Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott scored the goals that saw Arsenal home in their crucial play-off second leg.

But it was Wojciech Szczesny’s fantastic second-half penalty save from Antonio Di Natale that was the real key to a 14th successive group stage jackpot for the gunners.
Arsenal boss Wenger said: “There is relief and pride. Szczesny’s save was the turning-point because, at 1-1, it kept us qualified and you could see that mentally it had an impact on Udinese’s belief.
“I would like to say our club is in a very strong position overall. For 14 years on the trot we have played in the Champions League group stage.

“We have a new stadium, a fantastic training ground, a very strong financial situation and a very strong team.
“Sometimes you have to take a distance from the catastrophies people have predicted. We live in a society where everyone has an opinion on everything.

“I’m like someone who flies a plane for 30 years and I have to accept someone can come into the cockpit and fly it better than I do. But that’s our job and we must accept it.
“Of course I’m relieved. It was a massive game for us. Overall I feel we responded in a very positive way, even at 1-0 down. It was a fantastic second half and we had chance after chance. In the end it was a comfortable win in a very important game.”

Wenger has received a lot of flack of late following the loss of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and now Samir Nasri to Manchester City along with his continued failure to bring in new stars to make up for the losses.
Wenger added: “There may be signings but I cannot give you any names. I cannot lie and say we will sign players tomorrow because it is not true. But we are trying very hard.”

Wenger has been told many times that he needs a new keeper. But Wojciech Szczesny added to his growing reputation after 58 minutes with the score on the night at 1 goal apiece.

Thomas Vermaelen was caught out for handball in the area, yet Di Natale saw his spot-kick superbly turned over by Szczesny’s left hand.

Di Natale gave Udinese a 33rd-minute lead but Dutch ace Robin Van Persie levelled on 54 minutes and 15 minutes later Walcott dashed through to seal the tie for the gunners.

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.

The Spain international was replaced just after half-time in last night’s Primera Division win over Real Mallorca and, after undergoing tests today, it was announced that he is likely to be sidelined for around 10 days.
Barcelona were once more imperious in their victory over Mallorca despite a seemingly narrow 1-0 win.

more here at The Telegraph

Bacary Sagna (ankle) is also a doubt, but Sol Campbell is expected to be available after suffering from cramp after the midweek Champions League win over Porto.

Midfielder Alex Song serves the second match of a domestic ban, while centre-back William Gallas (calf) is still sidelined.

more here at TeamTalk

Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, deputising for the injured Manuel Almunia, was caught out of position to gift Porto an early lead.

Veteran Sol Campbell equalised with his first Arsenal goal since the 2006 Champions League final, only to then be involved in the controversy at the start of the second half.

Fabianski picked up what was deemed a back-pass from the former Gunners captain, with Hansson – the Swede who missed Thierry Henry’s infamous handball in France’s World Cup play-off win over the Republic of Ireland – letting it be taken quickly as Falcao swept the ball into the net.
more here at yahoo.com

Arsenal were leading 1-0 for most of the match and could have killed off the game on several occasions if not for woeful finishing.

Wenger, who turns 60 on Thursday, also admitted that his side were still learning from their Champions League experiences.

However, the Gunners remain in a strong position in Group H after three games, and are still unbeaten.

Wenger said: “In the Champions League you need focus for 93 minutes – we made one mistake and paid for it.

“You know that in the last five minutes of a Champions League match, anything can happen.

“They have thrown everything forward and I felt they could only score on a set-piece – and that is what happened.

“It is frustrating because we looked closer to scoring a second than conceding, but credit to them, they did fight well and went until the last minute.

“You do not need to give a free-kick away on an offside in the last minute.

“We were largely in control, but as long as you are not two goals in front, that is the problem.

“We are still learning and are still in a strong position. We have three games left, two at home, and I believe to win one game will qualify us.

“What I want is for us to continue to play like we do, focus to play better. In football, you have to produce the maximum result with your game, and tonight that did not happen.”

But the Gunners boss still believes his men are well worth the healthy lead they take into next week’s second leg at the Emirates.

And, though the wily old fox is not about to declare the contest over, he knows his side are already a giant step towards next Thursday’s draw for the group stage.

Wenger said: “It was a fierce battle. We dominated the game, but Celtic were always fighting and counter-attacking.

“In the end, despite being in control, we scored two lucky goals. But, of course, we merited the good fortune.”

Like his players, Wenger was taken aback by the passion filling Paradise from the opening moments.

He said: “The atmosphere was better than the Premier League and people were fair.

“Celtic were organised, and even at 2-0 they never gave up.

“Now we have a good advantage, but it is over 180 minutes and we are in front after 90.

“We have to make sure we win at home. We have to take it seriously. It is a massive game.”

Read more of the original here: Glasgow Evening Times

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

FEW Gunners fans need reminding that the past four years have been pretty barren as far as silverware goes.

And there has been little to suggest this summer that manager Arsene Wenger is ready to ditch his policy of nurturing young talent in favour of buying league-winning superstars.

The Frenchman even admits one fan described last season to him as a “disaster”.

But he has moved to dispel the doom by claiming that despite the lack of big arrivals – and the departures of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City – the bare minimum is success both at home and in Europe.

Wenger said: “What is acceptable anymore? With Arsenal, acceptable means winning the championship and the Champions League.

full story here at the london paper

ARSENE Wenger is ready to enter a bidding war with AC Milan to pit Yaya Toure alongside brother Kolo at Arsenal.

Boss Wenger is preparing a £12million bid for the Barcelona star but accepts he may have to improve on that following the midfielder’s impressive Champions League performances against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Read more here at Green Un 24