Petr Czech seemed to have a nightmare with the Gunners as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-5 at Stamford Bridge.And it was Robin Van Persie who smashed a stunning hat-trick to knock out the blues stone cold.

Van Persie cancelled out Frankie Lampard’s opener before John Terry gave the blues a half-time lead.

But after the break Arsenal were raring to go with Andre Santos levelling the game and then Theo Walcott firing them ahead.

Ex Valencia star Juan Mata held them back with a fantastic long-range effort before Robin Van Persie struck twice in the last five minutes to secure a much needed victory for the Gunners.

It handed Arsenal their first Premier League away win since April and left the home side trailing behind league leaders Manchester City who play Wolves today.

This win spelled misery for the Blues, who have been under siege in the past week.

They have suffered a humiliating defeat at QPR, three red cards, the Terry racism storm, two FA fines and a fan revolt over their stadium plans to boot. Manchester United have also won their game at Everton with a strike by Mexican hotshot Javier Hernández on 19 minutes. This comes as a confidence boost for United after their 6-1 drubbing by noisy neighbours Manchester City.

On Wednesday the 2nd, Arsenal host Leyton Orient in an FA Cup 5th round replay that Arsene Wenger would have dearly hoped wouldn`t have been necessary. That game will be decided on the night leaving them free to take on Sunderland on the following Saturday in a game where all fans would be expecting a comfortable three points.

Then, on Tuesday March the 8th, it`s the big one as Arsenal travel to the Nou Camp in the hope of securing their passage into the Champions League quarter finals.

At half time in the first leg at the Emirates, few people would have expected Arsenal to have the remotest chance of progressing, let alone be taking a lead into the second leg. Barcelona had simply outplayed them in all departments and took a 1-0 lead into the break courtesy of a David Villa goal.

Arsenal`s second half comeback was incredible to watch as they seemed to get a sense of belief and goals from Robin van Persie and Andrei Arshavin ensured a fully deserved 2-1 victory.

Can they finish the job at the Nou Camp? Beating Barcelona in the manner that they did will ensure that they are not short of belief and confidence but they will still have to deal with a side that many consider to be Europe`s best. Aside from the dangerous Lionel Messi, quality runs right through the side from Victor Valdes in goal to David Villa up front. It`s not uncommon for teams to worry too much about Messi and let his colleagues have too much time and space.

Arsenal can certainly win this but without doubt this will be their toughest test of the season and they will be desperate for their inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas to be fit.

With the Barcelona game completed, there`s the small matter of a home FA Cup tie with Manchester United to contend with on Saturday March the 12th. This assumes of course that Arsenal make it past Leyton Orient.

The result of this game could depend on what teams the two sides field. United have rested key players in this competition while Arsenal tend to field their best side in games like these. With home advantage, you would be expecting the Gunners to progress no matter what.

Arsenal`s final March fixture sees them travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion. At the Emirates in September, West Brom embarrassed Arsenal with a 3-2 victory and the Gunners will go all out to ensure there are no repeats.

So can Arsenal beat Manchester United in the cup and overtake them in the league? Recent results and the return to form of players such as Robin Van Persie seems to suggest that they can. Crucial to their run in will be the fitness of key players and recent injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas won`t help the cause. This promises to be a dramatic title contest this season and the watch live football on line will be literally unmissable.

Arsenal have played a game less than most of their rivals following the Champions League qualifying round against Celtic and also faced away games at Everton, Manchester United, Manchester City and Fulham in their opening six matches.

“We are in a strong position, despite the fact we have lost two games,” said Wenger. “If you look at the away games we had, it was at places where other teams can drop points – Manchester, Everton and Fulham. We should have won the two games in Manchester but that made our resolve even stronger.

source: Telegraph

But Manuel Almunia is still out with a chest infection so Vito Mannone is likely to deputise in goal again.

Roy Hodgson will once again ring the changes after fielding a second-string line-up against Manchester City in the midweek Carling Cup defeat.

Hodgson made 11 changes from the side that lost to Wolves last weekend.

Read the rest here at BBC Sport

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday 26 September Kick-off: 1730 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

ANDREY ARSHAVIN says Arsenal’s new attacking formation is perfect for his style of play.

Arsene Wenger has switched his side to a 4-3-3 formation to accommodate the creative talents of Arshavin, Robin van Persie and Eduardo.

And the Russian, 28, admits he is relishing his new role in the Gunners’ front line.

Arshavin said: “Arsenal have changed their system this season and moved my position.

“I used to play on the left-hand side of a four-man midfield but we’ve gone to three in the middle and that has helped me become more of an attacking player.

“But we can always switch back to the old system if we have to because we have players who can be fluid and adaptable.

“We can move anywhere depending on the situation in front of us.

“If I see an opportunity I can exploit on the right-hand side of the pitch I’ll go over and take advantage of it.”
read the rest at the Sun

Celtic at home to English sides in Europe

Overall Record

The Bhoys have hosted English opposition eight times in major European competitions and have been defeated just once. In the Champions League and European Cup alone their record is rock solid, winning twice and drawing the other – against Manchester United last season, the side who went on to reach the final. One feature of these meetings is how tight they have been in the past – three have ended in draws and none have ever been decided by a margin of more than one goal.

Read more of the original post here at itv.com

Amid the gloom, the one piece of good news provided by Arsene Wenger on Thursday afternoon was that, contrary to expectation, Thomas Vermaelen has been passed fit for this weekend’s trip to Everton. The Belgian has missed the last three weeks of pre-season with a hamstring injury but completed forty-five minutes for his country in midweek and is set to line up alongside William Gallas at Goodison Park.

His rehabilitation is just as well given that Djourou, poised to start the season as Gallas’ partner, has been ruled out for a month with a knee complaint. In the absence of further signings following the sale of Kolo Toure, Djourou’s setback leaves just Mikael Silvestre as defensive cover during a period in which Arsenal also have to travel to Old Trafford, Celtic Park, and Eastlands.

read more at football365

The Brazilian prodigy told reporters last month:

“I am going to make a decision regarding my future in the next few weeks and what I want to do is play in Europe.”

more here at sport.co.uk

“I am not sure how many times I need to talk directly about my commitment to Arsenal as I continue to say the same thing over and over again,” he said. “It appears that every time I have spoken to the Spanish media recently, my words have bounced back to England, leaving question marks about my future. So, for anyone who is unclear or may have misunderstood what my position is, let me make myself absolutely crystal clear – I am whole- heartedly committed to Arsenal and my future lies with this great club.”

original source
Liverpool Echo

Chelsea’s left-back who sensationally swapped north London for west in 2006 is keen to jump back on the bad side of the Arsenal faithful after speaking his mind to the Daily Mail yesterday.

Cashley – as he is dubbed by gooners – still maintains ill feelings towards his old club whom he served since his teenage years.

source – Red London