We will face Leyton Orient away in the fifth round of the FA Cup, which is a good draw considering that towards the end it was us, Chelsea/Everton and United left!
It will be our first away game in the cup this season, but I'm confident that we will win it!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Arsenal vs. Huddersfield Town
2-1, The FA-cup, Emirates, 30/1 -11
Bendtner 21,
Fabregas 86 (pen)
Our Captain Fantastic has kept us in this competition once again! And once again it was a late penalty that did it for us!
But this was a really tough game for us, but thankfully we made it through!
We dominated the game in the first half, starting with some great chances, though after barely 30 minutes Nasri picked up a hamstring injury, Rosicky replaced him, having recently returned from sickness.
Then came the goal, another great strike from Bendtner, Chamakh provided a brilliant pass for the Dane to finish off.
Just before half time everything changed for us though, Squillaci was shown red and we were down to ten men with another 45 minutes left!
For the second half Song came on to replace Chamakh and take place in the heart of defense, then it seemed inevitable for Huddersfield to score and they did from a corner.
It certainly felt that we would at the best get another replay, then came Fabregas and inspired the team to start pushing forward once again.
Eventually Bendtner was brought down in the box, penalty was awarded and Fabregas stepped up to take it, and scored!
Injury Update;
-Nasri is expected to be out for at least three weeks, and is likely to miss the Barcelona clash.
-Diaby was back for this game but obviously didn't look at his best just yet, Almunia returned as well for this game, he had a good game.
-As mentioned Rosicky came back for this game as well after being out for some time being ill.
Bendtner 21,
Fabregas 86 (pen)
Our Captain Fantastic has kept us in this competition once again! And once again it was a late penalty that did it for us!
But this was a really tough game for us, but thankfully we made it through!
We dominated the game in the first half, starting with some great chances, though after barely 30 minutes Nasri picked up a hamstring injury, Rosicky replaced him, having recently returned from sickness.
Then came the goal, another great strike from Bendtner, Chamakh provided a brilliant pass for the Dane to finish off.
Just before half time everything changed for us though, Squillaci was shown red and we were down to ten men with another 45 minutes left!
For the second half Song came on to replace Chamakh and take place in the heart of defense, then it seemed inevitable for Huddersfield to score and they did from a corner.
It certainly felt that we would at the best get another replay, then came Fabregas and inspired the team to start pushing forward once again.
Eventually Bendtner was brought down in the box, penalty was awarded and Fabregas stepped up to take it, and scored!
Injury Update;
-Nasri is expected to be out for at least three weeks, and is likely to miss the Barcelona clash.
-Diaby was back for this game but obviously didn't look at his best just yet, Almunia returned as well for this game, he had a good game.
-As mentioned Rosicky came back for this game as well after being out for some time being ill.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Arsenal vs. Ipswich
3-0 (aggregate 3-1), Carling Cup, Emirates, 25/1 -11
Bendtner 61,
Koscielny 64,
Fabregas 77
We are going to Wembley!
A comfortable win in the end but as the players stressed after the game, credit to Ipswich for keeping it level for over an hour. But then we clinched a spot in the final in two and a half minute!
For the first hour of the game the closest we got to scoring was when van Persie hit the bar with a header, but when we were past the hour mark Bendtner scored in style when he received a beautiful pass from Wilshere and then decided to cut inside from the left, and his shot was wonderfully taken!
Just barely two minutes later Koscielny gave us a spot in the final! He scored from a corner by Arshavin, a great header!
With thirteen minutes to go our skipper sealed the game, another pass from Arshavin gave Fabregas a golden opportunity to score, and he placed the ball between the legs of the outrushing Ipswich 'keeper.
So we have a final coming up by the end of next month!
Injury Update;
-18 minutes into the game Sagna got a concussion after clashing heads with Szczesny, but today he could leave the hospital and felt much better!
Bendtner 61,
Koscielny 64,
Fabregas 77
We are going to Wembley!
A comfortable win in the end but as the players stressed after the game, credit to Ipswich for keeping it level for over an hour. But then we clinched a spot in the final in two and a half minute!
For the first hour of the game the closest we got to scoring was when van Persie hit the bar with a header, but when we were past the hour mark Bendtner scored in style when he received a beautiful pass from Wilshere and then decided to cut inside from the left, and his shot was wonderfully taken!
Just barely two minutes later Koscielny gave us a spot in the final! He scored from a corner by Arshavin, a great header!
With thirteen minutes to go our skipper sealed the game, another pass from Arshavin gave Fabregas a golden opportunity to score, and he placed the ball between the legs of the outrushing Ipswich 'keeper.
So we have a final coming up by the end of next month!
Injury Update;
-18 minutes into the game Sagna got a concussion after clashing heads with Szczesny, but today he could leave the hospital and felt much better!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Arsenal vs. Wigan
3-0, Premier League, Emirates, 22/1 -11
van Persie 21, 59, 85
The score-line should've read six or seven-nil, this must've been the best game I've seen in terms of missing chances, you'd really have to see it to know what I'm talking about! Especially in the first half! At least it is good to know that van Persie is back in form for this part of the season.
As you'd probably have understood by now we were in total control from start to finish, we had two amazing chances to score when Theo twice provided with brilliant crosses from his right-hand side, though the Wigan 'keeper got a hand out to deny van Persie and a couple of minutes later a defender just got in the way of Fabregas' shot.
But we got our lead when Song found van Persie in the box with a brilliant pass, and the Dutchman didn't disappoint with the finish!
We didn't manage to extend the lead in the first half even though we had tons of chances, and we started the second rather slow, but eventually worked our way back in the game.
The second goal came when Cesc spotted van Persie and provided a stunningly perfect pass to him, and once again Robin showed why he is our no. 10.
We were given a golden opportunity to extend the lead about midway through when we were awarded with a penalty after Cesc was brought down in the box, van Persie stepped up to get a hat-trick, but his shot went over! You don't see Robin missing penalties often, this was one of the few occasions.
Though with five minutes left he got his hat-trick, Fabregas once again provided a pin-point pass, this time to Walcott, who generously gave van Persie a shot at a third of the day, and Robin finished the day off with yet another brilliant strike!
Injury Update;
-Fabianski is still some unknown time away, though both Squillaci and Diaby is expected back within a week
van Persie 21, 59, 85
The score-line should've read six or seven-nil, this must've been the best game I've seen in terms of missing chances, you'd really have to see it to know what I'm talking about! Especially in the first half! At least it is good to know that van Persie is back in form for this part of the season.
As you'd probably have understood by now we were in total control from start to finish, we had two amazing chances to score when Theo twice provided with brilliant crosses from his right-hand side, though the Wigan 'keeper got a hand out to deny van Persie and a couple of minutes later a defender just got in the way of Fabregas' shot.
But we got our lead when Song found van Persie in the box with a brilliant pass, and the Dutchman didn't disappoint with the finish!
We didn't manage to extend the lead in the first half even though we had tons of chances, and we started the second rather slow, but eventually worked our way back in the game.
The second goal came when Cesc spotted van Persie and provided a stunningly perfect pass to him, and once again Robin showed why he is our no. 10.
We were given a golden opportunity to extend the lead about midway through when we were awarded with a penalty after Cesc was brought down in the box, van Persie stepped up to get a hat-trick, but his shot went over! You don't see Robin missing penalties often, this was one of the few occasions.
Though with five minutes left he got his hat-trick, Fabregas once again provided a pin-point pass, this time to Walcott, who generously gave van Persie a shot at a third of the day, and Robin finished the day off with yet another brilliant strike!
Injury Update;
-Fabianski is still some unknown time away, though both Squillaci and Diaby is expected back within a week
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Leeds vs. Arsenal
3-1, the FA-cup, Elland Road, 19/1 -10
Nasri 5,
Sagna 34,
van Persie 76
It seems that when we really need to win we don't have any problem doing it, this evening we played some brilliant football throughout the entire game, pretty much the opposite to how things looked in the home game.
We got off to a really good start, when you break the deadlock after five minutes that is generally known as a good start! Nasri once again showed his brilliance when he more or less ran through the Leeds defense and put the ball past the 'keeper.
About half an hour later we extended our lead through an amazing strike from Sagna, his second goal of the season!
Three minutes later Leeds got one back, another amazing strike from a distance.
The game slowed down in the second half, and about midway through Cesc and Robin was brought on from the bench to help seal the game, which they did, Fabregas passed the ball to Bendtner, who provided a pin-point pass for van Persie to get his head at!
We will face Huddersfield at home in the 4th round.
Injury Update:
-Fabianski has been unable to shake off a shoulder injury, but will most probably be back for the weekend's game against Wigan
Nasri 5,
Sagna 34,
van Persie 76
It seems that when we really need to win we don't have any problem doing it, this evening we played some brilliant football throughout the entire game, pretty much the opposite to how things looked in the home game.
We got off to a really good start, when you break the deadlock after five minutes that is generally known as a good start! Nasri once again showed his brilliance when he more or less ran through the Leeds defense and put the ball past the 'keeper.
About half an hour later we extended our lead through an amazing strike from Sagna, his second goal of the season!
Three minutes later Leeds got one back, another amazing strike from a distance.
The game slowed down in the second half, and about midway through Cesc and Robin was brought on from the bench to help seal the game, which they did, Fabregas passed the ball to Bendtner, who provided a pin-point pass for van Persie to get his head at!
We will face Huddersfield at home in the 4th round.
Injury Update:
-Fabianski has been unable to shake off a shoulder injury, but will most probably be back for the weekend's game against Wigan
Sunday, January 16, 2011
West Ham vs. Arsenal
3-0, Premier League, Upton Park, 15/1 -11
van Persie 13, 76 (pen),
Walcott 41
Another convincing away performance from us! At least if you consider the league performances.
Walcott & van Persie were the two guys who made the difference today, the first goal was scored by van Persie, assisted by Walcott (credit to Nasri there as well but I'll get to that later), the second goal was scored by Walcott, assisted by van Persie and the last goal, scored from the penalty spot by van Persie, the penalty was awarded thanks to Walcott. But of course it was through an amazing team performance that we got the three points.
We dominated this game from start to finish, so it wasn't exactly surprising when we took the lead, and we did with quite some style, Walcott was given much space out on the right-hand side, and he delivered a great pass towards Nasri and van Persie, the former brilliantly let the ball run past him giving the Dutchman the golden moment to break the deadlock, which he obviously did.
Just about before the break we doubled the lead, and once again van Persie and Walcott linked up to create some magic, van Persie managed to get a cross in towards Walcott, who sent the shot straight up in the roof of the net.
In the second half the game calmed down a bit, and eventually we sealed the game when Walcott was brought down at the edge of the box by Bridge, penalty was awarded and van Persie got his brace through another well taken penalty.
Injury Update;
-Vermaelen will have to undergo a surgery to correct his achilles problem, he will go to Sweden (!) to have this operation and is likely to be out for four to six weeks more...
van Persie 13, 76 (pen),
Walcott 41
Another convincing away performance from us! At least if you consider the league performances.
Walcott & van Persie were the two guys who made the difference today, the first goal was scored by van Persie, assisted by Walcott (credit to Nasri there as well but I'll get to that later), the second goal was scored by Walcott, assisted by van Persie and the last goal, scored from the penalty spot by van Persie, the penalty was awarded thanks to Walcott. But of course it was through an amazing team performance that we got the three points.
We dominated this game from start to finish, so it wasn't exactly surprising when we took the lead, and we did with quite some style, Walcott was given much space out on the right-hand side, and he delivered a great pass towards Nasri and van Persie, the former brilliantly let the ball run past him giving the Dutchman the golden moment to break the deadlock, which he obviously did.
Just about before the break we doubled the lead, and once again van Persie and Walcott linked up to create some magic, van Persie managed to get a cross in towards Walcott, who sent the shot straight up in the roof of the net.
In the second half the game calmed down a bit, and eventually we sealed the game when Walcott was brought down at the edge of the box by Bridge, penalty was awarded and van Persie got his brace through another well taken penalty.
Injury Update;
-Vermaelen will have to undergo a surgery to correct his achilles problem, he will go to Sweden (!) to have this operation and is likely to be out for four to six weeks more...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Ipswich Town vs. Arsenal
0-1, Carling Cup, Portman Road, 12/1 -11
A really poor result, we had lots of chances but just couldn't score and the more time that passed the more Ipswich's confidence grew, and then they get an offside goal when the game is almost over which leaves us with one option, thrashing them at the Emirates on the 25th!
Injury Update;
-As Squillaci has picked up a hamstring problem we are likely to sign another defender in this transfer window, though Vermaelen hasn't had another setback so he might be back within a couple of weeks!
A really poor result, we had lots of chances but just couldn't score and the more time that passed the more Ipswich's confidence grew, and then they get an offside goal when the game is almost over which leaves us with one option, thrashing them at the Emirates on the 25th!
Injury Update;
-As Squillaci has picked up a hamstring problem we are likely to sign another defender in this transfer window, though Vermaelen hasn't had another setback so he might be back within a couple of weeks!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
FA Cup 4th Round
If we beat Leeds in the replay on the 18th or 19th of january, we will face Huddersfield Town at the Emirates for the fourth round of the FA cup. So we faced Watt's loan club in the third round, maybe we will face Afobe's loan club in the fourth round...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Arsenal vs. Leeds United
1-1, the FA-Cup, Emirates, 8/1 -11
Fabregas 90 (pen)
Just finished watching the game, and as usual when I have to leave soon after the first half, we concede... It has happened three times! Against Tottenham, Aston Villa and now just when I'm about to go we concede the penalty! And all these games are 13.45 (Swedish time) games! Sooner or later I'm just gonna have to give up going to the stable when we play 13.45 on a Saturday....
Anyway thank god for our skipper, to convert a penalty in the 90th minute to ensure that we still have a shot at the cup... It's just amazing!
As you'd have expected we dominated the game in every possible during basically the entire game, we were sooo close to scoring sooo many times and it was just agonizing to see all those missed chances, especially when we were one goal down in the second half. Denilson mistimed an interception in the box and Leeds were awarded a penalty. Szczesny got a touch in the penalty but couldn't keep it out, later on the young polish 'keeper kept us in the tie when he saved a Becchio header superbly.
After we conceded the penalty it didn't take too long before Fabregas and Walcott were brought on, they started on the bench so as the manager made nine changes from the last game, Gibbs were one of those changes, and as always he put up quite a display! It was thanks to Fabregas and Walcott that we have our replay, Walcott was held back in the box as a defender pulled his arm, so he couldn't quite reach the ball well enough to get a shot away. The referee decided to give us the penalty and our captain converted the penalty !!
Some would just complain about us having another game to play now, but I'm just really thankful that we still have a chance to win the FA-cup!
Injury Update;
-As mentioned Gibbs returned for this game and he played as though he hasn't been away for the last month!
Fabregas 90 (pen)
Just finished watching the game, and as usual when I have to leave soon after the first half, we concede... It has happened three times! Against Tottenham, Aston Villa and now just when I'm about to go we concede the penalty! And all these games are 13.45 (Swedish time) games! Sooner or later I'm just gonna have to give up going to the stable when we play 13.45 on a Saturday....
Anyway thank god for our skipper, to convert a penalty in the 90th minute to ensure that we still have a shot at the cup... It's just amazing!
As you'd have expected we dominated the game in every possible during basically the entire game, we were sooo close to scoring sooo many times and it was just agonizing to see all those missed chances, especially when we were one goal down in the second half. Denilson mistimed an interception in the box and Leeds were awarded a penalty. Szczesny got a touch in the penalty but couldn't keep it out, later on the young polish 'keeper kept us in the tie when he saved a Becchio header superbly.
After we conceded the penalty it didn't take too long before Fabregas and Walcott were brought on, they started on the bench so as the manager made nine changes from the last game, Gibbs were one of those changes, and as always he put up quite a display! It was thanks to Fabregas and Walcott that we have our replay, Walcott was held back in the box as a defender pulled his arm, so he couldn't quite reach the ball well enough to get a shot away. The referee decided to give us the penalty and our captain converted the penalty !!
Some would just complain about us having another game to play now, but I'm just really thankful that we still have a chance to win the FA-cup!
Injury Update;
-As mentioned Gibbs returned for this game and he played as though he hasn't been away for the last month!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
0-0, Premier League, Emirates, 5/1 -11
A really frustrating draw, City had one objective, to keep the score-line at 0-0 and unfortunately we weren't sharp enough to score, or perhaps we weren't lucky enough, considering that we hit the posts three times! Honestly, I don't think that City had one shot at goal during the entire game...
The game got off to a bright start where we at once created a really good attack, though a defender got in between to get the ball away.
We had a lot of possession throughout the game and the performance was great, the only thing missing was the goals! The first time we hit the post was through a shot from van Persie, then it was Cesc's shot that hit the post and then the ball bounced to Theo who's shot hit the other post... You really can't get that very much closer to scoring!
In the second half it just looked worse and worse as it got harder and harder to break down City's defense. There is still a lot of positives to take from this game though, we played some brilliant football so as long as we can score from the chances we create we can beat anyone!
Injury Update;
-Gibbs has returned to training and might be in for the Leeds game on Saturday.
A really frustrating draw, City had one objective, to keep the score-line at 0-0 and unfortunately we weren't sharp enough to score, or perhaps we weren't lucky enough, considering that we hit the posts three times! Honestly, I don't think that City had one shot at goal during the entire game...
The game got off to a bright start where we at once created a really good attack, though a defender got in between to get the ball away.
We had a lot of possession throughout the game and the performance was great, the only thing missing was the goals! The first time we hit the post was through a shot from van Persie, then it was Cesc's shot that hit the post and then the ball bounced to Theo who's shot hit the other post... You really can't get that very much closer to scoring!
In the second half it just looked worse and worse as it got harder and harder to break down City's defense. There is still a lot of positives to take from this game though, we played some brilliant football so as long as we can score from the chances we create we can beat anyone!
Injury Update;
-Gibbs has returned to training and might be in for the Leeds game on Saturday.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Birmingham City vs. Arsenal
3-0, Premier League, St Andrews Stadium, 1/1 -11
van Persie 13,
Nasri 57,
Johnson 65 (og)
A convincing away win, which gets us back in the title race on the first day of 2011! Perhaps we were never truly out of the title race, but now that we are back in winning ways it certainly feels like we are approaching the top.
As expected it was a very even game until we scored the third midway through the second half, though let's start with the first half! It was quite a roller coaster, with chances for both sides, we had slightly more chances though, and perhaps it was due to that advantage that we took the lead. It was our number 10 that did the damage, van Persie was brought down just outside the box and stepped up to take the free kick himself, it took a deflection off one of the defenders, which took it past Foster in goal!
We came out sharp for the second half, and it didn't take too long before we doubled our lead through Nasri, some great passing between him and the skipper made a way through for the frenchman, and he produced quite some strike! The game was secured through an own goal by Johnson, Fabregas shot was blocked by Foster, and the ball bounced off the legs of one defender to Johnson who was unlucky to steer it into his own net!
Just remembered, I have totally forgot to write about the last game that we played last Wednesday, away against Wigan, but I shall not write too much about it, as it wasn't exactly as giving as we would have liked, in the first half we came from behind to lead 2-1, but as the game was nearing its end we conceded an unlucky own goal, so we had to satisfy ourselves with a point from the game.
Injury Update;
-Diaby hobbled off against Wigan, and will be out for some weeks
-Gibbs should be back within a week if there hasn't been a setback
van Persie 13,
Nasri 57,
Johnson 65 (og)
A convincing away win, which gets us back in the title race on the first day of 2011! Perhaps we were never truly out of the title race, but now that we are back in winning ways it certainly feels like we are approaching the top.
As expected it was a very even game until we scored the third midway through the second half, though let's start with the first half! It was quite a roller coaster, with chances for both sides, we had slightly more chances though, and perhaps it was due to that advantage that we took the lead. It was our number 10 that did the damage, van Persie was brought down just outside the box and stepped up to take the free kick himself, it took a deflection off one of the defenders, which took it past Foster in goal!
We came out sharp for the second half, and it didn't take too long before we doubled our lead through Nasri, some great passing between him and the skipper made a way through for the frenchman, and he produced quite some strike! The game was secured through an own goal by Johnson, Fabregas shot was blocked by Foster, and the ball bounced off the legs of one defender to Johnson who was unlucky to steer it into his own net!
Just remembered, I have totally forgot to write about the last game that we played last Wednesday, away against Wigan, but I shall not write too much about it, as it wasn't exactly as giving as we would have liked, in the first half we came from behind to lead 2-1, but as the game was nearing its end we conceded an unlucky own goal, so we had to satisfy ourselves with a point from the game.
Injury Update;
-Diaby hobbled off against Wigan, and will be out for some weeks
-Gibbs should be back within a week if there hasn't been a setback
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