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Arsenal See their Top Position Crumble with a Dull Draw

In what proved to be a dull and frustrating encounter Arsenal were held 0-0 at home by Manchester United.

Any pre-match hopes of a classic between two clubs needing a win were quickly dashed as neither team could gain momentum or put any classy moves together. In fact, it became a tense game as neither team wanted to make the mistake that could sacrifice the game. With Arsenal coming off a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool and United being generally awful for months, the nerves were understandable, but ultimately made for a poor match.

Arsene Wenger admitted his troops were shaky after the game, when he praised the defensive effort and said he was happy to take a point. However, a point is not great for Arsenal´s title push and after taking just 1 point out of a potential 6 (5 from 12 over four games) the Gunners have seen their position at the top of the league crumble.

While the match was always heading for a stalemate, it will be United who come away from the Emirates the most disappointed of the two teams. The champions had the clearer chances as former Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie was thwarted by Wojciech Szczesny on several occasions, including a wonder save from a header.

Arsenal´s recent form has pointed to a blip as the team has hardly played well since the turn of the year. Wenger will have to rally his troops through a difficult period and hope they can remain in touch for the Premier League title. With other contenders like Chelsea and Manchester City having their own struggles, the Gunners will still have a chance come May. However, the team will have to improve over the next few weeks to sustain a challenge.

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Will Arsenal Bounce Back from Saturday’s Defeat Tomorrow?

Arsenal will look to bounce back from Saturday´s disastrous defeat against Liverpool when the team welcomes Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Of course, this is and has been one of the biggest fixtures in English football, but there has been a fear that this contest would not mean so much due to United´s struggles this season. However, with the Gunners getting thumped on the weekend and Man Utd continuing to look weak, both teams will be desperate for the win and we could get a classic.

Arsenal were undone on the weekend by the pace and skill of Raheem Sterling, Coutinho, Luis Suarez, and Daniel Sturridge. There is little doubt that United boast an equally potent (or more so) front four in Wayne Rooney, Adan Januzaj, Juan Mata, and former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie. Arsene Wenger will be wary of a United team that is like a wounded animal right now and will know if those four click then serious questions will be asked.

However, the Frenchman described the Liverpool humiliation as an accident and with the team undefeated in ten matches before the weekend, he may have a point. The Gunners go into the match as favourites for perhaps the first time in several years, and Wenger will know three points here will put everything back on track.

The seasoned tactician played arguably his best available 11 against Liverpool and while the players underperformed he will surely be tempted to stick with that line up. However, Wenger has options in the form of Lukas Podolski coming in to replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs possibly coming in for the out of sorts Nacho Monreal.

While counting out Manchester United has never been wise in the past, the way David Moyes is setting his team up will play into the hands of Arsenal. It seems the Scotsman does not know how to get the best from his still talented squad, so the Emirates faithful will be expecting Arsenal to bounce back and stay in the hunt for the Premier League trophy.

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No Panic Just yet

Arsenal’s crushing defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday has left many Gooners distraught, head in hands, and putting the season down as another failure. The Arsenal fans (still the best away supporters in the Premier League by the way) are entitled to be worried. after-all, the loss at Anfield was devastating, it showed Arsenal’s weaknesses again, but what if we told you things are not as bad as they seem?

We wrote in our match report that the thrashing by Liverpool had echoes of the embarrassing 8-2 loss to Manchester United two seasons ago. However, while anybody at Old Trafford that day will confirm what a tortuous 90 minutes that was, it was not the devastating defeat it has been painted as in hindsight. Sure, that season Arsenal failed to win a trophy again, but neither did they languish in mid table mediocrity as was predicted. Indeed, after the mauling in Manchester, business went on as usual.

And so it will be after this latest humiliating setback. Yes, the Gunners were torn apart by a rampant Liverpool, but it was one battle lost in a season long war. Manchester City helped themselves to six goals against Arsenal in December, and even though Arsene Wenger´s men scored three it was a big defeat. In the time since losing to City, Arsenal climbed to the top of the league, qualified to the next round of the Champions League, and maintained a title challenge.

It is worth noting that Arsenal´s season has not been built on downing the best teams in the land, but by mopping up the weaker ones. Previous campaigns have fallen apart as the team lost to teams classed as lower in quality. It is the ability to win those games this season that has made Arsenal very real contenders to lift the Premier League title in May.

There are myriad things for Wenger to be worried about, such as how immobile Per Mertesacker looked, where Mesut Ozil has gone, and how toothless the attack seemed in the face of committed pressure. Although, Arsenal will not face that week in, week out in the league, but Bayern Munich will pose serious questions when the Champions League comes back in a couple of weeks.

Of course, what happens to Arsenal’s season now will depend on how the team bounces back from the Liverpool defeat. Wenger will know that a good showing over the next month will keep the team in the hunt for the Premier League title at the end of the season. The flip side to that is more dropped points in February and the season flickering out like a dying light. Although with the team grabbing points without playing well, there is a real chance that this group of players has more gears to move into.

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Arsenal Slips to Second Place After being Crushed by Liverpool

Arsenal´s Premier League title hopes took a massive hit on Saturday as the team was crushed 5-1 by Liverpool in embarrassing fashion. In a truly woeful performance, Arsenal allowed the Anfield club to sweep them aside and were even 4-0 down within in the first 20 minutes. While the scoring slowed in the second half it could easily have been seven or eight for the Reds. Arsenal now slips to second in the league after Chelsea defeated Newcastle 3-0 to claim top spot.

While getting any points from Anfield was going to be tough, Arsene Wenger would not have expected his first choice starting 11 to collapse. The game had dangerous echoes of the infamous 8-2 defeat at Manchester United, but at least then the Gunners were seriously weakened. On this occasion the players crumbled in the face of the challenge and the blistering pace of Liverpool´s attack.

However, it was a familiar Arsenal problem that led to the first two goals, with Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel netting twice in the opening stages. Skrtel claimed a Steven Gerrard free kick and later scored from a corner supplied by the ´Pool captain’. The worrying thing from Arsenal´s perspective was that Skrtel was allowed to rise unmarked.

The Gunners were rattled by that early brace and Liverpool´s attacking line up was clearly proving a serious problem for Per Mertesacker. The German is known for his lack of pace and mobility and Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, and Coutinho took full advantage of the space behind the Arsenal defense. Jordan Henderson stole the ball from an idling Mesut Ozil on the halfway line and supplied Suarez on the right wing. The Uruguayan in turn found Sterling at the far post for a tap in and goal number three.

Arsenal´s misery was not complete as Liverpool plundered a fourth within twenty minutes of kick off when Coutinho sent Sturridge through. The England striker slotted easily passed a flailing and out of position Wojciech Szczesny.

Arsenal had been shell shocked and the truth is Liverpool could have scored another three or four before the halftime whistle sounded around Anfield. Arsenal seemed in better shape in the second half but the team was still below championship winning form. Liverpool hit a fifth when Sterling entered the box and was given a second chance to score.

Liverpool continued to dominate for the rest of the match, but the Gunners grabbed a consolation penalty after Gerrard felled Oxlade-Chamberlain in the area. Arteta confidently scored down the middle but the damage had been done and Arsenal had been humiliated.

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Liverpool vs. Arsenal match preview

Arsenal could bolster its position at the top of the Premier League today if the team can overcome an in form Liverpool side at Anfield during the early kick off game.

Kicking off before title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea take to the field later in the day, the Gunners could be five points clear for a brief time if they claim three points. However, this Liverpool is a different animal compared to previous seasons and Arsene Wenger may settle for taking a point from this tricky away game.

It was a good week for Arsenal as the team reclaimed top spot in the league courtesy of Chelsea´s victory over Man City on Monday. Arsene Wenger will know a difficult February fixture list could define the club´s season and will want at least a point from the trip to Anfield. Liverpool are in a rich vein of form, largely off the back of front duo Denial Sturridge and Luis Suarez, who Wenger of course tried to sign last summer.

Wenger ruled out returning for the Uruguayan in the future and will have to make do with what he has got for the rest of this season after a frustrating January transfer window. However, the Frenchman could be set to have a fully fit squad, aside from some long term absentees such as Theo Walcott.

Jack Wilshere is due to return after recovering from an ankle problem, while the recent returns of Lukas Podolski, Mikel Arteta, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have added quality and depth to the squad. However, the Gunners have underperformed in recent weeks, and even though Wenger will be delighted with recent results, he will know his team will have to improve against a quality Liverpool outfit.

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Arsenal takes three points against Palace

Arsenal reclaimed first place in the Premier league with a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. The Gunners were made to work hard for the victory but the team again struck in the second half thanks to a brace from the fit and firing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal will stay top this week if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea in a 2nd vs. 3rd clash during Monday Night Football.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was starting only his second game since picking up an injury on the first day of the season, but the 20-year old England man has wasted no time in getting up to form. However, the breakthrough took a time to come as Palace put up a resilient front during the first 45-minutes, frustrating the Gunners and the Emirates faithful.

Arsenal carved open several chances early on, including a Nacho Monreal chance after the Spaniard collected Mesut Ozil’s glided pass. The left back was thwarted by Palace keeper Julian Speroni when he rushed out to make the save. Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh was causing problems for his former club as he broke clear, but could only strike the ball against a grateful Wojciech Szczesny.

Despite struggling near the bottom of the table, Palace demonstrated the clear improvement that has been evident under Tony Pulis and provided a disciplined test for Arsenal. Pulis had clearly sent his troops out to bother the Arsenal attack and it worked as the home team could not find its typical flowing rhythm. The half ended with the scores even and Arsene Wenger once again had to chase the win in the second period.

Luckily, Wenger´s team talks at the midway point seem to have been working of late and so it proved again as the Gunners emerged with more impetuous. With 47 minutes on the clock Santi Cazorla found Oxlade-Chamberlain with a beautiful pass and the 20-year old wasted no time in chipping the ball in to the net, giving Arsenal the lead and control over the top of the Premier League.

However, with Palace always looking capable of scoring it seemed that a second goal would be needed. Luckily it came on the 73minutes when a neat passage of play between the selfless Oliver Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain resulted in the midfielder running clear of the Palace defence and slotting the ball past the flailing Speroni.

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A Victory is a Must for the Gunners Today

There´s a London derby in Store for Arsenal on today as the Gunners look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger saw his men slip to second in the Premier League midweek as the team only secured a draw on the road to Southampton. However, Arsenal had won their previous five league games and remains unbeaten in seven Premier League games. While Wenger will be pleased that his team has that solid record, he will want to get the three points over a struggling Crystal Palace and will see anything less as a disaster.

With Manchester City now top and looking formidable, the Arsenal team is playing catch up for the first time in months and Wenger will know any further hiccups could prove disastrous. To keep the squad fresh the French tactician added veteran Spartak Moscow midfielder Kim Kallstrom to bolster his options in the middle of the park. Unfortunately, Kallstrom picked up a back injury during his first day with the club and will be missing for at least a few weeks, ruling him out of a club debut in this match.

While fans will be frustrated that the club let another window go by without spending, Wenger will feel his current crop of players has enough to down Palace at home. Tony Pulis has settled the club since becoming manager but the team is still short of goals (just 15 this season in the Premier League) and there are tough times ahead with clashes against top of the table teams on the horizon.

With Palace finding it tough and Arsenal getting into the winning habit, this should be an easy three points for the Gunners, and anything but a comfortable victory would be a disappointment.

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Arsenal lose Ground at the Top

Arsenal´s Premier League pursuit suffered a setback as the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw against a dogged Southampton away from home. Even though it was an away point gained, Arsenal can now fall off the top spot tomorrow if Manchester City beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Arsene Wenger will be disappointed with the way his team started the match, with a lethargic pace that gave Southampton an early confidence boost. It has been a difficult week for the Saints but the club rallied well by starting the first half in style, passing the ball with confidence and keeping possession. The good football was producing openings too as teenage debutant Sam Gallagher lashed a shot at the hands of Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal.

The Arsenal players were lacking their usual slick passing and tempo and it was only a matter of time before Southampton took the lead. On the 21st minute the hugely impressive Luke Shaw sent in a cross that was met by Jose Fonte at the back post to head home. The player has had a troubled week after being involved in a training ground bust up with Dani Osvaldo, but the Portuguese defender beat Nacho Monreal to give the Saints a 1-0 lead.

The hosts continued to press throughout the first 45 minutes and went close on several other occasions; including Gallagher´s reaching shot going just wide. Indeed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was likely pleased to only be trailing by a single goal as the whistle blew for halftime.

The Frenchman´s halftime team talk seemed to do the trick as Arsenal came out for the second half with more fluid possession. With the fluency back the players leveled the match on the 48th minute when Bacary Sagna sent a low driving shot into the box, where it was met by Oliver Giroud who grabbed his ninth league goal of the season.

A barnstorming start to the second half continued on the 52nd minute when Santi Cazorla kept up his recent good form with a delightful left footed strike that beat Southampton keeper Artur Boruc to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead.

The drama continued two minutes later as Arsenal failed to hold onto their lead. Jay Rodriguez was released down the left flank and picked out Adam Lallana, who then sent a shot through Szczesny´s legs to tie the score at 2-2. Both teams continued to seek the win in a high temp finale, but neither could find the winning goal as Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini claimed a straight red card for a late lunge on Morgan Schneiderlin.

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Southampton vs. Arsenal Preview

Arsenal travel to the south coast on Tuesday night to take on Southampton at the St Mary´s Stadium, for what promises to be a tough challenge for the Gunners. While the Saints have struggled to maintain their blistering early season form, Mauricio Pochettino has a well organized team that plays attractive football, so Arsenal could have a test on their hands.

However, there are plenty of omens playing into Arsene Wenger´s hands when he sends his team out to the field. Firstly, Arsenal are playing 24 hours before their main title rivals, giving the team a chance to extend its advantage at the top of the Premier League. There is also the small fact that the Gunners are unbeaten in their last nine against Southampton (a run that stretches back to 2002).

It has been a difficult week for the south coast club as chief executive Nicola Cortese was dismissed and then Dani Osvaldo clashed with Jose Fonte on the training ground. Arsenal will look to take advantage of the tension and unease surrounding the Saints at the moment, while if any team can make the most of Southampton´s open style it is the North London club.

Pochettino will call back the often dangerous Ricky Lambert and goalkeeper Artur Boric, but will be without Gaston Ramirez and Dejan Lovren who suffer from ankle injuries. Things are looking better for Wenger as aside from the long term absence of Theo Walcott, the Frenchman seems to be getting his key players back just in time for the run in to the end of the season.

Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen will hopefully be back to the squad, but are not expected to start, while Wojciech Szczesny and Olivier Giroud should come back into the starting 11 after sitting on the bench against Coventry in the cup. Jack Wilshere though will not make the trip as he struggles to recover from a knock to his ankle.

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Arsenal – Coventry: Another Great Victory for the Gunners

Arsenal swept Coventry City aside in a routine FA Cup Fourth Round win that sent the team through to the next stage of the competition.

A first half brace and goals from rested substitutes Oliver Giroud and Santi Carzola helped Arsenal to a cruising 4-0 victory in a match that was never in doubt. Arsene Wenger named a strong starting lineup that included Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Gibbs in defence, and Wilshere, Ozil, and Podolski in attack. The Frenchman also handed rare starts to number 2 Fabianski and striker Bendtner, while Oxlade-Chamberlain made a first start since injuring his knee on the opening day of the season.

The Gunners started the game with intent and in the opening exchanges both Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski went close. The home team looked in the mood and any lingering tension inside the Emirates was quashed when Podolski rounded Coventry stopper Joe Murphy in the 15th minute to slot home at an angle.

The German doubled his tally and Arsenal´s lead in the 27th minute when he headed home a Per Mertesacker flick on from an Ozil corner. A goal made in Germany indeed.

Coventry´s tough season (the club was deducted 10 points at the start of the campaign) was highlighted by the 5,000 strong away contingent as they protested the club moving from its home in Coventry to play at Northampton for home games. It was perhaps an ideal time to offer their thoughts on the subject with the TV cameras in attendance.

The Gunners continued to press throughout the first 45 minutes, with Podolski close to completing a hat-trick, but ultimately the score remained at 2-0 as the teams headed to the changing rooms at halftime.

16-year old midfield prospect Gedion Zelalem was handed his Arsenal debut when he replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain with 20 minutes left, while Cazorla replaced Bendtner in the same exchange. While Coventry found the odd opening to test Fabianski, the home team was comfortable at 2-0, but put gloss on the victory in the closing stages.

Giroud replaced Ozil and quickly found the net to make it 3-0 after 84 minutes, while Cazorla made it 4 with a neat finish from a Murphy parry from Gibbs´ shot.