Goals by A.Ramsey
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal Goals Video Highlights | 15 January 2011
West Ham United vs Arsenal Highlights:
Date:15 January 2011, Time: 5:30 PM GMT
Vanue: Upton Park, London
Arsenal have played 20 matches so far in the league and they are 3rd in the table and look set to be overcome City in the league who are currently 2nd and will be playing against wolves and it will be a good game. They will be going itno this match knowing the result of the match of Chelsea and than City. It has been a season for Arsenal so far, but it cant be said for their counter park West Ham who will be looking to get some postives from the game they played against Birmingham in the Carling Cup semi Fnal.
Match Highlights and Goals Video
West Ham United 0-3 Arsenal
Birmingham City 0-3 Arsenal Goals Video Highlights | 1 January 2011
Birmingham City vs Arsenal Highlights:
Date: 1 January 2011, Time: 15:00 GMT
Vanue: St Andrew’s Stadium
Arsenal are just two points behind United but leaders have a game in hand and Arsenal will be hoping to get all three points in the league match against blues which would put them in a good position in the league although they will be playing their game after United on Saturday which would put extra pressure on them if United get all three points in the league against West Brom.
Arsenal vs Chelsea 3-1 Goals Video Highlights | 27 December 2010
Arsenal vs Chelsea Goals Video Highlights
Date: Monday, 27 December 2010, Time: 8:00 PM
Vanue: Emirates Stadium, London
There is only one point and one team seperatin the two as Arsenal are 2nd with 32 points while Chelsea have slipped down to the fourth spot and are currently have 31 points one the board afte playing 17 games in the league. Both teams will be lookin to get all three points in this one as a defeat here combing with the possiblity of United winning on Sunday would make huge difference of points and that is somthing they will be looking to avoid, which would make this game very open and interesting to watch.
Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal Goals Video Highlights | 13 December 2010
Arsene Wenger side will be traveling to have a arugbaly most explosive and most awaited match in the English Premier League, the rivalry between the two have been massive but somewhat lost its extreme in the previous few years as some of the usual culprits have left clubs and some new talents are stelling in and more than that it is the Chelsea effect which kind of halted the rivalry between the two of the greatest English Premier League teams and the managers. But this year it could all go down to these two matches between Manchester United and Arsenal, which can decide the title.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Date: 13 December 2010, Time: 8:00 GMT
Vanue: Old Trafford, Manchester
This is the match which can define the title race as both teams are looking set to battle for the premier League title this season, with Chelsea stuttering at the moment and cant get a win logicaly it will be either Arsenal or Manchester United who will lift the trophy at the end of the season unless some dramatice change of form occur for Chelsea or City can do something against the odds to lighten up the title race. Arsenal are coming into this match on the back of a good result in the Champions League where even with the shaky defence they managed to clinch all three points which were very important considering the fact that they needed them badly for qualification to the knock out stages of the Champions League, While Home team for this big encounter, Manchester United could only draw against valencia by 1-1 although they did creat many chances but could not finish them.
Match Result and Goals Video:
Manchester Unitd 1-0 Arsenal
41′ [1 - 0] J. Park
Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham Goals Video Highlights | 4 December 2010
ARSENAL vs FULHAM Goals Video Highlights
Date: 4th December 2010, Time: 3:00 PM BST
Vanue: Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal have played fifteen games in the Premier League this season and are currently 3rd in the table with 29 points only goal difference is keeping them away from the 2nd Postion, and many experts believe that this year they really do have a great chance of topping the table with Top two clubs from the last few years are struggling with consistancy but that is the same problem with Arsenal which have kept them away from the first postion in the league, they kind of drop point every now and than which hurt their chances of winning the league.
On the other hand we have Fulham which is just one point clear of the relegation zone and will be looking to get a good result here which will be a bonus as their fans and the managment know getting anything out of this match will be really tough and they will be more than happy with a away draw, which is highly unlikely.
Match Result and Goals Video
Arsenal 1-1 Fulham
14′ [1 - 0] S. Nasri
30′ [1 - 1] D. Kamara
76′ [2 - 1] S. Nasri/>
Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal Goals Video & Highlights | 27 November 2010
In the next match of the Premier League we will have Arsenal taking on Aston Villa for the English Premier League on Saturday noon 27 November 2010. It is a wonderfull chance for Arsenal to go top of the table as Chelsea and United will play their respective games later which give Arsene Wenger side a wonderfull oppertunity to make it to the top of the table on Saturday and if results go they way they want they very wll remain top of the table after the weekend and but their form is kind of a concern and they will be playing against a team which pretty good at home and wont be easy to break down.
ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL PREMIER LEAGUE VIDEO &HIGHLIGHTS:
Date: 27 November 2010, Time: 12:45 BST
Vanue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Match highlights and Goals Video
Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal
39′ [0 - 1] A. Arshavin
45′ [0 - 2] S. Nasri
52′ [1 - 2] C. Clark
56′ [1 - 3] M. Chamakh
70′ [2 - 3] C. Clark
Arsenal 2 - 3 Tottenham Goals Video & Highlights | 20 November 2010
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs Goals video & Highlights:
Date: 20 November 2010, Time: 12:45 BST
Venue: Emirates, London
Arsenal are just 2 points behind the league leaders who are struggling to score goals in the last couple of weeks and their worst Performence came against Sunderland as they were hammered at stamford brdge when Steve Bruce side scored three past them without getting any replay from them. While Arsenal won their match and United could only get a hard fought draw at Villa park which left Arsenal in great postion going into the festive period.
Match highlights and Goals Video
Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham
09′ [1 - 0] Samir Nasri
27′ [2 - 0] M. Chamakh
50′ [2 - 1] Gareth Bale
67′ [2 - 2] Rafael V.D. Vaart
86′ [2 - 3] Y. Kaboul
Arsenal 3 Birmingham 1
ARSENAL maintained their 100 per cent home record with a 3-1 win over Birmingham.
Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby had fired the Gunners into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes, before Lee Bowyer pulled one back before half-time.
But soaking up plenty of pressure from the battling Blues, Andrey Arshavin wrapped up the victory late on
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung was in the stands, but in the space of 18 minutes he witnessed the gulf between the two clubs.
But before the first two goals, Arsenal suffered an injury blow when Theo Walcott was left in a heap by Liam Ridgewell.
The Arsenal forward bent his knee back when falling, and had to go off for extended treatment.
As play continued, the home side should have taken the lead when Diaby's left-wing cross was knocked back by Van Persie at the far post, only for Tomas Rosicky to fluff the finish.
The opening goal finally came on 16 minutes, Alex Song slipping a lovely low pass through the left side of the penalty area.
Van Persie took the ball on his right, then switched back inside past Stephen Carr before drilling it into the far corner.
Before Birmingham could recover, it was 2-0.
Emmanuel Eboue put Rosicky clear down the right channel, and his cut-back from the near post was smashed in by Diaby first time.
Arsenal were now in cruise control, but to their credit, Birmingham kept up the fight.Arsenal quickly looked to restore their two-goal cushion, and Hart saved well down at the right-hand post to deny Arshavin.
Neither side made any changes for the start of the second half.
Birmingham, clearly boosted by their goal, had an early chance when the ball flashed across the Arsenal six-yard box but did not fall for a Blue shirt.
At the other end, Arshavin stabbed a close-range effort wide after Diaby's low centre.
It was then goalkeeper Joe Hart's turn to almost be embarrassed when Cesc Fabregas cut out his weak pass, only for the Blues keeper to recover and make a smart low save.
Larsson was, at full stretch, penalised for what referee Lee Probert deemed a somewhat harsh backpass, giving Arsenal an indirect free-kick eight yards out.
Fabregas rolled the ball to Arshavin, who stopped it for van Persie, but the Dutchman's fierce effort skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
With 20 minutes left, James McFadden was replaced by Gary McSheffrey.
Arshavin, however, settled matters with five minutes left when he slotted home from just inside the penalty area after a quick counter attack.
Arsenal: Mannone, Eboue (Wilshere 90), Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby, Walcott (Arshavin 33), van Persie, Rosicky (Sagna 72). Subs Not Used: Almunia, Ramsey, Silvestre, Traore. Booked: Song Billong. Goals: van Persie 16, Diaby 18, Arshavin 84.
Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Roger Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Carsley (Phillips 79), McFadden (McSheffrey 70), Jerome (O'Connor 61). Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Damien Johnson, Bent, O'Shea. Booked: Hart, Ridgewell. Goals: Bowyer 38.
Att: 60,082
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Arsenal 6 Blackburn 2
CESC FABREGAS put on a masterclass as Arsenal ripped Blackburn to shreds at the Emirates.
The 22-year-old Spaniard teed up four classic goals and flashed home a volley in the Gunners' exhilarating victory
Thomas Vermaelen, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin drilled clinical first-half strikes — despite Rovers twice leading through Steven Nzonzi's fourth-minute opener and David Dunn's deflected goal.
Fabregas later notched a 20-yard special worthy of his all-round excellence.
Fit-again Theo Walcott hit Arsenal's fifth before substitute Nicklas Bendtner rammed in the pick of the goals.
And that completed arguably the best attacking display seen in the Premier League this season.
Yet Rovers' early breakthrough was a defensive disaster for the Gunners.
Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson hoisted forward what looked like a routine high ball.
But Nzonzi outjumped Thomas Vermaelen for a header that looped in over the poorly-positioned Vito Mannone.
The Gunners, though, needed little time to recover and their equaliser on 17 minutes was just reward for their fluent raids.
Centre-back Vermaelen ploughed through a challenge in the centre of the park, enabling Abou Diaby and Fabregas to work the ball to within 25 yards of the Rovers goal.
Fabregas nudged it sideways and Vermaelen took one touch to set himself up for the fiercest of left-footers low inside the post.
The increasingly-busy Robinson conjured a superb one-handed save to deny Arsenal's main inspiration, Fabregas.
But El Hadji Diouf's long clearance sparked a shock second goal for Rovers on the half-hour.
Keith Andrews picked up the striker's hopeful pass and released Dunn, who cut in for a firm shot that ricocheted in off William Gallas.
But just three minutes later, Fabregas' exquisite through ball freed Robin Van Persie for a two-touch finish of typical precision.
And Arshavin completed an incredible seven-minute spell of three goals by slamming home another classy Fabregas pass.
The Spanish midfielder was thwarted before the break by Robinson's fine stop and Pascal Chimbonda's block from the rebound.
But Rovers remained menacing on their rare forrays forward.
And key man Dunn was denied a penalty when Vermaelen went unpunished for a clear trip a yard inside a crowded area.
So Fabregas' brilliant goal on 57 minutes was particularly tough to take for Rovers' terriers.
The Gunners' playmaker let a loose ball bounce before lashing it into the near top corner from 20 yards.
Mannone then kept out the impressive Dunn's low drive.
But mostly it was a question of whether Arsenal's confident forays would bring further goals.
And, though Rovers sub David Hoilett volleyed against a post, Walcott rounded off a pitch-length move started by Fabregas to clip home on 75 minutes.
Substitutes Walcott and Bendtner almost grabbed the home side's sixth.
And the Danish striker finally achieved that, darting into space outside the area to send a curving arrow into the far corner.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby, Rosicky, van Persie, Arshavin. Subs: Szczesny, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, Gibbs, Bendtner.
Blackburn: Robinson, Jacobsen, Givet, Chimbonda, Olsson, Emerton, Andrews, Nzonzi, Diouf, Dunn, Di Santo. Subs: Brown, McCarthy, Pedersen, Kalinic, Hoilett, Salgado, Jones.
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
Arsenal 2 Olympiakos 0
AN ancient Greek stood defiantly between Arsenal and a Champions League goal-fest last night.
Grey-haired Olympiakos keeper Antonis Nikopolidis, 38, crumbled only in the final 12 minutes as Robin van Persie slotted home and then Andrey Arshavin backheeled a second.
But, for so long, Nikopolidis was as rock-solid as the Acropolis - making a string of brilliant saves to deny the Gunners, who feared they would never break him down.
Nikopolidis was a national hero for Greece in their amazing Euro 2004 triumph, which came against all the odds.
He looks about 68 rather than 38 but proved he still has the agility to keep the best at bay.
And while Arsenal have six points from their first two games in this competition, both have been a struggle.
In their opener away to Standard Liege, they were two down in the first five minutes before coming back to win 3-2.
This was another perplexing night.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger turns 60 next month and it is performances like this which have turned him as grey as Nikopolidis.
He chose to sell Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City, getting rid of a trouble-maker and making a big wedge in return.
But he has lost a clinical finisher in the process, without replacing him even though there is £50million available to spend if he wants it.
Arsenal had 19 shots on goal with 11 on target - and a couple in the net late on was a paltry return for their dominance.
The first 45 minutes were a nonsense.
The Greek champions barely got out of their own half and Arsenal kept setting up chances without putting them away.
It was a failing boss Arsene Wenger alluded to in the build-up and it was in stark focus here.
It was clear Nikopolidis was going to have a busy night and he got down superbly to his left to keep out Arshavin's side-footed effort.
Then Cesc Fabregas volleyed against the bar, while Tomas Rosicky's follow-up was beaten away by the keeper.
Olympiakos centre-back Olof Mellberg is in the history books for being the first player to score at the Emirates when he was an Aston Villa player. But he was turned dizzy by the Arsenal onslaught.
He was not helped by the inept performance of left-back Raul Bravo.
Leeds fans will remember him without much affection for an inglorious spell at Elland Road six years ago.
The Spaniard was beaten all ends up by Arshavin, only for the Russian's near-post effort to be pushed away by the overworked Nikopolidis.
Fabregas hit a 12-yard shot straight at the keeper when he had time to find the corner.
Then Abou Diaby completely missed his header at a corner when any sort of connection would have produced a goal.
Van Persie then embarrassed Raul Bravo - beating him three times for a bit of fun - but the Dutchman's strike was easily held by Nikopolidis.
Olympiakos boss Zico, the Brazilian legend, was not finding it easy viewing.
He looked agitated on the touchline, wiping the sweat from his brow and screaming instructions.
His half-time team-talk certainly had some effect though because Olympiakos came out in more determined mood and for five minutes had Arsenal on the back foot.
In fact, when Mellberg headed goalwards, it needed the outstretched left hand of Vito Mannone to push it away.
Van Persie was getting frustrated and when another shot was blocked by the goalkeeper extraordinaire, he lunged for the loose ball, giving Michal Zewlakow a nasty crack on the ankle.
Nikopolidis again denied Van Persie on the angle and got up to foil William Gallas too - although the Frenchman had been flagged offside.
Then the inspired stopper flew to his right to keep out a Diaby header.
But, on 78 minutes, a goal at last. as Fabregas cleverly picked out Eduardo and the Croatian's ball across the six-yard box was slotted in by Van Persie.
Arshavin made sure four minutes from time, cheekily backheeling No 2, despite being clearly offside.
It was a relief for Wenger, as was the news that winger Theo Walcott - out since June with a back problem - came through an hour of a specially-arranged practice game with the Greeks' reserves.
Fulham 0 Arsenal 1
YOUNG keeper Vito Mannone was safe as houses to keep the Cottagers at bay.
Robin van Persie duperbly slotted Arsenal's brilliant 52nd-minute winner from a magical Cesc Fabregas pass.
Fulham threw all they had at the Gunners — but stopper Mannone was up to the challenge as Arsene Wenger's men snatched the points. Thomas Vermaelen — Arsenal's leading scorer this year — headed wide as Arsenal charged out of the blocks.
At the other end, Mannone pulled off a fine save to deny Clint Dempsey. And the 21-year-old stopper was in the thick of it again when he floored team-mate William Gallas. Fulham nearly grabbed the lead on 15 minutes.
Zolta Gera fired in a cross, and Andrew Johnson's thumping header was brilliant saved by Mannone. And the young keeper miraculously kept out Dempsey from the rebound. There was no let up from the Cottagers, and Mannone had to stretch to keep out Gera.
Ater a half-time rollicking, Arsenal took the clash by the scruff of the neck. Van Persie then grabbed the opener.
Skipper Fabregas chipped an inch-perfect pass to the Dutchman, who slotted home after a breathtaking first touch.
Nicklas Bendtner surged forward as Arsenal went sniffing for a second. But the Dane dragged his shot wide after ripping through the Fulham defence.
The Gunners back-line were caught napping, and let Dempsey wriggle through. His shot was deflected wide and Bobby Zamora missed a glorious chance following the corner.
A Gera blunder almost let Abou Diaby in. But the startled ace was taken by surprise after Gera's fluffed clearance fell at his feet.
Mannone kept out Johnson and Fulham stepped up their search for a leveller.
And, following a Johnson free-kick, the Italian pulled off another incredible save — denying Zamora yet again.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Gera 9), Etuhu (Greening 83), Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora, Andrew Johnson. Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kamara, Riise, Smalling. Booked: Murphy, Zamora, Pantsil, Konchesky.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song Billong, Diaby, Bendtner, Fabregas, Arshavin (Rosicky 68), van Persie (Eboue 83). Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Gibbs.
Goals: van Persie 52.
Att: 25,700
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Robin van Persie duperbly slotted Arsenal's brilliant 52nd-minute winner from a magical Cesc Fabregas pass.
Fulham threw all they had at the Gunners — but stopper Mannone was up to the challenge as Arsene Wenger's men snatched the points. Thomas Vermaelen — Arsenal's leading scorer this year — headed wide as Arsenal charged out of the blocks.
At the other end, Mannone pulled off a fine save to deny Clint Dempsey. And the 21-year-old stopper was in the thick of it again when he floored team-mate William Gallas. Fulham nearly grabbed the lead on 15 minutes.
Zolta Gera fired in a cross, and Andrew Johnson's thumping header was brilliant saved by Mannone. And the young keeper miraculously kept out Dempsey from the rebound. There was no let up from the Cottagers, and Mannone had to stretch to keep out Gera.
Ater a half-time rollicking, Arsenal took the clash by the scruff of the neck. Van Persie then grabbed the opener.
Skipper Fabregas chipped an inch-perfect pass to the Dutchman, who slotted home after a breathtaking first touch.
Nicklas Bendtner surged forward as Arsenal went sniffing for a second. But the Dane dragged his shot wide after ripping through the Fulham defence.
The Gunners back-line were caught napping, and let Dempsey wriggle through. His shot was deflected wide and Bobby Zamora missed a glorious chance following the corner.
A Gera blunder almost let Abou Diaby in. But the startled ace was taken by surprise after Gera's fluffed clearance fell at his feet.
Mannone kept out Johnson and Fulham stepped up their search for a leveller.
And, following a Johnson free-kick, the Italian pulled off another incredible save — denying Zamora yet again.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Gera 9), Etuhu (Greening 83), Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora, Andrew Johnson. Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kamara, Riise, Smalling. Booked: Murphy, Zamora, Pantsil, Konchesky.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song Billong, Diaby, Bendtner, Fabregas, Arshavin (Rosicky 68), van Persie (Eboue 83). Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Gibbs.
Goals: van Persie 52.
Att: 25,700
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Machester City 4 Arsenal 2
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR was on the money as City smashed Arsenal at Eastlands.
The Togo ace sealed the heavyweight contest by smashing home the hosts' third.
City had cashed in on a priceless piece of luck for the opener — with Micah Richards' effort bouncing off Manuel Almunia's HEAD and into the goal.
The Gunners clawed back through Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky. But Craig Bellamy, Adebayor and Shaun Wright-Phillips popped up to humiliate Arsene Wenger's young side.
Adebayor could find himself hauled in front of the FA after his wild goal celebrations.
The ex-Gunner tore across the length of the pitch to goad the travelling Arsenal fans.
And the striker, who has scored in all four of his league games for City, tried to smooth things over after the final whistle.
He said: "To be honest, I'm very sorry for all this.
"Sometimes, the emotion takes over. That's what happened. I was very happy to score the goal. Before the game, people have been saying and writing things and the emotions took over.
"People who love me and know me know how I behave."
Adebayor could also be in hot water after appearing to boot Van Persie in the face.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger missed the incident - but has promised to give it a thorough going over.
He said: "I have heard about it on the radio.
"But I have not actually seen the incident because the ball moved away pretty quickly. I will have to look at it and assess it."
In the pre-game warm-up, Adebayor had been public enemy No 1 with his old employers.
The hated Togo striker was IGNORED by his old team-mates and viciously jeered by the away crowd.
And, just minutes into the tie, the £25million hitman got even further up the Gunners' noses — flooring Cesc Fabregas with a studs-up lunge.
Another big money man found himself in hot water shortly after when Joleon Lescott was booked for poleaxing Denilson.
But on 20 minutes City got their fluky breakthrough.
Bacary Sagna chopped down Bellamy 20 yards from goal. Gareth Barry floated in the free-kick, Richards thundered a header against the post — and saw it cannon in off Almunia.
The Spaniard dusted himself off to come and claim a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross after the restart.
Shay Given was called into action seconds later — claiming a Nicklas Bendtner centre in a carbon-copy attack.
Barry lined up another free-kick, and when his dangerous cross was only half-cleared to Bellamy, the Welsh ace's volley flicked wide off William Gallas.
Moments before the break, City launched a lightening counter attack after Van Persie's corner went begging.
And the Gunners needed Gael Clichy to step in and rob Stephen Ireland, who loitered too long with the ball in the visitors' box.
Just seven minutes after the interval, Wenger hit the panic button.
He hauled off Brazilian Denilson and brought on Rosicky as the Arsenal boss turned to his Plan B.
And the Frenchman's tinkering paid off when his men struck the leveller.
The Gunners' goal had been under threat until Bellamy saw his shot snuffed out. And a speedy breakaway set up Dutch ace Van Persie, who tucked his shot away from the edge of the box.
After a scuffle, hot-headed Adebayor seemed to boot Van Persie in the face. He got off scot-free — and things got worse for Wenger when City stormed back into the lead.
Bellamy swivelled in the Arsenal box before smashing past Almunia.
Adebayor and Wright-Phillips then fired home before Rosicky grabbed his late consolation.
Man City: Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland (Petrov 73), Barry, De Jong, Adebayor, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Sylvinho, Vidal, Weiss.Booked: Lescott, Adebayor, De Jong. Goals: Almunia 20 og, Bellamy 74, Adebayor 80, Wright-Phillips 84.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Eboue 77), Vermaelen, Gallas, Clichy, Bendtner, Song Billong (Eduardo 77), Fabregas, Denilson (Rosicky 52), Diaby, van Persie. Subs Not Used: Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Gibbs. Booked: Sagna, Song Billong. Goals: van Persie 62, Rosicky 88.
Att: 47,339
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Att: 47,339
Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3
Park Ji Sung wheels away after putting United ahead
Ronaldo fires in his goal-bound free kick
Ronaldo celebrates his spectacular free-kick
David Beckham in the stands at The Emirates
Ronaldo tucks in United’s third
Darren Fletcher sees red
They would not be trading up, they would be trading down!
The rumours will not go away, despite denials, that Ronaldo is bound for Real Madrid with Kaka arriving from AC Milan.But Ronaldo is the World Player of the Year for a reason. He is the best and no amount of money or any other player could compensate if he left Old Trafford.
The Portuguese star’s sensational double ensured United made it to Rome with the chance to become the first team to retain the Champions League crown. In Porto he scored with a stunning 40-yard drive to get his team through their quarter-final.
Here, from a free-kick a yard further out, Ronaldo found the target once again.
His second goal, United’s third, was very different but equally brilliant. He started and finished the move, racing 70 yards to crash a shot into the roof of the net.
The only downside to United’s triumph was the 75th-minute dismissal of Darren Fletcher, who brought down Cesc Fabregas in the area and was shown a straight red card. That means he is out of the final.
The Scot did just get the ball. But it was still a rash challenge from behind and, like Paul Scholes and Roy Keane who missed United’s 1999 success, he will have to watch from the stands.
Arsenal rode their luck in the first leg to escape with a 1-0 deficit. But they had no such fortune this time round, as their suspect defence caved in.
Young Kieran Gibbs, so impressive since coming into the team in place of the injured Gael Clichy, caught the defensive jitters which allowed United to take a stranglehold on this semi-final, second leg.
Poor Gibbs was about to clear a low cross from Ronaldo on eight minutes when he slipped on the turf always specially watered to aid the Gunners’ slick passing.
Park Ji Sung could not believe his luck, as the ball arrived at his feet with Gibbs sprawling in front of him. The Korean took a touch then slid a close-range shot over the helpless Manuel Almunia.
It was a massive boost for United, who were cursing after the home leg with only John O’Shea’s effort to show for their superiority.
Alex Ferguson was always confident his team would score in North London, though he could not have imagined it would come quite so easilyWenger had predicted ‘a magnificent performance’ from his youngsters. He proclaimed boldly: “If they score one, we will score three.”
He did not specify what they would do if United scored two. And by the 11th minute their task had become impossible, as Ronaldo bagged a cracking second after being brought down by Robin van Persie.
The moment Ronaldo lined up the free-kick, even though he was so far out, you could sense the anxiety round the ground.
As he unleashed his right-foot strike, the ball rose then dipped before beating Almunia diving to his left.
Almunia was the hero of the first leg, making three amazing saves to keep the score down, and there was much debate about him becoming England’s keeper when he qualifies through residency this summer.
But he should have got across to save Ronaldo’s kick and it begged the question whether he is any better than the other more English keepers Fabio Capello has available.
Wayne Rooney’s 25-yard curler was finger-tipped round a post by Almunia as United kept coming.
There was not much the managers could say to their players at half-time. Wenger would have been asking for a miracle, Fergie simply that his men did not blow it. Almunia saved another Ronaldo shot but, on the hour, United were well and truly home and dry — and what a goal it was.
It came from an Arsenal corner, which Nemanja Vidic headed clear. Ronaldo fed Park, who in turn picked out Rooney on the left.
Ronaldo kept his run going and was in the box to take Rooney’s return pass and leave Almunia grasping thin air.
Van Persie’s late penalty, converted after Fletcher’s foul on Fabregas, was no consolation.
So the Champions League has eluded Wenger again and the Arsenal trophy cabinet will be bare for another year.
Meanwhile, United should start ordering extra supplies of silver polish. The Quadruple is still on.
Man United 1 Arsenal 0
ONE man is responsible for the fact Manchester United do not already have this Champions League semi-final sewn up — Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia.
The Spaniard single-handedly kept the Gunners in the tie with a series of magnificent first-half saves.
Despite total dominance, United head to the Emirates next week with only a slender advantage through John O’Shea’s 18th-minute strike into the roof of the net from six yards.They are still hot favourites to go through to the final in Rome, with a chance of becoming the first team ever to retain the Champions League trophy.
But how they were cursing that they did not bury their opponents last night.
United had 14 shots at goal to Arsenal’s five and eight efforts on target to the Gunners’ one. Almunia, though, stood defiant.
When he first got into Arsene Wenger’s side, he was dubbed Fawlty Manuel after the hapless Spanish waiter in the hit comedy Fawlty Towers.
He had no pedigree in the game and Wenger’s judgment was called into serious question.
But Almunia has risen above it all, shown why the manager believed in him, and is steadily becoming one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
You have to wonder whether England boss Fabio Capello might yet consider him for the World Cup.
He qualifies for the national side this summer on residency grounds and Capello has so few decent stoppers to choose from he will not care about the ethics of the situation if he believes Almunia can help his cause in South Africa.
There was ample evidence here to show why he could do England a service.
Inside the first two minutes, Almunia sprang to his left to claw out Wayne Rooney’s looping header which was dropping in the corner.
Then he made a wonder save from a close-range shot by Argie striker Carlos Tevez, then got up again to block the rebound.
But he had no chance from the resulting corner. Michael Carrick collected and his deflected cross was smashed home by the unlikely figure of O’Shea. United deserved the lead and the visitors were in danger of a real tonking.
They were being over-run in midfield and resorting to long balls in the vague direction of lone striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who had no support.
It was not the usual Arsenal way and they were getting pulled apart.
It required some of the grit which Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea employed at Barcelona the night before — but the red wave just kept on coming.
Wenger reckoned this was the tie in which we would see the fruits of the Arsenal he has been building — but they spent most of the game scrambling to clear their lines.
Theo Walcott, on the right, could not get into the action, Samir Nasri was struggling in central midfield and Cesc Fabregas, who was supposed to be linking with Adebayor, always seemed to be too far away from his striker.
Any time they dwelt on the ball, the energetic Tevez was chasing back to whip the ball off their toes and restart a United attack.Carrick and Anderson were well in control in midfield too.
Anderson cost £20million a couple of years ago and it is only now that the fans are beginning to understand why boss Alex Ferguson spent so much cash on the Brazilian.
Almunia made another incredible save to keep out Cristiano Ronaldo’s point-blank header and he was there again diving to his left to block the winger’s effort from the edge of the box.
But Almunia suffered for his art when he came out bravely at the feet of Tevez and got a boot in the neck. Tevez was booked but it was a ball he was justified in going for.
Arsenal were delighted to hear the half-time whistle. It was a minor miracle that they were only one down.Arsenal were delighted to hear the half-time whistle. It was a minor miracle that they were only one down.
But, as the game passed the hour, Wenger’s men got more of the ball, perhaps because United could not keep up the relentless pace.
Fergie could see it and brought on the newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs — for his 800th club appearance — and Dimitar Berbatov for Anderson and a disbelieving Tevez.
The on-loan Argie was clearly miffed at getting the hook, shaking his head as he left the field.
The crowd rose to applaud their favourite and again implored Fergie to sign him up permanently.
Ronaldo, who had been relatively quiet, suddenly sprang to life and hit a vicious dipping 30-yard shot which comprehensively beat Almunia, only to hit the top of the crossbar.
It was that sort of night for United and a worrying rib injury to ace defender Rio Ferdinand near the end will be cause for concern.
Wenger took off the ineffective Walcott and brought on Nicklas Bendtner.
But the manager did not change tactics, leaving Adebayor stranded up front without any back-up.
Bendtner did get his head to one late chance but was well wide of the target.
And Wenger, who desperately wants the big European prize on his CV, admitted Arsenal were glad to get away with the one-goal defeat.
The Gunners have never before lost a European semi-final.
If they succeed this time it will be one of the greatest achievements in their history.
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 4
YOU have to feel sorry for Liverpool — unless, of course, you are a Manchester United fan.
The Reds have taken part in two of the greatest games ever in successive outings.
They didn’t lose either, scored eight goals and yet managed to blow their chances in two competitions in the process.
Sometimes football just is not fair.
Last week’s incredible 4-4 draw in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was hailed as one of the epic encounters but Liverpool went out on aggregate.
This one was up there with it. However, Rafa Benitez’s men had to win to keep the pressure on United at the top of the table — a point just wasn’t good enough.
United boss Alex Ferguson must have had as big a smile on his face as Andrey Arshavin, who scored all four Gunners goals.
The £12million Russian only had four shots on goal and every one went in.
It has to be said, some of Liverpool’s defending was quite dreadful. But their powers of recovery were unbelievable as they came back from 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 down.
There was a theory that Arsenal were not bothered about this one with their Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford looming on the horizon.
Star strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie were left out because of minor injuries and Theo Walcott was only on the bench.
And it took the brilliance of under-fire Lukasz Fabianski to keep them in it as they were pummelled in the first half.
Fabianski endured a nightmare in the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea on Saturday but manager Arsene Wenger insisted he would prove to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
He went a long way to confirming that view last night.
First he slid out to deny Yossi Benayoun and Alvaro Arbeloa, flew to his left to tip over a screamer of a half-volley from Fernando Torres which was destined for the top corner, saved another from the Spanish ace and then stretched to keep out Benayoun’s effort.
Arsenal had only one attempt on target in 45 minutes but it was the one that mattered and came about after the first of Liverpool’s defensive errors.
The normally-reliable Javier Mascherano dithered on the edge of his own area, was robbed by Cesc Fabregas, and then lost out to Samir Nasri as he tried to retrieve the situation.
Nasri picked out Fabregas making a run and the skipper was just onside before cutting it back to Arshavin, who shot in off the underside of the bar.
It was ridiculous that Liverpool were behind and Benitez could have done no more than tell his team to keep going at half-time and that their rewards would come.
They did and, by the 56th minute, they were in front.
Bacary Sagna caught the defensive jitters by volleying across his own area and though the irrepressible Dirk Kuyt’s initial cross was blocked, the second was on the money and Torres headed into the corner.
Then the Gunners got in a right old tangle as Liverpool pressed. Kieran Gibbs’ hasty clearance was collected by Kuyt and Benayoun bravely headed over the line before Fabianski could claw it out.
Benayoun was doing a fine job filling in for Steven Gerrard and kept driving Liverpool on. But Arsenal had an uncanny knack of sticking their few chances away and profiting from the home side’s defensive frailties.
On 67 minutes Jamie Carragher headed forwards and Arbeloa, caught with his back to goal, was dispossessed by Arshavin, who took a couple of strides forward and smacked a 25-yard shot beyond the despairing Pepe Reina.
Arshavin again reaped the benefits of a defensive howler as Fabio Aurelio presented the ball to him on a plate and he made no mistake.
Arsenal were 3-2 up but the way the game was going there was no way the score was going to stay like that.
Torres turned Mikael Silvestre, made a yard of space, and bang in it went off the outstretched hand of Fabianski.
There were 18 minutes left and Liverpool piled forward looking for the winner. Xabi Alonso’s corner was met by the head of Torres and Gibbs was perfectly positioned to clear off the line.
There was nobody in defence for the home side any more except Reina and, as the clock ticked round to 90 minutes, Fabianski punched clear and substitute Theo Walcott broke away down the right.
Arshavin was steaming through the middle, Walcott’s pass was perfectly into his stride and the Russian’s left boot sent the ball flying into the net.
Astonishingly, Arsenal were back in front but it still was not over and five minutes added time signalled by the fourth official encouraged Liverpool to keep on going.
Mascherano’s header across goal cause confusion on the edge of the six-yard box, Ryan Babel climbed highest and the ball dropped to Benayoun for the Israeli to finish it off.
Sadly the final whistle had to come sometime and Howard Webb brought the curtain down on a quite extraordinary night.
Wenger doing his old rival Fergie a favour. Who would have thought it?
Arsenal 3 Villarreal 0
WHO said Arsenal’s season was going nowhere?
The Gunners have been written off for the big prizes while all the focus has fallen on Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
But Arsene Wenger’s men could yet end up doing a Champions League and FA Cup Double four years after they last won any silverware.
Wenger got so excited by Arsenal’s march to a semi-final date with Manchester United that he did a bit of dad dancing on the touchline when his kids bagged their second goal.
Embarrassing maybe, but he certainly did not care.
The French boss has always protested in the face of fierce criticism that these youngsters were capable of great things.
Even when they were losing to the likes of Fulham, Hull and Stoke and dropped out of the qualifying places for next season’s Champions League, the manager backed his team to the hilt.
Now he is being vindicated. The saying at Arsenal is that ‘Arsene knows’ and we should learn not to doubt it.
His big guns are back, fit and firing at a vital time, and the manner in which the inspirational Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor are combining would scare any opponent.
Arsenal have already beaten United back in November and the fact the Gunners have not conceded a single goal at The Emirates in Europe this season will give them extra cause for optimism.
Walcott has been a big miss since he dislocated his collarbone in training on England duty five months ago.
A knee injury was a further setback but the advantage is that he now looks as fresh as a daisy and ripping his way past leg-weary defenders.
What a sight it was on 10 minutes as Walcott collected Emmanuel Eboue’s through ball, which was faintly flicked on by Fabregas, and produced an exquisite wedge shot with his right foot over sprawling keeper Diego Lopez.
The ball seemed to take an age to come down and you could see the backspin as it rotated through the air before obligingly dropping under the bar.
It was a magnificent sight.
A year ago Walcott went on an amazing 60-yard run to set up Adebayor for what looked like the decisive goal in the quarter-final against Liverpool in the second leg at Anfield.
But the Reds hit back and Walcott’s brilliance on that night was largely forgotten.
This time it mattered.
Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires, whose last appearance for the Gunners was in the 2006 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, received a warm welcome on his return to North London.
And his shot which was deflected wide was one of the visitors’ best efforts on goal as they failed to take advantage of Arsenal’s makeshift defence.
But Pires was powerless to prevent Arsenal strengthening their grip.
Adebayor thought he had scored the second goal on 29 minutes after Van Persie’s free-kick was beaten out by Lopez and the big striker’s goalbound header was hacked right off the line by Gonzalo Rodriguez.
Diego Godin’s header just over the bar on the stroke of half-time was a reminder to Arsenal that they needed another one before they could feel comfortable following the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain.
It duly arrived bang on the hour.
Van Persie collected in midfield, weighed up his options as he turned one way then the other, and picked out Adebayor on his left.
There was no messing about from Adebayor as he took a touch forward then prodded the ball into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot for a marvellous finish.
Cue a celebration dance by the corner flag from the Gunners players and Wenger’s own jig of delight.
Villarreal, know as the Yellow Submarine, were sunk. There was no way they were going to come back.
The Spaniards’ frustrations boiled over completely after 69 minutes when Godin was undone by the trickery of Walcott and clipped the England winger’s ankle in the penalty area.
German referee Wolfgang Stark had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and Villarreal did not like the decision one bit.
Sebastien Eguren went too far with his argument and his reward was a second yellow card and a sending-off which reduced the embattled visitors to 10 men.
Van Persie stepped up and smashed home the kick to seal an emphatic victory and a date with United.
Next up it is Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.
Make no mistake, Arsenal are in the mood.
Villarreal 1 Arsenal 1
MOVE over Jens Lehmann. There’s a new hero in town.
Emmanuel Adebayor will never be as fondly regarded by Arsenal fans as former idols like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp or Ian Wright.
But even if the Togo target man never kicks another ball in anger for the club, at least he is now guaranteed a special place in Gunners folklore.
For Adebayor’s stunning 66th-minute scissor kick was every bit as dramatic as Lehmann’s famous last-minute penalty save here in El Madrigal three years ago.
The German keeper’s unforgettable contribution was enough to take Arsenal to their first and, so far, only Champions League final.
But Adebayor’s memorable leveller could prove every bit as important in Arsene Wenger’s mission to conquer Europe.
When Wenger declared his team were “super outsiders” to win the Champions League we all thought it was just kidology.
But for an hour in Spain last night his youngsters threatened to live up to all their manager’s expectations as they were stretched to their limits by Villarreal.
The final scoreline might not reflect the full extent of Villarreal’s superiority.
Wenger, though, will be under no illusions about the need for a huge improvement in the second leg at the Emirates next Wednesday.
For there is still plenty of hard work to be done to finish off the Spaniards, particularly after Manuel Almunia and William Gallas suffered injuries which will rule them out of the return game.
Marcos Senna’s cracking 10th-minute opener was scant reward for Villarreal’s first-half dominance and Arsenal encountered further problems with those early injuries.
Nevertheless, Adebayor’s priceless strike on a night of surprises means Arsenal are now in firm control of this tie.
The first shock came with the news Arsenal old boy Robert Pires was only on the bench for Villarreal.
Pires had claimed on the eve of this game that being hauled off by Wenger after just 18 minutes of the Champions League final against Barcelona was the worst moment of his career.
Maybe failing to make the starting line-up last night was the second worst.
Yet the Frenchman’s absence did not inhibit Villarreal and they were unfortunate not to force a fourth-minute goal when Gael Clichy cleared off the line from Joan Capdevila.
But the Spaniards did not have to wait long for their breakthrough as Arsenal stood off and allowed their opponents far too much time and space to play.
Such generosity was to prove costly when Senna took possession from Giuseppe Rossi’s pass to thrash an unstoppable right-footer past Almunia from 25 yards.
Wenger had singled out the veteran Spanish ace as Villarreal’s “special player” in the build-up to this quarter-final first leg.
Yet even he could never have expected the holding midfield player, 32, to prove quite so special around the penalty area.
Senna’s strike was only the start of Wenger’s problems, as Almunia was forced out of the action by an ankle injury.
Arsenal’s Spanish keeper had been feeling the effect of two hefty early challenges from Rossi and Gonzalo Rodriguez and lasted just 28 minutes before being replaced by Lukasz Fabianski.
And the young Pole was forced into immediate action to make a vital double save from Senna and then Capdevila.
Arsenal were now in danger of being completely overrun as Alex Song was booked for tripping Rossi right on the edge of the penalty area.
The real damage, however, was suffered by Gallas, who injured the medial ligament of his right knee as Rossi fell into him.
The French star could miss the remainder of the season.
There was now a look of real desperation about Arsenal’s play and their frustration intensified when Cesc Fabregas had the ball in the net just before the interval.
His quickly-taken free-kick caught the Villarreal defence napping but was too rapid for ref Tom Henning, who was still counting out 10 yards and had not blown his whistle.
To add insult to injury for Fabregas, his impudence was punished by a yellow card.
Arsenal were virtually non-existent as an attacking force in spite of Wenger’s adventurous line-up and were lucky to still be in contention as half-time arrived.
Yet it was just when they were staring down the barrel of a beating that the famous fighting spirit which saw them through by the skin of their teeth against Roma kicked in.
They emerged for the second half with a steely determination to stop the rot and a renewed sense of purpose.
And their reward finally arrived in the 66th minute when Fabregas’ 40-yard pass picked out Adebayor just inside the Villarreal area.
The big striker brought the ball down on his chest and, with his back to goal, hooked his volley beyond keeper Lopez.
It was only three days earlier Adebayor had celebrated his return from a 10-match hamstring injury with two goals against Manchester City.
Yet this one was something else entirely. If he ever scores a better goal, just make sure you are there to witness it.
He said: “I don’t even know how I scored — but the most important thing is that the ball went in the back of the net!
“The most important thing is to play and do something good here and I think we have done that quite well.
“It was quite difficult for us because we played against a team that play good football.
“The injuries did not help us. It was tough but we counter-attacked in the second half and it worked well. Even though the second leg will be tough we are playing at home so we will do everything to go through.”
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