Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

Didier Drogba grabbed both goals as Chelsea came from behind to win a Carling Cup final that ended in ugly scenes at the Millennium Stadium.

Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead after ghosting past Ricardo Carvalho.

But Chelsea equalised when Drogba was given the benefit of the linesman's flag to slot home and
with six minutes to go he headed in a powerful winner.

A brawl erupted between the sides late on that led to dismissals for Mikel Jon Obi, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Interview: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Interview: Chelsea's Frank Lampard

It was a disappointing climax to an intriguing final and cruel luck on Arsenal's young side, who dominated for large spells in the last League Cup final in Cardiff.

Arsenal's outfield players had an average age of less than 21 but they showed few nerves in producing some wonderful football before eventually running out of steam.

And they fell victim to the clinical finishing of Drogba, who scored his 27th and 28th goals of the season to again deny Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a League Cup medal.

It all looked so different early on as Chelsea's expensive line-up had few answers to Arsenal's dynamic midfield of Cesc Fabregas and Denilson.

The Blues had Petr Cech to thank in the 11th minute for a stunning save after Julio Baptista had drilled a shot through the legs of John Terry, who surprisingly overcame an ankle injury to play but ended the day in hospital.

Chelsea failed to clear the resulting corner and Walcott exchanged passes with Abou Diaby and glided past Carvalho before keeping his cool to slot the ball past Cech.

The 17-year-old could not have chosen a better time to score his first goal for the Gunners.

Chelsea equalised in clinical but controversial fashion in the 20th minute, with their first real attack on goal.

The Arsenal back line pushed up when Michael Ballack played a ball over the top for Drogba, who ran on to slip the ball under Manuel Almunia.

It was a split decision given in favour of the attacking player but Wenger spent much of the opening half displaying his anger at a linesman's failure to flag.

Theo Walcott put Arsenal in front after only 12 minutesArsenal continued to hit Chelsea from all angles and could have restored their lead just before half-time - but for a Carvalho intervention to deny Jeremie Aliadiere.

And the Gunners continued to look the more likely scorers after the break, with Diaby denied by Cech and Fabregas shooting just the wrong side of the post.

The Blues lost skipper Terry midway through the half when he took a boot in the face from Diaby as he tried to finish off an Arjen Robben corner.

Terry looked to be knocked unconscious and a mask was applied to his face to help with his breathing before he was carried off the field and taken to hospital.

The blow seemed to fire up his team-mates and they finished strongly and Arsenal's young legs began to tire.

Drogba had a shot well saved by Almunia and Frank Lampard produced a dipping long-range shot that smacked against the bar.

In the 84th minute Robben's cross picked out Drogba and he headed past a stranded Almunia.

Shevchenko could have made the seven minutes of injury time more bearable but his drilled shot thundered back off the bar.

The game ended disappointingly when Obi clashed with Toure and several players from each team, as well as both managers, got involved in an ugly scuffle.

Referee Howard Webb dished out three red cards as well as yellows to Fabregas and Lampard.

Over 11 minutes of added-on time was played before the final whistle was blown to hand the first major trophy of the season to Jose Mourinho's side, who are still in the hunt for three other pieces of silverware.

Chelsea: Cech, Diarra, Terry (Mikel 63), Carvalho, Bridge, Makelele (Robben 46), Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Shevchenko (Kalou 90), Drogba.Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ashley Cole.

Sent Off: Mikel (90).

Booked: Essien, Carvalho, Diarra, Lampard.

Goals: Drogba 20, 84.

Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore (Eboue 66), Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby (Hleb 68), Aliadiere (Adebayor 80), Julio Baptista.Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou.

Sent Off: Toure (90), Adebayor (90).

Booked: Denilson, Eboue, Fabregas.

Goals: Walcott 12.

Att: 70,073.

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

From : BBC Sports

Arsenal 2 - 1 Reading

Arsenal moved to within one point of third-placed Liverpool with a deserved but, at the end, nervous victory.

Cesc Fabregas mis-kicked in front of an open goal but Gilberto Silva put Arsenal in front from the penalty spot after Andre Bikey fouled Gael Clinchy.

Julio Baptista toe-poked the ball home from eight yards but Fabregas deflected a strike into his own net late on.

Reading, who had wasted earlier chances, almost equalised but Jens Lehmann saved from Steve Sidwell.

Interview: Steve Coppell

The result extends Arsenal's unbeaten record at home in the Premiership this season - and signals a return to form ahead of their crucial Champions League tie with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's team came into the match on the back of three successive defeats - all of them in cup competitions - but their poor form did not diminish their enthusiasm for flowing, attractive football.

What do you think? Rate the players

And the home side carved open the Reading defence within seconds of the match starting; Freddie Ljungberg just failing to connect with a chip from Fabregas.

Arsenal dominated possession and worked several openings but Baptista shot wide, while a blistering counter-attack culminated with Marcus Hahnemann saving from Ljungberg.

Reading, who conceded three goals in six minutes against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Tuesday, managed to hold firm and gradually asserted themselves upon the match.

The rumbustious Leroy Lita proved a handful for a makeshift Arsenal defence that included Gilberto, while Lehmann saved from Sidwell.

But it was Arsenal who should have led at the break - Fabregas's failure to put the ball into an open goal from Baptista's short pass a contender for miss of the season.

Fabregas almost atoned for his first-half miss with an angled strike from 20 yards that forced a superb fingertip save from Hahnemann.

But there was nothing the American keeper could do to prevent Gilberto from scoring with his penalty kick, which just eluded Hahnemann's dive and nestled into the bottom corner.

The foul was awarded after Clichy cut in from the left and was tripped by Bikey.

Arsenal won a succession of corners, but their next opening came via a superb chipped pass from Fabregas, who lifted the ball over the Reading backline and into the path of Theo Walcott.

Hahnemann smothered Walcott's shot but could not stop Baptista from doubling Arsenal's lead after the Brazilian escaped the attentions of Graeme Murty far too easily.

The game seemed beyond Reading - but they created and wasted three good chances.

Sidwell should have reduced the arrears immediately but the unmarked midfielder headed wide from a corner.

And the former Arsenal player missed with another good opportunity, this time shooting across goal and wide.

Lita then found space down the left but shot straight at Lehmann.

But after Fabregas, stood a yard from the goal-line, deflected the ball into his own net, the Royals almost equalised through Sidwell.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:

"We could have done better, we looked a bit shaky at 2-1.

"We missed a few chances in the second half because we were slow to make important decisions.
"Reading were positive and dangerous and played in an intelligent way. They are one of the few teams that have come here and tried to play."

Reading boss Steve Coppell:

"We had opportunities, but credit to Arsenal - they were very, very patient and when they are in front they play with a different tempo.

"They controlled possession for long periods but we responded to that and played a full part in the game.

"We now have 14 days without a game. We can take stock and recharge out batteries, which is important."

Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Gallas, Silva, Clichy, Ljungberg (Diaby 70), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb (Senderos 86), Walcott (Aliadiere 71), Julio Baptista.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Traore.

Booked: Senderos.

Goals: Silva 51 pen, Julio Baptista 62.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Little (Doyle 80), Sidwell, Harper (Gunnarsson 71), Hunt (Oster 65), Kitson, Lita.Subs Not Used: Federici, Duberry.

Booked: Kitson.

Goals: Fabregas 87 og.

Att: 60,132

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).

From : BBC Sports

Arsenal v Reading

Emirates Stadium
Saturday 3 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Arsenal will be without suspended trio Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, but Jens Lehmann, Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas all return.

Thierry Henry, Tomas Rosicky, Justin Hoyte and Mathieu Flamini are all out.

Reading have reported no fresh injury worries, with only Ibrahima Sonko and Bobby Convey (both knee) still missing from the Royals' squad.

Dave Kitson is set for his first start in the Premiership after suffering a knee injury on the opening day.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Gallas, Djourou, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Ljungberg, Aliadiere, Baptista, Almunia, Diaby, Walcott, Denilson, Traore, Randall, Connolly, Perez.

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Duberry, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Lita, Doyle, Kitson, Long, Federici, de la Cruz, Halford, Sodje, Gunnarsson, Oster, Seol, Bennett.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva:"The last few games have been disappointing and the coming days won't be easy.

"We have huge games coming up but it's hard because we only have a few days to save the rest of our season."

Reading boss Steve Coppell:"In many ways you are just in awe of teams like Arsenal when they are really flowing.

"You look at their ability going forward and you just think 'wow'.

"I am also in awe of what they are doing with their youngsters. It is a shame they are not English, but you can only respect what they are doing."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

ARSENAL revert to the business of picking up precious Premiership points in a top six match-up with Reading, after losing three Cup ties in just over a week, and exiting from both domestic knock-out competitions within four days of each other. Manager Arsene Wenger will want a morale-boosting winning performance from his side, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League return, home to PSV Eindhoven. A one goal first leg deficit must be recouped, in a tie that now takes on enormous importance as a season-saver.

The Gunners are holding onto the fourth Champions League spot, just two points ahead of Bolton, and are the lowest ranked of the three clubs still with an unbeaten home Premiership record. They're yet to lose at the Emirates Stadium. If they can pick up a fifth successive League win there, they will also extend the longest current undefeated run, home and away in the Premiership, to six games.

The Gunners hold a 100% record against Reading with six wins from the six League and Cup meetings since 1935. That includes a 0-4 victory in the reverse fixture, when Arsenal turned on the style and outclassed Reading four and a half months ago. Thierry Henry got the scoring underway after only 58 seconds.

READING are on course to qualify for the Uefa Cup, having already exceeded all expectations from their maiden campaign of top flight football by reaching an all-time high of sixth place. But it remains to be seen if manager Steve Coppell would consider their reward for this massive over-achievement, of a campaign in Europe as an unwelcome resource-stretching distraction in what is bound to be a more difficult second season at this level.

The Royals go north London on the back of two defeats. The away loss to Middlesbrough, was followed by Wednesday's FA Cup replay, home to Manchester United in which they found themselves three-down in six minutes, but fought back to lose 2-3. Last Saturday's reverse for their first of the year, and ended a six-match unbeaten League run of five wins and one draw.
The Royals are making an inaugural visit to the Emirates Stadium for their first ever away League fixture against Arsenal, and will be seeking a first goal against the Gunners in 20 years.

REFEREE

Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)

Premiership referees' table
Chris Foy's 2006-07 Premiership card count

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

ARSENAL

Club stats
Fixtures 4th 49 points

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4thLowest could fall: 4th
1. Won only one more Premiership match than Reading (14 to 13).
2. Claimed 13 points from a last possible 15, since the turn of the year. The last League defeat was 1-0 at Sheffield United on 30 December.
3. Drawn 99 Premiership matches under Arsene Wenger.
4. Completed 44 League games since a goalless draw - the longest current such sequence of any club in the Premiership. The last goalless stalemate was home to Manchester United on 3 January 2006, and was the second in a row, after the no score draw at Aston Villa three days earlier.
5. Conceded the opening goal in 15 top League games this season, including the last three. Only West Ham (21 times) and Charlton (17) have fallen behind from the opening whistle more often. Also, one of two clubs with a 100% record from Premiership matches in which clean sheets have been kept - won eight of eight. Manchester have won 12 of 12.
6. The most resilient team in the highest echelon, having gained an unequalled 18 points from losing positions in Premiership games this term. Won, home to Blackburn, Manchester United and Wigan, and away to Charlton, and drawn home to Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Everton, Newcastle and Portsmouth, and away to Middlesbrough, having trailed in all 10 fixtures.
7. Awarded and converted more penalties than any other club in Premiership competition this season - scored seven of the eight given.
8. The busiest of all Premiership clubs. This is their 47th fixture of the season.
9. Won 13 and drawn seven of the last 20 home Premiership games, since the 2-3 defeat to West Ham on 1 February.
10. The next three Premiership fixtures after this are all away, to Aston Villa, Everton and Liverpool.

READING

Club stats
Fixtures 6th 43 points

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 6thLowest could fall: 8th
1. Lost the last two in League and Cup, after having a nine-game unbeaten start to 2007 ended by Middlesbrough last Saturday.
2. The 2-1 defeat at the Riverside also ended a four-game winning run in the Premiership.
3. Now in danger of suffering back-to-back defeats in the top League for the first time in what will be 10 outings, since Christmas.
4. Boast 14 different scorers of Premiership goals this term - only Manchester United's goalscorers list is longer (15 players).
5. Looking to make Arsenal their fifth League victims on the road this season. Already taken maximum points away from Sheffield United, West Ham, Fulham and Manchester City.
6. The next four Premiership fixtures take in a home game against Portsmouth, an away match at Tottenham, a clash with Liverpool at the Madejski and a visit to Charlton.

KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

ARSENAL

Squad profiles

Robin VAN PERSIE is Arsenal's top scorer with 13 goals, 11 in the Premiership.

Cesc FABREGAS is the only remaining player to have participated in at least a part of every one of Arsenal's Premiership matches this season.

If selected in the 11, Emmanuel EBOUE will be making his 50th start for Arsenal.

Suspended: Emmanuel ADEBAYOR, Emmanuel EBOUE, Kolo TOURE

READING

Squad profiles

Leroy LITA is Reading's top scorer with 14 goals.

LITA needs to score one to total 50 career League goals (Bristol City and Reading).

Kevin DOYLE is the club's top Premiership marksman - all 10 of his goals have been in the League.

Ivar INGIMARSSON and Marcus HAHNEMANN have been on the field for every minute of every one of Reading's Premiership matches to date. The pair, together with James HARPER and Steven SIDWELL have played in at least a part of every one of Reading's Premiership matches.

If he plays, John OSTER will be making his 50th League appearance for Reading.

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Reading 0-4 Arsenal22 October 2006 - Ref: Alan WileyArsenal scorers: Henry 1, Hleb 39, Van Persie 50, Henry 70 pen

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

Home and awayLeague: Arsenal 1 win, Reading 0, Draws 0Prem: Arsenal 1 win, Reading 0, Draws 0

at Arsenal onlyLeague: Arsenal 0 wins, Reading 0, Draws 0Prem: Arsenal 0 wins, Reading 0, Draws 0

From : BBC Sports

Blackburn 1 - 0 Arsenal

Substitute Benni McCarthy's wonder goal delivered a second cup knockout blow to Arsenal in the space of four days.

Beaten in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, Arsenal exited the FA Cup in a game they really should have won.

The Gunners had two reasonable first-half penalty appeals rejected, while Julio Baptista missed with a header and had a couple of shots saved.

And McCarthy punished Arsenal in the most devastating fashion, breaking in from the wing and arrowing home a shot.

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

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes had opted to keep McCarthy on the bench for the opening hour and Rovers suffered in the absence of their top scorer.

The home side laboured in attack and had to rely on goalkeeper Brad Friedel's reflexes to keep them in the match, just as he had done in the first meeting between the two sides.

McCarthy initially struggled to adapt to the pace of the game, but with four minutes remaining he broke past Philippe Senderos and beat Manuel Almunia with that wonderous strike to score his 16th goal of the season.

Blackburn's reward is a FA Cup quarter-final tie at home to Manchester City.

In truth Blackburn were fortunate to go in at half-time on level terms as both Jeremie Aliadiere and Fredrik Ljungberg had reasonable penalty appeals turned down.

Aliadiere went to ground after Friedel came out quickly as the Arsenal striker threatened.

Friedel ticked off Aliadiere, suggesting the Frenchman had dived and referee Graham Poll remained unmoved by Arsenal's appeals.

Poll was equally dismissive of an appeal from Ljungberg after the Swede tumbled following Brett Emerton's challenge.

On the sidelines Arsene Wenger was flabbergasted no penalty had been given and television replays showed the Arsenal manager might have good reason to be so.

Arsenal had a couple of chances to score from open play, but each time their finishing was awry.

The unmarked Baptista sent a header over the bar, while Ljungberg was let down by poor control when he was in a menacing position.

Having gone close with that header, Baptista tried his luck with his feet, testing Friedel with a couple of powerful shots, though each time the American was the equal of the Brazilian.

Just before the hour, Morten Gamst Pedersen missed Blackburn's best chance when he blazed wide from a promising position.

This was Arsenal's third FA Cup trip this season to the north west, but having beaten Liverpool and Bolton, this journey proved third time unlucky for Wenger's team.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes:"The goal deserved to win any game and I can't wait to see it again. Benni brings world-class quality and he's shown that all through the season.

"What a good decision from the manager to bring him on as an impact player!

"We've got a pretty good record against Manchester City and we'll be looking forward to that and hoping to do well."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:"We were never under pressure and we had lots of chances to score, but we didn't take them.

"It's difficult to take over the two games. We needed to be ruthless, but we were also bit unlucky over the two matches with decisions.

"With Fredrik Ljungberg in the first half it looked a clear penalty."

Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (Khizanishvili 46), Bentley, Kerimoglu (Dunn 63), Mokoena, Pedersen, Nonda (McCarthy 63), Derbyshire.Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Roberts.

Booked: Kerimoglu, Dunn, Derbyshire, McCarthy.

Goals: McCarthy 87.

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue (Walcott 61), Senderos, Gallas, Traore (Clichy 66), Hleb, Denilson, Silva, Ljungberg, Aliadiere, Julio Baptista.Subs Not Used: Poom, Gavin Hoyte, Randall.
Booked: Traore, Clichy.

Att: 18,882.

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

From : BBC Sports

PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal

Champions League first knock-out round, first leg
Date: Tuesday 20 February
Kick off: 1945

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be forced into a defensive reshuffle with both right-backs Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte not travelling to Holland.

Eboue has an ankle knock and Hoyte has a hamstring problem, meaning Johan Djourou should start at full-back.

Midfielder Alexander Hleb returns from a virus, but Theo Walcott is left out.

PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan is a major doubt with a foot injury but right-back Jan Kromkamp should be fit despite missing training on Monday.

The injuries to Eboue and Hoyte could mean that William Gallas will start in the Arsenal defence in only his second game back from his lengthy lay-off.

Wenger said: "We have Eboue out and Hoyte is out with a hamstring problem, but he should be back for [the Carling Cup Final on] Sunday.

"Gallas has responded well to the weekend game [against Blackburn] and he is in the squad. It will be Johan Djourou or Gallas at right back."

Hleb missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Blackburn with the flu but should start in midfield in place of Walcott who was substituted in the second half of that match.

Wenger added: "Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby have been left behind with Sunday in mind."

For PSV, Farfan's injury will give starts to Brazil's Diego Tardelli and Ivory Coast's Aruna Kone up front.

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Djourou, Rosicky, Gilberto, Fabregas, Hleb, Adebayor, Henry; Almunia, Senderos Ljungberg, Baptista, Denilson, Flamini, Aliadiere.

SCOUTING REPORT ON THE OPPOSITION

Who are they? One of Dutch football's big three, along with Ajax and Feyenoord, and the team to beat at the moment, having won the last two Eredivisie titles.

Recent form: Have gone off the boil following winter break. While they remain top of the table, PSV have won just once in their last four outings, a 2-0 weekend win at struggling Heracles.

They have lost just twice at home in the last year and, prior to Christmas, were beaten just twice in 26, both in the Champions League to Bordeaux and Liverpool.

European record: The club dubbed 'The Farmers' won the Uefa Cup in 1978 and the European Cup in 1988. They won that title under Guus Hiddink, who worked wonders when he returned as coach in 2002 and guided them to the 2005 semi-final before quitting at the end of last season.

How did they get here? Hiddink bowed out of life as PSV boss with another Dutch championship, which ensured a 10th consecutive Champions League campaign. They finished second in their group behind Liverpool after losing to the Reds and then Bordeaux in a meaningless final game.

Ones to watch: Check out the touchline where managers Ronald Koeman and Arsene Wenger have a bit of previous after the Frenchman disparaged the Dutchman's boring tactics when he was at Ajax and they met in the Champions League. Between his times in Holland, Koeman masterminded the downfall of Manchester United and Liverpool as Benfica boss, so tactically he knows his stuff. In a multi-national squad, Peruvian Jefferson Farfan is the main danger in attack alongside Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone.

Did you know? Leading scorer Farfan got back to doing what he does best with his 16th goal of the season at the weekend after hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks. On the pitch he struck out at an opponent with an elbow in a defeat at Roda and off it he had to fly back to his homeland for a paternity test. His mother said: "Jefferson will embrace the baby once the heat is off."

They say: "I think we have taken a major step forward. We did not perform as well as we did in the first period of the campaign, but I think we will see our players back on form soon."Ronald Koeman, PSV coach, following the weekend win

BIG MATCH STATS

Definitions of terms used:-

Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93.

Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches.European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League).

Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.

Head-to-heads

PSV and Arsenal have met each other four times, all in the Champions League, resulting in two Arsenal wins and two draws.

In the 2002-03 Champions League group phase, Arsenal beat PSV 4-0 in Eindhoven through goals by Gilberto Silva, Fredrik Ljungberg and two from Thierry Henry. Gilberto Silva found the back of the net after 20 seconds. It still ranks as the fastest goal ever scored in the CL. PSV scored only one goal in the four previous meetings. Andre Ooijer netted in the 1-1 draw on 24 November 2004. Arsenal had two players sent off in that encounter - Lauren and Patrick Vieira.
European history

PSV won the Uefa Cup in 1977-78 and the Champions Cup in 1987-88. This season the Dutch club made it past the group phase for the third year in a row, after eight unsuccessful attempts.

This is their 11th Champions League campaign, and their 38th in European competition.

Arsenal's best result in the CL is reaching the final of last year's competition, when they lost 1-2 to Barcelona. The Gunners have won two European trophies: the 1970 Fairs Cup and the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup. They are making their ninth appearance in the CL main competition and their seventh consecutively.

Current European form

PSV qualified from Group C with 10 points from six matches. They lost their last two Champions League matches, and scored only six goals in the first round group phase. Only Internazionale scored fewer goals (five) from all the teams that qualified for the second round.

Arsenal won Group G with 11 points from six matches. They are unbeaten in three CL games, but have not managed to score a single goal in each of their last two away in the competition.

Player and disciplinary info

Carlos Salcido (PSV) and Alexandr Hleb (Arsenal) will be suspended if booked.

Arouna Kone is PSV's top scorer in the current CL season with two goals. All seven of Arsenal's goals this season have been scored by different players. Jens Lehmann is the only Arsenal player to have played every minute of the CL campaign this season.

Other miscellaneous facts

This is PSV's 75th CL match. No other Dutch club has played that many - Ajax are on 72.
It's Arsenal's 100th match in the Champions Cup/Champions League. They will become the 22nd club to reach this milestone. Real Madrid lead with 297 appearances. The Gunners have conceded 99 goals in their 99 previous encounters.

Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports

From : BBC Sports - Football

Arsenal 2 - 1 Wigan

Rosicky celebrates his winner as Arsenal complete a fine comeback

Tomas Rosicky's first Premiership goal broke Wigan hearts as Arsenal fought back from a goal down in the last 10 minutes to move back into fourth spot.

Wigan took the lead when Denny Landzaat crashed home a superb strike from 35 yards that gave Jens Lehmann no chance.

Emile Heskey hit a post and missed another good chance to extend the lead, while Thierry Henry was also wasteful.

But Fitz Hall put into his own net to concede the equaliser, before Rosicky headed in Julio Baptista's cross.

Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Interview: Wigan boss Paul Jewell

It was a sensational ending to a thrilling affair as Arsenal closed the gap on third-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League places.

606: DEBATE Arsenal have to stop this comeback business before I suffer a heart attack BB 606: Have your say

The pace of the match was of the highest order, with Wigan's ambition in evidence from the start in the face of some excellent Arsenal possession.

Arsenal controlled much of the opening half, with Baptista in particular revelling in his role just off Henry, and Rosicky twice going close.

But Wigan were also ambitious when they had the ball, and their confidence was clearly buoyed every time Arsenal's final ball or finish lacked quality.

Theo Walcott epitomised those flaws in a display that was frustrating and exciting in equal measure.

He did set Henry up for Arsenal's best chance of the first half, though, when he found the Frenchman on the back post, only for the striker to fire over from six yards.

Landzaat [left] and Baines celebrate Wigan's opener

And that miss was punished by Landzaat minutes later, the midfielder drilling a shot into the top corner after good work by Julius Aghahowa.

It was the 11th time this season that Arsenal had fallen behind in a game, and it could have been even worse had not Lehman pulled off a tremendous save from Heskey.

Early in the second half Heskey drilled over when a calm finish was needed, before the striker's appeals for a penalty were waved away when he went down under a Mathieu Flamini challenge.

Arsenal probed away and only some desperate defending ended fine dribbles by Clichy and then Henry.

With time ticking down, substitute Emmanuel Adebayor thought he had grabbed an equaliser when he slotted through Kirkland's legs, only to be denied by the official's flag.

But Arsenal felt the benefit of the official's decision 10 minutes from time, when Flamini was generously ruled onside and the Frenchman's cross was slid into his own net by Hall.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell was clearly furious, but his anger turned to despair moments later when a superb move involving Adebayor and Baptista was finished off by Rosicky's flying header.

There was no time for Wigan to respond and the defeat leaves them just five points off the bottom three.

---

Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte (Aliadiere 67), Toure, Djourou (Adebayor 51), Clichy, Walcott (Flamini 67), Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Julio Baptista, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Denilson.

Booked: Toure, Henry, Lehmann, Rosicky, Clichy, Fabregas.

Goals: Hall 81 og, Rosicky 85.

Wigan: Kirkland, Hall (Haestad 90), Boyce, Jackson, Baines, Taylor (Valencia 87), Landzaat, Skoko, McCulloch, Heskey, Aghahowa (Kilbane 87).
Subs Not Used: Filan, Unsworth.

Booked: Baines, McCulloch, Hall.

Goals: Landzaat 35.

Att: 60,049

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Cesc wins player of the month

Our very own Cesc 'Fab 4' Fabergas has clinched the January player of the month award. We salute Cest for giving us amazing performances this months against the likes of Blackburn, Man U, Liverpool and many others.

Arsenal & MLS club agree link up

Arsenal have announced a new business partnership with Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.

The deal is designed to build Arsenal's brand in the United States, while also helping to develop the MLS club.

"This is a very important step for Arsenal as this becomes our first venture into the US marketplace," said managing director Keith Edelman.

Colorado Rapids are owned by American billionaire Stan Kroenke's company Kroenke Sports Enterprises.

Arsenal already have a similar tie-up with Belgian side Beveren as well as an academy in the Ivory Coast.

The arrangement between the two clubs includes the development of a Centre of Excellence in Colorado, the transfer of coaching ideas and the launch of the Arsenal Cup, a club tournament open to teams from all over the US.

The deal comes just days after Liverpool's takeover by American tycoons George Gillet and Tom Hicks, and represents an increasing trend of American businessmen linking up with English clubs.

Manchester United and Aston Villa are also owned by American business tycoons, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the deal was completely different to those takeovers.

"Unless I'm completely naive it's not a takeover," said Wenger.

"I've never heard about a possible takeover and I don't think that is at all behind our partnership."

"We develop a few partnerships sometimes with football schools and sometimes with clubs.

"We're trying to extend our brand and we're are also trying to extend our technical cooperation because the Americans might produce some players at some stage and that's why we're doing it.
"We're always trying to develop young players."

The Rapids will come to London to use Arsenal's facilities for six days while they continue training ahead of the MLS season which starts in April.

From : BBC Sports

England 0-1 Spain

England woefully underperformed to slip to their first home defeat under coach Steve McClaren in an international friendly against Spain at Old Trafford.

Spain were on the back foot at the start of each half, but the visitors survived to take control of the match.

Fernando Morientes blazed over the bar in the first-half, while David Villa's shot was well saved by England debutant Ben Foster just before the hour.

Soon afterwards substitute Andres Iniesta arrowed a shot past Foster.

Iniesta had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he quickly collected Rio Ferdinand's defensive clearance, before sending an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Spain face a real struggle to qualify for Euro 2008, but they were far the better side and this despite making three substitutions at the interval.

England also made a raft of substitutions - six in all - with Joey Barton making his international debut, coming on for Frank Lampard with 11 minutes to go.

So poor were England that it was hard to remember Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas having to make a save.

Any optimism engendered by England's bright approach at the start of each quickly evaporated as Spain took control in midfield with Xavi a key influence.

While Xavi dictated the game's tempo, England's hotch-potch of a midfield struggled to regain some semblance of control.

More worringly ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra in March, this game provided further compelling evidence as to the incompatibility of Steven Gerrard and Lampard to play together in midfield.

Deployed to the left of Gerrard, who was given a central midfield position, Lampard looked a shadow of the player he is for Chelsea.

Gerrard was rested for the second half, with Gareth Barry replacing the Liverpool midfielder, but the switch did little to provide England with any better balance.

At least Gerrard had the consolation of playing the pass of the first half, picking out Peter Crouch with a ball played with the outside of his right foot just before the interval.

Unfortunately Crouch was unable to deliver a similar level of precision and his shot was well wide.

With the right-footed Phil Neville playing as left-back, and Lampard just ahead of him, perhaps it was not altogether surprising that Spain's best attacks came down England's flank in those opening 45 minutes.

Since leaving Liverpool, Morientes cannot stop scoring goals for Valencia, but he made an awful hash of a chance when it looked easier to score than miss on 18 minutes.

After Spain had carved open England down the right, Morientes deceived Gary Neville only to then embarrassingly scoop the ball high over the bar with only Foster to beat.

From : BBC Sport

McClaren eager to win back fans

England boss Steve McClaren says he is ready to use the friendly against Spain as a platform to regain the faith of the country's fans.

England went out in the last eight in the World Cup and have started poorly in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

"We've all got, ever since the World Cup and the disappointment of the World Cup, something to prove," he said.

"That's me; that's the players; that's everybody involved with England. That's what we're determined to do."

Interview: England boss Steve McClaren
Interview: England's Steven Gerrard

England have not helped their cause since their exit in Germany as they have struggled to a 0-0 draw against Macedonia and lost 2-0 in Croatia in Euro 2008 qualifiers.

McClaren added: "We see it as a big year, and I do see it as a big year because we start with a friendly against Spain and - we hope - finish it with qualification for the Euro 2008 finals. That's the aim.

"There are going to be many twists and turns along the way - but that's all we're concentrating on. We're not concentrating on me personally and whether it's a make-or-break year for me.

"That's irrelevant - me personally - what's important is this team getting qualification for next year's Euros."

England are third in their group and travel to Israel and play Andorra in Spain next month in two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.

McClaren has drafted in some new faces to his squad to freshen it up with Joey Barton, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry coming in.

McClaren said: "The new players have certainly lifted the atmosphere, they have perked everybody up a little bit.

"I wouldn't say the training has been any keener but off the pitch they've had a positive effect on the boys."

Woodgate and Dyer will start at Old Trafford, with Ben Foster in goal for his first appearance in an England shirt.

McClaren added: "It's a big night for everyone - for Ben, for Kieron, for Jonathan, for all of us. It's a big year and it starts here.

I've always admired Jonathan, he's a very good defender and he's been a revelation since he came back to the Premier League.

"Ben will play to get the experience and that will be great for him. None of the other keepers have got the experience of Paul Robinson at the moment.

"Kieron's performances for Newcastle since he returned from injury have been full of maturity and I'm looking forward to him showing that against Spain."

McClaren knows England face a very good side on Wednesday and admits they must do better than the last time the teams met, when Spain won 1-0 in Madrid two years ago.

He said: "I was in the Bernabeu for the last game and I remember that we just could not get the ball off them.

"This time, we have to make sure it's our day. We have to pressurise them and make sure they don't get any time on the ball."

From : BBC Sport

Middlesborough 1 -1 Arsenal

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry rescued a point for his side after they were reduced to 10-men at Middlesbrough.

The game had been dominated by defences but sparked into life when Philippe Senderos was red-carded for hauling down Yakubu, who scored from the spot.

Boro threatened to increase their lead before Henry finished off a counter-attack with a shot across goal after 77 minutes.

Arsenal pressed for a late winner but Boro held firm to earn a deserved draw.

Interview: Arsene Wenger

Interview: Gareth Southgate

There had been little to suggest a win for either side at the start when both struggled for rhythm as well as range when it came to passing and crossing.

Boro striker Yakubu ran through the heart of the Arsenal defence and he had a brief sight of goal before some smart defending from Justin Hoyte robbed him of the ball.

There was a non-nonsense style about Boro and epitomised by theindustrious Lee Cattermole as they stopped the visitors producing their trademark fluid football.

Tomas Rosicky sent a shot just wide but there was a lack of goal threat and entertainment as the first half came to an end.

Cattermole was forced off injured during half-time while the game threatened to open up after the break.

A mistake by Kolo Toure let in Mark Viduka but he shot wide from 20 yards as he failed to capitalise.

Senderos (left) was sent-off for bringing down Yakubu in the second half

Arsenal showed more attacking purpose only to lack the cutting edge in the final third to break down the organised and disciplined defence of their rivals.

The game then turned in Boro's favour when Yakubu burst through on goal but was brought down by Senderos, who was immediately ordered off by referee Mike Riley.

Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann was booked for his protests and then sent the wrong way when Yakubu side-footed in from 12 yards.

Viduka had a well-struck shot saved by Lehmann as Boro pressed for a second before they were caught out by a swift Gunners move.

Henry clinically finished to equalised and this was the signal for a late rally by the visitors, although they had to settle for a point.

---

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"In the first half we didn't have enough belief. I felt we had a bit more to give and did that in the second half.

"The boys are disappointed but I'm not going to criticise as they have given everything again.

"I'm glad we are disappointed with a point against Arsenal."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We needed all the mental resources and strength of the team to come back.

"They showed again with our backs to the wall we can respond and that's very promising for the rest of the season.

"I put that down to our quality and togetherness. I think we would have won the game if it had been 11 against 11."

---

Middlesbrough: Jones, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 46), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka (Christie 90), Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Davies, Euell.

Booked: Viduka, Arca.

Goals: Yakubu 63 pen.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte (Denilson 80), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Flamini, Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Adebayor (Aliadiere 86), Henry.
Subs Not Used: Djourou, Almunia, Walcott.

Sent Off: Senderos (62).

Booked: Lehmann.

Goals: Henry 77.

Att: 31,122

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).