Cesc Fàbregas looking forward to '19 finals' - from Barcelona TV interview

Fabregas is 100 % certain that Barcelona can make a success of this season. ''We have to improve, but it’s all still in our hands'' he said on the ‘El Marcador’ show on Barça TV. ''We have 19 games ahead of us in the league, Champions League and cup, and if we win them all, then this will be a great season''. The midfielder believes FC Barcelona can win all their remaining matches and thus secure all three trophies.
Ritrova il desiderio perso, un fiume di virilità. Regola il tuo testosterone

Antinfiammatorio, favorisce la cessazione da fumo e alcol, rilassa da stati di forte stress 

Cesc continue the interview on Barça Tv: ''We have to pull our socks up and show that we are hungrier than anyone else to win the league title. If we win every game we have left, we’ll be champions … I like to think that we’ll be there to the end in every competition. We have to treat these games like 19 finals''. Asked to speak about Sunday’s 4-1 win against Almeria, Cesc said that “it probably wasn’t our best game...(continue)

credits to: http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/cesc-fabregas-looking-forward-to-19-finals

Rampant Reds humiliate Wenger's men: Liverpool-Arsenal 5-1

By the end, Liverpool had inflicted the heaviest Anfield defeat on Arsenal since the day, almost 50 years ago, when Bill Shankly won the first of his three league titles. Five goals, utter humiliation for Arsenal, and the overwhelming sense that Arsène Wenger's side had actually been lucky to escape an even more harrowing ordeal. They were overwhelmed in that dazzling blur of attack after attack when Liverpool scored four times in the opening 19 minutes and Wenger should probably just be grateful the humiliation did not become even more degrading once Raheem Sterling made it 5-0 early in the second half.

Five-nil, back in April 1964, amounted to Arsenal's heaviest defeat at Anfield and the modern-day Liverpool still had 40 minutes or so to go even higher when Sterling ran on to Kolo Touré's long pass, with almost non-existent marking, and slipped his shot past Wojciech Szczesny at the second attempt. Wenger's players had neglected every basic duty. They had abandoned marking, tackling and, in Mesut Özil's case, sometimes even running. Physically, they looked shot and Wenger talked afterwards like a man in shock. "Maybe it is better I go home and do not say too much," he said. Stan Kroenke, huddled in a red blanket on the front row of the directors' box, certainly picked a bad day for one of his rare expeditions to see the team.

For Liverpool, it amounts to their most illuminating performance of the season – even better than the 5-0 at Tottenham – and quite possibly that of any other team as well. How strange that, amid all the fun, Suárez did not join in the scoring but, then again, the game was absurd in many ways, not least the fact that Liverpool missed as many chances as they scored during that breathless early onslaught. The sheer speed and fluency of Liverpool's front three, all interchanging positions, dizzied their opponents. There were some spectacular flashes, too. At one point Gerrard grew tired of exposing Arsenal's inability to head the ball clear and angled a corner into Suárez's path, loitering with intent, 25 yards from goal. His first touch carried the ball a little behind him. The second, swivelling on the spot, hooked his foot around the ball with an almost implausible expertise, thundered a volley towards goal. The ball was still rising as it thudded off the post. What a peach of a goal that would have been.

Arsenal seemed to have no recollection of what it was that had taken them to the top in the first place but it is difficult to overstate the thrilling nature of Liverpool's play. Football is full of hyperbole but that bewitching spell in the opening 20 minutes warranted every superlative. Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to live with the scrutiny. Brendan Rodgers was not being spoilt afterwards when he said his team should have scored more and there was something revealing about the way Wenger took off Özil, Olivier Giroud and Nacho Monreal in one triple substitution. His team had been outclassed and, on this evidence, it is not particularly easy to believe Arsenal have the durability and personality to finish as champions.

credits to: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/08/liverpool-arsenal-premier-league

Fulham goalkeeper saves late penalty in dramatic draw at Arsenal

Arsenal's topsy-turvy season took another bad turn when they let slip a two-goal lead and missed a late penalty to draw 3-3 at home with Fulham. Schwarzer dived low to his left and tipped the penalty onto the post, leaving the desperate Arteta wishing the ground would swallow him up as two more points went missing for the Gunners.

Even before today's draw, Arsenal had made their worst start in the Premier League under Arsene Wenger, and now they have taken just 16 points from their opening 11 games. Arsenal should have killed off their opponents with that 2-0 lead but Fulham would not lie down and accept a beating as they fought their way back into the game with two goals in just over ten minutes before half time. 

Manager Arsene Wenger accepted Arsenal had only themselves to blame after throwing away a two-goal lead for the second time in a week as Fulham battled to a 3-3 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Early goals from Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski put the Gunners in control, just as they had been in their Champions League game at Schalke on Tuesday night, only for the Germans to fight back. 'It was frustrating because we had the opportunities to win. We were caught in a bit too comfortable of a position because we did the most difficult thing - we scored two goals to go 2-0 up. At that moment we lacked urgency defensively,' said Wenger. 

Mikel Arteta lay flabbergasted on the turf. Fulham's players huddled around their goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Arsène Wenger looked bleak. Martin Jol thundered towards the referee, Phil Dowd, with a piquant word or two. That Arsenal had at one stage been 2-0 up, were pegged back to 3-2, then level at 3-3, and with the final twist awarded a stoppage-time penalty that was saved ... it was bedlam. Martin Jol, on the other hand, was remarkably sanguine. Expectations were low, since no Fulham manager has ever won at Arsenal. Defeat is their customary fate. 

So when Mark Schwarzer flung himself to the left to knock aside Mikel Arteta's shot, Jol accepted the outcome. 'Maybe we should be pleased after the penalty,' he remarked. 'Certainly the referee was pleased not to see it go in.' It was easy to agree with his analysis after the events of the final seconds. Bryan Ruiz, the most effective player on view, untypically surrendered possession with an indiscreet square pass. The Arsenal substitute Andrey Arshavin collected the offering, scampered into the area and smashed a drive against the arm of Fulham's Chris Baird.

Unbelievable! Arsenal makes greatest ever escape in League Cup history: 5-7!

For Arsenal fans, it may also be the game that proved to be the turning point. Not just because they can now go on to win this competition and end what will be an eight-year drought come the final on February 24. The Gunners fought back from 4-0 down to force extra-time, before taking their tally to seven. Wenger said: “It may be one of my greatest victories during my time here. We went from disaster to salvaging our pride.

Arsenal has mounted an incredible comeback from 4-0 down to win 7-5 after extra time at Reading in an extraordinary League Cup fourth-round tie at the Madejski Stadium. Theo Walcott was the hero, claiming a 95th-minute equaliser to force extra time and then slamming home in the last minute of the extra period to complete his hat-trick after 120 unforgettable minutes of football. It will be interesting to see how Angha and Yennaris develop. In the past such talent (think Sebastian Larsson, Fabrice Muama, Armand Traore) has blossomed elsewhere, or not at all (think Mark Randall). Sometimes, though, a raw diamond is introduced and shines ever brighter with the passing of time: Jack Wilshere made his first starting appearance against Sheffield United as a 16-year-old back in 2008.

 Goal.com

Since Arsenal put up scant resistance, Reading helped themselves to a fourth goal in the 37th minute, Hunt sending a fine header in off a post after an equally fine cross from Garath McCleary. Visiting fans began filing away. Then, suddenly, Arsenal kicked back. On the stroke of half-time Walcott raced on to Arshavin's astute pass and lifted the ball over Adam Federici and into the net. That begat belief among their players, and spread doubt among Reading's. Arsenal improved immeasurably in the second half. Walcott was thriving through the middle, twice forcing fine saves from Federici. But it was his exquisite delivery from a corner that led to them cutting the deficit further in the 65th minute, when Olivier Giroud, who had just entered as a substitute, headed the delivery into the net from eight yards.

Arsène Wenger could barely contain his laughter after a match that threatened to be one of the most humiliating of his career transformed into one of his most extraordinary triumphs. His side recovered from an error-strewn opening period in which they collapsed to a 4-0 deficit against Reading to hit back with seven goals and prevail 7-5 after extra-time. "We had a big party in the second half," quipped the Arsenal manager before remarking that the freakish scoreline was more familiar in tennis, joking "so that's the first set to us". The shocked Reading manager, Brian McDermott, meanwhile, lamented that "this feels like a funeral". Wenger added: "We went from disaster to getting some pride because we came back in the second half with a decent performance." He also declared that although the League Cup is not one of his priorities for the season, the first-half display was so bad that immediate improvement became of paramount importance.

It was not enough to appease Gunners fans who booed their side off at half-time, but when substitute Olivier Giroud headed in Walcott’s corner in the 65th minute, a sense of impossible hope took over. Arsenal threw everything at their hosts and with a minute of normal time they cut the deficit to single goal as Koscielny nodded home another Walcott corner. Fourth official Michael Oliver signalled four minutes of stoppage time and Reading looked home and dry with the ball deep inside the Arsenal half with seconds left to play. But with the final kick of  normal time, Walcott somehow squeezed a shot past Federici to score what at half-time had seemed an impossible equaliser.

Reading 5	Roberts 12,  Koscielny (og) 18,  Leigertwood 20,  Hunt 37,  Pogrebnyak 90+25
Arsenal 7	Walcott 45+2,  Giroud 64,  Koscielny 89, Walcott 90+6,  Chamakh 90+13,  Walcott 90+31,  Chamakh 90+33

Great Player: Paul Merson, he loves smile and play football

Born in Harlesden, North West London, Paul Merson started his career at Arsenal, joining the club as an apprentice in 1984. After a loan spell at Brentford, then under manager Frank McLintock, he made his debut for the Gunners on 22 November 1986 against Manchester City, and gradually established himself in George Graham's successful Arsenal side of the late 1980s. By the 1988-89 season he was a regular on the right wing, at the end of which Arsenal secured the First Division title with a last gasp Michael Thomas goal in the final game of the season against Liverpool. Merson scored ten times that season, made his debut for the England U21 side, and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year.

Merson had, by trade, been a striker, but as time went on a deeper lying role become more common. After a brief, but alarming, dip in form Paul found comfort behind Alan Smith and in tandem with winger Anders Limpar. From his new vantage point Merson could dictate the pace of an attack, combining raking diagonal passes with sharp exchanges and incisive runs. In 1991/92 he was irresistible.

However things began to go awry during the next campaign as Merson's well-documented personal problems affected his game. In late 1994 he underwent therapy for his addictions and some people believed he was finished. Not a chance.

Merson returned with a an unbroken run of over 100 appearance. The fans welcomed him back with open arms. He was a firm favourite, not least for his mercurial talent but for the manner in which he carried himself on the field. He battled with every ounce of energy whenever he wore the shirt, replacing an initial caution with moments of the original 'Merse'. In 1996 he justifiably earned a recall to the England set-up.

Merson left one summer later. Gone were his playing days at Arsenal, but the memory of both his character and playing ability will last a long, long time. With an infectious smile always on display, Merson was championed by the Highbury faithful, and his team-mates appreciated him too. The Londoner bought flair and imagination to the Arsenal side, often producing the spectacular and unexpected. Paul Merson simply loved playing football.

credits to: http://www.arsenal.com/

Great Player: David Platt, Gunner midfielder with true class

David Platt arrived at Highbury with the pedigree to match most footballers of his time. Arsenal pays £4.75m to sign veteran England international David Platt from the Italian club Sampdoria. Platt’s contract is reportedly the second for a British footballer to include a provision that part of the money Arsenal pays him is for image rights. This money is paid into an account in an offshore tax haven and taxed at a lower rate than the salary for playing football. Dennis Bergkamp, also signed by Arsenal around this time (see June 20, 1995), has a similar provision in his contract. Some fans remain to be convinced about his true class, though his pedigree as a midfield goal-scorer cannot be disputed. His role in the team will be awaited with much interest.

"Arsenal made it clear that they really wanted me," Platt said. "My talks with Bruce Rioch were exceptional. We hit it off straight away. He is a great communicator with some exciting ideas on tactics and a definite view on how he sees me fitting into his plans."

In his first season, Arsenal finished fifth in the league and qualified for the UEFA Cup, although Rioch was soon sacked following a dispute with the board and succeeded by Frenchman, Arsène Wenger. His first season at Highbury produced the reasonable return of six goals from his 29 league appearances, with his first goal in an Arsenal shirt coming in a 2-0 win at Everton in the second game of the campaign. Platt was a regular in Wenger's first season, in the 1996–1997 season, with the North Londoners and scored four goals in his 28 League outings, mainly alongside young Patrick Vieira in the middle of the Arsenal midfield. 

The midfielder was troubled by injuries in his first two seasons, however, and the arrival of Arsène Wenger eventually saw first-team opportunities limited as Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit joined the Club. 

Platt found himself used mainly as a substitute but did taste success in north London in the Double-winning season of 1997/98. His crucial late header against Manchester United proved a vital contribution and endeared himself to the Highbury faithful. Early in the 1997–1998 season, Arsenal accepted a £1.5million bid from relegated Middlesbrough for Platt, but the transfer never happened and Platt saw out the season at Highbury.

Arsenal: Mannone's mistake gives Norwich shock win!

Arsene Wenger accused his players of lacking what is required to make a top team as struggling Norwich outfought and outsmarted Arsenal to climb out of the bottom three. Grant Holt’s 19th-minute goal was enough to clinch the Canaries’ first win of the season and a first victory in 13 matches against the Gunners. For Arsene Wenger, this was his first blip of the season. Sadly, though, it appears any hopes Arsenal have of challenging for the title are already disappearing.

Wenger cannot afford his team to deliver too many performances like this. And goalkeeper Vito Mannone, only playing because of injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, cannot make many more mistakes like the one which led to the winner Wenger refused to criticise his goalkeeper. ‘We don’t blame Mannone because other players made mistakes, too,’ said the Frenchman. ‘We had to put it behind us and come up with a better performance.’

Arsenal had one opportunity before the break following a fine pass from Mikel Arteta but Gervinho hopelessly wasted the chance as he failed to kick the ball properly. The Gunners’ best chance came fell to Olivier Giroud. But with his back to goal he collapsed on the ground in a heap.

Hughton had clearly worked hard on improving his defence and the team responded with a hard-working, disciplined display to deny Arsenal space and limited their celebrated visitors to a handful of chances. John Ruddy, in fact, had a quiet night, pulling off an important save near the end when, unlike Mannone, he safely gathered in Mikel Arteta’s fierce low drive. When Gervinho finally found space in the penalty area, Sebastien Bassong flung himself to make a crucial blocking tackle. Nothing would go right for Arsenal, for whom Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud looked sluggish, and their miserable night was compounded when England forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain limped off with a bruised hip nine minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Norwich: Ruddy, Russell Martin, Turner, Bassong, Garrido, Elliott Bennett (Snodgrass 79), Johnson, Hoolahan (Ryan Bennett 90), Tettey, Pilkington, Holt (Morison 90). Subs not used: Rudd, Howson, Jackson, Surman. Booked: Johnson, Hoolahan, Holt,Turner.

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Ramsey (Gnabry 83), Arteta, Cazorla, Gervinho,Giroud, Podolski (Oxlade-Chamberlain 65), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arshavin 74). Subs not used: Martinez, Wilshere, Djourou,Coquelin.

Goals: Holt 19.

credits to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2220554/Norwich-1-Arsenal-0--match-report.h

Cazorla and Walcott conduct Arsenal's win against West Ham: 1-3

France striker Olivier Giroud scored his first Premier League goal as Arsenal came from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. Giroud, who joined in the offseason from Montpellier, netted from close range just before halftime.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also showered Cazorla with praise. 'It is a pleasure to watch him. It's a delight to see what he does on the pitch,' said Wenger. Arsenal had to come from behind to secure a win that left them in fifth place in the table, after Mohamed Diame's curling shot beat Vito Mannone to give West Ham the lead in the 21st minute. Walcott said. "He's fantastic to play with every day. He's our conductor. I don't even know what foot is his best to be honest."

Confronted by an old nemesis in the shape of a Sam Allardyce team that backed them into an awkward corner by opening the scoring, the Gunners struck the right combination of force and finesse. They remain unbeaten away and continue to play some compelling football on the road.

Theo Walcott fired a message to manager Arsene Wenger after stepping in from the cold to help Arsenal hit back and secure a valuable three points. Contract rebel Walcott scored the goal that gave Arsenal a vital lead against West Ham before Santi Cazorla netted a stunning late clincher.

Walcott, who started on the bench yet again but came on to provide another example of why he yearns for a striking role, played a critical part in the comeback. Giroud's deft assist set the fleet-footed attacker bearing down on goal.

Spaniard Cazorla capped a superb individual performance and finally silenced the West Ham crowd by sending a stunning 25-yard shot into the top corner with seven minutes remaining. Arsenal's victory shoved the abusive chants aimed at Wenger back down the throats of a section of West Ham fans and there was a sense of justice that the Frenchman was able to celebrate at the final whistle.

Allardyce was left frustrated. "The second goal was a killer because we were in a fantastic position to score at that stage. Because we picked up the wrong pass, we've opened ourselves up and they've severely punished us on the break," he conceded.

credits to: http://www.onenewspage.co.uk/n/Sports/74rh5jev1/Santi-Cazorla-conducts-Arsenal-win-at-West.htm

Emirates Stadium: Arsenal overcome Olympiacos 3-1

Gunners have maintained its perfect start to the Champions League, scoring 3-1 over Olympiakos. Arsenal put themselves in pole position to reach the Champions League knockout rounds with a 3-1 home victory in Group B over Olympiakos at the Emirates on Wednesday. Goals either side of halftime from Gervinho and Lukas Podolksi sealed the Gunners' second successive win in the group with Aaron Ramsey scoring the third with the final move of the game. Gervinho's 42rd minute-opener was quickly canceled out as Kostas Mitroglou headed the Greek champions level before halftime, but Arsenal was back in control after the break to ensure it stayed top of Group B.

Arsenal, who have never lost to Greek opposition at home, started the second half in more lively fashion and Lukas Podolski fired what turned out to be the winner after 56 minutes, his shot piercing a crowd of players. Arsenal were busy enough but Olympiakos, already beaten in the group by visiting Schalke, were ready to take the risk of committing men into attack. The hosts had to deal with that increased purpose if this occasion was not to introduce anxiety to Arsenal's expectation of a simple advance to the knockout stage. There can have been few neutrals among the onlookers but this match could have been regarded as a pleasure by anyone who cared for excitement and unpredictability. The home supporters, however, took a more intense satisfaction as a more forceful side claimed a 2-1 lead.

There was a mixture of insistence and quality when Gervinho linked with Santi Cazorla before the latter's cross was blocked and the ball ran back for him to set up Lukas Podolski for a goal. The real trial for Arsenal, then, had been the spasmodic nature of their work. Compliments were due to Olympiakos for their commitment. Excuses could be made for the fact that Arsenal continue to be a work in progress after some recasting of the squad in a summer that included Robin van Persie leaving for Old Trafford.

"It probably affected our confidence a little bit getting [beaten] ... maybe there was a little bit of a carry-over," said Arsenal assistant coach Steve Bould, who spoke as manager Arsene Wenger served a touchline ban. "The second half was better, in the first half we were sloppy sometimes with the passing, we lost a lot of ball," Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen said. "We started well but the first half was not great." While Olympiakos is yet to earn a point at the bottom of Group B, Arsenal has a maximum six points after beating Montpellier 2-1 two weeks ago.

"It gives us more confidence to have two wins from two," Vermaelen said. "The most important thing is to win your home games. We want to keep it going." But the Gunners were hesitant in the first half in the wake of their first loss of the season on Saturday in the Premier League against Chelsea.

credits to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/03/arsenal-olympiakos-champions-league


Olympiacos (4-2-3-1): Megyeri; Diakité, Manolas, Contreras, Holebas; Siovas, Maniatis; Greco, Fuster, Machado; Mitroglou.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Coquelin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski; Gervinho.

GOALS: 43' Gervinho (A), 45' Mitroglou (O),  56' Podolski (A), 90' Ramsey (A) 

Chelsea beats Arsenal: Juan Mata makes the difference

Chelsea consolidated their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 win that ended Arsenal’s unbeaten start. Torres fired Chelsea ahead and Juan Mata's free-kick squirmed in to secure three points for the European champions after Gervinho had equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Arsenal made a lively start, as on 11 minutes, Abou Diaby created space for himself some 20 yards out and shot fiercely at Petr Cech. However, the French midfielder got injured and was soon replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal did not pose enough threat to claw their way back from two crucially loose moments. Indeed, they were flat enough to ensure the home support did not even rouse much sustained hostility for John Terry, who had an untroubled 90 minutes. The pantomime booing petered out once Chelsea took the lead.

Arsenal had been frustrated by their weakness at a set piece to give Manchester City the lead last Sunday. There was not much tangible improvement here. "We gave away two soft set pieces and we were punished," said Arsène Wenger, who was very agitated as his team were outmanoeuvred at both ends of the pitch. "The difference between us and Chelsea in the air was obvious." There may have been improvements this season, but a familar problem came back to haunt them at an untimely moment.

Chelsea took the lead on twenty minutes with a brilliant finish from Fernando Torres. A free-kick from Mata on the right was floated through the Arsenal penalty area towards the far post. Laurent Koscielny was wrestling with Torres, but the Spaniard was still able to hook the ball back into the net. Before Arsenal could regroup, they were almost 2-0 down. Torres robbed Koscielny out on the left and darted into the penalty area. However, as the Vito Mannone came out and he shaped to shoot, the Spaniard tumbled and Arsenal cleared.

Slowly Arsenal found their rhythm again. Gervinho was picked out at the far post and headed back across goal instead of at it. But the Ivorian soon equalised. After patient build-up play from right-back Carl Jenkinson who fed the ball back to Arteta, the Spaniard slipped Oxlade-Chamberlain down the flank. His low centre across the six-yard box was collected by Gervinho with his back to goal, and he turned to blast a shot into the roof of the net. Arsenal started the second half brightly, with Santi Cazorla snatching at an angled drive which flew wide. However, the Gunners were undone again in the 53rd minute.

Once more Mata's curling delivery caused panic in the Arsenal penalty area and a backtracking Koscielny helped the ball on with the slightest of touches into the corner past Mannone's dive. Wenger had seen enough and made a double change after 66 minutes, bringing on Walcott for Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, who scored his first Arsenal goal in the midweek Capital One Cup win over Coventry City, for Podolski.

Thomas Vermaelen was penalised for fouling Torres and the punishment was complete as Mata's angled free-kick took a slight touch off Koscielny to drift beyond Mannone into the bottom corner. It was the final act and Terry celebrated by advancing towards celebrating Chelsea fans after the final whistle and handing his boots to a youngster in the crowd.

credits to: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/matches/2012-2013/epl.html/arsenal-vs-chelsea

Arsenal's forward Giroud breaks his duck as Coventry trashed in Cup, and helps silence the doubters

Olivier Giroud, maligned by some after his £12 million move from Montpellier, scored his first Arsenal goal, set up another and missed a penalty as Coventry City were thrashed 6-1 at the Emirates.

Olivier Giroud ended his goal drought at 354 minutes as Arsenal destroyed Coventry and Arsene Wenger predicted more will follow from his £12million striker. Giroud, signed from Montpellier in the summer to fill the void left by Robin van Persie, failed to score in his first six appearances. Arsenal fans enjoyed a rare old night at the Emirates on Wednesday as the Gunners eased into the fourth round of the League Cup with a 6-1 thrashing of Coventry.

'It was in everybody's mind that the sooner he gets it the better,' said Wenger. 'It was in his mind more than our minds. It's positive that he has scored. It was a good finish. He's a good finisher. I believe he is looking for confidence and that goal will help him. I expect him to score now in the Premier League.'

Arsenal were still far too strong for League One strugglers Coventry and further goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrey Arshavin, Ignasi Miquel and Theo Walcott, who struck twice, emphasised the hosts' superiority. Callum Ball pulled one back but  Miquel restored Arsenal’s four-goal  advantage near the end and Walcott rounded off the win with his second.

Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong was introduced from the bench with 15 minutes to go, making his return from a long-term knee injury sustained when on-loan at Wolves last season. The recently appointed Coventry manager, Mark Robins, wanted to please some 8,000 of his club's followers rather than have his men skulk in their own half. It was Arsenal, of course, who relished the match. There was particular satisfaction over those Walcott goals, although the unease continues as to whether he might leave the club as a free agent next summer.

"You have to give us time to sort it out," said Wenger. "We are always in touch with Theo's representatives." The manager also knows, though, that a range of resources is apparent. "I expect Giroud to take that into the Premier League," he observed of his new striker's finish. Change was in the air. Arsenal's 19-year-old Nico Yennaris had, for instance, been the club's mascot when the team faced Coventry in 2000. This was just his second start under Wenger. The goalkeeper Damián Martínez and defender Martin Angha made their Arsenal debuts. Even so, it was the experience of Andrey Arshavin that was particularly prominent.

Walcott, in the final year of his contract, milked the crowd’s reaction at the end. Wenger reiterated that he wanted Walcott to stay but added that the 23 year-old would have to wait to be given his chance as a striker. “I’m not against it at all but at the moment there is a big competition up front. His time will come for that,” Wenger said. But Walcott does not want to wait. Both his goals came as he ran in from the wing – on either side – to strike angled shots past goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Let us not forget Andrei Arshavin, either. Granted a free transfer at the end of the summer the Russian has hung around, unwanted. However, he was praised by Wenger before this League Cup tie and was rewarded with a start and a goal. Arsenal gave youth its head with starts for Nico Yennaris – a mascot against Coventry a dozen years ago – and Martin Angha while Serge ­Gnabry was introduced from the bench. For the victors there must now be confidence flooding through them. It has already been a sound beginning to the campaign. If this sort of relish and impact is to continue, Walcott may find cause to stay where he is.

credits to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2209005/Arsenal-6-Coventry-1-match-report-Olivier-Giroud-scores-Theo-Walcott-hits-two.html

Acrobatic kick by Koscielny that gives a point to Arsenal. Gunners equalise City: 1-1

Laurent Koscielny's equaliser ensured Arsenal left Eastlands with a deserved point as the Gunners held Premier League champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Koscielny's goal eight minutes from time ensured Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season and cancelled out the opener from City centre-half Joleon Lescott.

The Gunners had much the better of the first half but could not make their dominance count and Joleon Lescott headed the hosts in front from a 40th-minute corner. Premier League facts and figures showed that that Arsenal new boy Santi Cazorla had created more scoring chances for teammates from open play (14) than any other player before this weekend and it was easy to see why. He found more space than the Blues would have liked in the opening 45 minutes.

Mancini had seen enough in the first half to be concerned as shown by the removal of Scott Sinclair, who showed some fine touches, and the addition of Jack Rodwell to stiffen up the central area and level out the battle. "I'm very sorry today for the players because it was difficult after Real Madrid," said the Italian. "But I'm worried because we continue to concede goals. We need to improve and we need to work. I don't know why it's happening but probably we don't have enough concentration in some situations.

Wenger's team always displayed a little more poise and, though they also endured periods when their football was not as clean and slick as their manager expects, there were spells when they threatened to wear their opponents down. Santi Cazorla was prominently involved, always wanting the ball and knowing the right thing to do with it. Mikel Arteta played with similar composure and Aaron Ramsey impressed in an unfamiliar wide role. When Jack Wilshere is back playing, this is going to be a delicious midfield.

Their problem is an obvious one, namely how to make do in attack without Robin van Persie. Lukas Podolski was substituted after a peripheral performance while Gervinho is too erratic, his touch frequently poor. One superb pass from Ramsey sent him running clear, at 0-0, but the striker's clumsiness wasted the opportunity, knocking the ball too far ahead and allowing Hart to cut out the danger. 

Mannone, playing in place of the injured Wojciech Szczesny, certainly did not cover himself in glory, attempting to plough through a ruck of defenders and getting nowhere near the ball. 

City could even have been two ahead at the break but Mannone partially redeemed himself with a fingertip save from Edin Dzeko's curling shot.

Prior to the opening goal, the two best openings of the half had both fallen to the visitors; the first after 15 minutes when Gervinho was played clean through on goal by Aaron Ramsey but produced a dismal first touch that saw the ball run away from him to goalkeeper Joe Hart. Nine minutes later, Carl Jenkinson's tidy approach play down the right-hand by-line allowed him to pull the ball back for Podolski who planted a shot high and wide over the City goal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger threw on Olivier Giroud and Walcott for the game's final 19 minutes, the duo injecting more attacking urgency into their team's play without Hart being unduly troubled at first. Instead, Yaya Toure launched a dangerous 80th minute counter-attack, slipping in Aguero whose shot, under pressure from Koscielny, was turned around the post by Mannone.

It was a half chance, and miss, that proved costly with Arsenal immediately responding through midfielder Cazorla's powerful right-foot strike which Hart did well to tip over, resulting in the corner from which Koscielny equalised. Two minutes later, City might have regained the lead after Aguero drove a rebound just wide after Mannone had done well to keep out Vincent Kompany's acrobatic overhead kick.

credits to: http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/EnglishPremiership/Man-City-Arsenal-share-spoils-20120923

Wilshere and Ramsey: two young gunners

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, talks about likely return to the football of Jack Wilshere, young English midfielder. Wilshere is absent from football for 14 months, faraway from football for long time, and has often been thought that his career was over.

"I refused to give up, because he is a 19-year-old boy, so I always thought he would come back. I am not medically expert enough to know how big the damage was in his ankle. It never crossed my mind. Has it crossed his mind? Only he can answer that - I think, yes. Jack, though, has always been with a good level of confidence. I believe what he has gone through will make him even stronger."

The England international finally returned to full training on Thursday after a niggling ankle injury sidelined him for the whole of last season, also ruling him out of contention for Euro 2012.

Wenger, though, will take no chances with the 20-year-old, who is likely to have a few reserve outings before being considered for first-team action.

"When you are so young and out for 14 months that is a good test for your mental strength," said Wenger. "On that front he has been absolutely brilliant because he had not only ankle surgery, but when he thought that was over he had knee surgery. He handled that very well, I must say.

Wenger understands Wilshere has been through a testing spell of "highs and lows" during his 14-month rehabilitation, a spell which saw him need further surgery just when a recovery appeared on the horizon.

Aaron Ramsey seems to have an old head on his young shoulders sometimes. The 21-year old captain of Wales has had plenty of ups and downs already in his career, but is determined not to let things affect him too much, concentrating instead on doing his job, playing football.

“We have definitely learned from last season. We got off to a bad start and finished really strongly. But this time we have started off well so hopefully we can keep that going.”

“We are going about it quietly and hopefully we can continue this good run and see where it takes us.”

Quit smoking with Barça: Catalans to ‘kick’ smoking habit

Màs que un club: FC Barcelona will give their players and their channels of communication for a European campaign, jointly organised with the European Commission, to convince millions of Europeans fans into the boat and sport so quit. The President of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, and the European Commissioner for health, John Dalli, launched this Mars in Brussels the campaign “Quit Smoking with Barca” (stop smoking with Barça). Participate in such initiatives, Rosell stated after the presentation ceremony, “is part of our DNA, because when in the farmhouse we are players and people an important part is the subject of health and we teach them to not smoke”. Some of the football played by Barcelona could definitely be described as smoking but the EC want Barca's help to help get everyone to kick the habit. ‘Quit Smoking with Barça’ is the latest of the “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” campaign, and it is the first time that the European Commission has collaborated with a sporting partner. The programme aims not to judge smokers, but instead underlines the many benefits of quitting smoking, combining these positive messages with the evidence-based tools of the “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” campaign. The campaign will be powered by iCoach (www.exsmokers.eu), a free, proven digital health tool already helping almost a quarter of a million people across Europe (equivalent to 1 in every 500 smokers) in their quest to give up smoking for good. iCoach is available from today as an app for both for iPhone and Android.

Dr. Jordi Monés, the director responsible for Barça’s medical area, and pioneer of the club’s previous smoking cessation initiative, 'Barça Sense Fum' (Smoke-Free Barça), which saw a smoking ban across all Barça facilities said "Barça feels very proud to collaborate with an institution like the European Commission. We wanted to join forces with the biggest public body in Europe to convince people to take the first step towards smoke-free living.  Just as our fans support and cheer us to victory, through ‘Quit Smoking with Barça’ (video) we will now support them through their toughest challenge -to quit smoking for good.” As the first action of the campaign, the Catalans, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Víctor Valdés protagonists of a video that is distributed on the network, where they offer their support to those who want to quit smoking. FC Barcelona was to adopt a policy of free space without smoke at the Camp Nou to prevent tobacco to children who come to see to the Catalan Assembly in early 2012. Satisfied that the EC has had the boat for this initiative, Rosell has explained that the club made available the community campaign players of first team football to make action against smoking, permitted by the sports agenda.

The hurdle President emphasised Barca, following its philosophy of being “more than a club” must go beyond his sport role and contribute to European smokers have better health. For his part, Commissioner Dalli has stressed that FC Barcelona was “the logical choice” to engage in collaboration, since the Catalan club row “in the same direction” to the EC in the fight against tobacco: “Is a natural alliance that will give a boost to the campaign and will result in better results”. "Through this collaboration we will seek to help football supporters across Europe to take back control of their health and their lives, encouraging them to be as passionate about their health as they are about the “beautiful game,” said FC Barcelona President, Sandro Rosell speaking at the launch announcement at the European Commission Headquarters in Brussels. Quit Smoking with Barça’ offers supporters of Barça, football and sport in general a personalised health training programme with daily quit smoking tips and encouragement direct from the hearts and mouths of the club itself. If you've ever tried to kick the old woodbines yourself you'll know that all help is more than appreciated.

Champions League 2012-2013 - First Round for Gunners and Blaugrana

Arsenal.

Gervinho and Podolski scored as Arsenal came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Montpellier in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, 18th September 2012. Montpellier midfielder Younes Belhanda won and converted a penalty in the ninth minute, Podolski equalized in the 16th and Gervinho put the Gunners ahead two minutes later.

“Podolski has made a real impact. I have to say I’ve not seen many finishers as good as him – ever, right foot, left foot,” said Arsenal’ s assistant coach Steve Bould, who led the team as Arsene Wenger served the first game of a touchline ban. “We have had a decent start to the season and we have kept the run going so it’s important all round,” Bould continued. “We have got great team spirit and I think that was evident tonight. Everybody is digging in and things are looking okay.”

Barcelona.

FC Barcelona play host to Spartak Moscow this evening as they look to get their 2012-13 UEFA Champions League campaign underway with a win. The Russians were drawn into Group G from the Third Pot, so in theory they are the third best team in the group, but given that Benfica have sold a number of key players, The Blaugrana, with four wins from four, they are in fine domestic form, and aside from a blip against Real Madrid, they are 100% under Tito Vilanova. 

Barça have never lost their first game in the Champions League when it’s been played at the Camp Nou. Over the last eight games when they have opened their campaign at home, Barça have won seven – with last year’s 2-2 draw against AC Milan the only time they’ve failed to claim an opening home victory.

Other News:

PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the first player to score for six different clubs in the competition as the French team attacked with gusto from the outset, eight years after its last appearance in the competition. The convincing win confirmed PSG's status as Group A favourite ahead of Porto.

"It's always important to win your first game in the Champions League," PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "To play the way we did tonight can only be good for our confidence."