REPORT: Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (Agg. 1-3)

UDINESE 1 - 2 ARSENAL

(Agg. 1 - 3)

Match Report

UEFA Champions League

Stadio Friuli

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kick-off: 19:45

Firstly I haven't been able to post the last couple of days as I haven't had much opportunity to sit in front if a computer that didn't involve work.

Arsenal played Udinese last night to what could potentially have been the end of our season in extreme ways. If we lost the game we would have lost a lot of finncial benefits, also we would have found it incredibly hard to attract any player that we're looking to sign before the transfer window. Going 1-0 down to their only potent striker Di Natale with a brilliant lobbed header, which hit the post and just about went in.

The second half proved to be the best 45 minutes Arsenal have played this season. Arsenal equalised from Gervinho's directness, which he skipped past his marker with ease to the by-line, in which he cut back to van Persie for the easiest of finishes.

Arsenal could have gone behind with the most bizarre penalty, which replays shows Vermaelen hand handled the ball. The penalty was well struck, hard with pace, but at a comfortable height for Szczesny, who managed to tip the ball over the bar. To be fair it was a great save, which cements his No.1 even more.

Arsenal took advantage with this and when Theo was puy through on the left with lots of space to eat up, there was only one winner. Theo couldn't miss this one like he did in the first half, and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 on the night and 3-1 overall. Udinese needed 3 goals more to win the tie, they had no chance.

So Arsenal are through and it proves that this team can still play and put in a solid defensive display when it matters. I was impressed with Jenkinson who was probably our man of the match. Gervinho was very impressive and could become an Arsenal great. Frimpong an avid Araenal fan through and through had a brilliant first half too. Him and Song are a great partnership, throw in Wilshere and we'll have a complete combatitative midfield.

I'm just glad we've got into the group stages of the Champions League and now we can have no excuses to go buy who we need.

The draw for the UEFA Champions League is today at 16:45 GMT

REPORT: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

ARSENAL 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL

Match Report

Barclays Premier League

Emirates Stadium

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Kick-off: 17:30

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin

Subs: Fabianski, Miguel, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lansbury, Miyachi, Chamakh, Bendtner 

Liverpool:

Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Adam, Henderson, Lucas, Kuyt, Carroll

Subs: Doni, Skrtel, Flanagan, Meireles, Maxi, Spearing, Suarez

So that didn't go to plan did it, or was it a case of the cracks growing even bigger? Yet another display of hanging on as Liverpool dominated us for a large section of the first half. It was a more even affair in the second half.

From the moment Koscielny went off injured, we had to rely on the young U-21 Spaniard, Ignasi Miguel, which I think he gave a good account of himself. I was at Underhill on Monday for Arsenal vs Manchester United reserves, which we won 2-1, and he looked like he could take the step up. 

The last twenty minutes of the match was the most decisive in our downfall. Emmanuel Frimpong was one of our better player on the day and he was energetic, but his lack of experience on his debut proved to be his downfall after picking up two yellow cards, to get sent off at a critical part of the game (too many players suspended and injured now). This now showed our lack of squads strength in depth as Henri Lansbury came on for Arshavin, who looked quite disinterested as usual and was poor all game.

The goal came about by our own lack of luck as Miguel managed to hit the ball against an oncoming Ramsey and the ball looped over Szczesny. From that point I couldn't see Arsenal getting back in the game as there was no cohesion between the midfield and defense to create any chances. The second goal from Liverpool didn't take long as substitutes Meireles and Suarez combined to make it 2-0 and finish the game off.

The positives we can take from the game are the performances of Vermaelen who should have been given the 'Man of the Match' by Sky Sports, instead they give it to Jose Enrique, which we were linked with. But Vermaelen showed what we missed last season and we forget how much a  great defender he is. If we had a proper first team out rather than Arsenal youth we could've nicked a win maybe, but a draw seemed most fair, however we got neither.

Another positives were that the fans saying "Arsenal, Arsenal " over those minority of fans chanting "spend some f****** money". We still back Wenger, I certainly do, but only to the extent he actually does spend some money, but it wouldn't be wise for us to sack him , or for him to walk out on the club.

This has been a tough week, and the matches away to Udinese on Wednesday in the Champions League and Manchester United on Sunday prove to be another very tough week. Wednesday will make or break our season in terms of signing players.

REPORT: Arsenal 1-0 Udinese

ARSENAL 1 – 0 UDINESE

Match Report

UEFA Champions League

Emirates Stadium

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Kick-off: 19:45

Arsenal:

Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamakh

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong, Bendtner, Arshavin

Udinese:

Handanovic, Isla, Danilo, Agyemang-Badu, Di Natale, Neuton, Benatia, Asamoah, Ekstrand, Armero, Pinzi

Subs: Belardo, Denis, Vydra, Abdi, Pasquale, Doubai, Fabbrini

The first leg of a Champions Qualifier held at Emirates Stadium usually sees a large amount of goals to the home team. This time around Arsenal could only manage 1 goal instead of the usual 4,5,6 goal drubbings.

It was a good start for Arsenal with Theo Walcott volleying with his left foot past Handanovic early on in the 4th minute from a Ramsey cross.

From then on Arsenal didn’t create much, and the dangerous goal machine Di Natale for Udinese came close with a free kick striking the bar, leaving Szczesny scrambling over to his right.

The score line doesn’t reflect how bad we were, although we weren’t great, with Gervinho providing most of our spark, if any. But Udinese looked a strong, well organised team, even with their best player Sanchez departing them for Barcelona this summer, just like our best player has left for Barcelona this summer.

I haven’t mentioned Fabregas at all yet, but you can tell we’re going to struggle without him. But we also missed Wilshere tonight who will become a massive player for us, if not already. Not forgetting van Persie was suspended tonight too, along with Arshavin not even getting any playing time tonight on the bench. Nasri I feel will leave eventually anyway, so no point in mentioning him either.

A good win against tough opposition, but we have to be very good in Italy, otherwise we may be on Channel 5 before you know it.