Arsenal had to come from behind at Liverpool before winning 2-1 and move up to third place in the Premier League.
The hosts edged the first half with Fernando Torres going close and also had a strong penalty appeal turned down before finally taking the lead just before the break.
Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia's weak clearance was seized upon by Dirk Kuyt to fire the Reds in front.
But soon after the break the visitor's were level courtesy of an own goal from Liverpool defender Glen Johnson who inadvertently turned deflected a Samir Nasri cross into his own net.
Then on 58 minutes Andrey Arshavin, who scored four times in the corresponding fixture last season, hit a remarkable winner off the inside of the post.
Rafael Benitez's side have now lost six league games this campaign and their ambitions of a top four finish to rejoin the Champions League are looking increasingly remote.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Dzeko and Villa in Wenger list targets
Arsene Wenger has expanded his list of targets to fill the front-line gap left by the injury to Robin van Persie.
The Arsenal manager is desperate for reinforcements because Van Persie will be absent for most of the season with a severe ankle injury.
West Ham striker Carlton Cole is already on the radar – and he has now been joined by David Villa of Valencia and Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg.
Valencia star Villa has been linked with moves to England on a consistent basis and was also wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He has stayed loyal to Valencia – but the club’s parlous financial position means they will listen to offers and a bid of about £30million might succeed.
Dzeko was watched against Manchester United last Tuesday. The German club are now out of the Champions League following their 3-1 defeat to United and they may now decide to cash in on their 23-year-old Bosnian international.
The Arsenal manager is desperate for reinforcements because Van Persie will be absent for most of the season with a severe ankle injury.
West Ham striker Carlton Cole is already on the radar – and he has now been joined by David Villa of Valencia and Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg.
Valencia star Villa has been linked with moves to England on a consistent basis and was also wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He has stayed loyal to Valencia – but the club’s parlous financial position means they will listen to offers and a bid of about £30million might succeed.
Dzeko was watched against Manchester United last Tuesday. The German club are now out of the Champions League following their 3-1 defeat to United and they may now decide to cash in on their 23-year-old Bosnian international.
Arsenal target Van Der Vaart
Rafael Van Der Vaart has emerged as a January target for Arsenal.
The Real Madrid midfielder is one of a group of star names who have been deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.
And his versatility may suit Arsene Wenger in the second half of the season, as long-term doubts persist over Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.
Van der Vaart, 26, was playing for Real in recent weeks but returned to the bench as soon as Brazilian superstar Kaka returned from injury.
His high wages prevented him leaving last summer but he is believed to be willing to take a pay cut in an effort to play first-team football.
The Dutchman needs a strong finish to the season if he is to guarantee his place in Holland's World Cup squad in South Africa next summer.
Arsenal are thought to have made tentative enquiries in recent weeks about the former Ajax and Hamburg playmaker and the Spanish club are studying other offers.
Van der Vaart said: "If an opportunity emerges I would look at it because I need games.
"For the moment nobody has told me I am leaving. I am now back on the bench but I will again have a chance to show my quality."
Van der Vaart moved to the Bundesliga from Ajax in 2005 but was on the move again within three years when Real paid £12million for him. His contract expires in 2013.
He fell out with former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos at the end of last term and new coach Manuel Pallegrini admitted in pre-season that he would listen to offers.
The Real Madrid midfielder is one of a group of star names who have been deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.
And his versatility may suit Arsene Wenger in the second half of the season, as long-term doubts persist over Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.
Van der Vaart, 26, was playing for Real in recent weeks but returned to the bench as soon as Brazilian superstar Kaka returned from injury.
His high wages prevented him leaving last summer but he is believed to be willing to take a pay cut in an effort to play first-team football.
The Dutchman needs a strong finish to the season if he is to guarantee his place in Holland's World Cup squad in South Africa next summer.
Arsenal are thought to have made tentative enquiries in recent weeks about the former Ajax and Hamburg playmaker and the Spanish club are studying other offers.
Van der Vaart said: "If an opportunity emerges I would look at it because I need games.
"For the moment nobody has told me I am leaving. I am now back on the bench but I will again have a chance to show my quality."
Van der Vaart moved to the Bundesliga from Ajax in 2005 but was on the move again within three years when Real paid £12million for him. His contract expires in 2013.
He fell out with former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos at the end of last term and new coach Manuel Pallegrini admitted in pre-season that he would listen to offers.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Which Teams The Gunner May face on the Next Round??
If there was a match Arsenal could afford to lose this season, it was today’s.
The slender defeat at Olympiacos was harsh on a spirited performance from an Arsenal side which set the record for the youngest line-up ever fielded in the competition.
Arsenal’s only loss was their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season but they head into the next stage of the tournament with much dignity after topping their group for the first time in three years.
Into the knock-out round, Wenger will be aware – as always – that top spot in Group H may not necessarily guarantee a fair task in the round of 16.
There are still big names in the bag and some mouth-watering clashes at the offing.
So here is a list of those left in the category of opponents Arsenal can be drawn against in the next round.
1. VfB Stuttgart
2. Inter Milan
3. FC Porto
4. CSKA Moscow
5. Bayern Munich
6. AC Milan
7. Lyon
(Teams from the same country, group or with identical finishing positions in group stage cannot be drawn against each other. The official Champions League draw will take place next week Friday in Nyon.)
The slender defeat at Olympiacos was harsh on a spirited performance from an Arsenal side which set the record for the youngest line-up ever fielded in the competition.
Arsenal’s only loss was their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season but they head into the next stage of the tournament with much dignity after topping their group for the first time in three years.
Into the knock-out round, Wenger will be aware – as always – that top spot in Group H may not necessarily guarantee a fair task in the round of 16.
There are still big names in the bag and some mouth-watering clashes at the offing.
So here is a list of those left in the category of opponents Arsenal can be drawn against in the next round.
1. VfB Stuttgart
2. Inter Milan
3. FC Porto
4. CSKA Moscow
5. Bayern Munich
6. AC Milan
7. Lyon
(Teams from the same country, group or with identical finishing positions in group stage cannot be drawn against each other. The official Champions League draw will take place next week Friday in Nyon.)
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