Fulham 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal will finish the 2010/11 Premier League season in fourth place.

Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.

Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.

Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.

It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.

The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.

However the point of a League competition is that it reflects your standard over the longer term - and
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.

But we all hope it will improve next term.

There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.

Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.

Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song(knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out

It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.

Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.

The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.

In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.

Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.

In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.

It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.

Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.

It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.

Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.

Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.

Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.

They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.

Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.

You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.

They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.

However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.

Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.

However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.

It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.

The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.

In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.

To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.

Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.

Fulham 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal will finish the 2010/11 Premier League season in fourth place.

Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.

Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.

Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.

It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.

The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.

However the point of a League competition is that it reflects your standard over the longer term - and
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.

But we all hope it will improve next term.

There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.

Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.

Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song(knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out

It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.

Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.

The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.

In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.

Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.

In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.

It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.

Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.

It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.

Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.

Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.

Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.

They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.

Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.

You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.

They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.

However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.

Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.

However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.

It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.

The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.

In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.

To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.

Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.

Fulham Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“I feel there is something to play for because Man City still have a difficult game at Bolton,” said Arsène Wenger ahead of the trip to Fulham on Sunday. “We know that through our own experience up there.

“So that means it is down to us to just try and win our game. If they win, they win. The most important thing is that we are responsible and fight for our future.”

In truth that battle will be waged all summer.

Three months ago, the Arsenal fans were hopeful that the game at Craven Cottage would not be the last first-team appearance this season. There was the possibility of a Champions League Final at Wembley next weekend or perhaps a tour around Islington in an open-topped bus clutching something silver.

However, as it stands, Wenger’s side are not even in the bronze medal position in the Premier League. Manchester City pushed them down into fourth by beating Stoke on Tuesday.

It leaves Arsenal needing to better the result of Roberto Mancini’s men this weekend to take third and go directly into the Champions League group stage.

Finishing fourth will leave them contemplating not only another hurdle but a summer filled with what-might-have-beens.

“For me there is a massive difference,” said Wenger. “Fourth is playing a qualifier for the Champions League. That is not Champions League. Third is guaranteeing to be in the Champions League.

“But if fourth is a reality, we will have to face that. I believe in the last three months we had a mixture of disappointments and bad luck.

“We can only act on what we have an influence – and that means improving our quality. But when you see again the game we played against Aston Villa, it is unbelievable – some decisions are unexplainable to me in that game. For me, we won, 100 per cent. But we have to accept it, deal with it and come back even stronger.

“’[Failure] is a big name,” the Frenchman went on. “Overall I think we have been consistent. So it is more what I would call a big frustration because we were very close in all the competitions and we missed out on very little.

“We cannot say we are happy but as well we cannot say that it is a disaster. Overall I think that's the closest we have been to winning the title in recent years.

“That's why it's even more frustrating because if you look at the way we lost the games in the decisive moments it's clear that we need to add some maturity to our team. For example the way we lost in the Carling Cup Final, against Liverpool and the way we dropped points against Bolton in the last minute.

“So of course I feel the nerves played a part more than the talent in the fact we did not win the title.”

Samir Nasri (hamstring), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) all face late tests ahead of the trip across the capital. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) certainly misses out while Johan Djourou (ankle) is hoping to be back.

If Fulham pip Arsenal and Chelsea beat Everton, then Mark Hughes’ side will finish seventh – equalling their highest ever placing in the top-flight. There is also the possibility of a Europa League place via the Fair Play League.

Fulham’s strength remains their defence – it is the best outside the top four. Meanwhile it is pertinent for Arsenal that 30 per cent of their goals have come from headers – the highest proportion in the top flight.

“They are a good side,” said Wenger. “They have a good technical level and they have a big squad. They lost at home to Liverpool and after that they won at Birmingham having changed players in the squad.

 “We will try to win the game, it’s as simple as that. A draw could be good enough if Man City lose at Bolton. I do not want to have any regrets now and so I just want to win the game.”

During his media work, Wenger was asked if he could ‘guarantee’ a trophy next season. It was a strange suggestion given that the experience of the last few months had demonstrated why that word is simply not present in footballing lexicon.

“I promise Arsenal fans that we will give our best to win trophies,” Wenger replied. “Who can guarantee that they will deliver trophies? We will give our best to do it and that is our main target.

“And what is a trophy? Is to finish tenth and win the Carling Cup a trophy? No.

“What I want to achieve is to keep the consistency in our quality, in our table position and deliver what I call trophies - the Premier League and the Champions League. You can say you will give the maximum to do it but you cannot guarantee that. You can only do that if you are crazy.”

Arsenal’s late demise has driven everyone a little mad to be honest. It has been fist-gnawing fare that only a masochist could enjoy.

However Sunday still has a huge significance. Mistakes and misfortune have been costly this term but finishing fourth impacts on the next campaign aswell.

Arsenal have unraveled and the prevailing mood is thunderous. But, whisper it quietly, they just might have been overpunished for their slips. Some final-day fortune may redress the balance somewhat.

Let's be clear, third place is not a trophy. Third place is not what anyone wanted.

But if Arsenal could just squeeze above Manchester City then they might be able to feel a little better about the concluding campaign.

And, of course, next term would be a little easier too.

Fulham Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“I feel there is something to play for because Man City still have a difficult game at Bolton,” said Arsène Wenger ahead of the trip to Fulham on Sunday. “We know that through our own experience up there.

“So that means it is down to us to just try and win our game. If they win, they win. The most important thing is that we are responsible and fight for our future.”

In truth that battle will be waged all summer.

Three months ago, the Arsenal fans were hopeful that the game at Craven Cottage would not be the last first-team appearance this season. There was the possibility of a Champions League Final at Wembley next weekend or perhaps a tour around Islington in an open-topped bus clutching something silver.

However, as it stands, Wenger’s side are not even in the bronze medal position in the Premier League. Manchester City pushed them down into fourth by beating Stoke on Tuesday.

It leaves Arsenal needing to better the result of Roberto Mancini’s men this weekend to take third and go directly into the Champions League group stage.

Finishing fourth will leave them contemplating not only another hurdle but a summer filled with what-might-have-beens.

“For me there is a massive difference,” said Wenger. “Fourth is playing a qualifier for the Champions League. That is not Champions League. Third is guaranteeing to be in the Champions League.

“But if fourth is a reality, we will have to face that. I believe in the last three months we had a mixture of disappointments and bad luck.

“We can only act on what we have an influence – and that means improving our quality. But when you see again the game we played against Aston Villa, it is unbelievable – some decisions are unexplainable to me in that game. For me, we won, 100 per cent. But we have to accept it, deal with it and come back even stronger.

“’[Failure] is a big name,” the Frenchman went on. “Overall I think we have been consistent. So it is more what I would call a big frustration because we were very close in all the competitions and we missed out on very little.

“We cannot say we are happy but as well we cannot say that it is a disaster. Overall I think that's the closest we have been to winning the title in recent years.

“That's why it's even more frustrating because if you look at the way we lost the games in the decisive moments it's clear that we need to add some maturity to our team. For example the way we lost in the Carling Cup Final, against Liverpool and the way we dropped points against Bolton in the last minute.

“So of course I feel the nerves played a part more than the talent in the fact we did not win the title.”

Samir Nasri (hamstring), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) all face late tests ahead of the trip across the capital. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) certainly misses out while Johan Djourou (ankle) is hoping to be back.

If Fulham pip Arsenal and Chelsea beat Everton, then Mark Hughes’ side will finish seventh – equalling their highest ever placing in the top-flight. There is also the possibility of a Europa League place via the Fair Play League.

Fulham’s strength remains their defence – it is the best outside the top four. Meanwhile it is pertinent for Arsenal that 30 per cent of their goals have come from headers – the highest proportion in the top flight.

“They are a good side,” said Wenger. “They have a good technical level and they have a big squad. They lost at home to Liverpool and after that they won at Birmingham having changed players in the squad.

 “We will try to win the game, it’s as simple as that. A draw could be good enough if Man City lose at Bolton. I do not want to have any regrets now and so I just want to win the game.”

During his media work, Wenger was asked if he could ‘guarantee’ a trophy next season. It was a strange suggestion given that the experience of the last few months had demonstrated why that word is simply not present in footballing lexicon.

“I promise Arsenal fans that we will give our best to win trophies,” Wenger replied. “Who can guarantee that they will deliver trophies? We will give our best to do it and that is our main target.

“And what is a trophy? Is to finish tenth and win the Carling Cup a trophy? No.

“What I want to achieve is to keep the consistency in our quality, in our table position and deliver what I call trophies - the Premier League and the Champions League. You can say you will give the maximum to do it but you cannot guarantee that. You can only do that if you are crazy.”

Arsenal’s late demise has driven everyone a little mad to be honest. It has been fist-gnawing fare that only a masochist could enjoy.

However Sunday still has a huge significance. Mistakes and misfortune have been costly this term but finishing fourth impacts on the next campaign aswell.

Arsenal have unraveled and the prevailing mood is thunderous. But, whisper it quietly, they just might have been overpunished for their slips. Some final-day fortune may redress the balance somewhat.

Let's be clear, third place is not a trophy. Third place is not what anyone wanted.

But if Arsenal could just squeeze above Manchester City then they might be able to feel a little better about the concluding campaign.

And, of course, next term would be a little easier too.

Stoke City Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“There is a very little chance the title will happen,” said an earnest Arsène Wenger in his pre-match press conference. “But I do not want to come out of the season and think that if we had won at Stoke, then our last two games, we would have made it.

“I don't leave in dreamland, I live in a realistic world. But we all live in a competitive world and a real competitor fights until the end.”

It is only attitude the Arsenal manager can adopt right now. If his side win at Britannia Stadium on Sunday lunchtime and Chelsea beat Manchester United a little later that day then Wenger’s side will be a win away from the leading pair with two games left. They would be in touch but in need of assistance.

We thought we’d left all the hypotheticals back at Bolton a fortnight ago but the victory over the leaders last weekend allows us a little latitude once more. Some English bookmakers have Arsenal at 100/1 to win the title, Wenger himself says it should be about 20/1. Either way, the challenge this weekend is merely to remain ‘in the mix’.

“There's a little chance, yes,” said Wenger. “At the moment we have a five per cent chance to be in the battle. So the most important thing is for us to give absolutely everything to be in there. After that you never know.

“Of course, we need Chelsea to win and then the two teams involved still to drop points in one game. We need exceptionally positive circumstances and that has not been the case until now this year. But I do not want to have any regrets.”

So first place is a distant dream and second a target. But anything lower than third would be a blow to both Arsenal’s current and upcoming campaign.

“The first step for us was to be in the top four,” said Wenger. “Last Sunday was a decisive move in that because if Tottenham had won at Chelsea and we had lost against Manchester United, they would be six points behind us with a game in hand. Now, we still go step-by-step and the next step is to be in the top three.

“Of course, we want to avoid the Champions League qualifier. We always coped with it in the past. We had to do it a few times and we have done it in a convincing way.

“But we know we are not out of there yet. Many teams will try to be in the top three and we will do absolutely everything to be in there.”

Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy (hamstring) face late fitness tests. Cesc Fabregas (thigh), Samir Nasri (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) are definitely out.

Thomas Vermaelen could be involved in a first-team game for the first time since August last year. Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey will make only his third start for Arsenal since suffering a horrible broken leg at the Britannia Stadium in February 2010.

The Welshman capped a wonderful display with the winning goal against Manchester United last Sunday. It is inevitable that Ramsey and his tackler on that fateful day, Ryan Shawcross, will have a back-page build-up to the game. But, during his media work, Wenger was keen to use football as the ultimate therapy.

“It was an accident that happened,” he said. “You do not want to skip games when you are a football player because of geography.

“The best way to deal with the situation is to focus to play well and win the game.”

Stoke have had a successful season. They secured their Premier League status very early and have reached the FA Cup Final. It will be historic should they beat Manchester City next week at Wembley while a top 10 place would be their best finish for 37 years.

They have lost just one of their last six games but then Arsenal have taken 30 points on the road this season – the best in the Premier League. However it is testament to their tail-off that victory on Sunday would be the first time they had registered back-to-back wins since February.

“Reaching the FA Cup final is a massive achievement for Stoke,” said Wenger. “Especially the way they won the Semi-Final.

“But if you look at the difficulty of staying in the Premier League then the fact they were safe so early is a great credit to them too.”

Last Sunday’s win over Manchester United was probably the best of the season. It was a dominant performance against a top side in fine form. Unlike the victory over Barcelona, Arsenal dominated throughout and when they beat Chelsea late last year the Stamford Bridge were off their game.

However in terms of significance the victory barely ranks in the top six.

Arsenal lost their way for a couple of months before Sunday and are now relying on others to put them back on course.

All they can do is win and hope.

Stoke City Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“There is a very little chance the title will happen,” said an earnest Arsène Wenger in his pre-match press conference. “But I do not want to come out of the season and think that if we had won at Stoke, then our last two games, we would have made it.

“I don't leave in dreamland, I live in a realistic world. But we all live in a competitive world and a real competitor fights until the end.”

It is only attitude the Arsenal manager can adopt right now. If his side win at Britannia Stadium on Sunday lunchtime and Chelsea beat Manchester United a little later that day then Wenger’s side will be a win away from the leading pair with two games left. They would be in touch but in need of assistance.

We thought we’d left all the hypotheticals back at Bolton a fortnight ago but the victory over the leaders last weekend allows us a little latitude once more. Some English bookmakers have Arsenal at 100/1 to win the title, Wenger himself says it should be about 20/1. Either way, the challenge this weekend is merely to remain ‘in the mix’.

“There's a little chance, yes,” said Wenger. “At the moment we have a five per cent chance to be in the battle. So the most important thing is for us to give absolutely everything to be in there. After that you never know.

“Of course, we need Chelsea to win and then the two teams involved still to drop points in one game. We need exceptionally positive circumstances and that has not been the case until now this year. But I do not want to have any regrets.”

So first place is a distant dream and second a target. But anything lower than third would be a blow to both Arsenal’s current and upcoming campaign.

“The first step for us was to be in the top four,” said Wenger. “Last Sunday was a decisive move in that because if Tottenham had won at Chelsea and we had lost against Manchester United, they would be six points behind us with a game in hand. Now, we still go step-by-step and the next step is to be in the top three.

“Of course, we want to avoid the Champions League qualifier. We always coped with it in the past. We had to do it a few times and we have done it in a convincing way.

“But we know we are not out of there yet. Many teams will try to be in the top three and we will do absolutely everything to be in there.”

Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy (hamstring) face late fitness tests. Cesc Fabregas (thigh), Samir Nasri (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) are definitely out.

Thomas Vermaelen could be involved in a first-team game for the first time since August last year. Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey will make only his third start for Arsenal since suffering a horrible broken leg at the Britannia Stadium in February 2010.

The Welshman capped a wonderful display with the winning goal against Manchester United last Sunday. It is inevitable that Ramsey and his tackler on that fateful day, Ryan Shawcross, will have a back-page build-up to the game. But, during his media work, Wenger was keen to use football as the ultimate therapy.

“It was an accident that happened,” he said. “You do not want to skip games when you are a football player because of geography.

“The best way to deal with the situation is to focus to play well and win the game.”

Stoke have had a successful season. They secured their Premier League status very early and have reached the FA Cup Final. It will be historic should they beat Manchester City next week at Wembley while a top 10 place would be their best finish for 37 years.

They have lost just one of their last six games but then Arsenal have taken 30 points on the road this season – the best in the Premier League. However it is testament to their tail-off that victory on Sunday would be the first time they had registered back-to-back wins since February.

“Reaching the FA Cup final is a massive achievement for Stoke,” said Wenger. “Especially the way they won the Semi-Final.

“But if you look at the difficulty of staying in the Premier League then the fact they were safe so early is a great credit to them too.”

Last Sunday’s win over Manchester United was probably the best of the season. It was a dominant performance against a top side in fine form. Unlike the victory over Barcelona, Arsenal dominated throughout and when they beat Chelsea late last year the Stamford Bridge were off their game.

However in terms of significance the victory barely ranks in the top six.

Arsenal lost their way for a couple of months before Sunday and are now relying on others to put them back on course.

All they can do is win and hope.

Bolton Wanderers Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“We are in a very interesting situation where we are fighting for the title and yet I am always sitting in a position where you force me to explain why we fail,” said a stony-faced Arsène Wenger at his press conference on Friday.

“For me it's not a comfortable situation because we are fighting in a period where the most important thing is to have belief in what we do and you keep saying 'why have you failed to win?'

“Let's just play for it first and have a go. For me it is important to give absolutely everything until the last game of the season and to be proud. Then, as I have said many times, if there has been somebody better we will have to accept that but, at the moment I don't accept that there is somebody better.”

Those three paragraphs sum up Arsenal’s position perfectly.

They themselves placed the high jump bar to an unprecedented level and have then been pilloried for knocking it off with their trailing leg as they leapt for gold.

Right now it looks like they must settle for a podium place in the main event but the competition is not over. During the past couple of months, Manchester United have provided Wenger’s men with ample opportunity to bridge the gap at the top – they did so in midweek at Newcastle.

Arsenal’s failure to take these chances only make their current predicament doubly frustrating but it does not make Sir Alex Ferguson’s side any stronger – only the position they occupy.

The midweek draws at St James Park and White Hart Lane helped push Chelsea up to second and gave them a scent of the title once more. The Stamford Bridge side have what Arsenal lack – momentum. But both have the opportunity to take points off Manchester United in direct confrontations in the final few games.

Arsenal’s comes next Sunday at Emirates Stadium. It is sandwiched between a couple of tough trips – Bolton this weekend and Stoke in a fortnight.

While the form, fortune and football fraternity are all doubting Wenger’s side right now, three straight wins would put them back in touching distance of the title.

That is why the manager wants the usual ‘blame game’ to start once the title race is over.

And that simply has not happened yet.

“I have no doubt at all we can win all five games,” said Wenger.

“We have a good basis because we are consistent. As you know, we have played 16 games without losing so what I feel is most important for us now is to keep the belief and to win.

“I am convinced that if we win our five games we will win the Premier League. But the target right now is just to win the next one so let’s focus and give absolutely everything to do that. This title will go to the most solid team, mentally. Not necessarily to anybody else. The mental part of the belief is the most important thing to have in the last five games.

“We have beaten Chelsea already and, in our plan, we have to beat Man United now for sure. But even then they can drop points [elsewhere] as well so let’s just win the next game when we go to Bolton.”

Abou Diaby (calf) is the only new absentee for the trip to the Reebok Stadium which Tomas Rosicky will also miss due to sickness. Thomas Vermaelen is in training and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is out for the season. Those four are the extent of the injury list at the Club.

Crucially, Bolton will have Daniel Sturridge back in their side on Sunday. The striker has hit six goals in his eight Premier League games on loan from Chelsea and was sorely missed in the 5-0 defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup Semi-Final last weekend.

Owen Coyle’s side have had a highly-creditable campaign but that Wembley defeat will surely taint the memory and, perhaps, their end-of-season form. But they have won their last four games at home keeping clean sheets in three of them.  Arsenal will not presume weakness.

“Bolton have done very well,” said Wenger. “They have just had a massive disappointment, certainly but overall they have been one of the teams above expectations.

“They would have been thinking about going to the Cup Final and the disappointment must be huge for them. How they will respond I don't know but we have to focus on our own performance in a game of this stature.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 2011 but have drawn five of their last six games. It was a similar run of stalemates that cost them the title in 2008 when they were leading the table well into March. The only difference this time is that they had most of those games under control.

Earlier in the week, Robin van Persie called their failure to hold on to a lead “almost criminal”. Wenger both disagrees and sympathises.

“I can accept that he feels that way but it is not criminal,” said the manager. “However I use that word sometimes as well. It's how he feels because he is committed to the Club and the team.

“And certainly it is difficult to comprehend. But I think it's a little bit through a desire to do well. What happened to us in the Carling Cup Final was not quality, just nerves, and it happened again against Tottenham and Liverpool.”

Forgive me for donning the rose-tinted spectacles but perhaps that is where the general perception of Arsenal actually may help the team this weekend.

The wider football world feels the team have blown their title chances so maybe the shackles can come off and the early season away form can return.

Either way, Arsenal cannot be discounted just yet. While the expectations have been extinguished for now, at least the hope remains.

Bolton Wanderers Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“We are in a very interesting situation where we are fighting for the title and yet I am always sitting in a position where you force me to explain why we fail,” said a stony-faced Arsène Wenger at his press conference on Friday.

“For me it's not a comfortable situation because we are fighting in a period where the most important thing is to have belief in what we do and you keep saying 'why have you failed to win?'

“Let's just play for it first and have a go. For me it is important to give absolutely everything until the last game of the season and to be proud. Then, as I have said many times, if there has been somebody better we will have to accept that but, at the moment I don't accept that there is somebody better.”

Those three paragraphs sum up Arsenal’s position perfectly.

They themselves placed the high jump bar to an unprecedented level and have then been pilloried for knocking it off with their trailing leg as they leapt for gold.

Right now it looks like they must settle for a podium place in the main event but the competition is not over. During the past couple of months, Manchester United have provided Wenger’s men with ample opportunity to bridge the gap at the top – they did so in midweek at Newcastle.

Arsenal’s failure to take these chances only make their current predicament doubly frustrating but it does not make Sir Alex Ferguson’s side any stronger – only the position they occupy.

The midweek draws at St James Park and White Hart Lane helped push Chelsea up to second and gave them a scent of the title once more. The Stamford Bridge side have what Arsenal lack – momentum. But both have the opportunity to take points off Manchester United in direct confrontations in the final few games.

Arsenal’s comes next Sunday at Emirates Stadium. It is sandwiched between a couple of tough trips – Bolton this weekend and Stoke in a fortnight.

While the form, fortune and football fraternity are all doubting Wenger’s side right now, three straight wins would put them back in touching distance of the title.

That is why the manager wants the usual ‘blame game’ to start once the title race is over.

And that simply has not happened yet.

“I have no doubt at all we can win all five games,” said Wenger.

“We have a good basis because we are consistent. As you know, we have played 16 games without losing so what I feel is most important for us now is to keep the belief and to win.

“I am convinced that if we win our five games we will win the Premier League. But the target right now is just to win the next one so let’s focus and give absolutely everything to do that. This title will go to the most solid team, mentally. Not necessarily to anybody else. The mental part of the belief is the most important thing to have in the last five games.

“We have beaten Chelsea already and, in our plan, we have to beat Man United now for sure. But even then they can drop points [elsewhere] as well so let’s just win the next game when we go to Bolton.”

Abou Diaby (calf) is the only new absentee for the trip to the Reebok Stadium which Tomas Rosicky will also miss due to sickness. Thomas Vermaelen is in training and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is out for the season. Those four are the extent of the injury list at the Club.

Crucially, Bolton will have Daniel Sturridge back in their side on Sunday. The striker has hit six goals in his eight Premier League games on loan from Chelsea and was sorely missed in the 5-0 defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup Semi-Final last weekend.

Owen Coyle’s side have had a highly-creditable campaign but that Wembley defeat will surely taint the memory and, perhaps, their end-of-season form. But they have won their last four games at home keeping clean sheets in three of them.  Arsenal will not presume weakness.

“Bolton have done very well,” said Wenger. “They have just had a massive disappointment, certainly but overall they have been one of the teams above expectations.

“They would have been thinking about going to the Cup Final and the disappointment must be huge for them. How they will respond I don't know but we have to focus on our own performance in a game of this stature.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 2011 but have drawn five of their last six games. It was a similar run of stalemates that cost them the title in 2008 when they were leading the table well into March. The only difference this time is that they had most of those games under control.

Earlier in the week, Robin van Persie called their failure to hold on to a lead “almost criminal”. Wenger both disagrees and sympathises.

“I can accept that he feels that way but it is not criminal,” said the manager. “However I use that word sometimes as well. It's how he feels because he is committed to the Club and the team.

“And certainly it is difficult to comprehend. But I think it's a little bit through a desire to do well. What happened to us in the Carling Cup Final was not quality, just nerves, and it happened again against Tottenham and Liverpool.”

Forgive me for donning the rose-tinted spectacles but perhaps that is where the general perception of Arsenal actually may help the team this weekend.

The wider football world feels the team have blown their title chances so maybe the shackles can come off and the early season away form can return.

Either way, Arsenal cannot be discounted just yet. While the expectations have been extinguished for now, at least the hope remains.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Chelsea are in a stronger position than Arsenal in the title run-in

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea are a stronger team than Arsenal due to their experience but concedes Arsene Wenger's men are the better footballing side.

Chelsea currently sit second in the table on goal difference after a mid-season blip had dented their title aspirations. Ferguson maintains his side capitalised fully on Carlo Ancelotti's men slipping up but warns the current champions are in a better position than Wenger's charges to mount a late surge.

"I said a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers. Now they are above Arsenal," Ferguson told reporters.

"I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier but they have to come to Old Trafford and that's not going to be easy for them. Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal.

"Chelsea are a strong team with strong experience. That's the difference between the two teams. Arsenal are the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.

"At the beginning of the season Chelsea were favourites to reclaim the Premier League, but a mid-season slump saw them lose momentum allowing United to gain an advantage.

"We all get blips in a season. Chelsea were odds-on at one point for the Premier League and then they hit that blip. But credit to us – we took advantage of that."

Manchester Unted face Everton on Saturday but Ferguson has praised the way David Moyes has guided his side to seven games without defeat, despite having a host of key first-team personnel sidelined.

"Everton have done exceptionally well considering David has had a mountain of injuries in the last few weeks, being without Cahill, Arteta, Saha and Fellaini but still turning out the results. David keeps motivating them."

Darren Fletcher is set to make his return from injury and Ferguson has revealed the Scot will takes his place in midfield once he is fully fit.

"In big games, important games, Darren has excelled over the years because he has the knowledge and discipline to carry out a job, whatever I want him to do," said Ferguson.

"When he does come back, he will go straight into the team."

West Ham’s Scott Parker received the Football Writers' award on Friday, while United captain Nemanja Vidic came third. Ferguson maintains the midfielder is deserving of the accolade.

"Scott Parker has certainly done a good job at West Ham,'' said Ferguson. "He's probably the player who's driven them on, motivated them to be where they are and still with a chance of staying up.

"They've got a mountain to climb – they go to Chelsea. But he's been the driving force in that West Ham team. In a way it's a good thing to recognise the good pros in the game."

"It's nice to recognise somebody outside of the celebrity clubs in the Premier League, the teams who are getting all the publicity like United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham."

Ferguson reflected on previous winners, one in particular, Tottenham midfielder David Ginola, who scooped the award in 1999, and maintains the Frenchman was a surprise considering his side won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League that season.

"I remember when we won the treble, David Ginola got it. He was a nice player, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against David Ginola at all, but I thought it was an insult to Manchester United. How can we not have had one player who had a better season than David Ginola?

"I suppose at the time you picked David Ginola, we still had four games to go, and may had won nothing,'' he added.

Following Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s hospital admission, fellow Premier League managers have come out in support of the Frenchman. Ferguson believes age is the determining factor of managerial illness - rather than stress as a result of the job.

"Some mornings I wake up with aches and pains and I worry what it is,'' said the 69-year-old.
"I sometimes say to my doctor: 'I've got a pain here and a pain there.' He says: 'It's your age, you're growing old. You have to pay attention to your health when you get older. It doesn't come without penalties.

"Modern nutrition and lifestyle mean people live longer but it doesn't guarantee complete health all your life. I had a pacemaker put in seven years ago. That was the first indication that your body is not working the same as 20 years ago."

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Chelsea are in a stronger position than Arsenal in the title run-in

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea are a stronger team than Arsenal due to their experience but concedes Arsene Wenger's men are the better footballing side.

Chelsea currently sit second in the table on goal difference after a mid-season blip had dented their title aspirations. Ferguson maintains his side capitalised fully on Carlo Ancelotti's men slipping up but warns the current champions are in a better position than Wenger's charges to mount a late surge.

"I said a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers. Now they are above Arsenal," Ferguson told reporters.

"I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier but they have to come to Old Trafford and that's not going to be easy for them. Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal.

"Chelsea are a strong team with strong experience. That's the difference between the two teams. Arsenal are the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.

"At the beginning of the season Chelsea were favourites to reclaim the Premier League, but a mid-season slump saw them lose momentum allowing United to gain an advantage.

"We all get blips in a season. Chelsea were odds-on at one point for the Premier League and then they hit that blip. But credit to us – we took advantage of that."

Manchester Unted face Everton on Saturday but Ferguson has praised the way David Moyes has guided his side to seven games without defeat, despite having a host of key first-team personnel sidelined.

"Everton have done exceptionally well considering David has had a mountain of injuries in the last few weeks, being without Cahill, Arteta, Saha and Fellaini but still turning out the results. David keeps motivating them."

Darren Fletcher is set to make his return from injury and Ferguson has revealed the Scot will takes his place in midfield once he is fully fit.

"In big games, important games, Darren has excelled over the years because he has the knowledge and discipline to carry out a job, whatever I want him to do," said Ferguson.

"When he does come back, he will go straight into the team."

West Ham’s Scott Parker received the Football Writers' award on Friday, while United captain Nemanja Vidic came third. Ferguson maintains the midfielder is deserving of the accolade.

"Scott Parker has certainly done a good job at West Ham,'' said Ferguson. "He's probably the player who's driven them on, motivated them to be where they are and still with a chance of staying up.

"They've got a mountain to climb – they go to Chelsea. But he's been the driving force in that West Ham team. In a way it's a good thing to recognise the good pros in the game."

"It's nice to recognise somebody outside of the celebrity clubs in the Premier League, the teams who are getting all the publicity like United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham."

Ferguson reflected on previous winners, one in particular, Tottenham midfielder David Ginola, who scooped the award in 1999, and maintains the Frenchman was a surprise considering his side won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League that season.

"I remember when we won the treble, David Ginola got it. He was a nice player, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against David Ginola at all, but I thought it was an insult to Manchester United. How can we not have had one player who had a better season than David Ginola?

"I suppose at the time you picked David Ginola, we still had four games to go, and may had won nothing,'' he added.

Following Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s hospital admission, fellow Premier League managers have come out in support of the Frenchman. Ferguson believes age is the determining factor of managerial illness - rather than stress as a result of the job.

"Some mornings I wake up with aches and pains and I worry what it is,'' said the 69-year-old.
"I sometimes say to my doctor: 'I've got a pain here and a pain there.' He says: 'It's your age, you're growing old. You have to pay attention to your health when you get older. It doesn't come without penalties.

"Modern nutrition and lifestyle mean people live longer but it doesn't guarantee complete health all your life. I had a pacemaker put in seven years ago. That was the first indication that your body is not working the same as 20 years ago."

Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool - Match Preview

Arsenal’s title challenge suffered another dent as Liverpool snatched a point in a controversial tale of two penalties.

Robin van Persie looked to have sewn up a vital win with a coolly-dispatched spot-kick in the eighth and apparently final minute of stoppage time added on after a sickening injury to Jamie Carragher.
But with 101 minutes on the clock Dirk Kuyt restored parity with the last kick of the game after Emmanuel Eboue pushed Lucas Leiva.
It was another disheartening blow on home soil and it was probably ill-deserved. Arsenal had made most of the running without ever looking at their best and went closest before that frantic finale when Laurent Koscielny crashed a header against the crossbar.

When the dust settles, Arsenal will find themselves six points behind Manchester United with six games each to play. The leaders travel south on May 1 but Arsène Wenger’s side need favours from other teams now.

And they need to win their own games too, starting with Tottenham in the North London derby on Wednesday.

Ultimately this will go down as a frustrating day but it will also be remembered as a poignant one. Before the match the whole of Emirates Stadium rose in tribute to the late Danny Fiszman as well as the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster which unfolded 22 years ago this week.

The Emirates was especially colourful on this sunny Sunday afternoon as the dark coats of winter made way for replica shirt sleeves. And Arsenal’s fans had an extra spring in their step after discovering that Wojciech Szczesny and Johan Djourou were back in the starting line-up. There was a third change as Andrey Arshavin made way for Theo Walcott and, with Alex Song also fit and among the subs, Wenger’s squad had virtually a clean bill of health.

It was just as well given the identity of their opponents. Liverpool are a very different beast from the one that squandered a winning position in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the campaign. And in Andy Carroll they have a beast of a striker who has already scored a winning goal here this season – for Newcastle in November.

Carroll’s much-touted strength in the air was expected to be Liverpool’s main threat but the England man was beaten to a high ball in the fourth minute as Diaby rose to glance Cesc Fabregas’ inswinging free-kick past the far post.

There were tit-bits for the visitors to snack on in the opening moments – Luis Suarez warmed up Szczesny with a low free-kick before Carroll headed tamely over and then wide. But Arsenal started to take a grip with Eboue offering dynamic support from right back behind the usual suspects.

A savage snap-shot from Walcott surprised Reina in the 13th minute and the Liverpool keeper got nowhere near a Van Persie corner four minutes later as Koscielny soared above him and Carragher to crash a header against the bar. Djourou was first to the rebound and nodded down for Walcott to wallop a shot against Kuyt’s arm but the penalty shout was rightly turned down.

Carroll was increasingly isolated at the other end as strike partner Suarez dropped back to help. And although Liverpool couldn’t stem the flow of Arsenal’s forward movement, they did deny them the space to carve out gilt-edged opportunities.

Fabregas and Van Persie linked up twice in three minutes just before the half-hour mark. First the captain picked out his team-mate with a clip over the top – a tactic deployed so successfully at Blackpool last weekend – but Van Persie was marginally offside as he drilled the ball past Reina. Then a one-two on the edge of the box left Fabregas in a decent position but he dragged his left-footed effort wide.

By now Fabio Aurelio had limped off and Walcott looked to expose his replacement at left back, Jack Robinson. But it was the man stationed behind him, Eboue, who fired the last meaningful shot of the half after drifting into the area and collecting Fabregas’ pass. The Ivorian’s low effort hit Martin Skrtel and looped past Reina before spinning just wide.

After a half-time talking to, Liverpool emerged from the break with far more purpose and Szczesny was relieved to watch Suarez’s effort fizz past his right-hand post. But the visitors lost their second defender of the afternoon just before the hour when Carragher was stretchered off after a horrible collision with John Flanagan.

That gave Arsenal time to regroup and they improved after that long delay. Walcott just failed to pick out Van Persie with a low cross and the Dutchman saw an attempted lob flick off a defender after Fabregas had picked him out with a searching pass.

Van Persie was first to Nasri’s resulting corner, guiding a header into the side-netting at Reina’s near post. Arsenal were getting closer without ever looking totally convincing.

Suarez was though. Pushed on after Carroll’s departure, the Uruguayan tested Szczesny with one curling effort and then saw an ever better chance snaffled by the Polish goalkeeper.

By now Wenger had brought on Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner for Walcott and a tiring Jack Wilshere. Song would follow them on before the end.


There was plenty of time for one final push.

Gael Clichy’s raking cross was met by Van Persie’s flick header but Reina plucked it out of the air. Then the Liverpool keeper stood up brilliantly to deny the Dutchman as he went clean through five minutes from time. Fabregas worked the rebound to Bendtner but Reina was equal to his dipping volley too.

Suarez almost made Arsenal pay but sliced a golden chance high and wide from a narrow angle.

The fourth official’s appearance offered hope: there would be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time thanks to Carragher’s injury.

And after Reina dealt authoratively with a succession of crosses, the chance Arsenal craved arrived when Spearing clumsily brought Fabregas down inside the box with the clock showing 97 minutes.

Up stepped Van Persie. Calm as you like he slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner while Reina chose the other way.

Cue pandemonium.

But there was a horrible twist in the 101st minute. Suarez's free kick was blocked, Eboue pushed Lucas in a race for the loose ball, another penalty was awarded and Kuyt levelled it up.

It was the final kick of the game.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool - Match Preview

Arsenal’s title challenge suffered another dent as Liverpool snatched a point in a controversial tale of two penalties.

Robin van Persie looked to have sewn up a vital win with a coolly-dispatched spot-kick in the eighth and apparently final minute of stoppage time added on after a sickening injury to Jamie Carragher.
But with 101 minutes on the clock Dirk Kuyt restored parity with the last kick of the game after Emmanuel Eboue pushed Lucas Leiva.
It was another disheartening blow on home soil and it was probably ill-deserved. Arsenal had made most of the running without ever looking at their best and went closest before that frantic finale when Laurent Koscielny crashed a header against the crossbar.

When the dust settles, Arsenal will find themselves six points behind Manchester United with six games each to play. The leaders travel south on May 1 but Arsène Wenger’s side need favours from other teams now.

And they need to win their own games too, starting with Tottenham in the North London derby on Wednesday.

Ultimately this will go down as a frustrating day but it will also be remembered as a poignant one. Before the match the whole of Emirates Stadium rose in tribute to the late Danny Fiszman as well as the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster which unfolded 22 years ago this week.

The Emirates was especially colourful on this sunny Sunday afternoon as the dark coats of winter made way for replica shirt sleeves. And Arsenal’s fans had an extra spring in their step after discovering that Wojciech Szczesny and Johan Djourou were back in the starting line-up. There was a third change as Andrey Arshavin made way for Theo Walcott and, with Alex Song also fit and among the subs, Wenger’s squad had virtually a clean bill of health.

It was just as well given the identity of their opponents. Liverpool are a very different beast from the one that squandered a winning position in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the campaign. And in Andy Carroll they have a beast of a striker who has already scored a winning goal here this season – for Newcastle in November.

Carroll’s much-touted strength in the air was expected to be Liverpool’s main threat but the England man was beaten to a high ball in the fourth minute as Diaby rose to glance Cesc Fabregas’ inswinging free-kick past the far post.

There were tit-bits for the visitors to snack on in the opening moments – Luis Suarez warmed up Szczesny with a low free-kick before Carroll headed tamely over and then wide. But Arsenal started to take a grip with Eboue offering dynamic support from right back behind the usual suspects.

A savage snap-shot from Walcott surprised Reina in the 13th minute and the Liverpool keeper got nowhere near a Van Persie corner four minutes later as Koscielny soared above him and Carragher to crash a header against the bar. Djourou was first to the rebound and nodded down for Walcott to wallop a shot against Kuyt’s arm but the penalty shout was rightly turned down.

Carroll was increasingly isolated at the other end as strike partner Suarez dropped back to help. And although Liverpool couldn’t stem the flow of Arsenal’s forward movement, they did deny them the space to carve out gilt-edged opportunities.

Fabregas and Van Persie linked up twice in three minutes just before the half-hour mark. First the captain picked out his team-mate with a clip over the top – a tactic deployed so successfully at Blackpool last weekend – but Van Persie was marginally offside as he drilled the ball past Reina. Then a one-two on the edge of the box left Fabregas in a decent position but he dragged his left-footed effort wide.

By now Fabio Aurelio had limped off and Walcott looked to expose his replacement at left back, Jack Robinson. But it was the man stationed behind him, Eboue, who fired the last meaningful shot of the half after drifting into the area and collecting Fabregas’ pass. The Ivorian’s low effort hit Martin Skrtel and looped past Reina before spinning just wide.

After a half-time talking to, Liverpool emerged from the break with far more purpose and Szczesny was relieved to watch Suarez’s effort fizz past his right-hand post. But the visitors lost their second defender of the afternoon just before the hour when Carragher was stretchered off after a horrible collision with John Flanagan.

That gave Arsenal time to regroup and they improved after that long delay. Walcott just failed to pick out Van Persie with a low cross and the Dutchman saw an attempted lob flick off a defender after Fabregas had picked him out with a searching pass.

Van Persie was first to Nasri’s resulting corner, guiding a header into the side-netting at Reina’s near post. Arsenal were getting closer without ever looking totally convincing.

Suarez was though. Pushed on after Carroll’s departure, the Uruguayan tested Szczesny with one curling effort and then saw an ever better chance snaffled by the Polish goalkeeper.

By now Wenger had brought on Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner for Walcott and a tiring Jack Wilshere. Song would follow them on before the end.


There was plenty of time for one final push.

Gael Clichy’s raking cross was met by Van Persie’s flick header but Reina plucked it out of the air. Then the Liverpool keeper stood up brilliantly to deny the Dutchman as he went clean through five minutes from time. Fabregas worked the rebound to Bendtner but Reina was equal to his dipping volley too.

Suarez almost made Arsenal pay but sliced a golden chance high and wide from a narrow angle.

The fourth official’s appearance offered hope: there would be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time thanks to Carragher’s injury.

And after Reina dealt authoratively with a succession of crosses, the chance Arsenal craved arrived when Spearing clumsily brought Fabregas down inside the box with the clock showing 97 minutes.

Up stepped Van Persie. Calm as you like he slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner while Reina chose the other way.

Cue pandemonium.

But there was a horrible twist in the 101st minute. Suarez's free kick was blocked, Eboue pushed Lucas in a race for the loose ball, another penalty was awarded and Kuyt levelled it up.

It was the final kick of the game.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool - Match Preview

"Manchester United have still got to come to Emirates Stadium."

We've heard that time and again in recent months as Arsenal have tracked their old rivals at the top of the Premier League. But the significance of winning that potential title 'six-pointer' on May 1 will count for nothing if Arsène Wenger's squad fluff their lines in the next week.

A season-defining seven days starts with the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, continues with a local derby at White Hart Lane on Wednesday and concludes with a traditionally tricky trip to Bolton on Easter Day. Maximum points from that trilogy is a lot to ask but it might be necessary to ensure United's trip south remains relevant.

Having turned the proverbial corner with a win at Blackpool last weekend, Arsenal's week has been dominated by off-field matters - KSE's offer for the Club on Monday and the sad death of Danny Fiszman on Wednesday. Having paid his respects to his former colleague, Wenger's gaze returned to matters on the pitch on Friday and he is in no doubt that his players have put the misery of their recent cup exits behind them.

"This team is focused," said the Frenchman. "I've told you many times I'm very proud to manage this team because they are focused, they want to do well.

"Unfortunately we have been hit very hard but we have not been out of every competition early on having not performed. This team has given absolutely everything to perform in every competition and we are still today in the championship.

"We lost against Barcelona by just a goal, we did not lose against them with an ugly performance, we produced in the two games what we could and we did as well as we could against maybe the best team at the moment in the world and we were very close.

"Nobody takes into consideration that in football you lose sometimes, but it is as well how you lose."

Losing is not an option on Sunday but this is arguably a bad time to face Liverpool. Pepe Reina's flap on the opening weekend of the season may have gifted Arsenal a point at Anfield and set the tone for a five-month malaise that precipitated Roy Hodgson's removal as manager, but the Reds have been on the rise as of late.

Eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish was handed the caretaker reins in January - his previous game as a manager of a top-flight English club was Newcastle's 1998 FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal - but the old Kop hero has already stockpiled 23 Premier League points to Hodgson's 25 - in eight fewer games.

"It was strange to see him [Dalglish] back because for a while he was Director of Football at Liverpool so it looked like he had decided not to come back into the game," said Wenger. "But certainly Liverpool has a special meaning for him and that is why he decided to come back.

"Liverpool have done well since then. They had a slow start but you expected them to come back to some decent performances. The confidence dropped early in the season and then it is very difficult. Since they have come back and they had as well the bad luck of Steven Gerrard being ruled out for a long time, but you are not surprised that Liverpool is one of the best teams in this league."

Galvanised by Dalglish, Liverpool have also been lifted by the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll - paid for with the proceeds of the £50million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea. That looks like increasingly savvy business - while Torres waits to break his duck at Stamford Bridge, Suarez and Carroll have shared four goals in nine League starts.

The former is facing Arsenal for the first time; not so the latter. Carroll inflicted as much damage as anyone on Arsenal's title challenge with a towering headed winner when Newcastle visited the Emirates back in November and Wenger knows exactly what to expect from him on Sunday.

"He is physically very strong, he has a good understanding of the game on crosses, long balls, he uses his body well and he is very good in the air," noted the Frenchman. "He is very young as well so there is still a lot to come from him.

"You certainly have in your mind the goal he scored against Manchester City [on Monday], Liverpool's third goal [in a 3-0 win]. It is typically a striker's goal, good anticipation, good deflection of the ball. He is a typical type of English centre forward, Carroll, so we have to keep him quiet."

Wenger pointed out at his pre-match press conference that Nicklas Bendtner is the closest player to Carroll in Arsenal's ranks in terms of strength and aerial ability. Whether or not the Dane gets a chance to prove it this weekend remains to be seen after his manager reported a virtually clean bill of health.

Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is the only long-term absentee while Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia (both knee) are doubts for Sunday. But Wojciech Szczesny (finger), Alex Song (knee) and Johan Djourou (shoulder) are all expected to return to the squad while even Thomas Vermaelen is back in full training.

It's exactly the news Wenger needed ahead of what has become a bellwether fixture for Arsenal in modern times. Wins at Anfield propelled the Gunners to the title in 1989 (obviously), 1991 and 2002 while a 4-2 win seven Aprils ago proved pivotal to the 'Invincibles' campaign.

"Both teams have always had a very positive philosophy in the games and went forward," reflected Wenger. "We have some good and bad memories but they were always very exciting games.

"Liverpool had a good game on Monday night, we won the day before, so it promises to be a very exciting game. They have a good offensive force with Carroll and Suarez and we are as well an offensive team so it promises to be an interesting game. We have a good opportunity to reduce the distance with Man United and we want of course to take it."

Ah yes, United. In case you hadn't noticed, they have no option but to take their eyes off the Premier League prize this weekend while an FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley against their Manchester rivals occupies their minds.

By the time they look up, Arsenal could be just four points behind with six games left to play.

If they are, that much-touted May clash at the Emirates will be as significant as ever.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool - Match Preview

"Manchester United have still got to come to Emirates Stadium."

We've heard that time and again in recent months as Arsenal have tracked their old rivals at the top of the Premier League. But the significance of winning that potential title 'six-pointer' on May 1 will count for nothing if Arsène Wenger's squad fluff their lines in the next week.

A season-defining seven days starts with the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, continues with a local derby at White Hart Lane on Wednesday and concludes with a traditionally tricky trip to Bolton on Easter Day. Maximum points from that trilogy is a lot to ask but it might be necessary to ensure United's trip south remains relevant.

Having turned the proverbial corner with a win at Blackpool last weekend, Arsenal's week has been dominated by off-field matters - KSE's offer for the Club on Monday and the sad death of Danny Fiszman on Wednesday. Having paid his respects to his former colleague, Wenger's gaze returned to matters on the pitch on Friday and he is in no doubt that his players have put the misery of their recent cup exits behind them.

"This team is focused," said the Frenchman. "I've told you many times I'm very proud to manage this team because they are focused, they want to do well.

"Unfortunately we have been hit very hard but we have not been out of every competition early on having not performed. This team has given absolutely everything to perform in every competition and we are still today in the championship.

"We lost against Barcelona by just a goal, we did not lose against them with an ugly performance, we produced in the two games what we could and we did as well as we could against maybe the best team at the moment in the world and we were very close.

"Nobody takes into consideration that in football you lose sometimes, but it is as well how you lose."

Losing is not an option on Sunday but this is arguably a bad time to face Liverpool. Pepe Reina's flap on the opening weekend of the season may have gifted Arsenal a point at Anfield and set the tone for a five-month malaise that precipitated Roy Hodgson's removal as manager, but the Reds have been on the rise as of late.

Eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish was handed the caretaker reins in January - his previous game as a manager of a top-flight English club was Newcastle's 1998 FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal - but the old Kop hero has already stockpiled 23 Premier League points to Hodgson's 25 - in eight fewer games.

"It was strange to see him [Dalglish] back because for a while he was Director of Football at Liverpool so it looked like he had decided not to come back into the game," said Wenger. "But certainly Liverpool has a special meaning for him and that is why he decided to come back.

"Liverpool have done well since then. They had a slow start but you expected them to come back to some decent performances. The confidence dropped early in the season and then it is very difficult. Since they have come back and they had as well the bad luck of Steven Gerrard being ruled out for a long time, but you are not surprised that Liverpool is one of the best teams in this league."

Galvanised by Dalglish, Liverpool have also been lifted by the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll - paid for with the proceeds of the £50million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea. That looks like increasingly savvy business - while Torres waits to break his duck at Stamford Bridge, Suarez and Carroll have shared four goals in nine League starts.

The former is facing Arsenal for the first time; not so the latter. Carroll inflicted as much damage as anyone on Arsenal's title challenge with a towering headed winner when Newcastle visited the Emirates back in November and Wenger knows exactly what to expect from him on Sunday.

"He is physically very strong, he has a good understanding of the game on crosses, long balls, he uses his body well and he is very good in the air," noted the Frenchman. "He is very young as well so there is still a lot to come from him.

"You certainly have in your mind the goal he scored against Manchester City [on Monday], Liverpool's third goal [in a 3-0 win]. It is typically a striker's goal, good anticipation, good deflection of the ball. He is a typical type of English centre forward, Carroll, so we have to keep him quiet."

Wenger pointed out at his pre-match press conference that Nicklas Bendtner is the closest player to Carroll in Arsenal's ranks in terms of strength and aerial ability. Whether or not the Dane gets a chance to prove it this weekend remains to be seen after his manager reported a virtually clean bill of health.

Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is the only long-term absentee while Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia (both knee) are doubts for Sunday. But Wojciech Szczesny (finger), Alex Song (knee) and Johan Djourou (shoulder) are all expected to return to the squad while even Thomas Vermaelen is back in full training.

It's exactly the news Wenger needed ahead of what has become a bellwether fixture for Arsenal in modern times. Wins at Anfield propelled the Gunners to the title in 1989 (obviously), 1991 and 2002 while a 4-2 win seven Aprils ago proved pivotal to the 'Invincibles' campaign.

"Both teams have always had a very positive philosophy in the games and went forward," reflected Wenger. "We have some good and bad memories but they were always very exciting games.

"Liverpool had a good game on Monday night, we won the day before, so it promises to be a very exciting game. They have a good offensive force with Carroll and Suarez and we are as well an offensive team so it promises to be an interesting game. We have a good opportunity to reduce the distance with Man United and we want of course to take it."

Ah yes, United. In case you hadn't noticed, they have no option but to take their eyes off the Premier League prize this weekend while an FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley against their Manchester rivals occupies their minds.

By the time they look up, Arsenal could be just four points behind with six games left to play.

If they are, that much-touted May clash at the Emirates will be as significant as ever.

Blackpool 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal kept themselves on the coat-tails of Manchester United with a highly-entertaining and hugely-important 3-1 win at Blackpool on Sunday.

There was drama before kick-off when Manuel Almunia injured himself in the warm-up and Jens Lehmann, at 41, played his first game for the Club in three years and, with it, registered 200 appearances.

Blackpool sensed weakness in the early stages but Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes midway through the first half to give the visitors control.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher prodded Blackpool back in touch just after the restart but, as they had in the first half, Arsenal gradually tightened their grip on the game and fully deserved Robin van Persie’s goal with 14 minutes left.

This was by-no-means a perfect performance from Arsène Wenger’s side. But it did possess a fluency and creativity that they have lacked in recent games.

It leaves Arsenal seven points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. That comes next Sunday at home to Liverpool while Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are otherwise employed in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

Given they entertain Manchester United at Emirates Stadium too, Arsenal are still part of a title race.

The margin for error is now thin but Wenger’s men are certainly still involved.

The pre-game news was all about Lehmann. The German was making his first Arsenal appearance since May 2008 and his first in top-fight football since ending his career at Stuttgart last summer.

Elsewhere Cesc Fabregas, Eboue and Diaby came back into the side. Alex Song, Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott dropped out. The first two were injured, the third made the bench.

The late drama seemed to buoy Blackpool and they forced Arsenal back in the opening minutes. However their pressure created only one real chance. It came when Charlie Adam’s corner was nodded wide by the stooping Ian Evatt. At the other end Andrey Arshavin hacked horribly wide with keeper Richard Kingson stranded.

Van Persie fired a free-kick over the bar and, minutes later, saw the keeper intervene after failing to adequately control a lofted pass from Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal seemed to be gradually gaining control and two goals in three minutes would confirm their position.

In the 17th minute, Van Persie went clear on the left and crossed low to the far post where the unmarked Diaby converted.

Then Eboue raced forward down the right, burst into the area, exchanged passes with Wilshere and thumped past Kingson from close range.

The Ivorian threw off the celebrations of his fellow players and ran to the visiting support then kissed the badge on his shirt. It was his first Premier League goal for over two years.

Blackpool were now utterly on the back foot and could have conceded a couple more before the break.

Fabregas lofted a pass into the path of Van Persie, who chested the ball down expertly but could only sidefoot straight at Kingson.

In the 36th minute, Arshavin prodded Nasri through only for the goalkeeper to block his shot. The ball was eventually recycled to Fabregas who chipped the Frenchman clear 12 yards out. He hooked his shot past Kingson but the ball bounced off the outside of the post.

Arsenal were now attacking at will and creating clear-cut opportunities all the time. Blackpool were dangerous going forward but wide open at the back

Six minutes from the whistle, Van Perise beat the offside trap but Kingson raced out of his area to pressurise. The Dutchman found Diaby who tried to cut inside but was dispossessed.

Shortly afterwards Van Persie thought he had a third but was rightly flagged offside in the build-up.

However Blackpool would finish the half like they had started it - with a chance at the near post. Taylor-Fletcher drove to the byline and Luke Varney’s touch was blocked partly by Laurent Koscielny, partly Lehmann. However it was Fabregas who cleared the vulnerable ball off the line.

Van Persie seemed to be bundled over in injury time but referee Lee Mason waved play on. He did the same thing at the start of the second half when Diaby was alleged to have handled.

Once again, Blackpool began well. Shortly afterwards Varney should have converted at the near post from Adam’s low free-kick.

In the 52nd minute, Jason Puncheon slipped the ball towards DJ Campbell but Lehmann raced out and seemed to clip the Blackpool striker. Everyone waited for a whistle but referee Mason played the advantage and Taylor-Fletcher maintained his poise to fire home.

The goal rattled Arsenal and they might have conceded twice in the minutes that followed. Firstly Koscielny seemed to bring down Taylor-Fletcher just inside the area then the unmarked Keith Southern failed to nod home at the near post following a cross by the former.

However as the game reached the three-quarter stage, Arsenal were back on top. Van Persie drove a grubber shot past the far post and then, in the 73rd minute, fizzed a fine volley beyond the same upright.

The third goal arrived three minutes later. Sebastien Squillaci mopped up danger at the back and Diaby fled forward down the right to find substitute Walcott. He crossed for Van Persie to sidefoot past Kingson.

Ten minutes from time, Fabregas nodded inches past the post.

However, in between came Lehmann’s moment. Taylor-Fletcher caught Gael Clichy in possession and put Campbell clear. The German stood up well to block.

It was Blackpool’s last chance and Arsenal cruised home. At the end, a few Arsenal players threw their shirt to the visiting supporters.

Both need to believe if Wenger’s men are going to win the title now.

But this victory and that gesture can only help.

Blackpool 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal kept themselves on the coat-tails of Manchester United with a highly-entertaining and hugely-important 3-1 win at Blackpool on Sunday.

There was drama before kick-off when Manuel Almunia injured himself in the warm-up and Jens Lehmann, at 41, played his first game for the Club in three years and, with it, registered 200 appearances.

Blackpool sensed weakness in the early stages but Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes midway through the first half to give the visitors control.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher prodded Blackpool back in touch just after the restart but, as they had in the first half, Arsenal gradually tightened their grip on the game and fully deserved Robin van Persie’s goal with 14 minutes left.

This was by-no-means a perfect performance from Arsène Wenger’s side. But it did possess a fluency and creativity that they have lacked in recent games.

It leaves Arsenal seven points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. That comes next Sunday at home to Liverpool while Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are otherwise employed in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

Given they entertain Manchester United at Emirates Stadium too, Arsenal are still part of a title race.

The margin for error is now thin but Wenger’s men are certainly still involved.

The pre-game news was all about Lehmann. The German was making his first Arsenal appearance since May 2008 and his first in top-fight football since ending his career at Stuttgart last summer.

Elsewhere Cesc Fabregas, Eboue and Diaby came back into the side. Alex Song, Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott dropped out. The first two were injured, the third made the bench.

The late drama seemed to buoy Blackpool and they forced Arsenal back in the opening minutes. However their pressure created only one real chance. It came when Charlie Adam’s corner was nodded wide by the stooping Ian Evatt. At the other end Andrey Arshavin hacked horribly wide with keeper Richard Kingson stranded.

Van Persie fired a free-kick over the bar and, minutes later, saw the keeper intervene after failing to adequately control a lofted pass from Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal seemed to be gradually gaining control and two goals in three minutes would confirm their position.

In the 17th minute, Van Persie went clear on the left and crossed low to the far post where the unmarked Diaby converted.

Then Eboue raced forward down the right, burst into the area, exchanged passes with Wilshere and thumped past Kingson from close range.

The Ivorian threw off the celebrations of his fellow players and ran to the visiting support then kissed the badge on his shirt. It was his first Premier League goal for over two years.

Blackpool were now utterly on the back foot and could have conceded a couple more before the break.

Fabregas lofted a pass into the path of Van Persie, who chested the ball down expertly but could only sidefoot straight at Kingson.

In the 36th minute, Arshavin prodded Nasri through only for the goalkeeper to block his shot. The ball was eventually recycled to Fabregas who chipped the Frenchman clear 12 yards out. He hooked his shot past Kingson but the ball bounced off the outside of the post.

Arsenal were now attacking at will and creating clear-cut opportunities all the time. Blackpool were dangerous going forward but wide open at the back

Six minutes from the whistle, Van Perise beat the offside trap but Kingson raced out of his area to pressurise. The Dutchman found Diaby who tried to cut inside but was dispossessed.

Shortly afterwards Van Persie thought he had a third but was rightly flagged offside in the build-up.

However Blackpool would finish the half like they had started it - with a chance at the near post. Taylor-Fletcher drove to the byline and Luke Varney’s touch was blocked partly by Laurent Koscielny, partly Lehmann. However it was Fabregas who cleared the vulnerable ball off the line.

Van Persie seemed to be bundled over in injury time but referee Lee Mason waved play on. He did the same thing at the start of the second half when Diaby was alleged to have handled.

Once again, Blackpool began well. Shortly afterwards Varney should have converted at the near post from Adam’s low free-kick.

In the 52nd minute, Jason Puncheon slipped the ball towards DJ Campbell but Lehmann raced out and seemed to clip the Blackpool striker. Everyone waited for a whistle but referee Mason played the advantage and Taylor-Fletcher maintained his poise to fire home.

The goal rattled Arsenal and they might have conceded twice in the minutes that followed. Firstly Koscielny seemed to bring down Taylor-Fletcher just inside the area then the unmarked Keith Southern failed to nod home at the near post following a cross by the former.

However as the game reached the three-quarter stage, Arsenal were back on top. Van Persie drove a grubber shot past the far post and then, in the 73rd minute, fizzed a fine volley beyond the same upright.

The third goal arrived three minutes later. Sebastien Squillaci mopped up danger at the back and Diaby fled forward down the right to find substitute Walcott. He crossed for Van Persie to sidefoot past Kingson.

Ten minutes from time, Fabregas nodded inches past the post.

However, in between came Lehmann’s moment. Taylor-Fletcher caught Gael Clichy in possession and put Campbell clear. The German stood up well to block.

It was Blackpool’s last chance and Arsenal cruised home. At the end, a few Arsenal players threw their shirt to the visiting supporters.

Both need to believe if Wenger’s men are going to win the title now.

But this victory and that gesture can only help.