After a long time, Europe's premier competition has thrown up a few surprises and plenty of
excitement. At the time of the draw few, if any, would have expected United to bow out. Fewer still
would have expected the Gunners to qualify from a tough group before the other three English clubs
and with a game to spare.
What a result! Tough game, battling performance, well-earned points. Not vintage but victorious
nonetheless.
I was surprised to see Coquelin in the starting line-up at Right Back as Arsene has said in the
past the youngster doesn't isn't suited to the role. Perhaps it was due to Miquel's errors at
City.
Sometime during the last week there was this article on the Arsenal website with a few comments
from Benayoun. The Israeli skipper said that he can understand the reasons for not getting regular
starts and was happy to contribute whenever he got a chance.
They say you don't change a winning team and we are on a good run so it is very difficult to get
into the team.
I think that was the best Arsenal have played this season. Wigan got some joy in the opening
10-15 minutes but it was one-way traffic after that. The hosts also showed more of a fight in the
second half but Arsenal were just too strong in all areas. I don't want to do a event by event
analysis of such a game but want to use Wenger's post game interview as the foundation for this
piece as the Boss' summary was sublimely succinct and accurate.
In many ways this game was a microcosm of many recent Arsenal seasons. There was much to admire.
There were a lot of exciting moments, the club matched the leading club toe-to-toe for large parts
and it would be hard to pick one side over the other. The defenders worked hard, certainly
considering the free-scoring nature of the opposition.
Premier League transfer window January 2012
Sportsmail will keep you bang up to date throughout the January transfer window with all the
latest ins and outs for all 20 Barclays Premier League sides...
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-28 15:27:16 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Arsene surprised and to an extent disappointed with the selection of Vermaelen and Santos in the
starting eleven. In fairness though, the performance of the team showed it was a necessary evil
because the manager's tactical blindspots created a vulnerable mishmash of talented but
inexperienced players and seasoned professionals lacking match sharpness/form.
The present is very important for us. We are in the middle of a season where every point is
important now... we are in a position where we just want to collect points because the pace of the
Premier League is dictated by the teams in front of us. And it is a tremendous one.
Wenger has hit the nail on the head there.
PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester United v Wolves, Liverpool v QPR, Arsenal v Everton,
Norwich v Newcastle, Bolton v Aston Villa, Swansea v Fulham, West...
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League where Saturday's action sees seven
fixtures kicking off at 3pm.
PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester United v Wolves, Liverpool v QPR, Arsenal v Everton,
Norwich v Newcastle, Bolton v Aston Villa, Swansea v Fulham, West...
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League where Saturday's action sees seven
fixtures kicking off at 3pm.
One-Nil to the Arsenal seems like an apt score to mark the 125th anniversary of the club,
although there is an argument it doesn't really represent the Arsene Wenger era.
This game was anything but typical though. David Moyes took a surprisingly brave approach and
attacked Arsenal from the kick-off.
Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou's imminent January departure for the African Cup of Nations,
along with the sale of Nicolas Anelka to Chinese Super League Club Shanghai Shenhua has left
manager André Villas-Boas facing a possibly head-scratching dilemma.
The loss of these three household names could force goal-shy Fernando Torres back in to the
equation at Stamford Bridge, a move which some would consider a risk.
ASTON VILLA v Liverpool: Agbonlahor ban paves way for Heskey to face former
side
Aston Villa will be without joint top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor for the home Barclays Premier
League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-16 10:18:52 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
The recent strong run by the Gunners has created this impression that they are a hard lot to
beat. I am among the many Gooners who have noted and commented on the doggedness of this Arsenal
squad. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to see if some numbers back the new
found resolve that is being widely perceived and how other top teams stacked up when compared to
Arsenal.
Four games in the next 13 days should give Arsenal sufficient opportunity to bounce back from
the recent disheartening defeat against the League leaders. Given the state of injuries in defence
though, Arsene will have to take things game by game. There isn't much room left for tinkering,
particularly at the back.
Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Shamir Goodwin has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool.
The 17-year-old striker has come to the attention of the Barclays Premier League outfit after some
fine form for the Seagulls youth team, according to The Daily Star, with the Reds now reportedly
considering a move for the player.
This Boxing Day was a great one for Arsenal and a fun time for me. Hope you had a joyful
Christmas too. Apologies for the lateness of this post but the whole weekend was just so enjoyable
and engaging, I couldn't find any time before now. Well, I did find some time but then Sachin came
on to bat and took up the best part of the last two hours.
Former Anfield star John Barnes says Aston Villa striker Darren Bent does not fit the bill for
Liverpool, as the Reds consider goalscoring reinforcements in January.
The Merseysiders have scored only 18 times in as many Barclays Premier League fixtures this season
and, with Luis Suarez set to begin an eight-game ban in the New Year, Kenny Dalglish has been
tipped to bolster his attack.
Liverpool v Newcastle live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Liverpool host Newcastle at
Anfield to begin the weekend's action.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-30 04:00:18 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Manchester United stars in frame for FIFA World XI of 2011
Manchester United's stars are leading the way among Barclays Premier League clubs for places
among the FIFA FIFPro World XI for 2011, after six of their players were nominated.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-01 11:53:19 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
This season has been special for many reasons, one of which is the chance to watch Manchester City
emulate the great Arsenal "Invincibles" and get through the season undefeated. The second reason
has been the insane results, the 8-2 Red Devils win over the Gooners being the highlight. The third
reason and focus of this article is how some Premiership players have embraced the "Big Hair".
Fulham's summer signing Moussa Dembele believes that his side will qualify from the Europa
League group stage despite a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat to Dutch runners-up FC Twente.
In a toughly contested match away from home, the Cottagers always looked second best and were
punished when Austria international Marc Janko struck with just over a minute left to play.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has vowed to return stronger from a knee injury which has ended
his season.
The Brazil international damaged the anterior crucial ligament in his left knee during Tuesday's
2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Lucas was carried from the field on a stretcher after a clash with Juan Mata and his - and the
club's - worst fears were confirmed by a scan.
Wigan v LFC : Ticket notice
Liverpool have released ticket details and selling arrangements for our Barclays Premier League
clash at Wigan on Wednesday, December 21. Kick off 8pm.
View the full story here: Liverpool FC
A news article on 2011-12-02 09:43:24 from: Liverpool FC
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
FULHAM v Liverpool: Damien Duff provides major concern for Martin Jol after limping off
mid-week
Damien Duff looks doubtful for Fulham's Barclays Premier League encounter with Liverpool on
Monday.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-02 11:06:27 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Other than against Bolton, Liverpool played their best football of the season against an
out-of-sorts Manchester City last weekend. Due to their physical exertions in the Champions League,
the Citizens looked short of match fitness and were sluggish against the mighty Reds. But that does
not take away a great performance by Liverpool at Anfield.
Andre Villas-Boas attempts to shake off the haters, as well as an unforeseen run of truly shit
results, on Tyneside. This isn't go to be easy. Four defeats in five? I can't go for that (no can
do).
Not available
Who: Newcastle United (est.
Recent trips to Wigan have been eventful but the memories aren't particularly pleasant for
Gooners. Arsenal have dropped 5 points in the last two visits after conceding late goals in games
that the Gunners dominated and should have won.
I hope the dominance continues but the 'Be a Gooner, be a Giver' mantra is not taken on to the
field.
Leroy Lita had the chance to cover himself with glory against Villa last week. After superbly
turning the Villa defender, he dragged his shot just wide of the post. That sums up Swansea's
problem in their first Premiership season. This lack of a cutting edge may eventually drag the
Swans back into a relegation dogfight.
Liverpool head to Fulham on Monday knowing a win would equal a club record of away successes.
In all competitions it is six victories in succession away from home - a win at Craven Cottage will
equal the club record of seven set between December 1981 - February 1982 and again in January -
March 1988.
Fulham v Liverpool live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Fulham host Liverpool at Craven
Cottage to conclude the weekend's fixtures.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-05 04:00:41 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Pressure on Charlie Adam in Lucas' absence
Liverpool's Charlie Adam will run out in the Barclays Premier League at Fulham without his
central midfield partner Lucas Leiva for only the second time this season.
View the full story here: The Mail
A news article on 2011-12-05 09:18:48 from: The Mail
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Jamie Carragher returned to his old school to donate a footy kit on Friday.
The 33-year-old visited All Saints Primary in Bootle as part of an initiative launched by the
Barclays Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) to boost the sport at
grassroots level.
All 20 top flight teams have donated £25,000 to create a £500,000 fund to provide schools and
clubs with free kit and equipment.
Fulham striker Clint Dempsey struck a late winner as Liverpool's outstanding form on the road ended
during a controversial evening at Craven Cottage.
Dempsey stabbed home a long-range 85th-minute shot by Danny Murphy that had bounced off the arms of
Jose Reina, to secure only Fulham's third Barclays Premier League win of the season.
Arsenal are visiting Greece for the final group game with top spot secured. Such games can
easily become an unwanted, tiresome chore but they can also be an opportunity for the some of the
players to show what they are capable of with a chance to perform in a pressure-free
environment.
Of course, we don't want the team to be frivolous and roll over but I feel the squad that Wenger
has taken to Olympiacos is full of professionals who respect the badge on their shirt and the
game/competition.
Arsene surprised and to an extent disappointed with the selection of Vermaelen and Santos in the
starting eleven. In fairness though, the performance of the team showed it was a necessary evil
because the manager's tactical blindspots created a vulnerable mishmash of talented but
inexperienced players and seasoned professionals lacking match sharpness/form.
Chelsea winger Juan Mata is convinced that his side can ride the momentum of two huge wins to
become the first team that beats Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Mata and his teammates won their Champions League group against all odds with a resounding 3-0
win over Valencia last night at Stamford Bridge, which is also the venue where they will host City
on Monday.
Swansea face a battle with Liverpool to sign teenage Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly reports the
Daily Express.
The 19-year-old is attracting interest from a number of English clubs, with League One side
Brentford having also made an offer for the talented youngster.
Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has been alerted to Donnelly's potential and is weighing up an attempt to
entice him to Anfield when the transfer window reopens in January.
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov would swap his current situation with any Liverpool player in
order to fulfil his dream of playing for the Reds.
The 32-year-old began his career in his native Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia before being granted a move
to Celtic in the summer of 1999.
It was not until 2006 that Petrov finally realized his ambition of playing in the Barclays Premier
League, when he move to Villa Park for £6.
