Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4

A determined display from Arsenal saw off a second half fight back from Aston Villa and made sure that there were no repeats of the Spurs result from a week ago. Ex-Gunner, Robert Pires’ debut failed to spark an injury hit Villa squad as Arsenal were in cruise control before halftime.

A brilliantly taken solo goal from Arshavin in the 39^th minute gave Arsenal the lead. The lead should have doubled a minute later as Nasri beat the offside trap and was put through by the impressive Arshavin, but Nasri was off balance when taking the shot and only managed to find the side netting with Villa goalie Brad Friedel well beaten. A let off for Villa as Nasri lamented the missed chance.

Not one to hold back, Nasri more than made up for this miss on the stroke of half time, when he volleyed a corner past Friedel, with the help of a teenie tiny deflection.

2-0 to the Arsenal, job done! Not really as there was a full second half still to play and a lot of questions to be answered. Questions such as Were lessons from last week learnt?, Will the Gunners maintain their dominance or become complacent?, How will Arsenal respond if Villa were to get an early goal? Can we really go to the top of the table, albeit for a couple of hours? Do we dare dream? Will Robert Pires carry on into the second half and if he does, will he score for Villa? So many questions, so little time.

It didn’t take too long for some of these questions to be answered as Villa started like they got a half time rollicking from their manager, and they probably did.  As with last weeks match, the second half took shape in slow motion and the Gunners conceded an goal early to let Villa in. Aston Villa’s defender come defensive midfielder come midfielder, Ciaran Clark got one back in the 51^st minute to really test the nerves.

But unlike last week, Arsenal actually responded when Chamakh popped up and nicked a goal with a brave finish, risking life and limb, when Friedel looked to have the danger snuffed out. Chamakh’s 55^th minute goal restored Arsenal’s two goal cushion but there was always that feeling that more then two goals will be needed to go top of the table.

That feeling turned to reality when Clark popped up to peg Arsenal back once more, scoring from a looping header in the 71^st minute after some poor defensive work from the Gunners. So, it was back on again, and the anxiety level rose with each Villa attack or with misplaced pass or failed Arsenal attack. No relief then when the fourth official’s board read four minutes (don’t know where that came from as there were hardly any stoppages) of added time.

At 2-3, the impetus was on Villa to grab their all important goal but the ever industrious Chamakh responded at the other end by teeing up Jack Wilshere to restore Arsenal’s two goal lead with a diving header, with a minute from fulltime. Second half substitute, Denilson’s shot was blocked and fell kindly to Chamakh, who lobbed the ball over Friedel to setup up Wilshere’s first ever Arsenal Premier League goal, sending Arsenal to the top of the League.

Man the match would have to go to Arshavin, who was playing like a man possessed and put in a very high octane shift, which is what we all expect from him more often then we have seen so far this season.

So, the seventh match (out of eight) ended in happy fashion and showed the Arsenal can hang on to leads and covert them into wins. They just have to do this more often but that still leaves us with only three wins and a mind numbing four losses for the month. Let’s hope that we fair better in December.

Up next, the last fixture of the month sees us at home in the Carling cup against Wigan. Kick off is 8:45 this Wednesday morning.

And speaking of cups, Arsenal will face Leeds United (remember them) in the third round of the F.A. Cup, a fixture to be played Sunday, the 8^th of January.

In other news, Aaron Ramsey has gone out on loan to Nottingham Forest, till 3^rd January, to help improve his fitness and match sharpness in a bid to make a successful come back from a potentially career threatening injury. He played 45 minutes against Wolves reserves, and from when I have read of that fixture, did really well. We wish him well.

Braga 2 Arsenal 0

The Gunner’s find themselves in a very precarious position in Group H of the Champions League after succumbing to their second Champions League away defeat in a row. Arsenal seemed demoralised, having a stonewall penalty turned down and being reduced to 10 tem men, due to Eboue being stretched off after the manger had called on all three allowed substitutions. Two late Braga goals followed to deal the Gunner’s chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the competition a heavy, but not fatal, blow.

While it is highly unlikely that Arsenal will now finish top of their group (a spot occupied by Shakhtar Donetsk), their final group game is at home to Partizan Belgrade, who are yet to win a match in Group H. Sounds an easy enough task but the players ought to know better then underestimate the task on hand even though all Arsenal need to do to qualify is to match Braga’s result away at Donetsk.

A full match report by Arsenal.com can be found here.

Up next, a trip to Villa Park awaits where the Gunner’s will taken on Arsenal legend Robert Pires’ Aston Villa. Kick off is 1:45 this Sunday morning.

Arsenal 2 Spurs 3

Shouting profanity at your tele in the wee hours of the morning is not how you’d want to start your day, but thats basically how my Sunday morning started. Arsenal v Spurs is always a big occasion, even though I don’t really share the same feelings (about this fixture) as a North London native would, but do perfectly understand that more then just bragging right are at stake. And it was. If Arsenal were to win, top spot in the League table beckoned, albeit just for a few hours, when Chelsea play.

The Gunner’s got off to a brilliant start which Spurs had no reply to. Samir Nasri’s opener from the tightest of angles had Arsene Wenger dancing on the touchline as a chorus of “1-0 to the Arsenal” ringing around the Emirates. More pressing from Arsenal doubled Arsenal’s lead when Chamakh stole in to meet Arshavin’s well timed cross. Both Fabregas and Chamakh missed chances to build on the 2-0 lead which would have surely put the game to bed, with another half still to play, as the Gunners ran riot.

What followed was the proverbial game of two halves. Some have called it complacency and some have called it arrogance while others have called it sheer stupidity, but Arsenal somehow managed to throw that 2-0 lead to lose at home for the third time this season. It all seemed to happen a slow motion but Spurs came back and did the unimaginable.

Only a brave man would take time out to dissect the whole match so here is the full patch review from Arsenal.com. All I can say is that what should have been an achievement, overturning Chelsea’s massive 7 point advantage at the top of the table when Arsenal lost away at Stamford bridge earlier this season, turned out to be one of the darkest days of recent history.

Chelsea’s loss away to Birmingham City meant that Arsenal have managed not to lose further ground at the summit of the league table.

Hard fought wins against Wolves and Everton looked to have built up some momentum coming into this hotly contested derby but an  second half performance, which even had Arsenal legend Thierry Henry cringing, meant that all that momentum was lost.

Here’s to hoping that the squad can put their disappointment behind them and Wenger can get in the players ears as November still isn’t over as Arsenal face a crunch Champions League tie away in Portugal where they face Braga and then there is an away tie to Robert Pires’ Aston Villa.

We can at least count ourselves lucky that we are only 2 points adrift of, still leaders, Chelsea.

Food for thought: Arsenal’s makeshift squad dispatched Newcastle and Spurs away in the Carling Cup but the first team lost against both mentioned teams at home? Should we be playing the Carling cup squad then?

Everton 1 Arsenal 2

What a difference a week makes! Arsenal survived another tough away fixture and a stern test of character, beating Everton at Goodison thanks to goals from Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas. A late goal from Aussie international Tim Cahill just before full time made for nervous moments but the Gunners held on to 3 vital points to make Remembrance Day in the UK a day to remember for us all.

Man. United’s draw away to Aston Villa meant that Arsenal had a golden chance to reclaim second spot but no one would have ever imagined Sunderland demolishing Chelsea at Stamford bridge. Chelsea’s demise meaning that not only has the points gap between Arsenal and Chelsea (for first and second) now closed to just two but the goals difference has also been reduced by four. Sunderland’s win also puts Arsenal’s 1 all draw at the Stadium of Light into perspective, and all of a sudden it seems that that match was 2 points gained.

Everton away is always a tough fixture so the inform Fabianski kept his place in goal while Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou and Clichy started at the back. Song, Wilshere and Fabregas started in midfield wile Wenger started Arshavin in the central forward role, flanked by Chamakh and Nasri.

The match began like a cup final with both teams probing and trying to test each other out. The first real chance of the encounter fell to Nasri in the 11^th minute, when he drove at the Everton defence, who chose to back off and let the young Frenchman have his way but Everton defender, Sylvian Distin, got a crucial block in just as Nasri was about to fire into the bottom corner.

Everton had a golden opportunity to go ahead a minute later when Seamus Coleman raced clear of the Arsenal defence on the counter and put in a marvellous cross for Cahill to nod home. Having done the hard work in finding time and space in the Arsenal box, Cahill managed to head over and wide when it would have been easier to score, letting Arsenal off the hook.

Arshavin, relishing his central role, then created himself some space but saw a couple of his efforts travel just wide before some lovely one touch football between Arshavin and Chamakh saw Wilshere free in the Everton box, only to denied by another well timed last ditch challenge, this time from Leighton Baines. Trying to get some momentum going for his side, Everton forward Louis Saha shot just wide on the turn just before the half-hour mark as both side scrapped for possession.

Nasri and Fabregas looked to combine on the half-hour mark to try and unlock the Everton defence but Chamakh just failed to connect with Fabregas’ cross. Chamakh was caught offside on the 35^th minute before Arsenal took the lead.

Nasri’s powerful goal bound drive, from outside the Everton box, forced Tim Howard into a parried save. With Everton defenders guilty of ball watching, Arshavin was quickest to react to the loose ball, cutting the ball back to Sagna, who took all the time in the world to pick his spot and give Arsenal the lead with a pile driver. This being Sagna’s second ever goal for Arsenal, was more then welcome.

The goal sprung Everton to action as they began to press in search of an equaliser before the first half ended but the Arsenal defenders and even Chamakh, who dropped in to defend, held strong.

Fabianski, who has been having a fairly quiet afternoon so far, then came for and missed Mikel Arteta’s corner but fortunately for the Gunners, Cahill’s header seemed to either hit Fabianski or the post and was hacked to safety just before the half came to an end. The goal wouldn’t have counted anyway as ref Howard Webb has judged that the ball had gone out of play, when replays suggest it hadn’t.

Arsenal made a tactical change when Denilson replaced Wilshere at the start of the second half while Everton brought on Jack Rodwell for Johnny Heitinga.

Play was barely 3 minutes old when Arsenal doubled their lead. Denilson drove forward and found Fabregas who flicked the ball to Chamakh. Not finding much on in the Everton box or just a case of hot potatoes, Chamakh returned back to Fabregas who volleyed first time and low past Howard to double the advantage.

A moment of slight controversy (as far as Everton are concerned) ensued in the 49^th minute when Squillaci fouled Saha just outside the Arsenal box as the Everton forward looked to take advantage of a quick attack. Squillaci looked to be the last man and was risking a straight red but the controversial part of the play was the Webb opted to pull play back for the foul when Rodwell was in on goal for Everton. Squillaci only saw a yellow for his foul as apparently Clichy was back behind him in cover. Baines, who has a reputation as a free kick specialist, stepped up but Fabianski guessed well and covered all his bases to save comfortably in the end.

Phil Jagielka denied Arshavin with another last ditch tackle as Arsenal looked to grab a third. Rodwell missed from seven yards out while Nasri was denied by Howard at the other end as the game opened up.

Arsenal’s two goal hero against Wolves in the last fixture, Chamakh, then came up with a miss of the match, when he some how managed to shoot over from four yards out from Fabregas’ cross, with Howard well beaten and the goal wide open on the hour mark. Chamakh’s glaring miss could have been punished just a couple of minutes later when Steven Pienaar ghosted past Clichy but Song got a timely block in.

Denilson pulled an effort wide before Arshavin made way for Rosicky on the 65^th minute.

Everton manager David Moyes then brought two more attackers to try and turn the result in their favour but all the changes did was to afford Arsenal more space to work their magic and try and put the result beyond doubt. Nothing seem to work for Everton as they looked resigned to defeat with time running out.

Jermaine Beckford twisted and turned to fashion himself a shot at goal in the Arsenal box and fired goal wards smartly but Fabianski did well enough with a brilliant save to match and deny Everton a way back into the match. Distin headed over form the resulting corner.

Fabianski was again on hand to deny Everton a goal with another fantastic save, this time denying Pienaar, whose attempt seemed destined for the top corner.

Finally, it seemed that Everton had moved into action mode and Fabianski was again called into action, this time to bravely collect a low cross from Baines, with Ayegbeni Yakubu sliding to make contact. But it wasn’t to be as Fabianski held on well.

Fabianski was on hand again to deny Everton, this time saving Saha’s goal bound effort on the 88^th minute.

Try as he might, there was nothing Fabianski could have done about Everton’s goal, when it did come in the 89^th minute. Pienaar’s deep cross was nodded back by Saha and Cahill reacted first to get a goal back for Everton, setting up a tense finale. All eyes were on the fourth official and how much time he would add on and his board read four minutes (of added time) to raise the anxiety level.

There have been some late goals in the fixture in previous years (van Persie’s last gasp leveler in Jan 2009 and Andy Johnsons winner for Everton in June 07)  but none was forthcoming in the final four minutes as Arsenal held on for the deserved 3 points.

Man of the match again has to be Fabianski. Not much troubled for most part of the match, Fabianski showed great composure and alertness when called upon in the dying stages of the match. If he played a major part in costing Arsenal the match at home to Newcastle, he has to be hailed for his match winning performances against Wolves and Everton. Credit where credit is due.

Up next, Arsenal are at home to North London bitter rivals Spurs. Kick-off is 1:45 this Sunday morning.

News update

Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas, has been roundly criticised for his crude challenge on Wolves left back Stephen Ward in the midweek fixture at the Molineux. Being the stand up gentleman that Fabregas is, he took it upon himself to go to the Wolves dressing room after the match to personally apologise to Ward. Arsene Wenger too took it upon himself to apologise to Ward and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy too. The respective apologies were kindly accepted by Ward and his manager, with McCarthy taking the high ground saying:

“He’s gone for the ball. Wardy’s cut but has taken it like a man. It’s brilliant that Fabregas came in and apologised. He’s late, but come on – it’s a mistimed tackle. I can deal with that, I don’t go around whingeing when my players get tackled. What I can’t do with is everyone bitching at my team when we foul someone. It’s all amateur dramatic bulls**t, I’m afraid. Today was like a throwback to when your mate broke your nose and then bought you a pint.”

Which is all fine and well BUT there was no mention in the media about Wolves captain Karl Henry’s studs up challenge on Andrei Arshavin and Wolves forward Milijas’ tackle on Song in the second half. No mention what so ever, with both tackles of equal or greater worthy of scrutiny. Well, that’s the world of English Premier League football we live in.

Wenger also seems to be on a war path with the Dutch FA over Robin van Persie. Van Persie as we know has not trained, or played a single match in 10 weeks due to injury and is only just regaining some match fitness but has been picked for the Netherlands squad for an upcoming friendly. Wenger has rightly voiced his concerns on this matter which could see van Persie’s health risked by playing for his country rather than taking a bit more time to be fully fit for the club that actually pay his wages! But no, Dutch national coach Bert van Marwijk and his fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat have launched a scathing attack on Wenger branding him a “moaner” for trying to protect a very talented footballer’s long term playing future and possibly his career too. Well, that’s the world of international football we live in.

Now for some brighter news.

Aaron Ramsey featured for the Arsenal reserves when they demolished the Everton reserves 4-1 at the Underhill. This is a positive step forward for the young Welshman, who is recovering from a possible career threatening injury but expect things to be taken slowly as extreme care is taken so that Ramsey  makes a full recovery and is not plagued by ongoing injury concerns as Abou Diaby and Eduaro (who also suffered similar injuries) have had to endure.

There have also been long term contracts handed out to young starlets Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Szczesny, two young players with immense potential.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires is currently training with Arsenal in the hope of securing a move to another English side in the January transfer window. All the best to Pires.

Wolves 0 Arsenal 2

Arsenal travelled to the Molineux on the back of two defeats that saw them slip to third place in the League table but a goal 37 seconds into the match and a second goal on the stroke of fulltime from Marouane Chamakh saw the Gunner’s leave the Wolve’s den with maximum points.

The Molineux is not the place you want to go if you are experiencing in dip in form as Man. City found out last month, when they lost 2-1. The brace from Chamakh, who finally broke his away goal hoodoo, was crucial in keeping up with Chelsea and Man. United, both of whom are above the Gunners in the league table.

Man. United’s draw in the Manchester derby gave added significance to this morning’s win as only one point now separates United and Arsenal for the second spot.

The first midweek Premier League fixture of the season had barely kicked off when Chamakh headed in from Song’s pinpoint cross. Chamakh’s goal gave the Gunners the impetus to attack and they carved Wolves apart but some good goal keeping from Wolves goalie, Marcus Hahnemann, and wayward finishing from Arsenal’s attack force meant that the score remained in the visitors favour heading into the break, but only at a nervy 1-0. The Gunners also had Tomas Rosicky to thank for clearing Richard Stearman’s effort off the line.

Wolves started the second half determined to get themselves back into the match but they found Fabianski in inspired form and were left to rue missed opportunities and wayward finishing of their own as they piled pressure on and tested Arsenal’s defence. Arsenal, still without Thomas Vermaelen, who seems to have a very complicated Achilles injury picked up while on international duty and only god knows when Vermaelen will be back, withstood sustained pressure from the home side to earn another clean sheet, which Fabianski had a major part in too. Koscielny’s red card appeal being turned down by the FA meant that Djourou and Squillaci were at centre back in front of Fabianski, but despite from some nervy moments, the pair did well enough to keep the Wolves at bay.

But it was Andrei Arshavin who nearly doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half, but his shot cannoned off the upright as Arsenal were denied by the framework for the third match running.

Johan  Djourou also had an effort cleared off the line as Arsenal were determined to hold on to their hard earned lead but the three points weren’t secure until right at the end, when Fabregas released Chamakh to slot home his second.

A more detailed match report from Arsenal.com can be found here and the BBC’s take on the match can be found here.

Up next, there is an equally tricky trip to Everton. Kick off is this coming Monday, at 3 am.

Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1

Arsenal’s abject performance was punished by a determined Newcastle side, when young Englishman, Andy Carroll, headed in from close range, with Fabianski misjudging the flight of the ball and Carroll’s aerial abilities. Carroll’s goal just before halftime dealt a massive blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations in what is now Arsenal’s second home defeat of the season.

The Gunners had more reason to be positive than not with a youngish looking Arsenal side comfortably dispatching Newcastle when the two sides met at St. James Park, in the Carling Cup, late October (albeit, with a much weakened Newcastle side). But as the old adage goes, nothing is guaranteed in football, as firstly Fabregas then Walcott smashed their efforts against the bar and Koscielny was sent off in the later stages for denying Nile Ranger a goal scoring opportunity. Arsenal are appealing to have Koscielny’s red rescinded.

Wenger threw on as many attacking players as he could as time ran out. Even Robin van Persie was given a run out as a lot of nails were being bitten, a fair amount of prayers being said and the match begging for a miracle of Song, but non was forthcoming as Arsenal missed the chance to reduce the points difference against League leaders to two points…again.

Chelsea’s demise at a resurgent Liverpool meant that Arsenal had a golden opportunity, but just as we failed to make up the difference when Chelsea were turned over by Man. City, when Arsenal lost as home to West Brom, lightening struck twice (and hopefully for the last time) as we dropped 3 precious point at home again. Man. United’s last gasp win in this round of fixtures sees them leap frog Arsenal to the second spot, with a 3-point difference.

A detailed match report can be found here.

Up next, we travel to the Molineux where the Wolves await. Kick off is 8:45 this Thursday.

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Arsenal 1

Arsenal succumbed to their first Champions League defeat of this season, going down 2-1 away at Shakhtar Donetsk at the Donbass Arena. A tougher night was expected than the one 15 days ago when The Gunners comfortably dispatched Donetsk 5-1 to take the outright lead in Group H. This being Arsenal’s 5^th match in those 15 days and with first team regulars like Fabregas, van Persie, Arshavin, Song, Denilson, Diaby and Vermaelen not available, The Gunners missed the chance to join the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munchen in being the first to qualify for the knock out phase form their respective groups.

Donetsk have a formidable home record which stands at 51 unbeaten but Arsenal started brightly when Theo Walcott gave the visitors the lead from a quick counter attack, after being released by Wilshere in as early as the ninth minute. Samir Nasri was denied by the framework for the second match running before the unfortunate Craig Eastmond, starting his first match of the season came in to replace Song, deflected Donetsk defender Dimitro Chygrynskiy’s header into his own net.

The killer blown came just before the first 45 ended when Clichy was dispossessed by Darijo Srna, who teed Eduardo for a neat, first time finish.

Try as they might, The Gunner’s could not find their way back in the second half and now find themselves level on points, but still top of Group H, ahead on goal differences.

A full match report can be found here.

Newcastle United visit The Emirates. Kick-off is 2:30 this Monday morning.

Arsenal 1 West Ham United 0

By Aashish Siwan

Alex Song’s 88^th minute header helped Arsenal defeat West Ham in a frustrating London Derby. This fixture looked easy enough on paper, with West Ham struggling at the bottom of the League table. Arsenal on the other hand, were playing their third fixture in a week and came into this game at the back of two impressive away results. History suggests that this is exactly the sort of fixture that the Gunners have failed to get maximum points from and there was always that feeling that a tougher night than expected (on paper) was in order. Adding to the anxiety was the fact that West Ham were the last team to beat Arsenal at Highbury and the first team to best Arsenal at the Emirates, so they have had their moments of glory against us.

Therefore, Wenger made just one change from the team that dispatched Man. City almost a week ago and that was to bring in Laurent Koscielny for Johan Djourou.

Arsenal started the London derby slowly, with the first attempt on goal coming from Arshavin on the seventh minute, which he missed. Song then sent his header over from a set piece before Arshavin had an attempt blocked. Ex-Gunner, Luis Boa Morte, returned fire for West Ham but ended up ballooning his effort over.

Fabregas then found himself in some space as he controlled Sagna’s pass, but his goal bound effort was saved by Green, not the last critical save of the match from the England no. 1. Song, who was finding himself further up the pitch, then pulled an effort wide just after the half-hour mark, and had another effort saved by Green just before half time. Green was again called into action as he brilliantly saved Squillaci’s goal bound header as the first 45 came to an end.

Some wayward finishing and inspired goalkeeping by Green left Arsenal frustrated as the match increasingly had a feeling that The Hammers would strike a late blow to sneak in either a draw or a last minute winner, as they have done in the past.

As the second 45 began, Arshavin again missed, this time after being setup by Clichy before Nasri hammered his attempt against the bar from a direct free kick. The inform Frenchman showed great technique and power and only the framework came to West Ham’s rescue from his 30 yard attempt, which had Green well beaten. But it wasn’t to be as the anxiety around the possibly of dropping points at home to a bottom of the table team grew.

Fabregas and Denilson had attempts blocked just before the hour mark as Arsenal went in search of that all important goal, which of course left the threat of West Ham catching Arsenal on the counter. Such a threat did come on the 64^th minute but West Ham skipper, Scott Parker, missed his attempt.

Fabregas and Nasri had their respective attempts saved as three quarters of the match elapsed.

Theo Walcott was brought on for Denilson as Wenger looked to increase his attaching options with West Ham quite comfortable to just sit back and defend.  Arshavin’s cross was met by Chamakh on the 68^th minute, but the Moroccan’s header was again saved.

Walcott then put through on goal by an exquisite pass from Fabregas, but the framework again came to West Ham’s rescue, as Walcott’s effort, though clinical and had Green beaten, came off the upright. Everything the Gunner’s tried seemed to be thwarted but either bad finishing, bad luck or good goalkeeping from Green.

West Ham brought on lanky Carlton Cole for the ineffective Frédéric Piquionne in order to sneak in a result. Fabianski had been having a very quiet match compared to his counterpart Green, but was alert when called upon, saving Manuel Da Costa’s 74^th minute header.

With time running out, Arsenal replaced Arshavin with Bendtner in the hope that the big Dane could snatch us the result that was required, as he did with his last minute effort away at Wolves last season.

Walcott had two efforts and Fabregas had one effort saved as Arsenal tried to force the issue with five minutes of normal time remaining.

It seemed that we would need a miracle to win and that miracle happened in the form of Song. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Song collected the ball just outside the West Ham box, and with options limited, played the ball back out wide to Clichy. Clichy opted to run at the West Ham defenders (thank god) instead of playing the ball further back (as would have been the safer option) and soon found himself clear. Clichy then processed to put in a marvellously weighted cross (instead of shooting himself, as he has quite often done in the past). Two Arsenal attackers beat the offside trap to meet the cross. Bendtner missed with his attempt, but right behind him was Song, who kept his nerve and plated his header past a stranded Green. The crowd went wild with celebration. Arsenal had the breakthrough at last as Gooners watching all across the world celebrated.1 - nil to the Arsenal!! But the three points weren’t secure yet.

Boa Morte came up to take a free kick, which was sure to be sent into the Arsenal box, but came to nothing as ref Mike Jones added four minutes of extra time.

Bendtner had the chance to double Arsenal’s lead in extra time when released by Fabregas, but his effort on goal was blocked. The Gunners did what they do best, and that was to play keep ball and make sure West Ham did not get possession. They succeeded at keeping West Ham out and earning a hard fought win.

Man of the match has to be Song for not giving up right until the very end (not that any anyone in the team gave up). Song’s alertness earned Arsenal all the points when two points looked likely to be dropped.

Up next, there is a trip to Ukraine where Arsenal take on Eduardo’s Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Kick off is 8:45 this Thursday.