Soft penalty..... again! I didn't know and arm wrestle = penalty. No contact with feet, not a shirt tug i could see, looked as if Cesc knew he was done (look at replays he had to stretch forward for the touch)and decided to go forwards over the player who got inside him. Poor decision for me.

Edited by benelsmore: 23/1/2011 01:34:13 PM

[size=6]Report: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan[/size]

By Richard Clarke at Emirates Stadium

Robin van Persie registered the first hat-trick of his career as Arsenal outclassed Wigan at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Dutchman thumped home from Alex Song’s pass in the 21st minute and a Cesc Fabregas chip on the hour to secure the points. But it seemed that elusive treble had gone when, 10 minutes later, he hacked a penalty over the bar after the Spaniard had been brought down.

But this was destined to be Van Persie’s afternoon. In his pre-match press conference, Arsène Wenger had said the 27-year-old was “95 per cent” right after a season stymied by last summer’s World Cup and then, the old problem, injury.

This hat-trick must surely give him that final five per cent. He kept going after the penalty miss; hitting the post almost immediately. And then he finally thundered home a third five minutes from full time.

Wigan have never got a Premier League point at Arsenal and they were not likely to today. The home side dominated from the first whistle and would have doubled their final tally if Ali Al Habsi had not made a string of stunning first-half saves.

To be honest, a regulation win was expected today but Arsenal were better than that. Wenger’s men were at their controlled and incisive best.

The victory sends them second, probably only until Manchester City play later this evening, but with Van Persie in this form, Arsenal could be hitting a hot streak.

Before kick-off, Wenger switched around half a side for the visit of Wigan. Van Persie, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Gael Clichy and Fabregas all came in. Andrey Arshavin, Denilson, Kieran Gibbs, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner all dropped out.

Five changes has been the norm in recent weeks. It was three less than the number Wenger had made for the reverse fixture on December 29. A tactic that, some thought, had disrupted his team at the DW Stadium as Sebastien Squillaci’s own goal secured Wigan a late point.

That was the last time Arsenal had conceded in a Premier League game and Wenger’s men would have been on top of the table had they held on. With the title contenders so tight at the top, only victory was good enough this afternoon.

And, straight from the off, that was never really in doubt.

The first 45 minutes were pretty much Arsenal versus Al Habsi. The Omani keeper made a decent stop from Samir Nasri’s low drive in the opening stages. It would be the first save of a busy half.

In the ninth minute, Walcott reached the byline and cut back an inviting cross to Van Persie six yards out. The Dutchman made fierce contact but Al Habsi threw himself to his right to palm the ball behind.

The game had quickly found a pattern – Arsenal pressing, Wigan being pressed.

In the 10th minute, Gary Caldwell clipped Fabregas inches outside the area and Nasri thumped the free-kick into the wall.

On the quarter-hour, Walcott reached the same byline and this time Caldwell threw himself at Fabregas’ shot and managed to block.

Wigan were so preoccupied with defending that, at this stage, they could offer nothing going forward.

And, after 21 minutes the inevitable happened.

Song sent Van Persie clear into the area on the left-hand side. The Dutchman fired home his sixth goal of the season.

Sometimes Arsenal take their foot off the gas when they take the lead. This afternoon they kept the pedal to the metal.

On the half-hour, Wilshere wriggled clear in midfield and fed Bacary Sagna on the right. His curling cross was touched back by Nasri for Fabregas. Al Habsi pulled off another super save.

Sagna then found the captain, who nutmegged Steven Caldwell and bore down on goal before being dispossessed.

In the 34th minute, Van Persie sent Walcott sprinting clear but the England international decided to square to Fabregas. The Spaniard was dispossessed by Steve Gohouri and Walcott’s follow up was saved.

Six minutes from the break, Fabregas found space in the area but Al Habsi saved again. Shortly afterwards, Arsenal brokeaway with men to spare but Nasri sidefooted straight at Al Habsi when he had other options available.

If this first-half report reads like a procession of Arsenal chances with little coming back then this reporter has done his job. Wenger’s men were utterly in control but, to use a phrase applied to Arsenal all too often, their dominance was not reflected in the scoreline.

The home side were slower off the blocks in the second period. Apart from Nasri’s deflected shot and Walcott’s effort from an acute angle there was little of note in the first 15 minutes.

Then Fabregas picked out Van Persie with an exquisite 30-yard pass over the Wigan defence. The Dutchman stole in at the far post and volleyed home.

It was exactly what Arsenal needed. The cushion settled them down and the visitors still appeared to be toothless this afternoon.

In the 70th minute, Song sent Fabregas clear in the area and Gary Caldwell hauled him down. It was a clear penalty and a clear red card.

Van Persie was given the chance for a hat-trick but hooked his effort high over the bar. The Dutchman was more than disappointed with the miss. He buried his head in the Emirates turf before playing on.

The memory did not linger long. Four minutes later, he curled a cross-shot against the outside of the post.

Five minutes from full time, Van Persie found redemption. Walcott held off his marker and tapped the ball back for the Dutchman to thump home. He celebrated like it meant something.

Three points, three goals and still none conceded in the Premier League during 2011.

Arsenal are on the march.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3284139/first-team/arsenal-v-wigan-athletic?tab=report

Lots of reports in England saying we've won the race to sign that young lad Chamberlain from Southampton and he;ll apparently spend the rest of the season on loan there. He reportedly said that he wants to join Arsenal but wants to stay with Southampton till the end of the season.

Vela joins Baggies on loan
Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has joined Premier League rivals West Brom on loan until the end of the season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was keen to send the 21-year-old out to a club in the English top flight in order to build experience, and Bolton were reported to be in talks.

Spanish side Valencia were also credited with an interest, but Wenger's preference to ensure that Vela remained in England seems to have been an important factor.

As a result, Roberto Di Matteo's struggling West Brom have won the race for the Mexican, who signed a long-term contract with Arsenal in December 2009, and he is due to stay at The Hawthorns until May.

Di Matteo told West Brom's official website: "I'd like to officially welcome Carlos, who is an exciting signing for this club.

"Carlos is a new attacking option for us who can play both centrally and in the wide areas.

"He also has great technical ability and pace and we're hoping he can make a big impact during the remainder of the season.

"There's no doubt that Carlos has the potential to become a great player and it will hopefully be a win-win situation, where we help him by giving him game time in the Premier League while he helps us achieve our goal

"Having said all that, we have to remember he is still a young boy learning his trade and we will be giving him all the support he needs during his time here.

"Arsenal and Carlos had a lot of options and I'm delighted both the club and player have chosen us.

"It's been well documented that Arsenal were keen for Carlos to stay in this country and the Premier League but I think a key factor was that they looked favourably on our style of play and performances this season."

Vela has enjoyed previous loan stints with Salamanca and Osasuna in Spain, but he is already a senior international and represented Mexico at the 2010 World Cup.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6707375,00.html

[size=6]Preview: Arsenal v Huddersfield Town[/size]

By Richard Clarke

“We can call him a ‘super pioneer’ because he really turned this Club into one that was ready for the modern era. He was ahead of his time and he was certainly the most influential manager.”

Surprisingly those words were spoken by, not about, Arsène Wenger this week.

The Arsenal manager was actually referring to Herbert Chapman, a man who brought the first real success to the newly-installed North London side when he arrived from Huddersfield in the summer of 1925.

The Yorkshireman won four League titles – two with each team – and two FA Cups, the second of which, in 1930, was Arsenal’s first major honour.

The side they beat in that final was Huddersfield Town so the Terriers’ visit to Emirates Stadium on Sunday for a Fourth Round tie in the same competition is heavy with history.

“It is a big tradition,” admitted Wenger at his press conference on Friday. “We even went to play a friendly with them in pre-season [in 2008] on the demand of our chairman because there is a long traditional link between Huddersfield and Arsenal.

“We are a modern club but have as well a big respect for tradition. It has a special meaning because Chapman was the most influential manager at this Club. So we have of course big respect for that.”

The current Huddersfield side are third in League One and gunning for promotion under Lee Clark. They have lost only once in their last seven games and beat Cambridge, Macclesfield and Dover to reach the Fourth Round. Arsenal’s 17-year-old striker Benik Afobe is about to start another loan spell at the Galpharm Stadium but is ineligible for this game because, unlike Sanchez Watt in the last round against Leeds, his deal was not for a full season.

Arsenal have had trouble negotiating Championship sides recently but they have not lost to a side outside the top two tiers since Wrexham in 1992 – which was historic for entirely different reasons.

Wenger’s side is likely to be much-changed from one that beat Ipswich to reach the Carling Cup Final on Tuesday. After that game, the manager said he would like to play one side against Huddersfield and an entirely different one against Everton in the Premier League 48 hours later.

He is a few players short of being able to do that but the return of Tomas Rosicky (sickness), Abou Diaby (calf), Manuel Almunia (ankle) and Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) means he has more options at his disposal.

The Spaniard’s comeback after fourth months out is particularly intriguing given that, on Friday, Wenger said Wojciech Szczesny was the current No 1 and the gloves were his to lose. A decision on Sunday’s custodian will be made on the morning of the match.

This will be the ninth game of a massive January for Wenger’s side in every sense. In their 124 years, Arsenal have never played so many matches in the first month of the year. And, apart from a goalless draw with Manchester City in which they dominated, Wenger’s men have a 100 per cent record. Remember they may have lost to Ipswich and drawn with Leeds in individual games but the won both ties.

In those eight games they have conceded just three times (all in cup competitions) and have scored 16 goals – including three in each of their last four games.

“That's a consequence of our style which is always trying and go forward and score goals,” said Wenger. “Some periods we are a bit less successful at doing it. But not now.”

It may be ‘only’ the Carling Cup to some but Arsenal’s players have had a sense of euphoria all this week. How can you dismiss a trophy you have never won? Or, for many of them, how can you dismiss a trophy when you have never won one at all?

But one thing is certain - Arsenal’s season will not be judged on the Carling Cup alone when they are Manchester United’s closest rivals in the Premier League and the Champions League is in the Knockout Stage. That does leave two questions of course. Where does the FA Cup fit in? And can Arsenal realistically go for all four trophies?

“Well quadruple is not a bad word,” said Wenger, answering the second part. “It is a very good word but, of course, we are far from that.

“What is good is that we are involved in all competitions and we are hungry to do as well as we can.

“What can we do? We don't know. But we are happy because we won our last game. We are on a good run and feel we have a good confidence level and a good attitude in the whole squad.
“We are getting stronger and stronger, so this is what we want to do.

“Of course if we are involved in the four competitions we need a super-realistic approach, focus on the next game and just try to win it.

“You build the confidence in the team slowly and you lose it very quickly. One big bad result and you are down very quickly. So it's important to keep our feet on the ground and to show we have learned from Leeds and Ipswich how difficult these games can be.

“But the FA Cup is very important for us. Did you see the team we played at Leeds? That just means it has an importance, we could have gone to Leeds and said ‘OK, we go with a reserve team’.

“But we went with a first team squad and we had everybody fired up and playing. We had to fight to qualify and so we focus on Huddersfield right now.”

Of course, those were Wenger’s words but they could have easily come from Chapman.

It seems the ‘super-pioneer’s' legacy is in good hands.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3359650/first-team/arsenal-v-huddersfield-town?tab=preview

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

By Richard Clarke at Emirates Stadium

Once again, a late spot-kick from Cesc Fabregas proved to be Arsenal’s salvation in the FA Cup on Sunday.

In the Third Round, the Spaniard came off the bench to slot home a last-gasp equaliser from 12 yards against Leeds. This afternoon, the captain saw off Huddersfield with a penalty four minutes from time.

Suffice to say, it was a huge relief for everyone - bar the 9,000 visiting fans - at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had started well and deservedly took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner’s deflected drive midway through the first half. But Huddersfield defied the 45 places that separated the two sides in the ladder of English football. They pressured the home team and, after Sebastien Squillaci had been dismissed for hauling down Jack Hunt, fully merited Alan Lee’s leveller in the 66th minute.

That Fabregas finale was a blessed relief. After a historically busy January, the last thing Arsenal needed was another replay.

Their Sunday was also blighted by a hamstring injury to Samir Nasri.

But at least they are through in the FA Cup.

It was a day of comebacks for Arsenal. Manuel Almunia started his first game since the 3-2 defeat to West Brom just over four months ago. The Spaniard had been sidelined by an elbow injury and then, just as he was about the return, he had badly damaged his ankle.

Abou Diaby was also back for his first game since the 2-2 draw at Wigan on December 29. He had been suffering from a calf injury. Squillaci, returning himself from a hamstring problem, had scored a late own goal at the DW Stadium that night. He had only played one game since then – the Third Round tie against Leeds. In addition, Tomas Rosicky was back after three weeks out with sickness but he only made the bench.

This was Arsenal’s ninth game in January - a club record – so the remainder of Wenger’s changes were the usual ‘shuffling’.

Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Marouane Chamakh all returned after starting as substitutes against Ipswich in midweek. Bacary Sagna was missing after collecting a head injury during that game but Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Wojciech Szczesny and Jack Wilshere were available yet left on the bench. Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou were omitted entirely.

Huddersfield were without Benik Afobe. Unlike Sanchez Watt in the last round, the on-loan Arsenal striker was not eligible play. The Yorkshire side filled their ticket allocation at Emirates Stadium. In recent weeks, that sort of support had become a regular and welcome sight in North London.

Arsenal had been lethargic against Leeds in the Third Round tie at the start of the month. But they started much better this afternoon.

After three minutes Arshavin hacked a shot over the bar having been set up but Bendtner’s persistence.

In the 12th minute, the Russian returned the favour but the Dane bundled it wide from close range.

Arsenal were attacking at will with Arshavin getting on the end of most of the good work. However, by Wenger’s own admission, the 29-year-old is not at his sharpest right now.

In the 20th minute, Nasri’s chipped a cross-field pass to Bendtner on the right of the area. He hung out a lame leg and dribbled a shot at keeper Ian Bennett. It drew the derision of the visiting fans.

A minute later, Bendtner cupped his ear to the same supporters in celebration after controlling a similar pass from the Frenchman and firing home. However he did receive a helpful deflection from the sliding Peter Clarke.

Huddersfield had conceded an early goal, usually a nightmare scenario at Emirates, but they were never going to lie down today.

Almost immediately, Anthony Pilkington fired over a dangerous low cross from the right and Lee just failed to add the finishing touch at the near post.

Then, just before the half-hour, Denilson handed the ball straight to Lee who fed Pilkington on the right once more. His low shot flashed across the area and just beyond the far post.

It was proper pressure alright but Arsenal still had all the class. Arshavin shoveled a backheel into the path of Bendtner whose angled drive was smothered messily at the near post by Bennett.

Then, the home side suffered a blow. Nasri pulled up under no pressure holding his hamstring and immediately called for attention. He was replaced by Rosicky – numerically and as captain - before going down the tunnel immediately. With big games coming up in the next month, it was a worrying sign.

The Frenchman’s departure seemed to affect Arsenal and they nearly conceded twice before half-time. First, Pilkington ghosted in and headed wide from Joey Gudjonsson’s cross then the Icelander drifted a cross just wide.

Then three minutes from the whistle Arsenal were hit by another blow. Hunt burst through and was bundled over by Squillaci. The Frenchman was the last man and referee Mark Clattenburg had little option but to administer a red card.

It was Arsenal’s seventh dismissal of the season but Squillaci’s first in five years.

Denilson covered the centre back role until the break but that was never a longer-term option.

With Djourou missing, Song was the only solution on the bench. The issue was which player made way. In the end, Chamakh got ‘hooked’ at half-time.

But it was now a different game.

Yes, Arshavin drove a shot into the sidenetting in the opening seconds however Huddersfield dominated the third quarter of the game. They smelt weakness in Arsenal and went for the jugular.

In the 55th minute, Arshavin tracked back and got a crucial toe-poke to the ball as Gudjonsson seemed set to score.

Then Jamie McCombe and Lee went perilously close with headers - the second of which brushed the post.

Almunia made a brilliant save from the latter on the hour; clawing the ball from behind him like David Seaman had down so famously against Sheffield United in the Semi-Final eight years ago.

But Huddersfield had built up a head of steam now and a goal seemed be coming.

It arrived in the 66th minute when Lee thundered home a header from Pilkington’s corner.

Wenger’s response was to bring on Fabregas for Diaby. Arsenal’s response was to go close twice. First, Koscielny’s drive was blocked and, when the ball was returned, Bendtner nodded inches over the bar.

The Dane cracked a drive over shortly afterwards – as did Arshavin. It seemed that Arsenal had steadied themselves.

With 10 minutes left, Denilson pulled up in similar fashion to Nasri. With all their substitutes made, Arsenal would have been left with nine men if the Brazilian was forced off.

After treatment he hobbled on but did not seem to be 100 per cent right.

Strangely, Huddersfield had taken their foot off the gas after their goal and allowed Arsenal back into the tie.

Four minutes from time, they were made to regret it when Bendtner appeared to be hauled down by McCombe and Fabregas steered home the penalty.

In the final stages, the captain was happy to hold the ball in the corner and kill time. Meanwhile the home fans applauded Huddersfield off the pitch.

They had pushed Arsenal to the limit this afternoon and a side with less mental fortitude would have buckled.

But Wenger’s men are better than that this term.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3359650/first-team/arsenal-v-huddersfield-town?tab=report

[size=6]Ryo Miyaichi completes move to Arsenal[/size]

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that young Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi has joined the Gunners on a long-term contract.

18 year-old Miyaichi has just completed taking part in the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament in his home country, where he represented Chukyodai Chukyo High School.

In order to gain valuable experience, Miyaichi has joined Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord on loan for the remainder of the 2010/11 season to further develop his game.

Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted that Ryo Miyaichi has joined us. He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world. We wish him luck in Rotterdam with Feyenoord and we look forward to helping him with his continued progression when he returns to Arsenal.”

Everyone at the Club welcomes Ryo to Arsenal and wish him the best of luck during his time with Feyenoord.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ryo-miyaichi-completes-move-to-arsenal

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

By Richard Clarke at Emirates Stadium

There are ‘moments’ in any title-winning season; history may portray this as one.

Arsenal trailed to a highly-controversial goal for 45 fraught and frantic minutes on Tuesday night before a rapid double repaired their Premier League aspirations.

Louis Saha struck midway through the first half to give Everton the lead. The Frenchman was clearly offside when Seamus Coleman chipped through a pass but the officials somehow interpreted that the ‘second phase’ had been enacted when Laurent Koscielny’s attempted clearance dropped into the path of the striker.

The decision hung over the game like a black cloud after that. The visitors’ robust, well-structured game plan only added to the frustration.

In the circumstances, it was highly ironic that Andrey Arshavin would prove to be a catalyst for the revival. The Russian has been off-form recently and therefore started this game on the bench. Eight minutes after his arrival in the middle of the second half, he would volley Arsenal level.

The goal broke Everton’s resistance and, five minutes later, Koscielny plundered a header from Robin van Persie’s corner.

With Manchester United and a resurgent Chelsea both winning this evening, victory was essential. Arsenal held their nerve and their sense of injustice sufficiently to come through unscathed.

It bodes well for the battle ahead.

Before Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Huddersfield, Wegner had predicted that he would play two different sides for back to back games in 48 hours. He was nearly right.

Only Koscielny was retained from the weekend. The returnees were entirely expected – the notables were Tomas Rosicky replacing Arshavin and Bacary Sagna coming back after suffering a head injury last week against Ipswich.

January had been a mammoth month for Arsenal and had ended with a mammoth transfer deadline day.

The passing of both represented a minor watershed in the campaign. A line had been drawn and the rest of the season started now.

However, Arsenal did not match the mood in the opening 15 minutes. The home side were lethargic and Everton made them pay. They did not create chances, only pressure, but the visitors had outplayed Arsenal at Emirates Stadium last season and were unfortunate to only get a point. Despite their lowly position Moyes' men were of a similar calibre this term – tough, aggressive with a more than a smattering of class.

Arsenal knew what was coming.

However by the quarter-hour, the home side had woken up. Van Persie’s right-wing free-kick was deflected behind by Phil Neville. Then the Dutchman backheeled a wonderful opportunity for the onrushing Fabregas, who shanked his shot wide.

In the 22nd minute, Alex Song challenged Johnny Heitinga on the edge of the area and the ball fell kindly for Walcott, whose drive cannoned off the legs of Tim Howard.

The home side had snatched control of the game so the opening goal was against the run of play in itself. The controversy surrounding it only added to the annoyance around Emirates Stadium.

Coleman tried to find Saha from midfield but miscued his attempted clearance and, when the ball was played, the Frenchman was offside. However, Koscielny tried to clear the ball and hooked it straight into the path of Saha, who played on and scored.

The Arsenal defence stood aghast as Everton celebrated. They had fully expected a flag. After the ball had been placed back on the centre spot, the referee and his assistant consulted but, to a cacophony of boos, the original decision stood.

The home tried to rally. Djourou nudged a header wide from Van Persie’s corner then Fabregas burst through and drove beyond the far post.

But a sense of injustice remained – both on the pitch and in the crowd.

Arsenal were struggling to retain their poise while, quite understandably, Everton were looking to take advantage. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Marouane Fellaini drove dangerously down the left-hand channel

The half-time conversations around Emirates were crammed full with indignation and interpretations of the offside law. That goal was not going away.

Abou Diaby replaced Song for the restart. The Cameroon international had required treatment during the first half and presumably that had forced him off.

The opening 10 minutes were full of energy and endeavour by Arsenal. Van Persie hit a free-kick into the wall and then stung Howard’s hands. Inbetween Gael Clichy’s optimistic drive deflected wide.

Tensions were running high. On the hour, Van Persie earned the sixth booking of the evening for trying to haul Mikael Arteta to his feet.

It was an indication of the frustration Arsenal were now suffering. Everton’s shape and discipline only added the problem. Arshavin came on for Rosicky, then Nicklas Bendtner replaced Jack Wilshere.

It was a throw of the dice by Wenger – a gamble.

And it paid off.

In the 70th minute, Fabregas clipped a lofted ball forward and Jack Rodwell’s header dropped kindly for Arshavin, who volleyed home.

The goal was a massive relief. The scorer was a massive irony. Arshavin was perhaps the only player on the pitch that needed a goal more than his team.

As a result, Arsenal were re-born.

Bendtner bicycled kicked a shot into the arms of Howard, then Van Persie’s free-kick forced the Everton No 1 to fingertip the ball on to the roof of the net.

Then Arsenal struck again. Van Persie floated a corner to the far post and Koscielny thundered home his third goal of the season.

Everton responded as best they could but, after the early goal, they had barely tested Wojciech Szczesny. It was too little too late for them.

Arsenal, however, had found their goal-scoring touch just in time tonight.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3284257/first-team/arsenal-v-everton?tab=report

Love this picture.

[size=6]Koscielny - We're Man Utd's main challenger[/size]

By Chris Harris

Laurent Koscielny believes Arsenal have established themselves as the main challengers to Manchester United in the race to be Premier League champions.

Sir Alex Ferguson's pacesetters beat Aston Villa on Tuesday night but they could not extend their five-point lead at the top because Arsenal fought back from a goal down to overcome Everton at Emirates Stadium.

Arsène Wenger's side had to show character as well as class to stay in touch with the unbeaten leaders and Koscielny - who scored Arsenal's winner - thinks they are the team United should fear the most as they chase the Premier League crown.

"It looks like we are the main contender," said Koscielny.

"They are five points ahead of us, they've already got more points on Man City, Chelsea and the others. Those teams can come back strong as well but it looks like we can challenge United.

"We just need to focus on our games and not look too much at theirs. If we keep winning, hopefully they will drop points at some point. If we keep winning we can catch up with them.

"It's not going to be easy but we've got big faith in ourselves and in the squad. We do believe we can do it."

The sheer competitiveness of this season's Premier League has seen all of the top teams drop plenty of points along the way and, although United currently hold a five-point advantage, Koscielny insists that is not insurmountable.

"Anything can happen in this league this season," he said. "You saw on Tuesday night that it was a tough game for us against a very good Everton team and it will be the same for United in the last games of the season.

"We need to stay focused and keep working hard together - that is the key because if we don't concede goals we will always have an opportunity to score ourselves.

"It is going to be a big battle between us and United and hopefully they will drop more points than us."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/koscielny-we-re-man-utd-s-main-challenger