Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal’s superb victory over Tottenham is the perfect result from which to build on.


Arsène Wenger’s side fought back from two goals down to record a 5-2 win over their North London rivals at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.


Sagna sparked the fightback with a header five minutes before half time and the French international says it took great character to get the job done.


“It might be the beginning of something,” he told Arsenal Player. “We lost quite heavily at AC Milan but we promised ourselves we would keep playing even if we kept losing. That is what we did. If we didn't keep fighting then we would have lost this game.


“That is the best experience as a player and as a fan. We did the job properly in the end, although it was hard because we were 2-0 down. We had to show resources mentally to come back and we did it.


“We could not have let it go on like that. This is one of the most important games during the season. In this stadium, in this game we could not lose. We managed to play our own football, keep our heads up and score the goals for the win.”


Sagna’s strike was his first since November 2010 and the right back admits there was no better time to notch only his third Premier League goal.


“I knew the ball was going to come back to me and that is why I stayed forward,” he said.


“I wanted to score especially because the first game away was difficult for me. I am just very, very happy because this was a day to score.”

ARSENAL 5-2 TOTTENHAM - CELEBRATIONS GALLERY PART 2

ARSENAL 5-2 TOTTENHAM - CELEBRATIONS GALLERY

Wenger - We answered our critics

Arsène Wenger believes his side have gone some way to answering their critics with their superb 5-2 victory against Tottenham on Sunday.


A number of pundits questioned the Arsenal squad's mental strength in the build-up to the North London derby, which was seen by some as the biggest of Wenger's tenure.


But the manager felt the way in which his side came back from two goals down to run riot at Emirates Stadium spoke volumes for their character.


"It was very exciting to watch, the scenario was fantastic for us to come from 2-0 down to win 5-2," he told Arsenal Player.


"I was pleased with the drive, enthusiasm and the refusal to lose at any cost. That has been questioned about the team, so I am very proud.


"Yes [they answered their critics]. With what happened to our squad at the start of the season, you could see there was exceptional spirit there.


"They are always under a lot of criticism but when everyone is fit you can see that we are a good side."

‘I know I will have to stay close to Bale’

Bacary Sagna admits he will have to stick close to Tottenham winger Gareth Bale to limit his influence during Sunday’s North London derby.


The Wales international has impressed on the flanks for Harry Redknapp’s side this season, scoring 11 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions.


Sagna knows that he will have his hands full when marking the 22-year-old, but says the secret to containing him is to deny him space.


“He is a very good player, he was PFA Player of the Year last year and he deserved it,” Sagna told Arsenal Player.


“He is a great player, but every weekend we play against great wingers. He is extremely quick, that's why you have to stay close and make sure he does not come quickly at you.”


It has been suggested by some that there has been a power shift in north London, but Sagna still believes Arsenal have the quality to beat any side in Europe on their day.


“We can beat anyone, like Barcelona, but we can make silly mistakes and lose games. We need to improve this”, he said.


“[Tottenham] are doing better but I think every team has surprised me this season. Every team can beat anyone.”

Stuart Pearce says Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could feature for England at Euro 2012

Stuart Pearce says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains in England's Euro 2012 plans despite leaving the youngster out of his squad to face the Netherlands next week.


The 18-year-old has impressed in several appearances for the Gunners since the turn of the year with many fans clamouring for a senior inclusion but the Southampton academy graduate will instead play for the under-21's against Belgium.


When asked if Oxlade-Chamberlain could feature at Euro 2012, Pearce stated: “100 per cent, yes, without a doubt.


“I think he would suffer by not playing 90 minutes against Belgium on Wednesday.


“It would be better the Under-21s winning a game, possibly qualifying for the Euros in two years’ time. That’s where my eye has got to be with the experience of these young players."


Pearce hinted that the youngster may not have started if selected for the senior squad and insisted he still holds the under-21s in high regard.


Pearce is expected to resume his role as manager of the youth set-up when a permanent senior coach is appointed.


He continued: “I could have brought him in, played him ten minutes and there would have been a scrum from the media. He’d bypassed the under-21s, shouldn’t ever play for the under-21s again.


“If we keep doing that then we will never win at that age group and galvanise a winning formula at the younger age group.


“One or two of these younger players who can play in the under-21s and seniors, there might be an indication they’ve been picked in those squads because they might get game time.”

Why Arsenal hope copying Man United's wage structure will help keep van Persie

Arsenal are carrying out a stringent review of their wage policy. It is intended to ensure "efficiency" and that every pound is accounted for in a shake-up of player contracts.


Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has flown in this week for a board meeting and new contracts for Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, which could see both players end up being quids in, will be high on the agenda.


At the moment, Arsenal's star player van Persie is behind other big Premier League stars, and the club realise that they need to get better value for money from their squad.


Manchester United is held up as the model as Wayne Rooney is on £200,000-a-week and his strike partner Danny Welbeck is on £15,000-a-week.


Then you have the likes of Chris Smalling who was upgraded to around £50,000-a-week last summer. Javier Hernandez is on around £60,000-a-week and Phil Jones, an England international, is not far behind.


Welbeck's impressive season will be rewarded with a great new contract. But, for now, he's being kept young and hungry.


The really interesting thing about United is the discrepancy between the biggest star in Rooney and his team mates. The club are prepared to pay stellar wages for stellar players.


The difference at Arsenal is that all of the squad - from Johan Djourou to Robin van Persie - are kept within reach of each other.


It is important to stress that there is no wage cap or formalised structure at Arsenal. Just a long held belief by Arsene Wenger that there should be some kind of equilibrium among players who share the same dressing room.


Thierry Henry earned the best contract at Arsenal of around £100,000-a-week plus a big signing-on fee when he signed on for one more year in 2006.


Since then, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, van Persie et al, have not reached six figures. Van Persie is on £70,000-a-week plus and Arsenal, in the current climate, are unlikely to offer him over £100,000-a-week as they try and renegotiate his contract. Thomas Vermaelen got a hefty signing-on fee when he renegotiated his deal last season.


Arsenal know van Persie likes London and has a great affection for the club, and believe they have a good chance of keeping him. Fabregas wanted to go "home" to Barcelona. Nasri would have re-signed if the deal had been put in front of him at the right time.


The truth is that for a team that is supposedly stingy on wages, Arsenal's wage bill is sky-high. It's £130m-a-year and is 40 per cent higher than Tottenham who do have a wage structure.


Clearly, that means Arsenal are not getting good value. And there is a reason for that. There is a whole raft of squad players - Abou Diaby, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner - who are on great money because they have been given parity.


Diaby is on £60,000-a-week. Bendtner has never denied the story that he chose shirt number 52 as it represents his weekly wage. If they were at Manchester United (which on recent form is hard to believe) they would not even be earning half as much.


They are earning so much that Arsenal could not offload them last season. Some were shipped out on loan. Diaby was put up for sale but there were no takers, not because of injury but because of his sky-high wages.


Now Arsenal may be willing to review the decision to keep the top players within touching distance of the squad players. It also means a whole raft of middle squad players - Diaby, Carlos Vela, Denilson, Bendtner - may be moved on and new ones shipped in.


Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi was brought in for peanuts, is on relatively low wages and will be rewarded with a contract when he has earned it.


The same is likely to happen for Carl Jenkinson. He was brought in from Charlton for £1m, signed a good deal and will be rewarded for an impressive start. But within reason.


It's similar lines for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He was signed for big money and has been outstanding and yet his wages will be kept realistic for now - rather like the United philosophy for their exceptional young English talents.


The money saved is then open to Arsene Wenger to use to reward the likes of van Persie, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott.


The upshot is that while Arsenal's big stars get the big money to keep them happy and the young players are kept happy and hungry, the players in the middle of the squad will lose out. They won't be allowed to sit back, not worry if they are in the team because they are on great contracts.


Look at this way: Abou Diaby has been on more more than Luka Modric this season. Incredible. No wonder Spurs want to renegotiate.


Arsenal have not been getting value for money and they are looking to change. As the club moves forward and looks to make changes, it could be a valuable weapon in the armoury to attract and keep top players.

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says a win Sunday will kick start the team

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour is adamant that a win Sunday is a must, if the team are to kick start their season and turn it around after being dumped out of all four competitions once again by mid February, and after being knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup in succession Parlour believes the perfect chance to turn their season around and to find confidence again is by beating rivals Tottenham who are currently 10 points ahead them in third place in the Premier League. 


Arsenal do have a tough run in the next few weeks with Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool all to come and who are all fighting it out for that coveted fourth spot with only four points to separate the teams with Liverpool an Newcastle to come first – Arsenal are level on points in fourth with Chelsea and Newcastle are just a point behind with Liverpool close behind them, so no mistakes from now or this season will become even more of an uphill struggle more so than at this time. 


Speaking on Alan Bazil’s Sports Breakfast, Ray Parlour told him: “I just hope Arsenal show up [against Tottenham],” “The AC Milan match was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. Now they’ve got three games to bounce back. The next couple of games are going to be vital.” 


“Arsenal have got Tottenham at home, Liverpool away and Newcastle at home, those three games are against teams that are contending for that fourth place.” 


“It’s a massive month for Arsene Wenger and his team. If they can get a positive result on Sunday it can set them up for the season.”

Lee Dixon: Tottenham victory over Arsenal would be a 'disaster'

Lee Dixon believes it would be a "disaster" if Arsenal are defeated at home to Tottenham on Sunday. 


Although the two north London sides are just a place apart in the Premier League table, the difference between third-placed Spurs and the fourth-placed Gunners a significant 10 points. 


 Dixon, who played under Arsene Wenger until his retirement in 2002, believes a loss for the Frenchman's side could see them missing out on Champions League qualification. In an interview with betting exchange Betfair, the 47-year-old said: 


"To lose at home against Tottenham at this stage of the season would be a disaster. "From Arsenal’s point of view they are seriously playing catch up. "They’re in a position where the opposition for fourth place, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea, are not playing great, so they can take some positivity out of that. 


 "But Spurs have nothing to fear going to the Emirates, they can go and try to get one over on their local rivals." The former Arsenal right-back praised Harry Redknapp’s side’s potent attacking play and indicated the hosts could struggle with the club’s current below-strength defence. 


 "There have been problems at fullback with injuries for Arsenal,” Dixon continued. "[Bacary] Sagna’s just come back, [Kieran] Gibbs has been out and [Thomas] Vermaelen’s been playing left back, so I think with Tottenham’s pace and width they could cause Arsenal problems down the wide areas. "There’ll be goals in it, that’s for sure. I think both teams will have an attacking way about them – Tottenham don’t seem to play any other way."

Cesc won't tempt Van Persie

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he has no plans to try and tempt Robin van Persie to join him at Barcelona but thinks his own fight to leave Arsenal was worthwhile. 


The Blaugrana midfielder is enjoying life back at the Catalan club where he started before moving to London aged 16 and has been linked with helping his former clubmate join him. Instead, Fabregas states that while he does speak regularly to Van Persie he has no intention of swaying his decision when the Dutchman has to choose whether to renew his contract at the Emirates Stadium. 


 "I talk to him but not about Barca," Fabregas told El Mundo Deportivo. 


 "He is an Arsenal player and he knows what is best for him. I only wish the best of luck for him before he makes whatever decision he will make." Fabregas was reported to have given up around €5million (£4.2m) in wages to force a move back to Barcelona and he thinks that any sacrifices were valid. 


"Everything that I did to come here and all the help that I received from Barca, from the coach, the president and my team-mates has been worth the effort," added Fabregas.

Sagna - Derby has special meaning for me

Bacary Sagna admits that Sunday’s North London derby has a special significance for him after breaking his leg at White Hart Lane in October. 


The French right back spent four months on the sidelines after fracturing his fibula against Tottenham, and only made his comeback at the end of January. Sagna appreciates how important the derby is for Arsenal fans, and says he is as keen as anyone to claim the three points on Sunday. 


“The first game was a nightmare for me because I got injured and was four months out,” he told Arsenal Player.  


“This match is a good opportunity to show that I am back and to be decisive even. I would like to win the game because it would be special to me. “Every game is important but the derby is the killer one. This is one of the biggest games of the season and we know we have to win it. It will give us even more power to move forward.” 


Despite recent disappointments in the Champions League and FA Cup, Sagna insists the squad must draw a line under things and move on. 


“We can only look forward, we can only change things and this is the right time to do it,” he said. “We play Tottenham, they are the enemy this weekend and we lost the first game [at White Hart Lane] and we want to bounce back from it. For the fans it is even more important because it is a derby and we can't lose.”

Arsenal Injury News: Koscielny, Gibbs Should Be Ok; Ramsey Not So Much

Arsene Wenger has had his pre-match press conference, and it appears that Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs should be fit enough to play against Tottenham on Sunday. Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin, however, will be absent, with Ramsey having an ankle problem and Coquelin with a hamstring injury. A return date hasn't yet been set by the manager.


Koscielny and Gibbs will both have fitness tests tomorrow, but Jamie Sanderson, who knows more than most, tweeted that Koscielny, Chamakh and Jenkinson all trained normally today. If the latter two are involved, they will be involved from the bench; Jenkinson isn't fit enough to play right back for a full match if Bacary Sagna was forced to play left back, and Marouane Chamakh isn't exactly in a prolific run of form.


The return of Koscielny will be a boost to an Arsenal defence that looked very shaky without him. Koscielny has been Arsenal's best defender this season, and they will need him if they are to stop Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart. Kieran Gibbs returning means Arsenal will again play with their first choice defence, as they did against Milan. Tottenham, though, are not as good as Milan, and Koscielny and Gibbs have had more time to work with Vermaelen and Sagna. 


 Finally, it seems that Andre Santos will return in approximately 3 weeks, according to his Twitter.

Dixon: The performance against Milan was awful, the dead weight needs to go

The former Gunners full-back Lee Dixon also expressed dismay after Arsenal’s poor performance and was puzzled as to why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was on the bench. 


Dixon told Betfair: Everything that could go wrong in the game did and it was a really, really poor performance. There are not a lot of positives, to be honest with you. It’ll be difficult for Arsene to pick the players up before a massive FA Cup tie at Sunderland this weekend. 


He’s got his work cut out. I was surprised Oxlade-Chamberlain wasn’t starting the game. He’s been the man in form. Yes, he’s a young lad but he’s shown he can handle the big occasions. We saw after 60-odd minutes what he can do, and he certainly asked questions of the Milan defence. 


I don’t think [Arsenal] will keep a clean sheet. Milan have got enough about them to score at the Emirates which will make the task impossible. I think it’s beyond them now. 


Wenger obviously wanted to rest ‘The Ox’ with some crucial fixtures coming up and he is wanting to avoid overplaying the youngster as the Frenchman is keen to prevent another Wilshere-like situation. 


But the 18-year-old demonstrated when he did come on how important a player he will be this season, which begs the question is it worth renewing Walcott’s contract? The Englishman has produced some amazing performances in the past but really has failed to live up to the initial hype and it seems his development is plateauing, as with Ramsey. 


To answer the question of whether he should be offered a new contract, I think yes, but he certainly shouldn’t be starting week in, week out. Gervinho and The Ox have much more to offer.

AVB: ARSENAL CAN STILL PROGRESS

Andre Villas-Boas has claimed it is not impossible for Arsenal to turn around their Champions League tie against AC Milan, despite their San Siro humiliation. 


Chelsea boss Villas-Boas said Arsene Wenger's men were capable of coming back from Wednesday night's last-16 first leg defeat, even though no club had ever recovered from a 4-0 deficit in European competition. 


Wenger conceded his side were all but knocked out but Villas-Boas, who pointed out Milan threw away a 4-1 lead in their 2004 quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna, said: "Impossibles in football happen when you least expect them and I think the emotions that are played in the English game can have an impact on Arsenal and on the running of that game.


"If they score early in the game, they could go all the way." Villas-Boas recalled he almost endured such a turnaround during Porto's Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal last season, having won the first leg 5-1. 


"Within 15 minutes, we were already losing 1-0 and could have been losing two or three," he said. "In the end we got lucky, we lost 3-2. But that's how quickly the game can change." Wenger tore into his players for their performance on Wednesday night. 


Villas-Boas, who branded Chelsea's 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton on Saturday their worst display of the season, said: "Regarding Arsenal, I'm nobody to make an assessment. 


"I would just maybe perpetuate Arsene Wenger's words because it's maybe more or less what I feel about our last game, which is the acknowledgement that it was their worst game of the season." He added of Milan: "They've put on a massive, massive display. 


"But I'm not sure if what happened to Arsenal yesterday reflects exactly what Arsenal is, and I'm sure that they will show that strength in a different way."

Bergkamp calls on Wenger to make changes Bergkamp calls on Wenger to make changes

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has urged Arsene Wenger to reach for a Plan B, with the Dutch great suggesting his former side are now too predictable. 


Arsenal's trophy-less run stretches back to 2005, the season before Bergkamp retired, and the Dutchman feels the Gunners are unlikely to snap that streak in the near future. 


Bergkamp believes Wenger's winning mentality will get things right, but he has called on his former boss to find leaders on and off the pitch and work on making the team less predictable. 


"Sometimes I see their games and it's always the same way of playing, a bit too predictable. They are all fantastic players, that must be said, but sometimes you need a bit more of the other side." Bergkamp, who is currently making his way in the game as a coach with Ajax, clearly views Wenger as one of the greats and he expects him to bring trophies to the Emirates before walking away. 


"He's a winner," Bergkamp said. "He can't just let go. He would think he hasn't finished there yet. He would want to finish on a high or at least do something that makes the team successful again. 


"So I think he will wait and push as hard as possible to achieve that before he leaves."

Koscielny set to return in a ‘matter of days’

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny hasn’t sustained knee ligament damage and will return ‘within days’, the Frenchman confirmed on his official Facebook page. 


The 26-year-old had to be substituted during Wednesday night’s 4-0 Champions League defeat by AC Milan in the San Siro, after taking a knock on his knee. 


Fellow Gunners defender Per Mertesacker is currently sidelined nursing an ankle ligament injury, leaving the shakey-looking Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci as further defensive options. 


Koscielny is expected to have a late fitness test before Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Sunderland, with Djourou on standby to play if the former Lorient centre back isn’t rested. 


You can follow all the build-up and injury news ahead of Saturday’s game on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Arteta - It's not over yet

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are not out of the Champions League yet, despite a 4-0 defeat in the first leg of their last 16 tie with AC Milan. 


No side have ever overturned a four-goal deficit in the Champions League over two legs, although the Gunners can take heart from Deportivo La Coruna, who lost 4-1 in the first leg in 2004, ironically in Milan, before winning the home leg 4-0 to progress 5-4. 


The Spaniard admits playing on a pitch that was only relaid on Monday was difficult, but says Arsenal can only blame themselves. 


He told the Evening Standard: "Never say never in football. "If we score two goals in the first half at the Emirates then it is game on. After last night, it will be very difficult to get through and we all know that. 


"There is nothing we can do about the pitch. It was absolutely awful - you had no control at all. They are more used to it because they play here every week but I don't think we need excuses. 


"They were the better team and deserved to win. We go to London with a really disappointing result. "Everything became difficult after the first goal. They scored three goals on the counter-attack. It is difficult to take in and we have to change our mindset. We have another tough game on Saturday (at Sunderland in the FA Cup)."

Dennis Bergkamp: 'Arsenal are predictable, weak and lacking a winning mentality'

Dennis Bergkamp has criticised the current Arsenal side ahead of Wednesday’s clash with AC Milan at the San Siro, labeling them one-dimensional and lacking in character.


Since Bergkamp’s departure in 2006 the Gunners have failed to win a trophy, and now find themselves in a fierce fight simply to ensure Champions League football next season.


The Dutchman stopped short of criticising former boss Arsene Wenger for the team’s decline, but admitted the current crop at the Emirates Stadium pales in comparison with the famed ‘invincibles’ squad which won the club’s last league title in 2004.


"I feel there are a lot of similar players there at the moment,” he told the Telegraph. “It needs to be more diverse.


“You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don’t feel there are enough of them."


"You look at the midfield and compare it with ours. We had Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Ray Parlour – when it wasn’t working for one of the big names, one of these could step up.


" Arsenal have depended largely on talismanic captain Robin Van Persie for goals this season, and Bergkamp believes it is not healthy for any team to be so reliant on an individual. 


"You can’t only depend on one or two players,” he added. “When they’re having an off day, you need someone else.”

AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal (Perdelapan Final Liga Champions)

Setelah mengalahkan tuan rumah Udinese pada giornata ke-23 Serie A, kini AC Milan menunjukkan performa terbaiknya dengan menumbangkan wakil Inggris di Liga Champions, Arsenal dengan 4 gol tanpa balas pada leg pertama babak perdelapan final Liga Champions di San Siro, Kamis (16/2) dinihari waktu Indonesia 

Pada awal-awal babak pertama, AC Milan mulai menunjukkan dominansi permainan, sampai pada menit ke 15, Kevin Prince Boateng berhasil memanfaatkan umpan lambung dari Antonio Nocerino, 1-0.

23 menit kemudian, AC Milan kembali menunjukkan permainan gaya Italianya kepada Arsenal, melalui umpan dari Zlatan Ibrahimovic dari sudut lapangan, Robinho menyundul umpan yang diberikan dan langsung menerobos gawang Wojciech Szczsescny, 2-0 untuk Milan

Tertinggal 2-0, The Gunners mencoba untuk membalikkan kedudukan. Tetapi, ketangguhan bek Milan yang dimotori Thiago Silva, Philippe Mexes, Luca Antonini, dan Ignazio Abate membuat penyerangan Arsenal selalu gagal. Skor 2-0 bertahan hingga peluit babak pertama berakhir

Di awal babak kedua, Arsene Wenger menurunkan Thierry Henry, yang membuat permainan Arsenal sedikit lebih baik dari babak pertama. Namun Milan kembali dapat membobol gawang Arsenal setelah tendangan Robinho dari luar kotak penalti menambah skor Milan-Arsenal menjadi 3-0.

Arsenal bukannya tanpa peluang, umpan silang dari Bacary Sagna terarah ke sang legenda, Thierry Henry. Tetapi, Christian Abbiati dengan sigap dapat memotong bola umpan tersebut. Peluang lainnya, saat Robin Van Persie melepaskan tembakan di depan gawang Abbiati, tetapi tendangannya masih bisa diraih oleh Abbiati dan hanya menghasilkan tendangan sudut.

Ingin menciptakan gol, justru The Gunners kebobolan satu gol. Johan Djourou menjatuhkan Zlatan Ibrahimovic di kotak terlarang. Kesempatan ini tidak disia-siakan oleh sang algojo, Ibrahimovic sendiri untuk merobek gawang Szczescny di menit ke-79. Ibra menyegel kemenangan dengan skor 4-0.

Dengan hasil ini, Milan mulai melangkahkan satu kakinya ke perempat final Liga Champions. Arsenal mungkin saja akan membuat kejutan saat mereka akan bertanding di Emirates Stadium pada leg kedua Maret (7/3) nanti.

Vermaelen not enjoying role

Thomas Vermaelen has expressed his frustration with playing at left-back as he does not feel he can perform to the best of his ability. 


Vermaelen has been Arsenal's most impressive central defender over the past couple of years but he has been asked to operate in a wider role due to a spate of recent injuries to full-backs.


Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have been favoured in the heart of the back four and Vermaelen admits that is where he would prefer to be playing. "I am fed up playing at left-back," the 26-year-old Belgian is quoted as saying by The People. 


"I don't think I am good there - I want to achieve my highest level and I can't do that on the left. __________________________________________________ _______________ 


Not happy 


"I play there to help the team but it gives me no satisfaction as I can't reach my best standard. "I do my job but seldom feel content after matches. If the team wins I am happy, but it remains frustrating." 


Vermaelen has also spoken of his disappointment at losing the Belgium captaincy to Manchester Citydefender Vincent Kompany. 


"I'm not happy about it," said Vermaelen, who moved to Arsenal from Ajax in 2009. "I was proud to wear the armband."

‘Even Milan said we were the better side’

Arsène Wenger has called on his side to deliver a repeat performance of their historic 2-0 win at AC Milan when they face the Italian giants on Wednesday. 


Late goals from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor secured victory for Arsenal in 2008 as they became the first English club to beat the Rossoneri at the San Siro. 


Wenger remains fiercely proud of that performance and says his current crop also have the quality to secure another famous away European result. “I felt it was such a great night because we stayed faithful to our game and played without complexity,” he said. 


“I remember that even Milan said the better team won. So let's keep that in our memory and repeat the same performance. 


“We have had quite a few good performances away in the Champions League over the years, and we are very proud of them. We won in Madrid in 2006, 5-1 at Inter Milan in 2003, and the 2-0 win against AC Milan in 2008. 


“When you look back and remember, you realise that we have won at almost every big stadium in Europe. Yes, we have not won in Barcelona, where we have played a draw, but overall I think we have won everywhere.”

Owen Coyle believes Ryo Miyaichi is a future Arsenal star

Arsenal’s players are doing a great job all over the Premiership, as Bolton manager Owen Coyle is delighted about having the chance to use the young Gunner Ryo Miyaichi until the end of the season. 


Coyle used the winger in a friendly game at the beginning of the week and is now expected to make him a week-in-week-out first team player after an impressive performance in the closed door match against Preston. 


“Ryo has unbelievable ability, he has got pace to burn without wanting to warn opponents, he is lightning quick.” Coyle said. 


“He has also got great feet and is only going to get better. “When he gets his chance he will show everybody what he can do. The proof will be in the pudding, but you will see what he has in his locker. He gets the ball and then something can happen. 


“He is quite slight, so he has some developing to come. But his work-rate is similar to Chung Yong Lee. I also love his temperament, you always see him with a smile. I like his appetite for the game and his enthusiasm.” 


“I would love to have signed him permanently but Arsenal would not let that happen. “Ryo’s ambition is to go back to Arsenal and into their first team. He has enough to do that. He was at Feyenoord on loan and was terrific. 


“When you are at an elite club you are not always going to get into the team, but may go on to have a good career. Everybody has their level. But I think Ryo can be an Arsenal player for years to come.” 


By the time he’ll return to Arsenal Miyaichi will have to fight with Walcott, Gervinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain for the first team spot, especially as Chamberlain is really gaining pace in Wenger’s eyes and will probably become a regular first team player for the forseeable future. 


Do you think Ryo will ever impose himself at Arsenal?

Wenger eyes Wilshere boost

Arsene Wenger is hoping for good news from Jack Wilshere's latest scans after admitting it is vital to learn when he could be back in action. 


The Arsenal midfielder has been sidelined all season with an ankle problem and it emerged last week that he had suffered a new stress fracture to put back his return date. 


Wenger had initially been optimistic of having Wilshere available again in February, but his comeback is not imminent and there are just three months of the season remaining. 


He will get a clearer idea of how long it will take to recover when he visits a specialist in the next few days, and Wenger is looking for a timely boost. 


"I hope that we will get good news from him because that is very important for Arsenal," he said. "This is the stage where the [latest] scan will be vital to decide when he will come back." 


Much has been made of the visits to Chelsea's training ground by Russian owner Roman Abramovich this week to cast his eye over Andre Villas-Boas' squad. Wenger insists he would not be troubled were the Gunners' American majority shareholder Stan Kroenke to show up at London Colney. 


"He can turn up any day," the Arsenal boss said. "He is the president of the club. You cannot forbid him to come to his own training ground, and he is welcome. "We have nothing to hide here."

Fabregas hopes to avoid Arsenal in Champions League

Fàbregas spoke to a number of Indonesian journalists during a recent video conference interview, organized by PT Kraft Foods Indonesia, and this is what he said:


“I really hope we don’t play Arsenal in the Champions league because it could be too strange, especially now. It’s too soon after I left, and it would be very weird for me to come to the Emirates [Stadium] because it’s been my home for eight years,” Fàbregas said. 


“I really love everyone there and it could be weird to go back now, so soon, and play against them. I really hope if we have to play Arsenal, it would be in a few years.” 


“I enjoyed many years in England and what I’m doing now is the same. Another kind of soccer, but I learned a lot. With each passing day, I enjoy it more and more. And hopefully we will win many things.”

Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal - Match Report

Thierry Henry secured a vital victory at Sunderland on Saturday with virtually his last kick for Arsenal in England.


The talismanic Frenchman is due to end his second spell with the Club after their European tie at Milan on Wednesday, so this afternoon was the record goalscorer’s farewell to the Premier League.


As ever, he supplied a fairytale for the occasion by guiding home Andrey Arshavin’s exquisite cross in the dying seconds.


The strike was the 229th of Henry’s career and capped a stunning comeback for Arsenal, who had dominated the game but trailed to James McClean’s opportunist strike with 20 minutes left after an unchallenged Per Mertesacker had gone down with an instant injury.


Substitute Aaron Ramsey equalised five minutes later with a trickling shot that bounced off both posts before going in. Arsenal huffed and puffed in pursuit of the winner but only Henry could blow Sunderland’s house down.


This was a highly unremarkable game in which utterly remarkable things happened. Wenger, however, will only care about the points.


With Chelsea and Liverpool both losing, this was a huge victory for Arsenal, who are now fourth above the Stamford Bridge outfit on goals scored.


Henry was the hero once again. And, for many, he will remain that way.


This was a fitting farewell to the English game.


The early kick-off saw Manchester United beat Liverpool in a fractious affair at Old Trafford. The quartet of teams currently ensnared in the race for fourth place all had tricky away trips. Kenny Dalglish’s side probably had the toughest task and had already fallen short.


Arsenal’s assignment was only a little less daunting as they faced the Premier League’s in-form side. Martin O’Neill’s men had garnered 22 points out of 30 since his appointment in December.


Understandably, Wenger made few changes from the side that humbled Blackburn 7-1 last Saturday. In fact his only switch was to give Bacary Sagna his second start at right back since October 2. Francis Coquelin dropped to the bench.


Meanwhile, for his side’s fifth game in 13 days, O’Neill chose the same XI that had played 120 minutes on Wednesday in an FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough. Arsenal’s start suggested they were very aware of the potential fatigue factor.


Right from the off, the visitors set a lively pace that penned back their hosts.


However, chances were always rare. Thomas Vermaelen’s header from Robin van Persie’s corner was blocked by keeper Simon Mignolet. At the other end, Laurent Koscielny was dispossessed by Stephane Sessegnon and Fraizer Campbell’s shot was deflected wide.


That was about it for the open 20 minutes. Truth be told, this was a stodgy game on a stodgy pitch.


There was brief moment of class when Walcott, Arsenal’s brightest attacking option in the first half, popped on the right and dragged his shot across a few feet past the far post.


However the England international then hoisted a horribly high volley over the bar from Song’s crossfield chip.


As the half wore on, Sunderland were still territorially disadvantaged but they were able to create more on the break.


However, in keeping with a moribund first 45 minutes, the main talking point was an unforced error. Six minutes from the whistle, Jack Colback sent over an aimless cross from the left and Mertesacker slipped in the area as he attempted to clear. The ball hit the German’s hand - it was only the deliberation that was in question.


Much to the chagrin of the home crowd, referee Neil Swarbrick waved play on.


Arsenal ended the first half on top and Rosicky, who had an influential 45 minutes, saw a shot blocked.


The pattern stayed the same after the interval. The visitors had the energy and the urgency but Sunderland soaked up the pressure.


Mignolet fumbled Van Persie’s early shot but John O’Shea thumped a loose ball just over the bar in reply when Seb Larsson’s free-kick was blocked.


It was perhaps Sunderland’s clearest chance but it only spurred on Arsenal. For the next five minutes they laid siege to the home goal. However, they could not force Mingolet in action.


Wojciech Szczesny had to make his first serious save in the 57th minute after Larsson’s corner was cleared to Craig Gardner. He let fly and Szczesny flew to his left to tip the ball around the post.


That effort was, in fact, offside. However, it would have counted a few minutes later when the Gardner tried his luck again from a similar distance. Szczesny saved once and then mopped up the rebound.


Wenger then brought on Henry to try and force a goal. And, indeed, the opener was close. But it would go Sunderland’s way in the most unfortunate fashion.


In the 70th minute, Sagna tapped the ball back to Mertesacker on the right, who turned to usher the ball back to his keeper. However, the German went down in distress with no-one in close attendance. McClean collected the loose ball, advanced on goal and bent his shot into far corner of the net.


It was a stunning way to lose a goal. But Arsenal also lost a player. Mertesacker was stretchered off and Ramsey came on.


Within five minutes, the Welshman had struck the equaliser. Arteta’s shot was deflected to his feet just outside the area. Ramsey’s shot was not clean but it bobbled past Mingolet, bounced off his right-hand post, trickled across the line, hit the other post and, eventually, meandered over the line.


It was a massive goal for Arsenal and set up a frantic final. As we had seen all game, the urgency came from the visitors. It seemed that Sunderland were happy with a point.


A minute from normal time, substitute Arshavin crossed from the left and Van Persie rose unmarked six yards out. However, he could only direct his header straight at Mignolet.


Then, at the death, Henry did his thing.


It was the cue for pandemonium amongst the Arsenal fans who deserved this moment for travelling all this way in such frosty conditions.


Ta Ta Thierry. Thanks for everything.


And can we have a grand ‘arrivederci’ in Milan on Wedneday too please?

'We got the performance and the result'

on a memorable afternoon… 
I felt that recently we had quite good performances but did not get the results. Today we got the performance and the result, which is ideally what you want. I do not give much importance to the seven goals, it is just important we won and played well. 


on Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott... As you know, they are English! I feel providing today was as important as scoring. The flanks provided very well and scored through Alex. Robin is an exceptional football player and you could see that with his movement in the box, which could be shown in every football school. When you feed him in the box, he is deadly. 


on why he didn't take Van Persie off... 
Alex Chamberlain played three games for the first time in his career. He had a stiff neck at half-time, so I did not want to take a gamble with him. Then we had a problem with Koscielny, and I wanted to give some playing time to Benayoun. 


on maintaining the pressure against 10 men... 
We remained serious and were guided by the way we want to play football and not by any extravagant individualism. That is positive. We were mature and serious, we played together until the end. 


on Oxlade-Chamberlain's pre-match knock... 
I would not have taken a gamble today. In a very short period of time he has become an important player who can make a difference. I rested him in the last 20 minutes at Bolton, so he was not pushed to his limits. The medical staff said there was no risk he could damage his knee, so that is why I decided to play him. 


on why he didn't use him sooner… 
He was not ready earlier in the season. He has made a big step in the last months. He produces team play, he is not only going forwards, he is contributing to the defending and has improved very quickly. He is a fighter as well, with personality. He is much more mature now. 


on whether he could get an England call-up... 
Would you be surprised? I would not. on scoring so many goals.. It was important to the confidence of the side that we win a game and get three points but the result in itself will not make us win at Sunderland. What will make us win there with the confidence we got today is to continue to play the way we did today. Every game is a new challenge and Sunderland are in a good spell as well. We have to be ready for that. 


on fears that Givet had hurt Van Persie… 
Yes I was worried because you never know how bad it is. That's something we cannot afford at the moment, to lose a player like Robin with Thierry going back to the States. Normally, Thierry today played his last game at the Emirates and in the last minute he scored his goal. So that is something special. 


on whether Givet apologised… 
Yes he did. on whether he reads much into a 7-1 win... No, as we said before we need consistency. Strangely I don't feel we played very badly at Fulham, nor at Swansea, nor against Manchester United - in the first half we were terrible but in the second half we should have won the game. But every time we just couldn't get the result and in the end if affects your belief. This will help us slowly to believe again that we could win. To win 1-0 at Sunderland would be fantastic and that's what we have to prepare for, to produce a good performance. 


on sharing the goals around… 
Yes, that was a problem I faced in all the press conferences at the start of the season. If he doesn't score, who scores, you know? It was right, I couldn't deny that. But I always felt that if you look at our numbers the trio of Gervinho, Walcott and Van Persie were involved in all the goals so they are more the providers because we play with two wingers. But the wingers can score as well, like today. It is something that is needed and we need some more goals from midfield as well. 


on Henry's impact off the pitch… 
Only positive. How much, you can never give a percentage, but he was very positive and everyone takes his advice on board because he has delivered here and they want to deliver too. He is respected and he was very positive. He is not going away yet, normally he stays until after the Milan game. So we go to Sunderland now and then we go to Milan - that is two massive games. 


on whether he can extend Henry's loan deal... I haven't looked at it, maybe the maximum possibility we have is two more weeks. Normally no [he would not be here for the Tottenham game].

Walcott wants more central role

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes his future lies as a striker.


Walcott has been deployed mainly as a wide man for Arsenal, but remains optimistic that the manager will switch him to a more central role.


Walcott told the Telegraph: “Playing central might not happen just yet. It depends on the manager. I have put it out there. We will see if it ever happens.


"I will play anywhere to be in this team but people do forget that I am a striker. Hopefully one day I will show what I can do up front.”


The England international has been described as one dimensional by some corners, who have questioned his decision making in the final third.


The former Saints youngster is also due to hold talks over a new deal with the Gunners, but reports suggest the club have refused to meet his high wage demands citing speculation that he may move in the summer. 


PSG and Juventus have both been linked with a move for Walcott and may consider a move in the summer if both parties fail to agree a new deal.

Gunners set to miss out on Madrid starlet

Arsenal are likely to be disappointed in their pursuit of Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Morata, after Sevilla reportedly emerged as frontrunners for his signature.


The 19-year-old continues to impress for Real Madrid B and has netted 22 goals in 45 appearances for Los Blancos' second-string outfit.


According to talkSPORT, Arsenal are keen on Morata, although the Gunners are just one of several clubs to have posted scouts to track the youngster over the past 12 months.


However, Sevilla are now the favourites to complete a deal for his signature, with the young Spaniard wanting to remain in his country of birth, should he leave the Santiago Bernabeu.


Real, though, are reluctant to sell Morata and - talkSPORT reports - will insist on entering a buyback clause into his contract, should he move to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.


Morata has made only two appearances for Jose Mourinho's senior Real Madrid squad - both of which came over a year ago.

Van Persie in danger of three-match ban for elbow incident

The Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie continued his amazing goalscoring run going with two penalties in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa, but it could come at a price as the Dutchman could be facing a three-match ban after he was accused of elbowing Carlos Cuellar during the game.


The Sun reports this morning that the Villa boss Alex McLeish has asked the FA to investigate the incident, and if found guilty Van Persie could face a spell on the sidelines. They also printed a still-shot from the game which clearly shows there is solid contact to Cuellar’s jaw.


McLeish was quoted as saying: “I thought it was an elbow in the face, it was clear. But the referee didn’t seem to see anything in that.


“If it was an elbow in the face, I would like it looked at by the FA.


“I thought he hit him. He lifted the elbow up towards his face. The big man is not a guy to lie down. He would get up pretty quickly.


“Look at my nose, it’s the result of elbows throughout my career — it’s dangerous. “I don’t like to point the finger at players but it’s happened to me enough times.” 


With yesterdays double, Van Persie has already scored 25 goals for the Gunners this season, and if he has to miss three games Arsenal fans will be very worried about who can step up to win some games in his absence.

Wenger on Miyaichi and Diaby futures

Arsene Wenger has given some insight into the immediate futures of Abou Diaby and Ryo Miyaichi. 


Speaking at his post-game press conference today, the manager was asked about Diaby, who hasn’t played since coming on as a 69th minute sub in the 1-1 draw against Fulham in late November. The French midfielder has only played 25 minutes of first team football this season and has been battling to save his career having suffered ongoing ankle problems. 


“He is coming back on Tuesday,” said Wenger. “He has been in a rehab centre and has worked very hard. We feel that when he comes back he will need three more weeks of training, so the earliest he will play will be the end of February.


”Whether or not Diaby can remain fit remains to be seen. It’d be the most optimistic of Gooner who’d put any money on it, but with Jack Wilshere now set for a further spell out having another option in midfield would be no bad thing for the final part of the season. 


Meanwhile, Ryo Miyaichi is set to go out on loan to aid his development, and with the transfer window closing on Tuesday night, a decision is imminent with the player set to stay in England. 


“I will have a chat with him tomorrow and I have a little plan,” he said. “Oxlade-Chamberlain plays on the flanks now too, so if I can find an opportunity for him to play somewhere I will decide whether to do that tomorrow. 


“It will have to be in England because he will lose the homegrown [status] if he leaves the country.


” The Japanese youngster has made two Carling Cup appearances so far this season but has yet to feature in the Premier League. A move on loan to a Premier League or Championship club would be designed to give him the playing time he needs to push for a first team place at Arsenal next season

Arsenal lining up shocking loan move for Carlos Tevez

Arsenal are the latest side being linked with a move for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian has been told his future lies outside of the Etihad stadium, and Arsenal could now come in with a loan move for the 27-year-old. 


Arsene Wenger is looking to add a new striker to his side this month, and after stating he won’t be splashing the cash, a loan move could be on the cards. Tevez has been linked with a whole host of sides this month, most recently Liverpool, however it is Arsenal who are now favourites to sign the striker. Arsenal’s main man this season has been Robin Van Persie, and many fans have said the Dutchman needs some support upfront, in order to take the pressure off his shoulders. 


This man could be Tevez, and the thought of the two upfront is quite extraordinary. Arsenal are regularly linked with new players, however in order to be successful, the Gunners need to go out and make the transfer happen. If they fail to do this, they will find themselves playing in the Europa League season which is a competition they really shouldn’t be playing in. 


Tevez will demand high wages, however I am confident Arsenal can pay them. The Gunners only really need to bring Tevez in on loan until the Summer, before they can look elsewhere for a striker who they can bring in on a permanent deal.