Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal - Barclays Premier League

Arsenal were knocked off the top of the Premier League table after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday night.

The goal had more than a touch of good fortune about it. Nani’s cross deflected on to the head of Ji-Sung Park four minutes before half-time, though the Korean’s reaction was razor-sharp.

Manchester United also missed a second-half penalty when Wayne Rooney blazed over the bar.

Those were the major moments of the game. In between them, there was little to split the sides. Arsenal’s performance was combative and controlled. Though we have said it before, on another night they might have gleaned something from the game.

Yes rookie keeper Wojciech Szczesny made more saves than Edwin van der Sar but this is Old Trafford and the volume of the travelling Arsenal fans at full time suggested they still had pride in their side after this evening.

A fifth defeat of the season is a big blow to Arsenal’s title hopes but this performance means they can still claim that very quality - hope – for the remainder of the campaign.

The stand-out team news was the selection of Szczesny in goal. Lukasz Fabianski had damaged his hip in the final seconds of the win over Partizan Belgrade last Wednesday and so his compatriot took the gloves for the first time in a Premier League game.

Cesc Fabregas had been out with a hamstring problem since the 2-0 defeat in Braga last month. He was a significant doubt in the days before this game and began on the bench.

Otherwise Wenger shuffled his squad as he has done throughout the past month.

This game was an opportunity for Arsenal. They came to Old Trafford as the Premier League leaders but had yet to attain the kudos of a side with true title aspirations. That would change with a win this evening.

In the first half, they would never really find a fluency and would lose a goal but they were always competitive.

In the eighth minute, Van der Sar’s quick clearance found Rooney. The England striker turned sharply and his deflected shot was clutched by Szczesny with Park in close attendance.

The play was pretty even but the chances – such as they were - went to the home side.

Midway though the half, Darren Fletcher’s cross was aimed towards Rooney but Sebastien Squillaci intervened. The Frenchman’s header was weak and found Nani on the right of the area. His volley flew inches past the far post. It was by far the clearest chance of a tense opening quarter.

Just before the half-hour, Manchester United had a major shout for a penalty. Nani swung a cross over from the left and, as Marouane Chamakh stooped to nod the ball clear, it only brushed his head but hit his hand. Referee Howard Webb waved play on. Just as he had when Rafael blocked off Chamakh in the area earlier on.

Arsenal were holding their own but had not created a chance worthy of the name. Yet Manchester United were hardly carving the visitors apart.

In fact when they took the lead four minutes before the break, it required a healthy portion of luck.

Nani drove in-field with Clichy in close attendance and tried to cross the ball. His effort deflected off the Frenchman but Park reacted quickly and guided a header over Szczesny. It dropped agonisingly beyond the Arsenal keeper and into the net.

In a tight, fiercely-contested game, it was a huge moment. Arsenal went into the break feeling slightly aggrieved.

Tomas Rosicky thumped a cross-shot just wide in the opening moments of the second half. And, after Alex Song had nodded Rooney’s ball across his own goal and over the bar, Samir Nasri fired across goal only for Van der Sar to save at the near post.

Arsenal had upped the ante but Manchester United had been breaking quickly all night with long balls over the top. With the visitors chasing the game, this played into their hands.

In the 54th minute, Rooney fed Anderson and the Brazilian’s toe-poke was wonderfully batted away by Szczesny. His best save of the night so far.

A couple of minutes later Van der Sar made his first real stop. Nasri’s low cross-shot was turned into the path of Chamakh by the Dutchman. For a second the Moroccan had the goal at his mercy but Nemanja Vidic slid in to block as the Arsenal striker prodded a shot towards goal.

Wenger brought on Fabregas and Robin van Persie for Jack Wilshere and Rosicky. The away side were now pushing down the pedal but, when the Dutchman just failed to scramble home Sagna’s cross, you sensed it was not to be Arsenal’s night.

Anderson fired just wide with the right back lying prostrate after a high challenge from Rio Ferdinand.

Then, in the 72nd minute, Manchester United should have killed the game. On the right of the area, Nani tussled with the sliding Clichy. The Portuguese winger dragged the ball back on to the hand the Frenchman was leaning on and the assistant referee indicated a spot-kick. It was the fifth penalty awarded against Arsenal in their last eight trips to Old Trafford.

Often they are decisive but this one was missed. Inexplicably, Rooney thundered his effort high over the bar from 12 yards.

It was the impetus Arsenal needed and Wenger added pace to his side by replacing Andrey Arshavin with Theo Walcott.

But, as the seconds ticked by, Manchester United were defending deep and making the better chances on the break.

From one, in the 88th minute, Rooney tried to chip Szczesny. The Pole stretched his huge frame and batted the ball aside.

In final seconds of normal time, Walcott’s drifting cross was headed away from Van Persie by Ferdinand at the far post.

Manchester United were now closing the shutters and Arsenal could not prise them open.

There was one final half-chance when Chamakh nodded on and Walcott blazed over the bar.

But, despite a half-decent performance, this was just not Arsenal’s night.

Wenger: Arsenal under par

Arsene Wenger knows Arsenal were not at their best as they qualified for the Champions League second round.

The Gunners saw off the threat of Partizan Belgrade at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes Stewart Coggin.

After going ahead through a Robin van Persie penalty, Arsenal were pegged back by Cleo's deflected effort in the 52nd minute.

Arsenal knew that a Braga victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the other group match in the Ukraine would see them eliminated if they themselves were not victorious. With Shakhtar only winning that encounter late on, for long spells of the second-half Arsenal were flirting with potential elimination before Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri settled their nerves with goals in the 73rd and 78th minutes to secure a 3-1 win.

"I was never really nervous," said Wenger. "Worried yes, because in football you can never say never when you're 1-1 but I felt we had the resources to score and that in the last 20 minutes they would drop a little bit physically.

"It was a low-key game. We didn't find our pace in the game and find openings in their defence. They defended very well and were focused on closing us down everywhere.

"We were just below our normal pace. But you have to give them credit, on every single ball they closed us down. I felt the speed of our passing was not enough and a bit nervous as well."

Arsenal's attacking game lacked fluidity, with Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh failing to gel in attack.

"I was not completely happy with our offensive game," Wenger added. "Maybe it was down to the quality of Partizan's defending because I felt they defended in a very intelligent way. I will have to analyse that a bit better."

Arsenal will now face either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke in the second round, with Wenger claiming the Catalans are 'super favourites' to win the tournament.

Arsenal 3-1 Partizan Belgrade - UEFA Champions League

Arsenal took their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 11th straight season thanks to a 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday.

Arsène Wenger’s side only needed a win to secure safe passage but it turned out to be a rather nervous night against the bottom side in Group H.

In fact, they could only breathe easily when Samir Nasri fired home the third 13 minutes from time.

Robin van Persie gave Arsenal the lead on the half-hour from the penalty spot but they failed to kick-on from there. Cleo’s 52nd-minute equaliser was hardly on the cards but it was always a danger.

Theo Walcott came off the bench to fire the home side back into the lead in the 73rd minute.

After Nasri’s goal, Arsenal should have cruised home but this was a not a fluent night at Emirates.

In the final stages, Bacary Sagna was sent off for a last-man foul on Aleksandar Lazevski.

Shakthar's win against Braga mean they have won Group H. That could present Arsenal with a problem in the draw on December 17.

But this was a night when Wenger’s side simply had to get through.

And they did.

The manager made three changes from the side that had squeezed past Fulham on Saturday. The most noteworthy was Van Persie, who came straight in as captain. It was only the Dutchman’s third start of the season and, interestingly, he operated ‘in the hole’ behind Marouane Chamakh.

Elsewhere, Denilson replaced Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs came in for Gael Clichy who had gone down with sickness.

It was mighty cold at Emirates Stadium this evening. Much had changed – including the season – since Arsenal had hit 11 goals in those massive wins over Shakhtar and Braga.

Defeats in the corresponding away games had left them needing to match the result of the Portuguese team in Ukraine to qualify. Braga were unlikely to win and Arsenal seemed a shoo-in against a side that were trying to avoid becoming only the 11th team to achieve zero points in a Champions League group.

It should have been straightforward for Arsenal but there was the potential of a nerve-jangling night.

And the first half-hour did not go to plan.

Although the home side were on top territorially, they created little. The closest they came was when Nasri tried to feed Van Persie at the near post.

Meanwhile the pacy Cleo was sitting on the shoulders of the Arsenal centre backs chasing long balls over the top and waiting for a mistake.

Then, in the 14th minute Gibbs turned his ankle in midfield. He tried to soldier on but only lasted 10 minutes. Emmanuel Eboue came on. But the right-sided defender was covering at left back and the move did nothing for Arsenal’s balance.

However, on the half-hour, Arsenal were thrown a bone.

Alex Song flicked Van Persie into space in the area and a rash challenge from Marko Jovanovic brought him down.

The Dutchman fired home from the spot. It was his first goal since the last game of last season.

Naturally the goal was a lift. Eboue’s quick feet took him past two defenders on the left and his probing cross was hacked over his own bar by Mladen Krstajic.

But they could not continue in that vein. Arsenal’s first 45 minutes this evening had been edgy and disjointed.

The opening minutes of the second half were better. Keeper Vladimir Stojkovic denied Chamakh and then Denilson's cross was deflected to Nasri, who thumped his shot high over the bar.

It seemed that Arsenal were finally getting going.

Then Partizan equalised.

The visitors worked the ball in from the right to Cleo just outside the area. He let fly and the ball took a crucial deflection off Squillaci to beat Fabianski.

It was only the second goal the Serbian side had scored in Group H – and that had been a penalty against Arsenal in Belgrade.

At this point, Braga were still drawing at Shakhtar so Wenger’s men were still through. But they seemed determined to take it to the wire.

Sagna’s cross drifted just beyond Van Persie at the far post and there was a glimpse of an opportunity when Stojkovic dropped a cross under pressure from Song. But they were only half-chances.

Midway through the half, Wenger made a change. Andrey Arshavin came off and Theo Walcott replaced him.

Arsenal were now building up some sort of momentum. When the substitute was blocked on the edge of the area, Van Persie’s free-kick was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Stojkovic. From the resulting corner Song curled an effort wide.

Arsenal were getting closer and they would soon make the breakthrough. In the 73rd minute, Sagna’s cross was nodded out straight to Walcott by Aleksandar Krstajic. The England international chested down the ball and fired into the far corner.

The relief was palpable and six minutes later the win was secure. Song danced through a couple of challenges and, after passing to Nasri, looked for the return. The Frenchman, however, dragged the ball back and fired low into the corner.

At the same time, over in Donetsk, Shakthar were taking the lead.

That killed off any chance of top spot. But, in reality, Arsenal still had a job to do here.

Five minutes from time, Sagna brought down Lazevski on the edge of the area. The right back was the last man and, unfortunately, had to go. Fabianski made a fine save from the free-kick from Radosav Petrovic.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham - Barclays Premier League

Samir Nasri struck two goals of rare quality as Arsenal went top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.

The Frenchman has been simply brilliant in recent weeks but this afternoon he excelled himself.

Fourteen minutes from the start, he left two defenders on their backsides before thumping home from close range.

Fifteen minutes from the end, he bustled into the area, rounded one defender and then the keeper before hooking the ball home.

To be honest, much of the intervening time was filled with frustration. Diomansy Kamara equalised after Laurent Koscielny had been left dazed from an accidental collision with team-mate Sebastien Squillaci.

Arsenal chased the game with urgency and intelligence. But Fulham had drawn around 60 per cent of their games this season and you could see why.

Their tactics were to smother Arsenal’s invention and then snatch what they could via a breakaway or set-piece. Wenger’s men spent the afternoon prising them open.

After successive home defeats to Newcastle and Tottenham, the pressure was on. But they responded manfully.

Everton’s late equaliser at Chelsea and the postponement of Manchester United’s game allowed Arsenal to go top.

Now they simply have to stay there.

Wenger made nine changes from the midweek win over Wigan in the Carling Cup. Only Jack Wilshere and Koscielny kept their places.

However compared to Villa last weekend, the side was unchanged. Once again Tomas Rosicky was captain.

That Wigan win had lifted a little of the pressure on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. But home form was still an issue for Wenger’s men in the title race. A defeat this afternoon would be their third straight in the Premier League – something that had not happened for 33 years.

But then Fulham hardly had history on their side. They had NEVER won a League game at Arsenal – and they had been trying since before the First World War.

In the opening stages, it seemed that run would carry on.

After seven minutes, Wilshere’s right-wing free-kick headed high towards Andrey Arshavin at the far post. The Russian waited for the ball to drop and let fly from point-blank range. Mark Schwarzer spread himself widely to block.

The Russian then prodded Nasri through the centre but he poked the ball wide of the upright.

The Frenchman would not have to wait long for his goal. In the 14th minute, Arshavin cut in from the left and, again, released Nasri on the right of the area.

He still had plenty to do – but he went and did it. Nasri weaved inside one defender, and then another before thumping home his 10th goal of the season. The Frenchman ran to the corner flag as the two bamboozled Fulham players picked themselves off the floor.

Arsenal might have doubled their lead soon afterwards but Wilshere elected to tee-up Marouane Chamakh instead of going for goal. Midway through the half, Arshavin thieved the ball, shrugged off a lame challenge and forced a scrambling save from distance.

The home side were looking to put the game to bed and Nasri was acting as the nightcap.

He muscled past Matthew Briggs on the right and his cutback was turned goalwards by Dickson Etuhu. Schwarzer saved on the line as Arshavin threatened.

Seconds later, Rosicky crossed from the right and Alex Song steered a shot just wide.

It was more than more than one-way traffic. It was a motorway of oncoming chances.

A lot of those had been coming down the Arsenal right and shortly afterwards Hughes took off left back Briggs. He did not appear to be injured.

However while home form is a new problem. Profligacy is an old one.

Despite that, the goal that Arsenal conceded on the half-hour would be laced with misfortune. Fulham staged a rare foray up front and, in clearing a ball, Squillaci headed his team-mate Koscielny clean in the face. The latter Frenchman was still groggy when Clint Dempsey clipped a ball into the space he should have been occupying. Kamara took it in his stride and sidefooted home.

As the goal went in, Koscielny fell to the floor. He was stretchered off and Djourou came on.

Suddenly those home comforts had gone. The nerves returned and Fulham tried to winkle Arsenal open at the back.

In injury time they did. Etuhu sent Kamara clean through but Fabianski stood up to make a crucial save.

That chance came seconds after Bacary Sagna had sent over a cross from the right and Chamakh’s bullet header found the hands of Schwarzer when he should have found the net.

Arsenal went into the break in a position of unnecessary parity.

Song set up Rosicky to fire wide in the opening minutes of the second half. Once again it was all Arsenal in the early stages.

Arshavin tried a ‘Nasri’ by weaving inside two defenders and letting fly. However his shot hit the feet of Schwarzer.

The traffic continued but the chances dried up. That prompted Wenger to bring on Robin van Persie for Rosicky in the 63rd minute.

It was turning out to be a frustrating afternoon. The Arsenal team were chasing every ball and closing down every opponent but Fulham were disciplined, organised and ate up clock where they could.

Midway through the half, Song muscled off John Pantsil and, from an angle, fired over the bar.

However, Fulham offered some danger. Fabianski missed his punch at a corner and Zoltan Gera’s header was booted off the line by Van Persie. Shortly after that Squillaci headed a probing cross from Simon Davies away from goal. Gera’s overhead kick then drifted wide.

With 17 minutes left, Fulham swapped Kamara for Andy Johnson while Theo Walcott came on for Wilshere.

The end-game was upon us – but before it had really begun Nasri put the visitors in check-mate.

Van Persie shaped to shoot on the edge of the area but instead fed the Frenchman. He dodged past one defender and danced past the keeper. His angle was now acute but he recovered sufficiently to hook his shot past Aaron Hughes on the line.

Fulham were not spent. Etuhu scrambled a shot inches wide almost immediately but Chamakh could have killed it but when, after receiving Clichy’s cross, he fired over.

Fabianski made a crucial late save from Gera and Fulham pushed for the equaliser.

But Arsenal deserved this.

They will have to show much more of that spirit to be there in May.

However, title triumphs are built on ground-out victories like the one at Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

Arsenal 2-0 Wigan Athletic - Carling Cup

Arsenal reached the League Cup Semi-Final for a record 14th time with a 2-0 win over Wigan at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The home side struggled in the snow early on and only broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval when Antolin Alcaraz inadvertently nodded a Theo Walcott corner into his own net.

They kicked on from there and, just past the hour, Nicklas Bendtner slid in a low cross from Carlos Vela to make it 2-0.

Walcott and Vela had chances to at least double the score in the final stages as Arsène Wenger’s side cruised home.

Reaching the Carling Cup Semi-Final is hardly a season-long aim for Arsenal but a youthful crowd seemed pretty happy this evening as they celebrated with Mexican Waves. The victory also helped ease the home form issues that have been troubling Arsenal for a couple of months.

In fairness Wenger has always said he wanted to win the Carling Cup, as it is now called, to complete a domestic set. This year he has backed that desire with a stronger team.

West Ham’s win over Manchester United means Arsenal’s will be installed as favourites to lift the trophy in February. That is jumping the gun.

But after tonight’s warming victory, this competition can now be put to bed until 2011.

The main talking point in Wenger’s team selection concerned Robin van Persie. The Dutchman started his first game since the 2-1 win at Blackburn on August 28 and also took the armband.

Walcott and Bendtner returned to the starting line-up after their heroics at Newcastle in the last round. Wojciech Szczesny and Vela also featured after starring at St James Park.

Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny were the only players to retain their places from Saturday’s 4-2 win at Villa Park.

Denilson, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Eboue were also inserted into the side.

Wenger’s bench was part insurance (Andrey Arshavin, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri), part education (James Shea, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Havard Nordviet and Craig Eastmond).

A fluttering of snow greeted the players as they came out. There had been no real question marks over the game going ahead but it was still bitterly cold. Eboue took action against the freezing temperature by donning white tights. Perhaps he was just marking his 200th game in Arsenal colours.

Either way, it made the Ivorian stand out – and he would be caught out a couple of times in the opening 10 minutes.

First, Victor Moses turned him and fired into the sidenetting from a dangerous distance.

Then his errant backpass was anticipated and intercepted by Mauro Boselli. Fortunately the Argentinean’s first touch was so heavy that it stifled the opportunity.

Bendtner had nodded wide in the opening seconds and, on the quarter-hour, headed into the sidenetting. Vela saw a deflected shot go behind and Koscielny sent the resulting corner over the bar.

Still they were only half-chances. As we passed the midway point of the first half, Arsenal had simply not settled and Wigan were probing away at the home defence. It was a very even affair.

However, in the 26th minute, Vela should have tipped the balance.

Wilshere fed Van Persie on the edge of the area with his back to goal. The Dutchman must have spotted the Mexican racing through. He produced a gorgeous back-flick to send Vela into acres of space. Faced with only the keeper to beat, the striker tried his trademark lofted finish over the keeper. This time it drifted wide.

Moses had caused Arsenal problems so it was a body blow for the visitors when he collapsed under a challenge from Walcott holding his wrist. The former Crystal Palace striker was stretchered off in some distress. Charles N’Zogbia came on.

Seven minutes from the break, Arsenal had a loud shout for a penalty when Maynor Figueroa appeared to handle with Van Persie lurking at the far post.

Seconds later, Vela and Bendtner steered decent headers wide of the target.

Then, three minutes from the whistle, Arsenal broke the deadlock. Walcott fired over a corner from the left, Bendtner rose highest but missed the ball. It hit Alcaraz on the edge of the six-yard box and flew in.

Almost immediately the defender nearly had his revenge. Ben Watson thumped in a corner and a header from Alcaraz was nudged on by Boselli. Szczesny saved at the second attempt.

Suddenly this game had found some life.

In the dying seconds, another sumptuous flick from Van Persie sent Vela clear again. This time he stumbled as he raced into the area.

The Dutchman had been the stand-out performer in the first half and, within seconds of the restart, he was in the action again.

Van Persie threw himself into a header but got a bash on the nose for his trouble. After treatment he carried on.

Finally, Arsenal had started to take a full grip on the game. Walcott waltzed to the byline and Bendtner headed over.

N’Zogbia’s pace caused consternation on a couple of occasions but, in the 67th minute, the home side added a second.

Vela fired a low, left-wing cross to the far post and Bendtner slid his third goal of the season.

The Mexican was starting to shine. He could have added a third on two occasions just after that. But Ali Al Habsi denied his sliding shot from the angle having been put through.

Thirteen minutes from time, Vela sent Walcott clear. The winger’s sidefoot shot beat the keeper but drifted just beyond the far post.

Five minutes later, the England international would have another effort. This one appeared to be blocked by the arm of Figueroa.

In injury time, Nasri skipped past the keeper but his shot was booted of the line.

However, by then, this game had been more than won.

Arsenal are in the last four of this year's Carling Cup.

Everton 1-2 Arsenal - Barclays Premier League

Arsenal returned to second place in the Premier League with a hard-fought but richly-deserved 2-1 win at Everton on Sunday.

Bacary Sagna thumped the visitors in front nine minutes before half-time – his second strike in 147 games for the Club – and Cesc Fabregas cracked home another just after the restart.

The home team put pressure on Arsène Wenger’s side for the remainder of the game but, as they had at Wolves in midweek, Arsenal rolled up their sleeves. The defence was largely stoic and, when it wasn’t, Lukasz Fabianski bailed them out with a string of late saves.

In the dying seconds, Tim Cahill did force the ball home from close range to set up four frantic minutes of injury time. But the comeback was never really on.

Arsenal were full value for their win this afternoon and it means that now more than half of their points have come away from Emirates Stadium

If Wenger’s men are going to win the title this season, it seems they are happy to win it on the road.

The manager made one change from the side that had toughed out a 2-0 win at Wolves on Wednesday. Samir Nasri returned to replace Tomas Rosicky. The Frenchman started on the right hand side to allow Andrey Arshavin to stay on the left.

Having lost so lamely against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium last Sunday, this game would determine the ‘feel’ of the week. Six points and a return to second place would be a reasonable response in the circumstances.

But, with Everton unbeaten in their last seven games, this was likely to be a similar kind of gritty scrap to Wednesday night.

And so it proved.

The opening minutes were muted. The hosts had the edge but created nothing.

The first chance fell to Arsenal in the tenth minute. The visiting defence backed off the advancing Nasri until the Frenchman was 12 yards from goal and eventually, Sylvain Distin threw himself in to block.

Everton immediately flew down the other end and created, what turned out to be, their best chance of the half. Seamus Coleman advanced on the right and picked out the unmarked Cahill at the far post. The Australian is known for his excellence in the air but this time he got everything wrong. The midfielder tried to guide the ball back inside the near post. In fact he put it over the bar. A huge miss.

Midway through the half, Arshavin weaved inside and thumped over. Then Marouane Chamakh’s backflick set Jack Wilshere traversing the area. Just as the youngster got his shot away, Phil Jagielka flew in to deflect his effort wide.

It was evidence that Arsenal had finally found their feet. This was no advert for the quality of Premier League football but the visitors were now the better side.

Arshavin and Alex Song thumped wide of the woodwork and, just past the half-hour, a flowing move saw Fabregas cut the ball back towards Chamakh at the near post. The Moroccan’s dummy was wasteful.

These were not great opportunities but they were more than Everton were creating. Nine minutes before the half-time whistle Arsenal finally put it all together.

Nasri’s shot was turned aside by Tim Howard and the ball eventually fell to Sagna, who beat the keeper with a powerful shot from the narrowest of angles.

The crowd tried to roar an Everton response but the home side lacked guile in the final third.

Arsenal had not been at their best but they were worth their lead.

Both sides made changes at the start of the second half. Denilson replaced Wilshere, who had needed treatment in the first period. Jack Rodwell came on for Johnny Heitinga.

Within two minutes of the kick-off, the visitors doubled their advantage. Denilson lead a breakaway and fed Chamakh just inside the area. In heavy traffic, the striker slipped the ball to Fabregas whose snapshot found the far corner. It was the Spaniard’s fifth goal of the season.

Everton might have replied immediately when Squillaci brought down Louis Saha and Leighton Baines floated his free-kick into the midriff of Fabianski.

After the early set-back, the home side were now chasing a foothold in the game. It meant Arsenal were both under pressure and threatening a third on the break. Just before the hour, the visitors had two clear-cut chances to score a killer third.

First, Nasri breezed past Jagielka to go one-on-one with Howard. The Everton keeper stood up well to repel his shot.

Seconds later, Fabregas fired an inviting ball across the face of goal to the unmarked Chamakh at the far post. Somehow the sliding striker contrived to slice the ball over the bar from three yards.

A contender for miss of the season.

With 21 minutes remaining, Everton manager David Moyes brought off two midfielders – Phil Neville and Mikael Arteta – for two strikers – Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford. His tactics were now crystal clear.

But the expected pressure on the Arsenal goal did not really materialise. The home side’s next chance came nine minutes from time when Beckford hooked a snapshot towards the far post. Fabianski made an excellent save.

A couple of minutes later, the Pole made another stunning stop from Steven Pienaar’s drive.

As full time approached Everton turned the screw. Three minutes from the end the ball fell to Saha’s feet just outside the area. Again Fabianski was equal to the effort.

The home side did find the net in the final minute of normal time. Saha nodded the ball down at the far post for Cahill to poke home from close range.

It sparked Everton into real urgency at last but, barring a few optimistic crosses, Arsenal were comfortable.

The visiting fans were in good voice at the final whistle – and rightly so. This was a massive win for Wenger’s men. One that sends them in to the international break in the ascendancy.

And, of course, they entertain Tottenham next Saturday.

Wilshere signs Arsenal deal

Midfielder Jack Wilshere has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

Wilshere, who has been at Arsenal since the age of nine, has made a huge impact with his performances in the first-team this season, already making eight Barclays Premier League appearances and featuring in all three Champions League matches so far this campaign.

Wilshere said: "Arsenal has been like a second home for me and my family since I was nine years old. To be offered a new contract means everything to me.

"At this point in my career, when I'm only 18 years old and still learning so much about the game and myself, this is the perfect club, the perfect team-mates, the perfect fans, the perfect backroom staff and most importantly, the perfect manager to help continue that.

"I've got a long way to go before I can become the player I dream of becoming and I'm sure I'll keep making the odd mistake, but it is a massive help for me having a special manager like Arsène Wenger and so many quality team-mates and the unbelievable Arsenal fans around me. I believe there is a lot more to come from me."

The 18-year-old has now made a total of 27 first-team appearances, scoring two goals. On making his debut at Blackburn Rovers in September 2008, he became the youngest-ever player to represent Arsenal in the league, aged just 16 years and 256 days.

Two months later in November 2008, Wilshere, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers, became the youngest player to represent the club in European competitions, at 16 years and 329 days, when Arsenal faced Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League.

Earlier this season, Wilshere was rewarded for his rapid development by earning his first full England cap, playing for the Three Lions in the friendly International match against Hungary at Wembley in August.

Wenger added: "It's such great news that Jack has committed his long-term future to the club. Jack is a fantastic footballer with a huge amount of potential, and we have all seen with his performances so far that he is a very gifted player, who could be an extremely influential player at the top level of the game.

"At still only 18 years of age, there is still so much more to come from him and we're all excited by the fact that Jack Wilshere will be an Arsenal player for years to come."

Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United - Barclays Premier League

Alex Song's late header gave Barclays Premier League title chasers Arsenal a narrow victory over West Ham United to deny the bottom club a deserved point at Emirates Stadium.

Robert Green, in front of watching England manager Fabio Capello, had pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the Gunners at bay.

However, with just two minutes left, Song dived to head home Gael Clichy's cross as Arsene Wenger's improving side kept up the pressure on leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal started brightly, with Andrey Arshavin put away down the left a couple of times, but the Russian was unable to make the most of the openings.

On nine minutes, Song tripped Frederic Piquionne conceding a free-kick on the left, which Scott Parker - so impressive during the Hammers' Carling Cup win over Stoke - whipped in and Lukasz Fabianski punched clear.

At the other end, Arshavin's deflected cross flew through the West Ham six-yard box before Song sent a bullet header over.

Piquionne burst clear down the right wing, but then after getting to the box, the former Portsmouth frontman seemed to run out of ideas and Arsenal cleared before former Gunner Luis Boa Morte drove a 20-yard effort over.

Bacary Sagna arrived on the end of Song's through pass to pull the ball back for Cesc Fabregas, who swept it goalwards, but Green produced a superb reflex save to deny the Arsenal captain.

West Ham remained positive, though, as Mark Noble ran at the Arsenal defence, and his 22-yard strike was straight at Fabianski.

Gunners fans were starting to get restless as half-time approached, with West Ham continuing to frustrated the home side.

Green again denied Arsenal when he kept out Song's angled drive and from the resulting corner, the England keeper flicked over Sebastien Squillaci's looping header.

The hefty challenges continued in the second half, this time Parker on Denilson, taking the legs of the Arsenal midfielder as he followed through, but again there was no action from the referee.

Arshavin broke clear down the left and darted to the edge of the West Ham penalty area, but dragged his low shot wide.

Boa Morte was cautioned for pushing over Denilson as the Brazilian charged forwards.

From the resulting free-kick, around 35 yards out, Samir Nasri crashed the ball against the crossbar, with Green beaten.

The Emirates Stadium faithful upped the tempo as Arsenal went on the offensive.

With 23 minutes left, Wenger turned to Theo Walcott as the England man, who had scored twice in the midweek Carling Cup win at Newcastle, replaced Denilson

Chamakh got on the end of Arshavin's free-kick into the box, but could not guide the ball either side of Green.

Fabregas sent Walcott away down the right, and he dashed into the area, before sliding the ball under Green - only for it to come back off the inside of the far post and bounce to the grateful Hammers keeper.

Green again came to the Hammers rescue when he saved Walcott's deflected effort before then keeping out Fabregas' snapshot as the Gunners pressed for a late winner.

However, the Irons keeper was finally beaten with just two minutes left when Song headed in Clichy's cross at the far post as Arsenal took all three points.

Manchester City 0-3 Arsenal - Barclays Premier League

Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner were on target as Arsenal struck a blow for the old guard against 10-man Manchester City.

City had been looking to reclaim second place in the Barclays Premier League but hopes of a fifth successive win were all but dashed with the early sending off of Dedryck Boyata at Eastlands.

Nasri put the Gunners ahead 20 minutes into a fiery contest and although Joe Hart kept City in contention with a penalty save from Cesc Fabregas, Song and Bendtner finished them off.

Victory lifted Arsenal back into second spot, above City on goal difference, and contradicted recent criticism of the Londoners' record against their perceived title rivals.

The momentum all appeared to be with City prior to the match, which was preceded by a memorial service and minute's applause for their late manager Malcolm Allison.

Carlos Tevez was back to lead the City line while Emmanuel Adebayor, despite a midweek hat-trick, was left on the bench against his former club.

And the hosts appeared in a rush to impress as Boyata, starting ahead of Joleon Lescott, released Tevez with a superb ball down the right after one minute.

Tevez raced beyond the defence and into the area but David Silva failed to make firm contact with his ball into the middle and Lukasz Fabianski saved his scuffed shot.

Yet no sooner had City started to look dominant than Boyata, as the last man, was sent off for bringing down Marouane Chamakh as he raced onto a Fabregas ball.

Mark Clattenburg took time to consider his verdict but showed a straight red card.

After that it became clear Clattenburg was in for a tough afternoon as the tackles started to fly in.

He booked Denilson for a late challenge on Tevez but showed restraint after Nigel de Jong felled Fabregas.

Gareth Barry was shown a yellow card for fouling the Spaniard but Song escaped such punishment for a bad tackle on Silva.

In terms of chances, City had the next when Tevez mishit a shot at Fabianski but Johan Djourou then headed over from a Sagna cross.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes as Nasri played a one-two with Andrey Arshavin on the edge of the box and clipped the ball over Joe Hart.

Fabregas, still being given close attention by City, was booked himself after tangling with De Jong.

City responded by again attacking down the right as James Milner played Richards through.

Arsenal struggled to get back but were relieved as Richards checked back onto his left foot and screwed his shot wide.

Song and Djourou also went into Clattenburg's notebook before the break after challenges on Silva and Tevez respectively.

The match refused to settle down and Clattenburg was called upon again as Vincent Kompany lunged in on Fabregas just inside the area.

A penalty was the obvious outcome but Hart kept City in the match with a brilliant save from Fabregas' spot-kick.

Fabregas had another opportunity early in the second half after combining well with Chamakh and Nasri but his first-time shot was weak and easily saved by Hart.

City manager Roberto Mancini decided to make a bold change after 52 minutes, gambling on the determination of Adebayor to impress and removing usual talisman Tevez.

An intricate move saw Milner feed Silva inside the box and the Spaniard's curving right-foot shot was brilliantly tipped wide by Fabianski.

Adebayor had a chance from the resulting corner but Fabianski's presence forced him to direct his header over.

Arshavin then drilled a shot straight at Hart from 20 yards as Arsenal continued to push.

Song finished City off in the 66th minute when he grabbed an opportunistic second for the visitors.

Wayne Bridge had blocked a Fabregas pass intended for Chamakh but the ball ran loose and Song, unchallenged, pounced to smash it into the top corner.

Adebayor raised City fans' spirits when he forced a fine save from Fabianski with a firm header but a flag had already been raised for offside.

Substitute Bendtner put the result beyond any doubt five minutes from time when he raced clear and finished from a tight angle.

Fit-again £23m signing Mario Balotelli went close to a late consolation when he forced Fabianksi to tip over.

Arsenal 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League

Arsenal took an almighty stride towards qualification to the Champions League Knockout Stages with a fabulous 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

Alex Song, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh got the goals in a game that had been billed as Group H decider but turned out to be a cruise.

Shakhtar, who arrived on a run of seven straight wins, had endeavour early in each half but defensive frailties always undermined their ambition.

An omnipotent Arsenal plundered goals as and when they needed them. It was a pleasing night all-round.

Even Shakthar’s late consolation drew hearty applause. Eduardo half-volleyed home from close range and, as he had promised, did not celebrate the strike.

You could not have blamed him if he had, Shakhtar can take little else from this evening.

Arsenal have gathered nine points and 14 goals in their first three group games. They could secure top spot in Donetsk on November 3.

At this rate it is only a matter of time.

The main news pre-match was the return of Fabregas. The Arsenal captain had not been seen since injuring his hamstring in the act of scoring at Sunderland just over a month ago.

Wenger had spent last night mulling over the return of the Spanish midfielder. In the end, he decided against leaving him on the bench. However his inclusion left Abou Diaby among the substitutes.

Tomas Rosicky replaced Emmanuel Eboue numerically but actually played on the right. Samir Nasri took the Russian’s regular role on the left wing.

Before tonight, these two teams had taken six points out of six in Group H. And the first 15 minutes suggested both sides were facing higher standard opposition.

Shakhtar were as neat and tidy as their reputation had suggested. As a result, Arsenal lacked their usual incisiveness.

In fact they needed a bald-faced mistake to take the lead.

In the 18th minute, Nasri’s flashing cross was touched past the far post by the Shakhtar defence.

Chamakh nodded on the corner and, under little pressure, keeper Andriy Pyatov dropped a regulation catch. Johan Djourou stabbed the ball from under him and Song flicked the ball over the line.

Arsenal’s 1-0 lead had been not so much stolen as smuggled.

In the 25th minute, they nearly registered a much more authentic strike. Rosicky sand-wedged a ball to Chamakh, whose nod down was leathered goalwards by Nasri. This time Pyatov made the save.

Rosicky had a half-shout for a penalty soon afterwards. Had that been given and converted, Shakhtar might have been sunk. The Ukrainians seemed to lose their nerve after conceding the goal. Mentally they were there for the taking but Arsenal did not take charge.

Four minutes before the break Henrik Mkhitaryan’s deflected shot looped over the bar. It caused Lukasz Fabianski a worrying moment as did the subsequent corner. But given that is noteworthy, in reality, Donetsk were offering little.

And, a minute or so later, they were 2-0 down. Song exchanged passes with Emmanuel Eboue on the right and sent a deflected cross into the middle. Nasri cushioned the ball past Darijo Srna to create space for himself and then blasted home. It was his sixth goal of the season in only his ninth game.

Shakhtar made one change at the break but it was Douglas Costa and not the one for which the Arsenal fans were calling – Eduardo.

In the opening seconds, Mkhitaryan’s penetrative throughball released Luiz Adriano but Fabianski stood his ground to make a fine save.

There seemed to be more purpose about the visitors in the second half. And were just about to add to their firepower with Eduardo when Arsenal got their third.

Nasri curled over a free-kick from the right and Adriano tussled Djourou to the floor. Fabregas’ penalty was unstoppable – high and into the top corner. He then revealed a T-shirt wishing his mother a Happy Birthday.

The goal was the captain’s last meaningful touch. He was brought off for Denilson.

As the Brazilian waited to come on he shared a brief hug with Eduardo. The Croatian replaced Adriano seconds later and was greeted with rapturous applause.

It lightened the mood of the home supporters but did nothing for the lethal ambition of the team they were supporting. In the 66th minute, Wilshere raced onto Chamakh’s touch, exchanged passes with Rosicky and lifted his shot over the advancing Pyatov.

Shakhtar were now shell-shocked. They had been punished punitively this evening and it was not over yet.

In the 69th minute, Nasri scooped a pass over the visiting defence to the unmarked Chamakh. The Moroccan was so clear he could not believe he was onside but replays proved that was the case.

He gathered his senses – and the ball – before slotting home his sixth goal of the season.

Arsenal were now in party mood. Substitute Theo Walcott, seeing his first action since August 28, tried to arrow one in the top corner.

Eight minutes from time, Shakthar grabbed a goal.

Jadson hooked a high ball into the area from the right wing and Eduardo beat Fabianski from close range. It was a quality finish, the type that had first attracted Wenger's attention back in 2006.

He kept his word and did not celebrate the goal. The Arsenal fans repaid respect with respect.

The strike also threw up a notable question – was the first player to score at Emirates with three different clubs?

Costa tried a curler at the end. But the game had long since been lost.

Eduardo took time out to applaud the fans at the final whistle. Again, they responded in kind.

His smile suggested he was happy to be ‘home’ even though his new side had been swept aside on the night.

Arsenal 2-1 Birmingham City - Barclays Premier Leagu

Arsenal got their Barclays Premier League campaign back on track with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Birmingham City - but had Jack Wilshere sent off in stoppage time for a rash challenge.

The Blues took a shock lead through Nikola Zigic after 33 minutes as once again the Gunners - who had lost their past two league mastches before the international break - failed to make the most of early possession.

However, Samir Nasri levelled with a penalty just before half-time, before Marouane Chamakh slotted home a well-taken effort two minutes after the restart which proved enough for all three points.

The win was soured late on, however, when England teenager Wilshere showed his immaturity with a reckless challenge on Zigic which earned him a straight red and a three-match ban.

Defeat at Chelsea last time out had left Arsenal some seven points off the pace, and manager Arsene Wenger had called on his team to produce a strong response from kick-off.

It was almost that as Chamakh went close after just four minutes following a neat one-two with Wilshere on the edge of Birmingham's box, but Stephen Carr blocked his side-foot effort.

Arsenal suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion in their previous match here last month - and there was more frustration for the home supporters during the first quarter-of-an-hour following some resolute defending by Birmingham.

On 17 minutes, Sebastien Squillaci headed in Samir Nasri's chipped free-kick from the right wing, but the offside flag was quickly up.

Arsenal were presented another golden opportunity on 24 minutes when a soft back pass from former Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson in his own penalty area gifted Gael Clichy a free shot at goal from 10 yards, but the full-back dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had not really been troubled, but needed to be alert to collect an inadvertent backward header from Emmanuel Eboue, which was set for the top corner, after a free-kick into the Arsenal box.

The Blues, however, continued to look dangerous from set-pieces and it was no real surprise when the visitors went ahead after 33 minutes.

A throw-in was fed back to Keith Fahey, and his sweeping cross was met by Zigic, who got up above Johan Djourou to power a header back into the bottom corner for the Serbian's first Barclays Premier League goal.

Birmingham almost snatched a second when Roger Johnson knocked the ball back across the six-yard box, but Fahey blazed over as he got in the way of Zigic.

Arsenal were then handed a lifeline five minutes before the break when Scott Dann clipped Chamakh's trailing leg and referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot.

Nasri made no mistake as he crashed in his fifth goal of the season.

Arsenal went ahead just after half-time.

Wilshere played the ball into the left side of the penalty area, where Chamakh ghosted past Carr before holding off Dann as he rounded the goalkeeper to roll home his fifth goal of the season from a tight angle.

Arsenal soon settled into their usual passing rhythm, as Birmingham suddenly found themselves chasing possession for long spells, but were again guilty of taking too many touches around the box when a more direct approach was required.

Wilshere did just that when charging into the left side of the penalty area before drilling an angled drive over.

Both substitute Tomas Rosicky and Nasri tested Foster from distance while the introduction of Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner for his first appearance of the season gave Arsenal a different option.

But it will be Wilshere's red card which makes the headlines after he went in late on Zigic, and must now serve a three-match ban.

Chelsea 2 - 0 Arsenal - Barclays Premier League

Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League after a goal in each half from Didier Drogba and Alex earned them a vital victory over London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba backheeled Ashley Cole's low cross into the net at the near post five minutes before the break for his 13th goal against Arsene Wenger's side in 11 starts.

Defender Alex settled the contest with a powerful 30-yard free-kick in the 85th minute to hand the Gunners their second successive league defeat.

The tempo was set when Arsenal almost took the lead in the opening minute, with Bacary Sagna's right-wing cross headed just wide by Marouane Chamakh.

Referee Mike Dean adjudged that the ball had deflected off a Chelsea defender and when the corner found its way into the six-yard box, Lauren Koscielny headed over from two yards out.

It was a wake-up call for the home side who responded with a Drogba free-kick that ballooned over the crossbar.

In the ninth minute, Chelsea almost opened the scoring when John Terry found Florent Malouda in the inside left channel but the France international's audacious chip was just over.

Arsenal hit back immediately with Andrey Arshavin forcing Petr Cech into a save when he cut inside from the left wing and unleashed an angled drive.

In the 19th minute Chelsea squandered another chance to open the scoring when Michael Essien rose unmarked in the six-yard box but headed Drogba's corner wide of the target.

Cech saved Chelsea in the 28th minute when he dived to his left to tip Arshavin's fierce 20-yard drive around the post.

Arsenal were enjoying as much of the possession as their hosts and Samir Nasri was a yard wide after outwitting the Chelsea defence on the edge of the penalty area.

In the 34th minute Lukasz Fabianski pulled off a great save to deny Drogba after the Ivory Coast striker had been put in the clear by Essien.

It was end-to-end stuff and a typical fast-flowing London derby that had everything but a goal - until the 40th minute. It was no surprise when the scorer turned out to be Drogba.

It was a superb move which led up to his finish. A quick free-kick eventually saw Ramires put Cole through on the left and when the former Arsenal full-back crossed the ball, Drogba backheeled it into the net at the near post.

The Gunners should have equalised in the 58th minute when Chamakh opted to take one touch too many on the edge of the penalty area and Ramires was able to block the danger.

But Chelsea should have made it 2-0 moments later when Anelka robbed Sebastien Squillaci and rounded Fabianski but the France international sent his shot into the side-netting.

In the 64th minute, Cech was alert enough to take the ball off the feet of Chamakh after Nasri's clever ball looked to have put the Arsenal man in with a clear opportunity to score.

Arsenal replaced Abou Diaby with Tomas Rosicky in the 71st minute as they looked for more invention in front of goal - and Rosicky soon forced Cech into a fine save.

However, Chelsea wasted another chance to kill off the match in the 73rd minute when Anelka raced clear of the Arsenal defence but his shot was somehow kept out by Fabianski.

Chamakh failed to hit the target from six yards when he sent a firm header just past the right-hand upright with 10 minutes left - and five minutes later Alex put the outcome beyond doubt when he crashed a 30-yard free-kick into the roof of the net.

Partizan Belgrade 1-3 Arsenal - UEFA Champions Leagu

Arsenal took a giant stride towards the Knockout Stages of the Champions League with a 3-1 win at Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday night.

After a sticky start, Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have taken control when Jack Wilshere provided a wonderful assist for Andrey Arshavin to score in the 15th minute. However they were pegged back just after the half-hour when Denilson handled in the area and Cleo slotted home from the spot.

Arsenal should have regained the lead 10 minutes after the restart when Marouane Chamakh was hauled down by Marko Jovanovic. The defender was dismissed but Arshavin saw his penalty saved by Vladimir Stojkovic.

However, 19 minutes from time, Chamakh pounced to nod home after his own header had come back off the bar. And in the 83rd minute, Sebastien Squillaci grabbed his first Arsenal goal by steering a home a header from Samir Nasri’s cross.


The finale may have been much more nervy had Lukasz Fabianski not turned aside Cleo’s late penalty.

However, in truth, this was an Arsenal victory with something to spare.

A game of three penalties leaves Arsenal with six points out of six in Group H. They are tied with Shakhtar at the top. Braga and Partizan have yet to get off the mark

With Chelsea in mind, Wenger shuffled his side this evening. As a result the Gunners were not 100 per cent fluent or watertight but, in a difficult atmosphere, they did more than enough to deserve the victory.

If they do the same in similar circumstances at Stamford Bridge, then Arsenal’s season will be right back on track.

Before kick-off, Wenger made a whopping six changes from the side that had lost to West Brom on Saturday. 



The headline alteration saw Fabianski take the gloves from the injured Manuel Almunia (elbow). Elsewhere, Kieran Gibbs replaced Gael Clichy on the left of the defence and Johan Djourou came in for Laurent Koscielny in the middle. It was the Swiss defender’s first Champions League appearance since he started against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in the Semi-Final second leg on May 10, 2009.

Wilshere and Denilson were brought into central midfield while captain Tomas Rosicky was on the right. Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue dropped to the bench but Abou Diaby was out with a recurrence of the ankle injury he first collected against Bolton on September 11 but had tweaked against West Brom at the weekend.

The Stadion FK Partizan was the expected pot-boiler pre-game. The home fans took their seats early and sang very, very loudly. 
A number of partial power failures gave the prelude a sense of unease. But the game started in dim light then it gradually got much brighter.

The same could be said of Arsenal’s first half-hour. 
The visitors were under the cosh in the opening stages. In the eighth minute, Cleo broke clear on the left with Squillaci in pursuit. The Brazilian-born striker reached the corner of the six-yard area but dallied enough for the Frenchman to catch-up. Cleo tried to feed a ball back into the path of Nemanja Tomic but Denilson scuffed it away from his feet at the vital moment.

A minute later Pierre Boya stretched a toe onto the ball as Squillaci tried to shepherd a header back to Fabianski. Fortunately the keeper recovered.

In the 12th minute Cleo profited on a slip by Djourou and fired wastefully over the bar.

The Arsenal goal was receiving much more attention so Arshavin’s opener was somewhat of a surprise. But its quality was exquisite. 


The Russian collected the ball in midfield and found Wilshere before racing into the area. The Englishman was surrounded and seemed to have lost control. However he backheeled the ball back into the path of Arshavin, who drilled it low past Vladimir Stojkovic.

The goal quelled Partizan’s early appetite for attack and suddenly Arsenal were on top.

Wilshere and Arshavin nearly combined for a second in the 24th minute but the Russian was denied by a fine save from Stojkovic.


In fact only the former Wigan keeper stopped Arsenal killing the game by the half-hour. Two minutes later he rushed out to deny Rosicky after Arshavin had prodded him through.


The Russian then clipped a shot over Stojkovic only for defender Jovanovic to hook the ball to safety.
Having been caught cold in the opening minutes, Arsenal suddenly seemed to be strolling.

And then they tripped up.

In the 33rd minute, the visitors half-cleared their lines and the ball fell to Radosav Petrovic on the left. His tossed a cross to the edge of the area and Denilson was adjudged to have handled. Cleo sent Fabianski the wrong way from the spot and, quite unexpectedly, a game that Arsenal seemed to be killing off was alive again.

Having got back on level terms, Partizan tried to press home their advantage. The visitors had been knocked off their stride by the equaliser but were happy enough to see off the half so they could regroup.

To be honest, Arsenal were still working their way back into the game when they were given the perfect opportunity to regain the lead in the 55th minute. Arshavin sent Chamakh clear through the middle and he was hauled down by Jovanovic just inside the area.
The referee pointed to the spot and then gave a red card to the Partizan centre back.

Having seen Rosicky miss at Sunderland and with Nasri, who had converted twice at Tottenham, on the bench, Arshavin stepped up.

His effort had power but was straight at Stojkovic. The keeper saved with his legs.
It was another blow to Arsenal but they still had that numerical advantage and set about making it pay.

In the 67th minute, Wilshere wriggled clear from his marker and darted into the area. Only a perfectly-timed challenge from Mladan Krstajic stopped him going through on the keeper.
A couple of minutes later, Arshavin’s bobbling shot was plucked out of the air.

It seemed that Arsenal had found some fluency again – and they proved it in the 71st minute. Rosicky sent over a hanging cross from the right to Chamakh at the far post. The Moroccan planted his first header against the bar and reacted first to nod home the rebound.

It was a traditional English centre-forward’s goal. Albeit from a player of African descent who was raised in France.

With seven minutes left, Squillaci popped up at the near post to nod in a corner from substitute Samir Nasri. That seemed to be that.

However seconds later, Gibbs clipped Ivan Stevanovic on the right of the area and referee Wolfgang Stark awarded another spot-kick.

Cleo stepped up once more but this time Fabianski flung himself to his right to turn the ball around the post.

In injury time, the Pole made an even better stop from Ivica Iliev.

Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal Barclays Premier League

Arsenal were seconds from topping the Premier League table on Saturday night before they were wrenched from the summit by a stoppage-time equaliser.

The visitors led through a freakish goal from Cesc Fabregas, who stuck his boot out in the 12th minute and was as surprised as everyone else when Anton Ferdinand’s clearance hit it and ballooned over the keeper and into the net.

Alex Song received his marching orders 11 minutes after the break for two bookable offences and Tomas Rosicky squandered a great chance to seal the points when he skied a penalty with 17 minutes left.

Arsenal looked like resisting Sunderland’s frenzied efforts to score an equaliser but Gael Clichy’s attempted clearance in the fourth minute of stoppage time hit Laurent Koscielny and bounced kindly for Darren Bent, who smashed in gleefully.

Sunderland will feel they deserved a draw but the clearer chances throughout fell to Arsenal - even when they were down to 10 men. This might look like a decent point before long but, at the final whistle, it felt like a defeat.

It was a case of ‘as you were’ when Arsène Wenger picked his team for this match. He stuck with the same XI – and the same subs – who lined up against Braga on Wednesday night. Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey are all still injured.

The Stadium of Light has been an unhappy hunting ground in recent years for Arsenal – they needed a last-gasp Fabregas header to snatch a point in 2009 and lost to Darren Bent’s scrambled strike last time out.

But having beaten Bolton and Blackburn already – a double Arsène Wenger admitted would have been improbable two years ago – this was another chance for Arsenal to show they have changed.

Sunderland have been consistently inconsistent so far but they have beaten Manchester City at home and they set about disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm from the start, something Braga had patently failed to do in midweek.

The early sparring produced no more than a couple of half-chances: Song’s burst and Marouane Chamakh’s lay-off set up Andrey Arshavin for a first-time curler but the Russian was leaning back as he struck the ball and his effort flew over.

At the other end Jordan Henderson volleyed over from edge of box but the game didn’t really spark into life until a freakish Fabregas strike broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.

There seemed no imminent danger to Sunderland as Ferdinand went to launch a long diagonal but his clearance struck Fabregas on the leg as the Arsenal captain closed down and the ball looped up and over the helpless Simon Mignolet and into the net.

You won’t see a more bizarre goal all season.

Arsenal had clearly enjoyed a huge slice of luck but there was a twist in the tail. Fabregas pulled a hamstring not long after and was replaced before the half-hour by Rosicky.

By then, Arsenal were defending for their lives.

Sunderland had responded impressively to falling behind and squandered a string of half-chances to get back on terms before the break.

Steed Malbranque sliced a shot over from the edge of the box, Nedum Onuoha powered a free header off target while Cristian Riveros arrived too quickly to meet a devilish cross from Ahmed Elmohamady and could only nod the ball into the ground.

Arsenal wobbled but they did not fall with Laurent Koscielny outstanding at the back, winning header after header and distributing the ball with admirable calm.

Song’s downward header from Arshavin’s deep cross alleviated the pressure but Arsenal were perhaps fortuitous to take their narrow lead into half-time.

That said, they should have been out of sight just after the restart.

Nasri raced to the byline within seconds of the whistle and crossed for Arshavin to scoop a sharp chance over the bar from no more than five yards.

Within two minutes a dancing run from Rosicky and Song’s deft touch set up another opening for Arshavin 12 yards out but the Russian sliced his left-foot shot wide.

The game could have been sewn up there and then. Instead, Arsenal’s task was made considerably harder by a red card awarded to Song after 56 minutes. His first booking was deserved; his second seemed harsh.

Sunderland sensed their opportunity and Bent span to fire a shot wide within a minute of the sending off.

But Arsenal regrouped. And after drawing Sunderland’s sting, they pressed forward in search of the goal that would settle the issue.

Nasri clipped a free-kick over the bar on the hour-mark and, with 17 minutes left, the same man was brought down inside the box. Up stepped Rosicky, only to thump his penalty against the top of the bar.

The away fans held their heads in their hands and no wonder – that miss set up a grandstand finish and ultimately cost their team victory.

Manuel Almunia was alert to deny Asamoah Gyan after Denilson’s slip and the keeper made a flying save to deny the Ghana international late on.

Arsenal 6 - 0 Braga - UEFA Champions League

Arsenal blitzed Braga 6-0 on the opening night of Champions League Group H on Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas opened the Emirates Stadium floodgates in the ninth minute when he stroked home from the penalty spot after Marouane Chamakh had been felled.

The Spaniard then provided an artistic assist for Andrey Arshavin to net the second on the half-hour. Four minutes later Chamakh combined with Jack Wilshere to make it 3-0.

Fabregas headed home the fourth – his second – just after the interval and only a goal-line clearance prevented the skipper completing the first hat-trick of his Arsenal career a few minutes later.

Arshavin set up substitute Carlos Vela for a cute finish midway through the second half. Six minutes from time the Mexican netted again from an unselfish assist by Fabregas.

If that reads like a procession of Fabregas-inspired Arsenal goals then that is just what it was.

Braga looked like the Champions League debutants they were. Arsenal had complete and utter control yet they barely broke out into a meaningful sweat.

Wenger’s men have reached the last 16 of this competition for the last 10 years and, though there is a long way to go, they just might make it 11 with something to spare this time.

The manager made three changes from the side that had beaten Bolton at the weekend.

His first-choice full backs, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy returned at the expense of Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs.

Sandwiched between them were Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny, the nascent all-French partnership that had performed so admirably at centre back on Saturday.

The final change saw their compatriot, Samir Nasri, come into the side so Tomas Rosicky dropped to the bench.

This was a voyage into the unknown for Braga and coach Domingos Paciencia sprang a surprise by leaving Lima on the bench. The Brazilian striker had scored a crucial hat-trick in the qualifying round against Sevilla.

At his pre-match press conference, Wenger had vowed to exploit Braga’s Champions League inexperience this evening and, in the opening stages, the visitors were clearly nervous.

Fabregas appeared to be felled by Paulo Cesar’s panicky challenge on the edge of the area in the fourth minute but referee Alain Hamer waved play on. Shortly afterwards Wilshere clipped a shot just wide not knowing he been flagged offside.

Up to this point, Arsenal had not been at their best but third gear was good enough to pin back Braga.

And in the ninth minute, the visitors finally fell behind.

Fabregas quickly computed that Chamakh had escaped in the left-hand channel and found him with and a penetrative pass. The Moroccan shaped to swoop inside the keeper Felipe but then went the other way. The Arsenal striker was swept off his feet and Fabregas converted the penalty.

Shortly afterwards, the captain chested the ball down and Wilshere’s point-blank shot cannoned back off Felipe.

It seemed a little too easy for Arsenal and, perhaps as a result, they failed to capitalise on their superiority immediately.

Cesar’s deflected shot was well-held by Almunia and, with a little more composure, Braga may have been more of a threat.

However Arsenal were still much the more likely side to score – all they had to do was prove it.

Then, in the 30th minute, they did.

Again the architect was Fabregas. Displaying effortless balance and guile, he weaved past a couple of Braga defenders before cushioning a pass to Arshavin on the left of the area.

The Russian rifled home a low shot just inside the near post. It was his third goal of the season.

Five minutes later it was 3-0.

Wilshere collected the ball on the right and tapped a short cross-field pass to Arshavin before racing to the edge of the area for the return.

The Russian’s chip was chested down by Chamakh to Wilshere, who then backheeled the Moroccan into a crevice of space in a crowded area. He tucked away a trickling shot beyond Felipe and into the corner.

Barring some sort of calamity, this game was won.

Eight minutes after the break even that proviso was pretty much extinguished. Arshavin clipped a cross to the far post and Fabregas, entirely unmarked, guided home a header.

It was simple, simple football.

Three minutes later, the Spaniard should have registered the first treble of his Arsenal career when he went clear. However the captain’s shot was touched into the air by Felipe and Moises raced in to hack the ball away.

No matter. At this point, Arsenal were as troublesome to the Braga defence as they wanted to be. Stepping on the gas when they felt the pace dropping too low.

Just past the hour, Wenger withdrew Song and Chamakh for Denilson and Carlos Vela. It was the act of a satisfied man.

Seconds later, Arshavin drilled a low cross-shot against the far post. In the 67th minute, the Russian cleverly fed Vela, who clipped the ball over Felipe in typical fashion.

Six minutes from time, the 21-year completed the scoring by tucking home a shot after Fabregas eschewed a half-chance of a hat-trick to set him up.

Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal beat 10-man Bolton Wanderers 4-1 at Emirates Stadium to keep up the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Laurent Koscielny bundled home his first Arsenal goal after 24 minutes, only for the French defender's poor back header to allow Bolton to equalise just before half-time through Johan Elmander.

Marouane Chamakh headed the hosts back in front, with Gary Cahill then sent off for a tackle from behind on the Moroccan.

Alex Song netted Arsenal's 1,000th Premier League goal under manager Arsene Wenger and substitute Carlos Vela stroked in number four with seven minutes left.

As expected, the home side made all the early running, with captain Cesc Fabregas, who has a fine personal record against Bolton, having a shot blocked after cutting into the right side of the area.

Andrey Arshavin should have made it 1-0 after latching onto a brilliant through ball by Tomas Rosicky, but Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan - making his first Premier League start in place of the suspended Jussi Jaaskelainen - was out quickly to close the Russian down at the edge of the penalty area.

The Czech midfielder then had a go himself, driving an angled shot just over as Arsenal continued to press.

Bolton - who now play a much-changed style under Owen Coyle - found an opening on 12 minutes when a knockdown by former Gunner Fabrice Muamba fell to Kevin Davies, but the striker's shot on the turn was held by Manuel Almunia.

The Gunners were ahead after 24 minutes.

Jack Wilshere's angled chip across the penalty area picked out Fabregas' run at the far post, and his cutback was bundled in by Koscielny following a rebound from Bogdan.

The Hungarian was being kept busy, as a fine passing move ended with Rosicky drilling in a low, angled shot which produced another fine reaction block from the Bolton shot stopper.

Arshavin clipped the side-netting after he just got ahead of Zat Knight before he was again denied on the breakaway, as this time Gretar Steinsson did just enough to put the Russian off balance.

Bolton snatched an equaliser just before half-time following a terrible mix up in the Arsenal defence.

Koscielny's backward header was far too soft, leaving Almunia exposed as Lee Chung-yong darted onto the loose ball.

The Korean rounded the goalkeeper, before chipping back across goal, where Elmander headed in at the far post.

The tempo was lacklustre during the opening exchanges of the second half, as both sides knew the next goal would be crucial.

Song hacked away a loose ball in the Arsenal six-yard box before Chamakh burst clear and on to the edge of the Bolton box, but again Bogdan produced a superb save.

However, there was little the Bolton goalkeeper could do moments later when, as the danger was not cleared after the resulting corner, Morocco international striker Chamakh headed in Fabregas' cross at the far post to restore Arsenal's lead after 58 minutes.

Koscielny and Davis, jumping in at full pelt, both needed treatment after a nasty clash of heads as they challenged for a ball on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area.

Moments later Stuart Attwell reached for his back pocket to show Cahill a straight red card after the England international went through the back of Chamakh right in front of the dugout.

The match suddenly developed an edge, as a few hefty challenges went in from both sides. Arsenal substitute Abou Diaby eventually had to be replaced after suffering an injury in a clash with Paul Robinson.

Song made it 3-1 when he collected a cutback from Arshavin to cleverly chip the goalkeeper from a tight angle, before substitute Vela stroked in number four with seven minutes left.

Mixed injury news ahead of Bolton game

Arsène Wenger has received some mixed injury news as he prepares his team to face Bolton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

On the plus side, Samir Nasri is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery.

The Frenchman sustained a meniscal injury against Liverpool on the opening day of the season and was expected to be sidelined for a month. But Nasri will return to full training in the next few days.

However, Robin van Persie will have to wait a little longer before he is back in the first-team frame.

The Dutchman injured his ankle against Blackburn Rovers on August 28 and will be sidelined for longer than first anticipated. Van Persie is likely to be out of action until mid-October.

Look out for a full injury update from Arsène Wenger on Arsenal.com this Thursday.

Walcott is EA SPORTS Player of the Month

Theo Walcott has won the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for August by a landslide.

The England international has made a flying start to the season and he received a staggering 87.6 per cent of the votes in our official poll.

And no wonder. Theo hinted at what was to come with a sparkling cameo as a substitute at Liverpool on the opening day of the campaign and then struck a superb hat-trick against Blackpool a week later.

The 21-year-old's finishing was impeccable at Emirates Stadium and he continued his rich vein of form with a venomous strike at Blackburn at the end of August.

That goal earned Theo the Goal of the Month award and he now has the Player of the Month prize too.

Tomas Rosicky was a distant second in our poll after his own impressive start to the season and new signing Marouane Chamakh came third.

Van Persie sidelined until October

Arsenal's Robin van Persie is out for around six weeks with an ankle injury sustained at Ewood Park.


The Dutchman injured his ankle against Blackburn Rovers on 28th August and is set to be ruled out until the middle of next month.

The news on Van Persie will compound manager Arsene Wenger's frustration with Nicklas Bendtner also out with a groin injury.

The club's official website confirmed: "Van Persie is likely to be out of action until mid-October."

But Wenger has received some good news with Samir Nasri recovering well from knee surgery.

Nasri is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery after the Frenchman sustained a meniscal injury against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.

The 23-year-old was expected to be sidelined for a month but Nasri will return to full training in the next few days.

Arsenal fans wanted for exciting new book

Arsenal in the Community together with the help of Arsenal supporters are publishing a unique book entitled Arsenal 'Til I Die - a book written by the fans, for the fans as part of an innovative literacy project co-ordinated by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Legends Publishing and Arsenal in the Community, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The project will give football fans the opportunity to write about the highs and lows of life as a passionate Arsenal supporter. Arsenal ‘Til I Die hopes to reveal the fun, absurd, emotional, peculiar and unbelievable tales that are part and parcel of following the Gunners and supporters' involvement in Arsenal in the Community's numerous social inclusion, charity, sport, education and international projects.

The book, due to be published later on in the year will be compiled by fans, so the search is on to find the most avid Arsenal followers to contribute their exciting and perhaps funny stories; Supporters from far and wide who watch their beloved team, fans who have seen hundreds of Arsenal matches home and away. There will be opportunities to attend story-writing sessions, which will be held at Arsenal Football Club and at libraries and schools in the local community over the next few months. These sessions will help spark the memory-gathering process and will provide a chance for fans to perfect their stories.

Alan Sefton Head of Arsenal in the Community said: "This book will be another wonderful way to mark 25 years of Arsenal in the Community. It will provide a legacy for fans who have great stories and memories of supporting Arsenal and being involved in Arsenal. The story-writing sessions are perfect for extending some of our existing education projects which have traditionally involved young people. This gives all supporters - no matter their age - an opportunity to get involved in another exciting project."

Dave Lane of Legends Publishing, the publishers of the book says: "The Arsenal ‘Til I Die project is an excellent opportunity for Arsenal supporters to record their memories in writing, and share their tales of trial and tribulation with the world. We want to encourage everyone who loves the team to get involved in the project. Not only will it be a great experience, but the proceeds of the book will go towards funding reading and writing projects in local schools."

Jim Sells, Project Manager at the National Literacy Trust says: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the Arsenal ‘Til I Die fan book. Arsenal ‘Til I Die is one of 16 books we are producing nationally in 2010. We have discovered that tapping into football fans' undying passion for their team is an excellent way to encourage them to enjoy writing and improve their skills. By empowering people to engage with literacy in meaningful ways, the aim of the National Literacy Trust is to create change that will last a lifetime."

If you have a story or set of experiences about yourself, a family member, a neighbour or friend which you feel deserves to go into the book, email your stories or request to take part in the storywriting sessions by emailing David Lane at Legends Publishing david@legendspublishing.net or www.tilidie.co.uk. You can also send your stories to 18 Darby Crescent, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 5LA. The deadline is July 2nd, 2010.

International Watch: Woe for French trio

Twelve Arsenal players have been selected to represent their nations in international matches over the following week.

A further three members of the Arsenal first team have been selected for youth internationals. Armand Traore, on loan at Juventus, has also been selected to represent his country at Under-21 level.

Arsenal.com will bring you news on all 16 players' progress after their fixtures.

Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna
France 0-1 Belarus, September 3
Bosnia & Herzegovina v France, September 7
Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna all played 90 minutes as France started Group D with a highly-disappointing 1-0 defeat against Belarus in Paris. Sergei Kislak grabbed the only goal four minutes from time. Les Bleus travel to Sarajevo to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Andrey Arshavin
Andorra 0-2 Russia, September 3
Russia v Slovakia, September 7
Andrey Arshavin laid on the first goal for Pavel Pogrebnyak as Russia beat Andorra 2-0. Dick Advocaat’s men have a home match against Slovakia in Moscow on Tuesday.

Cesc Fabregas
Liechtenstein 0-4 Spain, September 3
Argentina v Spain, September 7
Cesc Fabregas played 45 minutes as Spain won 4-0 in Liechtenstein. The Arsenal captain replaced Xavi at the break with the holders 2-0 up. They doubled that advantage in the second half. Spain go to Buenos Aires for a friendly on Tuesday night against Argentina..

Thomas Vermaelen
Belgium 0-1 Germany, September 3
Turkey v Belgium, September 7
Thomas Vermaelen captained Belgium in their 1-0 defeat at home to Germany. Miroslav Klose grabbed the all-important goal just after the break. George Leekens’ side have another tough-looking trip to Turkey on Tuesday.

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs
England 4-0 Bulgaria, September 3
Switzerland v England, September 7
Theo Walcott was involved for 74 minutes as England responded to their World Cup disappointment by beating Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley thanks to three goals from Jermain Defoe. Kieran Gibbs was an unused substitute. Both players will travel to Switzerland next week for Tuesday’s friendly in Basle.

Jack Wilshere
Portugal Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s, September 3
England Under-21s v Lituania Under-21s, September 7
Jack Wilshere was an unused substitute as England Under-21s won 1-0 in Portugal on Friday night. Stuart Pearce’s side welcome Lithuania to the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester on Tuesday

Vito Mannone
Bosnia and Herzegovina Under-21s 0-1 Italy Under-21s, September 3
Italy Under-21s v Wales Under-21s, September 7
Vito Mannone kept a clean-sheet as Italy Under-21s won 1-0 in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Pierluigi Casiraghi's side now face a potential group-decider in their final game against leaders Wales in Pescara on Tuesday.

Armand Traore
Ukraine Under-21s 2-2 France Under-21s, September 3
France Under-21s v Malta Under-21s, September 7
Armand Traore did not make the starting squad as the French Under-21s drew 2-2 in the Ukraine. They play Malta in Amiens on Tuesday.

Wojciech Szczesny
Finland Under-21s 2-0 Poland Under-21s, September 3
Poland Under-21s v Spain Under-21s, September 7
Wojciech Szczesny did not make the starting squad as Poland Under-21s lost 2-0 to Finland in Pori. They have a second European Championship qualfier in Spain on Tuesday.

Emmanuel Eboue
Ivory Coast v Rwanda, September 4
Emmanuel Eboue has been selected in the Ivory Coast squad to face Rwanda in Abidjan on Saturday. The game is an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Marouane Chamakh
Morocco v Central African Republic, September 4
Marouane Chamakh has been called up for Morocco’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic. The game will take place in Rabat on Saturday.

Tomas Rosicky
Czech Republic v Lithuania, September 7
Tomas Rosicky has been called up for Czech Republic’s opening Euro 2012 Group I game against Lithuania. Michal Bílek’s men open with a home game in Olomouc on Tuesday night.

Carlos Vela
Mexico v Ecuador, September 4
Carlos Vela has been called up to the Mexico squad to face Ecuador in a friendly in Guadalajara on Saturday.

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