Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackburn

Blackburn outwitted Arsenal as Mark Hughes' side earned an FA Cup fifth round replay at Ewood Park.

Thierry Henry had an early volley and Theo Walcott went close with a shot but for a side that has scored 81 goals this season, Arsenal were very subdued.

Rovers keeper Brad Friedel was not called into action until the last 10 minutes - when he made a superb double save to thwart Henry and Justin Hoyte.

Blackburn's best chance came from Matt Derbyshire's inventive hooked shot.

External Links:

Report: Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn
Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Interview: Blackburn boss Mark Hughes
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn: Rate players
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn: Live animation

Involved in three different knockout competitions, this was Arsenal's second of four cup ties in the space of 11 days.

But with Blackburn so intent on defence and Arsenal so quiet in attack neither side was able to deliver a killer blow to win the game.

Blackburn's defensive strategy provided Friedel with maximum protection, so much so that the Blackburn goalkeeper did not have a serious save to make until the closing stages when the game opened up.

Friedel saved with his feet to deny Tomas Rosicky before he made that wonderful double save, tipping away Henry's flick and then getting up quickly to parry Hoyte's shot.

Blackburn's left-back Stephen Warnock typified the visitors' concentration and he easily won his defensive duel with Walcott.

But with 15 minutes to go, Warnock was lucky not to concede a penalty when television replays clearly showed he brought down Jeremie Aliadiere.

Arsenal's best chance of the first half came in the opening 10 minutes when Hoyte's lofted pass freed Henry but the Frenchman blazed his volley over the bar.

Blackburn's focus on containing Arsenal also meant that the home side's goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had an even quieter time of it than Friedel - in a first half that was strictly for tactical enthusiasts.

David Bentley did try his luck with a speculative shot, while David Dunn had an opportunity to release Nonda but overhit his pass.

Derbyshire eventually managed to test Aluminia, when the Blackburn substitute, with his back to goal, hooked the ball goalward, requiring the Arsenal keeper to tip the shot over the bar.

By stopping Arsenal scoring Blackburn, who lost to Wenger's side 6-2 earlier in the season, became the first English club to keep a clean sheet at the Emirates.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:"We lacked spark and were a little bit flat but we were unlucky not to get a penalty.

"They stopped the game as much as they could. We wanted to qualify in one game but it will go to a second.

"The problem is not Blackburn but the problem is finding a solution when teams defend deeply and we couldn't find that today."

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:

"We came here with a gameplan and put it into practice. We kept them quiet and kept their chances to a bare minimum and were not troubled.

"We are the first British team to stop them scoring at the Emirates.

"We dictated where we wanted them to play the game and we made them play in areas that they didn't want to."

Arsenal: Almunia, Gallas (Clichy 60), Toure, Senderos, Hoyte, Walcott (Adebayor 68), Fabregas, Flamini, Ljungberg (Rosicky 69), Aliadiere, Henry. Subs Not Used: Poom, Denilson.

Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Mokoena, Samba, Dunn (Todd 90), Nonda (Roberts 84), Berner (Derbyshire 68). Subs Not Used: Brown, Peter.

Booked: Dunn, Bentley, Khizanishvili, Todd.

Att: 56,761

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

From : BBC Sports

Rooney doubtful for England game

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is a doubt for England's friendly against Spain at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The striker limped off after 64 minutes of United's crushing 4-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

"We will assess him on Monday morning but he may be doubtful for the England game on Wednesday," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas missed the defeat with an ankle injury and has had to pull out of the England squad.

Interview: England manager Steve McClaren

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton is in line to make his first England appearance after being called into the squad for the first time when the squad was announced on Friday.

Real Madrid's on-loan Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate was recalled for the first time since 2004.

Newcastle's Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry of Aston Villa also returned after long absences from the national squad.

BBC Sport columnist Owen Hargreaves, of Bayern Munich, was named for the first time since breaking a leg in September.

Barton, 24, is expected to win his first call-up after impressing England coach Steve McClaren with his form and attitude this season.

McClaren is happy to give Barton his chance, despite speculation that his inclusion could cause friction after the City midfielder recently made a verbal attack on Frank Lampard and Steven
Gerrard over the duo's decision to launch post-World Cup autobiographies.

Lampard took exception to Barton's comments and there had been suggestions that the England coach had been approached by some senior players and asked not to pick the 24-year-old.

There will be no issues, that is the beauty of England

England coach Steve McClaren

The England coach is confident there will be no effect on the squad.

McClaren said: "There will be no issues, that is the beauty of England.

"The players can be rivals on a Saturday and hate each other. But when they come together with England it is a common cause.

"Joey is coming into a fantastic squad and everybody will be professional."

Barton joins up with Manchester City team-mate Micah Richards, who is expected to win his
second cap, having made his England bow against Holland in Amsterdam in December.

As expected, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was not named after suffering a knee injury in the Blues' win over Blackburn.

England skipper John Terry was included in the squad, despite a lack of first-team action since undergoing back surgery at the end of December.

Woodgate's inclusion marks the end of an injury nightmare for the former Newcastle and Leeds defender.

His last appearance for England was against Sweden in March 2004, since when his international career has been put on hold by a spate of injuries.

McClaren has watched the centre-half put in some strong displays for Middlesbrough but Woodgate himself remained cautious, saying: "I am not really thinking about England."

Dyer was another player recalled to the squad after a long battle with injury. He last played for England in March 2005.

Barry has been recalled following a four-year international exile.

His reward for some impressive performances for Villa this season is a chance to add to his eight caps.

Barry was resigned to never winning another cap under previous boss Sven-Goran Eriksson but McClaren has brought him back for the first time since March 2003.

This week's friendly is Spain's first visit to England since February 2001 and is the 21st encounter between the two sides, with England claiming 11 victories to Spain's six.

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres returns to the Spain squad but Real Madrid striker Raul is omitted.

Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos will both play even though they will miss the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifier with Denmark through suspension.

England (squad):Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Watford), Kirkland (Wigan); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Bridge (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Carragher (Liverpool), Dawson (Tottenham), Richards (Man City); Lennon (Tottenham), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Midd'boro), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Parker (Newcastle), Lampard (Chelsea), Barry (Aston Villa), Barton (Man City), Jenas (Tottenham), Dyer (Newcastle); Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Everton).

Spain (squad):Reina (Liverpool), Casillas (Real Madrid); Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Capdevila (Deportivo La Coruna), Ramos (Real Madrid), Navarro (Sevilla); Fabregas (Arsenal), Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Lopez (Celta Vigo), Alonso (Liverpool), Albelda (Valencia), David (Valencia); Torres (Atletico Madrid), Arizmendi (Deportivo La Coruna), Angulo (Valencia) , Morientes (Valencia), Villa (Valencia).

From : BBC Sports

Song moves to Charlton

Charlton have signed Arsenal midfielder Alexandre Song on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has played twice in the Premiership this season and featured in the Gunners' Carling Cup run.

"We've been tracking Alexandre for some time and I'm positive he'll be a great addition to our midfield," said Charlton boss Alan Pardew.

"Arsenal received interest from several top Premiership clubs, and I'm happy Alexandre has chosen our team."

The Cameroon youngster, who scored his first Arsenal goal in the 6-3 Carling Cup win at Liverpool, is Charlton's fourth transfer window signing.

Zheng Zhi, Ben Thatcher and Madjid Bougherra have already arrived at the club during January.

Song, the nephew of former Cameroon international Rigobert, initially joined Arsenal on loan from French club SC Bastia in July 2005.

Arsenal made the move permanent - and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recently admitted that he would consider loaning out the player.

"The only one who may go out on loan is Song, because I want him to play somewhere," said Wenger last week.

"In central midfield we are a bit congested, and he is ready to play."

Song has also appeared in the Champions League, as an 89th minute substitute in the 2-1 win over Porto on 26 September.

The midfielder is currently in Congo for the African Youth Championship.

From : BBC Sport

Arsenal 1 - 1 Bolton

Kolo Toure's diving header cancelled out Kevin Nolan's opener and denied Bolton progress in the FA Cup.

Nolan struck in the 50th minute when he collected Kevin Davies' cross-cum-shot and clipped the ball into the net.

The midfielder was denied a second when he had the ball expertly flicked from his feet by the diving Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal increased the tempo after that and the intense pressure told when Toure dived to meet a cross and bounced a header over Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Interview: Bolton first team coach Ricky Sbragia

It was the third consecutive season the teams had been dawn together in the FA Cup, with Arsenal winning the first and Bolton claiming the second.

And there was little to choose between them for much of the first FA Cup match to be hosted at The Emirates Stadium.

But in the air Bolton's Davies was superior and a major influence, until a blow on the foot needed a painkilling injection and it appeared to limit his leap thereafter.

It was a setback for Davies, who had brought a goal-line save from Almunia in the first minute after nodding downwards.

From a later cross, Ivan Campo should have done better when he volleyed over the bar.

As the half drew to a close Campo attempted to head back to Jaaskelainen but Thierry Henry

intercepted the ball and almost scored with some breathtaking improvisation.

The Frenchman back heeled the ball on the volley and was only denied a superb goal by excellent defending from Abdoulaye Meite, who cleared the ball off the line.

That was the closest Arsenal came in a half which saw a confident Bolton dictate much of the play and have the better chances.

And it took only four minutes after the restart for Bolton to accept a well-worked opportunity.
One-touch football took the ball out wide to Davies, whose shot across goal was controlled by Nolan and then thumped into the corner of the goal.

Nolan almost scored again shortly after but Almunia superbly stretched out an arm to flick the ball away from the Bolton player's feet.

Arsenal responded with some slick passing which ended in Theo Walcott volleying off target from the right side of the box.

And it sparked a lengthy spell of intense Arsenal pressure but Jaaskelainen proved equal to a shot by Toure and later saved at the feet of Henry.

The Bolton keeper also did well to block a swerving Cesc Fabregas shot from distance.
But there was little Jaaskelainen could do when Toure dived in at the far post and bounced his header over the Finnish keeper.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:"It was a bit unfortunate that we went 1-0 down as in the second half we were on top of the game.

"We are used to going behind here at The Emirates but we always find the resources to come back.

"But today we lacked the ability to score a second goal and kill the game off - we had the chances. But Bolton's keeper and defenders played very well."

Bolton coach Ricky Sbragia:"We went one up and for the next half an hour we were under severe pressure and we folded in the end.

"But in the end to get a draw and take them back to our place is a great result for us.

"We needed a second goal but we didn't get it. Nolan was unlucky but their keeper did well to save from him."

Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte (Julio Baptista 70), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Walcott (Aliadiere 86), Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky, Henry, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Poom, Diaby, Denilson. Booked: Flamini, Senderos, Aliadiere.

Goals: Toure 78.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Faye, Meite, Gardner (Pedersen 78), Davies, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Giannakopoulos (Vaz Te 83), Anelka. Subs Not Used: Walker, Teymourian, Tal.

Booked: Faye, Hunt, Meite.

Goals: Nolan 50.

Att: 59,778 Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

From : BBC Sport

It's Bolton Again!

Arsenal are without Emmanuel Eboue, Jeremie Aliadiere, Alex Hleb and Robin van Persie, while keeper Manuel Almunia will play in place of Jens Lehamnn.

Also out are Freddie Ljungberg, William Gallas and Gilberto but in-form Julio Baptista may be given a starting berth.

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf is ruled out through suspension and will be replaced by either Stelios Giannakopoulos or Ricardo Vaz Te.

Defender Ricardo Gardner is also pushing for a recall.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Rosicky, Flamini, Fabregas, Baptista, Henry, Adebayor, Almunia, Walcott, Diaby, Djourou, Hoyte, Aliadiere, Denilson.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Nolan, Anelka, Davies, Walker, Gardner, Vaz Te, Tal, Teymourian, Fortune, Fojut, Smith.

BIG-MATCH FACTS

ARSENAL and Bolton are facing each other in the FA Cup for the third season running. The Gunners were on route to winning the trophy in 2004-05, when they won 1-0 in the quarter-finals at Highbury with a third minute goal from Fredrik Ljungberg. Last season at this same fourth round stage, Bolton won 1-0 at the Reebok with a score from Stylianos Giannakopoulis six minutes from time. This is the 10th time the pair have been drawn against each other in the oldest, and arguably the greatest knock-out competition in world club football, and Arsenal lead 5-4.

The Gunners have a proud unbeaten record to defend at the Emirates Stadium, and were on a five-match winning run home and away, until Tottenham held their youngsters to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night. That winning streak included dispatching FA Cup holders Liverpool in the last round, 1-3 at Anfield, and following that three days later with a 3-6 League Cup triumph on the same ground.

An Arsenal player has lifted the FA Cup in three of the last five years, and on four occasions in the tenure of Arsene Wenger. They've reached the final in four of their last six attempts, and the semi-final on one of the other two occasions. Only Manchester United have won the Cup more times than Arsenal - United 11, the Gunners 10.

BOLTON WANDERERS have become something of a bogey side for Arsenal, having lost once to them in seven League and Cup meetings. But all four of their victories in that seven-match sequence have been at the Reebok. That includes this seasons League fixture on 25 November when Nicolas Anelka scored twice against his former club in a 3-1 victory. However the Trotters have not won at the home of the north Londoners since a 1-3 triumph after extra time in an FA Cup fourth round replay on 9 February 1994, when Jason McAteer, John McGinlay and Andy Walker scored their goals.

Sam Allardyce's side cruised into the fourth round with a 0-4 trouncing of League One Doncaster at the Yorkshire club's brand new Keepmoat Stadium. Two goals from Iran international Andranik Teymourian and one each for Kevin Davies and Idan Tal did the damage. Their reward is one of three all-Premiership ties in the last 32.

It's 49 years since the Trotters last won the Cup for the fourth time in their history. Quarter-finalists two years ago, they had to be satisfied with a last 16 berth last year when they were beaten by the eventual losing finalists West Ham. Now the Lancashire club are hoping to knock out top flight opposition for the first time since disposing of the Gunners twelve months ago.

From : BBC Sports

Arsenal hit by Van Persie injury

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has broken the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, the club have announced.

Van Persie sustained a partial fracture celebrating his equaliser in Sunday's 2-1 win over Manchester United.

The 23-year-old, Arsenal's leading scorer this season, had an X-ray after the game, which confirmed the full extent of his injury.

It is likely the Dutchman, who had come on as a second-half substitute, will be out of action for at least six weeks.

Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Van Persie had been named on the bench after struggling to overcome an ankle problem but was sent on midway through the second half as Arsenal sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

And he brought his side level seven minutes from time when he converted Tomas Rosicky's right-wing cross.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger fears his player faces a significant absence.

He said: "There is a big worry on Robin van Persie.

"He had scored a great goal because first of all Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas fought like mad for the ball, then they get it in and Robin comes from a very deep position and scores an unbelievable goal."

From : BBC Sport

Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd

Late goals from Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry saw Arsenal come from behind to earn a dramatic win over Premiership leaders Manchester United.

United went in front when Patrice Evra drilled in a cross for Wayne Rooney to powerfully head in at the far post.

But Van Persie got in behind Gary Neville to slide in Tomas Rosicky's 83rd-minute cross, although he broke a bone in his right foot celebrating.

And in stoppage time an unmarked Henry rose to head in Emmanuel Eboue's cross.

Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Interview: Man Utd assistant boss Carlos Quieroz

United had looked like extending their Premiership lead to nine points, with 10 minutes left on the clock.

But Van Persie's sixth goal in seven games pegged them back and Henry stunned the visitors with a late, late winner.

Both managers had predicted an entertaining encounter in the 200th meeting between the clubs.

And in blustery conditions the two rivals produced a game full of intrigue and incident, even if neither side were able to find their top form.

United settled first, with Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo both off target as Arsenal battled against the wind in their faces.

The first flashpoint led to Eboue and Rooney exchanging slaps but, despite both players coming away holding their faces, it did not merit any cards from referee Steve Bennett.

Giggs and Evra both went into Bennett's book for lunging challenges as the game began to simmer.

Henry should have done better than head straight at keeper Edwin van der Sar from an Emmanuel Adebayor cross.

With Arsenal gaining the ascendancy, Bennett looked to have denied them a clear penalty.

With Henry running across the area, Neville stuck a leg out, missed the ball but got the Frenchman, who tumbled to the turf, but Bennett looked to have dodged the decision by neither awarding a spot-kick nor booking Henry.

United finished the half strongly - Rooney and Henrik Larsson both testing Jens Lehmann with headers.

Eight minutes after the break United went in front through Rooney, who was looking closer to his best form even if he was somewhat stifled by having to spend much of the game out on the flanks.

Evra emerged down the left like a runaway train and, with Cesc Fabregas too late to stop him in his tracks, he had time to drill a cross that was gratefully lapped up by Rooney at the back post for only his second goal in 14 games.

Manchester United endured some nervous moments as Rosicky had a couple of stabs at an equaliser before Adebayor instigated a goalmouth scramble that left Van der Sar with a sore mouth.

But that will be nothing compared to the pain United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be feeling after seeing three valuable points slip away.

Rosicky's centre went under Henry and Van Persie the poacher pounced at the back post to keep their unbeaten home record alive in front of a record Emirates crowd.

But Arsenal were not finished there as Eboue sent in a cross and Henry was left free to thump a header past Van der Sar to the delight of the home fans - and no doubt Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 90), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Van Persie 67), Fabregas, Flamini (Julio Baptista 79), Rosicky, Adebayor, Henry.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Denilson.

Booked: Toure.

Goals: Van Persie 83, Henry 90.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Heinze 90), Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Larsson (Saha 81).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown, Fletcher.

Booked: Giggs, Evra, Ronaldo.

Goals: Rooney 53.

Att: 60,128.

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

From : BBC Sports

WENGER LOOKS TO TRIM SQUAD

Arsene Wenger may feel he has no need to strengthen the Arsenal squad this month, but there looks set to be some movement away from the Emirates Stadium.

Veteran full-back Lauren is likely to be the most high-profile departure, with the Cameroon defender - fit again following a long-term knee problem - free to open talks with other clubs now he is in the final months of his contract.

With several Barclays Premiership clubs willing to offer him terms, including the likes of Portsmouth, West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton, Lauren - who turns 30 on Friday - is certainly not short of options.

However, the 29-year-old is also attracting interest from Europe, with Lyon, under former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, ready to offer him the chance to continue his career abroad,
and Spanish leaders Sevilla as well as Valencia are also in the hunt.

Given the youthful options Wenger has available now in his squad - with Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte both having filled in at right-back this season - it is perhaps understandable the
Arsenal manager feels the emerging squad could cope with the loss of such an experienced player.

However, that in itself brings on more complications, with several hungry youngster out on loan around the country with their long-term futures yet to be resolved.

Birmingham are expected to make the deal for Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson, 21, permanent this week, but striker Nicklas Bendtner, 18, and Fabrice Muamba, 18, are both
expected back at the Emirates at the end of the season.

Italian forward Arturo Lupoli, 19, is another player whom Wenger would like to retain, but reports from his homeland suggest the player will head there - probably to Serie B club Napoli - once his spell at Coca-Cola Championship promotion chasers Derby is over.

Jeremie Aliadiere, 23, remains determined to prove he has a future at Arsenal, having started to feature more in the first team this season rather than just in the Carling Cup.

Brazilian Julio Baptista has no intention of heading back to Real Madrid, with Jose Antonio Reyes certainly not keen on a return to England.

For now, though, Wenger must turn his immediate attention to keeping his side in contention for Champions League qualification with a positive result against Premiership leaders Manchester United on Sunday.

The Gunners inflicted the only home league defeat of the campaign so far on the Red Devils at Old Trafford in September, when Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor netted the solitary goal.

With talisman skipper Thierry Henry now back in action and producing some breathtaking form - which included a stunning strike at Blackburn last weekend - Arsenal are certainly expected to offer United a stern test in their first visit to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have hit 15 goals in their last four games - and conceded at an average of just one per match.

Full-back Gael Clichy said: "If the defence can stay strong, then we will not be losing many games.

"With the quality players we have got up front, you know we are going to score.

"We just have to do the job at the back and they will do their job in attack."

Arsenal, meanwhile, are waiting to hear from Football League officials over the allocation of tickets for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Tottenham.

Their north-London rivals have allocated only eight per cent of the White Hart Lane capacity to away fans - some 3,000 - rather than the full 15% as stipulated in the competition rules because of safety concerns.

WENGER: WE CAN OVERCOME GILBERTO LOSS

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal can cope with the loss of Gilberto following his sending off at Blackburn Rovers.

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0-2 ARSENAL

The Brazil midfielder will miss the Gunners’ Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester United, the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Tottenham Hotspur and the FA Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers.

However, Wenger is confident his squad will be able to cope without the combative midfielder.

“Gilberto will be missing but we feel that, with the spirit and quality we have, we can cope with that,” Wenger said.

“We have had three different teams in our last three games but produced the same quality. We are very proud of that at the club.”

Wenger was also full of praise for Blackburn’s Robbie Savage, who urged referee Rob Styles not to send Gilberto off.

Wenger added: “It is very fair from him and, if he has done that, I thank him.

“You have to accept it because Gilberto retaliated and really he should not have retaliated at all.

“Savage could have stayed on his feet but I think he realised he made more of it than he should have. He said to the referee ‘don’t send him off’ because I think he realised he should not have gone down.

“But, if you ask the referee, he will tell you he sent Gilberto off for retaliating and it is a red-card offence.”

Meanwhile, striker Emmanuel Adebayor has threatened to quit international football with Togo.
The 22-year-old was named his country’s foreign-based Player of the Year last month but is unhappy with the lack of organisation shown by the Togo federation.

During the World Cup finals last summer, Adebayor started all three of Togo’s games, although they failed to pick up any points against South Korea, Switzerland and France.

The federation have named three coaches inside the last 12 months and Adebayor is becoming fed up with the lack of organisation.

The 22-year-old admits that he will seriously consider his international future if the situation does not improve.

Adebayor told FIFA Magazine: “If things do not change for the better over the next six months to a year, I think I may end my international career.

“I have to think of myself first, even though playing for the national team is very important to me.

“While I am prepared to give everything to my country, if they cannot organise things well, I will have to make a decision that is best for my life.”

From : Premier League

Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal made light of the 12th-minute dismissal of Gilberto to deservedly beat Blackburn, thanks to goals from Kolo Toure and Thierry Henry.

Gilberto was shown a straight red card for flicking a leg out at Robbie Savage after the pair had tangled.

But the visitors managed to cope with the loss, and the swirling wind and rain, to go in front when Toure superbly headed in Henry's free-kick.

And Henry sealed the win when he unleashed a drive into the top corner.

Interview: Blackburn boss Mark Hughes
Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Rovers' best efforts came in the second half, when they were still 1-0 down and pushing for an equaliser.

But Matt Derbyshire got the ball caught up in his legs when he seemed set to convert after sliding at the far post and Shabani Nonda got a header all wrong.

It proved to be a frustrating game for Rovers, who could not make the extra man tell.

Instead it was Arsenal who kept the ball for long spells, particularly in the first half, and they also looked more dangerous coming forward.

In the opening 45 minutes, Morten Gamst Pedersen had a fierce shot from the left, which was pushed over by Jens Lehmann and Savage saw a header skid just wide of the post, but Blackburn offered little else.

In difficult conditions, it was always unlikely that the match would be one for the purists.

But Robin Van Persie's exquisite touch - and the sublime Henry - often defied the weather.

Recent encounters between the two teams have seen Blackburn set themselves out to be a disruptive force.

It has worked well for Blackburn, although they were defeated 6-2 last time out at the Emirates Stadium - but that scoreline was a little flattering to the Londoners.

And once Gilberto had been given his marching orders, it seemed Rovers' robust style might prove the undoing of Arsenal once more and earn Mark Hughes' men a degree of revenge.

But Toure opened the scoring with a thumping header which cannoned in off the post and Arsenal held firm with relative ease until half-time.

Rovers attempted to raise the tempo after the break but as they seemed to begin to dictate the pace they were caught by a classic Arsenal counter-attack.

Henry picked the ball up on the left wing and made fast progress before playing a one-two with Cesc Fabregas and smashing a shot beyond Brad Friedel.

Arsenal's skipper could have had a second soon after, but his effort did not match the deft chest control which preceded it.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:

He said: "We are disappointed as we expect to put a 10-man team under more pressure and to create more chances.

"I think the sending off hurt us more than them. It allowed them to sit back and hit us on the break.

"We just did not have enough guile to draw Arsenal out. We never really got any momentum to put Arsenal under sustained pressure."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"We were under pressure and we showed we can resist that and still play good football.

"We showed solidarity, good technique and some wonderful movement.

"The sending off looked harsh, although Gilberto reacted when he shouldn't. But my team stuck together and that was the best answer and I am very proud."

Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer (Nonda 59), Henchoz, Khizanishvili, Neill, Emerton, Savage, Mokoena (Kerimoglu 46), Pedersen, Derbyshire, McCarthy.Subs Not Used: Brown, McEveley, Peter.

Booked: Savage, Neill, Mokoena, Kerimoglu.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas (Djourou 90), Silva, Rosicky, Henry (Adebayor 80), Van Persie (Flamini 68).Subs Not Used: Almunia, Julio Baptista.

Sent Off: Silva (13).

Goals: Toure 37, Henry 71.

Att: 21,852

Ref: R Styles.

From : BBC Sports

Wenger will not stop Lauren exit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suggested that he will allow right-back Lauren to leave the club.

The 29-year-old Cameroon defender has become surplus to requirements after losing his place to injury and then the youngsters who came in to replace him.

Wenger told the Arsenal website: "The problem is that since Lauren got injured I have Justin Hoyte, Emmanuel Eboue and Johan Djourou who can play.

"I feel we have too many players in that position now."

Lauren will be out of contract in the summer and is already able to talk to other clubs, with West Ham reportedly leading the chase for his signature.

Wenger added: "Lauren is free to talk to anyone because it is the end of his contract but frankly I don't know if he has spoken to West Ham.

"He doesn't have to inform me if he wants to speak to anyone."

Meanwhile, striker Jeremie Aliadiere has suggested he is ready to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place.

The 23-year-old Frenchman has struggled to command a first-team place since joining the Gunners in 1999.

Bu he has recently broken back into the reckoning and impressed in Tuesday's 6-3 win at Liverpool.

He told the club's website: "I never said I wanted to leave the club. All I said was that I wanted to play.

"Obviously if I can't play here then I will have to play somewhere else, but Arsenal is my priority.

"There's a lot of competition, a lot of great players and it's really hard to get your place in there.

"But I think every time I've got the opportunity to play I've done my best and in training every day as well. That's all I can do."

From : BBC Sports

Arsenal Vs. Charlton

Emirates Stadium
Tuesday, 2 January
Kick-off: 1945

Arsenal have nine players on the sidelines for the game against Charlton at the Emirates Stadium.

They are Theo Walcott, Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Eboue, Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and Freddie Ljungberg.

Charlton's Luke Young and Andy Reid could return for the game in London.

Young (knee) and Reid (hamstring) have returned to training, while Amady Faye has recovered from the injury that has kept him out for the last two games.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Baptista, van Persie, Almunia, Flamini, Aliadiere, Song, Lauren, Denilson.

Charlton (from): Carson, Sankofa, El Karkouri, Fortune, Faye, Young, Hreidarsson, Traore, Ambrose, Hughes, Kishishev, Holland, Reid, Thomas, Rommedahl, M Bent, Hasselbaink, D Bent, Myhre, Fortune, Sam, Diawara.

From : BBC Sports