Arsenal 2 Newcastle United 1
Thomas Vermaelen struck deep into time added on to see Arsenal see off a spirited Newcastle United at the Emirates. The visitors had taken the lead though a well taken Hatem Ben Arfa strike, but their joy lasted all of fourteen seconds until Robin Van Persie – who else- levelled on 15 minutes. From then on, there was only ever one team that had set out to win the game, and it was not the side in black and white. Consistent time wasting by the Magpies ‘keeper Tim Krul was ultimately to cost his side of taking anything from an enthralling encounter, as Vermaelen netted a deserved winner for the Gunners for a fifth consecutive Premiership win in.
Arsenal 3 AC Milan 0 (3-4 on aggregate)
It was deemed mission impossible, but Robin Van Persie had said “Impossible is nothing. ” After a first 45 minutes, which could have possibly been the best seen at the Emirates, Arsenal held a 3-0 goal lead courtesy of Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky and a Van Persie penalty. Needing a fourth goal to level the scores on aggregate, and a fifth to win outright. The Arsenal faithful continued to believe that Champions League history was in the making, but in the second half, the Gunners just ran out of fire-power and exited Europe’s top competition.
Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
Two stunning strikes from Robin Van Persie saw Arsenal ease past a robust Liverpool at Anfield, after the Gunners had gone a goal behind to Laurent Koscielny’s 23rd minute own goal. Van Persie headed in the leveller just past the half hour mark from Bacary Sagna’s precision cross, and then went on to net a spectacular volleyed winner in the 93rd minute, from Alex Song’s excellent floated pass. The win however was soured with Mikel Arteta stretchered off after being caught on an off the ball clash with Jordan Henderson, and the returning Abou Diaby lasted a mere 27 minutes to make way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Arsenal 5 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Arsenal recovered from a two goal deficit to thrash Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates to seal a much needed victory for Arsene Wenger and his players. Seven years have elapsed since his last silverware, out of both domestic cups, and all but eliminated from the Champions League, Wenger has possibly been under the most pressure since his arrival at Arsenal sixteen years ago. There was always going to be fireworks in any north London derby, but what transpired at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, spoke volumes of the strength and character in his Arsenal side that Wenger has always alluded to.
Sunderland 2 Arsenal 0
Possibly the most painful week of Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal came to a disastrous end at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland struck in either half to sink the Gunners’ FA Cup dreams for another season. It was another bitter pill for the Gunners to swallow and coming on top of their virtual elimination in the Champions League with the 4-0 first leg thrashing at Milan, many are coming to the conclusion that this is possibly the worst Arsenal side that Wenger has had in his 15 years in England.
AC Milan 4 Arsenal 0
It was a slaughter, but not so much of the innocent, but of the mediocre. Actually mediocre may be too good an adjective to describe an Arsenal side, who were actually poor throughout their Champions League last 16 clash with Milan at the San Siro. The worst European performance under Arsene Wenger, who now faces fresh calls for him to either reinforce a side that lacks experience, or to step aside for a fresh approach. If the latter is the path chosen, then perhaps the Arsenal Board could also do the honourable thing and resign en masse.
Sunderland 1 Arsenal 2
Thierry Henry gave Arsenal the perfect Premiership parting gift after he netted the winner at the Stadium of Light. Trailing to James McClean’s 70th minute opener, substitute Aaron Ramsey drew the Gunners level five minutes later, before fellow substitute Henry volleyed the winner in time added on. It was Sunderland’s first defeat under Martin O’Neil, but for Arsenal the crucial three points sees them climb to fourth place in the Premiership. Henry, Arsenal’s record breaking goal scorer will still be available for the Champions League trip to Milan before he returns to his MLS side New York Red Bulls.
Arsenal 7 Blackburn Rovers 1
Robin Van Persie struck a memorable treble that saw Arsenal crush ten man Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates. The Holland striker has now netted 22 times in the Premiership, and scoring his first two Premiership goals, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showed once again that he is a force not to be ignored. Mikel Arteta and substitute Thierry Henry got on the scoresheet in a game that saw Gael Givet shown a straight red card two minutes before the break for a two footed studs up lunge on Van Persie. Morten Gamst Pedersen briefly restored parity for Rovers just past the half hour mark, but a rampant Arsenal were never going to be held back.
Bolton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 0
It was not the scoreline that Arsenal needed, but after three consecutive Premiership losses, a point in the stalemate at the Reebok represents improvement of sorts. But one Premiership point from the twelve available from their past four matches is form conducive to relegation and not form of a side with Champions League aspirations. Once again, it was the familiar scenario. The Gunners blitz the opposition, create a wealth of chances, but fail to take them only to suffer the consequences later. Here, later came in the shape of a penalty appeal, not upheld when Wojciech Szczesny challenged Mark Davies. The Poland stopper will be pleased that he kept a clean sheet, but when your side possesses the Premiership’s top scorer, not getting on the scoresheet is poor show.
Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 2
If there ever was a game of the proverbial two halves, then this was it. Having taken the game to Villa, the Gunners were somehow undone by Richard Dunne and Darren Bent goals in an inexplicable opening first 45 minutes. Whatever was then said at the break had the desired effect as the Gunners tore into Villa in the second period. Robin Van Persie struck twice from the penalty spot, with Theo Walcott getting on the team sheet in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.The smiles, were back, the players had found the belief once again, and even Thierry Henry’s late introduction was to be only a sub plot this time. It was Villa’s turn to be shell shocked, but for them there was to be no return.
