ARSENAL... 3rd edition

-manraj- · Post time 11-2-2008 09:52 PM

Wenger Applauds Cooler Fabregas

Arsene Wenger says Cesc Fabregas is a better player for no longer letting emotions get the better of him - not the Frenchman had to tell him to calm down.

Arsenal face Blackburn at the Emirates tonight seeking to stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points.

Blackburn Or Barcelona?

But Blackburn has traditionally proved a tough task for the Gunners, home or away, and last season's frustrating FA Cup stalemate in London culminated in midfielder Cesc Fabregas insulting Rovers boss Mark Hughes.

In the now infamous incident, the Spaniard asked the Welshman "didn't you used to play for Barcelona?" adding of Blackburn's approach to the match: "that was not Barcelona football."

Calmer Person

But ahead of tonight's game, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger says Fabregas is an altogether calmer person, and has praised the way the Spaniard has dealt with the problem - all by himself.

"Cesc is committed and you always like your players to have a winning attitude," said the Frenchman.  "Sometimes it can go a little bit over the top but Cesc has behaved remarkably well this season - I cannot remember one incident.

"There was maybe a stage, for about six months, where he went a bit the wrong way but he corrected that very well and without any special management from me.  He is so intelligent that he realised that is not the way he wanted to go.

"If I feel that the players aren't managing to do it themselves then I will help them to do it.  But in his case, there was no need.  He apologised [for the Blackburn incident] and from then on there have been no problems with him.

"Maybe the outrage in the media prompted that but I always feel that talented, great players have a fair assessment of their performances and their behaviour," continued Wenger.  "They go home and they ask themselves: 'what did I do right today and what did I do wrong today?'  They analyse what happen and they rectify their behaviour and improve their attitude."

aku76 · Post time 11-2-2008 09:56 PM

Originally posted by -manraj- at 11-2-2008 21:47

tak tau arr..i dun think wenger will risk an injured player..kang jd cam van persie..

kalau dia letak gilberto... lagi pening kepala...

-manraj- · Post time 11-2-2008 10:01 PM

saper agi yg we ada??si diarra dh belah..

aku76 · Post time 12-2-2008 02:41 AM

Originally posted by -manraj- at 11-2-2008 22:01
saper agi yg we ada??si diarra dh belah..

rosicky dah bleh main lom?

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 02:47 AM

hi aku76..tunggu game ke?

totally · Post time 12-2-2008 03:03 AM

ngantuk tgu weh.......

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 03:06 AM

bro totally pon nunggu gak?

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 04:08 AM

senderos score!!!!

[ Last edited by ajez at 12-2-2008 04:51 AM ]

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 04:52 AM

br lead sebijik dh kendur dh main..

-manraj- · Post time 12-2-2008 05:58 AM

caya la arsenal..
adebayor continues his scoring record..

senderos had a fine game and a goal..

flamini n hleb superb..

gilberto looked lost as usual.

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 05:59 AM

biase la gilberto tkleh nk ikut rentak dh...

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 06:00 AM

5 pts top table..

ajez · Post time 12-2-2008 06:21 AM

di pagi yg indah

Arsenal extended their lead at the Barclays Premier League summit to five points - but Blackburn made them work every inch of the way to defend Philippe Senderos' opener and seal a 2-0 win.

Senderos struck early on at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners could have added more, only for Brad Friedel to put in a polished performance to keep the visitors in the game.

Mark Hughes' men even threatened themselves at times but Arsenal held on, with Emmanuel Adebayor adding a second in stoppage-time to take advantage of their title rivals dropping points at the weekend.

Arsene Wenger's men were the beneficiaries of results at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge - and now have 12 games remaining to make the most of their lead in search of their first title since the Invincibles of 2004.

Their opener came as early as the fourth minute after Tugay received a poor pass in midfield, with Eduardo racing through but getting denied through a combination of Andre Ooijer and then Zurab Khizanishvili.

There were tame calls for a penalty but it mattered little as Senderos headed Eduardo's corner powerfully beyond Friedel after slipping the attentions of Benni McCarthy.

It was Senderos' second of the season, sparking robust celebrations from the Switzerland centre-back with his team-mates.

Adebayor could have added a second shortly after but headed wide from Eduardo's free-kick, while Steven Reid glanced a header well wide at the other end.

Mathieu Flamini should have added a second midway through the first half.

Adebayor's crossfield ball was headed beyond the Blackburn defence by Cesc Fabregas, who was deployed on the right flank, but Flamini's effort was saved by Friedel with his legs.

Arsenal threats came from all areas, with Alexander Hleb going on a mazy run past three defenders but getting halted in the penalty area.

Skipper William Gallas also went on a powerful but his effort was deflected wide after exchanging passes with Eduardo.

Arsenal have been guilty of failing to kill off teams in the past, and without a second goal for the hosts, Blackburn edged their way back into the game.

Blackburn's threat came from the delivery of David Bentley, who Arsenal knew so well from his time at the club before heading north two years ago.

Wenger thought Bentley's future was as a central playmaker and he stood little chance at Arsenal while Dennis Bergkamp was still there, but it is on the wings where he causes damage.

With Franco Baldini and Stuart Pearce from England's backroom staff watching in the stands, Bentley caused problems with his crosses but the visitors still struggled for clear chances.

Brett Emerton's cross from the right pierced the Arsenal defence but McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz could only glance their headers when power was required.

Santa Cruz also hooked over the crossbar from Stephen Warnock's cross late in the first half.

Sensing a way back into the game, Bentley almost embarrassed Jens Lehmann early in the second period with a free-kick around the blindside of the defensive wall.

Lehmann was down at his near post to scramble clear in only his second Premier League game since his blunder against Rovers at the start of the season.

"I don't have the slightest worry about bringing him in for a game," wrote Wenger in his programme notes. After his save, Arsenal looked in search for a second goal.

Hleb struck the post at the other end in the next move after Eduardo picked him out on the edge of the area, then Friedel was forced to save with his legs again when Adebayor sped past Ooijer and got a shot away.

Adebayor also went down in the area but the shouts for a penalty were mainly from a restless crowd who wanted to see the points wrapped up.

Fabregas almost did it in the 67th minute, drilling just wide from the edge of the area after Adebayor's cushioned pass.

Adebayor then went close himself, cutting inside and unleashing a shot that Friedel was down sharply to save. He then forced the American to black at his feet.

Friedel also saved from a swerving effort from Hleb to keep the visitors in the game.

The second came in stoppage time, Adebayor rifling into the bottom corner from Hleb's pass.

Teams:

Arsenal Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas,Flamini, Silva, Hleb, Adebayor, Eduardo.

Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Bendtner, Traore, Justin Hoyte,

Gilbert.

Booked: Fabregas.

Goals: Senderos 4, Adebayor 90.

Blackburn Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer (Rigters 80),Khizanishvili, Warnock, Kerimoglu (Mokoena 77), Bentley, Reid,McCarthy (Roberts 77), Berner, Santa Cruz.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Kane.

Att: 60,049

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).