Robin van Persie Confirms He Will Stay At Arsenal

The Gunners' Dutch striker is perfectly happy to stay in north London for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has affirmed his desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium as long as he is contracted to the club. The Dutch international's current contract expires in 2011, but he is hopeful that he may ink a new one soon, according to press reports.
However, the 25-year-old is desperate for the Gunners to start winning trophies, and hinted that a lack of silverware might well be the reason he would consider an exit.
"I’m not happy just playing - I want to win things and I think that is a good thing," he told English tabloid The Sun.
"It is not my aim just to qualify for the Champions League. I want to win the Champions League and I believe we can. It is not just that I want to play in the FA Cup. I want to win it, and that is what I have always said.
"I am not a guy who gives up easily. I have a contract until 2011 and I will respect that. About my future, I can’t say much more."
The forward concluded on a positive note, asserting that the January signing of Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin had provided a huge boost for the Gunners, and that the returns to fitness of Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas were also more than welcome at this stage of the season.
He said, "The signing of Arshavin is a really good one - and we have Theo coming back.
"Cesc is coming back and he is our heart-beat. He is really important for us because he controls the game, slowing it down and speeding it up."
By : Zack Wilson.

Barcelona Coach Guardiola Wants To Avoid Arsenal – Report

If Pep Guardiola could choose to avoid any team in this week's draw for the Champions League quarter finals, then it would be Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola wants to avoid Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final draw if possible because he believes that the Premier League side play the most similar football to Barcelona, according to a report from Sport.
The Blaugrana chief thinks that his team's tactics work best when facing teams that are setup differently because they can play around them and cause surprises.But the Gunners have a similar philosophy and that could see the Catalan side unable to reproduce their best form in the last eight of the elite European competition, Sport state.Although Guardiola has not said publicly that he has any particular preference, behind-the-scenes it is believed that he knows which sides he would prefer.Friday sees the draw for the next round of the Champions League and Barca can be paired with any of the seven teams remaining. That means that Blaugrana can face Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Villarreal, Porto or Bayern Munich.Sport do state that Guardiola is confident of beating any opposition and knows that to win the Champions League his team must be prepared to play all comers.
By : Lucas Brown

Late Gallas Goal Sees Arsenal Past Hull City In FA Cup

The Gunners came from a goal down to dump Hull out of the FA Cup and book themselves a semi-final date with Chelsea. Arsenal 2-1 Hull City
Arsenal took on Hull City in their belated quarter-final FA Cup clash, each hoping to earn a place in the last four of the competition and a date with Chelsea. The Gunners made six changes from the side that cruised past Blackburn Rovers at the weekend inserting the likes of Fabianski, William Gallas and Carlos Vela into the starting lineup.Not to be outdone, Hull also reshuffled their side but crucially retained Geovanni, the man who hit a stunning goal as the Tigers achieved a surprise victory the last time the two sides met at the Emirates. Indeed that result was brought swiftly to mind by all inside the ground as the visitors took the lead as early as the 13th minute.A hopeful ball into the box by Andy Dawson found Nick Barmby who allowed the ball to bounce over his shoulder before firing a left-footed effort goalwards. His shot took a fortunate deflection off Johan Djourou to loop over a helpless Fabianski and into the back of the net to hand the visitors a shock lead.Yet it might have been so much better for the Tigers in a first half in which Arsenal struggled to find any sort of rhythm whilst also looking out of sorts defensively.Mid-way through the first half Gallas pulled Peter Halmosi down, just outside the box. Cue Geovanni who firing a curling effort over the wall but couldn’t beat Fabianski who acrobatically tipped the ball over for the corner.From the resulting corner more poor Arsenal defending saw the ball only cleared as far as Dawson on the edge of the box who fired a low shot back into a packed penalty area.Whilst his effort looked wayward, Barmby nicked in at the far post to divert it past Fabianski, yet crucially for the home side he was offside and the goal was chalked off. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger’s men were struggling to create anything much of note at the other end. Arshavin came the closest for the Gunners, shooting low and accurately but seeing his effort brilliantly blocked by a desperate Ricketts before another fierce volley fizzed wide of Myhill’s left hand post. Yet it was Hull who might have added the second. A free-kick by Halmosi into the box caused confusion and with Fabianski missing his punch, Zayatte could only head onto the roof of the net. Phil Brown was forced into a change at half-time with the hamstrung Ian Ashbee being replaced by Bryan Hughes and a determined Arsenal side ensured the visitors began the second half on the back foot.Abou Diaby almost scored in the opening exchanges after connecting powerfully with an Arshavin corner but his header flew a few inches wide.Minutes later and a Robin van Persie's header was forced off the line by Dawson with Song somehow hooking the rebound wide. The Gunners were ramping up the pressure, even forcing the 35-year-old legs of Barmby to track back and deny Arshavin with a superb last ditch challenge just on the half mark.Yet they couldn’t find an equalizer and with 25 minutes remaining a frustrated Wenger sent on Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner.However, it was van Persie who almost grabbed a goal minutes after their arrival. The Dutch striker curled a low free kick around the wall but not past Myhill who got down low to parry the ball around his post.From the resulting corner it was the striker again, this time heading onto the woodwork as Hull stubbornly kept their illustrious hosts at bay.However, Arsenal were simply not to be denied and with 20 minutes to go they finally dragged themselves back on level terms.Bendtner did well inside the box to cross for Arshavin and he cleverly cut the ball back to van Persie to drive home from close range. Yet Hull might have restored their lead within minutes. A Djourou mistake allowed Geovanni time to shoot and his effort worried Fabianski but flew just high and wide. As time ticked away the chances came thick and fast. Myhill spilling a cross and allowing Bendtner an open goal to shoot at but the Dane thrashed over before Arsahvin teed up Gibbs to shoot straight at the Hull stopper. A winner for the home side looked inevitable and it duly arrived with five minutes remaining. A long ball into the box was not dealt with by Myhill and allowed a suspiciously offside looking Gallas to head into an empty net from a few yards and ensure Arsenal are off to Wembley.
Arsenal:
Fabianski, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott (Eboue, 82), Song (Bendtner, 65), Diaby, Vela (Nasri, 65), Arshavin, Van Persie.
Hull:
Myhill, Ricketts, Gardner, Zayatte, Dawson, Ashbee (Hughes, 46), Barmby (France, 76), Geovanni, Fagan, Manucho, Halmosi (Mendy, 68).
GOALS
2-1 Arsenal (Gallas, 84)1-1 Arsenal (van Persie, 74)0-1 Hull City (Barmby, 13)

Rampant Arsenal Overrun Blackburn To Go Fourth

A brace apiece from Andrey Arshavin and Emmanuel Eboue saw Arsenal fully back in their fluent groove with an emphatic victory that took them back into the top four at struggling Blackburn's expense... Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn Rovers.

Rampant Arsenal could have won by a landslide but will be happy to settle for three points in a 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers that takes them back into the top four, at least for 24 hours.The Gunners were impressive, over-running Rovers, but failing to turn their superiority into the even wider winning margin that would have boosted their goal difference further as they tussle with Aston Villa for the fourth Champions League place.As it was, two goals from Andrey Arshavin and two more from pantomime villain Emmanuel Eboue - one from the penalty spot - underlined their superiority and confirmed that the Gunners are firing again.Theo Walcott made his first start since his comeback from a shoulder injury, and Arsene Wenger brought back Andrey Arshavin, Johan Djourou and Alex Song, with William Gallas, Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboue and Robin van Persie all being rested.Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made three changes from the side that beat Fulham, bringing in Danny Simpson, Aaron Mokoena and Zurab Khizanishvili for Ryan Nelsen, Keith Andrews and Tugay. Arsenal announced their determination and desire from the off, and were ahead inside the first two minutes with a goal originally credited to Andrey Arshavin, but which might be reassigned as an own goal. It was hard to tell who got the final touch, Nicklas Bendtner putting Theo Walcott clear down the right and his cross being converted at the near post by a combination of Arshavin and two Rovers defenders. Arsenal had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Walcott appeared to be pulled down by Stephen Warnock, referee Phil Dowd seeing nothing amiss. But Walcott was looking lively and causing problems on his first Premier League appearance for four months. Dowd was lenient again a couple of minutes later when El-Hadji Diouf was only booked for a reckless challenge on Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia with the ball nowhere near him. On the half-hour mark, Morten Gamst Pedersen had Blackburn's first chance, but his header was well kept out by Almunia. As Arsenal's dominance persisted, Samir Nasri hit a superb free-kick from some 25 yards out, the shot cannoning off the angle of post and bar. Undaunted, Nasri then forced a decent save from Paul Robinson. Diouf amazingly lost his cool again, but stayed on, clashing with Almunia again as Blackburn prepared to take a corner. To be fair though, Almunia was lucky not to collect a yellow for the altercation.At the break, with Rovers still only one goal behind, the impressive Arshavin had stitches inserted in an ankle injury, but fortunately for the Gunners the classy Russian was well up for the second period. Bendtner played a ball through to Walcott, who left the Rovers defenders for dead but then draghed his shot disappointingly wide. Walcott then set up Bendtner, but the big Dane, who wastefully put it wide from six yards. With Arsenal running riot, a Nasri cross was fired goalwards by Bendtner, but Chris Samba blocked, and from the rebound Walcott's bicycle kick was well-saved by Robinson. Moments after that, a Denilson shot was blocked.Olsson came on for Warnock, who had been given a torrid time by Walcott and Nasri all afternoon. The hapless Bendtner broke clean through on goal but failed to get the ball out from under his feet and another chance went begging. But almost immediately, Arsenal scored a sensational goal. Arshavin collected the ball down the left, cut inside, dummied brilliantly past Danny Simpson and lifted his shot expertly into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles. There was no doubt about who'd scored that one.Arshavin then set up Bendtner with another great chance, following dazzling approach work by Walcott and Alex Song; this time Bendtner put it over, and was swiftly substituted by Carlos Vela. Vela's cross found the outstanding Arshavin at the back post and his shot was saved by Robinson, only for Eboue to tap in the rebound from close-range. Then when Vela was brought down in the area, Eboue stepped up to bury the penalty and put the seal on a terrific Arsenal performance.

Arsenal:

Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Walcott, Song Billong, Denilson, Arshavin, Nasri, Bendtner.

Subs: Fabianski, Diaby, Gallas, Van Persie, Vela, Eboue, Gibbs.

Blackburn:

Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Ooijer, Givet, Diouf, Mokoena, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Pedersen, Roberts.

Subs: Bunn, Kerimoglu, Dunn, McCarthy, Andrews, Treacy, Olsson.Mark Hinton, Goal.com

CL 08/09 final "NOT" at Olimpiaco Roma stadium???

UEFA had warn Rome's local goverments to avoid any Hooligans insident when AS Roma vs Arsenal CL 08/09 at Olimpiaco Rome stadium.

Capability of Rome to host CL final at Olimpico Rome Stadium had been doubted by UEFA after a Giallorossi Ultras stabbing a Gonner before AS Roma hosting Arsenal leg 2 in top 16 CL 08/09.

Insident happen before Kick Off, when both surporter going to Stadium and Gonner's mini bus was attacked by some Ultras, throwing the bus, Mini bus driver attemp to get far away when an Ultras forced to get in, causing a Gonner got stab.

But after medical treatment, The Gonner still can watch the game.

The Gonners had been warn before, to avoid Dangerous places like Piazza flaminio and Ponte Duca D'Aosta a bridge the place that there were many Ultras Giallorossi.

2 years ago when AS Roma hosting Man U in CL 06/07 the Ultras also attack Red Devil's fans when they re going to the stadium.

UEFA warn The Rome's local goverment if the same thing happen again, Final CL 08/09 wouldn't at Olimpiaco Rome Stadium anymore.

Dramatic last BPL club ( Arsenal ) win over Seri-A ( AS Roma ) with Pinalty Kick

BPL club sink Seri-A club in CL 08/09
Man U win over Intermilan aggregate 2-0 (0-0) 2-0
Chelsea win over Juve aggregate 3-2 (1-0) 2-2
with Arsenal take the last quarter final ticket with win Pinalty kick over last Seri-A AS Roma.

In 90 minute both team played with offend game make a very dramatic game in Olimpico Roma.

But Juan ( Roma ) net the ball to 9' make aggregate 1-1 and the game had to be continue at extra time, but still no more goal create even both team still attacking each other but with careful more, cause if any small mistake would sent them out from the most prestij competition in the world.

still with aggregate 1-1 and then pinalty must be drawn to pick a winner for last ticket to quarter final.

pinalty kick list :
Eduardo (Arsenal) missed the penalty saved by the goalkeeper.
*Pizarro (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Van Persie (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Vučinić (Roma) missed the penalty saved by the goalkeeper.
Walcott (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Baptista (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Nasri (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Montella (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Denilson (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Totti (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Touré (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Aquilani (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Sagna (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Riise (Roma) scores from the penalty spot.
Diaby (Arsenal) scores from the penalty spot.
*Tonetto (Roma) misses from the penalty spot.
The penalties are over, Arsenal win with 7-6 pinalty kick ( 1-1 aggregate ).

* AS Roma player

Roma:

Doni; Motta (Aquilani 115), Diamoutene, Juan (Baptista 27), Riise; Taddei (Montella 119), Pizarro, Brighi, Tonetto, Vucinic; Totti.

Arsenal:

Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Eboue (Walcott 74), Diaby, Denilson, Nasri; Bendtner (Eduardo 86), Van Persie.

AS Roma vs Arsenal (match Preview)

To nite was the CL draw:
Bayern Munchen (5) vs Sporting Lisabon (0)
Juventus (0) vs Chelsea (1)
Liverpool (1) vs Real Madrid (0)
Panathinaikos (1) vs Villarreal (1)
Tomorrow nite draw:
Barcelona (1) vs Lyon (1)
Manchester Utd (0) vs Inter Milan (0)
Porto (2) vs Atl. Madrid (2)
Roma (0) vs Arsenal (1)

3 giants from BPL vs 3 giants Seri-A will be the best game to watch.

Roma Last 10 results
Mar 07 '09 Roma - Udinese 1-1
Mar 01 '09 Inter Milan - Roma 3-3
Feb 21 '09 Roma - Siena 1-0
Feb 15 '09 Atalanta - Roma 3-0
Feb 08 '09 Roma - Genoa 3-0
Feb 01 '09 Reggina - Roma 2-2
Jan 28 '09 Roma - Palermo 2-1
Jan 25 '09 Napoli - Roma 0-3
Jan 18 '09 Torino - Roma 0-1
Jan 14 '09 Roma - Sampdoria 2-0

Arsenal Last 10 results
Mar 03 '09 West Brom - Arsenal 1-3
Feb 28 '09 Arsenal - Fulham 0-0
Feb 21 '09 Arsenal - Sunderland 0-0
Feb 08 '09 Tottenham - Arsenal 0-0
Jan 31 '09 Arsenal - West Ham 0-0
Jan 28 '09 Everton - Arsenal 1-1
Jan 17 '09 Hull - Arsenal 1-3
Jan 10 '09 Arsenal - Bolton 1-0
Dec 28 '08 Arsenal - Portsmouth 1-0
Dec 26 '08 Aston Villa - Arsenal 2-2

Qsheira Predict :

AS Roma 0

Arsenal 2

Arsenal 3 - Burnley 0

Arsenal will face Hull city at Emirates stadium for FA Cup Quarter final, after beat Championship club " Burnley " with score 3-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Carlos Vela 24', Eduardo 51', Eboue 84' make sure the farbulous win for "Young Gunners".

Arsenal put some " Young Guns " in the squad for starter like Vela, Gibbs, Fabiansky, song, but This Young Gunners still dominating in this game.

The winner of qurter final had been wait by Chelsea in semi's, that both of semi's Man U vs Everton and Arsenal/Hull city vs Chelsea would be played at Wembley Stadium ( London ).

No Replay on semi's at wembley, if draw for 90minutes, there would be extra time played, till pinalty kick to take final ticket.

Arsenal:

Fabianski; Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Gibbs; Eboue, Song, Diaby (Ramsey 70), Arshavin; Vela (Van Persie 59), Eduardo (Walcott 70).

Burnley:

Jensen; Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes; McDonald, McCann, Gudjonsson (Thompson 57), Eagles (Elliott 57); Blake, Paterson.

O'neill fear if Arsenal win Champion league title

O'neill hope Arsenal can't win CL title

coz if it's true happen, astonvilla will lose the last place ( 4th in league ) to CL.

Even Arsenal now at 5th place 3pts behind astonvilla (4th) but The Gunners still top 16 in CL and will face AS Roma in 2nd leg with 1 goal advantage at Emirates.

O'neill said that, even he didn't agree bout the situation but the CL title winner must defend their cup in the next season competition.

Arsenal had the quality to win the title, coz many of their main player would back soon from injury like the captain Cesc Fabregas, theo walcoot & Eduardo da silva.

CL season 05/06 many controvertial after Liverpool lifted the thriump but finished at 5th in BPL, everton as 4th had the last ticket to CL

first case ever in CL and as the Champion Liverpool had the right to defend the title which UEFA agree giving 5places BPL club in season 06/07, with The Reds must start from the 1st qualification and Everton at 3rd round.

But in this season no more like the case before would happen as UEFA declare if same 05/06 situation happen again, the 4th place would be automaticly joint the UEFA Cup competition to let the champion defend their thriump.

P/s : Qsheira want to warn O'neill just don't drop any point in furture, Cause Gunners would

be your very bad dream.

At least.... even no more clean sheet..

At least The Gunners end the draw game with beat W.B.A 1-3 at The Hawthorns.

Only 4 minute of game N. Bendtner put ball to Scott Carson net for Gunners lead 0-1,

but the goal only make Gunners lead 3minutes only before Chris Brunt make score 1-1 with his Free kick.

Bendtner again almost make goal after pass the off side position but unfortunattely the ball pass on the cross bar.

Arsenal with out win in 5 game and 4game ends 0-0 seems make an attacking game, which Kolo Toure heading ball from A.Arshavin free kick put Gunners lead at 38'.

Bendtner score again at 44' after pass from Ryan Donk and shootin the ball direct to the net make Arsenal lead 1-3.

In 2nd half the game was fully dominate by Arsenal, with W.B.A almost didn't have chances to attack.

But AW seems very disappointed with Gunners performance in 2nd half, even dominate on all the 2nd half game, but there was no more goal from the Gunners.

even no more clean sheet, but no more 0-0 make us boring & Boring & Boring :)

West Brom:

Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Donk, Robinson, Morrison (Menseguez 72), Greening, Koren, Brunt (Filipe Teixeira 72), Moore, Fortune.

Arsenal:

Almunia, Sagna, Toure (Diaby 46), Djourou, Clichy, Eboue (Ramsey 67), Song Billong, Denilson, Nasri (Merida 83), Bendtner, Arshavin.

Gunners make us proud be Gonners.

Wenger - We have the foundation for success

Arsène Wenger believes that Arsenal's rock-solid defence can be their foundation for success.
The Frenchman has watched his team rack up six consecutive clean sheets and concede just three times since Boxing Day. Arsenal's lack of goals at the other end continues to frustrate Wenger but, having watched Manchester United reel off a string of 'professional' one-goal victories this season, the manager knows his team can emulate the champions.
"Defensive strength is the foundation for success and we want to keep the focus on that strength," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"We are in the final sprint of the season and you can see that it’s vital and very, very important. You can only make results everywhere if you feel strong defensively. "It’s a fine line [between winning games 1-0 and drawing]. I have watched Man United get an opening here and there and they are a great side. But I don’t feel they dominate the games like we do."
One attribute Man United do have at the moment is instinct. They are taking their chances when they come while Arsenal have faltered in front of goal. According to Wenger, there was more evidence of that elusive quality when Sir Alex Ferguson's side beat Tottenham on penalties in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday.
"They don’t think about it. The trophies flow in for them at the moment so it’s all natural for them," said Wenger.
"Even yesterday they were so convinced they would win it in the end because they have no doubt. They put themselves in that position, we were in that position as well, we just need to continue to focus.
"But I believe that the spirit of my team is great. The focus they have in training is great and they will be rewarded – I have never seen a team not being rewarded for that kind of spirit and quality."
[Monday, March 02, 2009]