szólj hozzá: Arsenal v Leeds 1:0 HIGHLIGHTS

The stage was set after 68 minutes of frustrating football with Arsenal brought to a standstill by a Leeds Utd team that parked the bus. The moment everyone was waiting for with bated breath. Number 12 strode in to a standing ovation - Thierry Henry had arrived home to a flood of good time memories.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Yossi opens his accounts for Arsenal

This was Arsenal's first defeat in this season's Champions League and it had we not qualified prior, it would be shambolic rather than comical. Olympiacos must have thought we'd done them a favour but they could rightly be disappointed to miss out on the next stage.

Something rather remarkable happened on Tuesday night. Did you spot it?

No, I don't mean the FFB (Fat French Benchwarmer) peeing his sky blue pants (size XL) at the very sight of Emmanuel Frimpong.

Nor do I mean two rookie Arsenal midfielders with the amusing acronym of "CoqPong" completely dominating the expensively acquired internationals in the Abu Dhabi City line-up.

Something rather remarkable happened on Tuesday night. Did you spot it?

No, I don't mean the FFB (Fat French Benchwarmer) peeing his sky blue pants (size XL) at the very sight of Emmanuel Frimpong.

Nor do I mean two rookie Arsenal midfielders with the amusing acronym of "CoqPong" completely dominating the expensively acquired internationals in the Abu Dhabi City line-up.

Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carling Cup match yesterday showed, once again, the power of petropounds. But one goal from over 100 million is a pretty weak return, really. However, a win is a win and even if City are on the ropes in Europe, they've booked their spot in the semifinals of the league cup.

Cool T? Surely not

Arsenal failed to qualify for the semi finals of the Carling Cup after a 1-0 defeat at home to the moneybags of the Premier League. $amir Na$ri was jeered and booed throughout. Just after 5 minutes before the whole stadium was standing because "stand up if you hate Na$ri" was the song doing the rounds.

Injuries permitting, these two will be taking a backseat

I had a topic in mind and was going to start writing today's post when a new tweet flashed on my tweetdeck. It was Arseblog and his Friday's post has already been up. The headlines tells me that I've got the same content in mind as what he wrote.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has included back-from-injury defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci for tonight's Carling Cup game against Bolton Wanderers. The Belgium International will be assessed ahead of Sunday's Stamford Bridge game against Chelsea with ...

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are highly unlikely to pursue more defenders in the near future, quashing speculation that linked the Gunners with the likes of Bolton's Gary Cahill and Everton's Phil Jagielka.

Wenger has made it no secret that the recent long-term extension signed by vice-captain Thomas Vermaelen has completely changed the outlook of the club's dressing room and citing the presence of a deep back-line, the Frenchman has stated his desire to maintain the status quo.

Match facts, team news and quotes ahead of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Sunderlandat the Emirates Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

Bacary Sagna's ankle injury sustained against Tottenham means he has joined Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelenon the injury list, but defenders Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny are available.

Arsenal have confirmed that defenders Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci will all be back for Sunday's home game, against Sunderland, in the English Premier League. This will be a massive boost for manager Arsene ...

Wojciech Szczesny
If it weren't for the young Polish keeper, Arsenal would be bottom of the league. Szczesny has been pulling off world class saves in each and every Gunners match this season.
A- – How long before his head is turned?

Bacary Sagna
Sagna has been Arsenal's best defender this season, which isn't really saying much.

All the team news, key facts and stats ahead of the Premier League clash at White Hart Lane.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will revert to his first-choice line-up for the derby, meaning Emmanuel Adebayor is in line to face his former club Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

Limbering up for the next challenge

Normally that would mean that the team is flying. Not necessarily in a physical form but in terms of form, confidence and results. A good continuous run of positive results would probably equate to a team in flying condition. In this instance, I'm referring "full flight" to the numbers and quantity.

First one to get the ball rolling

Transfer deadline day today. It is hard to catch up with things today as it stands. Names are flying in left, right and centre. As I write this, there's 11 more hours to go before the transfer window closes.

Having look like we've already concluded deals for Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos to add to the Park Chu Young one, we've already added 3 new players.

First one to get the ball rolling

Transfer deadline day today. It is hard to catch up with things today as it stands. Names are flying in left, right and centre. As I write this, there's 11 more hours to go before the transfer window closes.

Having look like we've already concluded deals for Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos to add to the Park Chu Young one, we've already added 3 new players.

Could he get a role in midfield?

There's no use hiding behind it. Today, Arsene Wenger will fully utilize the every corner of his squad. Suspension has robbed (but justified) us of Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho. Injuries have put paid to the hopes of seeing Kieran Gibbs, Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastien Squillaci.

Could he get a role in midfield?

There's no use hiding behind it. Today, Arsene Wenger will fully utilize the every corner of his squad. Suspension has robbed (but justified) us of Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho. Injuries have put paid to the hopes of seeing Kieran Gibbs, Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastien Squillaci.

Nickspinkboots' Note: I know my way around WordPress about as well as Manuel Almunia knows his way around the penalty box. Since I can't change the author name on the article for some reason, I would like to clarify that this post is written by Swaroop Swaminathan, journalist with national dailies who is moonlighting as a cynical Arsenal fan here on BFZ.

Here it is, the annual "calculating of the ratings." Like the Running of the Bulls or Airing of the Grievances, this annual event draws spectators and thrill-seekers from far and wide. Well, not really, but let's have some fun with it, okay?

First, some caveats. This is a list of the players who played enough to get rated at least 5 times this season, in ascending order (so, theoretically, from worst to best in order of average performance).

Now Messi knows what it's like to play against the best

In many ways, the season that has just ended is reminiscent of the previous few seasons. Starting relatively well, keeping up with cup and league challenges until the February/March period before fading away the rest of the season. We all love the good kind of repetition, the kind where we lift trophies every season but the one which just ended frustrates a lot of fans and supporters.

Synchronized ballet dancing proves to be a much more entertaining affair than what happened on the pitch

Well, at least it wasn't another defeat. I can't remember the last time we lost 3 on the trot. Thankfully, it didn't happen yesterday. This wasn't the best of games in truth and the commentators were right in suggesting that the game had a end of season feel to it, a friendly, if you like.

The second of our 'flops' feature 10. Heurelho Gomes The ultimate Jekyll and Hyde goalkeeper. No one has given away or saved more penalties than him this season in the Premier League, and Gomes is now second only to Rob Green in goalkeepers whose errors have been directly responsible for the conceding of a goal.

Arsenal

Starting Lineup: Wojciech Szczesny; Gael Clichy, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Bacary Sagna; Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, Theo Walcott; Robin Van Persie, Aaron Ramsey

Subs: Jens Lehmann, Kieran Gibbs, Sebastien Squillaci, Emmanuel Eboue, Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh

Manchester United

Starting Lineup: Edwin Van der Sar; Fabio da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra; Nani, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-Sung; Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez

Subs: Tomasz Kuszczak, John O'Shea, Rafael da Silva, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen

Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United

"Arsenal vs.

Arsenal defender Sébastien Squillaci believes the Gunners can go on and win the English Premier League, provided they stop making little mistakes. Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the Frenchman explained that the players are to stay ...

Arsenal defender Sébastien Squillaci believes today's FA Cup game against Manchester United could have a big effect on who will go on to win the Premier League title. Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the Frenchman started ...

Written by Gooner in Exile

Yet again after the weekend result it is the defence that has been called into question, the cries of weakness are again heard and the calls for a return to the glory days of the famous four of Adams, Bould, Winterburn and Dixon. Add to those four Keown and yes we had an impressive back line available.

The shocking collapse at St James' Park has left many Gooners bewildered and looking for a scapegoat, and one player above all others is being singled out: the abject Sebastien Squillaci.

The Frenchman came to England with a good reputation after years of impressive service at Monaco, Lyon and Sevilla, but six months into his career in England he is not winning comparisons with Tony Adams or Martin Keown, but Pascal Cygan and Mikael Silvestre.

The shocking collapse at St James' Park has left many Gooners bewildered and looking for a scapegoat, and one player above all others is being singled out: the abject Sebastien Squillaci.

The Frenchman came to England with a good reputation after years of impressive service at Monaco, Lyon and Sevilla, but six months into his career in England he is not winning comparisons with Tony Adams or Martin Keown, but Pascal Cygan and Mikael Silvestre.

The Frenchman Laurent Koscielny moved to Arsenal in the summer to be the main partner to Thomas Vermaelen in the Gunners defence, with Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou as backups, but he only played a couple of games alongside Vermaelen before the Belgian was ruled out with an achilles injury. Since then he has was [.

Another volunteer for the Kickette nudey calender? Step this way please, Mr Eto'0. And please remove your shorts. Getty Images/Zimbio)

In the spirit of inconsistency that we like to think has become our byword of late, we chose to ignore the Coupe de France results last week in favour of an early lunch and cocktails.

Arsene Wenger is relieved to see the progress of summer signing Sebastien Squillaci as the former Sevilla defender recovers from a hamstring strain.

In the absence of Squillaci as well as long-term absentee Thomas Vermaelen, the Gunners have only had the starting pair of Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou to rely on in the central defense.

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~We're going to the Wembley~

Arsenal go into their Carling Cup semi-final 1-0 down on aggregate against Ipswich, but have home advantage in the second leg as they look to get to the Wembley final.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger says January's heavy fixture list has left him with "no choice" but to rotate his squad following the 3-0 win over Wigan.

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Man of the moment!

Arsenal welcome Wigan Atheltic to the Emirates as the Gunners return to Premier League action in a match that they should be winning.

Denilson and Marouane Chamakh have overcome the minor injuries they picked up against Leeds in midweek., but are likely to find themselves on the bench.

The last time we saw Vermaelen in shorts

The experts thinks that we are short in numbers. Even the most ardent Arsenal supporter would like to see Arsene Wenger make another signing or two in the January transfer window. If anything, signing that can drag us over the finishing line first. Yet, Arsenal are the only club remaining in England who can still win all four competitions.

With concerns growing over the extended absence of Arsenal center-half Thomas Vermaelen, manager Arsene Wenger provided the most recent update over the Belgian international's status in an interview with the club's official website.

When asked whether Vermaelen had undergone a surgery to treat his injured plantaris tendon, Wenger stated that the treatment had not been all that serious.