FC Barcelona Vs Arsenal live
Juventus director flies to London for talks over Arsenal's Gael Clichy - report
Tuttosport reports Paratici is in England where he will have a meeting with the Gunners in respect of the 25-year-old, who was linked with the Italian club last year, although Juve signed Armand Traore on loan instead.
Juve's general director Giuseppe Marotta confirmed he is looking for "three or four quality players" in the summer transfer window as he begins drawing up a list of targets.
Arsenal are thought to be looking for around £13.2m (€15m) for the Frenchman who reportedly commands a £3.1m (€3.5m) per-season salary.
Talks are expected to be stepped up, with Paratici aiming to pave the way forward in preparation for a June switch to Turin.
Arsenal & Manchester United target Maarten Stekelenburg to decide Ajax future in the summer - agent
The agent of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg says a contract renewal with the Dutch giants is not high on the priority list.
The 28-year-old has been linked with several club across Europe including Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester United, but Karel Jansen believes all discussions will occur during the summer transfer window.
"We know for a fact that there is another year left on Maarten's contract with Ajax," Jansen told Tuttomercatoweb. "He could leave at the end of the season, or could stay in Amsterdam.
"I am certain he is liked my many clubs, but it is still too early to say who in particular.
"Every decision in regards to Maarten will be made during the summer, when we will evaluate the situation and start to make a decision. The contract renewal is not one of the more probable possibilities, even though we know that in football, anything can happen."
The shot-stopper recently injured his thumb in training, and is on the sidelines for up to six weeks.
Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia: Samir Nasri wants me to join Arsenal
Udinese’s versatile defender Mehdi Benatia has claimed Arsenal’s Samir Nasri wants him to join the Gunners.
The two players remain friends after spending time at Marseille, however, Benatia never made the grade at the Stade Velodrome, and after loan spells at Tours and Lorient respectively, the Moroccan international joined Clermont Foot before switching to Udinese in Serie A for free last summer.
The defender, who was born in France, hasn’t looked out of his depth in Serie A as could have been expected after making the jump from France’s Ligue 2 and despite Nasri’s pleasing comments, he is no rush to leave Italy, paying little attention to any rumours.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Clairefontaine graduate said: “He [Nasri] wants [me] to do it.
When I was in France, at a small club, he said to me: 'I am going to talk to Arsene Wenger'. I told him that he was crazy. Now he is even more decisive.
"We're great friends. We got to know each other in Marseille. We shared a room.
“I like Serie A. I am very happy here and my wife Cecile is too. We live in the city centre. I'd like to have a great career in Udine.
"Getting into the Europa League would be great. The Champions League is difficult even if there is quality at this club."
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny reveals he is still training despite injured hand
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed the injury he sustained against Barcelona in the Champions League has not stopped him putting in the hours on the training pitch.
The Polish 'keeper has been sidelined for two weeks and faces a minimum of two more weeks in a splint after rupturing tendons in his left hand.
Manager Arsene Wenger last week stated that he expected the 20-year-old to miss six weeks of action.
The injury prevents him from taking part in a normal goalkeeping routine, but Szczesny is using the time to work on other areas of his game that will improve him in the long-term.
"I work in the gym everyday, working on my lower body and my distribution as well which will be very good for me," he told the club's website. "I'm not getting bored, I can still do a lot of stuff.
"There's nothing you can do when it happens - you have to move on, work hard on your fitness and make sure you come back stronger than ever.
"There's not a lot of joint damage, the tendon is ruptured. So basically I have to keep my finger in a splint for four weeks and let the tendon heal. From then it will be a couple of weeks before I can be back in the squad.
"It's very hard, especially at a time when it was going well for me. We have got some big games coming up."
Ramsey - Our character earned us a point
West Bromwich Albion capitalised on uncertain defending to take a two-goal lead at the Hawthorns but Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie struck within seven minutes of each other to set up a grandstand finish.
Arsenal could not find a winner and find themselves five points adrift of Manchester United going into the international break. That was a source of frustration to Ramsey after the match but he admits it could have been worse.
"Obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted but I thought we showed character to get a point of out it," said the Welshman. "It could have been a lot worse, absolutely, but we never give up. At least we got something out of the game.
"We have a game in hand and we play Man United at home so we are definitely not out of it [the title race]. Definitely not. There is a lot to play for and hopefully we can do that and become champions at the end."
Saturday represented Ramsey's first start in an Arsenal shirt since he suffered a double leg fracture at Stoke in February 2010. The 20-year-old almost marked the milestone with a first-half equaliser but was denied at point-blank range by Albion keeper Scott Carson.
"I think I should have scored," reflected Ramsey. "But it was awkward. The ball was around my hip and I had to take a touch, the right-back was getting close to me so I had to get a shot away pretty quickly.
"But it was great to have that opportunity to start again for Arsenal and I thought I did alright. Obviously, it is a difficult atmosphere and the fans get right behind their players - they showed that with their first half performance. But they got tired in the end and we took advantage of that."
Wenger won't be drawn into keeper debate
Arsène Wenger will not be drawn into a debate over which of his goalkeepers deserves to start Arsenal's next game.
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
The Frenchman last week coaxed Jens Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41 to act as cover for Manuel Almunia while Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone nurse injuries, and the former Germany international was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at West Brom.
The game was notable for an Almunia error that gifted the Baggies their second goal and the Spaniard's place in the team was questioned by reporters afterwards. Wenger gave an update on Lehmann's progress since re-signing for the Club but refused to go further.
"I do not want to get into that [debate] now. We have two weeks [until we play Blackburn]," he said.
"Lehmann is like a guy who has not been in goal for a long time but who has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness, he needs little bit of decision-making practice in goal."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set to bid for Bolton Gary Cahill as Thomas Vermaelen is out until next season - report
Arsenal will reportedly speed up their hunt to recruit Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill to replace Thomas Vermaelen, ruled out of action at least until the start of the next Premier League
campaign.
According to News of the World, the 25-year-old Belgian has visited specialists in Holland for the past week in a bid to try and nurse the Achilles problem which first arose in September.
The likes of Laurent Koscielny, Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou have had mixed fortunes this season and Wenger is determined to reinforce his back-five for the next Premier League campaign.
The Gunners boss reportedly found the £15million price tag for Cahill too high but is having second thoughts as suitors such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have emerged.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle already has Reading centre back Matt Mills on his radar for a £3 million fee, to fill Cahill’s place should he leave.
West Bromwich Albion 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Report
Arsenal staged a two-goal comeback at West Brom on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of winning the Premier League title.
Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have suffered a massive blow to their aspirations when a defensive mix-up saw Peter Odemwingie put the home side 2-0 ahead just before the hour.
Arsenal had been trailing since Steven Reid’s header in the third minute and, despite having overwhleming possession, they could not break down a stubborn West Brom defence.
However, Andrey Arshavin put them back into contention in the 70th minute and then, seven minutes later, Robin van Persie trickled the equaliser over the line.
Arsenal fought frantically for a winner and came closest when Gael Clichy’s drive was saved by Scott Carson. Manchester United’s late victory over Bolton mean Wenger’s men have dropped behind in the title race but, after this massive scare, it could have been much worse.
Questions will be asked about the defence after this result but Wenger’s team gave a resolute answer to any concerns about their spirit.
Arsenal’s title chances were certainly damaged in this pulsating afternoon of football but the blow was not fatal.
They are still in the race.
There were two familiar names back in the squad this afternoon. Aaron Ramsey had come off the bench last weekend against Manchester United but this afternoon he started his first game for the Club since he had picked up that horrible broken leg at Stoke in February 2010. He replaced the injured Abou Diaby.
Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann was on the bench after coming out of retirement to answer an emergency call from Wenger. It was the German’s first Arsenal appearance since May 2007.
Elsewhere, Sebastien Squillaci replaced Johan Djourou, who is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury, and Gael Clichy replaced Kieran Gibbs.
This was a massive day for Arsenal. After the disappointments of recent weeks, Wenger’s men needed a fillip and, of course, three points.
However they would make the worst possible start.
In the fourth minute, Laurent Koscielny gave away a corner on the left which Chris Brunt swung over to the edge of the six-yard box. It found Reid, who pulled away from Ramsey before powering home a header from close range.
It was a horrible goal to concede and instantly put Arsenal on the back foot. They struggled to respond until the quarter-hour but, after that, would dominate.
On a difficult surface, the visitors took time to get their passing going. But gradually Ramsey found his measure and Samir Nasri started to have an influence on the right.
At one point towards half time, Arsenal were registering 74 per cent possession but it only brought them one real opportunity before the break.
It came in the 25th minute. Clichy raced down the left and clipped a cross towards the stretching Van Persie, who sent a looping header against the bar.
Carson stood motionless as the ball bounced back off the woodwork. But the keeper responded quickly when it eventually came down at the feet of Ramsey. The Welshman got his shot away but the ball bounced back off the body of the West Brom stopper.
Apart from that, it was one-way traffic and all in the direction of the hosts' goal. However the home side defended in numbers and, though thoroughly questioned by Arsenal, they always found an answer.
It was a massive half-time for Wenger and he made a decisive change. Denilson off, Marouane Chamakh on.
The Moroccan went up front, with Van Persie in support. Nasri moved to central midfield and Ramsey shifted to the right.
It was an attacking move. And Wenger would make another just before the hour when the Welshman made way for Nicklas Bendtner.
That came just after substitute Marek Cech broke away on the left and his cross was put wide by the sliding Brunt when he should have scored.
However, after the change, West Brom did find a second.
There seemed little on when Odemwingie chased down Squillaci in pursuit of a long ball on 58 minutes. But Almunia also came out to collect and so when the West Brom striker won the ball he had the relatively simple job of rolling it into the empty net.
Again, a horrible goal to concede.
Arsenal now had everything against them. And when Van Persie hacked a free-kick well wide it seemed that they would struggle to respond.
But in the 70th minute, Arshavin handed the visitors a lifeline. The Russian popped up on the left of the area and rifled a shot into the far corner.
It was Arshavin’s sixth goal of the season and potentially the most important.
And the Russian would have an massive influence in the equaliser eight minutes later. It was his raking cross that drew Carson to the far post and bounced back into the area off the upright. The ball got stuck under the feet of Abdoulaye Meite and the sliding Van Persie got the merest of touches to trickle the ball over the line.
The game had turned on its head and now Arsenal were looking for a winner. Van Persie nodded wide from a corner and Jack Wilshere saw his shot blocked.
In injury time Clichy strode forward and saw his effort saved by Carson low at the near post.
Arsenal threw everything at West Brom in the dying seconds but, despite scrambles, the goal would not come.
At the end, the players looked crestfallen
This was a trip - even a backward step - but there is time to recover.
* A word for the travelling Arsenal fans this afternoon. As at Old Trafford, they were utterly magnificent in their support - a credit to the Club.
Wenger and Nasri given one-match bans by UEFA
UEFA has made the following announcement:
“Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger and midfield player Samir Nasri have both been suspended for one UEFA club competition match following charges of improper conduct relating to the English team’s UEFA Champions League game against FC Barcelona in Spain on 8 March.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body today decided to suspend Wenger and Nasri for one European match each, with the punishment applying to the next UEFA club game for which either man will be eligible. The Arsenal manager has also been fined €10,000.
UEFA had opened disciplinary proceedings against the pair following the north London side’s round of 16 second leg in Barcelona.
An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.”
Blackburn Rovers set to make £15m move for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner - report
Blackburn Rovers are believed to be interested in acquiring the services of Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner.
The Dane has in the past voiced concerns about his situation at the north London club and has made just three starts in the Premier League this term.
And having failed to lure the likes of David Beckham and Ronaldinho in the past, The Daily Mail reports that Rovers are now looking to make a £15 million move for the towering forward.
It is thought that Blackburn may look to lure the forward with a hefty wage package, despite currently struggling in the Premier League.
From the invincible goalkeeper to seeing red in a European final - the highs and lows of Jens Lehmann's first spell at Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger shocked many this week when reports emerged that he was looking to lure former keeper Jens Lehmann out of retirement until the end of the season for his second spell with the north London.
The former Schalke, AC Milan, Dortmund and Stuttgart star would provide cover for Manuel Almunia after injuries to Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianksi and Vito Mannone left the Gunners with only two fit goalkeepers.
The German international joined the north London club for the first time back in the summer of 2003 for £1.5 million form Borussia Dortmund and spent five seasons with the club.
He made 199 appearances, with only one as a substitute, and earned cult status with his solid performances and crazy temperament.
With the Gunners reportedly closing in on a deal which would see 41-year-old ease Wenger's goalkeeping crisis until the end of the season. Me takes a look back at the highs and lows of his first spell with the club....
Highs
1. Invincible Lehmann
In the 2003/2004 season Arsenal made history by becoming the first side since Preston North End in 1888/1989 to go the entire league season unbeaten.
And Jens Lehmann, in his first season at the club since joining from Borussia Dortmund, played in all 38 games of the campaign.
While his bold style and hot-headedness led to one or two mistakes, the German played a key part in providing a solid defensive unit for Arsene Wenger's side.
The 'keeper made three appearances conceding just 26 goals as Arsenal won 26 games and drew 12 during the season.
They then went on to break the 48-match record for going unbeaten, which was previously held by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.
Lehmann played in 48 of Arsenal's 49 unbeaten run.
2. Penalty hero
Arguably his finest moment came in the 2006 Champions League semi-final second leg against Villarreal.Leading 1-0 thanks to Kolo Toure's goal in the first leg, Arsenal rode their luck in keeping the scoreline to 0-0 at El Madrigal, but through sheer determination and a backs-to-the-wall mentality they were minutes from their first Champions League final.
All their hard work appeared to be for nothing though as two minutes from time Gael Clichy was adjudged to have brought down Jose Mari and the referee pointed to the spot.
It was Juan Roman Riquelme against Lehmann for a place in the final and it was the German who came out on top as he dived to his left and beat the spot-kick away.
Arsenal were in the final and Lehmann had kept a record 10 consecutive clean sheets in Europe, with the club not conceding a goal in 919 minutes of European football.
3. Record breaker
Arsenal made it all the way to the 2006 European Cup final and Jens Lehmann was instrumental as the Gunners becoming the first London club to make the final of the continent's premier competition.While the final did not go entirely to plan for the German international, he was superb in his side's run to the Stade de France which included clean sheets against European giants Real Madrid and Juventus home and away.
He made one memorable double save against Real Madrid at Highbury from Spanish legend Raul. Not content with one stunning stop he sprawled back towards goal and clawed the ball away from the goal with his fingertips.
Throw in his heroics in the semi-final and he kept a record 10 consecutive clean sheets, with the club going 919 minutes without conceding.
Despite his sending off in the final his exploits in Arsenal's run to the showpiece event was enough to win him the title of Champions League goalkeeper of the year for the 2005/06 season.
He went 853 minutes without conceding a goal and the run was finally ended as Hamburg scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute of a 3-1 defeat to the Gunners in the 2006/2007 group stage.
4. Cup king
Lehman is the last Arsenal goalkeeper to get his hands on some silverware, in the form of the FA Cup, and he played a big part in winning the trophy back in 2005.Arsenal beat Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of goalless football and it was Lehmann who made it all possible, keeping out Paul Scholes' penalty effort.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated the entire cup final and on another day would have won the famous old trophy easily but it ended being Arsenal and Lehmann's day as the German produced a man of the match display, producing a string of vital saves.
The decisive moment came as he dived full-length to his right to deny the former England international and after repelling a Manchester United onslaught for 120 minutes Arsenal had the trophy.
5. Farewell appearance
On May 4, 2008 Arsenal said a fond farewell to Lehmann after he bowed out in the 1-0 victory over Everton.Lukasz Fabianski started the match but Wenger brought Lehmann on for the final 20 minutes of the encounter.
He was given a rousing reception as he entered the action and at the final whistle he was given a standing ovation for his efforts in north London over five seasons.
The fans, despite all his histrionics, were showing their thanks for a 'keeper who helped the club go unbeaten in a season.
The German bowed to the crowd and clapped them as he left the pitch for the final time in Arsenal colours and he will
Lows
1. Seeing red
The German's short fuse but the biggest disappointment of his Arsenal career came when he was given a red card in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona.After 18 minutes in the Stade de France, Samuel Eto'o steamed through on goal and the keeper rushed out to meet him but brought the Cameroon international down.
Lehmann had denied a certain goalscoring opportunity, but after the incident the ball rolled to Ludovic Guily to find the back of the net.
Unfortunately for Lehmann the referee had already stopped play so the goal was chalked out and the Gunners were reduced to 10 men, with the German becoming the first player ever to be sent off in a European Cup final.
The confident German was a broken man and the pained look on his face told the story. Despite being a man short Wenger's side took the lead before half-time thanks to Sol Campbell's header and they held out for 75 minutes, until goals from Samuel Eto'o and Juilano Belletti won the trophy for the Catalan giants.
2. Sitting on the bench
In early 2008, a couple of high-profile mistakes from Lehmann saw the German lose his No.1 spot at Arsenal to Manuel Almunia.In the first league game of the season, Lehmann made a serious error after just 52 seconds, allowing David Healy to score for Fulham. However, Lehmann's blushes were spared late in the game as Arsenal won 2–1. But in his second league match against Blackburn Rovers he fumbled a David Dunn shot to allow Blackburn to equalise, in a game that finished 1–1.
It was something he did not take kindly to and he spoke of his displeasure regularly, slighting his rival at every opportunity.
On one occasion he said of Almunia: "To be sitting on the bench behind somebody who only started to play when he was 30 is not funny."
Another time he spoke of his anger about the Spanish 'keeper getting the nod in the first team: "My coach confirmed to me my impression that he uses a different measuring stick to evaluate Almunia... when I see the performances on the field, I get angry and I have to clench my fist in my pocket."
Wenger stood firm though, and Lehmann sat on the bench for four months. And the German international could not accept his manager’s decision.
He said: "At the moment I'm just swallowing it all as part of the humiliation. That's something one has to take in. But I think - and this is aimed at my dear manager - one shouldn't humiliate players for too long."
The Gunners will be hoping Lehmann is true to his words and can bury the hatchet with his rival and be more inclined to sit on the bench in his second spell at the club.
3. Mad Jens
Throughout his time at Arsenal he was largely consistent but his career in north London did not come without a few 'mad moments'.The German could always be found steaming off his line, fouling unnecessarily or playing a fancy pass and sometimes it was costly.
In his first season at the club, Lehmann was a vital part of the Invincibles side but it did not mean he was always solid as a rock.
When Arsenal were 2-1 up and ready to seal the title at Tottenham things took a turn for the worse as Lehmann, under no threat, decided to haul Robbie Keane down. The referee pointed to the spot and Spurs earned a draw.
It wasn't enough to stop Arsenal claiming the title but it caused panic in the Arsenal ranks as they held on for the point to see them crowned champions.
4. Lehmann vs Drogba
In 2007, the German clashed with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba off the ball and all of his characteristics came to the fore at once.With the ball nowhere to be seen Lehmann, in yet another mad moment, decided to shove Drogba to the floor.
The Ivorian didn't take too kindly to this and decided to bump into Lehmann.
What followed was something that would not be lost on a West End stage as the German threw himself to the floor.
It was a moment that gained cult status with the Arsenal faithful but led to more than a few neutrals losing respect for the veteran goalie.
5. Disciplinary issues
Mad moments were a theme of Lehmann's career in London and in the 2006/07 season Lehman broke the record for the most number of yellow cards for a goalkeeper in a single season.The hot-tempered German collected eight yellow cards in a single season, cementing his reputation as a fiery character.
In his five seasons at the club he recorded 13 yellow cards and a sending off.
Jens Lehmann in talks to sign short-team deal at Arsenal by weekend
Jens Lehmann is set to come out of retirement and return to Arsenal on a short-term contract if he can prove his fitness to Arsene Wenger.
Lehmann, 41, is in talks with the Premier League club about a shock return three years after leaving Arsenal and hopes to be included in the squad for this weekend's trip to West Brom.
The veteran shot stopper revealed to German newspaper Bild that he was ready to jump in and help his old team. "Arsenal has a goalkeeper emergency at the moment. I'm glad that I can help," he is quoted as saying.
It is understood that the former Germany international, who was at Camp Nou last week for Arsenal's Champions League elimination at the hands of Barcelona, will be assessed by Wenger in training sessions at London Colney this week.
Manuel Almunia is the Londoners' only senior goalkeeper currently available following injuries to Wojciech Szczesny (finger) and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder), while rookie Vito Mannone, currently on loan at Hull City, is sidelined with a thigh problem.
James Shea, a 19-year-old England youth international, has been recalled from a loan spell at Southampton but is considered too inexperienced for frontline action.
Lehmann is currently a free agent having retired from the game last summer after two seasons with Stuttgart back in the Bundesliga following his five-year spell at Arsenal.
The Premier League have confirmed that the German can be signed outside the transfer window as he is currently without a club and Wenger, who revealed last week that he intended to bring in cover for the run-in, would hope to have him available and on the bench at the Hawthorns.
Lehmann made almost 200 appearances for the club after signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2003 and was sent off in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona before losing his place to Almunia, although he would be considered very much understudy to the Spaniard this time around.
He has been working in the media since retiring from the game and has attended matches at the Emirates already this season as a pundit for both English and German broadcasters.
Wenger - We miss Song like everyone else
Song is suffering from a knee injury and was one of a handful of big names who sat out Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United.
But Wenger refused to use his absence as an excuse after his team’s FA Cup exit at Old Trafford.
The Cameroon midfielder has not featured since the Carling Cup Final on February 27 and Wenger admits he will not be fit in time for Saturday’s crucial Premier League trip to West Brom.
“I don't think it's down to one player,” said the Arsenal manager.
“We would like Song back and we would like Fabregas back. We have now to cope with Djourou [being] out and he is an outstanding player.
"I don't know [when Song will be fit again]. But certainly not for Saturday."
Szczesny – We’ll win the League to shut up the moaners!
The young Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is refusing to listen to the moaners who are saying that the Gunners are not good enough to win a trophy, and, although the Pole will be watching from the sidelines for most of the run-in, he believes his Arsenal team-mates can shut everyone up simply by winning the Premiership title.
Arsenal were tamely knocked out of the FA Cup by Man Utd at Old Trafford yesterday, and many pundits believe that Alex Ferguson’s side are the most likely to go on and do the Double after that result, but Szczesny refuses to agree.
Szczesny said : “I don’t care what people say. The only way we can respond is by going out on the pitch and showing people what we are made of.
“We are confident we are a very good team and we believe we can win the league this season – that is the only way to shut them up really.
“Yes, we’re heartened by United losing their last two league games. We’re going to try to take advantage of it.
“They’ve dropped points and we’re going to do our best to win all of our games coming up – then we’ve still got to play them at the Emirates.”
‘Things do not go our way at the moment’ - Wenger
On his assessment of the game…
We had good control of the game. Manchester United had very few chances, they scored with almost their first attempt on goal. After that, we put them in a position they like to be [in] - on the counter attack. They are strong and they are clinical in front of goal. In the second half we had a good opportunity to come back to 1-1 and two minutes later it was 2-0. As long as you cannot come back to 2-1, they are comfortable. In the end, I cannot fault our effort. Things do not go our way at the moment. We have to keep going, support each other and come back strong. It was a strange game, we put a lot of effort in. At the moment, every goalkeeper against us is Man of the Match. I still believe, subconsciously, the disappointment of Tuesday night has played a part today. You could see something has gone, not in our effort or our attitude, but confidence wise.
On his belief that Arsenal can win the Premier League…
I believe that we can do it. It is a good test for us now, to show that we can regroup, show our mental strength and respond quickly. We have a week without a midweek game, that is the first time for a long time. Unfortunately, we lost Johan Djourou for the rest of the season. It will be difficult. We have a good opportunity to show that we are solid.
On whether the season is slipping away…
No. I am very disappointed. We lost three challenges in a strange way. We were not outplayed today but we were punished by a team who were more clinical than us.
On Johan Djourou’s injury…
[He has a] dislocated should. His season is over.
On Paul Scholes’ tackles today…
The pitch was good, the referee was good and the tackles of Paul Scholes were bad.
On his team’s mental strength…
You will find out. We will have to [answer] this type of question in the next few weeks. We have to show that we have an answer to that. We are used to being questioned by our environment, we have to show we are strong enough to deal with that.
On the Premier League title race…
It will strengthen our resolve at home. The Manchester United game [in the Premier League] is only important if we win our games before that. I am convinced that if that game is decisive, we have a good chance to do it at home. Before that, it’s important we respond very quickly. We go to West Brom on Saturday, we will see the first signs of how we recover.
On how the Barcelona defeat affected him…
I was very disappointed but I was not affected. I thought we would qualify today. They are always very efficient and if you do not take your chances you don’t win the games against them.
FA Cup : Manchester United 2 - 0 Arsenal - Match Report
Arsenal bowed out of the FA Cup after a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday evening.
Arsène Wenger’s side had been criticised for a backfoot display in their Champions League exit at Barcelona in midweek. But this Sixth Round tie was very different.
Arsenal had the majority of possession and nearly twice the number of shots on target as their opponents but were found wanting in the key moments.
They came just before the half-hour when Fabio thumped home after Manuel Almunia palmed a header from Javier Hernandez into his path. Then, four minutes after the restart, Wayne Rooney guided home a header from close range.
The second goal came straight after a wonderful save by Edwin van der Sar from Laurent Koscielny. The two events were a microcosm of this encounter.
The Dutch keeper frustrated Arsenal with a number of saves in the second half and rightly had the home supporters singing his name late on.
The only brightside for Arsenal was the return of Aaron Ramsey into the first-team after his broken leg. However the visitors ended with 10 men on the pitch as, after all their substitutions were made, Johan Djourou was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder. His season is over.
So a hard week ended in teak-tough fashion for Arsenal. Again they might feel ‘overpunished’ for their sins.
The past few days have cost them two competitions. But, despite it all, the Premier League title is still very much in their hands.
Roll on next week.
Wenger had promised to play the best side available. This was it, albeit there were changes after the travails at Barcelona on Tuesday.
Wojciech Szcesney (finger) and Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) were enforced omissions. Almunia and Denilson replaced them. Gael Clichy and Tomas Rosicky were left on the bench so Kieran Gibbs and Andrey Arshavin came in.
Manchester United have their own Champions League tie next week and that clearly coloured the team selection of Sir Alex Ferguson. He put Hernandez and Rooney up front but his midfield was packed with players normally seen in defence.
In December, Manchester United had won the Premier League between the two sides thanks a safety-first approach. Clearly the plan was more of the same this afternoon.
Certainly, the visitors would dominate possession in the first half but, tellingly, the two key chances would go to Manchester United.
The game took time to settle. Arsenal were the more comfortable early on. They sprayed the ball around nicely and threw in a number of crosses but had only Arshavin’s drive wide to show for it.
As Manchester United gradually found their feet, they began making chances. The best came after 15 minutes.
Fabio crossed from the left and an unmarked Rafael powered his header over the bar from six-yards. A huge let-off for Arsenal.
Wenger’s men responded with poise and patient build-up but they could not force their way through Manchester United’s ‘two banks of four’.
And conceding a goal in the 28th minute only made the situation worse.
Rooney clipped the ball to the far post where Hernandez had ghosted away from Djourou. The Mexican’s header was downward, powerful and to the right of Almunia. The keeper got a strong hand to the ball but only palmed it into the path of Fabio, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
The goal sparked more incisiveness from Arsenal. Four minutes later, Nasri fed Robin van Persie in the right-hand channel. The Dutchman turned Vidic and fired right-footed towards the far post. Van der Sar fingertipped the ball for a corner. Nasri took it and Van Persie powered a header just wide.
In injury time, the striker fed Nasri on the left. The Frenchman darted inside his marker and fired low towards the near post. Van der Sar again bent low to save.
At the break, Arsenal were in an unenviable position – chasing the game at Old Trafford against a Manchester United set up to stop them.
The first four minutes after the restart would decide the tie. Koscielny, up from defence, exchanged passes with Arshavin on the edge of the area. The Frenchman's cross was deflected towards Van der Sar’s leg but the keeper kicked it away.
The ball returned to the feet of Koscielny but this time the Dutch keeper made a wonderful gymnastic save.
It was Arsenal’s best chance of the game but it was one for which they would be punished.
Rafael ghosted past Gibbs on the right of the area and Djourou hurriedly stopped Hernandez turning the ball home. However, his clearance looped up invitingly for Rooney to steer a header into the far corner of the net.
Arsenal were already chasing the game. Now it was a hot pursuit. In the 56th minute, Nasri bounced a powerful shot towards goal. Typical of their fortune this afternoon, it flew straight at Van der Sar.
The visitors were now pushing forward but, of course, that gave Manchester United space to break. And Ferguson could now bring on experience. Antonio Valencia arrived at the interval, Ryan Giggs followed him on the hour.
Almost immediately, the Welshman could have sealed the tie. But he dallied too long with the goal gaping six yards out and Jack Wilshere, who was excellent throughout, stole the ball from his foot.
Arsenal’s substitute, Marouane Chamakh, tested Van der Sar from range but Rooney replied by firing into the sidenetting.
With 19 minutes left, Wenger gambled. Abou Diaby and Arshavin came off. Rosicky and, for the first time since February 2010, Ramsey were introduced.
Chamakh should have brought Arsenal back into the tie in the 76th minute when Sagna’s hanging cross found him at the far post. But Van der Sar clawed away his header.
The keeper was having an inspired game and seconds later he batted away Rosicky’s thunderous drive.
However, 10 minutes from time, it would be Almunia’s turn. The Spaniard clawed away Hernandez wonderfully but, in the goalmouth melee, Djourou had been bundled over by the backtracking Sagna.
The Swiss defender went down and did not get up. He was stretchered off holding his shoulder.
That ended Arsenal’s efforts. It had been hard enough with 11 men let alone 10.
Almunia saved late on from Hernandez and the home fans went home happy.
The visiting supporters must have been downhearted but they did not show it.
Their support was magnificent this evening. The team will need them if they are to recover from this defeat.
But both of them know a major trophy is still possible for Arsenal this season.
FA Cup : Manchester United Vs Arsenal - Match Preview
Arsène Wenger described it as “a little disappointment”.
Certainly the visiting team were swept away by a marauding, vibrant outfit who seemed to attack with ease. The defeat was a huge blow and could have a lasting effect on the rest of their campaign even though they still have much to play for.
Yes, Manchester United were well-beaten at Liverpool last Sunday.
Dirk Kuyt’s hat-trick not only opened up the title race once more, it also instilled the Anfield side with a sense of re-birth at the hands of a fierce local rival.
Arsenal can empathise. Losing to Barcelona – whatever the balance of play, whatever the officiating - is one thing. Seeing Tottenham go one stage further in the Champions League is an entirely new and deeply uncomfortable feeling.
So both both protagonists come in to Saturday’s FA Cup Sixth Round tie at Old Trafford with fresh wounds. These are not scars - that suggests the pain has gone and only the mark remains – these feelings are red raw. Neither Arsenal nor Manchester United will see their season ended by defeat this weekend but it will be another weighty blow from which, some say, they may struggle to recover.
Wenger rarely feeds the hype-monster ahead of big games but he admitted that his side “need this one”.
It is certainly a massive moment in the season. These two old sparring partners are entering the final few rounds of a long title fight. Both have been to the canvas recently but, having risen to their feet once more, it is just a matter of how much they have left.
One of these weary competitors seem sure to have their hand raised at the end of the Premier League campaign. Saturday’s winners will be favourites for the FA Cup aswell given the number of big names who have already been knocked out.
“I think at the moment the two teams have had a little disappointment recently,” said Wenger. “So it’s still the one who deals with that the best with who can come out on top.
"Man United have lost two games, we just lost two as well, so how well we cope with it all will be vital certainly.”
As ever, much has been made of the relationship between the two managers. For the best part of a decade around the Millennium, this was THE Premier League battle. That is why this season’s title battle has a mouthwatering history to it and, for many, Saturday will hand the winner a psychological edge. But, as usual, Wenger brushed aside the dugout debate.
“It’s like when they asked Cesc the other night ‘what does it feel to play against Barcelona?’” remarked the manager. “When you are a football player you want to win. Ferguson will want to win the game, I will want to win the game.
“At the moment my worries are not my relationship with Ferguson. My real problem is to get the team back with positive vibes. And for us the game on Saturday on that front is important because it can put us in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup.”
But mentioning that history did prompt the Arsenal manager in to a minute or two of reminiscence.
“My fondest memory? When we won the title in 2002 because it was the final [stage],” said Wenger. “The biggest disappointment was the 50th unbeaten game, when we lost under special circumstances.
“The win in ’98 was a good moment but we had some bad ones too - we lost 6-1 one Saturday morning I remember.”
And what about the FA Cup Semi-Final defeat at Villa Park in 1999 when Ryan Giggs fired an unlikely winner from ten-man Manchester United over the head of David Seaman at the near post.
“Yes that was unbelievable,” remembered Wenger. “It was a replay and we had a penalty from Bergkamp in the last second to win it. After [that miss] he never took a penalty again.”
Fabregas is out for a couple of games after suffering a slight recurrence of his hamstring injury at Barcelona. But Robin van Persie, who defied the odds to comeback early for the Nou Camp game, is available.
Wojciech Szczesny dislocated his finger at Barcelona and is out for at least six weeks so Manuel Almunia continues in goal. With Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) out for the season, James Shea, 19, will be on the bench. After the game Wenger will concentrate on bringing in an experienced keeper on emergency loan.
Alex Song (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle) are still missing.
Manchester United have been stuttering of late, losing their last two games – at Chelsea and Liverpool. If Arsenal can win on Saturday it would be the first time Ferguson’s side has been beaten three times in a row since May 2001 but even then they had already clinched the title.
There may be a perceptible weakness away from home but, at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s record is magnificent. It is P14 W13 D1 L0 in the Premier League including a cagey but competent 1-0 win over Arsenal in December. The visitors did well back then but the home side grabbed a goal, Ji-Sung Park’s third in his last three starts against Wenger’s side, and then focused on retaining their advantage.
“They play always against us with a very tight midfield and try to put pressure on us from there,” said Wenger. “That night they had only Rooney up front, so I think they set up against us to defend well.
“I wouldn’t say they are scared [of us]. They have no reason to be scared because they have enough experience. But they always have a little bit of a realistic approach of the game.”
And it has served them well.
In their last six games up there, Arsenal have lost five and drawn once and that came when a nervous Manchester United were trying to clinch the title in 2009.
They are scary statistics but the perception this season is that Wenger’s men are a little stronger and Ferguson’s a little weaker.
Not that weak though.
“They are still very efficient at the back,” said Wenger. “At home they score more goals than before. They are still a dangerous side, you feel always when they get in the final third they can score goals.”
Depending on your viewpoint, those defeats to Birmingham and Barcelona have left Arsenal’s season half-full or half-empty.
But, given that over-quoted statistic about the length of time without a trophy, isn’t any silverware an achievement for Wenger’s side right now?
The Premier League is a priority but the FA Cup is an end in itself.
Manchester United have their own Champions League second leg at home to Marseilles next Wednesday but they also have a habit of finding a way to win when they play Arsenal.
For once, Wenger’s side simply have to block their path.
Van Persie fit to face Manchester United
Arsène Wenger has revealed mixed injury news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup game with Manchester United - Robin van Persie is fit, Cesc Fabregas is not.
The Dutchman was a surprise inclusion in the squad that travelled to Barcelona on Monday and ended up playing 55 minutes at the Nou Camp the next day before his controversial sending off.
At his pre-match media briefing on Thursday, Wenger revealed Van Persie suffered no ill-effects of the knee injury he picked up in the act of scoring in the Carling Cup Final and will be available for the trip to Old Trafford.
But the manager admitted he will be without Fabregas for the Quarter-Final clash and said his captain could also miss next weekend’s Premier League game against West Brom.
“Van Persie will be available for Saturday,” said Wenger.
“[Fabregas], no. He had a recurrence of his hamstring problem and he will be out for the next game. Maybe for the next two games.
“He is, of course, very disappointed because it is becoming a little problem for him to [keep] having a recurrence of his hamstring. But it’s a very superficial one.”
Theo Walcott (ankle), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Alex Song (knee) remain out.
Wilshere - We must show our spirit now
The 19-year-old was arguably his team's stand-out performer at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night as the Gunners went down 3-1 to Barcelona, losing 4-3 on aggregate.
Their Champions League exit comes just nine days after they lost the Carling Cup Final but two trophies are still within Arsenal's grasp - they are just three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and travel to Old Trafford this Saturday for an FA Cup Quarter-Final against their title rivals.
Wilshere was as disappointed as anybody as he left the Nou Camp but he won't let his head drop.
"We have got to pick ourselves up," said the 19-year-old. "We have still got the championship, we are just three points behind and with a game in hand. We go to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday and we have to pick ourselves up to get the win there.
"We never give up, that is the spirit of Arsenal. We are still in two competitions and need to get a trophy this year, that will be the aim."
The Champions League was always an outside bet once Arsène Wenger's side were paired with Barcelona in the last 16. However Wilshere was left ruing two key moments in the second half of the second leg - Robin van Persie's second yellow card for perceived time-wasting and Nicklas Bendtner's late chance to snatch a decisive away goal.
"Robin was furious, and even I could not hear the whistle," said Wilshere. "We all know it was a bad decision, but we have to deal with it and move on. It was the wrong decision but that is part and parcel of football.
"I thought we dealt with it quite well, but if there is any team you don't want to go down to ten men against, it is Barcelona. We got a goal back, which was the aim, and we were pushing them, then Robin went off so we had to defend and maybe we just ran out of legs in the end.
"It was a big moment for us, and we were a bit unlucky. [As for the late chance] Nicklas has been brilliant for us and maybe if he had taken a better touch, he would have put it in, but it was not meant to be."
Wilshere will take home some regrets from the Nou Camp but his reputation has been enhanced by two outstanding displays against Barcelona. The 19-year-old held his own against the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta and admits he relished every minute of their battles.
"To be playing against people like Xavi and Iniesta is brilliant," he said. "It was a great experience.
"At my age, I am still learning and there are no better players to learn from. Barcelona will probably win the Champions League now because they are the best team in Europe."
Sagna - We have to bring back a trophy
Bacary Sagna will not even consider the possibility that Arsenal may end the season empty-handed.
On Wednesday night, Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona. Ten days earlier they had lost to Birmingham in the last minute of Carling Cup Final.
They were bitter blows to a season that had promised so much but Arsène Wenger’s side are still very much in the hunt for the Premier League and FA Cup. Saturday’s Sixth Round tie at Manchester United is now seen as key to the campaign but, for Sagna, the season is half-full not half-empty.
“We have to be strong now because we want to be successful,” said the Frenchman. “We have to fight for the team, for the fans and everyone.
“I am not thinking about [the possibility of winning nothing]. I am confident and looking forward to winning something. We have to bring something back because we have the quality to do it and we need to do it.
“We are ready to fight because we are even more frustrated after what happened against Barcelona and we want to give more. Everyone is disappointed but we want to bounce back. We are playing again on Saturday and it will be another big game. We just want to go there and play our football.”
The statistics say that Barcelona dominated Tuesday’s tie against Arsenal. But the most important number – the aggregate scoreline – see-sawed throughout the night and the visitors might still have stolen the tie if Nicklas Bendtner had converted an injury-time opportunity.
But, like most Arsenal observers, Sagna thought the dismissal of Robin van Persie made the difference.
“We defended well as a team,” said the full back. “At 11 v 11 it was already difficult but after [the red card] it was impossible.
“There is not a big gap between us. They played at home so they had the ball most of the time but we needed to defend as a team like Inter Milan did last year. Conceding the goal just before half-time was bad for us – we had to come back – we did but that was not enough.
“Still we can learn a lot from them, they kept passing the ball well. We have to think about the way they played and it must be an inspiration for us.”
Arsenal ‘need’ to win silverware this season following Champions League loss to Barcelona - Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere has admitted Arsenal "need" to win silverware this season as fears grow their trophy drought could be extended to a seventh year.
The Gunners were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona on Tuesday night only nine days after losing the League Cup final to Birmingham in the last minute.
But they trail Manchester United in the Premier League by only three points with a game in hand and travel to Old Trafford on Saturday for an FA Cup quarter-final clash.
“We are still in two competitions and need to get a trophy this year, that will be the aim,” said Wilshere. “We have still got the championship, we are just three points behind and with a game in hand.
“We go to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday and we have to pick ourselves up to get the win there. We never give up, that is the spirit of Arsenal.”
Wilshere explained that the Arsenal players were staggered by the decision to penalise Robin van Persie for the offence of kicking the ball away only a second after the referee halted play, which resulted in a second booking and a red card for the Dutchman.
“Robin was furious, and even I could not hear the whistle,” said Wilshere. “We all know it was a bad decision, but we have to deal with it and move on. That is part and parcel of football.
“I thought we dealt with it quite well, but if there is any team you don't want to go down to 10 men against, it is Barcelona.
“We got a goal back, which was the aim and we were pushing them, then Robin went off, we had to defend and maybe we just ran out of legs in the end. It was a big moment for us, and we were a bit unlucky.
“Nicklas [Bendtner] had been brilliant for us and maybe if he had taken a better touch [in the final minutes], he would have put it in, but it was not meant to be.”
Following his magnificent performance in Arsenal’s 2-1 first leg victory over the three-times European Cup winners, Wilshere was once again one of his club’s most influential players in a one-sided return leg.
Nevertheless, the teenager recognises the importance the last three weeks have been in developing his own game.
“To be playing against people like Xavi and Iniesta is brilliant,” Wilshere said. “It was a great experience. At my age, I am still learning and there are no better players to learn from.
“They will probably win it now because they are the best team in Europe.”
Arsene Wenger: Referee killed Arsenal's game against Barcelona by sending off Robin van Persie
Arsene Wenger has claimed that even UEFA officials he spoke to were “shocked” by Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s red card against Barcelona.
In a strong attack on referee Massimo Busacca's handling of the match’s pivotal moment, Wenger accused the official of “killing” the tie - which stood at 1-1 on the night, 3-2 in Arsenal's favour on aggregate at the time - for dismissing van Persie in the second half.
The Dutchman received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away only a second after Busacca blew his whistle, which the Frenchman believes was an “embarrassment” for the sport and ruined the game as a spectacle for neutrals and football lovers.
“How can you kill a football game like that?” said Wenger in his post-match press conference. “Two kinds of people can be unhappy. Those who love Arsenal and those who love football. It is very difficult to understand his [Busacca’s] attitude.
“Anyone who has played football at a certain level, you can’t understand how this decision can be taken at this level. It is impossible. It ruined a promising and fantastic football match. What for? If it is for a bad tackle, fair enough.
“Frankly, it is embarrassing if you love the game. I just spoke to Uefa people and they are shocked as well. If you are neutral you will never understand a decision like that.
“We lost against a very good Barcelona side. Congratulations to them and good luck to them in the future. We have many regrets tonight because we didn’t like to lose the game like that.”
At that point, Arsenal had just scored the equaliser through an own goal from Sergio Busquets but a Lionel Messi double and a Xavi strike gave Barcelona a 3-1 win on the night and a 4-3 advantage over the two legs.
Wenger admitted he had confronted Busacca afterwards but did not hear what he wanted.
With a heavy dose of sarcasm, the Frenchman said: “He was receptive, not necessarily to my view. He must think that he made the right decision.
“I feel Barcelona is good enough to win in a normal way against anybody. We want to be given the chance to play a normal game here.
“I felt that Barcelona gave a lot in the first half. We were completely dominated, I agree with that. In the second half there was more balance and overall I was convinced we would have won this game.”
Wenger also had to endure the agony of seeing his hugely promising goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny leave the field early on after injuring his finger saving a shot from Dani Alves.
“He has a dislocated finger,” said the Arsenal manager. “We have to check the injury. I don’t know yet how long he will be out.”
