Unofficial Champions Arsenal Exit FA CupManchester United 2 (Fabio 28, Rooney 49) Arsenal 0

Two weeks ago Arsene Wengers side had the chance of winning the quadruple.  Now, after defeats to Birmingham City, Barcelona and now Manchester United all Arsene Wengers team have to fight for is the Official Premier League title.

It all looked to rosy for the Gunners a couple of weeks backj, playing there famous attractive football they were brushing teams aside at ease but since the Carling Cup Final its all gone a bit, well, wrong really.

The defensive mix-up between Koscielny and Szcz ... Sx.... the keeper cost them their first cup of the season and they were outclassed by a much superior Barcelona who I feel would've knocked Arsenal out even if RVP hadn't been sent off but I felt they could beat a Manchester United side that fielded SEVEN defenders.

The beginning of the match would've given Arsenal fans a lot of hope playing some decent football but it was United that opened the scoring. Arsenal pushed forward but United won the ball and hit the Gunners on the counter attack.  A lovely floated ball from Rooney found Hernandez who's header was parried by the returning Almunia but the ball only went as far as Fabio, or was it Raphael, no definately Fabio who slid in and put the ball into the roof of the net.

Arsenal were still attacking and if it weren't for the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar maybe the score line would've been different but at half time United were leading 1-0.

The second half couldn't have started better for United.  Antonio Valencia made his return after a long absense recovering from a broken leg.  Again it was an Arsenal attack that led to United extedning their lead.  Koscielny twice denied by the outstanding van der Sar was out of position and as United attacked Hernandez shot was again blocked but Wayne Rooney, who is getting back to his best, was there to nod home.

From here I felt the game was over.

With Arsenal trying to get back into the game they left spaces at the back and United tried to get the third.  They almost did with eight minutes remianing, Hernandez shot was blocked by a combination of Sagna and Djourou. Djourou stayed on the floor for over five minutes where he recieved oxygen and was stretchered off.  Later it was discovered the defenders season was over suffering a dislocated shoulder.

Wenger had used up his three substitutes so Arsenal for the second game running finished with 10 men.  Now the game was over.

Verdict on the game: Very entertaining.  I can see why Ferguson wants Van der Sar to stay for another season at United.  Even though he is now 40 he showed today he is still the best keeper in the Premier League, maybe even Europe.

United head into the semi-finals, where they were joined today by Bolton Wanderers, looking forward to maybe another treble while Arsenal can concentrate on their Premier League ambitions (as well as keeping the more important unofficial title!!)

United fans, do you think you can repeat the feat of 1999, and Arsenal fans, do you think Wenger will get that ellusive trophy or will it be another year of what if's and maybe, let me know by emailing us at jaymoe26@gmail.com or twitter #jamiemason76

Line Ups:

Manchester United: 01-Van der Sar, 03-Evra, 06-Brown, 10-Rooney, 12-Smalling, 14-Hernandez, 15-Vidic, 20-Fabio Da Silva, 21-Rafael Da Silva, 22-O'Shea, 28-Gibson SUBS USED: 11-Giggs, 18-Scholes, 25-Valencia

Arsenal: 01-Almunia, 02-Diaby, 03-Sagna, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 15-Denilson, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 23-Arshavin, 28-Gibbs SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 16-Ramsey, 29-Chamakh

Unofficial Title Holder Out Of Champions LeagueBarcelona 3 (Messi 45, 71, Xavi, 69) Arsenal 1 (Busquets 51og) Barca win 4-3 on agg

Ten-man Arsenal succumbed to Barcelona as they were again knocked out of the Champions League by the Catalan outfit.

A Cesc Fabregas mistake allowed Lionel Messi to chip a ball over keeper Manuel Almunia and slot in for Barca.

Arsenal levelled through a Sergio Busquets own goal before the visitors had Robin van Persie harshly sent off.

Barcelona took full advantage as a brilliant move led to Xavi slotting in before Laurent Koscielny's foul on Pedro let Messi score from the spot.

Arsene Wenger's side had their Champions League dreams shattered at the Nou Camp last season when a Messi-inspired Barcelona came from a goal down to win their quarter-final 4-1 and 6-3 on aggregate.

The Gunners' return this time around, with a 2-1 lead from the first leg of their last 16 tie, was a test of whether they had progressed and developed enough to show the steel and substance to beat the Spaniards.

Ultimately, they fell short again and, although the north London outfit will have cause for complaint with the dismissal of Van Persie for a second yellow card, they were given another footballing lesson by the home side.

Arsenal barely failed to muster a shot on goal as they spent most of the game trying to stop the Barca tide.

Van Persie and Fabregas had missed the defeat at the Nou Camp last season and, although they started this time around, the result was the same as the pair played pivotal roles in Arsenal's downfall.

The Gunners had been forced to swap their artistry for attrition as Pep Guardiola's team quickly set the tone of the game by dominating possession while passing and probing for an opening.

Barcelona's work rate in winning the ball back helped keep up their relentless pressure as Arsenal, who had to replace goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with Almunia early on, could not produce the crisp and controlled passing required to provide some relief.

The saving grace for the Gunners was that they were defending with discipline and determination, which was initially limiting their opponents to fleeting chances.

Overlapping Barcelona left-back Adriano hit the outside of the bar with an acute-angled shot before a weaving Messi run ended in him shooting straight at Almunia.

However, as half-time beckoned when Fabregas, who had described the Nou Camp as "mythical" in the build-up, inexplicably attempted a back-heel to Jack Wilshere 30 yards out only to give the ball away to Iniesta.

The Barcelona midfielder accepted the gift and dinked a ball through to Messi, who brilliantly lofted it over the onrushing Almunia before smacking in a shot.

It was a body blow for the Gunners and, despite being given a route back into the game when a Samir Nasri corner was headed into his own net by Busquets after 53 minutes, the visitors quickly suffered another setback.

Van Persie, who had been booked for an earlier foul on Dani Alves, was dismissed three minutes later for a second booking after attempting a shot at goal just after the whistle had been blown.

The Dutchman claimed he had not heard the whistle but it did not take the Catalan club long to make their numerical advantage count as Iniesta produced a wriggling run before finding Villa and his first time pass released Xavi, who slotted in.

Koscielny felled Pedro to concede a spot-kick, which Messi expertly converted, as Arsenal were on the brink of capitulation.

It was only the heroics of Almunia which kept the score down as he denied Ibrahim Afellay and Messi, while Alves missed a gilt-edged chance.

Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner could have punished the La Liga outfit by getting a goal which would have seen his side win on away goals.

But, when found by a late Wilshere cross, like his team, the striker did not have the quality needed as his control let him down.

LINE UPS:

Barcelona: 01-Valdes, 02-Daniel, 06-Xavi, 07-Villa, 08-Iniesta, 10-Messi, 14-Mascherano, 16-Busquets, 17-Pedrito, 21-Adriano Correia, 22-Abidal SUBS USED: 15-Keita, 19-Maxwell, 20-Afellay

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 02-Diaby, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 07-Rosicky, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy SUBS USED: 01-Almunia, 23-Arshavin, 52-Bendtner

Arsenal Blow Chance To Close Title Gap Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United to one point after being held to a goalless draw by resilient Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners knew that with United away to Liverpool on Sunday they could take a potentially significant stride towards a first top-flight title since 2004.

Instead, they will be frustrated that they stand three points behind their rivals after being denied victory by a mixture of questionable refereeing decisions and poor finishing.

Andrey Arshavin was involved in the two key incidents in the game. The Russian had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside and was denied a penalty when Titus Bramble appeared to push the forward as he was about to shoot.

Arsenal also missed chances as Samir Nasri had his free-kick parried by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Marouane Chamakh was thwarted by the crossbar and Arshavin shot tamely from 12 yards.

It might even have been worse for Arsenal as Sunderland, who had lost each of their previous four matches, came close to snatching a late winner through Danny Welbeck.

Arsene Wenger's men must now shake off their disappointment and turn their attention to Tuesday's critical Champions League last-16 second leg against Barcelona - where they will aim to defend a 2-1 lead.

Cesc Fabregas is likely to recover from a hamstring injury in time to start at the Nou Camp but in his programme notes the Gunners captain urged Arsenal to focus solely on Sunderland with the title race "in our hands now".

Focus was indeed a key requirement for them in the early stages as Sunderland enjoyed plenty of possession, passing and moving with confidence and intent.

Johan Djourou needed to be alert to clear a low Jordan Henderson cross with Asamoah Gyan ready to pounce, while Phil Bardsley drilled narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Both sides were set up in 4-2-3-1 formations yet it was the visitors, winless in the league at Arsenal since 1983, who carried the greater threat going forward.

Lacking the calming influences of Fabregas and Robin van Persie, the hosts were forced to play largely on the counter-attack in the first half and the home supporters were soon murmuring in frustration.

A sliding Nicklas Bendtner almost connected with Gael Clichy's cross from the left but they had still yet to test Mignolet when Stephane Sessegnon saw a powerful effort repelled by Wojciech Szczesny at the other end.

Eventually Nasri began to drift infield from his position on the right of midfield and it seemed to help Arsenal settle into something resembling their usual rhythm.

On 35 minutes the Frenchman slalomed his way past several Sunderland defenders before his cut-back was deflected behind, and from the resultant corner Bendtner hit a close-range overhead kick straight at Mignolet.

Sunderland were now carrying less of a threat and manager Steve Bruce's concern showed when he lambasted Gyan for losing the ball on the near touchline and then failing to chase back.

The Black Cats were almost made to pay as Jack Wilshere released Bendtner, only for Mignolet to claw the Dane's goal-bound shot over the bar.

Arsenal started the second half much as they finished the first - seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to put Sunderland under sustained pressure or create meaningful openings.

But when Chamakh was brought on for Denilson - Wenger replacing a holding midfielder with a striker - the substitute almost had an immediate impact, only for Mignolet to deny Arshavin after the Moroccan's run and pass from right.

It was not long before Arsenal were applying pressure and Nasri's free-kick was clawed away before Chamakh rattled the woodwork with a close-range header.

The Gunners were laying siege to Sunderland's goal and they had a glorious chance to break the deadlock when Wilshere put Arshavin away but the Russian sliced wide under pressure from Bramble, who was lucky not to concede a spot-kick for a shove in the back of his opponent.

Sunderland managed to weather the storm and even pushed for a winner themselves, substitute Welbeck - returning from six weeks out - turning and delivering a shot that a diving Szczesny did brilliantly to turn behind. Bramble fired over from the corner.

But the game's most controversial moment came when Arshavin rounded Mignolet and put the ball into the Sunderland net only to be pulled back for offside despite being clearly level when played through by Bendtner.

Right at the last, Bendtner sent a glanced header goalwards and Djourou was inches away from diverting the ball past Mignolet as Arsenal's last hopes of a winner disappeared.

LINE UPS:

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 02-Diaby, 03-Sagna, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 15-Denilson, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin, 52-Bendtner SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 29-Chamakh

Sunderland: 22-Mignolet, 02-Bardsley, 03-Richardson, 05-Mensah, 08-Malbranque, 10-Henderson, 11-Muntari, 19-Bramble, 28, Sessegnon, 29-Ferdinand, 33-Gyan SUBS USED: 17-Welbeck, 25-Colback

Arsenal Ease To Replay Win Arsenal 5 (Chamakh 7, Bendtner 30, 43pen, 62, Clichy 75) Leyton Orient 0

Nicklas Bendtner's classy hat-trick booked an enticing FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United as Arsenal swatted aside Leyton Orient.

Marouane Chamakh slotted an early opener before Bendtner's superb header, then a curling finish, put Arsenal's second-string in command.

Bendtner's cool third came from the penalty spot after Kieran Gibbs was tripped by Alex Revell in the box.

Substitute Gael Clichy then lashed in low with 15 minutes remaining.

League One Orient were routinely swept aside in this fifth-round replay, but Arsenal's crushing disappointment from Sunday's failure to collect their first trophy since 2005 - after losing the Carling Cup final to Birmingham - was hard to hide at a muted Emirates Stadium.

The hosts initially looked like they lacked a spring in their step, but fears of further agony evaporated in the seventh minute with a goal of typical Arsenal quality.

Irish debutant Conor Henderson - another ball-playing midfielder - probed for a gap through the back-line and the 19-year-old's deflected pass was pounced on by Tomas Rosicky, who sped to the byeline to clip a square ball through the legs of Charlie Daniels across the box.

Moroccan striker Chamakh held his position to coolly side-foot the ball through the legs of Terrell Forbes from eight yards out, right into the corner of the net, for his first goal since the end of November.

Orient hit back soon after as Ignasi Miquel's poor headed clearance fell for Ben Chorley.

But his full-blooded volley was blocked by a crouching team-mate in front of Manuel Almunia, who nevertheless had it covered.

Their best chance came when pacy Daniels twisted and turned down the left wing to whip in a dangerous low cross.

Yet Revell misjudged his promising position in the area to put his point-blank snapshot wide from only six yards out.

Bendtner had appeared marginally uninterested, but that changed during the course of an sparkling 20-minute spell from the Danish forward before half-time.

His first goal, in the 27th-minute, was a superb effort as he leapt high to outmuscle Daniels before guiding a looping header past the reach of O's keeper Jamie Jones from a floated Gibbs cross.

With that, Arsene Wenger's team took complete control.

The second from Bendtner was even better that the first. Pouncing on a loose ball, he stalked into the area while teasing the ball just in front of Andrew Whing to find a gap before curling a low shot perfectly past Jones into the far corner.

The hosts remained in second gear after the break although Orient, with impressive Daniels a constant outlet down the right, did at least show a sense of adventure.

Abou Diaby should have added Arsenal's fourth in the 50th minute after he danced round a host of defenders on a charge towards goal.

But, after a fine one-two with Chamakh set him free inside the box, he dragged his low shot just wide.

It finally came in the 62nd minute when Gibbs shimmied his way into the area only to be felled by Revell, who looked uncomfortable defending.

Bendtner's penalty finish was true and unerring as he completed his hat-trick before being taken off, though not before nearly gifting a goal to the east Londoners as he dallied while covering at right-back.

One sour note was the withdrawal of Rosicky, who suffered concussion after a heavy collision.

The 75th minute coup de grace was inevitable as injury-hit Arsenal, who host Sunderland in the Premier League before facing Barcelona away in the Champions League, pushed forward in waves.

Emmanuel Eboue's testing ball across the box evaded O's defenders. Chamakh dummied and the ball just eluded substitute Jack Wilshere, but French left-back Clichy ran on to it like a stream train to propel a powerful low finish just inside the far post past overworked Jones.

LINE UPS:

Arsenal: 01-Almunia, 02-Diaby, 07-Rosicky, 15-Denilson, 18-Squillaci, 27-Eboue, 28-Gibbs, 29-Chamakh, 44-Henderson, 48-Miquel, 52-Bendtner SUBS USED: 08-Nasri, 19-Wilshere, 22-Clichy

Leyton Orient: 01-Jones, 03-Whing, 04-Chorley, 06-Forbes, 07-Cox, 08-Dawson, 09-McGleish, 11-Revell, 13-Daniels, 17-Crowe, 25-Carroll SUBS USED: 16-Spring, 18-Tehoue, 27-M'Poku

Arsenal Lose Carling Cup FinalArsenal 1 (Van Persie) Birmingham City 2 (Zigic 28, Martins 89)

Obafemi Martins pounced on a calamitous Arsenal defensive mix-up two minutes from time as Birmingham City claimed their first major silverware since 1963 by winning the Carling Cup at Wembley.

Martins, on loan from Rubin Kazan, took advantage of a fatal communication breakdown between Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny to strike the late blow that clinched victory for Blues boss Alex McLeish and his men, sending their supporters into ecstasy.

The striker, on as substitute for Keith Fahey, had the simplest of chances after Koscielny attempted to clear when Szczesny came to collect Nikola Zigic's tame header to extend the north Londoners' six-year wait for a trophy.

Zigic gave Birmingham a first-half lead but Robin van Persie's spectacular volley restored parity before the interval in an enthralling Wembley final.

In contrast to the crestfallen figure of Szczesny, Birmingham were indebted to their keeper Ben Foster - penalty shoot-out hero of Manchester United's win in this competition in 2009 - for a magnificent display that rightly earned him the man-of-the match award.

Foster was outstanding throughout, denying Samir Nasri on three occasions and also saving splendidly from Andrey Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner.

Birmingham, who also hit the woodwork through Fahey, were a model of determination and resilience as well as positive intent and their success is a tribute to the outstanding work of manager McLeish.

Defender Roger Johnson was another commanding figure and all the bravery displayed by him and his team-mates in the face of a late Arsenal onslaught was rewarded in sensational circumstances in the dying moments.

Arsenal, robbed of captain Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott through injury, never hit the heights and that moment of defensive madness means Wenger has still not laid his hands on a trophy since winning the FA Cup against Manchester United in 2005.

There was a moment of contention almost instantly when Lee Bowyer raced clear into the area and was hauled down by Szczesny for what would have been a penalty and, in all probability, a red card for the keeper.

The Gunners were relieved as the linesman's flag had already been raised - but their opponents were frustrated by the fact that the decision was incorrect.

Arsenal nearly increased Birmingham's sense of injustice when Arshavin forced Foster into a fine save on the turn as the favourites attempted to exert early authority.

Zigic's selection owed much to his obvious aerial threat to Arsenal and McLeish's decision was vindicated as the giant striker headed Birmingham into the lead after 28 minutes.

He was able to evade the attentions of a cluster of Arsenal defenders and Szczesny in the six-yard box to head home after Johnson's power in the air caused problems at a corner.

And the striker should have doubled his and Birmingham's tally as the north Londoners creaked under pressure but his control let him down at the vital moment, allowing Szczesny to block after good work by Craig Gardner.

Blues were showing discipline and enterprise in equal measure, but Arsenal produced a moment of genuine class to draw level six minutes before half-time.

Jack Wilshere rattled Foster's woodwork from the edge of the area and when Birmingham failed to clear Arshavin crossed for an airborne Van Persie to volley brilliantly beyond the reach of the keeper.

Foster was tested once more as the interval approached, blocking a swerving drive from Nasri as an thrilling first 45 minutes drew to a close.

As the Gunners gathered momentum, Tomas Rosicky was within inches of giving them the perfect start after the break but his crisp, low shot was narrowly off target.

Birmingham suffered a blow early in the second half when the influential Gardner went off injured and was replaced by Jean Beausejour - but McLeish's side brushed off the setback to almost regain the lead.

Fahey's shot carried too much power and direction for Szczesny but, as the massed ranks of Birmingham fans rose to acclaim the strike it bounced off the inside of the post and across the face of goal.

Wenger made a change midway through the half, sending on Bendtner for Van Persie, who took a heavy knock in the act of scoring Arsenal's equaliser.

Foster came to Birmingham's rescue twice in the space of seconds as time ticked away, blocking Nasri's powerful drive before clutching Bendtner's effort at the second attempt.

Arsenal had assumed command and Foster once again demonstrated his agility and quality with a diving save from Nasri as their personal duel continued.

And then, with an extra 30 minutes beckoning came that meltdown between Szczesny and Koscielny - leaving Martins to pounce and win the Carling Cup for Birmingham.

LINE UPS:

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 03-Sagna, 06-Koscielny, 07-Rosicky, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 17-Song, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin SUBS USED: 29-Chamakh, 52-Bendtner

Birmingham City: 26-Foster, 02-Carr, 04-Bowyer, 05-Johnson, 06-Ridgewell, 07-Larsson, 08-Gardner, 12-Ferguson, 18-Fahey, 19-Zigic, 28-Jiranek SUBS USED: 10-Jerome, 17-Martins, 23-Beausejour

Arsenal Battle To Title Win Arsenal 1 (Squillaci 8) Stoke City 0

Arsenal edged past Stoke and moved to a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester United but their victory was overshadowed by injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas. Sebastien Squillaci's seventh-minute header gave Arsenal the victory but injuries to their key duo will be of concern with the League Cup final and a UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona coming up.

Fabregas came off with what appeared to be a knee complaint in the first half while Walcott was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury after being flattened by a clumsy Dean Whitehead challenge. Much of the pre-match talk had been about how the Gunners would cope without another of their key men, Robin van Persie, who was ruled out yesterday with a hamstring injury.

Arsene Wenger chose Nicklas Bendtner to lead the attack in his absence while Fabregas, Wojciech Szczesny and Samir Nasri returned after missing Sunday's disappointing draw with Leyton Orient. Tony Pulis recalled Asmir Begovic and Whitehead while Ryan Shawcross skippered the side almost a year to the day the that he broke Aaron Ramsey's leg at the Britannia Stadium. 

Clearly determined to put their shock FA Cup draw behind them, Arsenal came flying out of the blocks and rattled the Stoke woodwork with barely a minute gone. Fabregas slotted in Theo Walcott after some good work by Jack Wilshere, and the England winger beat Begovic at the far post but his shot rebounded off the woodwork and into the goalkeeper's hands. Walcott tore into the Stoke box again three minutes later after being played through by Bendtner but Begovic came out to smother the ball.

The early pressure paid off for the home side when they took the lead. Bendtner volleyed across the box from a Wilshere corner to find Squillaci, who headed home unmarked from five yards for his first league goal of the season.
Fabregas looked to be struggling with an injury and was replaced by Andrey Arshavin 14 minutes in. The Spaniard, who missed most of December with a hamstring injury, looked disappointed to have picked up a knock and will be badly missed by the Gunners if does not recover for Sunday's cup final and the Barcelona game in two weeks' time.

Arsenal remained in control but played the game at a much slower pace following their captain's departure. Arshavin, who scored the winner against Barcelona last week, skipped past his marker before drawing a good save from Begovic at his near post. Szczesny had to scramble down to his right to save John Carew's 25-yard volley with Stoke's first chance of the game at the other end.

The Stoke defence backed off as Arshavin raced at the defence and Shawcross, who had been booed with his every touch, hacked the Russian down 20 yards out. Nasri curled the resultant free-kick a couple of yards wide of Begovic's goal. Jonathan Walters entered the book for pulling back Walcott in the closing stages. The decision angered Pulis, who raged at referee Peter Walton and Wenger, who agreed with the referee's call, in the opposing technical area.

Carew was lucky to escape a booking at the start of the second half when he appeared to push over Johan Djourou after coming in late on the tackle. The away side almost equalised a minute later when Shawcross' deflected header whistled just past Szczesny's goal.

Earlier this season Wenger accused Stoke of playing like a rugby side because of their dirty tactics and he was angered by a late sliding challenge from Rory Delap on Bacary Sagna which the referee deemed not worthy of a booking. It was Pulis who was up in arms next though as a result of Gael Clichy's late sliding tackle on Jermaine Pennant, which earned the defender a yellow card.

Stoke were looking much more assured in the second period and they went close when Robert Huth headed just over the bar from a Rory Delap long throw. Arsenal then went on the attack through Arshavin, who dodged a Shawcross sliding tackle to find Walcott in the box but the 21-year-old was off-balance and mis-kicked his attempt on goal.
Walcott was bundled over by Whitehead on the edge of box in the 68th minute but referee Walton waved play on. The winger stayed on the ground, clearly in pain, clutching his ankle before being carried off to be replaced by Denilson.

Bendtner headed wide from six yards after a Wilshere corner as Arsenal looked for a killer second goal with 20 minutes left. Then Marc Wilson clattered into substitute Marouane Chamakh to earn a booking.

Pennant almost stole an equaliser in the last minute of normal time with a beautiful curling free-kick that went into Szczesny's side-netting. Wenger was infuriated to see the fourth official show there would be five minutes of injury-time but his side held the ball for almost the entire added period to ensure the Gunners held out for a crucial win.

LINE UPS

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 08-Nasri, 14-Walcott, 17-Song, 18-Squillaci, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 52-Bendtner SUBS USED: 15-Denilson, 23-Arshavin 29-Chamakh

Stoke City: 01-Begovic, 04-Huth, 06-Whelan, 12-Wilson, 14-Pugh, 16-Pennant, 17-Shawcross, 18-Whitehead, 19-Walters, 22-Carew, 24-Delap SUBS USED: 10-Fuller, 28-Wilkinson

Champions Arsenal Stun BarcaArsenal 2 (Van Persie 78, Arshavin 83) Barcelona 1 (Villa 26)

Arsenal gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals tonight, coming from behind to stun favourites Barcelona 2-1 in a pulsating encounter.
Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin clinched a dramatic victory for the Premier League side after Barcelona had taken the lead through a first-half David Villa strike.
The result means Arsenal - thrashed 6-3 on aggregate by Barcelona in last year's quarter-finals - will carry a narrow lead into Camp Nou when the two sides meet in the second leg on 8 March. The thrilling finale capped a superb encounter at the Emirates as arguably the two most stylish sides in Europe laid on a feast of attacking football.
Arsenal started brightly and tested Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after only five minutes, when a jinking run from Theo Walcott saw the ball transferred to Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spanish maestro flicked an exquisite pass to van Persie, whose angled half-volley from close range forced a good save from Valdes.
The threat of Lionel Messi was never far away however, and the Argentinian star drew a desperate challenge from Alex Song after only seven minutes that earned the Cameroonian a booking. Arsenal were then given a huge let-off on 15 minutes when Messi was sent racing clear after an immaculate pass from Villa. The Argentine ace committed Szczesny in goal with a magical feint and beat the Arsenal keeper with a delicate dink, but the effort rolled just wide of the post
Arsenal continued to live dangerously, and Andres Iniesta just failed to find Villa with another penetrative pass along the deck. After numerous warning signs for Arsenal, the opening goal arrived on 26 minutes.

Another eye-of-the-needle pass from Messi sent Villa racing clear and he drilled a low shot beneath Szczesny. Arsenal's players appealed for offside as boos rang out around the Emirates, but Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli remained unmoved.
With Barcelona dominating possession, Arsenal's most promising moments of the half came on the counter-attack, where Walcott's pace regularly unnerved the visitors' defence. The England international was at the heart of a lightning break on 29 minutes that ended with van Persie slicing his shot wide. Arsenal breathed another sigh of relief on 38 minutes when Messi had the ball in the net, only to be adjudged fractionally offside.
A frenetic start to the second half saw both sides struggle to create clear chances, although Arsenal were grateful when Laurent Koscielny - magnificent throughout - just managed to knock Pedro Rodriguez off-balance as he went clear on goal on 57 minutes.
Arsenal continued to look for openings on the break however, and a sweeping move ended in a booking for Gerard Pique, who tripped Samir Nasri. The booking rules the Barça centre-back out of the second leg.
Just when it seemed Arsenal's labours were to be in vain, van Persie conjured a goal out of nothing on 78 minutes. Gael Clichy flicked a ball over the top and van Persie went clear wide on the left. Nothing seemed on but the Dutchman spotted daylight between Valdes and the Barcelona goalkeeper's near post and thundered home a rasping low shot.
With Barcelona suddenly rocking, Arsenal pressed home their advantage, and seven minutes from time their persistence paid off. Another counter-attack saw Nasri burst clear down the right. The Frenchman checked and weighed his options before picking out Arshavin, who had replaced Song, and the diminutive Russian swept in a majestic winner.


LINE-UPS


Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 14-Walcott, 17-Song, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 27-Eboue SUBS USED: 23-Arshavin, 52-Bendtner
Barcelona: 01-Valdes, 02-Daniel, 03-Pique, 06-Xavi, 07-Villa, 08-Iniesta, 10-Messi, 16-Busquets, 17-Pedrito, 19-Maxwell, 22-Abidal SUBS USED: 15-Keita, 21-Adriano Correia

Arsenal Slaughter The Wolves Arsenal 2 (Van Persie 16, 56) Wolves 0

Wolverhampton Wanderers somehow avoided a landslide as Arsenal banished memories of Newcastle's comeback last week with a comprehensive 2-0 victory in the Premier League at the Emirates. Robin Van Persie scored both goals, the first an athletic volleyed effort, and having surrendered a four-goal lead at St James' Park, the Gunners never looked like losing their way this time.

Relegation candidates Wolves, meanwhile, may just be happy not to have conceded more after the hosts somehow failed to add to their tally despite numerous chances. Having been deployed in the anchor role for England in midweek, Jack Wilshere almost immediately set about showing his attacking credentials.

One nice touch set up an early Arsenal break and then, with three minutes gone, he left Jamie O'Hara for dead as he surged toward the Wolves box. Christophe Berra tripped him just outside the area to set up a promising free-kick for Van Persie, but he shot well over. The Dutchman's radar was even further off moments later when he screwed Alex Song's pass well wide from 20 yards.

With 16 minutes gone Arsenal scored the opener, Cesc Fabregas floating a cross in from the right channel and Van Persie executing a wonderful volley from a horizontal position. Andrey Arshavin should have made it 2-0 four minutes later but fluffed his shot after Wayne Hennessey misread a Van Persie corner.

Wolves seemed most troublesome from corners, Berra and Ronald Zubar both winning headers but failing to test Wojciech Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. The visitors seemed increasingly nervy though, Hennessey suffering from a lack of communication with his defenders and Wilshere coasting into the box uncontested.

Wolves somehow avoided going further behind twice in the space of seconds as Arsenal exerted more pressure. Wilshere freed Arshavin with a glorious long pass before the Russian left Zubar on his backside as he pivoted and cut across to Van Persie. His shot was saved brilliantly by Hennessey only for the loose ball to reach Fabregas, whose low drive ricocheted off the retreating Richard Stearman on the line.

An offside flag, as well as a modest finish, denied Arshavin after fine work by Walcott and despite being just one behind, Wolves looked shellshocked. Referee Chris Foy turned down a penalty appeal from Arshavin and Hennessey saved well from Van Persie at his near post seconds before the interval to leave Wolves, improbably, still in the game.

Wilshere continued to show his class as the second period started, easing past a handful of Wolves players in the penalty area and laying the ball off to the supporting Walcott for what looked a certain goal. Walcott contrived to send his shot wide and looked almost as shocked as his team-mates not be celebrating a second.

Hennessey was playing his part too, saving smartly with his foot after Nenad Milijas looked as if he might turn Walcott's cross over his own line. By now the game was being played almost exclusively in Wolves' final third, with Arshavin and Walcott causing endless problems on the wings.

Finally, with 56 minutes on the clock, Van Persie made it 2-0. Fabregas was the creator with a perfectly-weighted pass from the deep leaving Walcott and Van Persie with a two on one against Berra. The England winger did his job, rolling the ball to his team-mate who slotted home his 10th league goal of the season.

The chances continued, first Fabregas and then Van Persie going close.Walcott had more energy than even the Wolves substitutes and drew a foul from replacement striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake after 72 minutes. With Barcelona awaiting on Wednesday, Arsene Wenger used the break in play to withdraw Arshavin and Van Persie, with the superb Wilshere following soon after.

Arsenal's tempo slowed from then and they had a hairy moment off an 82nd-minute corner when Szczesny was forced to palm a looping ball over the bar. Walcott probably deserved a goal and was unlucky to see a late effort smothered by the brave Hennessey following a neat one-two with Marouane Chamakh.

Line-Ups:

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 10-Van Persie, 14-Walcott, 17-Song, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin SUBS USED: 15-Denilson, 29-Chamakh, 52-Bendtner

Wolves: 13-Hennessey, 03-Elokobi, 05-Stearman, 08-Henry, 16-Berra, 17-Jarvis, 19-Hammill, 20-Milijas, 23-Zubar, 24-O'Hara, 29-Doyle SUBS USED: 09-Ebanks-Blake, 10-Fletcher, 32-Foley

Todays Other Scores:

Birmingham City 1-0 Stoke City: BC-Zigic

Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Newcastle United

Blackpool 1-1 Aston Villa: BP-Grandin: AV-Agbonlahor

Liverpool 1-1 Wigan Athletic: LI-Meireles; WA-Gohouri

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City: MU-Nani, Rooney; MC-Silva

Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur: SU-Gyan; TH-Dawson, Kranjcar

West Brom 3-3 West Ham United: WBA-Dorrans, Thomas, Reid (og); WH-Ba (2), Cole

Arsenal Grab Draw From Jaws Of Victory

Cheik Tiote's first goal in English football secured a remarkable point for Newcastle United as they fought back from 4-0 to draw 4-4 down against ten-man Arsenal.
The Ivory Coast international pegged back the Gunners with a stunning 87th-minute volley after Joey Barton had scored twice from the penalty spot either side of Leon Best's fourth goal of the season.
Alan Pardew's men were in complete disarray as the Gunners raced into a 4-0 lead at St James' Park within the opening 26 minutes. Goals from Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and a Robin van Persie double looked to have wrapped up the points and allowed Arsenal to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United.
But after midfielder Abou Diaby had been sent off for furiously pushing Barton to the ground after a no-holds-barred 48th-minute challenge, Newcastle, roared on by a crowd of 51,561, pulled off the most unlikely of recoveries.
Life for Newcastle without Andy Carroll had got off to a bad start at Fulham on Wednesday evening, and the mood inside St James' was decidedly ugly by the time ten chaotic minutes had elapsed. Arsenal were breathtaking as their pace and movement left the men in black and white at times bewildered.
However, they met little resistance as a Newcastle side which had won 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium in November showed few signs of producing a similarly dogged display on their own pitch, even with combative midfielder Tiote restored to the side after his three-match ban.
The worry before kick-off had been that, without Carroll, now at Liverpool, and the injured Shola Ameobi, the ball would not stick in the final third of the field and that would invite pressure on to Newcastle's back four. In the event, neither Carroll nor Ameobi would have made a significant difference as their side saw too little of the ball to worry the Gunners.
They did not see it at all in amid a red and white blizzard as Arsenal had the game under control before they had broken sweat. Walcott had scored twice in a 4-0 Carling Cup victory on Tyneside in October, and he needed only 42 seconds to increase his tally as he ran on to Andrey Arshavin's pass and slid the ball past Steve Harper with Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson trailing in his wake.
There were less than three minutes on the clock when Djourou was inexplicably allowed to meet an Arshavin free-kick seven yards out, and his header flew in off the underside of the crossbar. When Van Persie fired home a third goal from Walcott's cross in the tenth minute, a packed house settled down for what looked certain to be an agonising remaining 80 minutes.
The first chorus of disapproval aimed at owner Mike Ashley rang around St James' Park as the game restarted. Wenger's men were simply irresistible, with Cesc Fabregas and Diaby dominating in the middle of the pitch to allow Arshavin, Walcott and Jack Wilshere to repeatedly run at the shell-shocked Newcastle defence.
Arsenal increased their lead with 26 minutes gone when Van Persie headed Bacary Sagna's cross home, and it came as a surprise that the scoreline remained at 4-0 when the half-time whistle handed the Magpies brief respite. Van Persie might have done better after running on to Williamson's weak header and shooting wide, and Harper managed to turn the Dutchman's shot against the post in injury time.
But the cracks started to appear after Diaby over-reacted to Barton's rugged challenge and pushed him to the ground to earn an inevitable red card. Newcastle took the Frenchman's untimely departure as their cue to step up a gear, and they got their reward after 68 minutes when, after Koscielny had brought down Best inside the box, Barton converted from the penalty spot to at least give the more optimistic members of the Toon Army some hope.
Alarm bells started ringing for the Gunners when Best struck from close range with 15 minutes remaining, and when Barton drilled home a second penalty with seven minutes to play, a point was there for the taking. Tiote saved the best for last when he lashed an 87th-minute left-footed volley into the bottom left corner to complete a remarkable repair job. Kevin Nolan might even have won the game for Newcastle in injury time, but that was a little too much to ask.

LINE UPS

Newcastle United: 01-Harper, 02-Coloccini, 03-Jose Enrique, 04-Nolan, 06-Williamson, 07-Barton, 11-Lovenkrands, 12-Simpson, 18-Gutierrez, 20-Best, 24-Tiote SUBS USED: 08-Guthrie, 30-Ranger
Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 02-Diaby, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 10-Van Persie, 14-Walcott, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin SUBS USED: 07-Rosicky, 18-Squillaci, 27-Eboue

Todays Other Results:
Aston Villa 2-2 Fulham: AV-Pantsil (og), Walker; FU-Johnson, Dempsey
Everton 5-3 Blackpool: EV-Saha (4), Beckford; BP-Baptiste, Puncheon, Adam
Manchester City 3-0 West Brom: MC-Tevez (3)
Stoke City 3-2 Sunderland: SC-Huth (2), Carew; SU-Richardson, Gyan
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Bolton Wanderers: TH-Van der Vaart, Kranjcar; BW-Sturridge
Wigan Athletic 4-3 Blackburn Rovers: WA-McCarthy (2), Rodallega, Watson; BR-Roberts, Samba, Dunn (pen)
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Manchester United: WW-Elokobi, Doyle; MU-Nani

New Unofficial Champions Crowned At The Emirates Arsenal 2 (Arshavin 70, Koscielny 75) Everton 1 (Saha 24)

We have NEW Unofficial Premier League Champions as Arsenal come from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Emirates Stadium and also keep within striking distance of Premier League leaders Manchester United.


Louis Saha had put the visitors ahead on 24 minutes when he slotted home, despite being offside. However, the Gunners turned the game around through substitute Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny's header.

The Gunners made some ten changes from the side which had laboured to a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Sunday. And it was Everton - who have lost only six games, but find themselves in the lower half of the table because of some 12 draws - who started brightly.

With Diniyar Bilyaletdinov offering support to both Saha in attack and then making up the numbers in midfield, it was easy to see why David Moyes' men are hard to beat. Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was in the referee's book after just five minutes when he clattered through the back of Mikel Arteta, which would set a trend for the evening.

Everton continued to make all the running during the opening exchanges. Arsenal finally got some passing together as Bacary Sagna was played in down the right, only to be chopped down by Sylvain Distin, who was immediately shown a yellow card by referee Lee Mason.

Koscielny glanced a header through the six-yard box from a corner, before Cesc Fabregas then dragged a shot wide after a clever backheel from Robin van Persie. The Gunners were now on top, but just lacked a decisive pass when in the final third. Theo Walcott broke into the right side of the penalty area, but Tim Howard stood up well at the near post.

Everton, though, were ahead on 24 minutes in controversial fashion. Saha was offside when Seamus Coleman chipped the ball through, but it spun off Koscielny's boot as he attempted to clear, falling to the Frenchman, who slotted a low effort past Wojciech Szczesny.

Despite the protests of the Arsenal players, and consultation with his assistant Stephen Child on the far side, referee Mason allowed the goal to stand. Arsenal felt more than a sense of injustice and centre-half Koscielny almost made amends when inches away from converting a corner with a diving header at the far post.

The frustration for the home fans continued after Fabregas burst into the Everton box only to drag his shot wide. Van Persie then did brilliantly to collect a high, angled pass on his chest, but it would not drop and he could only loop the ball over.

Arsenal made a change at the restart, with Abou Diaby replacing Alex Song, who appeared to pick up an injury towards the end of the first half. Rosicky spun away from his marker and charged forwards, but then dragged a 20-yard strike wide. The home side continued to press, Diaby powering a header over the bar.


Arteta then went into the book after tripping Fabregas as the Arsenal captain set off on a quick break. There was then a confrontation when Van Persie went in on the Spaniard, and was also shown a yellow card. With 28 minutes left, Tomas Rosicky was replaced by Arshavin and Everton then sent Leon Osman on for Bilyaletdinov.


Diaby cut inside from the left and set himself, but then drilled his 20-yard shot wide. Arsenal were finally level when Arshavin slotted home after Rodwell's back header from Fabregas' chip fell to him in the six-yard box. Osman tripped Walcott in full flow, and became the seventh man in Mason's notebook.


Van Persie sent the resulting free-kick towards the top right angle, which Howard did brilliantly to tip over. Arsenal, though, were not to be denied and turned the game around when Koscielny headed home from the resulting corner on 75 minutes. Rodwell glanced a header wide at the far post, but it was Arsenal who closed out the match and collected what could be three crucial points in the title race.

Line Ups:

Arsenal: 53-Szczesny, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 07-Rosicky, 10-Van Persie, 14-Walcott, 17-Song, 19-Wilshere, 20-Djourou, 22-Clichy SUBS USED: 02-Diaby, 23-Arshavin, 52-Bendtner
Everton: 24-Howard, 03-Baines, 05-Heitinga, 07-Bilyaletdinov, 08-Saha, 10-Arteta, 15-Distin, 18-Neville, 23-Coleman, 25-Fellaini, 26-Rodwell SUBS USED: 06-Jagielka, 21-Osman, 28-Anichebe

Todays Other Scores:

Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa: MU-Rooney (2), Vidic; AV-Bent
Sunderland 2-4 Chelsea: SU-Bardsley, Richardson; CH-Lampard (pen), Kalou, Terry, Anelka
West Brom 2-2 Wigan Athletic- WBA-Odemwingie, Fortune; WA-N'Zogbia, Watson

1 In 5 Out For Everton

Now the dust has settled on the furore that was the January Transfer Window its time to see how the current Unofficial Premier League champions, Everton fared.

Only one player joined the Toffee's during the window and that was on the last day when David Moyes signed Apostolos Vellios from Greek side Iraklis Thessaloniki for a nominal fee (believed to be £250,000).  The 19 year old striker has scored 7 goals in 14 appearances for the Greek U19 side and has an amazing strike rate at club level where he has scored 19 goals in 22 appearances.  He has signed a contract until 2014 but the chances of him breaking into the first team this season are pretty slim.

Making way at Goodison Park included Steven Pienaar. It was no surprise to see the South African midfielder leave as he was out of contract in the summer and the £3m bid by Tottenham seemed like good business to turn down.  He has since played 1 league game for Spurs and also played in Tottenham's 4-0 loss in the FA Cup against Fulham last Sunday.
The other players to leave are Joao Silva (to Uniao de Leiria), Kieran Agard (Kilmarnock), Zac Thompson (Leeds United) and The Yak.  Yakubu joined Leicester on loan early into the transfer window until the end of the season and has so far made 2 league appearances scoring 2 goals and if he carries on the decent form and fitness he has shown so far then he will be back in David Moyes starting eleven come the beginning of the 2011/12 season.

One last bit of news to come from Everton came in the last couple of hours of the window where Tottenham Hotspur made a cheeky bid (believed to be £500,000) to take captain Phil Neville to White Hart Lane, an offer which was laughed at by David Moyes.