Walcott menyumbang gol pembukaan Arsenal pada minit ke-12 selepas menyudahkan hantaran Andrey Arshavin.

Arshavin kemudiannya meletakkan namanya selaku penjaring apabila berjaya menyempurnakan sepakan penalti pada minit ke-32.

Sepakan penalti itu berpunca apabila pemain pertahanan Blackpool, Ian Evan mengasari penyerang Arsenal, Marouane Chamakh dalam kawasan kotak penalti.

Ekoran kekasaran yang dilakukannya itu, Evan telah dilayangkan kad merah.

Beraksi dengan sepuluh pemain ternyata merencatkan strategi Blackpool untuk mengasak kubu Arsenal.

Sebaliknya, The Gunners terus garang menggempur benteng pertahanan lawan sebelum Walcott menjaringkan gol ketiga Arsenal pada minit ke-39.

Berselang sepuluh minit kemudian, gawang Blackpool bolos lagi, kali ini giliran Abou Diaby merobek gawang pasukan pelawat hasil hantaran lintang Bacary Sagna.

Walcott melengkapkan hatrik apabila meledak gol kelima Arsenal menerusi rembatan kaki kiri pada minit ke-58.

Chamakh mengesahkan kemenangan bergaya Arsenal di hadapan penyokong sendiri apabila menyumbang gol keenam The Gunners tujuh minit sebelum perlawanan berakhir

Sementara itu, Tottenham Hotspur turut mengutip tiga mata penuh selepas menewaskan Stoke City 2-1.

Gareth Bale menjaringkan kedua-dua gol Spurs manakala gol tunggal Stoke disumbangkan oleh Ricardo Fuller. – Agensi

Sumber : KOSMO! Online

Manuel Almunia of Arsenal reacts to conceding a goal to Manchester United’s John O’Shea in April last year. Photograph: Chris Coleman/Getty Images

Right from the beginning of his Arsenal career, Arsène Wenger has been aware of the particular tension that gnaws at goalkeepers. One of his earliest signings was Alex Manninger, a young Austrian with a strapping physique, terrific reflexes, and bags of potential. What Manninger did not have, however, was big-match temperament. The slightest mistake would antagonise him, and his team-mates soon became used to the sight of him sitting in the dressing room with a towel on his head barking at himself in German.

Arsenal’s current custodian shows his torment in a different way. Manuel Almunia is capable of looking so vexed, with the baggage under his eyes causing such strain, it seems he can not have slept for a week. Perhaps he has not. There has been plenty to toss and turn about in between a sobering and error-strewn defeat at home to Manchester United and a visit to a Chelsea team who have slammed seven goals past him in the past two meetings.

Visible nervousness is hardly a useful asset for a goalkeeper. Arsenal’s season has been punctuated by individual errors at the back. Not all of them are Almunia’s, but sometimes the defenders in front of him lapse in concentration because they appear to be worried about what the man behind them is – or is not – going to do. Will he clear the ball or shank it? Will he come for the cross or stay? Will he catch or flap?

Earlier this season, when Chelsea went through an uncharacteristically vulnerable spell and conceded virtually any time a high ball was hurled into their box, you could sense their defence was similarly uneasy about Petr Cech, whose form hit a rocky patch. Uncertainty is virulently contagious.

As the former double-winning captain Frank McLintock says: “The goalkeeper is absolutely vital. It all starts from there. If he’s nice and calm and full of authority it sets everything up in front of him. Almunia has lost confidence in himself. When the ball is knocked back to him he swings at it, he panics.”

Even Wenger admits Almunia worries too much. “I think he puts a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Too much,” he mused at the training ground last week. “If you look well across Europe you see that goalkeeper is the most difficult job in the world today. And it is even harder in England. Everything is quick, people stand on your feet at crosses. It is a terrible job.”

The Frenchman tries to be empathetic. “A goalkeeper is always in a negative publicity. If a striker misses two chances and scores two he is a hero. If a goalkeeper makes a fantastic game and makes one mistake he is a villain. They are under massive pressure because of that fear to make one mistake, knowing that it can kill the team and the game. It is may be the most pressurised job in football.”

Almunia’s mistakes have been worryingly numerous this season. His ranking, in terms of saves to shots ratio, charts him as 19th in the Premier League. Hardly the foundation required to win titles. Brian Clough used to say that Peter Shilton won him 15 points per season. At some point Wenger has to calculate how many points his keeper is costing him.

Although Arsenal’s manager still pledges faith in the Spaniard, the view in the Emirates audience is an overwhelming lack of trust in the club’s No1. It is the most hotly debated topic in N5. For how long can he keep his place?

But the trouble is, none of the three young understudies on the books looks ready yet to elbow him out of the way – Lukasz Fabianski has had his own hairy moments, Vito Mannone looked raw when he was promoted earlier this season, and although Wojciech Szczesny (probably the most gifted of the lot) is earning rave reviews on loan at Brentford he is 19 years old and rightly honing his skill.

If there was an argument for strengthening a position of weakness in the transfer window, Wenger didn’t want to hear of it.

An eye for a goalkeeper has never been his greatest gift. David Seaman was the perfectly solid base at the club when the manager first arrived, but the selection recruited to emulate him include Manninger, Richard Wright, Rami Shaaban and Almunia, who have all struggled with varying degrees to prove they have nerves for the task. Jens Lehmann, who nobody would accuse of having a nervous disposition, was the exception to that rule, and he was a law unto himself.

Before joining Arsenal in 2004, Almunia had spent the majority of his career in the Spanish second division. Even he did not expect to become first choice for a member of the Champions League establishment. Five years into his time in north London, with nearly 150 Arsenal appearances under his belt, the 32-year-old is still heavily burdened with the pressure of his position.

Wenger has dealt with goalkeepers going through a rotten spell in hardline fashion before. Lehmann never forgave Almunia for stepping in when Wenger suddenly dropped the controversial German. The Arsenal manager is adamant he has no qualms about doing the same again.

“I am not afraid to make a tough decision,” he says. “My only target is to make the right decision for the club. But after a game like Sunday we have to believe in our players rather than change half of the team. Almunia has done very well recently. People always look for a scapegoat when you lose a big game, you know.”

He then added that Fabianski has “a little issue” with Chelsea after handing their London rivals a gift in the FA Cup semi-final last year, which suggests a change is not imminent. Even so, the Pole is not the only one who must wonder how many more flaps he must watch from a distance before he gets another chance.

Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk

Nani opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when his chip across goal was palmed in by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, before in-form England striker Wayne Rooney swept home a second following a quick counter attack.

A third on the break from Park Ji-Sung at the start of the second half effectively ended the contest, although defender Thomas Vermaelen netted a consolation for the out-muscled Gunners.

Arsenal, who had started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, began well as Andrei Arshavin got away down the left, before cutting inside and trying to curl the ball past Edwin van der Sar from a tight angle, but his shot drifted wide.

United, though, were quick to regain possession and then cut down any space for the home side. Nani and Darren Fletcher combined as they almost played in Rooney, but William Gallas made an important blocking tackle in the six-yard box.

Alex Song – back from the African Nations Cup – then had to hack the ball clear at the far post as United again got clear down the right far too easily.

When Arshavin – who was ineligible for last season’s Champions League semi-final clash between the sides – burst away again, he lacked any support in the middle.

The Russian, though, remained Arsenal’s most potent attacking threat. In the 13th minute he skipped away down the left, cut back inside Wes Brown and curled another effort goalwards, which this time was only just wide of the far post.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas suddenly burst into life with a surging run down the middle, before slipping in Arshavin, but the Russian lost his footing at the key moment and United cleared.

United – who have played a match more than Chelsea – slowly started to gain the upper hand and Gallas needed to make another timely tackle in the penalty area as Paul Scholes shaped to shoot.

Nani drilled the ball wide as Arsenal were again exposed in the right channel, before playing a key part in the goal which gave United the lead. The winger skipped easily in between two defenders then chipping the ball back across goal. Almunia pushed it inside his far post, with Park Ji-Sung ready to tap the ball into the net.

Fabregas’ shot following a corner was blocked – and four minutes later United were 2-0 ahead. Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear after picking the ball up from Rooney before squaring it for the England striker to sweep home his 22nd goal of the season, low into the corner.

The Gunners faced an uphill battle to get back into the match, with Arshavin firing wide from just inside the box – as manager Arsene Wenger was left to scratch his head and looked to the heavens for inspiration.

It could have been worse on 41 minutes, but Nani blazed his shot wide after more good work from Rooney down the left.

There was a hold-up at the start of the second half as Rooney received treatment following a knock on the knee in a challenge with Bacary Sagna. The England forward, though, was soon back in the action, and tested Almunia with a fierce angled drive after cutting in from the left.

It was game over on 52 minutes, when United scored a third following another simple counter. This time is was Park who broke clear, sprinting onto Fletcher’s chip into the Arsenal half and then slotting past Almunia from just inside the box.

The Gunners were also well beaten here 3-0 by Chelsea at the end of November, before a run of seven wins from nine hauled them back into title contention.

Fabregas, continued to drive his young team on, firing over and then just too close to Van der Sar, then Song volleyed wide.

Theo Walcott came on as substitute – and Arsenal pulled a goal back with 11 minutes to go when Vermaelen’s volley took a deflection off Jonny Evans to wrong-foot van der Sar.

However, there was to be no grand finale as Wenger’s youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.

Source : http://soccernet.espn.go.com

• Hodgson doubts Smalling bid

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson yesterday insisted he would be the first to know were Wenger – linked with Brede Hangeland in the last transfer window – set to step up any interest in the 20-year-old, whom Fulham plucked from non-League Maidstone and is now rated at around £7million.

Wenger feels Arsenal currently have enough cover at centre-half, following the re-signing of former captain Sol Campbell, but were Philippe Senderos to leave, Wenger could be back in the market. For now, though, the Gunners boss insists there is nothing concrete to report.

“He is a player we know, yes, but there is no truth in it at the moment,” Wenger said. “Maybe in the future. At the moment is at the moment. I never rule anything out.

“I never speak about transfers It is very interesting to make headlines, but the most important is that we inform the press when things are done. If the press knows every moment about every single transfer, I do not think that is right.”

With striker Nicklas Bendtner coming close to a first-team return, perhaps in time for the visit of Manchester United next weekend, Wenger hinted he may now not move to bolster the squad with another forward.

“At the moment, we are not on the verge of signing anybody,” said Wenger, set to be without injured Holland international Robin van Persie until April.

“It is very difficult in January to find players who are available for the Champions League, who are just good enough to play for Arsenal and at the right price. You never know, but at the moment it [to sign a striker] is unlikely.”

Source : http://soccernet.espn.go.com

Kemenangan itu membawa skuad Arsene Wenger itu naik ke tangga kedua Liga Perdana England selepas mencatat kemenangan pertama ke atas Spurs sejak Disember 2007.

Aksi semalam, Gunners agak kecewa pada babak pertama namun akhirnya mengejutkan Spurs dengan dua gol dalam tempoh seminit sebelum rehat.

Penyerang Belanda, Van Persie memulakan jaringan pada minit ke-42 apabila bijak menyambar hantaran silang Bacary Sagna.

Tottenham terus menerima tamparan apabila ketua pasukan Gunners, Cesc Fabregas mencuri bola dan meloloskan diri dari pertahanan lawan sebelum melepaskan rembatan yang melepasi Heurelho Gomes pada minit ke-43.

Van Persie melengkapkan hari malang skuad Harry Redknapp pada minit ke-60.

Jaringan tersebut bermula apabila pengadil Mark Clattenburg mengarahkan permainan diteruskan walaupun Benoit Assou-Ekotto mengkasari Eduardo dan ketika pemain pertahanan Tottenham tercegat, Van Persie sekali lagi menyambar bola lintang Sagna untuk jaringan jarak dekat.

Dalam pada itu, pemain Arsenal, Nicklas Bendtner mengalami kecederaan pangkal paha dan mungkin tidak beraksi selama sebulan.

Wenger berkata, Bendtner yang dimasukkan pada lewat babak pertama mengalami kecederaan ‘agak serius’.

Kemenangan itu turut mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah Arsenal dengan Spurs sejak dekad lalu.

“Ia perlawanan yang sengit dan sukar di babak pertama kerana kami sama-sama beraksi baik. Apabila kami menjaringkan gol pertama, mereka (Spurs) pada asasnya sudah menyerah kalah,” kata Van Persie.

Kemenangan itu memberikan Arsene Wenger mata ke 1,000 liga sejak menyertai Arsenal 13 tahun lalu.

Dalam tempoh tersebut, Tottenham telah dikendalikan oleh 13 pengurus dan gagal memberi tekanan terhadap dominasi Arsenal di utara London.

KEPUTUSAN LAIN

Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 42, 60, Fabregas 43) – Tottenham 0

Bolton 0 – Chelsea 4 (Lampard 45-pen, Deco 61, Knight 83-og, Drogba 90)

Burnley 2 (Alexander 20-pen, 77) – Hull 0

Everton 1 (Bilyaletdinov 45) – Aston Villa 1 (Carew 47)

Fulham 3 (Zamora 24, Nevland 73, Dempsey 87) – Liverpool 1 (Torres 42)

Portsmouth 4 (Dindane 35, 64, 90-pen, Piquionne 45) – Wigan 0

Stoke 2 (Elokobi 17-gs, Etherington 44) – Wolverhampton 2 (Craddock 47, 64)

Sunderland 2 (Reid 39, Richardson 76) – West Ham 2 (Franco 30, Cole 36)

Manchester United 2 – Blackburn 0 (Berbatov, Rooney)

Sumber

Chelsea pula terus kekal di persada liga selepas membelasah Bolton 4-0 di tempat lawan dan harus membuat Manchester United tambah resah yang menentang Blackburn Rovers, lewat malam tadi.

Apapun, derita Liverpool berterusan apabila dipalit kecewa menempuh kekalahan kelima, musim ini selepas tewas kepada Fulham, 3-1 di gelanggang lawan – keputusan yang harus mempertikaikan status Rafael Benitez selaku pengendali pasukan.

Arsenal kini melonjak ke kedudukan tempat kedua carta liga hasil kemenangan pertama berdepan Spurs sejak Disember 2007 tetapi ia tampak sementara buat barisan Arsene Wenger jika United menang.

Gol Arsenal adalah sumbangan penyerang Belanda, van Persie yang membuka jaringan minit ke-42 dan 60 manakala kapten Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas menyumbang satu minit ke-43.

Arsenal kini tidak ditewaskan daripada 20 perlawanan liga menentang Spurs. – AFP

Sumber : Berita harian Online

Andrey Arshavin capped a brilliant first half by putting Arsenal ahead and if Ben Foster had not denied Robin van Persie with a brilliant feet-first save, Arsenal would probably have won.

Instead, Wayne Rooney won a penalty when he went down under Manuel Almunia’s challenge, and scored it himself before Abou Diaby turned Ryan Giggs’ free-kick into his own net to give the hosts their victory.

Van Persie thought he had equalised deep into stoppage time but his effort was ruled out for an offside against William Gallas, and Arsene Wenger’s protest against the disallowed goal led to him being sent from the dug-out.

The Gunners were in front and on top through Arshavin’s goal when Rooney went down under Manuel Almunia’s challenge just before the hour mark.

Rooney sent Almunia the wrong way, ensuring the only blot on Diaby’s fine performance turned out to be the own goal that sealed a win that wrecked Arsenal’s 100 per cent start to the season.

perfect decision

It had all looked so unlikely at half-time, as Arshavin threatened to run riot.

The Russian might have scored earlier than he did too when Ben Foster flapped at a Van Persie corner.

The former Zenit St Petersburg man made a conscious effort to place a shot towards the top corner. Foster was not the only anxious face to watch it drift narrowly wide.

Then Darren Fletcher slid into Arshavin and despite winning the ball, Arsenal claimed for a penalty.

Referee Mike Dean was standing near enough to make the perfect decision and waved the shout away.

Arsenal maintained their offensive. The impressive Denilson slid a pass through to Arshavin, who had found space between United’s defence and midfield which Ferguson’s team selection was supposed to prevent.

Quickly Arshavin turned and let fly with a rasper of a drive.

Nemanja Vidic came close to levelling straight away for the hosts but, as they trooped into the tunnel for a dismal half-time debrief, the best they could actually reflect on was a Rooney free-kick that curled narrowly wide.

Strangely given how one-sided the opening half had been, Ferguson did not try to change things during the interval. And his team were almost out of the match before he had retaken his seat.

Arshavin sped past John O’Shea as though the Irishman was not there to reach the by-line and picked out Van Persie with a teasing low cross that looked certain to be number two until Foster stuck out a leg to make a magnificent save.

At that point, there seemed to be only one winner. How wrong those doubters were as Ferguson’s team surged back, Ryan Giggs the architect behind the comeback just as Arshavin had sparked Arsenal earlier.

The difference was Dean said yes when United claimed their penalty as Rooney went crashing to the ground after Giggs had supplied the pass that sent him through one-on-on with Almunia.

Questions were asked when Rooney did not take the one Michael Carrick missed at Burnley. There was no need this time as Rooney went straight for the ball, put it on the spot and promptly sent Almunia the wrong way.

Any pretence at defence was now swept away amid the fervour of an occasion that threatened to become a classic.

When Diaby was hacked at by Rooney and Wes Brown, both men were booked and Van Persie was offered the chance to curl a free-kick at Foster’s goal which thudded against the crossbar.

A minute later, from a very similar position, United got their second.

In truth, Giggs’ free-kick would not have threatened Almunia if Diaby had not stuck his head on it and deflected it straight into the corner of his own goal.

Source : PremierLeague.com