[size=6]Report: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal pulled off a highly-welcome win at Wolves on Wednesday night.

Marouane Chamakh scored in the opening seconds and injury time to secure victory but in between the visitors had to survive significant pressure from the home side.

Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas forced fine saves from Marcus Hahnemann in the opening half-hour but, after the break, Lukasz Fabianski topped that by foiling Kevin Doyle and Christophe Berra as the home side pressed hard for the equaliser.

A Fabregas foul on Stephen Ward drew derision from the crowd late on but it did not affect the result.

Arsenal had toughed it out to record a highly-significant victory.

Manchester United’s point at Eastlands means Wenger’s side are still third. But tonight at Molineux, in the most trying of circumstances, Arsenal proved a point to themselves.

The manager made three changes from the side beaten by Newcastle on Sunday. Laurent Koscielny was suspended after his late dismissal in that game so Johan Djourou stepped into central defence.

Tomas Rosicky and Arshavin filled the flanks in midfield so Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri dropped to the bench.

These two sides came into this game on the back of very different defeats. Arsenal had been so disappointing against Newcastle while Wolves had gained creditability before falling to a last-gasp goal at Manchester United.

It felt like a crossroads game for Wenger’s side. Sunday’s defeat had left them in need of a win this evening – any colour, any kind – to get back into title race. Mathematically they would still be in the hunt but, mentally, a third straight defeat would be hard cure.

Fortunately, the medicine was administered after exactly 38 seconds this evening.

Rosicky floated into the Wolves half and fed Alex Song on the right. His cross found Chamakh drifting between two defenders at the far post. The Moroccan slid his header past Hahnemann and into the corner. It was his seventh goal in all competitions this season.

The goal was everything Arsenal needed and they immediately pressed home their advantage.

In the sixth minute, Arshavin won the ball from Michael Mancienne in midfield and went clear for a second. He managed to get his shot away but Hahnemann stood up to make the save and then the home defence mopped up the loose ball.

The Russian had been Arsenal’s most sparky player on Sunday and built upon that eye-catching cameo this evening. He probed the Wolves defence in the opening half-hour and ran the channels with eagerness.

At this stage it was all Arsenal. Rosicky saw a shot deflect wide and in the 19th minute, Fabregas could have added a second.

Arshavin and Chamakh set up the Spaniard for a snap-shot from the edge of the area through a thicket of legs. The ball hit Hahnemann’s legs and bounced clear. Not that the keeper knew too much about it.

However, after that, Arsenal could not maintain their momentum. Wolves came back in the game and began to threaten. However the created little until the 28th minute when Stephen Hunt floated in a free-kick and the stretching Doyle drifted a header just over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Sebastien Squillaci deflected a left-wing cross from Nenad Milijas towards the far post and Fabianski threw out his left hand to palm the ball aside from the waiting Stephen Hunt.

Arsenal were still feeling the shot across the bows as they went into the tunnel at the break.

History nearly repeated itself at the start of the second half. Jack Wilshere lost his footing and only a mad scramble at the near post stopped Milijas squeezing home the equaliser.

However three minutes later Arsenal spurned an even better chance. Richard Steadman’s errant pass gave the ball to Rosicky, who instantly fed the unmarked Fabregas in the D. The skipper hooked his shot wide when he should have scored.

As we approached the hour, Wolves had enjoyed pressure but precious few chances. In fact Fabianski’s most important influence on the game had been saving from his own defender.

That would rapidly change. In the 57th minute, Doyle turned and sent a ferocious shot toward the top corner. Fabianski gymnastically tipped over.

The corner found Stearman at the far post and Rosicky had to hurriedly hack the ball off the line.

Seconds later, Hunt fired in a free-kick from the right and the stooping Kevin Foley sent a header on to the top of the net.

They were all credible chances and, unless the visitors broke the shackles, they would be conceding pretty soon.

In the 65th minute, Arshavin did his best to alleviate the pressure. The midfielder scurried in from the left and fired a daisy-cutter against the base of the post. Shortly afterwards the same player had a piledriver blocked in the area.

Those chances hardly quelled Wolves’ ambitions but at least the home side’s pressure was not calling Fabianski into action any more.

And, as the game entered its latter stages, Arsenal began to assert themselves again.

Ten minutes from time, an unmarked Squillaci could not turn home a corner and Djourou’s follow-up was deflected wide. A stupefying miss.

As the seconds ticked by, Wolves chanced their arm. Doyle drove forward and fired wide and, after a Fabregas foul forced Ward to be stretchered off, they created arguably their clearest chance of the night.

The ball fell to Berra on the edge of the area and the centre back’s contact was clean. His low shot flew to Fabianski’s left but the Pole thrust out his hand and clutched on to the ball.

Chamakh’s late breakaway sealed the victory but, in reality, a couple of key stops from Fabianski, combined with a committed if not water-tight performance, had been enough take the points.

It had been a night for gutsy, not classy, Arsenal.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3293518/first-team/wolverhampton-w.-v-arsenal?tab=report

[size=6]Szczesny opts to stay with Arsenal[/size]

Wojciech Szczesny has agreed a new five-year contract at Arsenal.

Szczesny, 20, who was due to become a free agent next summer, is being groomed as Arsenal’s future No1 but had been getting fed-up at a lack of first team chances.

Polish keeper Szczesny has now decided to commit himself to the club after Arsenal’s coaching staff convinced him he will get his chance after insisting he can become world class.

Szczesny has already overtaken Manuel Almunia and Vito Mannone in the pecking order to become a regular on the bench while he is regarded as a much better prospect than Lukasz Fabianski.

He has already started two Carling Cup games and his recent promotion in the squad has also helped cure his complaints of being homesick.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Arsenal-goalkeeper-Wojciech-Szczesny-who-was-due-to-become-a-free-agent-next-summer-has-instead-agreed-a-new-five-year-contract-article625605.html

There's news around that apparently Vermaelen is out for the season and will be having surgery on his achilles.

[size=6]Wojciech Szczesny pens new long-term contract[/size]

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Wojciech Szczesny has signed a new long-term contract with the Club.

Having joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2006, the Polish youngster made his debut in the 2-0 Carling Cup Third Round win over West Bromwich Albion in 2009 and has impressed with his performances.

The 20-year old, 6ft 5in stopper gained valuable first-team experience last season when he spent a highly successful loan spell at League One side Brentford, making 28 appearances for the Bees and keeping an impressive ten clean sheets during several man-of-the-match performances.

Wojciech got another taste of first-team action for Arsenal in this year's Carling Cup, when he made a string of fines saves during an eye-catching performance in the Club's 4-0 victory at Newcastle United. The Pole has also been a regular fixture on the Arsenal bench this season during Manuel Almunia's enforced absence through injury.

The son of former Polish international goalkeeper Maciej Szczesny, Wojciech followed in his father's footsteps when he made his senior international debut for Poland in a 1-0 friendly win over Canada in November 2009. He is also a regular for the Polish Under-21 side for whom he has six international caps.

Arsène Wenger said: "We are delighted to secure the long-term future of Wojciech, who we regard as a very important part of our Club's future. We have all seen his huge potential, both in training and in the matches that he has played for us, so we look forward to seeing him develop further in the coming years."

Wojciech Szczesny added: "It's a great feeling to sign a new contract with Arsenal and I'm so pleased. The negotiations happened very quickly and it was easy. I'm now looking forward to continuing the hard work on the training pitch and doing my best whenever I have the opportunity to play in the Arsenal first-team.

"I would just like to thank everyone that has helped me get this far, especially Liam Brady, Roy Massey and all his staff at the Hale End Academy. Also Neil Banfield, Steve Bould, all the backroom staff, Arsène Wenger, everyone at Brentford that helped me kick-on last season and all my team-mates here at Arsenal and, of course, my family."

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is looking forward to Wojciech's continued contribution in the forthcoming years.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wojciech-szczesny-pens-new-long-term-contract

[size=6]Wenger delighted by Chamakh contribution[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has been delighted by Marouane Chamakh’s unexpected goal haul this season.

The Arsenal striker took his tally to eight with a brace at Wolves on Wednesday. It is a highly creditable return given the Moroccan is still getting accustomed to English football and, during his time in France, his ratio was one strike roughly every four games.

At his current rate, the 26-year-old will reach the landmark of 20 goals this term. In addition to his unselfish, energetic frontrunning, it will be massive contribution in Wenger’s opinion.

“I hope [he does it],” said the manager. “He is a guy who gets others involved, creates chances and who is collective in the final third. Even if he doesn’t get 20 goals I’m sure the players around him will score because of him.

“I am pleased because I expected a team player, someone who fights for the team, and I have not been disappointed by his commitment and contribution.

“If you look at the number of times he was decisive then if you are not happy you must be very difficult to please. I’m extremely satisfied with the fact I signed him.

“Chamakh has never been a great goalscorer but, the way we play, all the strikers score here. We always go forward and you will be in the box at some stage so you will get chances.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-delighted-by-chamakh-contribution

[size=6]Preview: Everton v Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Beware Everton, Cesc Fabregas is back - properly.

The Arsenal midfielder has had a stop-start season so far. A mixture of World Cup fatigue and niggling injuries have affected his body.

But, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park, Arsène Wenger claimed his captain was now 95 per cent fit physically (with the other five on the way) and paid tribute to his focus mentally.

While it is not quite true to say ‘if Cesc plays, Arsenal plays’, the Spaniard lubricates the cogs in Wenger’s machine. His team have clinked and clanked their way into title contention during the first third of the Premier League. Frankly, they will need to improve, at the very least, their consistency and their home form to overtake Chelsea.

Fortunately it is quite apparent there is headroom and his ever-improving captain is the perfect person to fill the void.

“Cesc is back,” said the Frenchman at Friday’s press conference.

“It took him a while to settle again. But I am 100 per cent convinced he is focused, motivated and determined more than ever to lead the team to victory.

"I always said that if a player plays the Final of the World Cup you will only see him completely again in November. Not before. I have experience in that with Petit and Vieira.

“Stamina-wise, Cesc is there now. He has lost his restriction in his head and the fear of injury in his hamstring.

“He still lacks a little bit of zip in the decision-making and his acceleration in the final third. He is at 95 per cent.

“But from game to game you will see the real Cesc. Maybe in the next game on Sunday.

“And [that extra five per cent] will make a massive difference. Last year he scored 15 goals and made 18 assists. What is the difference in assist? Sometimes it is an inch.

“I felt we saw a different Cesc at Wolves – focused, motivated, wanted to give everything, no restriction. He was already a completely different player. That means in the next game he should be alright.

“And I must say as well I have been very impressed by his attitude this season. When you think he is 23 years-old, has gone through winning the World Cup plus the speculation and frustration [in the summer].

“People are quick to criticise when you are not professional but you have as well to acknowledge people when they are super professional like he is.

”Fabregas ended the midweek win at Wolves amid controversy. His late challenge on Stephen Ward brought him a booking when the Molineux crowd wanted more. Another sending off was the last thing Wenger needed but the tackle was further evidence that his current Arsenal side are now prepared to ‘mix it’ when required.

“They can [look after themselves],” said the manager.

“We are not a dirty team, you will find even people that don’t like Arsenal will not say we are a dirty team.

“It is a surprise to me that we have four red cards. We are committed and when we face a physical game we have to respond well.”

Laurent Koscielny accounts for 50 per cent of those dismissals. The French centre back sees out his suspension this weekend so Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou should continue at centre back.

Wenger could add fit-again full back Kieran Gibbs to his squad and has indicated there may be changes in midfield. Otherwise expect the side that toughed it out at Wolves to roll up their sleeves again at Goodison Park.

Everton are unbeaten in seven games and been defeated in just three of their last 23. Only Manchester City and leaders Chelsea have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season. A repeat of last season’s 6-1 win for the visitors is not on the cards.

“If you look at the quality of mid-table, it is quite frightening,” said Wenger. “And Everton are one of those teams.

“We are happy to be where we are but we also have some regrets. We lost against West Brom and Newcastle but by adding three points, just one game, you see where we could be.

“I am convinced we have the potential and the right spirit. We showed that again against Wolves on Wednesday night. We go to Everton where we will want to show a similar commitment that we had there.”

Of course, those defeats to Newcastle and West Brom came at Emirates Stadium. Right now Arsenal have the best away record in the Premier League but are finding few comforts at home.

“There is no obvious reason,” explained Wenger. “Sometimes you go out ‘on your toes’ away from home and a lot depends on the first result you had that season. At the Emirates we feel ‘OK we will win the game’.That’s maybe the problem. But it’s the same everywhere. We struggle at home but teams like Tottenham struggle at home too.”

It is acutely annoying to see Arsenal pretty much cure a familiar malady – picking up points on tough away trips – only to struggle on their own turf. It allows the critics to re-kindle an old condemnation we thought had been seen off.

“I don’t believe there is fragility mentally,” said Wenger when the issue was brought up. “If you look at some very good teams in the middle of the table I don’t think we are too fragile.

“What we have been is a bit disappointing at home recently. Against Newcastle we did not have the adjusted commitment but we have always shown that away from home since the start of the season.

“Even when we lost against Chelsea I think it was an unlucky loss. It is at home we have dropped stupid points.”

In one sense, victory on Sunday would be cruel for Arsenal. It would mean that of the nine Premier League points on offer this week they had thrown away, on paper, the most straightforward three.

That alone would have taken them from trailing Manchester United to tail-gating Chelsea. But then all three teams have their foibles right now.

Like Fabregas, the rest of the squad have a few per cent left in the locker. Strangely enough, that is a comforting thought right now.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3293527/first-team/everton-v-arsenal?tab=preview

[size=6]Under 18's: Ipswich Town 1-3 Arsenal[/size]

Alban Bunjaku hit a hat-trick in just 23 first-half minutes as Arsenal Under-18s made it two wins out of two in the Academy League.

The attacking midfielder opened the scoring in the 14th minute and doubled his and Arsenal's tally within 60 seconds.

Bunjaku completed his hat-trick eight minutes before the break and the game was over as a contest long before Caolan Lavery grabbed a late consolation for Ipswich.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3311445/youth/ipswich-town-yth-v-arsenal-yth?tab=report

[size=6]Report: Everton 1-2 Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And so it proved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A contender for miss of the season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And, of course, they entertain Tottenham next Saturday.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3293527/first-team/everton-v-arsenal?tab=report

[size=6]Loanees Report: Mannone stars on Hull debut[/size]

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

Vito Mannone played the full 90 minutes on his Hull City debut in a 2-0 win over Preston on Friday night. City came into the game in the bottom three but 12 saves from Mannone, including two stunning stops, helped them survive a barrage from Preston and win 2-0.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes at centre back for Sheffield United as they beat Millwall 1-0. Bartley was arguably The Blades’ Man of the Match, making several key blocks and tackles and earning a rare clean sheet.

Sanchez Watt missed Leeds United 3-1 win over Bristol City due to injury.

Benik Afobe completed his third 90 minutes in a week for Huddersfield Town as they lost 1-0 to Cedric Evina’s Oldham Athletic. Afobe failed to add to his brace and assist in midweek but did come close with a flicked header late on.

Cedric Evina played 85 minutes at left back for Oldham Athletic as they beat Benik Afobe’s Huddersfield United 1-0.

Luke Freeman came off the bench to play the final 15 minutes for Yeovil Town against Dagenham and Redbridge. Freeman came on with the scores level at 1-1 but two late goals, including one from former Gunner Abu Ogogo saw The Daggers snatch the win.

Thomas Cruise was an unused substitute for Carlisle United as they beat Southampton 3-2 at Brunton Park.

Gavin Hoyte wrapped up another 90 minutes at right back for Lincoln City as they beat Morecambe 2-1.

Mark Randall missed Rotherham’s 0-0 draw with York City due to a broken cheek bone.

Francis Coquelin was restored to the bench following the return of Arnold Mvuemba after the death of his son. However, Coquelin did play the final 21 minutes as a substitute against PSG. Francis was booked seconds after coming on for a poor challenge on Ceara. It finished 1-1.

Armand Traore played the final 43 minutes for Juventus on his debut against Roma. Traore replaced Fabio Grosso at left back two minutes after half time.

Nacer Barazite, who scored in the Dutch Cup in midweek, was an unused substitute for Vitesse Arnhem as they thrashed VVV 5-1.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes on the left of a five man midfield as Recreativo Huelva beat FC Cartagena 3-0. Botelho showed early promise by cutting inside and smashing an effort inches over. Yet Recreativo stepped up their play in the second half and cruised to victory.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute for Ponferradina as they beat UD Salamanca 3-2.
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/11/loanees-mannone-stars-on-hull-debut/

I'd also like Vela to well and truly fuck off..

[-x [-x [-x The way RVP is with injuries im glad we have a decent amount of quality backups plus hes one of my fav players, :lol: