Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal came from behind to win at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.


Andrey Arshavin returned to Anfield to haunt Liverpool again as his smart finish gave Arsenal a 2-1 victory.

Arshavin, who scored all four goals in the draw on this ground last April, capitalised on Glen Johnson's error to fire in off a post in the 58th minute.


Johnson's own goal just after half-time had handed Arsenal an equaliser after Dirk Kuyt had put Liverpool ahead four minutes before the break.

Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City

Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.


Andrey Arshavin starred for Arsenal as they beat Stoke in the Barclays Premier League.

The Russia international playmaker and Aaron Ramsey were on target to give the Gunners a morale-boosting win following last week's 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.


Arshavin slotted in from a tight angle after Cesc Fabregas had missed a penalty and Ramsey's fine second-half finish sealed the win.

Manchester C. 3 - 0 Arsenal

Second-half goals from Carlos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss steered Manchester City into their first domestic cup semi-final since 1981 after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Arsenal.

Mark Hughes' side were then drawn against neighbours Manchester United in a mouthwatering semi-final.


Against a Gunners side trying to bounce back from Sunday's hammering by Chelsea, City got their noses in front thanks to Carlos Tevez, who picked up a winners' medal in last year's competition with United.

Wright-Phillips added a second with a fierce drive from the edge of the area 20 minutes from time and Vladimir Weiss also scored at the death to keep City on course to end a trophy drought which extends back to their win in this competition 33 years ago.

Arshavin defiant: Arsenal not about to give up on title battle

Arsenal ace Andrey Arshavin insists their defeat to Chelsea has not ended their title hopes.

A crushing 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea on Sunday left the Gunners 11 points behind the Blues, albeit with a game in hand.

But Arshavin insists: "We haven't stopped fighting for the championship. I think that if we manage to win the next couple of games, then everything will fall into place. After all, Chelsea can stumble, too. But we have to win ourselves."

Didier Drogba was the difference between the two sides, scoring a sublime double split by a Thomas Vermaelen own goal, but Arshavin believes the scoreline did not reflect the balance of the game.

"I think that we were playing our game but Chelsea scored," he said. "The initiative was on our side but we were unable to take our chances.

"As for Chelsea, they, on the contrary, managed to score three times. They organized the game this way: they hardly tried to play on the counter-attack, they just tried to use their chances in the attack.

"Unfortunately, they managed to score twice at the end of the first half, but it didn't break us down. We continued to play our football, tried to create some chances in their half of the pitch."

Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea

Chelsea went five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after a win over Arsenal on Sunday.


A Didier Drogba double strike and an own goal from Thomas Vermaelen handed the Blues their fifth successive league win and ripped up the Gunners' 100 per cent home record.

Arsenal dominated the first half and had an Andrey Arshavin goal disallowed but they could not break down a determined Chelsea defence, and remain one place behind local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

"Arsenal cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League"

Arsenal cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League with victory over Standard Liege after goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson.

Needing a point against the Belgians to win Group H with a match to spare, Nasri opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium while team-mate Andrey Arshavin was off the pitch getting treatment to his cut head.


Denilson, returning after two months out with a back problem and making his 100th appearance for the club, smashed in a curling effort that deceived goalkeeper Sinan Bolat and ensured Arsene Wenger reached the last 16 of the competition for the 10th season in a row.

The visitors had Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez dismissed for clashing with Cesc Fabregas at the death.

Arsenal boss Wenger confident Gallas, Rosicky will sign

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident tying senior pair Tomas Rosicky and William Gallas to new contracts.

Senior duo Gallas and Rosicky are both in the final year of their current deals and would be free to start looking elsewhere in January.

However, Arsenal manager Wenger is hopeful they will agree to extend their careers at the Emirates.

"We are speaking with Tomas and William, and I am optimistic to find a solution for both of them," he said in The People.

Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal

Sunderland scored a second-half goal to see off Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.


Darren Bent's ninth goal of the season condemned Arsenal to a first defeat in 14 attempts as Sunderland claimed another big scalp.

The England international stabbed home from close range with 71 minutes gone to seal a famous victory in a tight encounter at the Stadium of Light.


Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop had earlier made a fine save to deny Tomas Rosicky, but the Gunners failed to make the most of the possession they enjoyed and ultimately paid for it.

Arsenal crock Van Persie: I’ll be out for only 4-6 weeks

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says he'll be missing for no longer than six weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

Van Persie was carried off in the Oranje's friendly against Italy on Saturday night after a heavy challenge from the Azzurri's Giorgio Chiellini.

Van Persie told Dutch television programme Studio Voetbal: "I have had a scan.

"I am probably out for between four and six weeks."

He did, however, absolve Juventus defender Chiellini of blame, adding: "There was no intent."

The 26-year-old is a key player for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and his absence could seriously harm the club's Premier League title bid.

Van Persie lasted just 10 minutes of Saturday night's game in Pescara with Holland boss Bert van Marwijk revealing afterwards: "The first diagnosis is a bad ankle injury.

"It's terrible for Robin and is not good for Holland or his club."

Stats show Arsenal better without Van Persie

Arsenal fans should not panic over Robin van Persie's shock ankle injury.

The Sun says the stats show Arsenal actually pick up MORE points when he is missing.

Arsene Wenger's side have won 70 of 126 games with the Dutchman in the side since his 2004 debut - a win percentage of 56 per cent.

But without Van Persie they have won 46 of 75 matches - 61 per cent.

Arsenal average 1.98 goals per game with him compared to 1.96 without.

Arsenal to beat Real Madrid, Barcelona for Mexican whiz Galvan

Arsenal are on the brink of landing Cruz Azul starlet Martín Luis Galván Romo.

The Gunners are ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the chase for the Mexican teenager, according to South American reports.

Mexico U17 international striker Galvan made his senior debut for Cruz Azul as a 14 year-old and is said to be just days away from signing for Arsenal.

Van Persie claims player of month award

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has scooped the Barclays Player of the Month award for October.


Dutch hitman was rewarded with the Barclays accolade after scintillating month that saw the 26-year old score five goals and set up another two as the Gunners went through the month unbeaten.

Van Persie notched up his first goal in the 6-2 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium, drilling a low shot beyond Paul Robinson after fine work from Cesc Fabregas.

This was then followed by the opening goal in the 3-1 win at home to Birmingham City. The flying Dutchman was again instrumental in the 2-2 draw at West Ham United, scoring the opener before delivering an inch-perfect corner for William Gallas to nod in a second for the Gunners.

Van Persie completed his impressive month by netting a brace in the 3-0 victory over North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, taking him to seven Barclays Premier League goals for the season.

This is the second time that he has won the award, having previously claimed the prize in November 2005. The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-4 Arsenal

Arsenal enjoyed a comfortable victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Barclays Premier League.


The Gunners got a helping hand in the first half from the home side, with both Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock scoring own goals.

Arsenal kept their foot on the pedal, Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin extending their lead before Craddock got a consolation goal at the correct end.

Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ Alkmaar

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas struck twice in the 4-1 win against AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium to put Arsene Wenger's men on the brink of the Champions League knockout stages.

Fabregas struck either side of half-time, with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby grabbing the other goals to put the hosts in total control of Group H with two matches left to play.

Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal secured the bragging rights over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a comprehensive victory.


Spurs held out strongly for the first 42 minutes at the Emirates Stadium but then conceded twice in less than a minute.

Robin van Persie forced home the first from close range and then Cesc Fabregas stole the ball straight from kick-off and ran clean through to slot the second just 11 seconds after the re-start.


Van Persie poached the third from close range on the hour and it could have been worse for Tottenham as Eduardo missed two golden chances after Nicklas Bendtner had gone off injured. Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last 20 meetings with their neighbours.

Arsenal chasing Torino defender Ogbonna

Torino's highly-rated defender Angelo Ogbonna is in the sights of Arsenal.

The Sun says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of the Italy Under-21 star and wants to strengthen his defence when the transfer window reopens in January.

Ogbonna, 21, has been earning rave reviews in Serie B this season and is regarded as one of the best young talents in Italy.

He said: "I know exactly what I want and I am not closing the door on anything.

"My objective is to improve and reach the highest level. My first dream has been achieved and I have managed to make my professional debut.

"There will be time to see what the options are on other clubs."

News in Brief Arsenal

A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.


Arsene Wenger hopes he will be proved right to have kept Spanish teenager Fran Merida at Arsenal this season. The 19-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners from Barcelona's academy in September 2005 - a move which proved somewhat controversial and resulted in legal action taken against the player for compensation. Since then, Merida has gained experience at Real Sociedad before returning to the Gunners and making his Barclays Premier League debut. After impressing in the pre-season Emirates Cup and coming off the bench in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth, Merida hopes this can be his breakthrough campaign. Wenger, though, was close to allowing the promising youngster to have another loan spell away at Levante, only to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute. The Gunners boss believes his faith in Merida - now back at the club after helping Spain reach the knockout stages of the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt - will prove justified. "Fran had a good pre-season and after the pre-season he was away a lot with Spain. Now he is back, so I hope he can show how good he is," Wenger said. "I nearly gave him out on loan, but on the day I had to make the decision, I decided to keep him. It would have been good for him, but I felt that he has too much quality to go out. He just has football in his blood and these players always have a good chance to come through."

Arsenal stunner: Barcelona plan shock Beni Afobe bid

Arsenal risk losing their star England youth striker Beni Afobe to Barcelona.

The 'Young Guns' website reports that Barca have two scouts watching the England U17 striker in action this week. They saw him score two and make two for England as they romped past Kazakhstan, winning 6-2.

Barca are willing to offer Afobe a massive £5,500-a-week and a place in their reserve-team, Barca Atleti, which is coached by Spanish legend Luis Enrique.

With the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida joining them from Barca in the past, Arsenal now face the real prospect of having the tables turned on them and losing hot prospect Afobe to the European champs.

Arsenal boss Wenger frustrated dropping two points

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits great frustration dropping two points after their 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

After Liverpool inflicted holders Manchester United's second loss of the season, Wenger reflected on two points dropped for his third-placed team.

"It is very frustrating," he said. "It is, of course, a major missed opportunity. In our job, you don't have this luxury.

"You need to get points when you deserve to get points and sometimes when you don't deserve to get the points. Today we never got them when we deserved them - and that means we have not made the maximum of what we should have done.

"But we have to keep the positives as we played well and are a strong team. We want to learn to finish these games off which is basically the most important lesson of the day.

"We have a great chance [for the title] this year, but you cannot repeat this kind of performance we had today and not come out with three points."

Arsenal ace Arshavin: So close to Tottenham move

Arsenal ace Andrey Arshavin admits he would have happily joined Tottenham if they had come in for him last season.

It could have been so much different if Tottenham had been able to agree a fee with Zenit St Petersburg in August last year.

Arshavin says he had talks in broken English with Spaniard Juande Ramos, telling Bobsoccer: "I was not against a move to Tottenham.

"If it was down to just me to reach an agreement, the move could have taken place."

Arsenal made check on Inter Milan ace Balotelli

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keeping tabs on Inter Milan starlet Mario Balotelli.

The Sun says Arsenal scouts watched the Italy hitman in Inter's 5-0 win at Genoa last weekend.

Balotelli, 19, is highly regarded by Inter boss Jose Mourinho but is behind Gabriel Milito, Samuel Eto'o and David Suazo in the San Siro pecking order.

But he fits in perfectly with the profile of Wenger's young team - and it is no secret that the Frenchman wants to add another frontman to his squad.

Balotelli, on the other hand, is understood to be willing to consider a move to London to get more regular first-team action.

Arsenal's Nasri delighted with comeback performance

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri was delighted with his playing return in Tuesday's reserves clash with Wolves.

The French international has not played this season after breaking his leg at Arsenal's pre-season training in Austria.

But he is now fully recovered and is looking to build up his fitness with a view to returning in a few weeks' time.

"I feel good," he told the club's official website.

"I was a little bit tired at the end of the first half but I am so happy to be back on the pitch. It has been three months I was injured so I am really glad to be back.

"It has been difficult but I was always looking forward for a speedy recovery. I knew it would be hard but everyone was behind me and helping me so I am okay.

"I don't know if I am ready yet for the first team. I need to play because nothing can replace the games. So I work well with [fitness coach] Tony Colbert and now after one or two games I will be ready to come back to the first team.

"It was the first serious injury I have had. But I am really happy, I had a quick recovery and everything is fine now."

Arsenal marketing chief Kinnear: Overseas tours down to Wenger

Arsenal’s UK head of marketing, Angus Kinnear, says they remain sensitive to manager Arsene Wenger's reluctance to tour overseas.

In conversation with sportspromedia.com, Kinnear says Wenger would never be forced to take his squad for a lucrative overseas jaunt.

“Arsene is focused on the football primarily,” Kinnear explains. “So the club supports his requirement and therefore the team isn’t traipsed around Asia on money-making schemes.”

He continues: “This season we negotiated [pre-season] fixtures in Hanover and Valencia – two away games which are revenue generating, where teams are paying a fee to have Arsenal. The figures for those games are dwarfed by figures if we were to be able to travel to South Africa, the Far East, the United States.

"What’s more challenging is the brand extension opportunities and the brand expansion, which is about activating that presence and activating it through membership and supporters’ clubs and retail and fan acquisition. And that’s the challenge we face at the moment: how do we grow the brand internationally, knowing that the team is unlikely to have any presence there? And that is a challenge versus Man United and Chelsea.”

Arsenal boss Wenger: My fault if we don't win trophy in two years

Arsene Wenger says he will be to blame if Arsenal fail to win a trophy in the next two seasons.

The Gunners manager is convinced he has created a team capable of winning the Champions League.

"If we don't win a trophy in the next two years, it'll be my fault," Wenger declared last night.

Arsenal boss Wenger rejected £10M-a-year Real Madrid contract

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he turned down a fortune from Real Madrid in the summer.

The Sun says Wenger was offered £10million-a-year last summer to manage Madrid but he felt duty bound to stay with the Gunners where he earns half that amount.

He revealed: "I'd have had a much higher salary at Real. But I've earned a very good living in London.

"I dream of leaving an imprint at Arsenal and winning the Champions League."