Countdown To Paris - 1 Day

Champions League Final staring at us!

More on Team News, Selection Policy, Formation, Determination, Thirst and quench. Wenger, Eboue, Henry & Lehmann.

Countdown To Paris - 2 Days

2 days Left for our showdown with Barcelona in Paris!!

Shaun Shunned! Walcott Stunned

Congrats to Henry!! He has one Football Writers Player of the Year award for the third time and deservedly so. Wenger surprised at the inclusion of Theo Walcott while Walcott himself is still shocked at his call to the English Squad. There is a deal between Wenger & Sven that THeo would not play in the Champions League final in Paris. Instead he will be travelling to Portugal along with other english players for training.

Also Steven Gerrad has welcomed the Svens decision to include Theo and remarks that Theo may be the 'ace' in the pack. Thats it for now... More on the preparations for the finals later!!

Arsenal: Richer By £52M

Try as they might! But all in vain! The Premier League has outrightly rejected Suppppurs plea to replay their match against West Ham and have thereby quashed any last remaining hopes of Spurs to qualify for Europe next season.

While Wally still continues to come to terms to the stunning but pleasant news that he is amongst the ones who shall board the plane to Germany some financial crunching has revealed that the Gunners have just earned themselves as much as £52.7 million by way of prize money and TV cash from all competitions. And in that, we have surpassed money-bags Chelski, ManU & Pool. Half of that amount has come from Champions league its believed. Europe does pay!! Makes sense of Spurssss frustration over failing to qualify for Europe!

We all know that Wenger is a genius. Theo Walcott is the latest to learn that.

Upon discovering that current Highbury seats MAY leak a toxic called cadmium the authorities at Arsenal have helplessly decided to drop previously planned auctions for the seats to be sold to fans. So those who had already payed upfront shall now get their money reimbursed.

Winning anything is itself sweet! Wininng it at the expense of Suppurs makes it more sweeter! Until then let us the fans of Arsenal Club rejoice and bask in the glory of our qualification for Champions league next season - at the expense of Spursss!!

Shauns Boycott! Arsenal's Walcott

In a stunning move made by Sven Goran Erikkson, to select players for the English squad to play in the forthcoming World Cup in Germany, the Swede has boldly given Arsenal's wonderkid Theo Walcott the call to the squad and has snubbed the likes of Darren Bent, Shaun Wright Philips and Jermaine Defoe in the process. Whooooaaaa!!

Its absolutely amazing especially given the fact that Theo is not only too young but has never even played in the Premiership before. He is yet to appear for the Gunners. Though Wenger had named Walcott many a times recently but situations that were favourable enough to give Theo is debut never arose. Obvioulsy, this unprecedented / shockening selection has raised many a eyebrows but Sven stands by his decision which he portrays as a gamble that he is willing to take. So do we gooners.

Most importantly, Sven himself is the sole responsible for the selection of Theo. He didnt arrived at this crucial decision on somebodys else's say or jointly. We all know, that Wenger does surely rates Walcott highly and when approacched by Sven Wenger promptly recommended Theo to Sven as World Cup material. That was it! Nothing more! Sven then himself took this all important decision.

If that does happen and we as fans do hope that it does happens so then what a Gunner will Walcott be!! The news is made more sweeter by Svens snubbing of Chelseas Shaun Wright Phillips on the pretext of not having enough first team exposure this season. The same being the case for Defoe. Incredibly for Walcott, he has already beaten two players belonging to our arch rivals without even kicking a ball for Arsenal yet. Hahahahahaha!!

Wenger has again pulled off a hat. Only this time, the hat was one that, if not for Wenger's brilliance in talent-spotting and magnetic personality, could have been worn by of Morinho and Jol.

Goodbye Highbury

The Sun has set at Highbury!

With a heavy heart and fond memories we wish Higbury goodbye!!

A Gunner called Henry and an arsenal called Highbury!

Arsenal 4 – 2 Wigan Match Report
Barclays Premiership
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
Sunday, May 07, 2006, 3pm

In the last ever match to bid farewell to Arsenal football clubs’ home since 1913 what else could the Club, the manager, the players and the fans would have desired for. Everything they desired they got it. They got everything they desired.

In The-Gunners bid to qualify for Europe and mark the farewell to Highbury in the most spectacular of fashions, magnificent Henry rose to the occasion and struck a sensational hat-trick that left Wigan & Spurs in tatters and the Highbury crowd mad & jubilant.

No doubt the moment belonged to those who witnessed this great carnival with their own eyes but wherever you may have been and however you may have viewed this match if you are a true Arsenal fan at heart THAT ARSENAL FEELING in this momentous match at Highbury would surely have touched your hearts.

All throughout the match eyes were fixed on the Highbury happenings but ears were craving for the news of proceedings elsewhere at Upton Park. The feeling was there to sense, feel and caress. The memories were there to cherish.

Highbury - The Final Salute!!

Alas! The day has finally arrived for Arsenal to finally bid goodbye to this amazing, beloved and historic stadium – Highbury!

What remains that Highbury has not seen? All. Everything. Premiership Titles, The Invincibles, FA Cups, Carling Cups, Community Shields and what not. Extraordinary players, magnificent managers, wall-like defenders, one-of-their-kind strikers, thrilling encounters, sensational matches, phenomenal victories, breath taking goals, legends, unforgettable moments, ecstasy, joy, pride and glory. I know Champions league remains but that dream is not far away too from being a reality. It’s never been so near for us in the case of European conquest and in reality, in this fabulous journey of ours to the final in Paris, the major steps we took forward came at Highbury! The destruction of Real was completed here, Juventus were demolished 2-0 at Highbury and lastly, though, the yellow submarine sank in Spain but The Gunners torpedoed them at Highbury. Let’s mark the end of this spectacular and glorious era with a 9-0 victory against Wigan. Let’s depart from Highbury with style, elegance, goals, victory and perhaps with a fitting end; by qualifying for Europe.

It doesn’t matters whom we play today! Because whoever they maybe we HAVE To win this last game at Highbury. It will be interesting to see who all of the gunners will be able to play their part in today’s last game at the Highbury. Obviously everyone will want to but obviously not everyone will be able to. Cole is likely to be continued alongside Toure, Sol and Eboue while Reyes, Cesc, Pires and Gilberto should all start in this all important match. Sadly Flamini, Clichy & Senderos will miss it so shall the permanent absentees Lauren & Abou Diaby.

A lot is riding on this match apart from a must-win performance required to leave Highbury in style and on a winning note. With our champions’ league qualification hinged to the hopes that elsewhere in London, at Upton Park, West ham defeat or at least take 2 points from our fourth place rivals Spurs, equally important for us is a favorable result for us there as much as it is for us to win today. While West Hams’ victory will just kill spurs European aspirations even a draw there will see us win this race to fourth by virtue of our goal difference. We as fans can only hope!!

The players are bound to give their very best and give the fans a treat to watch. Henry is the man to watch out in this match. I have a feeling that he might even get a hat-trick. He is the captain. It’s the last match. We NEED a must win performance. We HAVE to qualify for Europe. All this sets the mood for Henry to just explode to his phenomenal best and sign off in a spectacular manner by leading the team to victory by his heroics in this momentous match for Arsenal football club.

Lots and lots could be written about the memories, joy and passion of everyone associated with this great stadium and Club and the sadness that the departure may ensue. But the bottom line is that we the fans, the players the Club will just miss it. Needless to say it will be an emotional game. Emotional for Wenger, the players, the fans and every Highbury faithful. A sensational victory coupled with qualification for Europe should just be the fitting and perfect achievements with which we can bid farewell to The Home Of Football!

Reyes of hope !

Coming off the bench Jose Reyes scored a brace in the second half to keep our hopes of European play next season alive!

Another important win yesterday night leaves us with everything to play for in the last ever game to be played at Highbury against Wigan come Sunday. That everythinig includes, Champions’ league qualification, retaining our pride by winning over our enemy spurs in the race to fourth place and above all - victory in the last game at Highbury.

A goal from Freddie and two from Reyes saw us leave Manchester with 3 more crucial points that shall well be enough for a Champions league place in case West Ham snatch two points from Spurs on Sunday AND we win against Wigan.

As reported earlier Cole started for the first time since 7 months while Hleb, Reyes, Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto and Van Persie were the absentees from Sunderland that returned in the line-up.

The game was hardly any appealing until when in the 20 minute Van Persie struck the bar but had been ruled offside before the shot. Then Sol made a block from Georgios Samaras in the 21st minute. Then at the half hour we broke the deadlock. Henry after controlling a pass moved square but in the process threaded a pass to Ljungberg who took one touch before steering the ball towards the inside of James’ left-post to make it 1-0 Arsenal. At that moment a smooth victory looked assured. But not so the case to be! By another 8 minutes City had drawn level with us with a scrappy goal from a set piece.

Joey Barton took a corner which went to Sinclair, who headed the ball towards the goal for Sommeil to equalize. The goal gave a balance to the match and City reasons to be optimistic. However, the magnitude of this match was clear to every Gunner and chances began to be created immediately. From a Henry corner when unmarked Sol should have scored he nodded wide

From a Henry corner unmarked Sol nodded wide when he should have scored. Very soon Henry after dribbling past three city defenders gave the ball to RVP. He intelligently laid it back for Henry in the area to see the captain uncharacteristically send it wide past the post when he should have at least tested James. So that was to be before half-time.

We started the second half well and could have taken the lead again within a minute from the restart if James wouldn’t have saved Persie’ shot. Soon it became quite an affair as City looked determined to gain something out of the game whilst we couldn’t settle for less than a win to remain in the reckoning for the fourth place. We had to step up the pressure. Henry sent Freddie clear in the area on the left in 53rd minute when Freddie went for it only to see his shot hit the post. At the other end Eboue saved a shot from Albert Riera. James again saved from RVP. Campbell stopped Vassell in the area. Then Hleb let fly from distance before James guided the ball clear at the eleventh hour. At the other end Jens saved two headers from Richard Dunne & Micah Richards each. In the meantime Wenger had substituted Cesc in place of Song in the 58th minute. Later he brought Pires & Reyes in place of Hleb & Persie respectively in the 72 minute. The substitution or one can fresh legs paid off immediately. Pires sent the ever energetic Eboue down the right who after reaching the byline cut the ball back to find Reyes to whose side-footed shot James managed to get hands to but not a grasp before it squeezed past into the corner of the net. The Gunners had the lead again. Soon Henry after brilliant play with the ball on the left squared to Reyes who dispatched a fantastic shot into the top corner of the net to seal the match and precious three points for us at 3-1.

City had put up a fight but couldn’t stop us from winning. Spirited they were but not anxious enough as The Gunners.

Manchester City Vs Arsenal Preview

Thursday, May 04, 2006

The deserving gets the accolade! Jens has been announced as the Player of the Month in Arsenal.com’s poll for April’s player of the month. And rightly so! For the remarkable and outstanding performances Jens has delivered for the Club this season, in the Champions league and especially after his historic penalty save in the 88 minute of the Champions league semi final match against Villareal there is nobody else more worthy of this award. Congrats!!

Another must win game for us against Manchester City tonight to make the race to finish fourth go down the wire. A win will surely mount pressure on Spurs which is good for us.

Cole is set to start for the first time since October 2 in this game while Clichy has been rested and so is Dennis Bergkamp. Reyes (wisdom teeth), Gilberto (ankle) & Freddie – who was rested – are the absentees from the Sunderland match that are again in the squad. While Diaby has started a long spell on the sidelines after his horrific injury at the hands of Sunderland player Smith, Hleb is back in the squad and Adebayor is not available due to a sinus infection.

ManCity have been in an awful form both away and at home off late so they don’t appear to be as threatening as they might be on another day. Having lost even of their last eight matches speaks enough of their poor form but we have to kill the game as soon as possible. For us to play Champions league next year nothing less than a win would suffice.

Two more wins and a hope that West Ham can extract something for themselves against Spurs is the remaining arsenal we have to beat Spurs to fourth place after we left nothing in our hands with draws against Portsmouth & Spurs.

Wednesday Round Up

Right from the beginning Villareal looked the team with more spark. If worthy of credit for creating numerous chances they own discredit too for being wasteful with them.

Records
Lehmann broke the record for longest defense. Edwin Van Der Sars record.10 clean sheets on the trot

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Match Report

Sunderland 0 - 3 Arsenal

Barclays Premiership
Stadium of Light
Monday, May 1, 2006. Kick-off: 5.15pm

Another easy victory for us as we cruised along the match and won 3 – 0. With another three points in the bag our hopes are dim but yet alive to beat Spurs in the race to the fourth & final spot for next seasons Champions League qualification.

The match was a stroll for us as a goal from Henry, Cesc each and an own goal all arriving in the first 45 minutes wrapped the match for us in the first half itself.

Adebayor, Song, Pires, Diaby & Clichy started the match for us while Ashley started the match from the bench and come on midway in the second half. Everything went smooth for us except that in the dying minutes of the match Sunderland substitute Dan Smith made an awful two-footed lunge at Diaby which saw him to be stretchered out of the pitch. Later he was diagnosed to have a dislocated fractured ankle and can cause him to miss the remainder of the season. The tackle was bad and Wenger is furious about it insists that the defender should have been sent-off. Though further news on the extent of the injury should arrive later in the week the injury is cruel and has come at a crucial time.

So, with this victory, the club is still the race for the fourth spot and apart from winning against Man City & Wigan we hope that West Ham steal something from Spurs.

Sunderland Vs Arsenal Preview

We have few injuries ahead of this match. While Gilberto (ankle), and Flamini (hamstring) are definitely out Hleb has a chances and Reyes too misses this fixture as he has had his wisdom tooth extracted. Although Ashley Cole has a strong chance of making a comeback to first team action after he came unscathed in the reserves 3-1 win over West Ham last Thursday and played for full 90 minutes.

Here

Wenger sheds light on his views and thoughts about the English coaching job and explains why it’s not the one that’s suitable for him though it makes him feel honoured when he is referred to as a possible candidate.

Though Sunderland who have already been confirmed as relegated should be not a tough one but the players should seriously see off this fixture as a mild slip up could cost us our Champions league qualification. You never know as Sunderland did draw at Old Trafford. Yesterdays Spurs win over Bolton not doing any favor to us; a win is not only required to reduce the deficit between them & us but also to keep a check on Spurs.

Sunderland v Arsenal - Round Up

Mon, May 1, 2006, 5.15pm

We never looked threatening in the entire 90 minutes while they looked more likely the side capable of scoring. It was very important to make good use of the ball when we had possession instead we wasted our possession and never kept close control on the ball. We lacked the craft that could make our passing count as a result of which the players didn’t get even near to the box leave aside having a nice decent shot at the goal. On the other hand when the ball was not with us we lacked that defensive cohesiveness that could make it bitterly hard for Villareal to conceive openings as has been the case with our previous opponents. They constantly channeled chances from right and made us miss Flamini. Certainly, both Sol & Clichy started well but the balance that earned us nine consecutive clean sheets seemed to be non-existent. Of course, our defenders defended very well otherwise the match wouldn’t have ended with another clean sheet for us but to some extent this was also due to the extreme wastefulness of our opponents who created so many chances but could convert none.

If worthy of credit for creating numerous chances they own discredit for being wastelful with them. Apart from Gilberto, the midfield had a sloppy game. Hleb gave the ball away too much; Cesc was just about tidy, Reyes couldn’t get across their midfielders as a result Henry was starved of any worthy service playing lonely upfront. Not until Pires arrived in place of Reyes in second-half did the match look somewhat poised for us. When he arrived on the scene the midfield looked a little more stable but still devoid of any flair to manufacture chances.

The team looked disjointed and the efforts nervy. But we could definitely take solace in our defense once again as dodgy though, the defense did not cracked and got us one more morale-boosting clean sheet. By the way that was tenth on the trot and a Champions League record.

Obviously with two of four being seriously short of match practice the job was indeed applaudable and the result deserving.

Tourepedoed by Kolo, sunk by Lehmann

Villareal 0 - 0 Arsenal.
Champions League Semi-Final, Second Leg.
El Madrigal, Spain.

Whew!!!

Did u see our performance last night??? We were way short of even half a decent performance required for any European match, leave aside a Champions league semi-final and yet we are through to the final in Paris. One cant imagine that the match ended goalless when the way Villareal played they could have ended with three goals. They on their part are left to rue their missed chances but we have a lot to ponder over our utterly disappointing display before we reach Paris.

One cant imagine that the match ended goalless when the plethora of chances Villareal created / crafted were there for all to see. They could have ended with three goals. They on their part are left to rue their missed chances but we have a lot to ponder over our utterly disappointing display.

However dismal our performance may have been but a berth in the Champions League final gives joy unlimited and compels to forget how we actually secured it.

ARSENAL HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL ….(that’s important)

Huuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Operation - Sinking Submarine

As feared from the Spurs game, the knee injury Senderos suffered is not one that can be ignored which means he won’t be available against Villareal. Bad that is. He & Toure have certainly mustered a sound central defensive partnership amongst themselves. The two along with Eboue and Flamini have been the rock solid defense marshaled by Lehmann, which has given us a record breaking run of nine consecutive clean sheets in Europe this season. In fact the report here suggests that not only will he will miss the match against Villareal but unfortunately it appears that he has finally played his last match this season.

Hence ahead of the match the manager has elected Sol to play in place of Big Phil. While Sol is short of match fitness Wenger has preferred him to Djourou to start the game on the base of experience. Wenger sees this as the best opportunity for Sol to show his strength and capability by making a strong comeback. He explains: “I decided to go for Sol Campbell because he has that kind of experience. I had Johan Djourou but he is 18. I feel Sol may be missing a game or two but can compensate with experience. Wenger defends his selection by drawing attention to the fact that it was Sol who was at the helm of our defense the year when we won the premiership unbeaten.

This could be a gamble in terms of our defensive solidarity. Experience is vital but match-fitness is too. Going by the look of past performances I personally think that he should have selected Johan Djourou ahead of Sol because we have seen Johan Djourou playing well before and Sol is some way short of match fitness but the manager understands his selection better than us and this is a gamble which Arsene Wenger is ready to take. Sincerely speaking Wenger had not much to choose from. He had Djourou & Sol to choose from and he has chosen experience over fitness. I as a fan have no complaints over the selection if whoever the manager brings gives his best and helps us maintain our solid defensive wall.

Reyes will be available again after serving his one-match European ban while Adebayor remains cup-tied. Meanwhile there is good news therein that Gael Clichy has recovered completely from the stress fracture in his foot and is back in the squad. That and the complete squad list you can find here.

Though by the look of it appeared that Villareal seem content with the result at Highbury the matter of fact remains that they have to at least score twice today night to win. And two goals are all that The Gunners have conceded in the entire competition until now. The last time someone got past our defense was Markus Rosenberg of Ajax on 27 September. After that we have produced a record breaking nine consecutive clean sheets. So we do have the defense required on big nights such as today and we have shown it before against Real, Juventus and Villareal at Highbury. As for the attack, its there to see how lethal Henry has been banging exquisite goals week after week. In the midfield Reyes, Hleb, Fabregas, Pires, Ljungberg and Gilberto they all have been fantastic. So no doubt that we have what it takes on nights like this. It’s down to our determination and thirst to win.

Wenger is clear upon the strategy to use for this match. He has decided to go for goals rather then defending the match. That Villareal have to come out to score is for sure. We need to capitalise on that. And the best way Wenger feels to tackle that is score ourselves. He says: “The best way to deal with that is to score [ourselves]. That would be ideal and that's what we'll try to achieve. We are a team who can always score goals. But as well I think that for us it’s most important to go there, form a good defensive base every time we go forward and try to win the game.

Even if we score one goal then they will have to score 3. A single goal from us can put the game beyond the reach of Villareal and we can book our place in the Final. As such it’s obvious that Wenger expects an attacking and exciting game tonight when he says “I feel the pace of our game will be the key, we will try to play at a high pace. I think they'll try to up theirs as well so you should see a much more exciting game in the second leg.”

So while we certainly have the defense in place that can take care of Villareal when they have the ball its important that we make the most of it when the ball is with us. But CAUTION!! It’s important that we remain alert. It’s not going to be an easy task. Though we managed to take care of their key players especially Riquelme very well, he will not be the same figure as in Highbury where he was on a leash as the whole team came there to defend. Their players would be up for it in front of their crowd and will try to throw everything at us that can give them a break. Their potential is apparent from the list of Clubs they have knocked out until now. The atmosphere would be cracking so it’s vital that we don’t crack under pressure.

The time has arrived for us now when a place in the finals of the Champions League is just one game away. Having come so far and making it to the finals would be a great reward for the mammoth effort Wenger and the lads have put in recently in Europe. We have really strived to get till here and truly deserve our position. Now, though is the most crucial time. Just one game and we shall then see from there how to take on the final from there.

One can say that our entire season has boiled down to two matches. One, that which we played with Spurs on Saturday and the second with Villareal in Spain. Losing the match with Spurs would have certainly left us with no chance of automatic Champions League qualification via the premiership route. A draw has at least kept us alive in the battle for the fourth position even though we don’t have anything in our hands now. We now rely upon on Bolton & West Ham to steal something from Spurs that could reduce the deficit between them and us. However small it may seem but nevertheless the chance that still remains with the draw has made it possible for us to harbour hopes in contrast to forgetting the fourth place in case we would have lost. So we didn’t pass out of this game with flying colours but still the race is not over and has given us something to salvage from this season in the premiership. Now, the second game. The second game is the Champions League game in El Madrigal today night! On this match hang our European aspirations. Kolo Toure gave us that important lead of one goal in Highbury on Wednesday. A lead of one goal is slender but it is a lead that counts. We have been running in this race for so many years now but never have we been so near to achieving this dream. Let the gunners make this a historic night.

The Gunners have Tourepedoed the Yellow Submarines at Highbury. Arsenal waits for them to sink in El Madrigal.

The Final Derby at Highbury

The match ended in a draw with both teams scoring a goal each. How I wish that we could have won our last North-London derby at Highbury but that was not the case to be. Robbie Keane gave the lead to Spurs in the early second half and with six minutes remaining Henry, who came onto the pitch from the bench in the second half, scored an awesome goal to equalize the scores and restore our pride.

Though our goal came through some neat play between Adebayor & Henry their goal was a controversial one and it remained the much talked about issue during and after the match. We all know what happened and with whom. Diaby & Eboue collided and the latter remained on the floor while the ball in Carrick’s position who waited to decide whether to continue playing or to put the ball out of play and then decided to play and passed the ball to Davids on the Spurs left flank. In the absence of Eboue, David could get along the channel and easily put the ball in the way of Keane who arrived by the time in the box near the right-hand post. He was left with the simplest of task to tuck the ball into the goal to give Spurs the lead. When David should have stopped and put the ball out of play he continued which led to the goal for Spurs. Wenger was furious and even the players protested but the referee deemed nothing wrong with it and the goal stood. Wenger was so outraged that he confronted Jol on the sidelines. Later Davids was sent off for a second offence.

But we can’t do anything now of it. We were looking for a win but could only take a point of the game. But we have the solace in the fact that at least we didn’t lost to Spurs in the final north London derby at Highbury. Full three point should have been the order of the day but to be honest we didn’t actually put enough effort especially in the first half. Spurs created more chances than us and we weren’t able to dictate the game. Honestly we didn’t woke up until they took the lead and their goal though disputed came as a shot in the arm for us. We then began to surge forward and to create chances upfront and then later deservingly equalized. Three points would have done our Champions Leagie automatic qualification hopes much good but now we are left to wish that somebody from either West Ham or Bolton take points away from Spurs and we win all of our remaining three fixtures. We can take solace in the fact that we didn’t LOSE to Spurs. This was their last chance to defeat us at Highbury which they couldn’t. A defeat at the hands of Spurs in our last north London derby at Highbury would have dented our pride in our outstanding record against them at Highbury and in the Premier League. Hence the goal from Henry sees our pride restored by remaining unbeaten to Spurs since the last 6 years. Hahaha!!

By the way later that evening Chelsea were kicked out from the FA Cup by Liverpool in the Semi-Final at Old Trafford.

Later Wenger called Jol a liar when Jol remarked that he didn’t saw the incident. Questions were raised whether Wenger should apologize for calling Jol a liar. But the proof is here (Thanks to arseblogger) . On this page the clip shows very clearly that Jol - who claimed to Wenger that he didnt saw the incident not only sees it but also asks his player Carrick to continue with the play while Eboue remained lying on the pitch injured. So there is the answer to that.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Villareal

A win was certainly the minimum requirement in the match against Villareal to give Highbury a perfect European send-off. And the score was one that is very familiarly associated with us! Yes! With 1 nil to the Arsenal, Highbury finally bowed off from the European stage.

Also it was our first appearance in a Champions League Semi-final so it was nice to record a win rather a defeat or a draw. We defended well again as we have until now and it was crucial that we didn’t concede a goal. So another clean sheet followed with a strong performance from our defenders.

A disallowed Henry goal which by the look of it seemed to be an incorrect decision could have made the task much easier for us on our trip to Villareal next Tuesday. Two nil would have been a better score to take to our second leg but that was not the case to be.

But we have been playing extremely well in our European fixtures and in the second leg if we don’t get nervy and soak the early pressure by Villareal who shall be up for it in front of their own crowd then we are certainly capable of pulling out another nice performance that could land us well – in the Champions League Final. Lets hope so.

For the first time in this Champions league season we were favourites going into this game and we justified our position with a deserving victory achieved by a good team display and defence. The only negtaive that can be drawn is that we could have scored more. We are left only to rue our missed chances but it was not entirely due to us. We must say that Viilareal defended very strongly in the second half and their midfield indeed put up a fine display. Though it was apparent that they were relying upon their home fixture as the key but they were a good disciplined side who capabilities are well documented by the fact that have ousted Everton, Man Utd, Rangers and Inter en route to this semi final. Riquelme didn’t appeared as big a threat as he was made of to be but we also have to keep in mind that their obvious plan at Highbury was not to attack but to defend. They in a way quiet succeded in this task as a one goal lead is a slender lead to take to their ground but as I said before the vital thing was not to concede a goal and we did not.

The tie is by no means over as Villareal will be up for it in the return match and they shall be having the home advantage now. But we have nothing to fear. We have shown that we can defend at home as well away previously. It would be a tough game at their home but if we defend well as a team and be sharp and fast on our counter attack then we could definitely get an away goal as well. Its certain that now with our lead Villareal will be forced to attack and if we defend well and catch them on the counter-attack then we can nick another one there. Even one goal from us would make it a difficult task for Villareal.

So lets hope that we dont crack under pressure as one more sound performance shall land our club for the first time in the Finals of the Champiosn League.

Four minutes before half time Koulo Toure got the solitary but very vital goal for us after some neat passing between Henry & Hleb got Hleb to the byline from where he picked his man and passed the ball only to find Toure's leg which directed the ball into the net to send Highbury wild and crazy. WOW!! what a feeling!!

Ironically it was Toures first goal at Highbury but what a night to score it. We have to be very sharp in the next fixture in Spain and take our chances accurately. We can rue our missed chances at Higbury but wont be spared for that in Spain.

Also no injuries to any of the players in the game and this victory should be a massive boost for us to take on our rivals Spurs on Saturday. Just like a perfect European send-off for Highbury this victory should give us that confidence to finish off Spurs in fashion and style in what’s going to be the last ever North-London derby to be played at Highbury. Whooo!

Arsenal Vs Juventus - Quarter finals draw completed

11 March, 2006

While we have been drawn against Juventus in the quarter-finals Wenger calls for a rousing reception from the fans to the return of Patrick Vieira. By saying “He has done so well for nine years for us, who has given us nine top, top years? A few players before, but of the foreign players I can only remember Patrick [and Bergkamp]. He has given nine years to the Club, that is why I want him to have a great reception. I am sure our fans are strong enough and big enough to do that.”

Out of a sudden PFA Chief Gordon Taylor & West Ham manager Alan Pardew have realised that there werent enough english players in Wengers squad that marched on to the quarters at the expense of eliminting Real Madrid on the way. And incredibly they are disappointed at that! Instead of applausing the effort put in by Arsenal to comprehensively beat Real both home and away and in the process remaining the only British side to bear the country's flag after big money Chelsea & reigning Liverpool crashed out; they have expressed diappointment at the lack of british players in the team that ousted Real. And though I had decided that I will certainly write an article to this effect time constraint has not permitted me to do so and hence I only leave you with what Wenger very aptly replied them with. Here is what Wenger has to say to both Gordon & Pardew and to all who think along the lines of these two.

After the celebrations for the quarters passage, all eyes are now upon our next fixture with Liverpool on Sunday. While Henry, Jens, Cesc and Freddie had all picked some kind of knocks at Highbury, all have recovered but a doubt remains about Freddie. As it has been the case for a while Sol, RVP and Cygan are our regular absentees though seem to be on their way back to full training by Sunday.

Liverpool couldn’t defend their European title losing out to Benfica and as such we can expect them to be down some what psychologically and that shoud be an advantage to us. Needless to say we should make good use of it as we just cannot afford to lose anymore. We have got to kill them, be it Liverpool or anybody else.

Wenger is currently not eyeing a backdoor entry to next years Champions League by winning it this year but instead is confident enough in the team to finish even above Liverpool who are currently third. When he says - "But at the start of the competition we didn't look at that. We just wanted to do as well as we could. We believe we will come back in the top four and I believe we can even catch Liverpool.” Way to go Arsenal!!

Wenger after Real win ! Jens wins award. Big Phil may too!

10, March 2006.

There is so much to write to about in the wake of the demolition of Real Madrid and our qualification for the Quarter finals of the Champions League. Lets begin!

First of all the Manager. Wenger is proud of the team after this historic win "Of course I am very proud of my team, and very happy for the Club. But as well I thought it was a great football night because both teams try to play."

And has some special words for the youngsters in the team. He says "I believe that there is something happening in the team. They grow in confidence, they are showing . To go out there with such a young team and show that resilience, that determined attitude, is something fantastic. I think the young players have not only quality, but character, and they've shown it tonight."

When you talk about our team now then you cant fail to mention about our defence. So didn’t Wenger – Here he talks about the confidence that the young defence can derive from this successful defending of one nil goal lead - "We have still a lot to improve but for the confidence of a young defence it is very positive." He rightly boasts of our young defence - "It gives us great confidence because we are quite consistent, not many teams can say if we go to Real Madrid we don't concede and when we play at home we don't concede”,

While Jens has been churning out top-class performances week in week out for quiet some time now that have earned him the 'Arsenal – Player of the Month' award, he reveals that being on bench has actually helped him, while Big Phil has caught the eye of FIFA by his solid defensive display for club as well for his country Switzerland and has been highlighted as a potential candidate for the newly-created Gillette Best Young Player Award, to be presented during the World Cup finals in Germany this summer. Applause!!