THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2

gun__1214905938_ground_chelsea.jpg



Chelsea


arsenal.png
−

Arsenal









official

  • Referee
    Mike Dean



By Richard Clarke
Arsenal’s journey back into title contention simply has to make a fruitful stop at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, according to Arsène Wenger.
The Frenchman is the epitome of optimism but, with his side 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, he is well aware the weekend game is a rare opportunity to make up real ground.
Arsenal’s only other direct confrontation with a title favourite saw them defy pre-match predictions and pull off the performance of the season to beat Manchester United 2-1 on November 8. However they have not picked up a Premier League point since then.
Sunday is not the last-chance saloon but, if they lose, Arsenal fans may need a swift, strong drink from a rose-tinted glass if they want to battle the bar-room braggadocios about their side’s title aspirations.
“We have been written off,” said Wenger quite simply at Friday’s press conference. “You cannot say when you are 10 points behind that we are favourites to win the title but you can say as well the only way we will get back into it is to believe we can.
“That’s why we want to go into this game on Sunday by believing we can win.
“We know that direct confrontations with top teams become vital when you are in our position.
“But first of all we have to go there with extreme desire, express our strong points and not hide.
“There is no team that is not vulnerable. None in the world. And we can play and win everywhere in the world.
“We have not to consider too much who we play against. We know Chelsea are a great side with a great players. But at the end of the day you beat them if you play at your best.”
The extent of Arsenal’s injury list has been overlooked in the furore involving the change of captain this week. Wenger was without nine first-teamers for both the defeat at Manchester City and the narrow win against Dynamo Kyiv. Despite the sideshow of Cesc Fabregas taking over the armband from William Gallas, the ringmaster was lacking his star attractions when the house lights went down.
Three of those are expected to return for Stamford Bridge on Sunday - Bacary Sagna (ankle), Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Samir Nasri (knee). However Abou Diaby (abdominal), Kolo Toure (calf), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Emmanuel Eboue (knee), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) Eduardo (ankle) are still out.
Chelsea may be top but they have their problems aswell. They face a nervy, but eminently winnable, final game against FC Cluj in order to progress in the Champions League. And domestically they are not playing that well at home, a record of three wins, three draws and one defeat is worse than the likes of Stoke.
However one reverse in 89 Premier League games at home still makes Stamford Bridge a fortress. Especially as Arsenal have just one win in their last 12 fixtures against the Blues.
On the face of it, a draw at the leaders is never a bad result but, while managers always baulk at the idea of a “must-win” game, Wenger also dismisses the idea of a “must-not lose” approach.
"You never consider a game like that,” he said. “'Must not lose’ is the best way to lose it.
“I don’t know if the title is over [if we get beaten]. But ideally I do not want to be 13 points behind Chelsea so let’s make it seven on Sunday night."
This fixture was pivotal last season. Having led the table for so long then wobbled following the dramatic draw at Birmingham, Wenger’s side seemed set for a revival when Bacary Sagna put them in front just before the hour. However Didier Drogba’s late double saw Arsenal defeated and drop to third for the first time in seven months. It was where they would stay.
“Last year was special circumstances for us because we were really unlucky in the final part of the season,” said Wenger. “Maybe this year will be the opposite where we can come back stronger after a not so good start.
“I believe in this team and we have a good opportunity to show it on Sunday.
“If you play against a direct opponent you not only have an opportunity to take three points but actually take three points away from them. If we beat a team at home and Chelsea beats a team at home we are still at the same distance away.
"So for us, with the gap we have, the biggest opportunity is to win against a direct opponent.
“Having beat Man United, I believe if we beat Chelsea we will go from strength to strength.”
 
Heh........with Arsenal, i don't see a bore draw. Chelsea will be given space to express themselves so they'll be at their fluid best too i hope. An encounter easy one the eyes and a draw or loss for Chelski is what i hope for. Sorry Arsenal fans, but i jus don't see an Arsenal win here.
 
final score 2 -1! WOOT! chelsea got gunned down!

magnificent second half, van persie's just amazing! im not so sure about adebayor though, i feel that bendtner should be in earlier in the game, adebayor seemed to be losing the ball and all...
 
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congradulations arsenal. u've beaten man u fair and square and did the same at stamford bridge.

question is why couldnt u guys beat stoke
 
stoke are very tough physically if you were to compare them with arsenal.
What a great win for ARSENAL FC!
CHELSEA 1-2 ARSENAL.
salute van persie, fabregas and team!!
 
gun__1228069251_EMP-6607476.jpg

1

Chelsea


arsenal.png
2

Arsenal





  • Djourou 31 (og)
  • Van Persie 60, 62




Arsenal


Chelsea

  • Petr Cech
  • José Bosingwa
  • John Terry
  • Ashley Cole
  • Branislav Ivanovic
  • Mikel
    (70)
  • Deco
    (81)
  • Michael Ballack
  • Frank Lampard
  • Salomon Kalou
  • Nicolas Anelka
  • Substitutes
  • Henrique Hilario
  • Florent Malouda
    (70)
  • Wayne Bridge
  • Paulo Ferreira
  • Mineiro
  • Alex
  • Miroslav Stoch
    (81)
official

  • Referee
    Mike Dean



By Richard Clarke
Robin van Persie fired Arsenal back into the title race with two goals in three second-half minutes at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Dutchman thumped a shot high into the Chelsea net after 60 minutes and then, soon afterwards, beat Petr Cech with a low shot on the turn.
The brace cancelled out Johan Djourou’s own goal in the first half and all but obliterated the gloomy predictions surrounding Arsenal going into this game.
Having lost their last two Premier League matches, Wenger’s side would have been 13 points off the pace had they lost here today and their season’s obituaries would have been penned.
As it is, Arsenal will still be 10 adrift of Liverpool if Rafa Benitez’ side win on Monday. However they have now beaten two of their main three title rivals.
Wenger’s side remain capable of brilliance yet are frustratingly inconsistent, however, they proved once again this afternoon that they have character in abundance.
And that, more than anything, should mean they will be real challengers this year.
Wenger had been without nine players for their last two games. Thankfully three experienced heads - Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri - returned this afternoon against the Premier League leaders. From the side that had beaten Kyiv on Tuesday, Mikael Silvestre, Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela all dropped to the bench while Djourou moved from right back into central defence.
In midfield, Alex Song partnered Cesc Fabregas, who was making his 150th Premier League appearance. Denilson began on the right, Nasri on the left.
Arsenal’s last win at Stamford Bridge had come on February 21, 2004. Until a month ago it had been the last away victory on this ground in the Premier League.
Wenger’s men badly needed a repeat today. Successive defeats had suggested Arsenal might play little part in the title shake-up. It was hard to contemplate, given we were not yet in December.
The opening salvos belonged to Chelsea. Fabregas made a crucial block on Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou went clear onto Deco’s pass only to be flagged offside. Replays proved the assistant referee had been wrong.
Without a goal in 222 Premier League minutes before kick-off, Arsenal’s confidence still seemed to be a little shaky, however they gradually got to the pace in this frenetic derby.
And, in the 14th minute, they would create the clearest chance in the first quarter of the game.
Adebayor had time and space on the right to place his cross to the far post. He found Fabregas, whose shot was kicked away by Petr Cech. As the ball flew out of the area, Gallas narrowly missed the opportunity to turn the ball home.
Fabregas would test the Chelsea keeper again almost immediately but, overall, the visitors’ flurry would be brief.
Almunia had to kick clear as Kalou sprinted through. Then, in the 24th minute, Bosingwa sent over a sharp cross to the near post and Lampard’s bullet header was gratefully clutched by the keeper.
Chelsea were starting to turn the screw. However their opening goal would be more down to Arsenal than the home side.
In fairness, its origins were unlucky. On the half-hour Gallas was harshly adjudged to have fouled Kalou inside the D. Michael Ballack took the free-kick and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.
Almunia confidently caught Lampard’s effort at the far post but his quick throw towards Nasri on the left was misdirected. Chelsea collected the ball easily and, eventually, Bosingwa sent over a low ball towards the near post that the sliding Djourou turned it into his own net.
Only a superb challenge stopped Anelka from doubling Chelsea’s advantage straight afterwards as Arsenal began to wobble.
In fairness Van Persie forced a fine low save from Cech soon afterwards and then Fabregas fired in another effort from distance. However, Chelsea seemed to be playing with something to spare.
Anelka nearly extended their lead twice in the dying minutes of the half. First when he steered a stumbling header wide then, after Clichy’s error, the striker went clear only to make a hash of his effort.
The start of the second half saw Chelsea nearly extend their lead. In the 51 minute, Kalou tried to feed Anelka but the backtracking Clichy could only tee the ball up for Lampard who swept the ball wide from the edge of the area.
Arsenal needed something inspirational – a piece of skill, a piece of luck, an injustice - anything to lift their game.
And, right on cue, they got it.
On 58 minutes, Chelsea failed to clear their lines and Denilson tapped a pass forward to Van Persie on the edge of the area. The Dutchman looked to be offside – a replay proved he was – but that did not prevent him slamming the ball high in the net.
It was a lifeline and Arsenal grabbed it with both hands and hauled themselves back into the game.
Three minutes after the first goal, Arsenal got a second. Song was fouled by Kalou on the left and Fabregas floated the ball into the area. Adebayor headed it down and Van Persie, running away from goal, reversed a shot through a thicket of legs, beyond Cech’s left hand and into the corner of the net.
An unbelievable comeback that had arrived just when Chelsea seemed set to hammer home their advantage.
Van Persie even attempted to complete a 10-minute hat-trick but his free-kick flew high over the bar.
However, Scolari’s side were far from spent. They would launch an assault on the Arsenal goal in the latter stages.
But it would be based around possession and pot-shots. Almunia was barely troubled and, indeed, Denilson nearly added a third at the death on the break
After the whistle the Arsenal players threw their shirts into the crowd. It was an emotional moment after an emotional game.
They knew what they had done and it might just change their season.
 
THE 2ND HALF WAS THE TURNING POINT..WE DID NOT GIVE UP.WAY TO GO GUNNERS!!

ROBIN VAN PERSIE`S THE MAN....

ARSENAL.jpg
 
The turning point was the part when the commentator said,"No team in BPL have score against Chelsea in the 2nd half."-----> The curse of the commentator.....Kudos to the Gooners....at least have something to cheer abt......and for Chelsea fan.....is gonna be a very very very very very Monday BLUES...........
 
loldude333 said:
. Sorry Arsenal fans, but i jus don't see an Arsenal win here.
Click to expand...


you were saying..............

and like what i said.........STAMFORD BRIDGE CAME FALLLING DOWN,FALLING DOWN,STAMFORD BRIDGE CAME FALLING DOWN..OH POOR SCOLARI
 
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Can you hear Chelski sing?..No..No!...Can you hear Chelski sing?.....We can't hear a fu@kin' thing!...LMAO!...
 
so it wasn't a drab 1-1 draw. instead a 1-2 win to arsenal.

just watched the highlights, well played. a deserved win i must say. haha.
 
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