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.