Arsenal's Journey towards Glory : Huge win for Gunners

[Ayub 95]

He's not playing Richards as he's being unveiled in Jan 09 if you were reading properly

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Oh right yeah. I only read the match reports properly.

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Damn...that loss sucks.

Nice stuff!

 

[treva]

Not that big a loss really as another win will put you through, but now it's Mourinho 1-1 Wenger on in the head-to-head standings!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report : Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 1

(Agbonlahor celebrates injury time winner)

Gabriel Agbonlahor snatched three points for Aston Villa with an injury-time goal in a pulsating encounter with Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas gave the visitors the lead on six minutes, the midfielder pouncing on 's deflected through-ball and rifling his shot home. Villa equalised when an Ashley Young cross-shot was deflected past Igor Akinfeyev by Kolo Toure. And substitute Agbonlahor latched on to Young's pass to seal a deserved first win of the in four games for Villa.

It will come as a relief to manager Martin O'Neill, who was banished from the dug-out after an angry exchange with referee Mike Riley at half-time. Samir Nasri had the first chance of the game when his shot was blocked after a sweet cross-field ball from Gareth Barry and a cushioned pass from Roque Santa Cruz. And Fabregas put Arsenal ahead shortly after, slamming his shot past Brad Feidel in the Villa goal.

The lively Young had Villa's first sight on goal, but the 23-year-old forward shot straight at Akinfeyev. Young shot wide on 16 minutes after a mazy run before John Carew was dispossessed by Miakel Silvestre when through on goal. Arsenal should have had a penalty shortly after when defender Martin Laursen blocked Barry's left-footed shot with his arm.

But the hosts, looking for their first win since four games, took control as the first half progressed. On 32 minutes, Carew should have done better with only the keeper to beat, the Norwegian striker shooting tamely at Akinfeyev. And three minutes later Young teed up James Milner with a slide-rule pass but the England U-21 midfielder dragged his right-footed shot wide.

Carew, afforded acres of space by the Arsenal defenders, hit the bar with a bullet header in first-half injury time and the whistle was followed by boos from the Villa faithful. Immediately after the restart, Villa substitute Steve Sidwell sent a rasping shot just wide after a clever turn before Rosicky struck the base of Freidel's post at the other end.

But O'Neill's half-time team talk did pay dividends when Young, who gave Arsenal's defenders a torrid time all afternoon, levelled after another teasing run. Sidwell forced Akinfeyev into a fine sprawling save on 59 minutes before Carew, once again rising above the Arsenal markers, sent a header wide. Carew, who could have scored four or five, ballooned another free header over the bar before Villa thought they had snatched a winner on 70 minutes.

The teasing Young was checked by Emmanuel Eboue on the edge of the area and Riley had blown his whistle before Sidwell could slot the ball home. Young bent the resulting free-kick inches over the bar. James Milner slotted home with two minutes remaining but was ruled off-side, but Agbonlahor made Villa's dominance tell after a magnificent through-ball from Young.

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*Martin O'Neill

"Ashley was sensational. When he's in that type of form we always look capable of scoring. It was a great ball from Ashley [for Gabriel Agbonlahor's late winner] and, knowing Gabriel from long time now, I was confident he would finish. It would have been an injustice if we hadn't won. We were exhilarating going forward and the crowd stayed with us."

*Jose Mourinho

"We have lost two consecutive games now and we need to play well in the next match . Well referee's dont like to give penalties to me may be . Today that was a clear penalty and again Mike made a big mistake which denied us atleast a point. We didnt play according to our standards and expectations but we deserved a point."

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Aston Villa: Friedel ; Young, Knight, Laursen, Shorey ; Petrov, Reo-Coker(Sidwell 60'), Milner, Young ; Carew, Harewood(Agbonlahor 65')
Unused Subs: Cuellar , Salifou, Davies

Booked: Shorey

Goals: Toure 51' og , Agbonlahor 90'

Arsenal: Akinfeyev ; Eboue(Sagna 79'), Gallas, Toure, Silvestre(Walcott 67') ; Barry, Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky(c) ; Santa Cruz, Adebayor
Unused Subs: Almunia, Ramsey, Clichy

Booked: Eboue

Goals: Fabrgas 6'

Att: 36,700

Ref: Mike Riley​

 

[Karachi Xpress]

2 losses in a row Arsenal seriously need a good comeback!

 

[Jaztheman]

Just a patch of bad form, always happens. Will be good to see how you and the team choose to bounce back from this.

Great stuff as usual Shan.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Match Report: Newcastle 2 Arsenal 3

(van Persie celebrates his winner)

A Robin van Persie goal booked Arsenal's place in the Carling Cup fourth round in a hard-fought win over Newcastle United.

The Gunners went in front when Cesc Fabregas's square ball was put into his own net by defender Stuart Taylor. Fabregas's inswinging cross sneaked inside the far post for their second before Michael Owen pulled one back for Newcastle with a 20-yard curler. Martins headed a powerful equaliser in stoppage time, but van Persie's neat finish secured the win early in extra-time.

Arsenal were deserved winners but the Magpies boss kevin keegan will be delighted with the way his side pushed the Gunners side all the way. Owne's goal came shortly before the half-time whistle and Martin's equaliser arrived three minutes into added time.

After substitute van Persie put Arsenal back in front with a side-footed finish from inside the area, Arsenal should have pegged them back again right at the end of the first period of extra-time when Stuart Taylor's free header rattled the crossbar.

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*Jose Mourinho

"We played good football and we needed his win . Finally we have won one game in our last three matches . Fabregas was brilliant today and hope we keep the same form going into the next match."

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Newcastle United: Given ; Geremi, Taylor, Colcinni, N'Zogbia ; Martins, Butt(Guthrie 67'), Barton, Smith(Jonas 65') ; Viduka, Owen(c)
Unused Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Edgar

Booked: Geremi

Goals: Owen 44' , Martin 90'

Arsenal: Almunia ; Sagna, Gallas(c), Toure, Clichy ; Walcott(Rosicky 102'), Fabregas, Nasri(van Persie 87'), Barry ; Ramsey, Santa Cruz(Vela 75')
Unused Subs: Akinfeyev, Adebayor

Booked: Sagna, Toure

Goals: Taylor og 21', Fabregas 39' , v.Persie 96'

Att: 40,123

Ref: Howard Webb​

 

[treva]

Well too close for comfort but at least it's a win! Not the usual goal scorers but they all count. Left it to extra time but at least you made it through. Still think that Arsenal should concentrate on getting it right in the league rather than in the cup.

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Not too good of a win...but a win is a win. Arsenal now need to concentrate more on their game and win more games in the league.

Nice presentation!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

:happy:happy Wow 100 Posts thanks a lot all for following this story :happy:happy

Special Thanks to Treva, Karachi Xpress and Jaz :hpraise:hpraise

 

[Karachi Xpress]

:happy:happy Wow 100 Posts thanks a lot all for following this story :happy:happy

Special Thanks to Treva, Karachi Xpress and Jaz :hpraise:hpraise

Its all your hard work that has payed off. Great story Keep the good stuff coming!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Megson and Tevez swoop Awards

Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Bolton boss Gary Megson have won the Premier League player and manager of the month awards for October.

Tevez, 24, has been outstanding as champions United who lead the the Premier League table by just one point and have already qualified for Champions League Knockout stage.

Megson has been rewarded for Bolton's fine run to third place in the league.

League Table

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Good season so far for Man UTD and Liverpool. Arsenal can get up there in no time Go Gunners

 

[treva]

Need to make that game in hand count. Arsenal don't want to have too much to do come the 2nd half of the season!