Arsenal

Mar 31 2013

Arsenal 4 Reading 1

I haven’t watched a full live match in a few weeks since I tend to go out on Saturday nights and hence stick to Sunday matches or highlights. Last night I sat back to watch a live streaming of the Arsenal vs Reading match. Arsenal maintained their push for a top-four finish with a comfortable victory that sent Reading bottom of the Premier League on goal difference. Gervinho opened the scoring with a close-range finish from Santi Cazorla’s cross-come-shot as Arsenal dominated.

Cazorla curled in after half-time before Olivier Giroud drilled a third. Reading reduced the deficit through Hal Robson-Kanu’s header, but Mikel Arteta secured the points with a penalty after a foul on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal had many more chances to increase their advantage, but the result was never in doubt. They stay fifth in the table but are now just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who were beaten at Southampton, and four behind third-placed Tottenham, over whom the resurgent Gunners have a game in hand. Arsene Wenger’s side have won five of their last six Premier League games and their confidence was apparent against a Reading side who would have done little to impress their new manager Nigel Adkins. Arsenal after 30 games sit at 5th place on 53 points, just two behind Chelsea and 4 points behind Tottenham who sit in 3rd place.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Feb 2 2013

Arsenal 1 Stoke City 0

The match just got over. Arsenal defeated Stoke City with a controversial goal deep in the second half. Substitute Lukas Podolski’s deflected free-kick earned Arsenal victory and left battling Stoke City deflated at Emirates Stadium. Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic produced a series of fine saves before Podolski struck in the closing stages. Begovic denied Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from five-yards, kept out Laurent Koscielny’s header before saving Oxlade-Chamberlain’s angled drive. But Podolski’s set-piece went in off Geoff Cameron to ease the frustration.

The goal was controversial as the linesman seemed to flag for something after the ball went in (offside on Walcott perhaps?) but it was ruled by the referee that the goal should stand as the ball deflected off a Stoke City player. Stoke City, certainly in the running for least popular visitors to the Emirates didn’t help their cause by a series of fouls late in the game and things got a bit heated but the referee kept a cool head which helped things. Michael Owen saw some action, coming on late in the game for Stoke.

The game saw the debut of new Arsenal signing Nancho Monreal, a signing just 3 days ago from Malaga for around £10m. Monreal has agreed a long-term deal, thought to be four and a half years. The 26-year-old has made 54 appearances for Malaga since joining from Osasuna in 2011 and won seven caps for Spain. Arsenal made their move after Kieran Gibbs was ruled out for three weeks with a thigh strain sustained in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. That left Andre Santos as their only recognised left-back. Monreal is however cup tied for the Champions League.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Jan 27 2013

Arsenal 3 Brighton 2; FA Cup

Arsene Wenger rested some of his regulars in the FA Cup 4th round match against Brighton and almost paid the price for it. Theo Walcott’s deflected late winner settled a pulsating encounter and sent Arsenal into the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of battling Brighton. Gus Poyet’s Championship side demonstrated exactly why they are play-off contenders as they pushed Arsenal every inch of the way before finally being beaten by substitute Walcott’s strike five minutes from time. Arsenal led twice through Olivier Giroud but in a thunderous atmosphere Brighton bounced back and looked to have secured at least a replay with goals from Ashley Barnes and £2m Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa on his debut. Arsene Wenger sent on Walcott and Jack Wilshere in the second half to give Arsenal extra thrust and control. And it was Walcott who answered his manager’s call with a volley from the edge of the area after Brighton goalkeeper Casper Ankergren punched a corner out to the edge of the area.

Arsenal’s visit drew a record crowd to The Amex – but they did not see Wilshere, Walcott and Santi Cazorla from the start as they were left on the bench. The Gunner swept to the other end to take the lead after 16 minutes, Giroud measuring a perfect left-foot finish high past Ankergren from 20 yards. To Brighton’s credit, they were not knocked out of their stride by the goal and applied pressure to Arsenal’s struggling left-back Andre Santos as he battled to contain the lively Will Buckley. Brighton, who had replaced injured captain Gordon Greer with Gary Dicker, drew level after 33 minutes as Barnes made amends for his earlier miss by beating Szczesny to David Lopez’s cross to head in.

Arsenal opened with greater intent after the restart, with Lukas Podolski striking the bar from a free-kick, but it proved to be a temporary reprieve as the dangerous Giroud showed held off Adam El-Abd to sweep a finish past Ankergren from close range after 56 minutes. In a thrilling game, Brighton once more showed their strength of character to draw level six minutes later. Arsenal’s slack defending left manager Wenger infuriated on the sidelines as Ulloa stooped to send a diving header past Szczesny from Barnes’s cross. And that’s when Walcott comes in.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Jan 21 2013

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2

Another match against a title contender, another reminder that Arsene Wenger’s current side is well below the quality level of the last few years. I dare say that this is the weakest side that Arsenal has fielded ever since 1998 – when I started supporting Arsenal. Truth be told, and it hurts me to say this, but a few of the Gunners are just nancy boys who can’t fight for the ball on the pitch. The talent is missing and so is the grit. And guess what – Arsene you only have yourself to blame? It’s your stupid attitude that has seen some of the best talents leave the club and not make the club attractive for major talent to want to come here! Yes you have made the club a lot of money by focusing on youth and developing them – and then they leave and win trophies elsewhere, while we haven’t won anything in ages.

Chelsea held off London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge to claim their first home win of 2013 at the fourth attempt.
Juan Mata drove in a shot to put the Blues in front, although the visitors could justifiably claim there had been a foul against them in the build-up. Keeper Wojciech Szczesny brought down Ramires and Frank Lampard scored from the spot for Chelsea’s second. Forward Theo Walcott’s clinical sidefoot finish gave the Gunners hope but the hosts held on for the win. Arsenal had been overwhelmed in the first half and when manager Arsene Wenger sent them out early for the second half, it was easy to imagine what the Frenchman’s half-time mood had been.

After the interval, the Gunners began to look a threat at last. Centre-back Per Mertesacker and striker Walcott had efforts on goal, both shooting straight at Cech, while Giroud mistimed a header before the visitors pulled a goal back. And so, stuck at 6th place. Great going Wenger!

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Jan 2 2013

Arsenal 1 Southampton 1

The euphoria of the last victory has died out as the Gunners faithful were brought back to earth in a crashing kick of reality. Arsenal were struggling to a 1-1 draw away against Southampton last night, a result that were seemingly lucky to get. The Gunners had to rely on an own goal from Southampton to save them the embarrassment of a defeat at a club they have an impressive win record against. But the home side were an attack minded and optimistic lost and thoroughly deserved their first half opening goal, after almost 20 minutes of being the better side. The Saints went ahead when Gaston Ramirez seized on a loose ball and drilled past Wojciech Szczesny. If you are an Arsenal fan watching at that point, you would have gone “oh shit, here we go again” and groaned in despair.

Arsenal were able to equalize before halftime thanks to Southhampton player Guly do Prado who diverted Theo Walcott’s free-kick into his own net. Ramirez thought he had given the hosts the lead but his sharp strike was ruled out for a foul on Laurent Koscielny. Theo Walcott cut a forlorn figure in an Arsenal side that was a pale imitation of the team that scored 15 goals in winning their previous four games. After Santi Cazorla had gone close with a dipping 30-yard strike Arsenal’s attacks repeatedly broke down in the final third. Their failings in possession enabled Southampton to grow in confidence and the opening goal reflected their increasing ascendancy in the game. Both managers made changes in a quest for a winning goal, with Arsenal substitute Gervinho firing into the side netting and Mikel Arteta going close from 25 yards. Puncheon then had a late chance to win the match for Southampton but he fired straight at Szczesny and the home side had to settle for a point.

Wenger should be wondering how the defense is gonna improve and how he needs to strengthen the squad. But I really feel that it is is his attitude and policy that has led Arsenal to be a shadow of it’s former self. I hope the next match is much better.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Dec 30 2012

Arsenal 7 Newcastle United 3

Last night I watched a match in which it seems the defence for both sides seemed to not show up! What a crazy match it was!

Theo Walcott scored three goals and set up two more as Arsenal overcame Newcastle in a 10-goal thriller and climbed to fifth in the Premier League. Walcott, out of contract in the summer, swept Arsenal in front but Demba Ba equalised with a deflected free-kick. After Sylvain Marveaux tapped in to cancel out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s low shot, Lukas Podolski nodded home. Ba levelled again, only for Walcott to score twice more, either side of a brace from substitute Olivier Giroud. Giroud hit the bar as Arsenal pushed for an eighth, but the result was secure and Arsenal extended their winning run to four games.

Emirates Stadium was engulfed by chants of “sign him up” as the full-time whistle approached, a reference to Walcott’s contract dispute. He has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and four in three games since being deployed as the central striker. His first effort, in particular, carried shades of Thierry Henry – Arsenal’s record goalscorer who was watching from the stands and is training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season. It is hard to imagine Arsenal letting the 23-year-old leave if he continues to produce performances of this level. Walcott left Newcastle stunned but while they are still without an away league win this term, they should take heart from impressive displays at Manchester United and Arsenal over the festive period. They had four days less than Arsenal to prepare - the Gunners’ Boxing Day visit of West Ham was postponed - yet enjoyed plenty of early possession and Ba headed just over from Marveaux’s corner.

Newcastle were punished for a high defensive line when Walcott latched on to Podolski’s through ball and curled past Tim Krul – but Alan Pardew’s men responded well and were rewarded. Bacary Sagna conceded a needless free-kick outside the box and Ba’s set piece took a heavy deflection off Jack Wilshere to elude Szczesny. After half-time Podolski nodded Danny Simpson’s throw to Santi Cazorla and he set up Oxlade-Chamberlain to drill past Krul, only for Gabriel Obertan to beat Sagna and cross for Marveaux to tap in. The momentum was shifting like a pendulum and no sooner had Podolski headed Arsenal back in front after Wilshere’s run and cross than Newcastle struck again for 3-3. A weaving run from the outstanding Marveaux ended with a cross to the back post that let Ba ghost past Kieran Gibbs and convert.

The introduction of Giroud gave Arsenal a new dimension and the Frenchman headed in a Walcott cross before drilling past Krul. With Newcastle tiring, Walcott shimmied his way past several defenders to chip Krul from a tight angle and seal his hat-trick.

With this win Arsenal have 33 points from 19 games played and sit at the 5th position in the league.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Dec 22 2012

Arsenal 1 Wigan 0

Mikel Arteta’s penalty secured a third consecutive Premier League victory for Arsenal for the first time since March. Arouna Kone wasted Wigan’s best chance when he broke clear in the first half and failed to hit the target. Arteta scored from the spot just before the hour after Jean Beausejour was penalised for a challenge on Theo Walcott, who again played as a striker.

Wigan have lost six of their last eight games and are in the bottom three at Christmas for the third straight year. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger qill take a large measure of satisfaction with the way his team, who were unspectacular but efficient, dealt with a difficult afternoon at the DW Stadium. With festive matches against Newcastle and Southampton to come, Wenger will be confident his team can enter the new year with a tight grip on a top-four spot. Arsenal began well and after Arteta was allowed to carry the ball from halfway, he fed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose drive was pushed past the post by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Walcott dropped wide and swapped passes with Santi Cazorla before going down under Beausejour’s challenge. Arteta waited for Al Habsi to dive as he stroked in his third successful penalty of the season. At this juncture, Arsenal sit 3rd with one more game played than the other top 10 teams but they should remain within the top 4 come January.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 1

Dec 18 2012

Arsenal 5 Reading 2

Why do the games I miss watching live always end up being good games for Arsenal? Monday night league football was a chance for Arsenal to heal the wounds inflicted by the Capital One Cup humiliation at League Two Bradford City with an impressive win at Reading. Lukas Podolski gave Arsenal an early lead and the Gunners were four up on the hour mark after Santi Cazorla became only the third Spaniard to score a Premier League hat-trick after Fernando Torres and Jordi Gomez. Reading, utterly outclassed, raised the prospect of the most unlikely comeback as Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe scored twice in the space of five minutes.

But Theo Walcott, impressive in the central striker’s role he sees as crucial to his Arsenal future, snuffed out any Reading optimism with a composed finish that sends Arsene Wenger’s side up to fifth place in the table. As an exercise in recovery after the misery of Bradford, this will have done Arsenal’s confidence and morale a power of good – and supports Wenger’s claim that his side still have plenty to offer this season – yeah in his dreams! I firmly believe that Arsene has to leave the club or undergo a massive change in outlook & tactics, especially when it comes to selecting players for the club and his reluctance to spend big, despite having the cash at his disposal.

With 27 points from 17 games played, Arsenal sit at the 5th spot – behind Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City & Man Utd in that order. At the most I see them finishing 3rd if, and that’s a big if, things go well for the Gunners by the end of the season!

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Dec 9 2012

Arsenal 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

Mikel Arteta scored two goals and put atleast a temporary halt to Arsenal’s recent slide into mediocrity with a win against this season’s Cinderella side West Bromwich Albion. Both goals came via the penalty spot which the Spaniard specializes in. The midfielder’s first spot-kick came after Steven Reid was controversially adjudged to have fouled Santi Cazorla. The visitors almost let in a second when Gervinho pulled the ball back for a lunging Jack Wilshere to poke an effort wide. The visitors thought they should have had a penalty for a Per Mertesacker handball but they struggled to create any real chances. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was fouled by Chris Brunt for Arteta’s second and a first Arsenal win in four league games.

Lukas Podolski should have put a more convincing gloss on the win only to scuff a late shot horribly high from six yards. That was a terrible miss which made me jump up from my chair and yell out “Oh for Fuck’s sake!” For West Brom, it was a third straight top flight-defeat but they will no doubt point to the decisions of referee Mike Jones for playing a part in their downfall. Victory will come as a relief for the Gunners as they battled to a result that moves them up to sixth from 10th in the Premier League. Arsenal were watched by former striker Thierry Henry amid talk he could return to the club on a temporary basis from MLS club New York Red Bulls, but he will have seen a side a shadow of the title-winning ones he spearheaded.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Nov 22 2012

Arsenal 2 Montpellier 0

Arsenal reached the Champions League knockout stage for a 13th consecutive season as they outclassed Montpellier and Schalke beat Olympiakos. The Gunners struggled for momentum in a disappointing first half that saw Laurent Koscielny head against the bar. But they improved after the break and Jack Wilshere scored his first goal since returning from injury with a chipped finish from close range. Lukas Podolski sealed the win with a stunning volley as Montpellier faded. It was an unstoppable strike that will be replayed many times over – a fitting way to secure a place in the last 16.

Schalke’s home victory over Olympiakos keeps the Germans top of Group B on 11 points, one clear of Arsenal with one game left. Olympiakos, who host Arsenal on 4 December, are third on six points and will drop into the Europa League, while Montpellier remain bottom with just one point from five matches. But in the early stages Arsenal struggled to impose themselves or establish rhythm, misplacing a number of passes. They looked nervous at the back and after Thomas Vermaelen was easily beaten by Remy Cabella on the right, Wojciech Szczesny flapped at Geoffrey Jourdren’s cross from the left. Arsenal almost took the lead when Koscielny rattled the woodwork with a thumping header from Vermaelen’s left-wing centre, but that was their only chance of note in the opening half hour.

Wenger’s side came out for the second half with more urgency and their reward soon arrived. Vermaelen crossed from the left for Giroud to cushion a header into the path of Wilshere, and the 20-year-old dinked a neat finish over Jourdren for his first goal since November 2010. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain worked his way in from the right and fed Podolski on the edge of the box. The German found Giroud and then met his lofted return pass with a stunning volley past Jourdren.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Nov 17 2012

Arsenal 5 Tottenham Hotspurs 2

Needing a good boost for themselves and their fans, Arsenal needed a win against hated local rivals Tottenham. Playing at home Arsenal were able to win 5-2 and give their fans some well needed cheer.

Arsenal benefited from Emmanuel Adebayor’s sending off to secure a comeback victory over Tottenham and move above them in the Premier League. Old Arsenal boy, Adebayor tapped Spurs in front against his old club but was dismissed for a high and late tackle on Santi Cazorla. That would put the lid on Spurs’ first half chances and Arsenal capitalized. Per Mertesacker headed the hosts level and then strikes from strikers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud before half-time saw Arsenal going into the break looking comfortable and poised for a good win.

Showing us some deft moves Spaniard Cazorla slotted in giving the Gunners a 4-1 lead and the side looked dominant. However Spurs would not lay down and die; plucky Gareth Bale drilled in to pull one goal,a goal that gave Szczesny no chance to save at all. But Arsenal would not be denied and Theo Walcott sealed the points late on with a goal of his own. Arsenal now have 19 points and sit at 6th spot but that looks temporary.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Nov 10 2012

Arsenal 3 Fulham 3

This is the pits. Arsenal drew at home to Fulham 3-3. They were leading 2-0 after 24 minutes with both Giroud & Lukas Podolski scoring a goal each and looked to be coasting to a good and well needed home win. But Fulham’s new signing Dimitar Berbatov had other intentions. He screamed and swore at  his teammates and inspired them to battle it out, scoring a goal in the 29th minute before setting up Alex Kacaniklic to equalise. This was shocking;  how can things go so badly for Arsenal?

The team went back to the dressing room to recoup but things looked to be going their London rivals way in the second half as Fulham attacked back at a doubtful looking Gunners side. A foul by Santi Carzola saw Berbatov’s step up to take a spot-kick and give the visitors the lead in the 67th minute. Things looked so bleak but Giroud levelled just two minutes later giving Arsenal a lifeline and a boost. Now the Gunners seemed more attack oriented and it looked like they would find a way to win. And in stoppage time, they got a penalty for a handball and Mikel Arteta stepped up to take the penalty and the bastard hit a weak shot that Fulham goalie 40 year old Mark Schwarzer saved easily.

This is the weakest looking Arsenal side that I have seen ever since I started watching & supporting the club from 1998. We don’t stand a chance to win anything. A League Cup maybe, if we are lucky. Arsene Wenger should be ashamed and he should step down – that would be the decent thing to do. Really good players are not staying on with us and the big name players from other clubs do not want to join us. This is a joke. We are no longer title contenders – all because of Wenger! Resign!

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Nov 3 2012

Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2

Robin van Persie provided a painful illustration of what Arsenal are missing as he set Manchester United on the way to a comfortable win against his former club at Old Trafford. The striker – who received a hostile reception from the fans who once idolised him, following his £24m summer move from Arsenal to United (and I joined them in swearing at him whenever he appeared on my screen)- was on target inside three minutes with his 10th goal of the season. United were in such command that they could even afford a missed penalty from Wayne Rooney before Patrice Evra wrapped up the victory with a second-half header.

And to make matters worse on a miserable day for Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger, Jack Wilshere was sent off with 20 minutes left after receiving a second yellow card from referee Mike Dean for an overzealous challenge on Evra. Santi Cazorla pulled a goal back for the Gunners with the final kick of the game but the scoreline was not a true reflection of United’s obvious supremacy in all areas. The result put United, at least temporarily, top of the Premier League with three points collected with the minimum of fuss in the 44th meeting between Wenger and his great adversary Sir Alex Ferguson.

For Arsenal, defeat leaves them with 15 points from 10 games, their worst start to a Premier League season under Wenger. It may not have been the humiliation of last season’s 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford but Arsenal’s manager will struggle to take any positives from this performance.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Oct 31 2012

Arsenal 7 Reading 5

Arsenal came back from being 0-4 goals down to defeat Reading 7 goals to 5 in their round of 16 League Cup / Capital One Cup match. Arsene Wenger conceded Arsenal had been heading for humiliation before a Theo Walcott hat-trick and two Marouane Chamakh goals took them into the last eight. Arsenal found themselves 4-0 down after 35 minutes having been out-fought and out-thought during the opening exchanges at the Madejski Stadium. But crucially Theo Walcott reduced the deficit just before half-time to set up the platform for an incredible second half revival that took thm game into extra time. Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal in front for the first time on the night with a goal in the first period of extra time only for Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak to make it 5-5. But Walcott restored Arsenal’s lead before Chamakh scored Arsenal’s seventh.

• Reading are the first ever team in the either the League Cup or FA Cup to score five goals and lose the game.
• It is not the first time Reading have been beaten 7-5. The Royals, despite four goals from Kerry Dixon, lost by the same scoreline at Third Division opponents Doncaster Rovers in September 1982.
• Reading versus Arsenal was the first League Cup game to be 4-4 at 90 minutes since Port Vale verses Chester in August 1999.
• Reading have faced Arsenal on 10 occasions in all competitions and have lost every one of them.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Oct 27 2012

Arsenal 1 QPR 0

Mikel Arteta’s late winner finally ended bottom-club QPR’s resistance as Arsenal ended a turbulent week with a vital Premier League win. Arteta poked in from close range, after his initial header hit the QPR crossbar, as Arsenal bounced back from defeats by Norwich and Schalke.

The winner came moments after QPR’s Stephane M’Bia was sent off for kicking out at Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen. QPR’s Esteban Granero and Jamie Mackie spurned glorious injury-time chances. England midfielder Jack Wilshere played 67 minutes as he made his first senior Arsenal appearance for 17 months.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Oct 7 2012

Arsenal 3 West Ham 1

Arsenal came back from a goal down to defeat their London rival West Ham 3-1. Arsenal has a good record away at West Ham and that trend continued last night as Wenger’s boys took all 3 points. West Ham took the lead against the run of play when Mohamed Diame beat Vito Mannone with a curling shot. Olivier Giroud scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal as they equalised before the break when he poked in Lukas Podolski’s cross at the near post. Kevin Nolan missed two chances for the hosts and was made to pay when Theo Walcott came off the bench to make it 2-1 with Santi Cazorla hitting a third. Walcott, who replaced the disappointing Gervinho, helped the Gunners take advantage in the last half hour as West Ham tired.

But having been on top for large parts of the game, it was no more than Arsene Wenger’s team deserved as they extended their unbeaten record against the Hammers to nine games and moved to fifth in the Premier League table. As Arsenal began to assert their authority on the game, Walcott latched onto Giroud’s through ball just 16 minutes after coming on to score his fourth goal of the season with a precise near-post shot. Another chance fell to Nolan, but he fired over from the edge of the penalty box, and that miss proved costly once Cazorla smashed in Arsenal’s third from 20 yards to cap a superb individual performance.

That was an awesome attacking game to watch after a wonderful day.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Sep 24 2012

Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1

Watched a full English Premier league match after such a long long time. Due to my stupid cable tv provider not giving us the proper sports channels, I haven’t watched a football match on tv in well over a year. But with my new Reliance connection I can stream matches on me laptop. Last night I sat to watch Arsenal vs defending champions Manchester City. Arsenal bossed the midfield battle early on, with Ramsey and Mikel Arteta pulling the strings. It was Arteta’s Spanish compatriot Cazorla, however, who really caught the eye.

The home side’s goal was straightforward; Silva’s 40th-minute corner was headed in by Lescott as Koscielny and Lukas Podolski stood by and Mannone came and missed. Captain Thomas Vermaelen, absent with flu, may just have made the difference. Arsenal were far from finished, however, as City retreated deeper and deeper, happy to strike from distance. Cazorla drew a stunning save from Hart with a shot that appeared destined for the top corner. But Arsenal were not denied for long, finally getting their reward as Laurent Koscielny found the net with a thunderous shot after City had failed to clear the resulting corner.

Arsenal maintain an unbeaten start but have only 9 points in 5 games and sit at 5th.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0

Sep 16 2012

Arsenal 6 Southampton 1

Arsenal seem to have hit a stride with a 6-1 victory over Southampton producing a superb first-half display of attacking football to sweep the bottom-of-the-table club aside.  A Jos Hooiveld own goal opened the scoring before Lukas Podolski arrowed a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner. Gervinho then drilled in, and Nathaniel Clyne buried a second own goal before Danny Fox pulled one back. Gervinho grabbed his second after the break and substitute Theo Walcott then added a late sixth to leave Southampton still looking for their first point.

Many of the headlines emanating from the Emirates this summer concentrated on the loss of skipper Robin van Persie and Alex Song, but in Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, manager Arsene Wenger has signed two players of genuine quality. Those two in particular were behind a glittering first-half display, with Southampton simply unable to cope at times with the movement and passing in the final third. Podolski’s goalscoring record in the Bundesliga was not always overly impressive, but his haul of 44 international goals suggested he would be a potent threat in the Premier League and he doubled the lead with a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards, giving Davis no chance.

By Roshan • Arsenal, Football • 0