Gunners Fail to Meltdown Toffees

This week’s midweek fixture offered several good games, but this battle for 5^th place between Everton and Arsenal topped the list. It was a must win for an Arsenal team that needs to retain their Champions League presence. On-the-other -hand, the Toffees were looking to add to their 1-point lead on the Gunners. Today’s match was played at Goodison Park, where Everton haven’t lost a game since March, to Arsenal. 

Canary Yellow Brighter Than Gunner Red

Another gloomy Saturday evening for Gunner fans. With the much dreaded international break just over, everyone was looking forward to Premier League action this weekend. It was not too enjoyable for an Arsenal fan. The Arsenal players looked fatigued and battered. Norwich on the other hand, looked exactly opposite. They were energized and ready to fight from the first whistle. The difference maybe because Arsenal had 15 players on International duty compared to the minuscule 2 by the Canaries, Morison and Snodgrass, who both started the game on the bench. They both made very late appearances in the game in the 90^th and 79^th minutes respectively. Putting that aside, Arsenal didn't play well and Norwich had a brilliant game. Arsenal's injury list resembles that of a kid's list for Santa Clause. Wolcott, Gibbs, Koscielny, Fabianski, Szczesny, Diaby, and to top it off The Ox sustaining a knock this game. Not including Wilshere and Sagna who are just starting to get back to full practice. It's not looking good unless these players make swift recoveries. 

Confident Arsenal, Ready for A New Challange

Can Arsenal continue their success in the league with their visit to the City of Manchester Stadium to face the EPL’s reigning champions? City’s last loss was against Arsenal at the Emirates 1-nil (April 8, 2012).

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Another mid-September match against Southampton, which has been linked to being the catalyst to Arsenal’s season in the past. Can history repeat itself this season? I reckon they have a chance to compete for the title against the likes of Man City, Man United, and Chelsea. Too bad Giroud couldn’t join other Arsenal legends making their mark against Southampton in mid-September (Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in 1995 & 1999 respectively) after being called ‘flop’ signings. Arsenal looks like a new re-energized side from last season. New players, a new face on the coaching bench, and their ambitious mentality is palpable.

Bye bye, van Persie

"Bye-bye, Birdie"?  How about "Bye-bye, van Persie"?  It is with a heavy heart and a tear in my eye that I say goodbye to yet another Arsenal captain.  Dutchman Robin van Persie announced to the world – a mere month ago – that he would not be renewing his contract with the club.  Now, Italian giants Juventus and fellow PL rival Manchester City have courted the captain, with hopes and dreams of signing the top goal-scorer in the PL.  However, it would be the Red Devils pulling rank.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United have confirmed the 29-year-old's transfer, which left many a Gooner surprised and, perhaps, a little dismayed.  One of the most outspoken Gooners out there Piers Morgan took to Twitter, airing his grievances.

Making Sense of Arsenal

Robin van Persie gave Arsenal fans what seems to be an almost annual shock by declaring his intention to leave the club at the end of his contract.  Yet again, the club's most influential player and captain feels that the club is as far progressed as possible, and feels that if they are to achieve anything in terms of silverware, it is going to have to be away from the Emirates.

One has to feel for the Arsenal fans.  Arsenal – a team that was once labeled "The Invincibles" for their seemingly impossible achievement of playing an entire season without losing a single game, winning the league in the process... A return to those times does not seem to be on the immediate horizon.

Following the likes of former captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last season – Toure, Adebayor, Henry, and Vieira before – the spectacular football under Wenger's tutelage just isn’t enough these days.  In a way, the club is almost seen as a stepping-stone, where you can be educated to play the right way before ultimately leaving to achieve any actual chances of winning silverware.

Olivier Giroud meant to replace departing Robin van Persie

It's that time of year again – a whirlwind of excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and dread.  No, I am not talking about the winter holidays.  It hardly is December.  What I am talking about is the summer transfer window.  I try to avoid the headache – more like heartache – of club departures, as rumors comprise the majority of what's put out there.  Then again, with departures comes the prospect of newcomers.

Recently, Arsenal's Robin van Persie announced that he would not be renewing his contract with the club, which will expire at the end of the 2012/13 season.  Italian club Juventus has shown interest in the 28-year-old, as have a number of others, including Arsenal's PL rival Manchester City.  The club [Arsenal] now finds itself faced with yet another Arsenal captain leaving (read: Cesc Fabregas).

Arsenal Throws A Massive Roadblock On Manchester City’s Title Dreams

It was a massive game at the Emirates as both teams played for three vital points. A loss or a draw was dangerous for both teams as Manchester City will slip farther behind United and Arsenal will be in a tighter competition for Champions League places.

If anyone can claim that this game wasn’t heart-stopping, then that person must have a really zen center. It was a tense match from the start. Arsenal dominated early on and it was a dominance that continued throughout the game, except for about 10 minutes in the start of the second half.

Arsenal Dominate Against Milan but the Rossoneri Still Go Through

 

It was very nearly the comeback of the decade.

Trailing four goals to nil, the stage was set for Arsenal to regain their pride after the sorry showing at the San Siro. Few of the fans thought that it was possible to turn the tide against the Italian giants, but a lot of Gunners were hoping for something akin to a miracle. And short of one goal—just one—a miracle was almost what they got.

Injured players aside, it was apparent from the starting lineup that despite the “five percent chance of winning”, Arsene Wenger fielded a very attacking XI. The intent was clear; this was obviously not a white flag, the Gunners will come with their, er, guns a-blazing. From a corner delivered by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Koscielny’s header found the inside of Milan’s goal at the 7th minute.

RVP- Knight In Shining Armor: Liverpool Fall to Arsenal at Anfield

Liverpool had high hopes going into Saturday's clash against Arsenal. Despite missing several key players - Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger out due to injuries sustained while on international duty, Glen Johnson missing out on another match since the Carling Cup final - the Reds were fresh of their Carling Cup win and looking for another 3 points to get them closer to Champion's League action.

Arsenal, too, were hungry for another win after their comeback performance against Tottenham last weekend. They arrived at Anfield, a fit Robin Van Persie in tow, hoping to regain a grasp on 4^th place and close in on 3^rd.

Liverpool, even without skipper Stevie G, dominated most of the match.

Pepe Reina saved Theo Walcott's early attempt, while Jose Enrique forced Mikel Arteta to send his diagonal shot far over the top. If anything, it looked as if Arsenal were being smothered by a strong defensive line.

Despite Dirk Kuyt missing an early penalty (from Luis Suarez being tripped up by Arsenal 'keeper Szczesny) in the 19^th minute, the Reds were still first on the score sheet.  Szczesny was unable to save Jordan Henderson’s cross after a panicked Koscielny turned the ball into his own net in the 23^rd minute.

Luis Suarez celebrates Liverpool's first goal as Koscielny blunders and sends the ball past Szczesny.

Arsenal, The Comeback Club

Call it what you want— brilliant, blissful, superb— just a short list of words to describe how the red and white nation feel right now. With two losses in their rear view mirror, the Gunners had a lot to prove in this heavily contested match played on home turf against 3^rd place powerhouse, Tottenham Hotspur. The match started with an early lead by the Spurs as Louis Saha’s opener found the boot of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, who deflected the ball into the net just four minutes in.  Hotspur would go on take a 2-0 lead after a highly disputed penalty by Emmanuel Adebayor. 

North London Derby Recap: Arsenal 5 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Fewer games fill both set of fans with as much excitement and dread as the North London Derby, and it never fails to deliver maximum entertainment. This particular one is no exception as the home team came back from a 2 goal deficit to winning the game at 5-2. Four different Arsenal goalscorers graced the scoresheet today, three of which are not the usual names people expected.

Arsenal Out

The Gunners took a tough blow on Saturday against Sunderland at The Stadium of Light, dropping their second straight match.  Falling 2-0, Arsenal faced their second shutout of the week—their first coming at the hands of A.C. Milan, who put up four unanswered goals on Wednesday.  With this loss, Arsenal find themselves out of the FA cup in the fifth round.  To add to their woes, being 17 points behind table leader Manchester City, Arsenal will see their seventh consecutive season without a trophy.

Milan Power Through Arsenal in Champions League Clash

With a comeback win on Sunday against Sunderland, Arsenal seemed to have nothing left in the tank on Wednesday in San Siro, against A.C. Milan as they fell to the Italian club 4-0. The English club went into the match knowing it would be a tough game, but no one could have guessed they’d go down in the manner they did. With an injury stricken roster, Arsene Wenger’s club couldn’t find their rhythm this night and were dominated on both ends of the field.

Men Against Boys At The San Siro

UEFA Champions League: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal

 

It was supposed to be the match-up of this round, Arsenal versus AC Milan. The last time these two teams met at the San Siro in 2008, the Gunners beat Milan with goals apiece from ex-players Cesc Fabregas and don’t-we-just-love-to-hate-him Emmanuel Adebayor.

But history was not to be repeated as Arsenal received a thrashing by the home team in what their own manager described as “a shocking result and a shocking performance. It's our worst night in Europe, mistake after mistake.”

Arsenal’s Bittersweet Victory

The Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland this Saturday was a bittersweet ending to Thierry Henry’s second stint with the English soccer club. This may very well be his last time playing in the Premier league after his game-winning heroics. Twenty-five minutes into the second half, Sunderland’s winger James McClean scored the match’s first goal to put his club on top, but Arsenal fought back and in the 75^th minute, substitute Aaron Ramsey scored the tying goal. With the match coming to an end, still tied up, the 90^th minute saw Thierry Henry powerfully finish an Arshavin cross, stealing a draw from Sunderland. With Saturday’s win, Arsenal moved up to 4^th place, overtaking Chelsea in goals scored. Due back in the states on Wednesday after his two month loan from the New York Red Bulls, Henry didn’t rule out playing with the club again and shared his thoughts regarding the soccer club, stating:

 

“I never thought I was going to come back and play for Arsenal. Who knows if I can say that this was definitely the end, it could be different. Who knows? When it comes to Arsenal I am always emotional.”   

A Fairytale Ending Fit for a King

Thierry Henry has not disappointed the Arsenal faithful in his last game for the Gunners in the Premier League. In a loan agreement that started with a magical match-winning goal against Leeds in the FA Cup, the legend has provided yet another match winner in the recent game against Sunderland. 

After a lackluster 70 minutes with no goals, an unfortunate injury by Per Mertesacker gave James McClean the opportunity to open the scoring for Sunderland. The answer from Arsenal came after 5 minutes in the form of substitute Aaron Ramsey, whose shot ricocheted off both posts before going in. There was a sigh of relief from the Arsenal fans, both for the equalizer and the promise that Ramsey has ended his frustrating spell. But a draw was not what Arsenal wants, especially since both Chelsea and Liverpool had dropped points in their respective games. 

Gunners Celebrate 125 Years with Victory

December 10^th was a wonderful day for English Football Club Arsenal F.C.  The Gunners battled against a strong Everton side and edged out a 1-0 victory.  This victory saw Arsenal back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.  The day’s success allowed Arsenal to properly enjoy 125 years as a club.

Arsenal legends such as record goal scorer Thierry Henry, crucial midfielder Robert Pires, and all-time appearance holder David O’Leary were in attendance for the match.  With all these famous and essential figures in attendance, the pressure was on for the current squad to bring home a win.

New and Old Talent Land on Arsenal’s Doorstep

There has been a lot of activity in Arsenal’s training ground this past week with both new and old players arriving.  Last week, United States talent Brek Shea arrived to practice with the first team.  This week Thierry Henry, former Arsenal striker and current New York Red Bulls star, returned to his old club for practice in the MLS off-season. 

When asked about Henry returning for training with Arsenal, coach Arsène Wenger said, “He always gives us a life and it’s always a lift to see what a big player he still is.”  Henry arrived Thursday, November 17^th to train with his old squad.

Henry isn’t the only player staying at Arsenal for a little longer, as 19 year-old Daniel Boateng has agreed to extend his contract with Arsenal.  Boateng has been a regular in Arsenal’s second string team and made his first team debut as a sub in the 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on October 25^th.  With many years still left for Boateng to grow, this may be the beginning for a great star at Arsenal.   

Gunners Look for Young Talent in U.S.

Arsène Wenger has never been shy of testing out young players from different countries.  French stars Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, Mexican talent Carlos Vela, and most notably, Spanish superstar Cesc Fabregas have all donned the Gunner kit under Wenger’s watchful eye.  Now, Wenger is looking towards the United States for talent, offering a trial to F.C. Dallas midfielder Brek Shea to train with Arsenal over the MLS off-season.  Wenger says that Shea is just training for off-season right now, but he plans to give him as much experience with the team as possible.  "It's a training period for him to see what his top level is like," said Wenger in an interview about the young winger.

Shea, who is only 21 years old, has experienced a stellar season with F.C. Dallas.  He picked up 11 goals, four assists, and became a main stay on the U.S. National Team under Jurgen Klinsmann.  Shea is also one of three players up for the MLS Most Valuable Player Award for the 2011 season. 

Can Arsenal Salvage the Season / Can Arsene Wenger maintain his legacy?

Seven points from seven games.  An 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford and a stinging loss in the first North London Derby of the season.  Already, Arsenal’s Premier League season looks hopeless.  But cheer up, Gooners, there’s a lot more to life than just the Premier League.

Remember the FA Cup?  It’s the oldest continually contested domestic cup competition in the world and the most prestigious cup competition in England.  The last time Arsenal reached the FA Cup final was in 2005 when they held off a resurgent Manchester United team for 120 minutes to eventually win on penalties.