Arsenal Fans Blog

ARSENAL vs SUNDERLAND 2-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs SUNDERLAND 2-0

DATE : Pebruary 20th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner - 27" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Cesc Fabregas (pen) - 90" or Mirror Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 1
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 2
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 3
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 4
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 5
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 6
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 7
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 8

Other Source :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 1
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 2
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 3
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 4

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Highlights Match

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Before kick-off against Sunderland, Arsenal needed a win and Nicklas Bendtner needed a goal.

Both got what they wanted this afternoon.

The Dane slotted home the all-important opener in the 27th minute following fine work from Emmanuel Eboue. It was only his second Premier League goal of an injury-hit campaign and provided the platform for his team to get over that midweek disappointment in Portugal.

This was a simple, straightforward victory. Sunderland had a couple of clear-cut chances but they should have been buried by an Arsenal side in full flow. However the tension remained until Cesc Fabregas scored a penalty in injury time.

Still no matter. With Manchester United losing at Everton, Wenger's team are now two points adrift of the second-placed side. They are still six shy of leaders Chelsea, who won comfortably at Wolves.

But Arsenal will not be shaken off in the title race just yet.

Wenger performed major surgery on the side beaten 2-1 at Porto on Wednesday. The dangers of Champions League lethargy had been clearly demonstrated at Goodison Park half-hour earlier, and the Frenchman clearly wanted to freshen his team.

OK the return of Manuel Almunia (finger) and Alex Song (knee) from injuries meant Lukas Fabianski and Denilson dropped to the bench. In addition Abou Diaby, who had collected a knee problem in Porto, was replaced by Aaron Ramsey. But Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna and Sol Campbell were rested in favour of Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Eboue and Mikael Silvestre.

If Wenger's squad was as thin as many suggested then we would find out this afternoon.

In truth, the first half was barely a test. Arsenal ended it leading by just one goal but their domination was almost total. They started at a bracing pace and, barring one major chance, never looked like loosening their grip.

The one-way traffic began in the fourth minute when Fabregas carved a pass into the path of Walcott. He was in a foot race with George McCartney. No contest. The Arsenal winger sprinted himself a yard clear and fired inches past the far post.

Shortly afterwards Samir Nasri raced down the left and his cross so nearly found the climbing Bendtner. Then, from a short corner, the Frenchman's angled drive hit McCartney and bounced narrowly wide.

Arsenal's pace, both individually and collectively, was troubling Sunderland. In the 15th minute Walcott chased down and then muscled off McCartney but with little help available could only fire straight at Craig Gordon. Bendtner flashed the rebound inches wide of the far post.

The Dane was now fully recovered from his groin injury and starting to provide the muscular presence the team required. However, on a personal front, Bendtner needed the confidence of a goal.

That should have come in the 17th minute when a flowing move down the right ended with Fabregas tapping a simple pass to the unmarked striker. He took a touch and let fly. However McCartney slid in to deflect the ball high on the bar.

Silvestre booted the ball clear after Fraser Campbell's half-blocked shot ran loose in the area. However Arsenal were utterly in control of this game and attacking at will.

Sunderland's defence lacked nothing in terms of commitment but their organisation this afternoon was awful. It was little wonder they had spiralled down the table in recent months.

You thought they could not last for long... and they didn't.

In the 27th minute, Eboue, who had enjoyed a sparkling start at right back, darted between McCartney and Darren Bent then divided the same pair with a low cross to the far post. The unmarked Bendtner tapped home with simplicity and then, quite rightly, he ran straight to Eboue to celebrate.

Arsenal looked to capitalise on Sunderland's troubles and continued to pour forward. It nearly cost them a goal in the 39th minute when Kieran Richardson's pass split the Arsenal defence and Jones went one-on-one with Almunia. The Trinidad international waited until he could see the whites of the keeper's eyes but failed to hold his nerve. He dragged his effort horribly wide.

Just before the whistle, Walcott, who was enjoying a fine first half, nearly found Bendtner but the sprawling Gordon intervened.

The only nagging concern from the first half was the slender lead Arsenal's comprehensive display had produced. After the restart, Wenger's side tried to remedy that with some urgency.

Fabregas drifted a free-kick through the area, past the diving Vermaelen and, unfortunately for Arsenal, just beyond the far post. Walcott then saw a low shot turned around the same upright by Gordon.

Just past the hour, Walcott was brought down just outside the area and Vermaelen's free-kick was punched clear by Gordon.

Arsenal's were still threatening a second but there remained a certain vulnerability to long balls over the top. In the 63rd minute Gordon's clearance was nodded on by Jones for Bent. Silvestre tailed the Englishman and Almunia stood up well to block his shot from point-blank range. Sunderland claimed Bent had been hauled back.

Still, it was a crucial save and, if it were needed, hammered home once again the needed for a second.

Shortly afterwards, the inventive Eboue reached the byline and cut the ball back for Ramsey. The Welshman's powerful drive was deflected for a corner. In the minutes that followed, Nasri saw a shot saved and another effort fly wide.

With 15 minutes to go Sunderland might have got on level terms. Jones won the ball just outside the area and his cross was miskicked by Bent eight yards out. The Englishman was flagged offside but he had not known that at the time.

In the dying seconds, Vermaelen was somehow adjudged to have fouled Jones and, from a dangerous position, substitute Bolo Zenden fired his free-kick against the wall.

Injury time was looking like being fast and intense before Campbell fouled Fabregas on the right of the area. The captain slotted home his 15th goal of the campaign from the spot.

At last, Arsenal could breathe easily.

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FC PORTO VS ARSENAL 2-1

Labels: Champions League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal went down 2-1 at Porto in controversial fashion on Wednesday night.

They trailed after just 11 minutes of this Champions League Knockout Round first leg when keeper Lukasz Fabianski fumbled Silvestre Valera's cross over his own line.

However they got back on level terms almost immediately when Sol Campbell, playing his first Champions League game since the 2006 Final, nodded in from close range.

It had been an open, nerve-jangling first half but the visitors seemed set to take over after the break. They would probably have led if Tomas Rosicky's strong claims for a penalty had been heard.

In the end the result swung on the events of the 51st minute. That is when Fabianski was ruled to have picked up Campbell's back pass and Falcao scored from a quickly-taken free-kick. Arsenal, and particularly Arsène Wenger, complained loudly that the referee should not have allowed play to restart that swiftly.

Right or wrong, that decision will be the lasting memory of this game.

Of course, Wenger's side can all but erase it if they secure safe passage to the last eight with a stereotypical "1-0 to the Arsenal".

That is all they have to do.

Their fate will be in their own hands on March 9 even if it did not always seem that way this evening.

Wenger's team selection had been hemmed in by a run of injuries in the build up to this game. From the team that had won 1-0 against Liverpool a week earlier, Manuel Almunia (finger), William Gallas (calf), Andrey Arshavin (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) all dropped out.

Meanwhile a lingering hamstring problem meant Eduardo did not make his anticipated return.

The upshot of all this was that Campbell made only his second start since return to the Club. Fabianski and Denilson return to their familiar roles while Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky flanked the spearhead striker, Nicklas Bendtner.

Arsenal arrived with troubled memories of Estadio do Dragao. In 2006 they had limped through their group with a goalless draw on Matchday Six. Last season, they had been beaten 2-0 in a meaningless rubber.

Since then Porto had continued their policy of summer sales. Their team this evening had important differences but then, given their injuries, Arsenal were much-changed too.
In the circumstances, everyone expected a cautious, cagey affair.

Everyone was wrong.

In the opening exchanges, Arsenal might have conceded twice. They recovered slightly then did go behind in the 11th minute.

It started in the third minute. Falcao motored past Campbell on the left but the Englishman recovered to slide the ball from under the Columbian's feet as he was about to shoot.

It fell to Ruben Michel just outside the area. He got away a fierce shot but by that time Thomas Vermaelen had recovered his position. The Belgian made a crucial block.

Worse was to come. Seconds later Valera stormed down the right and his deflected cross fell to Hulk, who dragged a shot inches past the far post.

Arsenal were away from home, understrength and under pressure. They needed a release.

Nasri did his best to provide it. In the fifth minute he cut through the Porto defence and fed Fabregas eight yards out only for Bruno Alves to prod the ball behind at the vital moment. Seconds later the Frenchman toe-poked an effort forward but Helton held on.

It seemed that Arsenal had come through unscathed after an early assault.

However they then conceded a self-inflicted goal.

Once again Valera attacked down the Porto right. The 23-year-old skipped past his marker and, once again, had time to pick out his target.

Fabianski moved out to anticipate a ball into the heart of the area. But, intended or not, Valera's cross was fired directly across the goal just two yards out. It meant Fabianski had to dive back from where he had just come and attempt to shovel the ball away. Unfortunately the Polish international could only fumble the ball over the line. A horrible-looking goal to concede.

In fairness, Arsenal's recovered almost immediately.

Bendtner whistled a deflected shot inches wide of the angle in the 16th minute. Fabregas raced over to take the corner. The captain was clearly in an urgent mood this evening.

His kick was flicked on by Vermaelen to Rosicky at the far post. The Czech midfielder nodded the ball back into the danger area and Campbell headed home from three yards out.

It was an enormous goal. Away goals in Europe always are but this one settled Arsenal after the shakiest of starts.

Rosicky's rasping cross-shot forced Helton into a full-length save a couple of minutes later. Clearly the visitors now fancied the job.

Fabianski redeemed himself somewhat by pawing away a shot from Micael and then clutching a high, hanging free-kick in the midst of a crowded area.

The liberty of opening half-hour had now been shackled. It was still a decent, attacking game but the opening stages had been reminiscent of the last 10 minutes of an FA Cup replay not the start of a crucial two-legged Champions League tie.

In the 35th minute, Fabregas floated over a free-kick and Bendtner's back header forced the backtracking Helton to tip the ball over the bar. It had been a hell of a half but Arsenal finished it in the ascendancy.

The second period started the same way, Bendtner hacked over the bar and then Rosicky had strong claims for a penalty after Varela chopped him down on the right of the area.

But once again Arsenal undid their own good work. In the 51st minute, Fabianski was adjudged to have picked up a backpass from Campbell and Porto were awarded a free-kick just inside the area. The referee demanded the keeper return the ball immediately and, with Arsenal undermanned and ill-prepared, the kick was squared to Falcao who gleefully tapped home.

It was a highly controversial goal. The key was whether the referee had indicated the kick could be taken quickly. Wenger certainly felt that had not happened and the manager was ticked off by the official before play restarted.

Arsenal were on their uppers again. Hulk and then Raul Meireles forced fine low saves from Fabianski.

But they had steadied themselves somewhat by the time Theo Walcott replaced Rosicky in the 68th minute.

Arsenal were now finding space on the flanks and asking questions of the Porto defence. But buoyed by a belligerent crowd, the home side stood firm.

Eboue replaced Nasri for the final stages and in the last minute his cross so nearly found the unmarked Fabregas five yards.

That was that type of night for Arsenal. The little things did not quite go for them.

And, of course, one very, very big moment had gone utterly against them.

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

ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL 1-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL 1-0

DATE : Pebruary 10th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

By Richard Clarke

Despite rumours to the contrary, there is life in Arsenal’s Premier League season.

Defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea in eight days left Arsène Wenger’s side playing catch-up before a crucial game with in-form Liverpool this evening.

While never at their best, a resilient Arsenal rolled up their sleeves and responded with a rejuvenating win.

The only goal came 18 minutes from time when Tomas Rosicky’s inviting cross was RSVP’d by Abou Diaby’s header at the far post.

By way of celebration, half the Arsenal side piled on top of the Frenchman.

It was relief to the power of 10.

This was Wenger’s 300th Premier League win and the 450th of his Arsenal career. But the only stat to manager cares less about is the distance between his team and top spot.

Chelsea’s defeat at Everton and Manchester United’s draw at Aston Villa mean that gap is down to six points. Meanwhile Arsenal have now opened an eight-point divide between themselves and Liverpool in fourth.

This result can not make up for the disappointments of the past two Sundays but it does suggest Wenger’s optimism has credence.

It seems we have a three-horse title race once again.

Wenger made a couple of changes from the side beaten at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Bendtner started his first game since limping off against Tottenham on October 31. The Dane was the focal point of the attack so Andrey Arshavin dropped to the left flank. Meanwhile Emmanuel Eboue was back in the starting XI for the first time since December 19. The Ivorian had come off the bench in the defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea. Before that, he had been in Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations. As a result of those inclusions, Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna dropped to the bench.

In the early stages, the atmosphere off the pitch was indicative of results on it. The travelling fans were in full voice, the home supporters were relatively muted. Arsenal’s season had been shaken by those two successive defeats while Liverpool were unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games.

Neither side could afford defeat and that anxiety affected the opening quarter.

The opening minutes were lively enough however with the two sides exchanging half-chances from right wing free-kicks. First Steven Gerrard’s ball ricocheted off Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia had to make a flying interception then, at the other end, William Gallas nodded over from a fine delivery from Cesc Fabregas.

After that the game fell into a malaise. Arsenal had enough of the ball but perhaps there was a nagging fear of conceding on the break as they had against Chelsea and Manchester United. Certainly they were more reticent to go forward.

The chance that broke down the mental barrier came in the 20th minute. The stumbling Arshavin sent Bendtner clear on the right of the area. The Dane had a glimpse of goal but slashed his shot over the bar. Soon afterwards Nasri saw a goal-bound effort charged down for Pepe Reina flapped at a cross and Arshavin blazed over.

At the other end, Maxi Rodriguez latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and cracked his effort high.

The flurry of chances did not last. It did not help that Wenger was forced to make a change just after the half-hour. Nasri had gone to ground for no reason early on and immediately Rosicky was sent out to warm up. Eventually the French midfielder acceded to his injury.

To be honest, that was about it for the opening half. Arsenal were far from fluent and, on a freezing North London night, the first 45 minutes never got above lukewarm.

However the opening seconds of the second period would promise much more. In fact the first 15 minutes were pretty much end-to-end.

Arshavin reached the byline early on but blasted his shot high into the sidenetting. Lucas Leiva nearly found an immediate response however his fierce shot flew inches over the bar.

The chances were starting to come now yet nerves still seemed to be affecting both sides this evening. David N’gog raced clear on to Gerrard’s chip through. The Frenchman had a yard on Clichy and Gallas but the latter produced a wonderfully-timed challenge to slid the ball away at the crucial moment. Such interventions are fast becoming a trademark this season for Gallas.

Seconds later, Rosicky went clear on the left for an instant but his touch was too heavy and, just before the hour, the galloping Bendtner tried to steer home a shot only for Reina to block with his legs.

All of a sudden it seemed a game of football seemed to have broken out.

Bendtner went down under Daniel Agger’s challenge but referee Howard Webb booked the Dane for simulation. A couple of minutes later the striker laid the ball back for Rosicky to crack a drive inches over the bar.

This game was now an entirely different animal. The tension of the first half remained but invention had been added. Neither side were functioning at their best but Arsenal had the edge.

Walcott substituted Arshavin with 23 minutes left. Wenger had now replaced two of his front men and the only one remaining who was struggling for fitness.

It seemed that Bendtner would have to soldier on this evening.

And he did.

In the 72nd minute, the 22-year-old found himself surrounded and under pressure in the area but retained the presence of mind to feed a clever ball to Rosicky on the right. The Czech midfielder had time to pick his target. His chose Diaby at the far post. The Frenchman eluded his marker to power home a header. It was his seventh goal of the season and undoubtedly the most important.

In the wake of the goal, Liverpool finally threw off their shackles. They piled forward but there were only two heart-in-mouth moments before injury time – when Gerrard went down in the box and when substitute Ryan Babel slipped his marker before firing goalwards from 25 yards.

It was a dipping, swerving, curling effort but Almunia touched it on to the bar. A pivotal save.

The second half had been dramatic enough but there was one more twist.

In the dying embers of injury time Gerrard somehow won at free-kick five yards outside the area. Fabregas was booked for protesting the decision and then the Englishman’s effort hit the Spaniard’s outstretched hand as he jumped in the wall.

Liverpool complained when the whistle blew seconds later but no one could dispute the character of this victory tonight.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, pakman, waldek83_1983, MacGuyver

CHELSEA vs ARSENAL 2-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

CHELSEA vs ARSENAL 2-0

DATE : February 07th, 2010
VENUE : Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA GOAL :
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 8"
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 23"

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

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Chelsea vs Arsenal Highlights or Here

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal have it all to do in the title race.

Sunday's 2-0 defeat in West London leaves Arsène Wenger's side nine points adrift of the Stamford Bridge outfit with just 13 games left to play.

The Chelsea goals this afternoon came, as ever, from Didier Drogba. The Ivorian touched home John Terry's header as early as the eighth minute. Arsenal had significant pressure after that but, as against Manchester United seven days earlier, they conceded a crucial second on the break.

In the 23rd minute, Frank Lampard's ball found the galloping Drogba, who cut inside and thrashed a shot past Manuel Almunia. It was his 12th goal in his last 10 games against Arsenal.

At the time, it was hard on the visitors territorially but, this afternoon, a ruthless Chelsea punished Arsenal whenever they had the opportunity and, in Drogba, they have one of the best strikers in Europe.

Only the bar denied him a hat-trick when he fired in a free-kick 10 minutes from time.

Despite this result, no-one should discount Arsenal's aspirations just yet. That happened last time they lost to Chelsea at the end of November. But the assumption was entirely wrong.

This has been a rollercoaster of title race. Expect more ups and down before May.

Wenger's side showed two important changes from the one well beaten by Manchester United a week ago.

Fit-again Abou Diaby replaced Denilson in central midfield while Theo Walcott began on the right of the attacking trio instead of Tomas Rosicky. It was only the fourth Premier League start of the season for the England international.

Apart from Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea had all their major names available.

This was a huge afternoon for Arsenal. Despite the hype, their awesome foursome of fixtures did not have to define their season - but unfortunately it seemed that it might.

The goalless draw at Villa 10 days ago had been worthy enough but the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday had been comprehensive. It poured pressure on today, the hardest fixture of the quartet. With ever-improving Liverpool due at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal certainly needed a massive improvement from their display seven days earlier.

In fairness, they started well enough. As early as the fourth minute Bacary Sagna clipped a cross to Fabregas in the D. He fed Nasri and the Frenchman fired wide from the left of the area.

Until their opening goal, Chelsea had only caused Arsenal minor scares. But the strike would prove to be a telling moment.

Gael Clichy bumped Anelka on the right and Drogba fired in the free kick. Walcott nodded it behind for a corner that Florent Malouda floated to Terry. The Chelsea captain rose highest and powered a header toward the far post where Drogba touched home.

Despite the goal, the visitors went on to enjoy the lion's share of possession and territory. They won a succession of corners and, in the 16th minute, should have equalised. Fabregas found space on the right and floated an angled pass to Arshavin. The Russian met the ball with a powerful, sidefoot volley from eight yards. It was too close to Cech, who kicked the ball away.

Arsenal were playing well. Their tails were up and they fancied the job.

Then they got caught on the break.

Lampard carried the ball clear from another Arsenal attack. Drogba latched on to his pass and roared up the right. He cut inside Clichy and Vermaelen before thumping home from eight yards out. It was a great finish but, on the balance of play, it was a stolen goal.

In response, Fabregas fired wide after another promising move but by now Chelsea's cushion was making them more expansive. Ashley Cole burst through into the area only to be bundled off the ball by the backtracking Walcott.

Until the break, Arsenal soldiered on but, as ever, Chelsea's defending was excellent. Throughout the first half, the visitors had got in promising positions but only once had they truly tested Cech.

Wenger's men had been losing at the interval in this fixture last season but came back to win. They attempted a repeat job straight away when Diaby cracked an effort wide and just before the hour Nasri burst through only to be denied by Ashley Cole on the edge of the area. However, in between, those efforts Drogba set up Malouda to drive narrowly wide.

Once again, Arsenal were cranking up the pressure and penning back Chelsea. Wenger added to that anxiety by withdrawing Walcott and bringing on Nicklas Bendtner. As a result, Arshavin dropped to the left and Nasri went right.

Almost immediately after coming on, the Dane was clipped by Ricardo Carvalho just outside the area. Fabregas fired in a low free-kick that went through the wall but was beaten away by Cech. An excellent save given the keeper would have seen the ball only after it had emerged through a thicket of legs in a crowded area.

Then Wenger threw on Rosicky and Eboue for Diaby and Sagna. But by now Chelsea seemed comfortable with their cushion once more.

Ten minutes from time, Drogba cracked a free-kick against the bar from 25 yards and then Anelka hacked a shot high.

It was an indication that Arsenal's challenge had wained. At the whistle, the visitors could only lament what might have been had they taken their chances... and Chelsea had been less lethal.

Wenger's side are not out of the title race but their ascent must now be super steep.

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

ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED 1-3

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal suffered a major blow to their title hopes by losing 3-1 to Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsène Wenger's side were undone in the first half when Manuel Almunia touched home a cross from Nani then Wayne Rooney grabbed another on the break eight minutes from half-time.

Any chance of a revival seemed to be extinguished when Ji-Sung Park sprinted clear and slotted home in the 52nd minute.

Thomas Vermaelen's strike hinted at some sort of comeback with 10 minutes remaining however Arsenal could muster no more.

This defeat leaves Wenger's men five points adrift of leaders Chelsea and four behind their conquerors this afternoon. With over a third of the season to go that gap is still very catchable however Arsenal have only taken one point from the opening two fixtures in their ‘awesome foursome' and that is a concern.

Still Manchester United did not win the title last year because they bested the Big Four. Maybe Arsenal can do the same thing.

A win at Chelsea next Sunday will do much to repair the damage to Wenger's side this afternoon. Right now it may seem fanciful but it is no more than they got last season.

Defeat, however, may leave an unbridgeable divide between Arsenal and the top two.

The pre-match team-sheet was a matter of major concern for the home supporters. At Villa on Wednesday, Thomas Vermaelen had hobbled off in the first half. In his post-match press conference that night, Wenger had said, best case, it could be nothing to worry about but, worst case, it was a broken leg. It turned out to be the former but his involvement in this game was still a massive doubt. In the end he played and his potential deputy, Sol Campbell, did not make the bench.

There was also a question mark over Alex Song. The midfielder was not injured. The issue was fatigue after the rigours of the Africa Cup of Nations. He too started while Emmanuel Eboue, who had been on duty with the Ivory Coast at the same tournament, was named as a substitute. Aaron Ramsey dropped to the bench to accommodate Song. Samir Nasri, the two-goal hero in this fixture last season, replaced the injured Eduardo.

Of course, Arsenal v Manchester United is not capable of being a mundane affair. Games between the two sides had maybe lost some meaning in title terms over recent years however the importance of this one was undisputable. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea had all led the Premier League in the past 10 days. This was a proper three-horse race and Wenger's men would be facing the other two in the next eight days.

The pre-match tension around Emirates Stadium suggested that everyone knew it was time to deliver.

Arsenal were the first to show. In the third minute, Wes Brown nodded the ball into the path of the scampering Arshavin on the left. He teased the Manchester United defence before curling a shot beyond the far post.

However the visitors already seemed to have an ominous quality about them today and they would create a couple of dangerous opportunities down the right in the minutes that followed.

In the eighth minute, Darren Fletcher raced forward on the overlap. His low cross went through Vermaelen and was inadvertently cleared by Wayne Rooney with William Gallas in close attendance.

A minute later they would create another chance in an identical position. After escaping Clichy, Nani found himself in acres of space on the right. He had time to look up before cutting the ball back. Once again it was played at pace across the face of goal. Only the intervention of Song stopped Michael Carrick slotting home at the far post.

Arsenal had yet to settle. But just before the quarter-hour, Arshavin was on the end of another lightning attack down the left. Again he cut inside Brown and went for curler towards the far post. It was inches wide.

The Russian was back in the central attacking role and appeared to be relishing it. He was certainly heavily involved. Midway through the half, Fabregas strode through the midfield, shrugged off Paul Scholes and fed Arshavin. Once again he fooled his marker only this time he miscued his effort horribly.

You thought Arsenal were gradually working their way into the game. But, in fact, the visitors would impose themselves once more.

Only a wonderful interception from Gallas prevented Paul Scholes going clear inside the area then Ji-Sung Park's cross was deflected into the path of Nani on the right of the area but the Portuguese midfielder drove wide.

The 23-year-old was having an eye-catching game and it was no surprise that he was behind the opening goal. He flicked the ball between Clichy and Nasri on the right-hand touchline then danced past Denilson to reach the byline once more. You can only assume that Nani was trying to reach a couple of players at the far post when he clipped the ball high over Almunia. The keeper tried to tip it over but only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net.

The goal had been coming but Arsenal were still stung. Fabregas saw his drive diverted by a stray leg in a crowded area then Arshavin set up Gallas but his path was blocked. Manchester United pounced on the ball and spread it quickly to Nani on the right. He found Rooney scampering through the midfield and the England striker swept home his 20th Premier League goal of the campaign. Arsenal had been caught by the classic breakaway goal they'd put the patent on in the Wenger era.

The sliding Arshavin rifled a shot past the post shortly afterwards however, five minutes from the break Manchester United should have added a third. Rooney cut the ball back from the left-hand byline and Scholes helped it on to the unmarked Nani just inside the area. His drive was deflected past the far post by Vermaelen.

Song bundled through in injury time and drove a shot past the post. At the break, Arsenal needed an injection of composure, guile and steel.

But there would be no panacea.

In fact, seven minutes after the restart, Park made the home side feel even more sickly. Fletcher lofted the ball over the high line the Arsenal defence were holding and the Korean scampered through. Rooney was racing to join the attack and that drew Clichy's attention. The Frenchman was left covering both players and so Park toyed with the idea of a pass. However in the end the Manchester United midfielder went for it alone and fired low into the bottom left-hand corner.

It seemed to be the killer goal.

Arsenal did what they could to respond. Fabregas fired inches over and Song stretched Edwin van der Sar. The Cameroon international also cracked an effort just wide.

They were all worthy efforts but were all from distance. You sensed that, with a 3-0 goal advantage, Manchester United were happy to let Arsenal try their luck from that range.

On the hour, Wenger made an attacking substitution - Theo Walcott for Denilson. Ten minutes later, he threw on Bendtner and Eboue for Rosicky and Nasri.

The pattern was now set for the remainder of the game. Arsenal would have ample possession and press forward, Manchester United would soak up everything and take what they could on the break.

Sixteen minutes from they time, that tactic nearly saw them grab a fourth. Rooney went marauding across the halfway line and then sprinted clear as Eboue stumbled. Fortunately for Arsenal he dragged his shot wide.

The game seemed to be limping to a conclusion when Arsenal scored. With 11 minutes left, Fabregas fed a quick free-kick to Nasri on the left. His high, hanging cross was nodded out by Jonny Evans to Vermaelen just outside the area and the Belgian hooked home a shot via the leg of the Irishman.

Suddenly we had a game again. Fabregas floated over a corner and Walcott saw his header booted away by Evans.

Gallas should have set-up a grandstand finish but, in the dying seconds of normal time, he sent a backward header wide when he only had Van der Sar to beat.

However before that, Almunia's weak clearance nearly handed Nani the goal he deserved then, deep into injury time, Rooney slid a shot inches past the far post.

Emirates Stadium was understandably muted a full time, except for a pocket of travelling fans in the away end.

They had much to celebrate. Meanwhile Arsenal must simply steel themselves for next Sunday.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, pakman, waldek83_1983