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ARSENAL VS CHELSEA 0-3

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PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL VS CHELSEA 0-3

DATE : November 29th, 2009
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

CHELSEA GOALS :
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 41" or Mirror Here or Mirror Here
Download Chelsea Goal by Vermaelen (og) - 45" or Mirror Here or Mirror Here
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 86" or Mirror Here or Mirror Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Chelsea Full Match First Half
Download Arsenal vs Chelsea Full Match Second Half

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Arsenal vs Chelsea Highlights Match First Half
Download Arsenal vs Chelsea Highlights Match Second Half

MATCH REPORT :
By Richard Clarke

Arsenal now have it all to do in the title race.

Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Emirates Stadium leaves Arsène Wenger’s side 11 points adrift of the Premier League leaders.

It is still only November of course and Arsenal have a game in hand but they have to claw back ground quickly if they are to stay in touch with top two.

This game was an indication of the task they face. The home side had the majority of possession and were on the foot front for most of the 90 minutes but they were picked off twice just before half-time and then finished off just before full-time. It was a lesson in taking your chances.

The first two goals were provided from the left by Ashley Cole. In the 41st minute, his cross was turned home expertly by Didier Drogba. On the whistle, Thomas Vermaelen miscued an attempted clearance into his own net.

Arsenal tried their best to respond in the second half but any lingering hopes were extinguished four minutes from time when Drogba thumped home a free-kick.

It was a sobering afternoon for Wenger’s side, who now drop to fourth. Key injuries had undoubtedly hampered them but Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League crown will now be long and difficult.

At the moment, their hopes of silverware appear to lie elsewhere.

Rain had hammered down in North London all day. It seemed that the Gods were doing their best to dampen the atmosphere for this utterly crucial game.

They need not have bothered.

The feverish press room flurry that met the publication of the team-sheets was as good an indication of this game’s importance as anyone might need. Defeat for either side would peg back their respective title ambitions while a draw would let in Manchester United.

Both managers had key players with injury doubts but, in the end, they all played. The swelling on William Gallas’ eye had gone down sufficiently for him to start. Wenger also recalled Armand Traore at left back – his problem position – and Bacary Sagna on the opposite flank. Eduardo returned to spearhead the attack. As a result, Emmanuel Eboue and Carlos Vela dropped to the bench while the injured Kieran Gibbs was, of course, sidelined.

For their part Chelsea welcomed back Frank Lampard to their midfield following a thigh injury. With Drogba having returned in midweek, the Stamford Bridge outfit were at the peak of their considerable powers.

As Wenger had said in his pre-match press conference, this was the acid test for Arsenal.

The ever-confident Frenchman had also stated that “this was the time” for his side. And in the early stages, they proved him right.

The opening quarter of an hour belonged to Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas had a shot blocked and Eduardo nearly wriggled through the centre of the Chelsea defence only to have the ball pinched from his toes.

Although opportunities were rare, the home side were having all the possession and territory. But, in fact, the visitors would carve out the first real chance of the game – and it had a whiff of controversy.

Nicolas Anelka chased Lampard’s ball down the left-hand channel and went momentarily clear inside the area. Sagna was in close pursuit and the full back’s right arm appeared to knock his compatriot off his stride. The tumbling Anelka slipped over as he miscued his effort at Almunia then Lampard’s follow up went wide. Referee Andre Marriner waved play on and the majority of Emirates Stadium breathed a sigh of relief.

The opportunity seemed to pull Chelsea from their shell. Midway through the first half, Drogba nodded straight at Almunia when he should have done better and five minutes before the break he headed over.

Arsenal still had an ample amount of the ball but they were creating only quarter-chances - little that would trouble Petr Cech.

Chelsea would make them pay.

Twice.

In the 41st minute, John Terry slipped a pass down the left-hand channel to Ashley Cole. The former Arsenal full back was allowed to put the ball on his favoured left foot and, when he whipped in a low cross, Drogba steered home a shot at the near post. The ball juddered between the angle of post and bar before deciding to go in, nonetheless it was ruthless football.

You could argue that Arsenal did not deserve to be behind. But they definitely did not merit the second goal on the stroke of half-time. Again Ashley Cole was the supplier but this time his low cross hit the knee of Vermaelen and went in the top corner off the woodwork once again.

Arsenal had to find a response and, at the break, Wenger did his best to provide it.

He withdrew Alex Song for Theo Walcott. The Englishman slotted in on the left-hand side pushing Nasri just behind Eduardo.

It made a difference.

Again Arsenal pegged back Chelsea in the early stages. They did get the ball into the net but by the time Arshavin had slammed home the referee has long since blown for a foul by Eduardo on Cech.

It was the Croatian’s last meaningful act. The 26-year-old was replaced by Vela.

By now, Arsenal were pressing and persistent. However they just could not penetrate the meanest defence in the Premier League. In the first half, Chelsea had sat back, soaked up Arsenal’s pressure and then picked their pocket.

They so nearly stole a third goal just before the hour. Drogba tried his luck from the left of the area and the ball hit Gallas then Lampard before trickling to the right of the wrong-footed Almunia. The keeper recovered to make a brilliant save.

In the 66th minute, Wenger threw on Tomas Rosicky, his last substitute, in place of Nasri. Still Arsenal had the play but Chelsea had the chances. Five minutes later, Drogba shrugged off Traore before whipping a cross that was just over Anelka’s head.

As the game neared its conclusion, Arsenal's challenge faded. Drogba had been Arsenal's main agitator this afternoon and, just to prove the point, with four minutes to go Fabregas brought down Michael Essien and the Ivorian rifled the free-kick beyond Almunia.

Having lost their top-scorer to a long-term injury on Saturday, Arsenal lost to one of their biggest title rivals the next day.

It has been a tough, tough weekend at Emirates Stadium.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery

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ARSENAL VS STANDARD LIEGE 2-0

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL VS STANDARD LIEGE 2-0

DATE : November 24th, 2009
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Samir Nasri - 35"
Download Arsenal Goal by Denilson - 45"

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Standard Liege Full Match First Half or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal vs Standard Liege Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Arsenal vs Standard Liege Highlights Match First Half
Download Arsenal vs Standard Liege Highlights Match Second Half

MATCH REPORT :
By Richard Clarke

Job done.

Arsenal won Champions League Group H with something to spare after dismissing Standard Liege 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The home side bossed an eccentric first half that saw goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson but will be most remembered for the jaw-dropping five-chance melee that preceded them.

Arsène Wenger's side dictated the game from start to finish but, having obtained the required advantage, offered some benevolence after the break.

After taking 10 points from their opening four games, Arsenal were virtually through before kick-off anyway. This result just rubber-stamped their passports for the Knockout Stages.

At his pre-match press conference, Wenger had accepted his side were always on a hiding to nothing in this group. They were expected to cruise through comfortably and, in the end, they did.

But then, quiet efficiency is nearly always underrated in modern football. Just ask Liverpool.

Wenger made five changes from the side beaten at Sunderland on Saturday.

Denilson was restored to the side after 10 weeks out with a back problem. It was his 100th appearance for the Club.

Kieran Gibbs returned after recovering from a badly bruised foot. Carlos Vela made his first start of the season in the central attacking role while Andrey Arshavin came back on the left and Emmanuel Eboue did likewise at right back.

Bacary Sagna, Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Armand Traore dropped to the bench. Aaron Ramsey was left out all together.

The Liege fans took centre stage before kick-off. They had had little to shout about thus far in Group H and were facing elimination tonight. But the travelling support did not let that stop them.

Arsenal fans, on the other hand, arrived with a mixture of emotions; disappointment from the weekend and anticipation towards this Sunday. With qualification all-but assured this was seen as just another day at the Emirates Stadium office.

However there was nothing bureaucratic about the way their side began. In the opening minutes, Alex Song, Nasri and Cesc Fabregas all had presentable efforts on goal. In the 10th minute, the Frenchman spurned the opportunity to shot after popping up on the left side of the area but his cross found Vela. The Mexican cut inside but his shot was saved.

Arsenal were pressing and pressing. A goal seemed likely. It should have arrived five times in the 15th minute.

It all started when Fabregas took a corner...

* Arshavin's point-blank shot was saved
* Then Vela's collected the rebound and planted the ball against the post
* Then Gallas had two efforts blocked by the keeper
* And finally Vermaelen's vicious shot beat everyone, hit Arshavin on the line and flew wide

Stupefying.

But then no more shocking than Dieudonne Mbokani juddering the post five minutes later. The Congolese striker darted inside Vermaelen and lasered an effort off on the angle of post and bar from the edge of the area. It was the first attack the visitors had mustered all night.

On the half-hour, Gallas nudged a header over the bar from a Fabregas cross. The Frenchman clashed heads with Arshavin in executing the chance. Both players needed lengthy treatment. The Russian had gash on the top of his head and Gallas had swollen eye worthy of a heavyweight boxer.

The home side had not yet returned to 11 men when they took the lead. Given the bizarre events so far, it was relatively mundane. Vermaelen punted the ball forward towards Nasri and Landry Mulemo, the covering defender, slipped as he tried to intercept. The Frenchman pounced then lifted his shot over the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

It was so nearly 2-0 a couple of minutes later. Nasri slipped a clever ball to Arshavin who drove a low shot inches past the keeper's left-hand post.

This was an open, attacking and wonderfully curious game. Five minutes from the break, Liege seemed to have won a clear penalty when Gallas clattered Reginal Goreux. Referee Konrad Plautz played on.

Fabregas nearly rubbed salt in the wound seconds later when he whistled a low drive across goal and beyond the far post.

Both sides seemed to be looking for the refuge of half-time now. However this peculiar game had one more twist. On the whistle, Gibbs tapped the ball to Denilson 25 yards out. He took a touch, looked up and thumped it. Keeper Sinan Bolat, so brilliant early on, could only parry the ball into his own net. Nevertheless it was a fine, fine strike.

Perhaps it was that goal which convinced Wenger to take off Gallas at the break. The job of qualification was nearly done and the Frenchman could be saved for Sunday. Mikael Silvestre came on.

Liege were now in an impossible position; chasing the game away from home against a side that seemed to be their superiors. They nearly grabbed a lifeline seven minutes into the second half when a free-kick from Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez found Axel Witsel eight yards out. The midfielder miskicked at the crucial moment and Almunia gathered.

Arsenal had clearly taken their foot of the gas but their engine was still ticking over. Vela got a glimpse of an opportunity but thrashed his shot horribly wide. Substitute Theo Walcott cracked an effort inches past the far post.

By the midway point of the second half, Wenger had made all his changes. The manager clearly thought that this particular Group H box had been ticked and therefore he did not want to over-exert his side.

As a result, Liege were allowed to have a go. With eight minutes left, Goreux cut inside and Gohi Bi Cyriac smashed a left-footed shot against the base of the post. His supplier then belted the rebound over the bar.

Carcela-Gonzalez clashed heads with Fabregas in the dying seconds and was sent off. That ended the Belgians' battling.

When the whistle went, Arsenal had only 10 men on the pitch as Gibbs had picked up an injury and hobbled off down the tunnel.

That was the only concern on a crushingly comfortable night at Emirates Stadium.

Sunday should be a stark contrast.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti

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SUNDERLAND VS ARSENAL 1-0

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PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

SUNDERLAND VS ARSENAL 1-0

DATE : November 21th, 2009
VENUE : Stadium of Light

SUNDERLAND GOALS :
Download Sunderland Goal by Darren Bent - 71"

FULL MATCH :
Download Sunderland vs Arsenal Full Match First Half or Mirror Here or Mirror Here
Download Sunderland vs Arsenal Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here or Mirror Here

Other Links :
Download Sunderland vs Arsenal Full Match

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Sunderland vs Arsenal Highlights Match First Half
Download Sunderland vs Arsenal Highlights Match Second Half

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal slipped to their third defeat of the season when they went down 1-0 at Sunderland on Saturday.

The all-important goal arrived 19 minutes from time when Darren Bent lashed home from close range after the visitors had failed to clear a corner.

There had been little between the two teams before that. Arsenal had the better of the chances in the first half. Tomas Rosicky was denied in the first five minutes and Eduardo drifted a shot just wide on the half-hour. However Sunderland were the better side directly after the restart. The goal made for a frantic finale, something entirely out of keeping with the first hour.

Cesc Fabregas had equalised in the 93rd minute in this fixture last season. The closest Arsenal came this time was when Andrey Arshavin nudged Alex Song’s cross into the sidenetting from close-range four minutes from time. However Arsenal did have claims for a penalty in injury time when Carlos Vela was clipped in the area.

This was always going to be a tough game – Sunderland have already beaten Liverpool and drawn at Old Trafford this season - but it does not make the result less disappointing.

This was Arsenal’s first shut-out of the season and their first Premier League defeat to Sunderland since August 19, 2000.

If it were possible, next Sunday’s clash with Chelsea is now even more important. Arsenal are now eight points behind the Stamford Bridge side.

Wenger’s team at the Stadium of Light was interesting. There were few surprises up front. With Robin Van Persie (ankle) having joined Nicklas Bendtner (groin) on the bench, Eduardo was the obvious choice as the pivotal striker in the front three. Rosicky and Samir Nasri flanked him so Arshavin dropped to the bench.

Aaron Ramsey retained his place in central so the key decision was at left back. Again two key candidates were out – Gael Clichy (back) and Kieran Gibbs (foot) – so Wenger had a choice of Mikael Silvestre or Armand Traore.

He chose the youngster. It was only his second Premier League start for the former Monaco trainee, though he had gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Portsmouth last season.

The city of Sunderland was deluged by rain in the build-up to kick-off. It just added to the banana-skin feel about this fixture – away from home against a solid side, injury hit and just after an international break. No wonder Wenger had called for focus pre-match

The manager need not have worried early on, his side started at a canter. It took just five minutes for them to fashion a clear-cut chance.

Bacary Sagna sent a deep, hanging cross beyond the far post, Fabregas hooked it back into the path of Rosicky, who wrapped his right-foot around the ball from close range. Unfortunately, for Arsenal, keeper Marton Fulop had got his angles right and the ball bounced away off his leg.

Eight minutes later, Traore cut inside his marker and his blocked shot fell to Fabregas who thumped an effort over the bar from long-range.

Sunderland were under pressure but they responded and, in the following five minutes, they twice escaped down the left and each time Steed Malbranque fired over when he should have done better.

That lifted the home fans briefly but their side soon fell back into a lethargic groove.

In the 32nd minute, Song drove forward and fed Eduardo on the edge of the area. He slipped inside his sliding marker but the ball got stuck under his feet and, although he lifted the ball over Fulop, his shot drifted wide.

Arsenal were starting to exert themselves again. Traore, who was having an eye-catching game, reached the byline and Ramsey bobbled a shot into the hands of Fulop.

Just before half-time, Fabregas fired over from distance. The Spanish skipper held his head in his hands at his own wastefulness.

It had been that kind of half. All the fleeting moments of quality had come from Arsenal but the mediocre majority had prevailed.

Both sides had to improve.

Sunderland were the better team immediately after the break. Territorially, the home side were in charge but the closest they came was when Andy Reid fired a free-kick wide and then lifted an effort over the bar.

Seconds after the second chance, Wenger brought on Arshavin for Ramsey. The change helped Arsenal recover their previous poise, something they needed because the game was becoming increasingly frenetic.

It has been stalemate until now but finally you sensed a goal was coming. It arrived in the 71st minute. Reid fired over a corner. It was overhit and nodded on by Bent towards the far post where it hit substitute Frazier Campbell and bounced back into the six-yard box. The former Spurs striker lashed home the ball from close range.

Wenger had been preparing to bring on Walcott. In the wake of the goal, he added Vela too.

A game that had been a slow-burn all afternoon was suddenly alight.

Thomas Vermaelen hacked an effort from a Fabregas cross as Arsenal began their pursuit of the game. By the 86th minute, when Arshavin nudged Song’s cross just wide, that had become a desperate chase.

Either side of that effort, Vela and Walcott drifted penetrative balls across the face of goal. All they needed was a touch. But it was not that kind of day for Arsenal.

Just to prove that, after Kieran Richardson nearly added a second at one end, Vela appeared to be clipped in the area. Referee Alan Wiley waved play on.

Arsenal deserved a draw but they had lost.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti


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Arsenal Related Books, DVD & Calendar

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Arsenal Official Calendar 2010


Arsenal Related Books
   
   
   
   
   
   
     

Arsenal Related DVD






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WOLVERHAMPTON VS ARSENAL 1-4

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PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

WOLVERHAMPTON VS ARSENAL 1-4

DATE : November 07th, 2009
VENUE : Molineux Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Zubar (og) - 28"
Download Arsenal Goal by Craddock (og) - 35"
Download Arsenal Goal by Fabregas - 45"
Download Arsenal Goal by Arshavin - 65"

WOLVERHAMPTON GOALS :
Download Wolverhampton Goal by Craddock - 88"

FULL MATCH :
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match First Half or Mirror Here or Mirror Here
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here or Mirror Here

Other Links :
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match Part 1 or Mirror Here
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match Part 2 or Mirror Here
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match Part 3 or Mirror Here
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Full Match Part 4 or Mirror Here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Highlights Match First Half
Download Wolverhampton vs Arsenal Highlights Match Second Half

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a sublime 4-1 win at Molineux on Saturday.

Although Wolves put Arsène Wenger’s side under pressure in the opening 20 minutes, the hosts shot themselves in the foot in twice around the half-hour.

First Ronald Zubar scuffed Cesc Fabregas’ corner into his own net from close range then Jody Craddock nodded Eduardo’s chip past his own keeper.

Fabregas scored a wonderfully-worked third on the stroke of half-time to seal the points and, just to make sure, Andrey Arshavin rifled home a fourth midway through the second period. Craddock’s consolation header meant little.

This was the best message Arsenal could send out to Manchester United and Chelsea before they meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The three points pushed Wenger’s men up to second in the table, albeit temporarily, and their four goals made it 25 in their last eight League and Cup games.

Whoever triumphs in West London on Sunday, they will realise he side from the north of the capital are looking like real title contenders.

Wenger made three changes from the side that had swept aside AZ Alkmaar in midweek. The headline alteration saw Aaron Ramsey replace Alex Song in front of the back four. Samir Nasri dropped out for Eduardo while Bacary Sagna slotted in at right back in place of Emmanuel Eboue.

Molineux is a lovely arena, steeped in football heritage and the Wolves’ fans know how to create a pre-match atmosphere.

Their team responded in the opening stages.

Manager Mick McCarthy had promised his side would attack Arsenal and they were as good as his word. But although they poured forward persistantly, there was little cutting edge. In fact the closest they came in the first half was from a couple of left-wing corners delivered by Nenad Milijas.

The first saw Kevin Doyle flick a header towards the far post and Kieran Gibbs cleared off the line. Then, in the 10th minute, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake nodded wide just wide but, in fairness, Fabregas seemed to have the effort covered at the far post.

Eduardo had claims for a penalty when he back-heeled the ball through the legs of Zubar and was clipped as he tried to go past. However referee Steve Bennett was disinterested.

At this stage, Arsenal were yet to click into gear. In fact it took the introduction of Song midway through the half to properly jolt them into life.

Diaby hobbled off and the Cameroonian came on in his usual position. This released Ramsey further forward and the change helped Arsenal.

However the alteration had little to do with the opener. That was a self-inflicted wound from Wolves.

Craddock nodded a Fabregas free-kick ball behind his own goal, the Spaniard sent over the corner and Zubar nudged the ball into his own net. The Arsenal players ran to Eduardo, who had put the Wolves defender under pressure but the Croatian dismissed any congratulations. Replays proved he had not got a touch.

The strike was unlucky on Wolves given the balance of play but their defending had been woeful.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0. Ramsey and Eduardo raced clear with only Craddock as cover. The Welshman fed the Croatian, who tried to return the favour. However the ball flicked off the defender and flew over keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Yet again, while the execution of the goal had been fortunate, the Wolves backline had been highly culpable.

Understandably the home side were now thinking this was just not going to be their day. And Arsenal profited from their despondency.

On the whistle, Sagna clipped the ball to Van Persie who displayed the deftest of touches to set up Fabregas to fire home at the near post.

At the break, Arsenal had the points in the bag.

The second half was a listless affair. The visitors saw no need to extend themselves much further and Wolves now lacked the confidence to go on the offensive.

In the 66th minute Arshavin, who had been quiet, darted inside his marker and fired in a shot that tested Hennessey to the full. When the corner came across, the keeper could only slap the ball out to the Russian. He thumped a low shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Wenger withdrew Eduardo and Arshavin for Tomas Rosicky and Nasri.

By now Arsenal were almost playing exhibition football. For example with 16 minutes left, Fabregas hacked horribly over the bar from Van Persie’s cutback. However the Spaniard’s reaction was a smile not a grimace.

Van Persie and Rosicky also wasted decent chances in the close stages as Arsenal tried to play out time. Wolves did grab some consolation a minute from time when Craddock headed home a corner from Matthew Jarvis.

It was a shame Arsenal could not keep a clean sheet however that was the most minor of blots on an ultra-efficient performance.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti



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ARSENAL VS AZ ALKMAAR 4-1

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL VS AZ ALKMAAR 4-1

DATE : November 04th, 2009
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Cesc Fabregas - 26" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Samir Nasri - 43" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Cesc Fabregas - 53" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Abou Diaby - 72" or Mirror Here

AZ ALKMAAR GOALS :
Download AZ Alkmaar Goal by Lens - 83" or Mirror Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Full Match First Half OR Mirror Here or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Full Match Second Half OR Mirror Here or Mirror Here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Highlights Match First Half OR Mirror Here
Download Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Highlights Match Second Half OR Mirror Here
or
Download Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Highlights Match

MATCH REPORT :




By Richard Clarke

Cesc Fabregas scored twice as Arsenal all but ensured qualification to the Champions League Knockout Stages with a 4-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday night.

The Spaniard struck in the 26th and 53rd minutes in the most straightforward of wins. Inbetween Samir Nasri grabbed his first goal since breaking his leg in pre-season and, in the 71st minute, Abou Diaby stroked home a wonderfully-worked fourth.

This is the result Arsenal should have got in Holland. Back then they had been wasteful but tonight they were rigorous, ruthless and utterly irresistible. Even a late strike by substitute Jeremain Lens did nothing to affect the feeling of assurance this evening.

The failure of Olympiacos to gain anything at Standard Liege mean both those sides can still mathematically overhaul Arsenal.

But 10 points is normally enough to go through and, if they maintain this level of performance, then Arsenal will surely rubber-stamp qualification and the Group H title in the final two games.

Tougher challenges lie ahead in this competition.

Wenger made three changes from the side that had swept aside Spurs so brusquely at the weekend.

The headline was the return of Nasri to the frontline. The midfielder's only run-out since his broken leg had come in the Carling Cup a week ago. He replaced Nicklas Bendtner on the right, the Dane's groin injury was likely to keep him out for a month.

Gael Clichy's back would sideline him out for at least the same period, therefore you could assume that the elevation of Kieran Gibbs this evening was the start of a decent run in the side.

The final change was Emmanuel Eboue for Bacary Sagna. That was a straight swap and continued Wenger's policy of sharing the right back role in Europe.

Arsenal came into this game with room to breathe at the top of Group H. This was the first of two successive home ties - one win and they would probably qualify for the Knockout Stages, two wins and they would go through as group winners. Their fate was entirely in their own hands.

They also had the little matter of that North London derby win as a buoyancy aid.

It took only three minutes for Arsenal to hit their weekend groove. Andrey Arshavin, Diaby and Nasri weaved intricate patterns in midfield before releasing Robin Van Persie on the right. His angled drive beat the desperate dive of Sergio Romero and flashed past the far post.

The home side were in a perky mood, probing their opponents at every opportunity. In the 13th minute, Romero collected what, in the referee's view, had been a back-pass. Almost the entire AZ side lined-up in the goal-mouth and inevitably blocked Van Persie's effort.

The visitors had shown some adventure in the opening stages but, by the time we had reached the midpoint of the first half, they had gone back into their shell.

That is not to say the opening goal was entirely expected. Arsenal had control without real penetration and Fabregas' strike was, in many ways, a self-inflicted wound.

There seemed little danger in the 26th minute when Nasri found Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spaniard extracted a little space from David Mendes da Silva, his marker, and let fly.

The shot was military-medium in every respect and should not have troubled an Argentinean international keeper.

However Mendes put out only the weakest of hands and the ball trickled into the net.

As in Alkmaar a fortnight ago, Arsenal had their lead and were happy to hit cruise control immediately. Fabregas nodded over from Gibbs' deep cross just past the half-hour.

Moussa Dembele beat the left back to fire wide at the other end but, if anything, AZ possessed even less cutting edge tonight than they had shown in Holland.

And this time Arsenal seemed determined to make them pay.

Two minutes before the break, Arshavin tucked a pass into the path of Nasri. The Frenchman weaved round Hector Moreno and slotted a shot past Romero.

The midfield wiped himself down in celebration. Perhaps he was washing away the disappointment of the first few months of the season.

Eight minutes after the restart it was 3-0. Diaby picked AZ's pocket in midfield and fed Arshavin. The Russian, clever as ever, nudged a pass into the path of Fabregas, who was racing down the left-hand channel. The Spaniard had the simplest task of slipping home his eighth goal of the season.

There seemed no way back for the visitors but three minutes later they should have snatched themselves an unlikely lifeline.

Maartens Marten nodded the ball down for Graziano Pelle on the edge of the six-yard area. The Italian had time to steady himself and wrap his foot firmly around the ball. Somehow Manuel Almunia diverted the ball onto the bar from point-blank range. Stunning.

You sensed AZ were flexing what muscles they had. Martens and Brett Holman both saw efforts fly over bar but there was little to trouble Arsenal this evening.

To fully illustrate that, Wenger brought off Fabregas and Van Persie for Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo.

The latter would make an immediate impact. Arsenal broke quickly from the back and the Croatian's expansive backheel sent Arshavin scampering clear. He squared to Diaby, who took a touch then stroked home an exquisite fourth.

Before the goal, Gibbs went close, after it Ramsey fired straight at Romero. By that time, Wenger had taken off another of his key players - Arshavin. He clearly felt the night's work had been done.

In fairness to AZ, they kept coming at Arsenal. Almunia claimed a dangerous cross from the feet of Holman and, with seven minutes left, Dutch champions grabbed a goal.

The home crowd were still claiming a penalty for handball against Pelle when Lens broke clear, wriggled away from Ramsey and fired home from the edge of the area.

The goal was disappointment to Arsenal but nothing more.

This game had been a stroll.

Thanks to kc123, wigan88, arsenal 4-ever, fred54



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ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM 3-0

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PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 3-0

DATE : October 31th, 2009
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Robin Van Persie - 43" or HERE or HERE
Download Arsenal Goal by Robin Van Persie - 60" or HERE or HERE
Download Arsenal Goal by Francesc Fabregas - 43" or HERE or HERE

Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas Goal (2-0) in One Video
Van Persie Goal (3-0)

FULL MATCH :
Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs First Half or HERE or HERE
Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs Second Half or HERE or HERE

Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Torrent

Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Part 1
Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Part 2
Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Part 3
Download Full Match Arsenal vs Tottenham Part 4

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Highlights Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs Match First Half or HERE
Download Highlights Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs Match Second Half or HERE

Download Match Highlights Arsenal vs Tottenham in One Video

EXTRAS :
EXTRA - Gallas Header
Fabregas Chance
Bentley Free Kick

MATCH REPORT :


By Richard Clarke

Time is sometimes used to define football matches.

Arsenal's history includes the "Five-minute Cup Final" and a victory at Anfield famously secured in the 89th minute.

At Emirates Stadium this afternoon, there was a new entry for the annuls - the "11-second derby".

A relatively even first half exploded just before the break. In the 43rd minute, Robin Van Persie touched home a low cross from Bacary Sagna at the near post while the Tottenham defence slept.

The strike clearly raised no alarm bells for the visitors as, straight from the kick-off, the Dutchman won the ball and Cesc Fabregas danced through a couple of slumbering tackles to fire home his sixth goal of the campaign.

There had been precisely 11 seconds of playing time between the goals.

It was an ironic way for Arsenal to take grip of the game, given their own ability to ship needless goals in recent weeks.

The third strike on the hour made sure there would be no more profligacy this time. Arsenal were the first to realise that referee Mark Clattenburg had played an advantage after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had hacked down Eduardo and Van Persie converted Sagna's low cross.

With 20 minutes left the home fans felt comfortable enough to greet every Arsenal touch with an olé . Sterling performances from the likes of Alex Song, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Fabregas and Sagna had simply broken Tottenham's heart.

This had been billed as the tightest North London derby for some time. In the end that could not have been further from the truth.

The headline change in Wenger's line-up was the return of Manuel Almunia. The keeper had been kept out by a combination of illness and Vito Mannone since the defeat at Manchester City on September 12.

The only other change was Nicklas Bendtner for Emmanuel Eboue on the right of the front three. Perhaps Wenger was looking at attack being the best form of defence today. Given recent results it seemed a reason tack to take.

Spurs were without three of their key offensive threats - Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Luka Modric - but they arrived at Emirates level on points with Arsenal after a highly-promising start to the season. Optimism was high.

In the opening stages, the gap between the football and the Premier League quality was filled with pure tension.

Arsenal had the better of the few opportunities that came - Bendtner's drive over and Andrey Arshavin's blocked shot - but Spurs had a snapping-at-the-heels attribute they had not possessed in recent years.

However Bentley took that facet too far and was very fortunate not to be booked for a foul on Thomas Vermaelen.

In the 13th minute Clichy robbed the ball in midfield and raced forward in to space. However he was struggling for support once he had reached the area and, from his cross, Arshavin could only scuff a shot into the arms of Heurelho Gomes.

Gallas then glanced a header wide from Van Persie's free-kick. Arsenal were now had a measure of territorial control but they were yet to do anything meaningful with it.

Meanwhile Tottenham were trying to maximise their assets. In the 18th minute, a long ball forward was nodded down by Crouch for Robbie Keane to race onto. The Irishman clipped it past Vermaelen but Song thundered in a tackle to clear the danger. It was Tottenham's best chance of the game.

Arsenal countered by creating their clearest opportunity. In the 20th minute, Clichy sent Arshavin clear in the left-hand channel. He teased Bassong but the defender did manage to block the Russian's shot. It fell to Fabregas, who swept a first-time shot towards goal. Only an elastic save from Gomes stopped Arsenal going ahead.

Tottenham were starting to play with more confidence but, if anything, their adventure only helped Arsenal. On the half-hour, Fabregas intercepted a clearance from Assou-Ekotto and cleverly fed Van Persie. The Dutchman slid a shot into the sidenetting when he should have tested the keeper.

Nine minutes from the break, Arshavin cut inside beat Bassong and only a timely challenge from Vedran Corluka diverted his shot over the bar. The corner allowed Wenger to swap Eduardo for Bendtner, the Dane had been a passenger since picking up an injury sometime earlier.

It has been nip and tuck all the way so what happened next was highly unexpected.

Defensive sleeping sickness had struck Arsenal in recent weeks and it is clearly a contagious disease.
In the 43th minute, Sagna and Eduardo worked a throw in on the right. The Frenchman crossed low to the near post when Van Persie beat Ledley King to slid in a shot at the near post.

Straight from the kick-off, Arsenal got the second. Van Persie flicked the ball away from Palacios and Fabregas picked it up. He escaped the Honduran's attempt to recover and glided round King before firing home past Gomes.

The keeper had been semi-culpable for the first goal. But he was cruelly exposed for the second. Incredibly there had been only 11 seconds of playing time between the goals.

The Tottenham still seemed to be recovering in the opening stages of the second half.

Arsenal had a couple of decent early chances. First Van Persie crossed and Diaby's shot was blocked by King. Then Gomes made a fine save from Eduardo after the Croatian had escaped down the right-hand channel.

Tottenham roused themselves briefly when Almunia palmed a Bentley free-kick over the bar.

However the third goal on the hour stymied their revival. Assou-Ekotto clattered into Eduardo on the left-hand side and everyone, including the collector Sagna, stopped playing.

However they were wrong to. Referee Clattenburg had not whistled and was playing the advantage. The Frenchman realised first and crossed low into the area. King and Gomes should have cleared the danger between them but the ball deflected off the defender, hit Van Persie and bounced into the unguarded net.

In the wake of the goal, Tottenham rapidly fell apart. Crouch was booked for dissent borne out of frustration and Eduardo somehow contrived to miss the very definition of a one-on-one just past the hour.

The Arsenal fans joyously ran through their repertoire of songs as their team played keep-ball.

Fabregas should have headed home a fourth from a corner with six minutes left. Ramsey might have scored in the dying seconds after Bassong pulled up with an injury.

Still it did not matter. This was a season-affirming victory for Arsenal.

It proves they are still top dogs in North London and did them no harm in the Premier League title race either.

Player Rating & Analysis

By 1970’s Gooner

Granted Spurs were missing pace up front with the absence of Lennon and Defoe but I still think that we would have still run out easy winners in the end.

They were facing two major problems.

One was their inability to gain control of the midfield areas with Huddlestone, Palacios and Jenas unable to counter Song, Diaby and Fabregas.

The other was that the middle of their defence could not cope with Arsenal’s movement. King in particular lacked pace which allowed van Persie to run rings around him.


Almunia

I called for Almunia to be brought back after Mannone started making mistakes and although Manuel did not have a lot to do he was there when it mattered, prodding Bentley’s free kick over the bar. 7

Sagna

His crossing was not up to standard in recent games and in previous assessments of the player it was suggested that he does some extra training. He obviously has as his crosses were quite good against Spurs with two of Arsenal’s three goals being direct assists. 8

Clichy

Is returning back to form in recent games with his defensive performance being more evident than his attacking. When he improves this side of his game he will be back to his best. 6

Gallas

Solid performance but the defence was not that troubled during the game. 7

Vermaelen

Another solid performance dealing with Crouch well enough. The real test for Vermaelen will be when he comes up against Drogba. If he manages to mark him out of the game then he will be hailed as an Arsenal great…He did not deserve the yellow card as he actually got the ball without fouling the player.7

Song

I had no doubts a few years ago when I saw him play against Manchester United for Charlton when he was on loan there that he will be an Arsenal great… 8

Diaby

He has reined his natural impulses in a lot lately and when he does that he is so much more effective. That’s what we want him to do really, support Song in the defensive duties, win the ball and give it to someone who can go forward.

There were one or two occasions when with 3-0 up he began trying out his pirouettes and holding onto the ball too much often loosing it. As long as he does that when we are 3-0 up then maybe we will forgive him. 6

Fabregas

Back to his best again scoring a fantastic “opportunistic” goal right from the restart! Opportunistic in the sense that any other player will probably not have gone on that run, passed three players, right after his team have scored.

Most teams tend to relax too much after they scored and that is when they are most vulnerable… But no the little maestro did the opposite. 8

Arshavin

Looks tired to me. A lot of his passes did not find their man and tended to run up blind alleys on some occasions. The good thing about him is that even when he is not at his best he can still be very dangerous as he showed with two shots that took deflections, otherwise they were destined for the back of the net. 6

Eduardo

Much better than Bendtner really. Can hold the ball up, use it intelligently and is more dangerous in front of goal. Why doesn’t Wenger start with him on the wing rather than Bendtner or even Eboue? 7

Van Persie

He is becoming lethal in front of goal after an average start to the season. He is an intelligent player with and without the ball and is now becoming more confident in front of goal. 8

When Rosicky, Nasri and Walcott return Robin and Arsenal will become even more potent up front and if we can keep clean sheets at the back then we have a real opportunity to WIN THE TITLE this season.

Thanks to konig, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, mildy007




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