Arsenal’s Wenger scores one over Liverpool

Arsene Wenger got a pleasant surprise ahead of the showdown against Liverpool when he was named Premier League manager of the month.

Reviled by some fans as Arsenal look certain to end a seventh season without a trophy, the Frenchman has scored one up against Kop idol Kenny Dalglish who ended Liverpool’s six-year trophy drought with a League Cup triumph last Sunday.

Wenger’s Arsenal side suffered a heavy Champions League defeat by AC Milan and crashed out of the FA Cup, but were unbeaten in the league in February.

“If you had read the newspapers in the last two weeks, you must say there is a mistake. I thought they were speaking to somebody else behind me,” he said.

“It was a complete shock to me. I couldn’t understand that at all.”

But the manager of the month award is also based on league form – and Arsenal picked up 10 points from their four matches.

They drew with Bolton but followed that with wins over Blackburn, Sunderland , their FA Cup conquerors, and last weekend’s astonishing 5-2 North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur to climb into the top four.

Wenger’s 12th manager of the month award is testimony to the resilience of Arsenal who got off to the worst possible start to the season when they were handed an 8-2 mauling by Manchester United.

The wily Frenchman is now hopeful that victory against Carling Cup winners Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime can boost chances of an unlikely turnaround against Milan in next week’s second leg.

“We know that in the Champions League we have a massive score against us,” he said. “But, if we get a good result at Liverpool I think we have a chance.

“For us it’s important to confirm the game we played against Tottenham at Liverpool and then we can focus completely on the Champions League and have a real go.

“What we did in Milan was just not what we do usually in the Champions League and I am sure we’ll see a different Arsenal on Tuesday.

“In the Champions League at home we can score goals, we know that. For us now it’s important for us to go with big belief into the Milan game.”

Wenger – Returning defenders a big boost

Arsène Wenger says the squad’s returning full backs have provided a huge lift ahead of Arsenal’s end-of-season run-in.

Wenger has been without Bacary Sagna,Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson through injury for significant parts of the season.

Although the squad’s utility men have filled in admirably, the Frenchman admits that having players comfortable in their roles is always preferable.

“I felt that for a long time we had to play players out of position and when we go into crucial games that is not ideal,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“You play a right back in the right back position, and a left back in the left back position and it gives you a natural balance.

“So far we are in a shape that is quite positive because we are motivated, we have good confidence levels and we have some players available who are used to playing in those positions.”

Robin Van Persie Could Feature Against England Despite Injury Concerns

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Robin van Persie could find himself at the centre of a club versus country tug of war, with the striker set to feature in Holland’s friendly with England at Wembley tonight.

Van Persie, who is believed to have a slight groin problem after complaining of pain, was declared able to play by the KNVB, Dutch Football Association, despite not undergoing a fitness test.

As reported by the Guardian, Kees Jansma, spokesperson for the KNVB said: “I think he is ok, he is ok. He is completely fit. Its absolutely not serious, so there is no problem at all.”

His comments are sure to frustrate Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made his feelings on players featuring in mid-season friendlies clear on a number of occasions. Wenger even recalled Van Persie ahead of Holland’s game with Germany last November for fear of injury.

Van Persie has found the net 33 times this season and his talismanic display at the weekend helped overcome a 0-2 deficit to beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the north London derby.

With Arsenal facing Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Wenger will be hoping his star striker is fit. Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League and face a Liverpool team brimming with confidence following their Carling Cup Final triumph over Cardiff City.

Arsenal are hoping to consolidate fourth place, as they look for Champions League football next season, however, victory for Kenny Dalglish’s charges will see them just four points off of the gunners.

Arsenal’s Van Persie doubtful for England clash

Holland striker Robin van Persie is a doubt for Wednesday’s friendly against England with a groin injury, Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk has confirmed.

Arsenal‘s talisman Van Persie sat out the last 10 minutes of Holland’s hour-long open training session at Wembley on Tuesday after aggravating the problem, which he originally suffered in the Gunners’ 5-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

He was in sublime touch against Spurs scoring the equaliser when they 2-0 down with a magnificent left footed volley.

The Arsenal captain, who has been in scintillating form this year, appeared in discomfort towards the end of the training session and missed an eight-a-side practice match at England’s national stadium in north London.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 33 goals for club and country this term, is a doubt for Wembley, although Van Marwijk was optimistic the striker would feature.

Robin van Persie: I’m a true Gunner and I love Arsenal

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf have some comforting words for Arsenal fans from Robin van Persie today. Fresh from their excellent win at the weekend, the Dutch striker has taken steps to calm fears that he’s on his way out of the Emirates.

“I sit there for eight years and I’m proud. At the end of the season I sit down with the trainer and the president. Then we make a cup of coffee all together. I am a true Gunner. I love this club and that’s no secret.”

Van Persie is keen to leave everything until the end of the season, when he’ll only have a year left on his contract. Though he may have the best intentions at heart, the delay has created many rumours and also stirred interest in other clubs who feel they may have a chance of signing him. He’s still determined to wait “We will soon talk about many things. I do quite often with the trainer anyway. Only later on is the president there.”

Robin van Persie is the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals for Arsenalalready this season.

Wenger salutes magical Walcott

Arsene Wenger praised Theo Walcott’s two-goal contribution to Arsenal’s 5-2 derby win over Tottenham, but admitted he considered substituting the winger to spare him more abuse from his own supporters.

Walcott came in for heavy criticism from the Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium as Spurs raced to an early two-goal lead.

But after the home side drew level, Tomas Rosicky and Walcott completed a comfortable win.

Wenger confessed he thought about making a change when it became apparent Walcott was shouldering the blame for a disappointing start but believes the player’s performance demonstrated his value to the team.

“The crowd was starting to get on his back, and you wonder if you do him a favour if you leave him on,” said Walcott.

“But I felt that he is a player who can be straight, go behind the defenders, and nobody else is like that.

“He is a very direct player, and you know that sometimes he can miss a first touch and still considering the balance of our team I felt it was important to keep him in the side.”

Walcott admitted he had endured a difficult first 45 minutes but was satisfied with his response.

“You always have to get on with the game. When things are not going too well, I can hold my hands up and say I didn’t have the greatest of first halves,” he said.

“But it just shows the character, not just me but the team. I was trying to forget about that and work hard in the second half and if you work hard hopefully good things will come and it happened for me, hopefully it will happen to everyone else now.”

In a reversal of roles, Robin Van Persie, the scorer of Arsenal’s second goal, set up Walcott for the team’s third.

And the Holland forward said: “If you speak about Theo, I think it’s funny he gets so many critics. He gave me loads of assists and I know and everyone knows he can score.

“He showed that in this game, he scored two goals and will score more. I said a couple of weeks ago he will score 20 goals and he will, trust me.”

Bacary Sagna set Arsenal on course for victory after Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor had put Spurs in control.

And Wenger believes the race for third place is back on after Arsenal reduced the gap on Tottenham to seven points.

“It is still possible, if we keep our run going. Why not? But before the game it was ‘impossible’,” said Wenger.

“I always thought it was possible, but it would be down to consistency. Everybody on in the Premier League can lose points. They have a different schedule to us, but if we continue to play like that, then why not?”

Wenger revealed Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen and Czech Republic forward Rosicky picked up knocks and would miss this week’s internationals.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp admitted he had been surprised at the way his side collapsed and demanded an immediate response.

“We seemed to buckle after they scored, which isn’t like us. We don’t do that often. But they’ve got good players. They’re a good side but when you’re 2-0 up, you expect to win the game,” he said.

“It’s going to be tight, but we’re in a great position. We’re still seven points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea. If we can finish third, that’s a great season for us.”

And he added: “We’ve got to come back like we did earlier in the season. We need to bounce back and recover.

“But everyone’s going to various parts of the world to play internationals, There’s hardly anyone in all week. It’s a crazy build-up to massive games. It’s difficult, the schedule. We’ve got people going to Mexico. One to New Zealand.”

Van Persie ‘spurs’ Arsenal to finish on a high

Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie has issued a clarion call to his troops to finish the season on a high and squashed speculation that he is seeking a move out of the Emirates.

“I’m just thinking about Arsenal right now and nobody else. I’m thinking about beating Tottenham at home. I’m thinking about a top-four finish to ensure there is Champions League football for Arsenal yet again next season,” said van Persie in an exclusive report in The Sun.

“I realise there is lots of speculation about my future at the moment. But, rest assured, the only thing in my mind right now is to get Arsenal Football Club back on track and finish the season strong.”

In what could be a season-defining fortnight for Arsenal, they take on Spurs in the north London derby on Sunday and aim to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Milan in the Champions League clash at home on March 6.

“I’m thinking about an early goal against Milan and trying to pull off the improbable. That would be incredible,” said the Dutch international who has been the Premier League’s top goal scorer this season.

Arsenal’s talisman feels the players owe it to their beleaguered manager Arsene Wenger and Gunners faithful to keep battling on despite their chances of ending a seventh season without a trophy being bleak.

“We owe it to our manager and — even more — to our fans. It hurts that Arsene Wenger has had to suffer the criticism he has. It’s a collective sport and there are many reasons why we have not produced the results,” he said taking responsibility for their poor performances in the last couple of games.

“We have amazing fans. It was unbelievable again to see all these fans from across the country and abroad supporting us at Sunderland after a bad loss three days earlier,” he said. “I honestly think we have the best supporters. They are there through thick and thin.”

However, he was confident they have the capacity to bounce back and finish strongly.

“I honestly believe this team has quality and can finish strong. We have come back so strongly after a disappointing start. Believe me, that took massive strength of character,” he said referring to the 8-2 mauling they received at the hands of Manchester United.

“Now we need to do exactly the same again. I am sure we can. There’s definitely no point looking back. What’s done is done, nothing can be changed now.
But we can do something about the future. We can make sure we finish the season in true Arsenal style to do ourselves justice and give the fans a real thrill,” he said.

Describing Sunday’s match as the biggest of the season, van Persie feels “a win against Spurs would protect our position in fourth and keep us ahead of those chasing” as Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle all battle for the Champions League spot.

He even ventured to say despite Arsenal being out of the title race, they can still end with a flourish.

“The Premier League title is beyond us and, maybe, second place too. But while fourth would be good, I haven’t given up on third place. Why not? This is football, after all,” he said optimistically.

Arsenal, Chelsea feeling heat as league resumes

The Premier League title duel between Manchester United and Manchester City could be relegated to sideshow status this weekend as all eyes descend on the turmoil bedevilling Arsenal and Chelsea.

With Manchester City facing lowly Blackburn on Saturday and United travelling to Norwich 24 hours later, few will be surprised if City’s two-point lead at the top of the table remains intact come Sunday night.

Yet the stakes could not be higher for Arsenal and Chelsea, whose campaigns are teetering on the brink following a series of poor results which have left their managers Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas facing stinging criticism.

Arsenal followed their 4-0 thrashing at AC Milan weekend with a dismal FA Cup exit at Sunderland last weekend, a result that effectively ensured the Gunners’ trophy drought would enter an eighth year.

While conventional wisdom suggests Wenger has built up enough reserves of goodwill during his 15 years at Arsenal to be the author of his own exit strategy, the recent chorus of criticism directed at the Frenchman will become deafening if Tottenham prevail in Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates.

Spurs, who beat Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane earlier this season, have not done the double over the Gunners for nearly 20 years.

A victory for Harry Redknapp’s side would see Spurs open up a 13-point lead over Wenger’s men, a vast gulf between third and fourth place that underscores the acute sense of two clubs heading in opposite directions.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has challenged his team-mates to prove that the club remain “the kings of London.”

“When you play (Tottenham), you forget the table; it is a battle and the best team will win,” Djourou said.

“They are in great shape this season, they have been playing a lot better than before but you have to forget about that and go to war.

“At the start of the season some people wrote them off because they lost a few games but since then they have been unbelievable. But it is up to us to show that we are the kings of London.”

While Wenger is expected to weather the current storm, Villas-Boas’s position at Chelsea remains shrouded in uncertainty despite the Portuguese manager’s insistence that he retains the full backing of owner Roman Abramovich.

The 34-year-old Chelsea boss lurched into another crisis this week as his team slumped to a 3-1 loss at Napoli which has left the Londoners staring down the barrel of Champions League elimination.

Villas-Boas’s selection for the match has come under severe scrutiny following the decision to omit Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole from his starting line-up.

Several reports have suggested Villas-Boas is struggling to get a grip on a full-scale dressing room mutiny, with headlines this week such as “Bench warfare” and “Battle at the Bridge” highlighting the strained relationship between the coach and his players.

Failure to beat relegation-threatened Bolton on Saturday could prove fatal to Villas-Boas, who has won just four of his last 14 games.

Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic is adamant that the club needs to unite behind the manager to have any chance of saving their season.

“Chelsea has to be the priority for everybody,” Ivanovic said. “We all have to think like this to try to make the position better.

“Things like this always happen when you are losing and they always leak out. But it is the manager who decides who plays and then it is up to us players to do our jobs.

“This is a critical period for this club and we will only get through it if we stay positive and keep working hard.”

Villas-Boas’s Bolton counterpart Owen Coyle meanwhile rallied to the support of his opposite number, backing him to transform Chelsea — provided he is given enough time to do so.

“There is no doubt that it is a season of transition at Chelsea because of what he wants to put in place and without wishing to use cliches, Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Coyle said.

“Sometimes it takes time, but I do believe Chelsea have got the right man in place to bring all that to fruition.

“The one commodity we ask for in football is time. Sometimes it is not given, but if it is – and I believe it will be at Chelsea – then I think they will reap the rewards.”

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated):

Saturday: Chelsea v Bolton, Newcastle v Wolves, QPR v Fulham, West Brom v Sunderland, Wigan v Aston Villa, Man City v Blackburn (1730)

Sunday: Arsenal v Tottenham (1330), Norwich v Man Utd (1330), Stoke v Swansea (1500).