Just Arsenal News

Race for 4th: Experience Is Key by DS

This time last year Arsenal had an almost identical February and March, within days knocked out of two cup competitions and sweating over a top 4 finish. Arsene Wenger responded by taking the pressure off his younger players and fielding as many experienced heads as possible. While no Gunner was distraught to see Benayoun return to his parent club Chelsea, the likes of the Israeli and Rosicky gave the side a certain assurance and calmness to proceedings. The result… Arsenal finished 3rd with the Czech one or our most inspirational players. .......Read the full article here

The young Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has been continually over-hyped since his return to fitness this season, and has been hailed as the saviour of the England team and perhaps the catalyst that could finally win the World Cup for England for the first time in 48 years.

But the talented midfielder has tried to play down the expectations and says that Roy Hodgson’s side needs a whole team of stars to win a trophy and he simply can’t do it on his own. Wilshere said: “I don’t think one player can ever win a World Cup for a nation. .......Read the full article here

Both teams were desperate to take an early advantage, so the first few minutes were fast and furious. Walcott played a beautiful ball through to Giroud who fired just wide. A minute later and Chelsea ere ahead through Mata. Arsene Wenger was furious because Ramires fouled Coquelin in the build up. It was a studs up challenge that should have earned Ramires a booking, but we didn’t even get the foul and Chelsea scored. The only way it could have been worse was if Coquelin was injured. .......Read the full article here

Jack Wilshere got his first goal of the season for Arsenal last weekend, and would like to score more, obviously, but it is not something that the youngster is overly concerned about. His game is mainly focused in the middle of the park, linking the play left and right and helping the defence as well as the attack.

Wilshere did used to score quite regularly in the youth system, but has never really got going, goal-wise, since being promoted to the first team. In his breakthrough season of 2010-2011, he played 49 games for the Gunners, and scored just twice. He did, however get nine assists and we all know that his impact on the team was fantastic. If Jack could chip in with more goals it would be great and it is something he will try to do by watching how some of the most prolific midfielders get into the right areas. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was roundly applauded for his performance in England’s 5-0 win over Moldova on Friday, but Roy Hodgson was at pains to point out that although he ran his socks off in the first half, he didn’t contribute much in the second before being taken off.

Hodgson made it clear that he would be having words with the 18 year-old about the drop in pace after the break. The England boss said: “Alex was very good in the first half but we made it clear we were going to take him off after 60 minutes, so I think he forgot to play in the second,” .......Read the full article here

The Ox gets big praise from Hodgson and Lampard by TS

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a start for England as they thundered past Moldova 5-0 in their first World Cup qualifier. The Arsenal winger was praised by England manager, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard after his performance last night.

Roy Hodgson released a statement saying, “I was really pleased with Tom (Cleverley) and Alex. It’s nice to see these young players taking their chances and showing they merit a place in the squad. Alex was excellent and also for the first 15 minutes of the second half. .......Read the full article here

The Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was accomodated by Fabio Capello today by playing a 4-3-3 system against Wales, and it worked as England flew into a 2-0 lead with ease. Wilshere was more than happy with his performance alongside Frank Lampard and Scott Parker, and he is hoping that they can all play together with this formation in the future.

“It was a good game to come into. A big game, a derby game, and we won, so we are happy and the 4-3-3 system worked well today.

“We got the opening two goals and that was the idea, to press them high, get early goals. We did that and we made it comfortable for ourselves. .......Read the full article here

Just last week it was assumed that Chelsea’s injury list meant that Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard would not be fit enough to face Arsenal in Sunday’s crunch match at the Emirates, but the news today is that all three of them, plus Michael Ballack, will all now be able to play.

Didier Drogba broke a rib against Man Utd and was expected to be out for another fortnight, but he was fit enough to play against Porto last night.

Michael Ballack was injured while on international duty with Germany but yesterday managed to play over an hour as well, and will be fully fit for Sunday. .......Read the full article here

Chelsea are looking weaker by the day as they have suddenly been hit by a glut of injuries, and the latest good news for Arsenal is that Didier Drogba has been diagnosed with a broken rib, after being kicked in the chest by Johnny Evans last weekend.

Drogba was taken off during that game against Man Utd, and a scan by Chelsea seemed to show that their star striker had just suffered bruising.

But he then joined the Ivory Coast squad for the international break who gave him another X-ray. This revealed that he has actually fractured one of his ribs and will be out of action for at least three or four weeks. He will return to Stamford Bridge for treatment on Monday. .......Read the full article here