Robin Van Persie has ordered Arsenal to forget about pretty football.

The Gunners have not won a trophy since 2005 while often being accused of putting style above substance.

And, ahead of their visit to Aston Villa tonight, striker Van Persie said: “Nobody can play beautiful football all the time.

“When that happens I tell our lads ‘If it’s not happening for you, just try to kill off the game so we can move on’.

“I am still a lover of the beautiful game and always will be but I have become more realistic.

“It is too romantic to think that you can win matches by playing beautiful football alone.

“Barcelona are the exception — and I have to admit they and Arsenal are the only teams that I often watch on TV.”

And Van Persie applies his ‘ugly’ rule to his own goals too.

He added: “I have felt more like a centre-forward recently.

“In the beginning I had to get accustomed to the idea, I was not convinced that I could play in this position.

“Since then I have become clear in my mind, and grown into the role. I enjoy scoring more now these days.

“You can see it from my goals — some come about from willpower pure and simple.

“You can see it in my face, ‘OK, the ball’s got to go in no matter how’.

“I used to think about other options when faced with the goal — looking to find team-mates with a clever pass, going for a hook shot or blasting it. More here at The Sun.

With that off Van Persie’s chest, maybe Arsenal can get on and keep up the good record. Who knows, the Dutch scoring machine may have a point and we’ll certainly see if it produces the goods in the coming games!

Second-half goals from Carlos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss sealed Manchester City’s passage to the semi-finals and a mouthwatering clash with city rivals United.

Hughes was celebrating a famous victory at the end but hit out at Wenger and called on the Frenchman to be “more gracious” in defeat.

It appeared the Arsenal boss had been angered by Hughes wandering into his technical area during the goalless first half which led to an angry exchange between the pair.

Aggrieved Hughes said: “At one point I was over on his side of the technical area and he seemed a bit aggrieved by that. But I think he is probably more aggrieved because he lost.

“I have been to the Emirates and been beaten 6-2 but I still offered my hand at theend.It is the least you can do.

read more here at – The Daily Record

Chelsea’s 1-0 win, sealed by John Terry’s late header, allowed Ancelotti’s men to open a five-point lead at the top and left his United counterpart, Sir Alex Ferguson, once again aggrieved over his side’s treatment at the hands of a referee.

While Ferguson admitted his side now face a tough task in attempting to close the gap on a Chelsea squad that is becoming as rich in confidence as it is in experience, Ancelotti was quick to underline the unexpected vibrancy of Arsenal’s challenge as a reminder of the dangers of complacency.

“If Arsenal win their game in hand, they will be within two points of us,” he said when asked to speculate on whether the title race was now a two-horse affair.

“I think also Arsenal is doing very well.

“A five-point lead is important, but at the same time, not so important. We have 30 points in 12 matches but we know the season is very long. We have to stay focused.”

Chelsea fans’ optimism that Ancelotti could emulate Jose Mourinho in wresting the Premier League trophy away from Old Trafford will have been encouraged by the fact that, three months into his first season in England, the Italian has now master-minded wins over both United and Liverpool.

more here at eurosport

Defender Mikael Silvestre says that the team are not far off from being able to lift the Premiership trophy or even the FA Cup or Champions League, such is the improvement in the squad.

The team have already lost two games in the league this season, but Silvestre says that those defeats provided food for thought.

Fresh off the back of the 6-2 mauling of Blackburn Rovers, the Frenchman says that simple mistakes which allowed their opponents an early lead can be eradicated.

Arsenal went on to win 6-2. Silvestre said: “In those two defeats against City and United, we learned that we are not far from being a winner.

“We scored goals away from home which is good and I am looking forwards to the big games again this season to test ourselves. “We play very good football and I hope it will pay off. It is about being mature and the details.

“If you look at the way we conceded two goals at the weekend, if we can get rid of those moments, then we will have a real chance. We are not far from it.”

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

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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

Adebayor had other ideas, although the FA might want to look again at his ugly clash with Robin van Persie that left the Dutchman with a facial wound. And they will also no doubt review the celebration that followed his goal.
When Shaun Wright-Phillips sent over a vicious cross, the £25million man had no intention other than to find the net, which he duly did, sending a capacity crowd into ecstasy.

It meant City have now won four games, the Togo striker scoring in the lot. None will mean as much as this, though, as the taunts of the fans who used to cheer him were rammed forcefully back down their throats.
The meeting between City’s new money and Arsenal’s grand past would have been intriguing enough even without the appearance of Adebayor and Kolo Toure against their former club.

Arsene Wenger pocketed £40million for the pair, which has generally been regarded as a good bit of business, especially as Adebayor was not the most popular figure among the Gunners faithful.

Pre-match boos from the visiting section continued after the game had started, although that reaction only seemed to fire up a player who showed more purpose and commitment than he provided in his final days at the Emirates.

The rest is here at TeamTalk

Arsenal will be without captain and talismanic playmaker Francesc Fabregas, with the midfield metronome sidelined with a hamstring strain. The extent of Fabregas’ injury is unknown at this stage, though he is certain to be out of tonight’s match. Joining him in the stands are Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Lukasz Fabianski and Johan Djourou.

Read more here at: Gunner Central

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

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