arsenal were on top from the off. Robin van Persie’s deflected free-kick gave them the lead in the 13th minute. Both sides would have opportunities in the rest of the first half but, after the restart, it was all Arsenal.

Samir Nasri’s 13th goal of the season doubled their advantage and then Roger Johnson’s comical own goal – which had been preceded by a flowing Arsenal move – killed the game.

Fabregas, Nasri, Jack Wilshere and Andrey Arshavin all could have scored too as Birmingham’s resistance crumbled. But the clean sheet was just as important to the visitors.

The travelling support represented over 4,000 of the 24,000 present at this game – and they were in full voice throughout.

This evening their side were at their controlled best. If Arsenal can beat Manchester City on Wednesday then this will represent a pretty merry old festive period for Wenger’s men.

The manager had been criticised in some quarters for making eight changes at Wigan on Wednesday. This afternoon all those players came back in.

Once again, Lukasz Fabianski, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna retained their places. Fabregas, Johan Djourou, Nasri, Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Wilshere and Gael Clichy all returned.

This was the evening kick-off of the day. In the preceding hours, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham had all won.

It meant Arsenal needed a victory to keep pace at the top but Birmingham had lost only once on home territory this season and even held Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in midweek. Perhaps it was the toughness of this encounter that had precipitated all those changes at the DW Stadium.

Certainly the visitors started the game like they had something to prove. They grabbed an early goal and, despite concerted pressure from the home side, should have added to it before the break.

In the opening minutes Walcott breezed past Liam Ridgewell on the right and fired into the sidenetting and then Van Persie hit a free-kick into the wall and another into Ben Foster’s hands.

From a third, he would score.

In the 13th minute, Scott Dann dragged down the Dutchman and was lucky to escape a yellow card. Van Persie’s effort again went in to the wall but this time deflected past the wrong-footed Foster. It was the striker’s first Premier League goal of the campaign.

Free-kicks would be the best outlet for chances throughout the first half. In the 18th minute, Fabregas fouled Barry Ferguson and Seb Larsson’s effort was expertly palmed away by Fabianski. The ‘keeper then clutched a low cross from Stephen Carr with Cameron Jerome in close attendance.

Just past the half-hour, Arsenal were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Van Persie appeared to handle a cross from Larsson. But the Dutchman went up the other end and, after being set up by Nasri, shanked an effort straight at Foster from point-blank range. A huge miss.

Up to this point, Birmingham’s free-kicks were all being aimed at Johnson’s head. Seconds later, one of those dead-ball efforts was flicked on by Jerome and fell to the defender’s feet six yards out. Somehow he shoveled his effort over the bar.

Late in the half, Clichy beat Larsson on the left and crossed from the byline. Walcott’s weak volley bobbled into Foster’s arms when he might have done better.

Having dropped late points at Wigan, Arsenal started the second half like they wanted to win the game early.

In the 52nd minute, Walcott clipped a hanging cross to Nasri at the far post. The Frenchman cushioned a pass back for the unmarked Wilshere, who volleyed over from six yards out. A profligate miss.

A couple of minutes later Nasri burst clear and tried to lift his shot over Foster but the keeper batted the ball away with his left hand.

It was a great save but, in the 58th minute, the Frenchman would have his revenge. Fabregas set up Nasri who fired home right-footed from the edge of the area. It was his 13th strike of an increasingly impressive season.

The goal had been coming and sucked the life out of Birmingham.

In the 63rd minute, Arsenal fashioned a wonderful third. The way the ball went into the net was odd – hitting Dann and then Johnson before going in – but the build up had been exquisite. Intricate passing between Nasri and Fabregas tied the home defence in knots. The Spaniard’s drive cannoned off Foster before bouncing off the two defenders and trickling in.

Birmingham seemed a shadow of the side that had conceded just seven Premier League goals at St Andrew’s before today.

Van Persie set up Fabregas, who thumped his drive inches over the bar, then Walcott forced a low save from Foster.

Arshavin came off the bench and immediately stretched the Birmingham 'keeper at the near post.

In injury time, Clichy headed Ridgewell’s effort off the line. The goal would have blotted an otherwise perfect day for Arsenal.

This year could be a big year for Wenger’s men and this was the best possible start.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 1 Jan 11

Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Arsenal

For Arsène Wenger, the “craziness” of the festive period is also its strength.

The Arsenal manager takes a holistic view to the Christmas and New Year games. This season there were 12 points available from encounters against Chelsea (h), Wigan (a), Birmingham (a) and Manchester City (h). Wenger’s men have taken four so far but they go to St Andrews on the first day of 2011 with the undeniable feeling it should have been more.

Some of the momentum gained from, at last, beating Chelsea was worn away by Wigan’s late equaliser on Wednesday night. However who would be unhappy with 10 points including victories over two title rivals? And that is still in Arsenal’s hands.

“I see the Christmas period as a whole,” said the manager on Friday. “We had a little disadvantage in the way the fixtures were organised compared to some other clubs. But I have to face the problem this way.

“At the end of the day we know that Christmas will be very important because we play Chelsea and Man City, and we have two away games against Wigan and Birmingham. So for us it will certainly have an impact on the rest of the season.”

The trip to the Midlands is Arsenal’s third game in six days. They only way they will be this busy again is if cup ties and postponements need to be shoehorned into the final weeks of the campaign. But Wenger knows Christmas is different in his adopted country.

“It is the charm and craziness of English football,” he admitted. “Personally I like it, I have been vaccinated after the years I have been here.

“It certainly contributes to the promotion of English football. The whole world stops and England goes on. That means when Arsenal play Chelsea, the world has no choice than to watch.

“They don’t work and are bored so they watch English football - which is not boring.

“Yes I would like a winter break but after Christmas. I would like to keep that tradition personally and create a break after January 2 for say for two weeks.

“We can go on holiday for one week and after we can prepare for one week.

“As it is, we play Man City then three days later we play Leeds and four days after that we play Ipswich. The players are under massive pressure so, when you play a 2-2 at Wigan, it is not the worst result.

“Mentally it is all very demanding but you have always a game in front of you and what is important is the next one.”

It was this packed schedule that precipitated those eight changes at the DW Stadium but the ‘big guns’ are back for Birmingham. Cesc Fabregas has seen out his suspension. Robin van Persie and Alex Song return after being rested.

The only enforced absentee is Abou Diaby, who will be out for three weeks with the calf strain he collected at Wigan on Wednesday.

The day before that game, Birmingham had once again proved their pedigree at St Andrews with a last-gasp equaliser against Manchester United. They did exactly the same thing to Arsenal when Wenger’s men were eyeing a late run for the title last season.

Only Everton have won at Birmingham this season while only Chelsea and Manchester United have conceded fewer goals at home. But Alex McLeish’s side have only hit the net nine times themselves – the lowest in the top flight. Expect this one to be tight.

But then Arsenal have conceded in each of their last seven Premier League games – their leakiest run in six years. And the manager is well aware Birmingham, like Wigan, have a habit of grabbing goals late on.

“Well, the best way to create a problem is sometimes to talk about it,” responded Wenger when the idea was put to him. “You could see that Birmingham scored late against Man United the other night and when your team is ahead in England you have the mental side of [the opponents] that will never give up. No matter where you go if you are only one goal up you can concede a goal.

“And what happens this season is the teams all play for Europe or not to go down so every game is a cup final,” Wenger went on. “You play for your survival or you to be in Europe and that makes the League so interesting and so compact.

“Of course everybody has quality too. When you go to Wigan they have Hugo Rodallega, Charles N’Zogbia who are quality players and it will be the same at Birmingham. You look at Birmingham against Man United, they had Alex Hleb and Nikola Zigic on the bench that means in the teams who play in the second half of the table still have top-class players.”

Like last season, Arsenal ended the year in third place. Like last season, the prevailing opinion is that Manchester United, at least, will be too strong for them down the stretch.

But then, as Wenger points out, the prevailing opinion has changed since August.

“For a while it looked as though Chelsea were running away with it,” he said. “The fact that they dropped a little bit in November opened up the League up. You wouldn’t have expected that at the start of the season.

“But the most consistent team will win it.”

And, despite the disappointment of Wednesday, Arsenal are in a position to become that team.

Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 1 Jan 11

Arsène Wenger wants 'winner' Pat Rice to stay as his No 2 at Arsenal

Arsène Wenger is confident he can persuade his assistant at Arsenal, Pat Rice, to remain at the club beyond the end of the season as he seeks to avoid enduring similar disruption to that experienced by Chelsea following Ray Wilkins's departure from the role this term.

Rice, who joined the club as a 15-year-old apprentice in 1964 and played 528 times for Arsenal, has been on the coaching staff in some capacity since 1984 and has always been Wenger's No 2 after a brief spell as caretaker manager before the Frenchman arrived from Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1996. Now 61, the Northern Irishman's contract expires in the summer and he is considering retirement, though Wenger intends to persuade him to stay on at the Emirates Stadium to avoid any upheaval.

"I hope he will not be leaving, and there have been talks about that," said Wenger, who saw Chelsea go six league matches without a win after Wilkins's surprise sacking. "He will be at the end of his contract at the end of the season, but he will not be going anywhere else. So it is a case of either staying or stopping altogether. I hope he will continue, and I want to persuade him. He has been vitally important because, when I arrived here, he was already a man of the club. And he's a man who know the British culture and he's a winner.

"He is a guy who is ready to give his life to win and you want to be surrounded with people like that. You can trust him, he is reliable, he has fantastic football knowledge. Now he wants to be sure to be completely 100% committed. He's not a guy who does things by half. He gives absolutely everything. From my side, there's no hesitation. I want him 200% to continue. I know how valuable he is for the club and for me, and I want him to go on. It's as important keeping him as keeping a big player."

Wenger was somewhat downbeat about the past year – "Every single defeat in 2010 is still very painful in my heart, so I hope 2011 will be less painful," he said – but, despite dropping two points wastefully at Wigan Athletic in midweek and with a tricky trip to Birmingham City on Saturday, had no complaints about the crammed fixture programme over the festive period. "It is the charm and craziness of English football," he said. "I personally like it. I'm vaccinated after the years I've been here. Somewhere, it certainly contributes to the promotion of English football."

"The whole world stops and England goes on. That means when Arsenal plays Chelsea, the whole world has no choice other than watch. That is maybe one of the strengths to promote English football. The whole world doesn't work and is bored, and watches English football which is not boring. I would like a winter break but after Christmas. I would like to keep that tradition and create now a two-week break after 2 January. You would just like a little breather."

Abou Diaby is the only casualty from the 2-2 draw at the DW Stadium ahead of Saturday's trip to St Andrew's after suffering a calf injury that will sideline the Frenchman for another three weeks. Robin van Persie, Alex Song and Johan Djourou are in contention for recalls after being rested in midweek, with Cesc Fábregas to return from suspension. Wenger is satisfied with the strength of the squad at his disposal and will only add personnel this month if "an outstanding opportunity" materialises. Regardless, he believes his side's prospects of claiming a first league championship since 2004 are buoyant.

"It's Arsenal's title to win," he added. "We want to go on a run and be consistent. The only thing we have learned from these first six months is that the team who have the greatest emotional stamina and resolve will win it. It could end up being the league of the mentally strong. It's a league with a lot of ups and downs, and the team that deals with that the best will win it. But we're more mature. We have strength, intelligence and talent. Putting these three ingredients together in every single game will be decisive."

Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 31 Dec 10