Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland Match Report 22-Feb-2014

Olivier Giroud emerged from the storm of personal and professional anguish to stamp his name back on Arsenal’s title challenge.

He scored twice, to take his league tally to 12, and was involved in another as he returned to the starting line-up with a bang.

Maybe Sunderland had one eye on next week’s return to north London for the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.

Maybe they were just outclassed. Whatever the reason, they need to raise their game to save their Premier League status, as well as avoid a public ­humiliation next week against Manchester City at Wembley.

Dennis Bergkamp, part of the last Arsenal team to win the Premier League and now immortalised in bronze outside the Emirates, professed his love for the club and his hope to return one day when he was introduced to the crowd at half-time.

And he will have been impressed as the Gunners put down another decisive marker to suggest their long wait for ­silverware and a 14th domestic league title could be coming to an end.

The fact Arsene Wenger did not even name Mesut Ozil on the bench, supposedly because of a thigh injury and nothing to do with his costly penalty miss against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, was quickly forgotten as the hosts dominated.

Wenger said: “We had a very demanding week, both physically and mentally, and we scored two great Arsenal goals. I was very pleased for Tomas Rosicky, who took the role of Bergkamp today and Dennis would have been impressed.”

After games against Manchester United, Bayern and two with Liverpool, a visit by the lowly Wearsiders appeared from a distance to be an oasis of calm for the Gunners.

And so it proved.

Especially for Giroud, centre of all sorts of storms - one most certainly of his own making.

Controversially omitted from the Champions League team on Wednesday, he took just five minutes to leave one word hanging in the air: Why?

Leaving out his top scorer had seemed a bold gamble by Wenger in midweek, and his impact on returning only ­deepened the suspicion that it was one that failed.

The inability to convert early domination against the ­European Champions into at least one goal proved costly to their ambitions on the continent.

But against domestic ­opposition here, Giroud made it a different story.

Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Rosicky and Wilshere again combined for Giroud who had a simple tap-in.

If his professional situation had suddenly taken an upturn after being left out of the previous two games, his muted ­celebration perhaps marked the awkward personal position he put himself in after inviting a lingerie model to his hotel room ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.

Giroud, who Wenger claimed had been rested from the previous two starting line-ups because “he was tired” was awake to the opportunity when Santiago Vergini played an aimless pass into his own area and the Arsenal ace pounced to roll the ball home for his 16th goal of the season.

“That was the killer,” admitted Sunderland manager Gus Poyet. “We were technically poor, our reactions, sprints, power, ­everything not good enough.”

If the Black Cats were architects of their own downfall for that goal, the third was classic Arsenal pass-and-move. Easy on the eye, bewitching to defend against, before Rosicky’s clipped finish.

Sunderland had barely even had scraps to feed off.

They acquitted themselves better after the break until Vergini sliced a cross just wide of his own goal and the resulting corner by Santi Cazorla landed on Laurent Koscielny’s head, with marker Phil Bardsley several yards away, watching as the ball flew past Vito Mannone.

Koscielny and Nacho Monreal (foot) were substituted injured, though both are rated ‘hopeful’ for next Saturday’s game against Stoke.

Sunderland, who tested Wojciech Szczesny through Fabio Borini and then Ki Sung-Yeung, earned a consolation when the keeper’s punched ­clearance went to sub Emanuele Giaccherini, and from 25 yards he returned the ball with interest.

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Source : http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-4-1-sunderland-match-report-3133970#ixzz2uE1TaRDh

Arsenal 0-2 Bayern Munich Match Report 19-Feb-2014

Another hard luck story. Another night of wondering what might have been.
But, ultimately, it all points to yet another early exit from the Champions League and this one will be even harder to take.

It seems even more cruel because while it was 11 versus 11, it was an even and fascinating contest.

Arsenal gave as good as they got, Mesut Ozil wasted an early penalty and yet it looked as if Arsene Wenger's men would push Bayern Munich all of the way.

But as soon as Wojciech Szczesny was sent off and Arsenal were reduced to ten men just before the break it was game over. The fact David Alaba missed the resulting penalty became an irrelevance.

Bayern were always going to be a tough nut to crack. Wenger described them as the best team in the world.

In the end, the scoreline could have been even worse because Bayern were unforgiving in a one-sided second half.

Arsenal go to Munich in three weeks' time needing another miracle to overturn another disastrous first leg scoreline. Surely Bayern will not be as sloppy as last year, when Arsenal won the second leg 2-0?

That was still not enough 12 months ago and only the most optimistic Arsenal fan could believe they could do it again.

And in the meantime, you wonder what effect it will have on Arsenal's season.

They had to play more than a half of football with only ten men and those legs will now be tired against Sunderland on Saturday.

Also, the huge disappointment may yet impact upon their title challenge and push for silverware as suddenly the FA Cup becomes even more important.

Shaun Botterill/Getty

Big miss: Mesut Ozil spurned Arsenal's best chance

Wenger put on a brave face, but the underlying disappointment will be huge because he regards the Champions League as the ultimate test.

Just like Manchester City against Barcelona the night before, the game changed on a sending off but the results look like a harsh reminder that the Premier League's best cannot live with Europe's best.

Bayern's best two players, Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos, looked on a different level and for all of Arsenal's fight and defiance there was no way they could keep them at bay with only 10 men.

It was harsh because Arsenal started so brightly and Ozil won a ninth penalty when his run and clever turn tricked Jerome Boateng to make a clumsy challenge.

With first choice penalty taker Mikel Arteta suspended, Ozil grabbed the ball.

Who would bet against a German from the spot?

But, incredibly, he looked more like an Englishman in a shoot-out. Nervous and timid.

He took just two steps, his left foot shot was almost down the middle and Manuel Neuer had dived but was able to throw out a big hand and make a crucial save.

Ozil shook his head in disbelief. But Arsenal did keep their collective heads up.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and even Yaya Sanogo - a surprise inclusion ahead of Olivier Giroud - all put themselves about and dug deep.

It was a terrific contest and well matched, until that all changed in the 38th minutes. Kroos lifted a ball over the defence, Robben latched onto it, Szczesny rushed out and caught him with his trailing leg.

There was no debate on the penalty. But there was a debate to be had over whether it was an obvious goalscoring opportunity and therefore a red card.

The ball was running away from goal.

But Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli had no hesitation and sent off Szczesny, who showed his displeasure with an obscene gesture as he went down the tunnel.

Santi Cazorla looked inconsolable when he was sacrificed to bring on sub keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Mike Hewitt/Getty

Turning point: Wojciech Szczesny fouls Arjen Robben

Incredibly, Bayern did not ask a German to take the spot-kick. Austrian full-back David Alaba stepped up and... missed, hitting the outside of the post.

The scores may have stayed level, but the task had become impossible.

Robben became more influential, Kroos ran the game in front of watching Manchester United boss David Moyes in the stands.

Bayern got what they deserved in the 55th minute.

Robben and Philipp Lahm swapped passes, they gave the ball to Kroos and his precise curling right foot shot from the edge of the box beat Fabianski at his left hand post.

From then on, Bayern laid siege.

Robben tormented Arsenal, cutting in from the right.

Incredibly, Arsenal held out until the 88th minute when Lahm's clever ball over the top sent in substitute Thomas Muller to head home.

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Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-0-2-bayern-munich-match-3162607#ixzz2tr1bptFo

Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool Match Report 16-Feb-2014

Arsenal progressed to the last eight of the FA Cup with a hard-fought win over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski scored either side half-time for the Gunners, who claimed revenge for their heavy defeat to Brendan Rodgers' side in the Premier League last week.

Arsene Wenger decided to rest striker Olivier Giroud, handing Yaya Sanogo a rare start in attack. Joe Allen and Daniel Agger were restored to the Reds' starting line-up, with Jordan Henderson and Kolo Toure dropping to the bench.

Liverpool flew out of the blocks and almost grabbed the opener through Daniel Sturridge, who rounded Lukasz Fabianski but could only find the side netting.

It would be the hosts who got their noses in front, however, Oxlade-Chamberlain turning home from near the penalty spot after being found by Sanogo. That settled Arsenal's nerves, and only some astute Liverpool defending prevented Wenger's men extending their lead before the interval.

They would not have to wait long to make it 2-0 after the break, however. Oxlade-Chamberlain motored clear down the right and crossed low for Podolski, whose crisp finish gave Brad Jones no chance.

Liverpool got back into the game on the hour from the penalty spot. Luis Suarez was bundled over by Podolski just inside the area, giving Steven Gerrard the chance to convert from 12 yards. The England midfielder made no mistake, setting up a thrilling finish.

Liverpool pressed on in the remaining minutes and came close to equalising when Agger headed just wide. But Arsenal held on, setting up a quarter-final clash with Everton, winners over Swansea earlier in the afternoon.

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Source : http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-2-1-liverpool-match-report-3152704#ixzz2tZ0RPLZu

Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United Report 12-Feb-2014

If you want to win the title, you've got to put away the also-rans at home.

Chelsea did, 3-1. And City. They scored four. Liverpool, too, were too good for David Moyes' men.
But with the top of the table tantalisingly within reach, the chance to take full advantage of Chelsea's West Brom slip, Arsenal stumbled again.

The smattering of boos that greeted Arsene Wenger and his leggy, weary, players at the final whistle told the story of a championship push in danger of disappearing down the Holloway Road. It is now just five points from 12, at the time when you have to find an extra gear, not slip into neutral.

And while, for once, Arsenal fans were grateful that Robin van Persie lost his shooting boots at the Emirates, the former Gunners skipper missing the two best chances of the night, this felt like one of those pivotal evenings.

In other circumstances, other seasons, a home draw with United can bring a sense of satisfaction.
But not in this campaign, when the Red Devils see a point as a moral victory, portray it as the basis of the next stage back towards respectability.

Wenger had told his players this was the night to demonstrate mental strength, to show their desire and determination. If it is to prove a defining day, it was the wrong sort of definition, nothing like the reaction required after their Anfield debacle, let alone the opportunity gifted them by Chelsea's Hawthorns error, a pale imitation of previous titanic tussles between these two.

2014 Getty Images

Air game: Rio Ferdinand challenges Olivier Giroud

Even when Van Persie squandered a sitter after 80 seconds, taking the ball off Mikel Arteta's toes but shooting too close to Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal's response was tepid.

They were aided by a shocking opening from Nemanja Vidic, who first allowed Jack Wilshere to walk past him in the box and then gave Olivier Giroud a free header from the resulting Santi Cazorla corner.

But the remainder of the opening period was a study in the weaknesses and frailties of both sides, Moyes' decision to marginalise Juan Mata wide left as mystifying as Arsenal's lack of intensity.

Van Persie, teased in by Mata, flashed through the six yard box yet the biggest talking point was the horrible head-first fall by Rafael Da Silva as he jumped over Giroud just before the interval.

The onus was on Arsenal to take it up a notch. After all, they were the ones with the summit in their sights. United are stuck in the foothills. But the threat was brief, peripheral, only occasional, never sustained.

2014 Getty Images

Rare chance: Giroud goes close as David De Gea looks on

Antonio Valencia did head out from under his own bar when Laurent Koscielny beat Vidic to Mesut Ozil's corner. The German's improvement from recent displays was only marginal.

Giroud demanded a penalty as he went to ground far to easily after a nudge from Vidic - now partnered by Rio Ferdinand - and when he did get in front of the Serb, from Bacary Sagna's delicious delivery, he failed to get even the slight touch required.

Then again, that's what happens when you expect one man to play up front on his own all season. January made the Gunners shiver, with every striker they didn't deliver.

Had Van Persie not been brilliantly denied by Szczesny, diverting his bullet header from a textbook Rooney cross up against the bar and away, the howls of anguish would have been deeper and even more mournful.

The woodwork allowed time for a late assault, one which saw David De Gea twice thwart Cazorla, first down to his right and then at the foot of the other upright.

It was, though, an insufficient response to a situation which demanded far, far more, United's satisfaction with a draw outlining how their expectations have been diminished by a season to forget.

Arsenal are not, yet, out of the battle for the crown. But all the pre-season warnings about their true strength look increasingly accurate. The buck has to stop somewhere. It will. As Arsene knows.

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Source : http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-0-0-manchester-united-match-3111104#ixzz2tAxKdHYj

Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1 Match Report 08-Feb-2014

Without question the worst performance of the season, and one that will stick in the memory with all those other bad days at the office from recent seasons.

Fortunately - no matter how dire we were at Anfield - this doesn't mean that we're suddenly out of the title race. Far from it.

If you read the papers too much you'll end up slashing your wrists, but the truth is that the situation is far from hopeless. Yes it was a shocking performance, but the points reversal would have been the same even if we'd only lost 1-0 and nobody would be wailing about it.

We simply have to pick ourselves up, move on, and beat Manchester United at home. Easy eh?

Here's the report:

Liverpool produced one of the most stunning opening 20 minutes seen at Anfield - and arguably one of the best ever - to blow away Arsenal and give their own title hopes a shot in the arm.

Brendan Rodgers' rampant Reds fired four goals before the visitors knew what had hit them, and they were incapable of finding a response.

The irony was that the league's leading striker Luis Suarez, whom Gunners boss Arsene Wenger tried so hard to sign in the summer with a cheeky £40,000,001 bid, did not get near any of them.

Suarez, who deserved a goal for a brilliant volley which beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny but not the post, could claim an assist for Raheem Sterling's first of two but Liverpool were well in control by then thanks to two from defender Martin Skrtel - the first after just 52 seconds.

There was a sense of incredulity around Anfield when Daniel Sturridge caressed home the fourth with less than a quarter of the match played but for Arsenal it was more a feeling of bewilderment as an eight-game unbeaten run came to an end with Mikel Arteta's second-half penalty no consolation.

It left a question mark hanging over their ability to sustain a challenge on three fronts with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, quickly followed by Liverpool in the FA Cup and then Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Liverpool's first home league win over Arsenal since March 2007 moved them to within five points of their opponents, who started the day with a two-point advantage over Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the table.

Rodgers has ruled his side in - and then out - of the title race but anything close to a repeat of this form in the remainder of the campaign and he may have to reconsider once again.

An 11th home victory in 13 attempts, their best record since 1987-88, indicates where their strength lies and with Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all still to come to Anfield Liverpool should be able to set their sights higher than merely securing fourth place - providing they can avoid some inconsistency on the road.

Arsenal arrived with the joint-best away record in the top flight but the dismantling of that began inside a minute.

Per Mertesacker fouled Suarez wide on Liverpool's left and Steven Gerrard's wickedly inswinging free-kick was turned in six yards out by Skrtel, although there was a suspicion of offside about it.

Full-back Jon Flanagan almost made it 2-0 on the end of a flowing move down the right involving the industrious Jordan Henderson and Sturridge but from Gerrard's resulting corner Skrtel flicked in a header over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the line.

The goal doubled the Slovakia international's tally for the season and equalled his best goalscoring campaign (2011-12) for the club.

Still Arsenal were powerless to prevent Liverpool rampaging forward and when Suarez played Sturridge in the England striker should have done better with his clever chip over the advancing goalkeeper which drifted wide.

Suarez smacked a sumptuous volley against an upright from Gerrard's corner with Kolo Toure unable to divert the rebound into the empty net, but there was no respite.

Henderson robbed the anonymous Mesut Ozil on halfway. Suarez's cross from the right had Sturridge and Sterling queuing up but the latter got their first.

Sturridge was not to be denied, however, and when a trademark Philippe Coutinho through-ball sent the striker scampering between Arsenal's statuesque centre-backs a confident clip past the goalkeeper got its just reward.

A quick glance at the Anfield scoreboard showed the time elapsed was 20 minutes - Arsenal's players looked like they were already halfway home to London.

The visitors created just two chances in the first half, one via a mix-up between goalkeeper Simon Mignolet with Skrtel clearing the danger from Nacho Monreal, and the other a Mertesacker header flashed across goal.

Any fanciful hopes Arsenal had of recreating a thrilling 4-4 draw like the Andrey Arshavin-inspired one here in 2009 which contributed to Liverpool not winning the title were ended 10 minutes into the second half.

Toure's ball over the top was seized upon by Sterling, who reacted quickest when his shot rebounded back off Szczesny to make it 5-0.

Rarely is Suarez overshadowed but try as he might he could not get into the main action, with his 35-yard free-kick destined for the top corner until the Gunners goalkeeper tipped it over.

Arteta scored a penalty after Gerrard's needless foul on Oxlade-Chamberlain and was denied by Mignolet's low save from his free-kick but the game had been lost long before.

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Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace match Report 02-Feb-2014

The England man scored his first goals of the season as the Gunners ease past an impressive Crystal Palace side at the Emirates

They have been forgotten, almost a title after-thought.
Everyone, it seems, thinks it’s between Manchester City and Chelsea, whose clash of the giants tonight has taken most of the attention this weekend.
But out of the spotlight, Arsenal keep on winning, keep on picking up points, keep on doing what manager Arsene Wenger wants them to do.
Now, thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s terrific double, it is 20 points out of 24 since they were battered at the Etihad last month.
By close of business this evening, unless City win, Arsenal will still be top of the table, with just 14 games left.
Even if City do emerge victorious, Arsenal will be a single point behind them, five clear of Chelsea in third, serious contenders.
And while the bookies don’t tend to lose money, Wenger believes his men can continue upsetting the odds, all the way to May.
Wenger’s Gunners, frustrated by Tony Pulis’ battlers, were not at their fluent, free-flowing best, at times lacking inspiration, struggling for a way past organised and resolute Palace.
Butthey looked so, so secure at the other end, with central defenders Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny terrific and composed.
It meant there was no panic, just assurance, expectation, calmness, waiting for the opportunity to come. For the opening 45 minutes, it did not arrive. Nacho Monreal might have done better from Mesut Ozil’s clever ball at the start, while Julian Speroni made a sprawling save when a free-kick from the German beat everyone and was heading inside his right-hand upright.
Palace were doing everything Pulis would have wanted, digging in, staying disciplined, dropping into position and seeking to hit on the occasional counter.Mike Hewitt

Ox in the box: Oxlade-Chamberlain stood out for the Gunners

 But two minutes after the restart, up popped The Ox in the box – and altered the match. Maybe Palace, their minds still in the dressing room, had switched off. If so, then credit to Arsenal for taking full toll.
Santi Cazorla, who operated on the right with the dreadfully disappointing Lukas Podolski on the other flank, received from Bacary Sagna and weaved inside, as Oxlade-Chamberlain darted from his deep central starting position.
For once, Palace were caught flat-footed, Joel Ward exposed for pace as the England midfielder sped through on his outside, taking one touch with his right foot before delicately beating the stranded Speroni with his left.
It was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first Arsenal goal since December, his first for anyone since smashing home against Brazil in the Maracana in June.
To be fair to Oxlade-Chamberlain, he was out for five months after getting injured on the opening afternoon of the season back in August, but the goal ensured a wave of relief for the home fans.
That might swiftly have gone as Palace carved out their sole real opening.
But Wojciech Szczesny threw himself down to divert Cameron Jerome’s header behind after Jason Puncheon’s deflected cross was nodded across goal by Yannick Bolasie.
And while Podolski, played in by Mikel Arteta, wasted a chance to put the game out of reach, Oxlade-Chamberlain showed his desire for goals had not been quenched with the killer, 17 minutes from time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s back heel was the start of it, giving him the chance to run off Ward, with Olivier Giroud returning the ball into his path as he hared into the box.
This time Speroni could get a touch, but no more, only deflecting the ball into the bottom corner.
Cue victory celebrations, fanfares of delight for Oxlade-Chamberlain, good news for Roy Hodgson too. Good night and good luck.
Arsenal remain the outsiders of three. They face a potentially nightmare spell of games, starting at Liverpool next week.
But there is a momentum building at the Emirates. A sense of belief, of destiny.
Don’t you dare write them off.

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Source : http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/arsenal-2-0-crystal-palace-match-3054486#ixzz2sESThrHj
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