Flying High At The Emirates

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Its my time to go - Wenger


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29th July 2011

Arsene Wenger has resigned from his position at Arsenal after 15 years in charge of the club. It is thought Wenger had become disillusioned at Arsenal after several of his 'Young Guns' had fledged the nest in recent years moving abroad or to oil-rich Manchester City. Arsenal have issued a short statement declaring their disappointment in Wenger's decision but thanking him for his exceptional work at the club. It is thought Wenger had chosen to leave the club in its current transition period and allow a new manager to take the club forward.

Rumour has it that Chairman Peter Hill-Wood is preparing a 40 million pound transfer kitty so Arsenal's new Manager can make an immediate impact on the current Arsenal squad and create a title winning Arsenal team once more.

William Hill have Everton Manager David Moyes as their odds on favourite to replace Wenger at Arsenal.




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Arsenal reveal new manager

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1st August 2011

Arsenal have moved quickly to appoint a new manager before the start of the impending premiership season. They have chosen to take a gamble by naming Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp as their new boss. Although Bergkamp had an outstanding playing career with Ajax, Inter and Arsenal, the appointment of the former dutch international will come as a surprise to some due to his complete lack of managerial experience. Bergkamp had been employed at Ajax in the Netherlands as a striker coach but chose to make the switch to London to further his non-playing career. Despite his rookie status, Bergkamp is expected to have immense support from the Arsenal fans and the Board and many see his appointment as the start of a new era at Arsenal.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood has declared that Bergkamp has the full support of the club and will be given complete control of transfer policy to shape his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.


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Gunners ready for The Latics

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11th August 2011

Under the keen eye of new manager Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal look ready to start the season with a bang against Wigan at the Emirates. Bergkamp has watched his side complete an unbeaten pre-season with convincing wins over Roma, Villarreal and Colorado Rapids and now will be looking forward to his first competitive match at the weekend. Outstanding performances from Van Persie, Koscielny and new signing Gervinho have given The Gunners great confidence that they can have a successful season.

One of Bergkamp's first decision was to continue the squad trimming Wenger had initiated and did so by selling two players. Bit part centre back Johan Djourou, who had been in London since 2003, has left on loan to German giants Bayern Munich and target man Marouane Chamakh has completed his transfer to Spartak Moscow. It is reported that Munich have paid Arsenal £2.2 million and have the option to purchase the 24 year-old for £7.5 million at the end of the season. Chamakh, who was prolific at Bordeaux but failed to earn a starting place under Wenger, has joined Spartak for an undisclosed fee but sources have put the figure between £5 million and £10 million.

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Arsenal have also been busy adding depth to their current squad and Bergkamp, much to frustration of the fans, has continued with Wenger's policy of recruiting promising youngsters. Last week, Bergkamp brought in cover for Bacary Sagna and Alex Song. The signing of young spanish right back Mario from Villarreal was completed for £6 million whilst £9 million was splashed on the relatively unknown 20-year old defensive midfielder Romulu who has made the switch from Vasco in Brazil. However 3 days ago, Bergkamp smashed the club's transfer record announcing the signing of promising Basque forward Iker Muniain. The fee of £21 million dwarfing the £15 million paid for Andrey Arshavin in 2008. Muniain is only 18 but was held in the highest regard by Bilbao and the Spanish national side and is expected to challenge for a first team spot immediately. ​
 
August 2011
European disaster ruins encouraging start



Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan
(Van Persie, Arteta, Muniain)

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Arsenal made a perfect start to the season with a commanding win over Wigan. Full debuts were given to Romulo, Arteta, Gervinho and Muniain but it was Arsenal hero Van Persie who opened the scoring. Arsenal dominated the match and debutants Arteta and Muniain both grabbed their first goals for the club.

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Champions League Qualifier (First Leg)
Arsenal 1 - 0 Panathinaikos
(Ramsey)
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Arsenal scored an early goal courtesy of Aaron Ramsey and managed to hold on to secure an edgy first leg win. Per Mertesacker was handed his first team debut after returning from injury.

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Swansea 2 - 1 Arsenal
(Muniain)

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Arsenal were caught cold by a brilliant performance by Scott Sinclair who bagged two goals for the Swans. Arsenal were never in the game and although Muniain scored it was too late for a comeback.

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Champions League Qualifier (Second Leg)
Panathinaikos 4 - 1 Arsenal
(Gervinho)

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Arsenal travelled to Greece knowing a draw would see them qualify for the Champions League Group Stages. Although The Gunners were at 1-1 going into the 50th minute, Arsenal were completely outplayed and punished by former Arsenal player Quincy who scored twice. The fans were understandably devastated as they will now see their team competing in the Europa League.

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Arsenal 2 - 0 Wolves
(Van Persie, Walcott)

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Arsenal recovered well from their european nightmare to beat Wolves at the Emirates. Walcott was outstanding throughout and with the Gunners achieving 60% possession, they could have won by 3 or 4.

Despite Arsenal's devastating loss to Panathinaikos, The Gunners have made a decent start to their premier league campaign.

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Arsenal have been handed an easy group in the Europa League this year with Salzburg, Rosenborg and ADO Den Haag their competition

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September 2011
Arsenal's good month marred by defeat to United



Q.P.R 1 - 1 Arsenal
(Van Persie 4', Campbell 90')

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DJ Campbell scored late on to deny Arsenal their first away win of the season. Van Persie had given The Gunners an early lead but Bergkamp's side weren't able to show their superiority on the scoresheet. Arsenal will be disappointed to drop points against newly promoted Q.P.R. with more difficult tests around the corner.

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Arsenal 4 - 0 FC RB Salzburg
(Van Persie 3', Koscielny 9', Muniain 37', Walcott 47')


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Arsenal kicked off their Europa League journey with a brilliant performance against Salzburg. The Austrian club were very poor and couldn't use their 35% possession to produce a single shot on target. Although he didn't score a goal himself, Gervinho was the outstanding performer for The Gunners.

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Arsenal 2 - 0 Everton
(Van Persie 8', Gervinho 54')

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Arsenal handled their first serious test at home with ease as they coasted past Everton. It was a great day for Arsenal with news that influential centre back Thomas Vermaelen has resumed light training.

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Arsenal 4 - 1 Q.P.R.
(Oxlade-Chamberlain 11' 17', Mertesacker 45', Koscielny 65', Wright-Phillips 71')

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Arsenal gained revenge for their draw at Loftus Road in an emphatic manner.

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Man. United 2 - 0 Arsenal
(Young 52', Scholes 82')

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Arsenal's first major game of the season resulted in a convincing defeat against rivals Man Utd. The Gunners were completely outplayed and although they held off the Red Devils until after half time, they inevitably took the lead through Ashley Young. Arsenal lost their captain Van Persie to injury after 22 minutes which harmed their tactics but they never looked like winning. The Gunners away home is now looking like a serious issue for new manager Bergkamp.

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Rosenberg 1 - 4 Arsenal
(Muniain 3', Walcott 35' 52', Oxlade-Chamberlain 67', Asbjornsen 73')

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The Young Guns put Rosenberg to the sword and secured the first away win for the club!

Arsenal sit in 6th place in the league with 10 points from 6 games. The Gunners have drawn Nottingham Forest in the 4th round of the Carling Cup.

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28th October 2011
Key players commit to Arsenal

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Captain Robin Van Persie and midfielder Alex Song have committed their long term futures to the club. The duo's dedication to the club will be great news for the fans and indicates to the rest of the footballing world that Arsenal are making progress in becoming a title winning side once more. Song, 24, has signed for another 5 years extending his current contract by 3 years whilst Van Persie has extended his contract by 2 years and will earn £21 million in wages over the next 4 years.

However, contract negotiations are still ongoing with playmaker Tomas Rosicky and Spanish keeper Manuel Almunia looks set to leave the club on a free in the summer after his fall down the pecking order at the Emirates.



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October 2011
Black Cats prevent Arsenal from completing perfect month

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Arsenal 5 - 0 Aston Villa
(Walcott 16' 59', Muniain 36', Agbonlahor o.g. 43', Gervinho 68')
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Arsenal put in a complete team performance to hammer the Villans 5-0 at the Emirates. Van Persie was unavailable due to injury so Walcott finally got his chance to play through the middle and he took it scoring twice and assisting two more.

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Blackburn 1 - 3 Arsenal
(Arteta 22', Vukcevic 36', Gibbs 48', Vukcevic o.g. 78')
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A stunning performance from midfield maestro Arteta gave the Gunners their first away win in the league. However, the win came at a cost with Gervinho and young full-back Kieran Gibbs both leaving the field with serious injuries. Gervinho should be fit for the Norwich game at the end of November but Gibbs is ruled out for 3 months with a torn calf muscle.

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Arsenal 3 - 1 Bolton
(Ramsey 22', Walcott 42' 48', Sordell 79')

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Arsenal maintained their perfect home record with a convincing win over Bolton. Walcott put in another MotM performance and scored two more goals. The Wanderers only managed one shot on target and rarely threatened Szczesny.

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CARLING CUP 4th ROUND
Arsenal 3 - 0 Nottingham Forest
(Benayoun 8', Van Persie 50', pen 78')​

Arsenal showed just why they are a top premier league club by cruising into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with a confident win over Nottingham Forest.
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Sunderland 2 - 0 Arsenal
(Bardsley 36', Larsson 93')
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Sunderland ruined Arsenal's month with a gutsy if not slight lucky performance at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal controlled the game and created more chances than the Black Cats but it was Phil Bardsley who opened the scoring with a wonder strike. Then in the dying second Sunderland broke out of defence and scored to secure the win.

Arsenal are currently in 3rd place with 19 points but are closer to 15th than to 1st place Manchester United. United are 10 from 10 so far and look like the champions they are. Arsenal have been handed an easy quarter final Carling Cup draw against Huddersfield.

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November 2011
Away form damaging Arsenal's title challenge

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Gervinho has been one of Arsenal's outstanding performers so far

EUROPA LEAGUE
ADO Den Haag 0 - 4 Arsenal
(Park 16', Oxlade-Chamberlain 48', Benayoun 58', Mertesacker 68')
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A significantly weakened Arsenal side thumped ADO Den Haag to put Arsenal 6 points clear at the top of Group L in the Europa League. Park, Benayoun and Rosicky, who have had limited playing time so far this season, all played well and reminded Bergkamp of their talents.
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Stoke 0 - 0 Arsenal
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A solid defence display by both sides produced a bore draw at the Brittania. Too many Arsenal forwards didn't turn up and the Gunner's away form continued to disappoint.
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Arsenal 3 - 1 Fulham
(Gervinho 22' 83', Mertesacker 44', Pogrebnyak 61')
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The Gunners got back to winning ways against Fulham in fairly contested London derby. With the game meaning so much to many fans, Gervinho will have done a lot to impress them by scoring two goals and claiming the Man of the Match award.
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Norwich 1 - Arsenal 1
(Van Persie 2', Morison 22')​

Robin Van Persie returned to the starting line-up and gave The Gunners the lead after 2 minutes. However, The Canaries worked hard and got themselves back into the match after 22 minutes. All in all the game was very even and although the draw is not what Arsenal were after, its probably what they deserved.​

 
7th December 2011
CARLING CUP QUARTER FINAL
Arsenal vs Huddersfield

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Arsenal found no trouble in dispatching League One opposition Huddersfield. The Yorkshire side couldn't cope with Arsenal's pace and technical ability, managing only 36% possession and one shot on target. The Gunners went ahead through goals from young english starlets Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain before Park scored a good goal to cap off a strong cameo appearance by the Korean. Arsenal will now face North London rivals Fulham in the Carling Cup Semi Final.​
 
EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE REVIEW

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Arsenal rounded off their Europa League Group Stage campaign with wins over Salzburg and Rosenborg. It means that the Gunners won every match and finished top of the table. With much weaker opposition, Bergkamp often named weakened sides. Despite this, Arteta and youngster Iker Muniain were the stand-out performers over the 6 matches.

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Salzburg 1 - 2 Arsenal
(Anton o.g. 14', Oxlade-Chamberlain 32',Maierhofer 37')
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A weakened team were still too good for Salzburg as the Gunners overcame the Austrian outfit. 18 year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain was again impressive and is knocking on the door for a starting first team spot.

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Arsenal 4 - 0 Rosenborg
(Muniain 18', Oxlade-Chamberlain 42', Park 60' 86')

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Park put in his first top quality performance in a red and white shirt as Van Persie was rested. His instinctive poaching ability shone through and the Rosenborg defenders couldn't cope. Also, a starting chance was given to young defender Ignasi Miquel who put in a solid and promising performance.

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Arsenal have been handed a tough draw in the knockout stages being pitted against Villarreal in the last 32. The winner of that tie will most likely play Spurs as they have an easier tie against Anderlecht. A potentially eye-watering North London derby awaits the Gunners.


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Arsenal thrash Chelsea in top of the table clash

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Arsenal 3 - 0 Chelsea
(Gervinho 6', Van Persie 55' 74')

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In Arsenal's first big London derby this year, the players began like men possessed and after some one touch passing Gervinho gave The Gunners a 1-0 lead. Chelsea rarely threatened in the first half but brought Fernando Torres on at half time to support Drogba. If anything, the Spaniard's introduction made Chelsea play worse and Arsenal Captain Van Persie capitalised on his opposition's mistakes and netted twice to complete the victory. Arsenal are now 7 wins from 7 home games in the league this year and look menacing at the Emirates. ​


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Gunners caught napping at Anfield

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Liverpool 3 - 2 Arsenal
(Kuyt 10', Carroll 29', Adam 48', Walcott 60', Van Persie 80')
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Some of the Arsenal players seemed to still be on the coach in the opening half at Anfield. Even in the absence of their talisman Steven Gerrard, Liverpool ran riot in the first half scoring twice. In all honesty, it could have been more and Bergkamp was happy to get his side back into the changing room. Any reaction from the team talk was diluted by a screamer from eventual Man of the Match Charlie Adam to make it 3. The Gunners eventually started to tick however and scored twice to ignite a comeback but it was too late as Liverpool held on for an important win.

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December 2011 (Remaining EPL games)
Arsenal finish hectic month in good form


West Brom 0 - 1 Arsenal
(Park 91')
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A hard working performance from the players turned into three valuable points at The Hawthorns. The Arsenal forwards showed nothing special but kept going till the end and nicked the win when substitute Park slotted home.
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Arsenal 3 - 1 Tottenham
(Van Persie 48' 68', Gervinho 55', dos Santos 86')

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In a fairly even North London derby, Arsenal recorded a comfortable victory due to their superior finishing. Van Persie was exceptional again and received great support from Gervinho and Sagna on the right flank. The fans will be delighted with the team now they have cruised past London rivals Chelsea and Spurs this month.

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Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

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Arsenal put in a strong defensive performance in the North East to earn a point against Newcastle. However, the achievement was diluted by Thomas Vermaelen picking up yet another injury.

Arsenal have received a tough draw in the FA Cup 3rd Round and will have to overcome Man City to progress in the competition​


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Players jet off to continental tournaments

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Arsenal players Alex Song, Gervinho and Park Chu-Young have jetted to their home continents to represent their countries. While Song and Gervinho fly back to play in the African Cup of Nations, Park will compete in the East Asian Championship. In their absence recent signings Romulo and Muniain will have to step up and become first team regulars. This will provide invaluable experience for the promising duo.
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January 2012 - Part 1
Arsenal thrash Mancs in strong start to new year

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Wigan 1 - 1 Arsenal
(Walcott 23', Rodallega 87')
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After a busy christmas period The Gunners were unlucky to claim only a point at the DW. The away team managed 16 shots but Wigan Keeper Ali Al-Habsi was outstanding throughout. Arsenal did score however, the goal coming from ever-improving Theo Walcott who popped up to tap home from close range. Wigan stole a point late on through a fast counter and will be happy with the result.

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FA CUP 3rd ROUND
Arsenal 3 - 0 Manchester City
(Gervinho 42' 92', Lescott o.g. 54')

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Arsenal couldn't have performed better in a tough 3rd round tie against City. Bergkamp got his tactics spot on and with City only managing 2 shots from long range, their fans will definitely be feeling blue. Again, Gervinho was incredible and will be sorely missed as he now leaves for the African Cup of Nations.

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Carling Cup Semi Final 1st Leg
Fulham 2 - 2 Arsenal
(Hangeland 29', Dembele 37', Van Persie 39', Arteta 62')

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Arsenal came from two down at Craven Cottage to turn a bad result into a promising one. After the start, the Arsenal fans will be happy to take 2 away goals back to the Emirates for the second leg. They largely owe their thanks to French defender Laurent Koscielny who was exceptional in an otherwise poor team performance.
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Arsenal 4 - 0 Swansea
(Van Persie 8', Oxlade-Chamberlain 51' 67', Walcott 88')

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Another fantastic home performance from Arsenal who coasted past Swansea. The Gunners look very strong at home and the scoreline is good reward for a solid team effort. Again, Koscielny was excellent and Arteta ran the midfield from start to finish.
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January 2012 - Part 2
Mixed fortunes in the cups for The Gunners

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Wolves 0 - 3 Arsenal
(Walcott 59' 65' 68')

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After months of average or poor performances away from the Emirates, Bergkamp has changed his tactics to a more counter attacking style. The change immediately paid dividends with a great win at Molineux. Yet again Walcott was superb and scored a hat-trick in the space of 9 minutes! Unfortunately, Van Persie picked up another niggle and will miss the next match.

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Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg
Arsenal 0(2) - 1(3) Fulham
(Riise 35')

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An embarrassing performance from Arsenal dumped them out of the Carling Cup at the penultimate hurdle. With Arsenal's fantastic home record, many were expecting a big win for the home side. However, Arsenal were truly awful and all it took was one set piece from Fulham to take The Cottagers to Wembley. With several key players unavailable, Bergkamp chose to start Muniain, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain in attack instead of opting for the more experienced players Benayoun and Rosicky. The Manager received great criticism as the forwards were clueless and Walcott failed to lead the line. Fulham now head to Wembley to face Bolton and have a great chance of lifting the trophy in February.

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FA Cup 4th Round
Millwall 0 - 1 Arsenal
(Andre Santos 38')

View attachment 239778​

Arsenal scraped through their encounter with Millwall to reach the 5th round of the FA Cup. It took a 30 yard screamer from inconsistent wing back Andre Santos to win it, his first goal for the club. The Gunners now face Newcastle with a quarter final place up for grabs.

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Arsenal 0 - 0 Q.P.R.

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Arsenal lost their 100% home record in the league as they drew with local rivals Q.P.R. at the Emirates. Many of the Arsenal team seemed tired and never got going in the bore draw. ​



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Koscielny winner ends Man. United's unbeaten run
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View attachment 239808

Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United
(Ramsey 47', Nani 67', Koscielny 81')

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Arsenal put in a quality performance to end United's unbeaten run which had spanned over 23 games in the league. After a close first half, Bergkamp's men came out strongly and immediately took the lead when Ramsey finished off a nice team move. However, Man United had a good spell of possession and were rewarded when a deflected cross fell to Nani at the back post. The game looked destined for a draw but The Gunners got a corner late on. In form Laurent Koscielny lost his man on the ground before heading home to send the home fans into raptures.
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