[size=6]Unlucky Gibbs out for 'a few weeks'[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Kieran Gibbs will be out for “a few weeks” with the medial knee ligament injury he picked up at Newcastle on Wednesday night.

The left back limped off after 18 minutes in the 4-0 win at St James’ Park but, providing Friday’s scan is positive, his absence will be
relatively short-term.

The other major news is that Aaron Ramsey and Robin van Persie are scheduled to return to full training at the end of next week. However Wenger warned that both would need further fitness work – particularly the Welshman.

Elsewhere, Manuel Almunia (elbow) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) are still working their way back. Abou Diaby (ankle) and Jack Wilshere (suspended) will also miss the visit of West Ham on Saturday.

“We lost Kieran Gibbs last night,” Wenger told TV Online on Thursday afternoon.

“That is the bad news.

“It is a medial knee ligament strain. It needs to be checked on the scan tomorrow but it will be a few weeks.

“We have nobody else back from Manchester City. Van Persie and Vermaelen are still out. Ramsey and Almunia are not ready. So it should be a similar squad to the one that played at Man City.

“But Van Persie and Ramsey are very close to coming back to full training now. They should be back in the group at the end of next week.

“Of course we should not set the same [recovery] time to Ramsey as Van Persie. Aaron will need a longer period to be completely match-fit for the first team. But Van Persie is not far away now.

“Manuel Almunia is maybe one to two weeks away. With Vermaelen, it is difficult to set a fixed time because his Achilles improves slowly.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/unlucky-gibbs-out-for-a-few-weeks-

I think we'll see this.



Theo to come on late against tired legs, especially after West Ham played 120mins mid week. Can't see him starting after playing 90 mins against Newcastle, especially just back from injury.

Preview: Arsenal - West Ham United

By Richard Clarke

For years, Arsenal fans have been able to see the potential their side possess. According to Arsène Wenger, they may be about to start seeing the silverware as well.

You can forgive the manager for glazing over when the phrase “five-years without a trophy” is tossed towards him in press conferences.

Of course, it is a cast-iron fact but the Frenchman has always rightly responded by pointing out the Club’s forward movement throughout that period – on and off the pitch. Plus, the little matter of a decade in the upper echelons of European football.

However a trophy is still a trophy. Football should be about glory and, in reality, that means winning. Right now it is clearly the be-all and end-all for Wenger. On all-fronts.

A stronger-than-usual Arsenal side progressed to the Quarter-Finals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday and, next week, they hope to secure passage to the Knockout Stages of the Champions League with victory at Shakhtar Donetsk. In between, on Saturday, they entertain rock-bottom West Ham at Emirates Stadium.

When Arsenal lost at Chelsea at the start of October, it was suggested their failings were all too familiar. However they end the month looking stronger than ever and with the results to prove it.

“There is more waiting to come out of the team because we are looking like we are improving on all fronts,” said an ebullient Wenger at Friday’s press conference.

“I feel the ingredients of teams I had before, who were successful, are in there. It is just how much we can get them out.

“If you look at the UEFA [co-efficient] table you will see Arsenal in the top eight in a very strong position. And you look who is around us - what money they lose and spend every year - you will see we have not done too badly.”

Goals are always a reasonable barometre of Wenger’s Arsenal. This season they have hit 26 in six home games and 12 in their last 270 minutes of football overall.

“Yes we scored five, three and four in our last three games,” said the manager. “It shows that we have the potential.

“The secret is that we play for each other. We play united. And if we manage to do that anybody in our team can score because we are always going forward a lot. The basic target for us is to keep playing for each other.”

Arsenal will be without Kieran Gibbs for “a few weeks” after the left-back damaged knee ligaments at Newcastle in midweek. Robin van Persie (ankle) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) return to full training next week. Abou Diaby (ankle), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Manuel Almunia (elbow) are still absent. Jack Wilshere will see out his suspension for being sent off against Birmingham in the last Premier League game at Emirates Stadium

His dismissal was a disappointing end to an otherwise redemptive afternoon. Defeat at Chelsea, followed by a shock 3-2 reverse against West Brom at Emirates Stadium, had left Arsenal in need of a win – any size, any shape.

The mood is very different now but the memory has lingered with Wenger.

“It was a lesson learned and it confirms to me that if you are not 100 per cent focused, you will drop points against any team in this league,” he said. “In fairness to my team, West Brom is the only game since the start of the season where we didn’t perform well and that is credit to them. But as well, it shows that, just once, if you are not completely there you are caught. I think we have got the lesson now.

“We focus highly on tomorrow and go step-by-step to try to put every energy in every single game. The success of our season is as well how intelligent we are and tomorrow is a good opportunity to show it. Let’s go for it 100 per cent.”

Wenger’s words were in response to a prevailing press room mood. The one that labelled West Ham a ‘gimmee’ in the same way it had the West Brom game a few weeks earlier.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men have since backed up their performance at Emirates and climbed the table. West Ham can go in no other direction. They have made the worst start in their 115-year history. In nine games they have scored seven goals and gained six points – both are the lowest in the division.

Despite that, Wenger believes there is a way back.

“I see them getting out of the drop zone because they have quality players,” said Wenger.

“If you lose one or two games you will quickly be down there. The difference in the league now is not too big. I think they can get out of there.

“The basic target of any manager is to have success with the resources he has at the club and, on that, Avram Grant has done well.”

Meanwhile, Wenger’s resources have developed in the past week. At Newcastle, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner returned with goals while Wojciech Szczesny showed himself to be a capable keeper. Right now, it seems Arsenal have depth.

You sense this is a crucial little period for Wenger. In the next three Premier League games they face the bottom two sides plus a Newcastle team, who were reasonably represented in the 4-0 drubbing on Wednesday. In between they can put to bed Champions League H.

The ‘big’ periods in fixture lists are viewed as a flurry of big name teams. But, of course, dropped points in highly winnable games will be just as costly.

This season has hardly been plain-sailing but Arsenal have been successful enough and put themselves in position to finally kick-on for that elusive trophy.

If they maintain their recent poise, they might just find it.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3283262/first-team/arsenal-v-west-ham-united?tab=preview

[size=6]'I'm confident Jack will sign new deal soon'[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger expects Jack Wilshere to sign a new contract very soon.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been THE major plus of Arsenal’s season so far. At the start of the campaign, his manager was mulling over loaning him back to Bolton.

In the end, Wenger kept him in the fold and has been rewarded with a number of sparkling performances.

However Wilshere’s current deal runs out at the end of next season and, with his reputation rising, the Frenchman is looking to secure his services for some time.

“We are confident that we will sign Jack very quickly,” said Wenger. “Hopefully we can follow him with Wojciech Szczesny as well.

“Jack has 18 months to go. I will try to get him on a longer contract but we are not short, short with him because he has basically two years left. We hope that we can announce that soon.

“Overall I feel Jack has had a great start to the season. We expected him to play in a higher position on the pitch but basically it suits him quite well to play from deep.

“There is a touch of Liam Brady about him. And it looks like he can handle the pressure well.

“He is a quiet guy. But you can see that in the big games, he wants the ball. So it is just natural for him to play.”

Of course, Wilshere is not involved in the first-team at the moment. On Saturday, he sees out his three-match ban for being sent off against Birmingham at fortnight ago.

“He has been bored,” admitted Wenger.

“As you would be when you are on such a high, playing with excitement form game to game, and then suddenly it stops.

“He is now keen to come back.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-i-m-confident-jack-will-sign-new-deal-soon-

Arsenal to face Wigan Athletic in Carling Cup

Arsenal will face Wigan Athletic in the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup.

The draw for the last eight took place on Saturday lunchtime and the Gunners were handed their first home tie of this season's competition after seeing off Tottenham and Newcastle.

Wigan beat Swansea City in the Fourth Round and will travel to Emirates Stadium during the week commencing November 29.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-to-face-wigan-athletic-in-carling-cup

[size=6]Report: Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Alex Song powered home a last-gasp header to end Arsenal’s frustration at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

For 88 minutes, it seemed to be one of those afternoons for Arsène Wenger’s side. Although not at their best, they created a plethora of chances only to be kept at bay by a mixture of wayward finishing, bad luck and, most importantly, West Ham keeper Robert Green.

The England man made decent saves from Song and Sebastien Squillaci in the first half and even better stops from Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas in the latter period.

It looked like being enough until Gael Clichy angled in a cross from the left and Song stooped to crash home his fourth strike of the campaign.

The goal – and the points – kept Arsenal right up with the title pace.

Wenger’s men are doing all they can at the moment.

Of course they have not been faultless but they have won at tough grounds, beaten a title contender, built up a strong home record and today they squeezed a result in tight circumstances when they were not so fluent.

They will have to do much more of the same to lift the Premier League trophy in May but dogged determination is a key part of any title-winning season.

And Arsenal displayed that in abundance this afternoon.

The heavens opened minutes before kick-off. It was a soggy end to a week that had given Arsenal inspiration and aspiration in equal measure.

They had won 3-0 at Manchester City last Sunday and followed that up with a 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle in the Carling Cup. For the latter game, Wenger had played a stronger side than usual but there were still significant changes.

Compared to the Eastlands game, Wenger made one alteration this afternoon. Laurent Koscielny replaced Johan Djourou to complete an all-French backline. Despite their midweek heroics, Theo Walcott, Wojciech Szczesny and Nicklas Bendtner were on the bench.

Jack Wilshere sat out the last game of his suspension. Robin van Persie (ankle) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) were not ready but are set to return to full training next week. Abou Diaby (ankle), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Manuel Almunia (elbow) are a little further away from fitness.

This was a meeting of in-form v no form, second top v rock bottom. However you could not have told in the opening 15 minutes.

Yes, Arsenal had ample possession, threatening when Song nodded over and Arshavin’s shot was deflected wide.

However West Ham’s ambition was far above their League position. Mark Noble troubled Lukasz Fabianski into punching away a couple of free-kicks, Luis Boa More fired over and Frederic Piquionne made one jinking run to the byline that the keeper snuffed out.

The game was pacy and passionate enough but it was ‘bity’. By the midway point, neither side had really fashioned a ‘move’.

That changed in the 24th minute and it so nearly saw Arsenal take the lead.

Song threaded a ball through for the overlapping Bacary Sagna in the right-hand channel. He stretched to the byline and cut the ball back into the area towards Fabregas. The captain’s contact was good but Green threw himself to his right and plucked the ball out of the air.

The chance changed nothing. Arsenal were on top but there was a tension in their game. West Ham seemingly sensed that and broke with invention.
Nine minutes from the break, Noble raced clear once again and thundered a shot into the chest of Fabianski.

Just before the whistle, Song exchanged passes with Fabregas on the right of the area but the Cameroonian’s low shot was blocked Green. From the resulting corner, Squillaci saw his header was tipped over the bar.

It was stale-mate for Arsenal at the break. Wenger’s men had been out of sorts but, in fairness, West Ham had done their best to put them in that position.

There was a general unease at Emirates Stadium as the team went into the tunnel.

However Arsenal would emerge for the second half with much more purpose. In the opening minutes, Arshavin dragged a shot across the face of goal and then Nasri looked to extend the best scoring run of his career by smashing a drive against the bar from 25 yards.

The home side were trying to up the ante.

Just before the hour, Fabregas and Denilson both saw shots blocked in a frantic ping-pong passage of play on the edge of the West Ham area. The Spaniard’s drive thundered straight into the face of Scott Parker, who needed a few minutes of treatment before he recovered.

Midway through the half, Arsenal won a free-kick and Wenger took the opportunity to bring on Walcott. After the ovation had died down, Arshavin floated in the ball and, for once, Chamakh could not convert his header when well-placed.

However Walcott would soon make his mark.

Fabregas swivelled a wonderful pass into his path on the right wing. The England winger roared clear of his marker to face Green. His low cross-shot beat the keeper’s outstretched right hand, hit the base of the post and then bounced back into the grateful arms of the West Ham No 1. A huge let-off.

The second half had been much more one-side than the first. But West Ham were still prepared to chance to their arm.

In the 74th minute, Manuel da Costa’s powerful downward header was clutched among the flailing legs but Fabianski.

Shortly afterwards, only Clichy’s cover header prevented Valon Behrami converting a left-wing from Herita Ilunga.

Those chances prompted Wenger to throw on Bendtner. Arshavin made way.

Eight minutes from time, Green made another super save, this time from Walcott’s deflected drive.

The England keeper made another fine stop shortly afterwards when he turned aside a close-range shot from Fabregas.

It seemed that Green would be Arsenal’s tormentor until Clichy’s cross found Song.

It was a rapturous finish to a game that seemed to be slipping from Arsenal’s grasp.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3283262/first-team/arsenal-v-west-ham-united?tab=report

[size=6]Wenger: 'Song has the taste to go forward'[/size]

on whether he was relieved...
Yes because when you win with two minutes to go it is always a relief. We needed to be patient, intelligent and not make a mistake at the back against a West Ham team who had a strong spirit and were well-organised. We showed patience because in the first half it was difficult to get into the flow of our passing so we had to wait until they got a bit fatigued. West Ham kept going and we did as well. We kept the structure of our game right, we didn't do anything stupid, we kept trying to be intelligent and that in the end got us the goal with two minutes to go.

on a new dimension to Song's game...
He is [adding that to his game] because when you sum up his game today he had three good chances: the goal he scored, the one on his right boot and the header in the first half that touched the bar. He has got the taste to go forward, even if I think a little too much sometimes for a holding midfielder! But that is part of our game as well.

on whether he thought they might drop points...
The special moment I thought about that was when the ball hit the post and then bounced back into the goalkeeper's hands. That is usually not a good sign but even more so when Carlton Cole came on because you think that he has the ingredients when everybody else goes forward to score you a goal [on the break]. But we kept going and out of this game we can say we have once again shown a great attitude and we have matured. You can see that when it doesn't work for us the players remain calmer than before.

on being equipped to win the title...
I believe we have a good chance, yes, but we want to show consistency first. We go step by step. I believe we still need to step up a gear to completely achieve that. But on the other hand you feel as well that there is more to come out from this team because we had a good potential on the bench today and we still have some players to come back. So if we can keep a good injury record then we have a chance. It's too early in the season [to be sure] but I have belief. We have to show we can handle every single game with the different aspects that the Premier League has. You saw today that we played against the bottom team in the Premier League and it was a real battle. We have to show we can compete like that in every game.

on the return of Jack Wilshere and Denilson's form...
Denilson had three good games this week - he played the whole 90 minutes at Manchester City, the whole 90 minutes at Newcastle and he did quite well today because he defended very well at the moment everybody went forward. But Jack can play with Denilson, he can play with Song, I have good potential for rotation and don't forget we have Diaby who can come back too.

on keeping three straight clean sheets...
That's new, that's new for me! A day where I don't have to look on the television slow motion to see why we conceded a goal does not happen often so I am very happy with that.

on his concerns during the game...
You always have concerns because you would always like to finish teams off in ten minutes but football doesn't work like that.

on Cesc Fabregas' fitness...
He played a little bit within himself because he had a little tension in his hamstring. Let's hope he has no setback. I hope he will be alright [for Shakhtar]. At half time I had a hesitation to take him off but I left him on for ten minutes or 15 minutes and in the end he got better and better.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/35290/wenger-reaction

Jack Wilshere Signs New Long-term Contract

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

Wilshere, who has been at Arsenal since the age of nine, has made a huge impact with his performances in the first-team this season, already making eight Premier League appearances and featuring in all three UEFA Champions League matches so far this campaign.

The 18 year-old has now made a total of 27 first-team appearances, scoring two goals. On making his debut at Blackburn Rovers in September 2008, he became the youngest-ever player to represent Arsenal in the league, aged just 16 years and 256 days.

Two months later in November 2008, Wilshere, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers, became the youngest player to represent the Club in European competitions, at 16 years and 329 days, when Arsenal faced Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League.

Earlier this season, Jack was rewarded for his rapid development by earning his first full England cap, playing for the Three Lions in the Friendly International match against Hungary at Wembley Stadium in August.

Arsène Wenger said: "It's such great news that Jack has committed his long-term future to the Club. Jack is a fantastic footballer with a huge amount of potential, and we have all seen with his performances so far that he is a very gifted player, who could be an extremely influential player at the top level of the game.

"At still only 18 years of age, there is still so much more to come from him and we're all excited by the fact that Jack Wilshere will be an Arsenal player for years to come."

Jack Wilshere added: "Arsenal Football Club has been like a second home for me and my family since I was nine years old. To be offered a new contract means everything to me.

"At this point in my career, when I'm only 18 years old and still learning so much about the game and myself, this is the perfect club, the perfect team-mates, the perfect fans, the perfect backroom staff and most importantly, the perfect manager to help continue that.

"I've got a long way to go before I can become the player I dream of becoming and I'm sure I'll keep making the odd mistake, but it is a massive help for me having a special manager like Arsène Wenger and so many quality team-mates and the unbelievable Arsenal fans around me. I believe there is a lot more to come from me.

"I've been at the Club for almost ten years already, so I would like to thank everyone that has been part of getting me this far, especially people like Liam Brady, Roy Massey and all his staff at the Hale End Academy. Also Neil Banfield, Steve Bould, Academy Coach Steve Leonard, Academy Scout Bob Arber, Assistant Head of Youth Development David Court, all the backroom staff, Arsène Wenger, all my team-mates and, of course, my family."

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is looking forward to Jack's continued contribution in the forthcoming years.

http://www.arsenal.com/home

[size=6]Fabregas out of Shakhtar showdown [/size]

LONDON - Arsenal will not risk skipper Cesc Fabregas against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday after the Spaniard strained a hamstring against West Ham United at the weekend.

The London club will qualify for the last 16 of the competition if they win in Ukraine but manager Arsene Wenger can ill afford to lose Fabregas who has just returned from a month on the sidelines.

"Cesc will not travel," Wenger told Arsenal's website.

"It's a mixture of caution and his hamstring. We cannot take the gamble. He has a good chance to play (against Newcastle) on Sunday but tomorrow would be a risk."

Alex Song is also doubtful for the Group H clash with a calf strain, as are Andrei Arshavin and Denilson who have groin injuries.
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/championsleague/67180/default.aspx

[size=6]Reserves: Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa[/size]

By Giuseppe Muro

Arsenal Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 2-0 against Aston Villa at London Colney on Tuesday afternoon.

On a disappointing day for Neil Banfield and his team two first-half headers from Nathan Delfouneso and Samir Carruthers gave an impressive Villa side victory.

Delfouneso glanced home after 28 minutes before Carruthers doubled the lead on the stroke of half time and there was no way back for a Gunners side that featured a number of Academy players.

Scholar Sead Hajrovic partnered captain Ignasi Miquel at centre back for his first appearance at Reserve level and Thomas Cruise returned at left back after six weeks on the sidelines.

With talismanic striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas as well as midfielders Craig Eastmond and Henri Lansbury all travelling to Donetsk with Arsène Wenger’s first team and Gavin Hoyte beginning his loan at Lincoln City, there were five changes from the side that had beaten West Ham so convincingly last time out.

It took Arsenal a while to settle on a blustery day in Hertfordshire and they lacked cohesion in the opening stages as a Villa side led by the instrumental Marc Albrighton started on the front foot.

Only 18 minutes had passed by the time Shane Lowry had flashed a volley agonisingly across goal and Derrick Williams headed into the side-netting from barely a yard.

The warning signs were there and just short of the half-hour mark the away side got a deserved breakthrough.

Centre back Jonathan Hogg stayed forward from a corner and when he picked out Delfouneso eight yards from goal the striker glanced into the bottom corner. There was nothing James Shea could do as the header skidded past the goalkeeper’s outstretched left hand.

Albrighton was a constant thorn in the Arsenal side, constantly running at defenders and crossing into dangerous positions as he showed why he has been a Premier League regular this season.

One of those centres resulted in Villa doubling their lead in first-half injury time.

The midfielder received the ball on the right before creating the space to brilliantly find Carruthers ten yards out. He guided his header to the left of Shea and into the net, and Arsenal were two down.

The Gunners improved in the second half and through Chuks Aneke and Conor Henderson they twice came close to pulling a goal back.

First Aneke linked up well with Sunu before testing Guzan with a long-range curler and then Henderson drilled a low shot at the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

But the Gunners just could not find a way through.

They were denied time and space by a well-organised Villa midfield and on the occasions they did get into the final third they came up against a water-tight defensive quartet.

Substitute Roarie Deacon prevented his side from going further behind in the closing stages when cleared off the line from Chris Herd as Arsenal surrendered their unbeaten start.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3305171/reserves/arsenal-res-v-aston-villa-res?tab=report

[size=6]Wenger - Walcott 'very close' to striker role[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger believes Theo Walcott is "very, very close" to following Thierry Henry’s route from winger to Arsenal striker. But he does not want the comparison stretched beyond that.

The Englishman is set to start at Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday as Wenger’s men look to secure top spot in Group H.

So far, Walcott’s season has been characterised by two things – goals and a troublesome ankle problem. He returned with a brace from the right wing at Newcastle last week. For Wenger, it was no surprise but, just for the moment, he’ll still use him sparingly in the more attacking position.

“Theo can be a prolific goalscorer,” said the manager. “Once he is a yard in front of the defender no-one can catch him.

“He is very, very close to playing that striker role. But when you play with only one up front you like as well a guy who is good in the air as sometimes you kick it longer.

“Still look at the two goals he scored against Newcastle, they are from a typical striker goes who plays on a counter-attack.

“But most of the time we face teams with a different problem.

“We face teams that play very deep like West Ham so there is less space in behind. That is why at the moment I use him on the flanks.”

However Wenger has always seen Walcott’s long-term future in a central striking role. And that is where comparisons with Henry start. Not that the manager is prepared to stack up the Frenchman’s 226 goals in 370 appearances up against the 21-year-old nascent career just yet.

"It's difficult to compare the similarities,” said Wenger. “Is Thierry a replica of Theo? Is Theo a replica of Thierry? No. But they have in common tremendous pace, they are good finishers and both are intelligent.

"In England, you are very impatient. Thierry Henry came here at the age of 23 and Theo is 21. Give two more years to Theo and imagine what he will be.

"Don't forget that when Thierry Henry came here, he was a winger. When I played him as a central striker, he said to me 'but I can't score goals’.

“However I knew Thierry when he was 14 and at 15 I knew he could score goals when he played central. Then I left Monaco and they moved him to the flank but I knew in my head he could do it.

"It looks to me now that Theo has a calmness in front of goal. Before he rushed his decision but now he is different.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-walcott-very-close-to-striker-role

[size=6]Nasri named PFA Fans' Player of the Month[/size]

Samir Nasri is the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for October.

The Arsenal midfielder has pipped the likes of Rafael van der Vaart and Carlos Tevez to the award after a stellar month for Arsène Wenger's side.

Nasri scored three times in five appearances for Arsenal in October. He netted from the penalty spot against Birmingham and struck against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League before breaking the deadlock in a 3-0 win over Manchester City.

Wenger recent hailed Nasri as a "dream player" who has made great strides since he move to Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2008.

"When you analyse Samir Nasri he has all the qualities and he now adds efficiency to his game and that makes him a great player," said Wenger.

"He scores goals, he gives assists, he can go one against one, he can pass - he is all that you dream to have as a football player.

"I am convinced Samir is a better player than when he came here because he is more efficient in creating chances. In the final balls, his vision has improved and he is quicker playing forward.

“At 23 years old, your career starts at the top level and he is becoming more efficient.

"I think he has become stronger. He is quite a complete player because he can run with the ball, he is quick and he is a clinical finisher now. I believe we have a great player in him now."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/nasri-named-pfa-fans-player-of-the-month

[size=6]Preview: Shakhtar Donetsk - Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke in Donetsk

Just before kick-off on Wednesday night, Arsène Wenger will call for calm in the dressing room at the Donbass Arena and stress one vital point to his players.

Having garnered nine points and 14 goals from their first three Group H games, the Arsenal manager should be supremely confident of his side’s ability in Europe. At his pre-match press conference, he even proclaimed they were capable of winning anywhere on the planet.

No, Wenger does not need to chastise his side in this season’s Champions League. He just wants to warn them. The Frenchman has not been fooled by the 5-1 victory over Shakhtar a fortnight ago.

If Arsenal win in Donetsk and Braga fail to beat Belgrade then Wenger’s men will qualify as Group winners. Even if the Portuguese are victorious tonight, coupled with an Arsenal win in Donetsk, then they have to hammer Wenger’s men by seven clear goals at the end of November in order to overtake them. It is getting mathematical and academic.

In such circumstances, complacency sets in.“Yes there is a danger of that,” said Wenger.

“I will remind the players that Shakhtar are a good side that we caught maybe on a good day. They will try to get revenge at home and we have a good opportunity to qualify to directly from the group. We want to take this chance.

“If we take top spot you can ease off a little bit and of course treat the last two games with a more relaxed attitude. And sometimes that’s good when you need to rest a player before a big League game.

“But this game will demand a proper focus because Shakhtar are a good side with top quality. They have won the Europa League and certainly they have been hurt by what happened to them at Emirates. They will give absolutely everything. Don’t forget they played on Friday so they have all the needed preparation before this game.“I felt the first match was tighter than the score indicated. The pitch is good, so should be a good game because the two teams will attack.

“But as well we know can win anywhere in the world. We have done it before - we can win everywhere.”

Despite the call for focus, Wenger is not exactly treating this game as a cup final. He left behind Cesc Fabregas as a precaution. The captain felt his troublesome hamstring during the win over West Ham on Saturday and is not being risked. Andrey Arshavin (virus), Alex Song (calf) and Denilson (groin) are also absent.

That leaves the manager light in central midfield. Don’t be surprised if Craig Eastmond fills the breach in the holding role. The likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury have also made the trip. So, while this may be the Champions League, there will be a Carling Cup element to the bench.

The same was true when Arsenal last visited Donetsk a decade ago. The substitutes that night were Paolo Vernazza, Christopher Wreh, Alberto Mendez, Rhys Weston, Graham Barrett and Freddie Ljungberg and a veteran John Lukic. Only the Swede was a full first–teamer at the time.

That game was a dead rubber in a group from which Arsenal had already qualified. This game has more life, yet Wenger argues the class of 2010 hold a significant edge.“We are much stronger now,” said the manager at Tuesday’s press conference.

“Tomorrow we will have a very strong side, not comparable to the game played 10 years ago.

“Certainly we will face a team who will be up for it. Shakhtar are one of the strong sides in Europe, it will be an exciting game, no matter who is not here.”

Mircea Lucescu’s side lead their domestic League by five points and their heavy defeat at Emirates Stadium stands out like a beacon amid a run of 10 straight wins. They have been shut-out just once this season and scored the most popular goal of the night at Emirates Stadium when Eduardo hit the net. As promised, the striker did not celebrate against his former employers.

“Shakhtar dominate their League and they have just beaten Dymano Kiev,” said Wenger. “They are an unbeatable team here, at least locally, but we have a chance to beat them, so let's try to get the best out of our performance.“I feel they will be a completely different side at home. They have good technical quality so that means if you let them get into a flow they can cause you many problems.”

A decade ago, the Shakhtar trip caused a number of logistical issues for the Arsenal party. These days the facilities at the Donbass Arena are among the best on the Continent in preparation for Euro 2012.

But of course the distance has not changed and, for Wenger, that is the reason for his side’s relatively poor record in this part of Europe.“Yes well most of the time we played in Russia and Ukraine,” said Wenger. “And most of the time, when you go there, you play against very good teams.

“Also, if you have already qualified, it’s always very difficult. But when you have to travel far and it’s more demanding anyway.

“The only special preparations this time is a special plane for the players. We went only the day before the game so we need good conditions. Also we want to come back very quickly so we need a lighter travelling strain than usual.

“Overall we want to be a bit swifter and a bit more comfortable.”

That, of course, goes for qualification as well.
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[size=6]Report: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke at the Donbass Arena, Donetsk

Suddenly Group H does not look quite so easy.

Before they travelled to Donestk, Arsenal had amassed 14 goals in three straightforward wins during this season’s Champions League adventure. Another tonight would have all but assured top spot.

However, Eastern Europe is always difficult for Arsène Wenger’s men. They took the lead this evening through Theo Walcott’s early breakaway, but Craig Eastmond nodded a free-kick past his own keeper and, on the stroke of half-time, Gael Clichy was robbed on the right and Eduardo caressed a shot into the far corner.

As at Emirates, the ex-Arsenal striker did not celebrate.

The visitors controlled the game after the break but the closest they would come to an equaliser was when Jack Wilshere hooked a shot wide in the opening minutes.

After five straight wins, defeat is always damaging. But this one can be redeemed. Shakhtar, the closest challengers to Arsenal, are now out of the way. Both teams are tied on nine points with Wenger’s men holding the advantage in the head-to-head.

If they win their last two games they will still finish on top.

Arsenal still have control of Group H but their grip has been loosened by defeat here tonight.

Wenger made a welter of changes to the side that had left it so late against West Ham on Saturday.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Andrey Arshavin (virus), Denilson (groin) and Alex Song (calf) were all back in London. Meanwhile Marouane Chamakh, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna were left on the bench.

As a result, Arsenal needed a new central midfield trio. Wenger brought in Jack Wilshere from suspension, Tomas Rosicky from Saturday’s substitutes bench and Eastmond from the Carling Cup side.

Nicklas Bendtner was the lone front man. Emmanuel Eboue and Johan Djourou came in at right back and centre back respectively.

Loyalty demands that any Arsenal fan must love Emirates Stadium more than any other football ground. But, in the eyes of this observer at least, the Donbass Arena is a tempting mistress. It is cavernous yet intimate, daunting yet inspiring – an awesome amphitheatre.

But, of course, the home fans made the atmosphere. The noise was intense as the two teams walked out and every early touch by the visitors was whistled.

In the opening seconds, Darijo Srna curled a free-kick into the midriff of Lukasz Fabianski and, just before Walcott scored, Dmytro Chygrynskiy saw a deflected header fly wide.

But while that was going on, Arsenal were settling to their task. They had already gone close when Nasri weaved inside and grazed the base of the post with a shot from 20 yards out.

And, from the corner that Chygrynskiy won, the visitors took the lead.

It was all so incredibly simple. The ball was half-cleared to Walcott, who clipped a pass to Wilshere. He knocked it back into the path of the scampering Arsenal winger, who turned on the turbo from inside his own half and slotted past the keeper.

It was his seventh goal in eight appearances (four starting and four as substitute) this season.

Suddenly Shakhtar were, once again, the side that had shipped five goals at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago. The goal drained them of confidence and Arsenal had the upper hand.

The home side needed belief from somewhere. And, in the 16th minute, they so nearly got it.

Luiz Adriano cut the ball back from the left-hand byline and Jadson’s goalbound shot hit Djourou at close range. The ball went back out to the left and, when it was returned into the middle, the same striker hit the post with a firm header.

Soon afterwards, Chygrynskiy’s stinging drive forced a fine save from Fabianski.

By now, Shakhtar had built up a head of steam and were starting to pin back the visitors into their own area. Arsenal’s defending had already got desperate by the time they conceded the equaliser on the half-hour.

Eboue brought down the tricky Willian on the left. Jadson swung over the free-kick to the near post and, though Chygrynskiy ran off claiming the goal, replays showed the ball had only brushed the head of the Shakhtar player but got a more significant touch from Eastmond.

The strike proved that Shakhtar are a confidence side. You can see that from the way they fell apart and Emirates and the invention they gained this evening having restored parity.

In the 33rd minute, Eduardo pass nutmegged Clichy and found Jadson in the area. His snap-shot was saved but, all of sudden, it was Arsenal who needed a rejuvenating glimmer of hope.

Six minutes from the break, Eastmond won the ball in the midfield, rode a challenge then spread the ball wide to Bendtner. His first-time touch found Walcott with only the keeper to beat but the England international was robbed by Srna before he could convert.

That was some form of response and, as half-time approached, it seemed that Arsenal would find the sanctity of half time on level terms. But there would be a sting in the tail.

Just before the whistle, Srna thieved the ball from Clichy on the right and fired a low cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Arsenal fans know all too well that is Eduardo’s territory. Almost inevitably, he sidefooted the ball beyond Fabianski and into the far corner.

As at Emirates a fortnight ago, he kept his counsel having hit the net.

Wenger did not make changes at the break and it seemed the game had altered little in the opening minutes of the second period. But then Arsenal fashioned two fine chances.

In the 53rd minute, Bendtner’s intended pass to Wilshere found Willian on the edge of the area. But the Englishman stole the ball back and, with time to pick his spot, scythed a shot wide.

Shortly afterwards, Rosicky’s dummy allowed Walcott to fire towards the far corner but it had insufficient power to beat keeper Andriy Pyatov.

The game was now a curious scene. As the mist came down in Donetsk as the crowd indulged in a joyous Mexican wave, meanwhile Arsenal were taking control.

In the 64th minute, Clichy hoisted a long ball forward and Sebastien Squillaci, who had stayed up after a corner, powered a header straight at Pyatov when he should have scored. Then Walcott tested Pyatov twice – once from distance, once with a curler.

However, while Arsenal were to have more of the chances and territory, Shakthar were ominous on the break. The pace of Jadson, Willian and Adriano had troubled Wenger’s defence all evening. They failed to test Fabianski in the third quarter of the game but it was not for the want of trying.

Having brought on Carlos Vela and Chamakh, Wenger made his third attacking change with nine minutes left. Jay Emmanuel Thomas for Walcott.

The Englishman set up the Mexican’s swivelling snapshot with five minutes left.

Arsenal piled forward until the final whistle but the closest either side came to a goal was when Olexiy Gai forced Fabianski to fingertip the ball around the far post.

A disappointing night for Arsenal.
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