ARSENAL - THE GUNNERS - WELCOME TO SEASON 2016/2017

Don Henley

Theo Walcott drove home a blistering equaliser as Arsenal retrieved a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Liverpool from a frantic Premier League dust-up at the Emirates Stadium.

Marshalled superbly at the back by the evergreen Jamie Carragher, Liverpool were rewarded for an intelligent counter attacking strategy that worked almost to perfection in the first hour as goals from Luis Suarez (5) and Jordan Henderson (60) earned them a 2-0 lead aided by some slipshod home defending.

But Arsene Wenger's side showed off all their attacking wares in the final 30 minutes or so as an Olivier Giroud header (64) and Walcott's strike (67) ensured them of a point that they were well worth after an evening that seemed to spend much of its time raging from end to end.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Theo Walcott - Arsenal: Probably just gets the nod ahead of the outstanding Jamie Carragher of Liverpool due to his effectiveness in the final third. Scored a fine equaliser, but led the visitors a merry dance in the final 30 minutes or so.

PLAYER RATINGS

ARSENAL: Szczesny 5, Sagna 5, Mertesacker 5, Vermaelen 5, Gibbs 5, Ramsey 6, Wilshere 7, Cazorla 7, Walcott 8, Podolski 8, Giroud 8. Subs: Santos 5.

LIVERPOOL: Reina 7, Johnson 7, Agger 6, Carragher 8, Wisdom 6, Lucas 6, Gerrard 7, Henderson 7, Downing 6, Suarez 8, Sturridge 5. Subs: Enrique 6.

apih13

Nacho Monreal je utk Januari...ok la drpd Santos yg sgt menyedihkan...prfhhhhhhhh

Don Henley

Premier League - Arsenal overcome Stoke despite bad-tempered finish

Premier League, Emirates Stadium - Arsenal 1 (Podolski 78) Stoke 0

Podolski punishes PottersLukas Podolski's deflected free-kick proved the difference as Arsenal eked out a much-needed 1-0 victory against Stoke.

Don Henley

Arsenal's Lukas Podolski (L) celebrates scoring with team-mate Bacary Sagna (R) during their English Premier League soccer match against Stoke City at Emirates Stadium

Don Henley

Lukas Podolski’s deflected free kick was enough to edge Arsenal to a deserved 1-0 win over Stoke at the Emirates in the Premier League.

The Gunners enjoyed over 70% of the possession in the match, and had to contend with Stoke City’s heavy-handed defensive display, but having been frustrated for 78 minutes the German substitute finally struck to give his side all three points.

Even then there was drama as the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside against Theo Walcott, but the strike was deflected in via a Stoke player, and referee Chris Foy ruled that the goal should stand.


MAN OF THE MATCH

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) - At the heart of all the good things Arsenal did, and looked sharp and patient on a tricky afternoon for the Gunners.

PLAYER RATINGS

ARSENAL: Szczesny 7, Sagna 6, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Diaby 7, Arteta 7, Wilshere 8, Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Walcott 7, Giroud 7 - Subs - Ramsey N/A, Cazorla 8, Podolski 8

STOKE: Begovic 8, Shotton 6, Shawcross 7, Huth 7, Wilkinson 5, Walters 6, Cameron 6, Nzonzi 6, Whelan 6, Etherington 6, Crouch 6 - Subs - Jones N/A, Owen N/A, Jerome N/A

Don Henley

berita lama daaa...hahah..

Premier League - Cazorla on target as Arsenal beat Sunderland

Premier League, Stadium of Light - Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1 (Cazorla 35)

Don Henley

Santi Cazorla's first-half strike was enough for Arsenal to defeat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light despite losing Carl Jenkinson to a red card after 62 minutes.

Cazorla's fine finish was the highlight of an impressive performance from the Spaniard, though he so nearly added an assist when his sumptuous pass put Theo Walcott clear, only for the winger to hit the post.

At that stage Arsenal had already been reduced to 10 men when Jenkinson received a second yellow for a clumsy challenge on Stephane Sessegnon and Sunderland laid siege to the Arsenal goal in the closing stages with Wojciech Szczesny making a succession of fine saves and Titus Bramble guilty of a horrendous miss.

But thanks in no small part to a giant performance from Bacary Sagna in the unfamiliar position of centre-back, Arsenal held on for the win that ensures they remain within four points of North London rivals Tottenham in fifth and overtake Everton, who play Manchester United on Sunday.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) - The France international has had a poor couple of months for Arsenal but this was a gigantic performance in an unfamiliar position and he made a succession of crucial clearances.

PLAYER RATINGS

SUNDERLAND: Mignolet 8, Gardner 6, Bramble 6, O'Shea 6, Rose 6, Cattermole 6, Colback 5, Sessegnon 7, N'Diaye 6, Johnson 6, Fletcher 6. Subs: Graham 6, Larsson 6, Vaughan 6.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 8, Jenkinson 5, Sagna 9, Mertesacker 8, Monreal 6, Arteta 6, Wilshere 7, Walcott 7, Cazorla 8, Ramsey 6, Giroud 5. Subs: Diaby 6, Miquel N/A.

Don Henley

Champions League - Match facts: Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Facts and figures ahead of the Champions League last 16, first leg match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium.




Arsenal and Bayern Munich have met four times before in the Champions League, with the Bavarians winning twice, Arsenal one and the other being a draw.

Their last encounter dates back to the 2004/05 Champions League last 16 when Bayern won 3-2 on aggregate.

Arsenal have won six of their last seven home Champions League games against German opposition, the only defeat coming against Schalke in this season’s group stages.

Arsenal have only lost two of their 17 knockout games at home in the Champions League (v Chelsea in April 2004 & v Manchester Utd in May 2009).

Bayern Munich have lost on each of their last four trips to England in the Champions League. The Bavarians’ last win in England dates back to April 2001 at Old Trafford in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bayern Munich have scored in each of their last 12 Champions League games, the last team to stop them from netting being Basel in February 2012.

Arsenal had the fewest shots in this season’s group stages among the 16 teams qualified for the knockout phase (47). However, they were the most efficient, scoring every 4.7 shots.

Bayern Munich conceded the fewest shots on target in the group stages (17).

Bayern Munich had more shots on target from outside the box than any other team in the group stages (17).

Bayern Munich had the most goalscorers in this season’s group stages (9).

Olivier Giroud has delivered four assists in the group stages of the Champions League this season, only Ibrahimovic has more (5).

Lukas Podolski has scored three goals from three shots on target in the Champions League this season.

Mario Gomez has scored 25 goals in 26 Champions League starts.
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Don Henley

FA Cup - Arsenal falter again as Blackburn snatch win

FA Cup fifth round, Emirates Stadium - Arsenal 0 Blackburn 1 (Kazim-Richards 72)



Olivier Giroud reacts after Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Blackburn

Don Henley

Colin Kazim-Richards scored the only goal of the game as Blackburn stunned Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Arsene Wenger's decision to rest a host of stars for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich backfired spectacularly and they now must win that competition to avoid an eighth consecutive season without a trophy.

Ironically, Blackburn got the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute of the match just moments after Arsenal had brought on Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere in a bid to avoid a replay.

They won't have to worry about that, though, as they struggled to turn mountains of possession and corners into goals as Blackburn scored with one of their few ventures forward.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Grant Hanley (Blackburn) - Hanley was superb at the back for Blackburn and his performance was typically of his side's bravery.

PLAYER RATINGS

Arsenal: Szczesny 6, Coquelin 6, Vermaelen 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 7, Diaby 6, Rosicky 7, Arteta 5, Gervinho 5, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Giroud 5;

Subs: Wilshere 7, Cazorla 6, Walcott 6,

Blackburn: Kean 8, Orr 7, Dann 7, Hanley 8, Martin Olsson 7, Pedersen 7, Williamson 7, Lowe 7, Markus Olsson 7, Kazim-Richards 8, Rhodes 7;

Subs: Goodwillie 6, Bentley 6

Don Henley

Colin Kazim-Richards scored the only goal as Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup

Don Henley

adoi hampesss kejadah woiiii...

Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 3

Arsenal 1 Bayern Munich 3 - Champions League last 16, first leg result

At the Emirates Stadium

Scorers:

Arsenal: Lukas Podolski 55

Bayern Munich: Toni Kroos 7, Thomas Mueller 21, Mario Mandzukic 77

Halftime: 0-2

Teams:

Arsenal: 1-Wojciech Szczesny; 3-Bacary Sagna, 4-Per Mertesacker, 6-Laurent Koscielny, 5-Thomas Vermaelen; 8-Mikel Arteta, 10-Jack Wilshere, 16-Aaron Ramsey (7-Tomas Rosicky 71), 19-Santi Cazorla; 9-Lukas Podolski (12-Olivier Giroud 72); 14-Theo Walcott

Bayern Munich: 1-Manuel Neuer; 21-Philipp Lahm, 5-Daniel Van Buyten, 4-Dante, 27-David Alaba; 8-Javi Martinez, 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger; 25-Thomas Mueller, 39-Toni Kroos (30-Luiz Gustavo 73); 7-Franck Ribery (10-Arjen Robben 63); 9-Mario Mandzukic (33-Mario Gomez 78)

Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)

Don Henley

Lukas Podolski (right) pulls a goal back for Arsenal against Bayern Munich at the Emirates

Don Henley

Wojciech Szczesny fails to stop the shot from Toni Kroos that put Bayern Munich in the lead against Arsenal

Don Henley

Thomas Muller (in black) scores Bayern Munich's second goal against Arsenal at the Emirates

Don Henley

Premier League - Cazorla double gives Arsenal win to ease strain on Wenger

Premier League, Emirates Stadium - Arsenal 2 (Cazorla 6, 85) Aston Villa 1 (Weimann 68)



Santi Cazorla (R) of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal against Aston Villa during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London

Don Henley

Santi Cazorla eased the strain on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a timely double in a 2-1 Premier League win over lowly Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

The Spanish attacking midfielder handed the home side a richly deserved success when he tucked away Nacho Monreal's cross on 84 minutes after some dogged defensive work by Villa looked like helping them escape from London with a draw.

Cazorla struck the opening goal for Arsenal on six minutes only for Andre Weimann to level for Villa on 68 minutes after Paul Lambert's side had sped up the field at pace.

Arsenal are within one point of fourth-placed London rivals Tottenham, but the win was greeted with real relief among the London club's supporters after back-to-back home defeats to Blackburn in the last 16 of the FA Cup and Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League over the past week.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Santi Cazorla - A classy performance by Cazorla was enhanced by his two goals, but the little Spanish player's passing technique was also a joy to behold on a day when his manager really needed him.

PLAYER RATINGS

Arsenal: Szczesny 5, Jenkinson 6, Mertesacker 6, Vermaelen 6, Monreal 7, Arteta 6, Diaby 6, Wilshere 8, Walcott 6, Giroud 7, Cazorla 8..subs: Koscielny 6, Ramsey 6, Podolski 6

Aston Villa: Guzan 7, Lowton 7, Clark 7, Baker 7, Bennett 7, Westwood 6, Delph 6, Agbonlahor 7, Weimann 7, N'Zogbia 6 Benteke 6..subs: El Ahmadi 6, Dawkins 6

Don Henley

Premier League - Derby victory takes Spurs seven clear of Arsenal

Premier League, White Hart Lane - Tottenham 2 (Bale 37 Lennon 39) Arsenal 1 (Mertesacker 51)



Aaron Lennon and Scott Parker celebrate a Tottenham goal against Arsenal

Don Henley

Tottenham Hotspur opened up a seven-point lead over Arsenal with 10 games remaining in the Premier League following a 2-1 victory in the North London derby at White Hart Lane.

Spurs profited from two moments of lamentable defending from the Arsenal back four, with Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon skipping through a static defence to beat Wojciech Szczesny twice in the space of two first-half minutes.

Contemplating a defeat that would be hugely damaging to their Champions League aspirations, Arsenal responded after 51 minutes when Per Mertesacker saw his header from a free-kick take a big deflection off Bale and nestle in the net.

However, Spurs saw the game out professionally to make the prospect of finishing above Arsenal for the first time since 1995 a distinct possibility. Arsene Wenger's side are left stranded in fifth - five points behind Chelsea and a further two behind Spurs.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) - A fine challenge to deny Giroud in the first half set the tone and the Belgian, in contrast to compatriot Vermaelen, excelled throughout.

PLAYER RATINGS

TOTTENHAM: Lloris 7, Walker 7, Dawson 8, Vertonghen 8, Assou-Ekotto 6, Parker 7, Dembele 6, Lennon 8, Sigurdsson 7, Bale 8, Adebayor 5. Subs: Defoe 6, Livermore N/A, Gallas N/A.

ARSENAL: Szczesny 5, Jenkinson 6, Mertesacker 5, Vermaelen 5, Monreal 5, Arteta 6, Ramsey 5, Walcott 5, Wilshere 6, Cazorla 6, Giroud 5. Subs: Rosicky 6, Podolski 6.

Don Henley

Gulf investors may bid $2.3 bln for Arsenal -report

DUBAI, March 3 (Reuters) - A Middle Eastern consortium is poised to bid 1.5 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) for full ownership of Britain's Arsenal Football Club in the biggest-ever takeover of a soccer team, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

The bid is likely to be mounted in the next few weeks, seeking to buy out the current majority owner, U.S. sports investor Stan Kroenke, the British newspaper said.

The Middle Eastern investors do not want to reveal their identities yet but will be backed by funds from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the newspaper reported late on Saturday without naming its sources.

The consortium would make available transfer funds "to transform the club into a major force in European and world football", the newspaper quoted an unnamed source familiar with the plan as saying.

"The bid team regard Arsenal as one of the great clubs of European football but also one that is no longer punching its weight and is in danger of falling behind," it said.

The newspaper added that the consortium would pledge to reduce ticket prices at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London, and would aim to recreate there some of the atmosphere of Highbury, Arsenal's historic former stadium.

The takeover would raise questions over the future of Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, although the consortium values his football knowledge and want him to remain at the club, The Telegraph said.

An acquisition would add to a string of investments in European soccer teams by Middle Eastern interests over the last several years.

Manchester City, the current English Premier League champions, were bought by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family in 2008, while Kuwait's al-Hasawi family bought twice European Cup winners Nottingham Forest in July last year. France's Paris St Germain and Spain's Malaga are owned by Qatari investors. (Reporting by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Xavier Briand)