Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Lesotho Soccer: Arsenal vs Blackpool 6-0 Full Highlights.
Arsenal vs Blackpool 6-0 Full Highlights
Watch.Lesotho.Football the Premier League Full Highlights Match between Arsenal and Blackpool.
The Arsenal won with a one sided game, Arsenal 6 - Blackpool 0 .
Watch.Lesotho.Football the Premier League Full Highlights Match between Arsenal and Blackpool.
The Arsenal won with a one sided game, Arsenal 6 - Blackpool 0 .
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
LESOTHO SOCCER: Arsenal 6-0 Blackpool: Gunners Whitewash 10-Man Seasiders
Holloway's side brought crashing back down to earth after Gunners hammering.
By Michael Landon | goal.com
Arsenal were in rampant mood to ruthlessly dispatch newly promoted Blackpool 6-0 inside the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. The Seasiders were subject to a Theo Walcott hat-trick and a sending off as Wenger's side put down a marker for the season.
Walcott was the star of the show in the first half with a brace each side of an Andrei Arshavin penalty after Ian Evatt was dismissed for a professional foul. After the break, Abou Diaby struck before Walcott found his third. To round it all off on a fine night for the Gunners, summer signing Marouane Chamakh opened his account for the Gunners with a late header.
The suspension of new center-back signing Laurent Koscielny and injury to Samir Nasri meant Arsene Wenger had to shuffle his pack slightly from that which started at the Gunners opening fixture at Anfield. Alex Song was drafted into central defense whilst Tomas Rosicky was given a starting berth after coming off the bench last week. Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie would again wait on the bench.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway selected an unchanged eleven that recorded a shock victory over Wigan athletic last Saturday aside from the inclusion of Ludovic Sylvestre ahead of Brett Ormerod. New Israeli signing Dekel Keinen was given a spot on the bench.
The Seasiders would have expected a much tougher test than their Premier League debut at the DW Stadium last week and certainly Holloway's side were put under pressure early at the Emirates. Walcott has impressed in fits and starts with the Gunners lately but he started this match in good form. The England international was giving Stephen Crainey the run-around from the off and a good dart into the box should have brought an early goal when Walcott squared but the Gunners had nobody making an attacking run and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.
It was a warning from Arsenal but Blackpool didn't seem overawed and had their own attack at goal down the other end mintes later. Sylvestre picked out David Vaughn in space in the final third and the forward turned into goal and had a go with his right foot but Almunia was well placed to catch his shot.
Admirable as it was, Blackpool were bombing forward but looking too open and it was only a matter of time before they were punished. And punishment arrived in the form of a great break from the Gunners on the eleventh minute. The ball was worked up to Andrey Arshavin and the Russian slipped through Walcott, who was in miles of space, and the Englishman ran into the box and side-footed past Mathew Gilks to give his side an early lead.
The Seasiders were down and looking out of their depth at this point. Rosicky was floating around and running things in midfield and Walcott was causing terror down the right flank.
It should have been two goals to the good for Arsenal when Walcott simply put on the burners and ran at the Blackpool back-line before sliding through Marouane Chamakh for a great one-on-one chance, but the Moroccan fluffed his lines and Gilks dived out to smother the chance.
In a rare foray forward, brave Blackpool strung together a move to give Arsenal a scare at the back, Crainey stealthed down the left channel and delivered a delicious ball to the back post but Gary Taylor-Fletcher could only head wide to miss a great chance.
If things were hard for the visitors, they got a whole lot harder when Holloway's side were reduced to ten-men. Chamakh was slipped in-behind the opposition back-line easily by Arshavin and just on the edge of the box he was brought down by Ian Evatt. It was inconclusive as to whether the foul was actually inside the box or not but referee Michael Jones pointed to the spot, and in double bother to the Seasiders, pulled out a red card for Evatt.
Arshavin stepped up to the spot and powered the penalty into the bottom left of goal. 2-0 up and with the man advantage, Arsenal could now really put on a show.
Holloway had to do something to save a potential embarrassment so he took off Sylvestre and brought on Keinan to shore up the defense.
The tactical shift didn't seem to be effective in stemming an Arsenal tide though and on the 33rd minute, Blackpool were breached again. Walcott, who had been impressive all game long, would be the scorer after taking up a good position in the box and being fed the ball by Jack Wilshere. With Keinan behind him, Walcott was allowed to easily turn his man and fired a shot across goal which out-foxed keeper Gilks and nestled into the back of the net.
It was wave after wave of red and white coming forward now and the Gunners were threatening a fourth. The full-backs were getting in on the action now and a great run up the channel by Gael Clichy allowed him to deliver a peach of a cross at the near post which Chamakh hit on the volley. Thankfully for the visitors, Gilks was adept enough to beat the shot away.
Blackpool must have been wondering when the tide would abate when at the end of the half Arsenal squandered another great chance with a lightning break. Arshavin ran 30 yards before sliding the ball to the feet of Walcott on the right of goal but the Englishman squared ball back across the box was mis-directed at Chamakh and the Seasiders were let off.
The second half and it looked business as usual with Walcott immediately resuming his one-sided relationship with Crainey and putting the defender on the back foot with an attempted run into the box. This time though, the Scot managed to dispossess the forward with a well timed sliding tackle.
Unfortunately for Blackpool, Arsenal had started the second in rampant mood again and less than five minutes after the resumption, a fourth goal was notched.
The 'Pool backline was understandably occupied with the Gunners attack on the edge of the box and that allowed Bakary Sagna acres of space to deliver a great cross into the danger-zone from the right flank.
Abou Diaby timed his run well and showing his sublime technique, hit the cross on the half-volley and the ball flew across goal and into the far right corner of the goal. Gilks had no chance.
Blackpool were all washed out now and Diaby nearly found another goal minutes after his
first after jinking into the box but fired wide on this occasion with the opposition defense all at sea.
If you give Arsenal this much time and space in their own back-yard you are in for a hiding. Blackpool must have learned that lesson by now but the Gunners were determined to hammer it through and found a fifth goal in what was becoming something of a routine during the game.
Diaby strode onto the edge of the box and fed into Walcott in the box. The Englishman was threatening a hat-trick all game and he found it by turning and firing into the bottom right of goal for an excellent finish.
At this point with Blackpool barely able to get out of their half, Arsenal had the luxury of resting a few of their star performers so the excellent Walcott and Diaby were both rested and on came Carlos Vela and returning captain Cesc Fabregas to a huge ovation.
That didn't exactly make things easier for Blackpool, such is the quality of the Arsenal squad, and soon the home side were threatening a sixth.
Chamakh will rarely get an easier chance to score than in this game but the Moroccan missed a sitter after Arshavin crossed to him at the far post. The Morroccan was in the right place at the right time, which would be encouraging for Wenger, but again he fluffed the chance and headed wide when he was un-marked and five-yards in front of goal.
To Blackpool's credit, they seemed to rally somewhat in an attempt to not concede any more goals. They could hardly get worse. But they managed to shut out the Gunners for as long a period as any after the sixth goal.
But that did not stop Arsenal rounding off their night by getting summer recruit Chamakh finally off the mark in his goal-scoring account. Vela won a corner and the Moroccan finally made his chance tell by rising highest and burying the cross with a neat header.
Right at the death Wilshere tried to find his first for the season after running clear through but the ball got stuck between his feet. Arsenal and Wenger won't mind too much though after thoroughly blowing away the opposition on the day.
source: goal.com
By Michael Landon | goal.com
Arsenal were in rampant mood to ruthlessly dispatch newly promoted Blackpool 6-0 inside the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. The Seasiders were subject to a Theo Walcott hat-trick and a sending off as Wenger's side put down a marker for the season.
Walcott was the star of the show in the first half with a brace each side of an Andrei Arshavin penalty after Ian Evatt was dismissed for a professional foul. After the break, Abou Diaby struck before Walcott found his third. To round it all off on a fine night for the Gunners, summer signing Marouane Chamakh opened his account for the Gunners with a late header.
The suspension of new center-back signing Laurent Koscielny and injury to Samir Nasri meant Arsene Wenger had to shuffle his pack slightly from that which started at the Gunners opening fixture at Anfield. Alex Song was drafted into central defense whilst Tomas Rosicky was given a starting berth after coming off the bench last week. Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie would again wait on the bench.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway selected an unchanged eleven that recorded a shock victory over Wigan athletic last Saturday aside from the inclusion of Ludovic Sylvestre ahead of Brett Ormerod. New Israeli signing Dekel Keinen was given a spot on the bench.
The Seasiders would have expected a much tougher test than their Premier League debut at the DW Stadium last week and certainly Holloway's side were put under pressure early at the Emirates. Walcott has impressed in fits and starts with the Gunners lately but he started this match in good form. The England international was giving Stephen Crainey the run-around from the off and a good dart into the box should have brought an early goal when Walcott squared but the Gunners had nobody making an attacking run and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.
It was a warning from Arsenal but Blackpool didn't seem overawed and had their own attack at goal down the other end mintes later. Sylvestre picked out David Vaughn in space in the final third and the forward turned into goal and had a go with his right foot but Almunia was well placed to catch his shot.
Admirable as it was, Blackpool were bombing forward but looking too open and it was only a matter of time before they were punished. And punishment arrived in the form of a great break from the Gunners on the eleventh minute. The ball was worked up to Andrey Arshavin and the Russian slipped through Walcott, who was in miles of space, and the Englishman ran into the box and side-footed past Mathew Gilks to give his side an early lead.
The Seasiders were down and looking out of their depth at this point. Rosicky was floating around and running things in midfield and Walcott was causing terror down the right flank.
It should have been two goals to the good for Arsenal when Walcott simply put on the burners and ran at the Blackpool back-line before sliding through Marouane Chamakh for a great one-on-one chance, but the Moroccan fluffed his lines and Gilks dived out to smother the chance.
In a rare foray forward, brave Blackpool strung together a move to give Arsenal a scare at the back, Crainey stealthed down the left channel and delivered a delicious ball to the back post but Gary Taylor-Fletcher could only head wide to miss a great chance.
If things were hard for the visitors, they got a whole lot harder when Holloway's side were reduced to ten-men. Chamakh was slipped in-behind the opposition back-line easily by Arshavin and just on the edge of the box he was brought down by Ian Evatt. It was inconclusive as to whether the foul was actually inside the box or not but referee Michael Jones pointed to the spot, and in double bother to the Seasiders, pulled out a red card for Evatt.
Arshavin stepped up to the spot and powered the penalty into the bottom left of goal. 2-0 up and with the man advantage, Arsenal could now really put on a show.
Holloway had to do something to save a potential embarrassment so he took off Sylvestre and brought on Keinan to shore up the defense.
The tactical shift didn't seem to be effective in stemming an Arsenal tide though and on the 33rd minute, Blackpool were breached again. Walcott, who had been impressive all game long, would be the scorer after taking up a good position in the box and being fed the ball by Jack Wilshere. With Keinan behind him, Walcott was allowed to easily turn his man and fired a shot across goal which out-foxed keeper Gilks and nestled into the back of the net.
It was wave after wave of red and white coming forward now and the Gunners were threatening a fourth. The full-backs were getting in on the action now and a great run up the channel by Gael Clichy allowed him to deliver a peach of a cross at the near post which Chamakh hit on the volley. Thankfully for the visitors, Gilks was adept enough to beat the shot away.
Blackpool must have been wondering when the tide would abate when at the end of the half Arsenal squandered another great chance with a lightning break. Arshavin ran 30 yards before sliding the ball to the feet of Walcott on the right of goal but the Englishman squared ball back across the box was mis-directed at Chamakh and the Seasiders were let off.
The second half and it looked business as usual with Walcott immediately resuming his one-sided relationship with Crainey and putting the defender on the back foot with an attempted run into the box. This time though, the Scot managed to dispossess the forward with a well timed sliding tackle.
Unfortunately for Blackpool, Arsenal had started the second in rampant mood again and less than five minutes after the resumption, a fourth goal was notched.
The 'Pool backline was understandably occupied with the Gunners attack on the edge of the box and that allowed Bakary Sagna acres of space to deliver a great cross into the danger-zone from the right flank.
Abou Diaby timed his run well and showing his sublime technique, hit the cross on the half-volley and the ball flew across goal and into the far right corner of the goal. Gilks had no chance.
Blackpool were all washed out now and Diaby nearly found another goal minutes after his
first after jinking into the box but fired wide on this occasion with the opposition defense all at sea.
If you give Arsenal this much time and space in their own back-yard you are in for a hiding. Blackpool must have learned that lesson by now but the Gunners were determined to hammer it through and found a fifth goal in what was becoming something of a routine during the game.
Diaby strode onto the edge of the box and fed into Walcott in the box. The Englishman was threatening a hat-trick all game and he found it by turning and firing into the bottom right of goal for an excellent finish.
At this point with Blackpool barely able to get out of their half, Arsenal had the luxury of resting a few of their star performers so the excellent Walcott and Diaby were both rested and on came Carlos Vela and returning captain Cesc Fabregas to a huge ovation.
That didn't exactly make things easier for Blackpool, such is the quality of the Arsenal squad, and soon the home side were threatening a sixth.
Chamakh will rarely get an easier chance to score than in this game but the Moroccan missed a sitter after Arshavin crossed to him at the far post. The Morroccan was in the right place at the right time, which would be encouraging for Wenger, but again he fluffed the chance and headed wide when he was un-marked and five-yards in front of goal.
To Blackpool's credit, they seemed to rally somewhat in an attempt to not concede any more goals. They could hardly get worse. But they managed to shut out the Gunners for as long a period as any after the sixth goal.
But that did not stop Arsenal rounding off their night by getting summer recruit Chamakh finally off the mark in his goal-scoring account. Vela won a corner and the Moroccan finally made his chance tell by rising highest and burying the cross with a neat header.
Right at the death Wilshere tried to find his first for the season after running clear through but the ball got stuck between his feet. Arsenal and Wenger won't mind too much though after thoroughly blowing away the opposition on the day.
source: goal.com
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Friday, August 20, 2010
PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal vs Blackpool - Preview
By Graham Lister
Tangerine dreams of Emirates upset
Having soared to joint first place in the Premier League table by comprehensively beating Wigan Athletic on the opening day, Blackpool travel to the Emirates for what is likely to prove a sterner examination of their top-flight credentials against Arsenal.
Goals from Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Marlon Harewood – who netted twice – and Alex Baptiste gave the Tangerines a dream debut in the Premier League, and they will be hoping to draw on that momentum to spring a major surprise this Saturday.
Arsenal began their own campaign on Merseyside, where they salvaged a 1-1 draw against Liverpool with help from an uncharacteristically clumsy Pepe Reina. It was not a wholly convincing performance from Arsene Wenger’s side, though a point at Anfield is a decent return, and they should feel happier on home turf where many teams have been eclipsed by the Gunners’ fluent passing game in the four years since they moved into the stadium.
Arsenal have not, though, enjoyed the best of weeks. Central defender Laurent Koscielny, who avoided serious injury from the rash challenge that saw Joe Cole sent off at Anfield, was himself dismissed in the closing minutes when he was somewhat harshy adjudged to have handled the ball deliberately. But while his absence will be temporary, those of two midfielders will be longer. Samir Nasri, who looked sharp in pre-season and also impressed against Liverpool, had to undergo surgery on a knee surgery and is likely to be out for a month, while promising youngster Emmanuel Frimpong injured cruciate knee ligaments in training and has been ruled out for up to nine months.
Meanwhile, Wenger’s efforts to strengthen his squad in the transfer market were frustrated when Fulham rejected a second bid for Mark Schwarzer, meaning that Arsenal’s goalkeeping problems remain unresolved; incumbent Manuel Almunia was beaten at his near post by David Ngog last weekend. Arsenal also reportedly made an offer for Sevilla’s centre-half Sebastien Squillaci in midweek, but at the time of writing no deal has been struck or the France international.
However Wenger shuffles his pack for the Seasiders’ first league meeting with Arsenal since March 1971, he knows that his side must win if their title bid is not to stall early on; the emphatic victories already secured by rivals Chelsea and Manchester United have confirmed that there is no margin for error, especially in home matches.
On a wave of euphoria following their outstanding start to Premier League life at Wigan, Blackpool will be gunning for a bigger scalp in north London this weekend. They may not have beaten Arsenal away since 1958, but that won’t daunt manager Ian Holloway, currently perceived to be a miracle worker at Bloomfield Road. Some concerns were raised about Holloway’s future in midweek following the resignation as chairman and director of the club by Karl Oyston, though the manager himself insists it’s business as usual.
And he succeeded in adding to his squad by signing Israel defender Dekel Keinan from Maccabi Haifa in midweek. Keinan became the Seasiders' seventh summer arrival – along with utility player Chris Basham, striker Marlon Harewood, French trio Ludovic Sylvestre, Elliot Grandin, Malaury Martin and defender Craig Cathcart – and goes straight into the squad for the Arsenal game.
In addition, Bournemouth have accepted an improved bid from Blackpool for striker Brett Pitman, who is now discussing personal terms with the Lancashire club. Holloway said of Pitman: "He epitomises us - we are a bunch of people who need to make a name for ourselves." And that’s what they’ll be aiming to do at the Emirates.
Read more at goal.com
WATCH PREMIER LEAGUE - ARSENAL VS BLACKPOOL
 |
| http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieranlynam |
Tangerine dreams of Emirates upset
Having soared to joint first place in the Premier League table by comprehensively beating Wigan Athletic on the opening day, Blackpool travel to the Emirates for what is likely to prove a sterner examination of their top-flight credentials against Arsenal.
Goals from Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Marlon Harewood – who netted twice – and Alex Baptiste gave the Tangerines a dream debut in the Premier League, and they will be hoping to draw on that momentum to spring a major surprise this Saturday.
Arsenal began their own campaign on Merseyside, where they salvaged a 1-1 draw against Liverpool with help from an uncharacteristically clumsy Pepe Reina. It was not a wholly convincing performance from Arsene Wenger’s side, though a point at Anfield is a decent return, and they should feel happier on home turf where many teams have been eclipsed by the Gunners’ fluent passing game in the four years since they moved into the stadium.
Arsenal have not, though, enjoyed the best of weeks. Central defender Laurent Koscielny, who avoided serious injury from the rash challenge that saw Joe Cole sent off at Anfield, was himself dismissed in the closing minutes when he was somewhat harshy adjudged to have handled the ball deliberately. But while his absence will be temporary, those of two midfielders will be longer. Samir Nasri, who looked sharp in pre-season and also impressed against Liverpool, had to undergo surgery on a knee surgery and is likely to be out for a month, while promising youngster Emmanuel Frimpong injured cruciate knee ligaments in training and has been ruled out for up to nine months.
Meanwhile, Wenger’s efforts to strengthen his squad in the transfer market were frustrated when Fulham rejected a second bid for Mark Schwarzer, meaning that Arsenal’s goalkeeping problems remain unresolved; incumbent Manuel Almunia was beaten at his near post by David Ngog last weekend. Arsenal also reportedly made an offer for Sevilla’s centre-half Sebastien Squillaci in midweek, but at the time of writing no deal has been struck or the France international.
However Wenger shuffles his pack for the Seasiders’ first league meeting with Arsenal since March 1971, he knows that his side must win if their title bid is not to stall early on; the emphatic victories already secured by rivals Chelsea and Manchester United have confirmed that there is no margin for error, especially in home matches.
On a wave of euphoria following their outstanding start to Premier League life at Wigan, Blackpool will be gunning for a bigger scalp in north London this weekend. They may not have beaten Arsenal away since 1958, but that won’t daunt manager Ian Holloway, currently perceived to be a miracle worker at Bloomfield Road. Some concerns were raised about Holloway’s future in midweek following the resignation as chairman and director of the club by Karl Oyston, though the manager himself insists it’s business as usual.
And he succeeded in adding to his squad by signing Israel defender Dekel Keinan from Maccabi Haifa in midweek. Keinan became the Seasiders' seventh summer arrival – along with utility player Chris Basham, striker Marlon Harewood, French trio Ludovic Sylvestre, Elliot Grandin, Malaury Martin and defender Craig Cathcart – and goes straight into the squad for the Arsenal game.
In addition, Bournemouth have accepted an improved bid from Blackpool for striker Brett Pitman, who is now discussing personal terms with the Lancashire club. Holloway said of Pitman: "He epitomises us - we are a bunch of people who need to make a name for ourselves." And that’s what they’ll be aiming to do at the Emirates.
Read more at goal.com
WATCH PREMIER LEAGUE - ARSENAL VS BLACKPOOL
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
LESOTHO SOCCER; Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Last minute Pepe Reina own goal gifts point to Gunners
Cole and Koscielny see red as points are shared...
By Alex Fisher
A late own goal by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina gifted Arsenal a point in their opening Premier League match of the new campaign at Anfield.
Despite debutant Joe Cole seeing red before the interval, the hosts took the lead at the start of the second-half thanks to a belter from striker David Ngog.
The strike looked to have given new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson the perfect start, but the Gunners kept pushing and were rewarded with a last minute equaliser.
Hodgson named star striker Fernando Torres on the Liverpool bench, opting to start with Ngog upfront, with summer signing Cole making his Red's debut supporting the Frenchman. Milan Jovanovic also made his debut in midfield alongside wantaway Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Following a summer of transfer speculation, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not included in the matchday squad due to illness, while striker Robin van Persie began on the bench. New signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny made their bows for the Gunners and teenage midfield playmaker Jack Wilshere was also included in the starting line-up.
Both teams started the match in a positive manner and as early as the fifth minute Thomas Vermaelen had the first chance, testing Reina with a 30-yard free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper punched to safety.
Liverpool’s first chance of the match arrived shortly after. A long ball from captain Steven Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt on the right wing. The Dutchman played the ball inside to the overlapping Glen Johnson, who’s cross was just behind an unmarked Cole in the six-yard box.
Five minutes later a passing move from Arsenal down their left wing resulted in Samir Nasri playing a neat through ball to Emmanuel Eboue, but the backtracking Gerrard made a crucial last minute challenge to deny the Ivorian midfielder.
The two were involved again a minute later when a tackle by Gerrard on Eboue gave Arsenal a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool area. However, Nasri’s free-kick flew straight into the wall and Vermaelen’s follow-up effort was well wide of Reina’s goal.
Arsenal were beginning to dominate the match with their passing football and just after the half hour mark another move saw Nasri find Gael Clichy, but the French full-back fired a swerving 25-yard shot just over the bar.
The home side were struggling to create any clear opportunities but Jovanovic had a great chance to score on his debut. A long ball from the Liverpool defence was chased down by the Serbian midfielder, but he fired his shot wide from inside the penalty area.
Liverpool finished the half the stronger and in the final minute, a neat one two between Johnson and Kuyt gave the full-back a sight of goal only for his 20-yard left footed strike to be tipped over the bar by Manuel Almunia. From the resulting Gerrard corner, Ngog saw his header from six-yards cleared off the line by Clichy.
In the very last seconds of the half came the biggest moment of the match as Cole was sent off following a late challenge on Koscielny by the corner flag. Referee Martin Atkinson brandished a straight red card for Cole for the tackle, which saw the Arsenal defender leave the pitch on a stretcher.
Read more at goal.com
Cole and Koscielny see red as points are shared...
By Alex Fisher
A late own goal by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina gifted Arsenal a point in their opening Premier League match of the new campaign at Anfield.
Despite debutant Joe Cole seeing red before the interval, the hosts took the lead at the start of the second-half thanks to a belter from striker David Ngog.
The strike looked to have given new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson the perfect start, but the Gunners kept pushing and were rewarded with a last minute equaliser.
Hodgson named star striker Fernando Torres on the Liverpool bench, opting to start with Ngog upfront, with summer signing Cole making his Red's debut supporting the Frenchman. Milan Jovanovic also made his debut in midfield alongside wantaway Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.
Following a summer of transfer speculation, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not included in the matchday squad due to illness, while striker Robin van Persie began on the bench. New signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny made their bows for the Gunners and teenage midfield playmaker Jack Wilshere was also included in the starting line-up.
Both teams started the match in a positive manner and as early as the fifth minute Thomas Vermaelen had the first chance, testing Reina with a 30-yard free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper punched to safety.
Liverpool’s first chance of the match arrived shortly after. A long ball from captain Steven Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt on the right wing. The Dutchman played the ball inside to the overlapping Glen Johnson, who’s cross was just behind an unmarked Cole in the six-yard box.
Five minutes later a passing move from Arsenal down their left wing resulted in Samir Nasri playing a neat through ball to Emmanuel Eboue, but the backtracking Gerrard made a crucial last minute challenge to deny the Ivorian midfielder.
The two were involved again a minute later when a tackle by Gerrard on Eboue gave Arsenal a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool area. However, Nasri’s free-kick flew straight into the wall and Vermaelen’s follow-up effort was well wide of Reina’s goal.
Arsenal were beginning to dominate the match with their passing football and just after the half hour mark another move saw Nasri find Gael Clichy, but the French full-back fired a swerving 25-yard shot just over the bar.
The home side were struggling to create any clear opportunities but Jovanovic had a great chance to score on his debut. A long ball from the Liverpool defence was chased down by the Serbian midfielder, but he fired his shot wide from inside the penalty area.
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Liverpool finished the half the stronger and in the final minute, a neat one two between Johnson and Kuyt gave the full-back a sight of goal only for his 20-yard left footed strike to be tipped over the bar by Manuel Almunia. From the resulting Gerrard corner, Ngog saw his header from six-yards cleared off the line by Clichy.
In the very last seconds of the half came the biggest moment of the match as Cole was sent off following a late challenge on Koscielny by the corner flag. Referee Martin Atkinson brandished a straight red card for Cole for the tackle, which saw the Arsenal defender leave the pitch on a stretcher.
Read more at goal.com
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Lesotho Soccer: English Premier League: Liverpool v Arsenal preview
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
ARSENE WENGER admits the time has come to deliver more trophies for the Arsenal fans - after fuelling their hunger for success.
The Frenchman turned the Gunners into a major force after his shock appointment in 1996 - winning three titles and four FA Cups.
Wenger also led Arsenal to the 2006 Champions League Final - but defeat by Barcelona in Paris that night signalled the start of a decline.
Arsenal haven't won a trophy for five years and the supporters are beginning to get restless.
Wenger - who yesterday signed a three-year extension to his contract - knows that drought has to end soon.
But he's confident a win at Anfield today in the league opener can set the Gunners up for a shot at the title.
He said: "I'm as motivated as ever - if not more.
"We haven't won anything for a few years and it's vital we get back to lifting trophies.
"I feel an even higher level of responsibility now. The club is in the top eight in Europe and expectations are high.
"You feel more pressure but it's more exciting as well."
The new deal will keep Wenger at the Emirates until 2014 and the 60-year-old looks set to finish his coaching career with the Gunners.
He said: "I can now give my best years to a club that has given me so much."
New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is three years older than Wenger as he sets out on his Anfield adventure.
He's also under pressure to restore the Reds to greatness after a miserable last campaign under Rafa Benitez.
But Hodgson insists the job isn't any more stressful than his first assignment at Swedish club Halmstad.
He said: "I've been feeling pressure for the past 35 years. That is part of the job.
"You could say Halmstad and Liverpool can't be mentioned in the same breath but that's not what I thought when I was just 29.
"I felt a lot of pressure to get results for the team and I feel pressure now."
The target for Liverpool this term is to break back into the top four and Hodgson admits a title push is unrealistic.
He said: "It is pretty obvious we are a long way from where teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are."
source: dailyrecord.co.uk
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Lesotho Soccer: Fabio Capello Called Up Arsenal Trio
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Fabio Capello Called Up Arsenal Trio
Fabio Capello, England manager has called up Arsenal Trio Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott for the friendly match against Hungary on Wednesday.
The England squad to face Hungary on Wednesday, in full:
Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)
Defenders: Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Strikers: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)
source: goal.com
Yoga Basic Plus.
Read in 90 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)