Gunners run riot at Madejski

Van Persie scores against Reading

READING 0-4 ARSENAL

Scorers: ARSENAL- Henry 1' Hleb 39' V.Persie 50' Henry (pen) 70'

No better way to celebrate Wenger's 57th birthday than Arsenal coming up with the best performance of the season at the Madejski Stadium against Reading.

There were question marks before the game whether Arsenal would come up with a convincing performance, especially after the gruelling game at Moscow and also considering the fact that Manchester United and Chelsea had struggled at the Madejski in Reading's previous two home games.

That wasn't the case with Arsenal. They dictated the pace right from kick-off and the beautifully worked goal inside the first minute from Thierry Henry set the tone for a convincing victory. From then on, it was Gunners all the way. There were moments of lapse in concentration in the Arsenal backline and Reading looked dangerous from setpieces. But things were settled when Hleb exchanged passes with Rosicky on the edge of the box to fire home an unstoppable shot past Hahnemann. A brilliant goal, highlighting on how these two young stars from the German League are settling in the Premiership.

Van Persie was unusually looking out of sorts, but he made amends for all his misses when he slotted in the third after some brilliant Arsenal style passing. Fabregas and Henry combined again for the fourth, when the former was brought down in the box after Henry's amazing pass. Henry made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Strangely enough, Arsenal didn't put up an away team performance. It looked like they were playing at home!! Their movement, passing and finishing ripped Reading apart.

When Wenger was asked how he'd celebrate his birthday, the reply was, "As an aperitif, a little game on television. After, as a dessert, all the goals in Europe on television again"

MAN OF THE MATCH: CESC FABREGAS (set up two goals, worked tirelessly in the centre of the park)

I would actually prefer having men of the match rather than man of the match. And the 'men of the match' were the ten men in Red and White!! (Lehmann didn't have much to do)

My Top 10 Arsenal Goals

10. FRANCESC FABREGAS VS Rosenborg (2004-05,Highbury, Champions League, 5-1)

This goal made Francesc Fabregas Arsenal's youngest scorer in the Champions League and the second youngest ever in the history of the competition. And WHAT A GOAL! Some nice slick passing and
movement led to Pires teeing up Fabregas inside the box with a first-time pass. And Fabregas showed excellent skill and composure to chest the ball down,flick the ball over the defender and unleash a left footed shot past the helpless Rosenborg keeper!


9. FRANCESC FABREGAS VS Wolverhampton Wanderers (2003-04,Highbury, League Cup,5-1 )

Fabregas marked his second game for the main team with a super performance, capped by a historic goal making him Arsenal's youngest scorer in any competition. In the dying minutes, Wiltord was through on goal, after beating the offside trap. As he was dragged away from goal with an onrushing keeper, he had no option but to square the ball back in the box and really, all Fabregas had to do was tap the ball into the goal from 2 yards. This may not be a classy goal, but it certainly fits into my list especially because it's record-breaking and it's CESC FABREGAS!!


8.FRANCESC FABREGAS VS Juventus (2005-06,Highbury, Champions League,2-0)

This is another Fabregas goal worth remembering. Another super Arsenal move starting with Pires tackling former gunner Patrick Vieira near the halfline and giving the ball to Henry. Henry had enough time to look up and spot Fabregas' clever run. Fabregas took a touch to cut in and unleashed a superb right footed shot through Thuram's legs and past Gigi Buffon. This goal really set the tone for Arsene Wenger's side and they eventually ran out convincing winners


7. ROBIN VAN PERSIE VS Blackburn Rovers (2005-06,Highbury, Premiership,3-0)

Robin made 'something out of nothing'. Arsenal were already cruising two goals up. Robin looked like he was outnumbered when he got the ball on the right flank with 2 defenders on him. He brilliantly stepped inside cutting past 2 defenders and letting loose an amazing left-footed thunderbolt from a seemingly impossible angle which went in off the post!


6. THIERRY HENRY VS AS Roma (2002-03,Stadio Olimpico, Champions League, 3-1)

This was a goal worked to perfection, all thanks to the brilliant sublime finishing from the great man himself. Arsenal already trailing inside 5 minutes were looking for that flash of brilliance in
front of goal, and none better than Henry in doing just that. Gilberto released Henry with a super pass from the centre to the left. Henry needed just a touch to set him up perfectly inside the box
and finish perfectly past Antonioli, the Roma keeper. Arsenal were level within 2 minutes!


5. THIERRY HENRY VS Liverpool FC (2005-06,Highbury, Premiership,2-1)

Yet another moment of brilliance from the French Monsieur!! Arsenal had the ball in the centre of the park with Cesc Fabregas. Henry, initially wanted the ball played to feet, but when Fabregas continued to carry the ball, Henry made a clever run from the left wing, and Fabregas released him with a perfectly weighted pass. The French Master took a touch and slotted the ball to perfection past Jose Reina. A superb goal characterised by the brilliance of Fabregas and the
sublime finishing of Henry


4. ROBERT PIRES VS Lazio SS (2000-01,Stadio Olimpico, Champions League, 1-1)

Pires' first goal for Arsenal. A superb goal, which underlines Pires' class and technique. Henry released Pires (on the left wing, near the halfline) with a pass, which Pires chested down and ran all the way towards goal, outpacing two defenders before unleashing a powerful side-footer to the far corner from behind the box past the onrushing keeper.


3. FREDDIE LJUNGBERG VS Chelsea FC (2002-03, FA Cup, 2-0)

A goal which not many Arsenal fans can forget. The FA Cup Final, absolutely no room for error, and out of the blue, Freddie breezed past Chelsea players from the halfway line, outmuscled John Terry and scored with an excellent curler past Carlo Cudicini!! Glory Gunners, Glory!!


2. PATRICK VIEIRA VS Tottenham (2003-04,White Hart Lane,Premiership,2-2)

A super counter-attack!! A goal worthy of winning any title. This goal set the tone for Arsenal's draw in their title-clinching game. And it was one of the best team goals ever scored. Jim Jackson's corner for Tottenham was headed away by Gilberto to Henry at the edge of Arsenal's box, and Thierry Henry carried the ball down the left wing over 40 yards before finding Bergkamp down the same flank with a super pass. The Dutch master crossed first time to find Patrick Vieira who was darting down the middle to slot home into an unguarded net. All these events happened in the blink of an eye!


1. GILBERTO SILVA vs PSV Eindhoven (2002-03, Philips Stadium,Champions League,4-0)

Numero Uno!!! You'd be wondering why this goal had to be at the top. Firstly, Gilberto is a defensive midfielder who hardly scores goals and secondly its significance. This is the fastest ever Champions League goal (scored after 20.09 seconds).. PSV Eindhoven after starting kick-off,made 2 or 3 proper passes but then carelessly gifted the ball back to Arsenal near the halfway line. Henry was immediately released down the left and he perfectly picked out Gilberto who made one of his trademark darting runs into the box. All the Brazilian midfielder had to do was tap the ball in.

Cech Fractures Skull, out for atleast one year

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has been told he must take an extended break from soccer after surgery on a depressed fracture of his skull and warned that a premature return could be fatal.

The Czech international was still in hospital on Monday after undergoing surgery to repair damage caused in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt during an English Premiership match on Saturday.

However, later on Monday Chelsea -- whose squad visited the goalkeeper in hospital on Monday -- issued a statement saying that he was fully conscious and his condition was improving.

"Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm that Petr Cech's condition is improving," read the statement. "He is now fully conscious following the operation and the effects of the anesthetic. He is communicating and talking with his wife Martina as well as the Chelsea and hospital medical teams who have now given permission for visitors."

Hunt's knee connected with the goalkeeper in the first minute of the match after Cech had come out of his goalmouth to gather the ball at the feet of an opponent moving at full pace.

WE ALL WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND HOPE TO SEE HIM BACK IN ACTION!

Moscow Chills!!

Hleb in action against CSKA Moscow

CSKA MOSCOW 1-0 ARSENAL FC
Scorers: CSKA- Daniel Carvalho 24'

Russia is the coldest country in the world. The summers in Russia are equivalent to the winters in England. The mid-annual temperature is -5.5 degrees celsius!

Keeping these things in mind and fully prepared, Arsenal FC paid a visit to the Lokomotiv Stadium. Honestly, even with their preparations, they would have anticipated that they were in for a tough time. Never easy playing in those conditions. And also considering the fact that a number of Arsenal players were away on international duty, got back to London and flew all the way to Moscow,in the space of a few days one can only think that the tired and fatigued legs had to give in sometime.

Arsenal’s run of six successive wins came to a juddering, shivering halt at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

Unfortunately (I mean,fortunately) enough, I wasn't able to watch this game on TV to actually analyse the players and Arsenal's style of football. But it was a 4-5-1 formation, which had worked so well last season for Arsenal in the champions league. This time however, things were different. Thierry Henry looked an isolated figure upfront and Arsenal lacked that cutting edge.

And when Arsenal did manage to get the ball into the back of the net, not once but twice, the referee disallowed both the goals - one for handball (which clearly wasn't) and the other for offside. Thierry Henry rarely loses his cool. But this time I guess he had no option but to publicly criticise the referee, in the post-match conference. "My goal was disallowed simply because we aren't a big club",he said. Its a disgrace. I asked the referee what he saw and he couldn't tell me. Even the goalkeeper saw me and had a giggle about it. The centreback clapped the ref and was taking the p*** out of him.He said at the end he didn't talk about it anymore."

To give me a yellow straight away for arguing-please look at the replay,"he added.

The conditions in Moscow,Arsenal's jet-lagged players or the (blind) referee's decisions cannot be termed as an excuse for their lacklustre performance. CSKA Moscow definitely deserve some credit. They outclassed the Gunners on the night (can't say that, for eternity) and limited Arsenal to a few chances. Vagner Love (CSKA) was a constant threat to the Gunners down the left flank and quite simply, they were the better team.

This loss does not affect Arsenal in any way, though. With CSKA Moscow on 7 points, Arsenal on 6, Porto on 4 they are still in a strong position to finish on top of the group, that too with two of their remaining three games at the Emirates stadium where they've settled in so well.

Arsenal's next fixture is in the Premiership against newcomers Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

GUNNERS TROUNCE HORNETS!!

Walcott full of running against Watford

ARSENAL 3-0 WATFORD

Scorers: ARSENAL- Stewart (og) 33' Henry 43' Adebayor 67'

I guess many would describe this game as 'a stroll in the park for Arsenal'.. but I dont think it was. Watford created quite a few chances and exploited some weaknesses in the Arsenal defense. At the end of the day, it was poor finishing that let them down. And ARSENAL, rampant as ever! There was so much more spark and pace to their game. Many expected the Arsenal players to be jet-lagged and fatigued after the international break. Not for the first time, ARSENAL proved everyone wrong. It was breath-taking to watch players like Walcott, Hoyte and Djourou play such a composed game.

My player analysis:

HENRY- Majestic as ever! Scored one, set up one! Looked bright and full of energy

ROSICKY- Full of running, showed some excellent touches and skills. He has brought that 'shoot-at-sight' element to Arsenal. Today, his hair-do rocked as well :)

FABREGAS- Really dictated play in the centre of the park. Was instrumental in setting up the 3rd goal. Sprayed some brilliant passes and the centre of almost every Arsenal attack.

ADEBAYOR- Added an extra dimension to Arsenal's style of attacking. Always contested for headers.. Set up Henry's goal and scored the third! A super performance.

TOURE- As usual, the leader in the Arsenal defense. Solid as ever!

DJOUROU- Showed a lot of composure. His grittiness kept out Watford.

GALLAS- Excelled as usual, a great buy for Arsenal!

HOYTE- He may be young and inexperienced. But he's gaining a lot of experience. Really looked comfortable in the Right Back position

LEHMANN-Was troubled at times. Denied Watford on a couple of occassions. A comfortable afternoon, I guess

WALCOTT- His first start for Arsenal. And he made full use of it! His supernatural speed down the left caught out the Watford defense on a number of occasions. Used the ball intelligently. THIS 17-year old sensation ROCKED!

GILBERTO- His usual role.Sitting in front of his defense,guarding them. Played a flawless game. Looked shaky at times. But showed us why he's Brazilian!

And as for the subs (Hleb,V.Persie and Clichy) they really didn't have much to do. Arsenal already caused all the damage. I guess it was a Saturday afternoon training session for them! On the whole, a convincing performance characterised by Gael Clichy's first taste of Premiership action since November!!