EPL : Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal : Report

Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa : Gardner 14';
The Arsenal : Flamini 23', Adebayor 36'

Arsenal came back from an early goal to deservedly lead by halftime and then weathered a vastly-improved second half performance from Aston Villa to maintain their unbeaten record and the leadership of the Barclays Premier League.

Craig Gardner had given Villa hope of their first win over the Gunners in 18 meetings when he put them ahead with his third goal of the campaign.

But Arsenal responded by handing out a footballing lesson for the remainder of the half and could easily have added to goals from Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Gunners had been a joy to watch in the opening 45 minutes with some delightful free-flowing football which often had Villa chasing shadows. They stepped up a gear from the minute Villa went ahead and their one-touch play caused the home side constant problems.

Lassana Diarra and Alexander Hleb sparkled in midfield while Emmanuel Eboue was an effective outlet on the right flank. Little was seen of the exciting forward play which had brought Villa 11 goals in the previous four games.

Villa were a different proposition after the break with Ashley Young more of a threat on the left wing and target man John Carew causing problems. Carew put a thumping header against the Gunners bar with Almunia well beaten - and Young was booked late on for a swan dive looknig ofr a penalty after his control let him down.

But the Gunners held firm with Kolo Toure and William Gallas solid performers at the heart of the Gunners back four.

It means that Arsenal have not tasted defeat in the league since April and in the process they brought an end to Villa's run of four successive wins.

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NFL Spreadsheet - a good week for value

Round 4 of the NFL was a good one for "value punters" as there were quite a few upsets where the underdogs bit back.

That meant good news for most followers of the NFL spreadsheet as 3 of the four systems showed a profit.

Abe 2-1 (ATS) -- 300 units staked / +95 units profit.
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Our ATS system went 2-1 with wins Atlanta and Buffalo - but the St Louis Saints seem a lost cause being thumped 7-35 in Dallas. We are going to have to give them a serious re-rating.

Vincent 2-0 (ML) -- 200 units staked / +430 units profit.
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Our value system also hit the bullseye, correctly identifying Oakland (+195) and Arizona (+235) as dogs worth backing this weekend.

Eddie 3-0 (ML) -- 300 units staked / +897 units profit.
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But pride of place this week has to gp to Eddie (our Extreme Value system) who has almost increased his weekly stake four-fold - returning almost $900 bucks profit in his first three plays.

Taking Atlanta (+135) and Cleveland (+202) is almost understandable - after all they were at home and facing teams that were a touch over-rated - but what on earth did he see in Kansas City to back them?!!

The Chiefs smoked San Diego 30-16 and paid out at staggering +560 on the moneyline (6.60 decimal odds) to put the extreme value system into profit for the season.

Marvin 1-3 (ML) -- 400 units staked / -279 units lost.
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Of course the down side to all this is that the short priced favourties system Marvin had a bad day losing 3 bets out of 4.

Remember that this is a system that we DO NOT THINK CAN WIN. It takes all the short priced "locks" and if it makes a profit then the bookies would be going broke - and that ain't happening anytime soon right?

We post it and track it for interests sake - but we don't bet on the Marvin system - as it's unlikely to make money.

MONDAY NIGHTS GAME
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That Patriots are in Cincinnati on Monday night - is a game that everyman and his mailman think will be an easy win for New England.

Of course - we know differently - nothing in thr NFL is easy.

Marvin is backing the Pats - while Eddie is taking the Bengals to keep the underdog run going at a very good price of +300 (4.00)

RELATED LINKS :
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Live Odds collected from five top sportsbooks (2 take US players too)
NFL Football Preview Page (read GoldFingers preview)

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Euro 2008 : Holland, England and Serbia stumble

We're starting to get to the business end of qualifying for Euro 2008, and the latest round of group matches were notable for some high profile stumbles by England, Holland and Serbia.

GROUP E
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England will get all the headlines after another slip-up in a 0-0 draw in Israel, and that's the 3rd competitive game in a row that England have failed to score in - which makes a mockery of coach Steve McClaren's statements about playing attaking football.

With Croatia beating Macedonia 2-1, and Russia easing past Estonia 2-0 it puts England three points off a qualifiying position - but there are still plenty of games to go.

IF England can win their home games then qualification will be assured - but England's lack of creativity, and Rooney's petulance up front must surely be ringing the alrm bells in the FA.

Croatia 5 games 13 pts, Russia 5-11, England 5-8, Israel 5-8.

GROUP G
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But European heavyweights Holland were also held 0-0 by Romania, a result that keeps both Romania and Bulgaria in the hunt for a qualfication spot - especially as both sides have a match in hand over the Dutch.

Holland 5-11, Bulgaria 4-8, Romania 4-8.

GROUP A
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The biggest shock of the day though was previously winless Kazakhstan beating Serbia 2-1, while group rival Poland thrashed Azerbaijan 5-0 and Portugal were too strong beating Belgium 4-0.

This 8 team group is a tight one - and there are still 4 sides battling for the two qualification spots.

Poland 6-13, Finland 5-11, Portugal 5-10, Serbia 5-10

GROUP B
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In Group B, it was the expected results (just) as Scotland beat Georgia 2-1 thanks to an 88th minute winner, while France eased past Lithuania 1-0 and Ukraine beat the Faroe Islands 2-0.

Italy also are in this group - but has a rest day - and with 3 World Cup quarter-Finalists this was always gonig to be the tightest group - and the surprise leaders Scotland still have a real battle.

Scotland 5-12, France 5-12, Ukraine 4-9, Italy 4-7.

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English FA Cup Quarter-Final Review

So there we have it - four quarter-finals played and a fair share of drama involved and neither of the two heavily favoured sides were able to make it through at the first time of asking.

But were any of the results a REAL surprise ?

Certainly three of the games went the way I expected, with Blackburn (beating Man City) and Watford (over Plymouth) always the most likely winners, although Rovers had to battle hard when reduced to 10 men.

I also picked Manchester United to struggle to subdue Middlesbro - and I had that game marked down as a 1-1 draw on my card - but I'll take final 2-2 scoreline as a successful prediction.

So that's three results that were porbably on most people's cards.

In the final game I expected Spurs to try hard - but tire after a tough game on Thursday night - and be swept aside by Chelsea's second half effort.

However, I was extremely surprised at the fight that Spurs put up at Stamford Bridge as I did not expect them to keep their recent goal scoring streak alive with three first half goals. When was the last time Chelsea conceded three goals at home?

Chelsea's defending did look woeful in the first half - and the absence of John Terry was obvious - it's certainly interesting to hear that his contract negotiations with Chelsea have suddenly stalled too.

In the second half I thought that the game did go as expected - with Spurs tiring noticaeably late on - and you did always get that feeling that the equaliser was coming didn't you?

Mind you Jermanie Defoe rattled the Chelsea crossbar with only a couple of minutes left when he had the winning of the game in his hands - and you just wonder if that crucial miss may come back to haunt Spurs as they had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Certainly Tottenham should not be frightened in the replay at The Lane - but Chelsea are now well warned - and it'll be a huge clash.

Looking forward to it already.
;-)

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Sunday 4 March - English Premier League Roundup

Tottenham beat West Ham 4-3 in an extraordinary game at Upton Park.

Mark Noble had given the home side the lead on the quarter-hour with a cracking half-volley from Carlos Tevez's clever knockdown. Four minutes before the interval he curled a free-kick in off the bar to double the lead and send the Hammers' fans into ecstasy.

Spurs came out firing after the break and halved the deficit through a Jermain Defoe penalty before Teemu Tainio lashed home a volley from Aaron Lennon's inspired flick.
Then former Spur Bobby Zamora came off the bench to head the Hammers back into the lead five minutes before full-time.

But in a breathless encounter there was still time for Dimitar Barbatov to curl home an 89th-minute free-kick before Stalteri's late clincher in the fifth added minute.

Two second-half Benni McCarthy penalties gave Blackburn a 2-1 win over Bolton at the Reebok.

Nicolas Anelka scored a late goal to make the last few minutes nervous for the visitors, but the Trotters could not salvage an equaliser, although Abdoulaye Faye did have the ball in the net in injury time but was rightly flagged offside.

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English Premier League roundup - 3rd March

John O'Shea scored a dramatic late winner as Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United snatched a crucial 1-0 victory at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

United were outplayed for much of the match at Anfield but grabbed all three points when Ireland defender O'Shea turned in from close range after a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick in injury time.

Liverpool spurned a number of opportunities to take the game but United held firm, despite the sending off of Paul Scholes, to take another huge step towards the title.

Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou scored the goals to earn defending champions Chelsea a 2-0 win at Portsmouth and ensure their title hopes are still alive.

But they were made to work hard at Fratton Park and needed two brilliant saves from Petr Cech to keep them in front after Drogba's superb opener.

Kalou then put the game beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining when he slipped the ball under David James after Ashley Cole had headed on Frank Lampard's punt upfield.

Arsenal beat Reading 2-1 to move within a point of Liverpool after with two second-half goals at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners made the breakthrough after 49 minutes when Gilberto struck from the penalty spot following a foul on Gael Clichy by Andre Bikey.

Julio Baptista added a second with a solo effort to settle the game on 62 minutes although Reading grabbed a consolation when Cesc Fabregas - who missed a sitter in the first half - put through his own net late on.

Charlton snatched a vital point against Watford in a 2-2 draw as they came from 2-0 down to at Vicarage Road.

Darren Ambrose headed the equaliser a minute from time after Luke Young had got his side back into the game with a tight finish on 67 minutes.

The Hornets had led since the 15th minute when Hameur Bouazza smashed home on the rebound after Scott Carson had saved a header from Damien Francis, who added a second six minutes later.

Meanwhile Wigan secured an important 1-0 win over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Caleb Folan, who scored against City for Chesterfield earlier this season, repeated the feat as he headed in the only goal from a Leighton Baines cross after 18 minutes. City pressed heavily in the second half but Wigan's resolute defence held out for the win.

Aston Villa had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Fulham after seeing their first-half lead quickly cancelled out.

Norwegian John Carew put the visitors into the lead after 21 minutes at Craven Cottage but the hosts responded immediately to level at 1-1. Carlos Bocanegra headed in the equaliser after he was left unattended at a Franck Queudrue free-kick.

Mikel Arteta smashed in a penalty equaliser as Everton drew 1-1 against battling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Rob Hulse had put the Blades on course for victory when he finished brilliantly with a shot across goal from a Colin Kazim-Richards cross on 52 minutes. Everton got back into the game after goalkeeper Paddy Kenny dropped a high ball and brought down Andrew Johnson in the ensuing scramble. Arteta's goal was given after his penalty bounced down over the line off the bar.

The Tyne-Tees derby between Newcastle and Middlesbrough at St James' Park ended goalless.

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FA Cup Review : Bolton 1-3 Arsenal

Arsenal travelled to Bolton without their central spine as Henry, Cesc and Lehmann were all rested but the players that went North did a great job and secured passage into the weekend's 5th round.

Emmanuel Adebayor's deflected shot had put Arsenal ahead in the 13th minute and, right until the final seconds of normal time, the visitors looked like they were going through.

ARSENAL 1-0 : Adebayor


However in the dying seconds Abdoulaye Meite scrambled the ball in from close range to send the tie into extra time. (don't expect me to post coverage).

The deciding goal was struck by Freddie Ljungberg 13 minutes from the end of extra time after Freddie raced clear after excellent work by Jeremie Aliadiere and steered a wonderful shot into the far corner of the net.

ARSENAL 2-1 : Ljundberg


Ljungberg's goal seemed to finally extinguish the life from Sam Allardyce's side. But much of the drama was still to come. In the dying minutes, Tal Ben Haim was sent off for his second booking and Julio Baptista managed to miss another spot kick and then Adebayor added a third goal.

ARSENAL 3-1 : Adebayor


The result sees Arsenal into the Fifth Round. They now play Blackburn on Saturday at Emirates Stadium.

(If you want to read an entertaining pro-Gooner view then checkout this match review post from ArseBlog which made me laugh out loud ..

Note - not recommended for Sam Allardyce's mother)

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Arsenal 2-1 Wigan : 3 points (w. Video)

Arsenal are never at their best after an international midweek break and so it proved again as the Gunners had to battle long and hard before scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to beat Wigan 2-1.

Wigan score a beauty

Wigan opened the scoring in the first half via a screamer of a goal from Danny Landzaat, who thumped the ball home from about 28 yards after the ball broke to him from a tackle.

Heskey might have made it 2-0 but Jens Lehmann got his fingertips to the strikers finish and pushed the ball onto the post and the Arsenal keeper reacted quickest to gobble up the rebound.

Into the second half and Heskey missed a couple more half chances to grab a second goal and then was involved in a penalty claim after a clash with Flamini.

Get up you big girl ...

Flamini touched Heskey, thats "touched" him with his arm. He didn't grab, push or throw him, he didn't trip him or make contact with his legs - but Heskey piroletted to the ground in a scene very reminiscent of Swan Lake - yelling and appealing on the way down.

The referee said play on - Wigan boss Paul Jewell is still whining about it asking "why would Heskey dive? - Perhaps because he'd already missed 3 chances and knew he had far more likelihood from the penalty spot ?!

Controversial Equaliser

Arsenal went down the other end and scored through an own goal by the unfortunate Fitz Hall - who had to get a foot in to stop Henry from applying the finishing touch.

All sorts of controversty with Paul Jewell complaining about offside (but of course ignoring the fact that Adebayor had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside 10 miutes earlier) ... while Theirry Henry got in trouble for taunting Wigan Keeper Chris Kirkland and asking him if he was going to keep on timewasting.

Of course the TV pundits decided that Henry was comitting some sort of crime against humanity and that he should make a public apology - while Gooners everywhere think that Kirkland has been wasting time since halftime with overlaborate goal kick routinues and having wasted at least 5 minutes and got exactly what was coming to him.

Cracking Winner

Of course what it really did was put some more emotion into the game - with Arsenal players and fans winding themselves up ... and Four minutes later Arsenal created a similar move, this time it was Batista crossing and Tomas Rosicky who supplied a headered finish ... and the reaction in the ground said it all.



... and Arsenal had completed yet another comeback win.

In the end it's three more points in the bag - but the first 45 minutes were pretty lacklustre - and there is plenty for Arsene Wenger to think on.

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Betting Tutorials - Handicaps, Juice and Over-rounds?

Sports Betting is a complicated past-time isn't it?

It's a world with it's own colourful jargon, a myriad of betting methods, and a vast number of of betting styles available to the internet punter.

Over the last couple of years we've slowly build up a "betting toolkit" of pages on the main site to try and help newbies (and experienced punters too) to answer their own questions and better understand it all.

GOONERS GUIDE TO BETTING PAGES
If you get onto the Online Gambling Guide page you should see easy to follow links to most of the articles and guides - and more links on the toolbar.

The GoonersGuide.com site covers a lot of Sports Betting questions such as basic betting tips, money management principals, jargon busting pages, and a review of best odds.

We also have sections on Poker, and casino games such as Backgammon, Blackjack, and Craps with recomemndations on safe places to play.

But we're always getting more and more basic questions too - on the different style of betting, from asian handicaps, to spread betting and bookie over-rounds, that need to be approached from a different angle.

BOOKIELABRAT BLOG ARTICLES
So I sat down and started writing over at the BookieLabRat.com site (where I help out) and have begun posting a series of blog articles and betting tutorials on the various methods of betting.

There will be more added in the next few weeks - so if you've got a question that you've always wanted to know about gambling - then get onto the GoonersGuide.com forum and ask it ... it may turn into an article.
;-)

Good punting.

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Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham (AET) With Video

Arsenal have squeezed through to the final of the Carling Cup - after having to go to extra-time before finally dealing to a dogged Spurs side.

While it's been a story of "Young Arsenal" throughout the preliminary rounds - it was a more senior team tonight - with only Thierry Henry given the night off (although that is a very LARGE only).

We had Gilberto back and Adebayor on up front - and this team dominated Spurs in the first half but were unable to make a breakthrough.

DENILSON IS CLASS ...
The standout player for me was the young Brazilian Denilson (18yo) who seemed inspired by playing alongside his world cup winning countryman and really dominated the show from start to finish.

WALCOTT IS .. WELL .. NOT
By comparison the English wonderkid Theo Walcott had another effort to forget, showing an appaulling touch on many occasions, and he was very wasteful with both passing and crossing. He may be fast - but he's constantly choosing to attempt balls that he doesn't have the skill to complete.

SCORELESS AT THE BREAK
Walcott was substituted in the 63rd minute for Tomas Rosicky and Arsenal instantly looked a much more dangerous outfit - and it was no surprise when Adebayor finally gave the Gunners a 1-0 lead in the 77th minute.



But Spurs boss Martin Jol reacted - bringing on the transfer-bound Mido who almost immediately popped up with a set-piece goal and it was 1-1 with 5 minutes left and extra-time loomed.

EXTRA TIME REQUIRED
But Arsenal were dominant now - with Cesc Febregas (who had replaced Diaby) and Denilson running the middle or the park and a goal just before the extra-time break from Aliadiere gave Arsenal an advantage that looked to be enough.



Spurs had top chase the game, and Arsenal's lead was extended 4 minutes later when a Rosicky shot went in off a post and the unlucky Tottenham defender Chimbonda ... and at 3-1 on the night the game was done.



Arsenal ended the night showboating with a display of possession and Tottenham were chasing shadows ... and not getting close.

Bizarrely Spurs fans started chanting "England, England, England ..." which seemed a little xenophobic and certainly made a rather weak point. (except perhaps that England don't win many trophies either?)

Arsenal through to the final then - to face Chelsea's expensively assembled squad of veterens ...
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THE KIDS ARE OK - BUT EXPERIENCE WAS NEEDED ...
All in all - an interesting encounter - and another derby win for Arsenal over Spurs - but despite the headlines it was NOT the kids who won the game as by the end of the match it was Silva, Denilson, Fabregas and Rosicky who were the difference - and three of that quartet are first choice players.

So I wonder if Arsene Wenger will play "the kids" or whether the team that finished at the end will be closer to the team that plays the last English trophy in Cardiff ?

We will see ...

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Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd review with video

Arsenal produced a stunning late comeback to beat Premiership leaders Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday and breathe new life into the title race.

Thierry Henry headed a superb winner in stoppage time after Robin van Persie had netted on 83 minutes to cancel out Wayne Rooney's opener.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side started the game confidently and dominated the early possession. And twice they almost went in front in the dying seconds of the first half.

Both times they were denied by superb Jens Lehmann saves - the first to tip over a Rooney volley and the second to push away a Henrik Larsson header.

United did break the deadlock eight minutes into the second half as Patrice Evra went on a superb run down the left before crossing to the far post where the unmarked Rooney headed home.

Arsenal refused to give up though, and United seemed to be sitting back protecting the 1-0 lead, which allowed Arsenal to keep getting the ball into dangerous areas.

On 83 minutes Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky battled hard to win the ball back before the Czech crossed low into the box. And a faint touch from Henry diverted the ball to van Persie at the back post, who crashed the ball into the roof of the United net.

Then deep into stoppage time Henry sent the Emirates faithful wild with delight, beating Edwin van der Sar with a superb header from an Emmanuel Eboue cross.



If you prefer the live match coverage - here's Henry's injury time goal and celebration.

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EPL : Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal

A goal of breathtaking quality from Thierry Henry saw Arsenal make light of Gilberto's early red card to earn a valuable victory "oop North."

Gilberto's 13th-minute dismissal - for reacting to a pair of nasty fouls from Robbie Savage - put Arsenal under pressure - but the side seem to have benefitted from their recent exploits at Anfield and simply knuckled down.

(As an aside .... this is a part of the game that the FA, UEFA and FIFA have to get sorted out - while I understand the rules on retaliation - the end result here was unfair - just as it was in the World Cup 2006 final.

If a player is provoked into retaliation as the result of repeated fouls - or a foul mouth - and the referee deems that he should be sent off - then I think that BOTH players should be sent from the field.)

Anyway - Arsenal simply adjusted to a 4-4-1 and counter attacking tactics and dominated the possession from thereafter.

Kolo Toure's excellent header from Henry's free-kick gave Arsenal the half-time lead at Ewood Park .. (see video)

Toure
Uploaded by GoonerGoals

And Theirry Henry wrapped it up - starting inside his own half - tearing down the sideline and interpassing with Cesc Fabregas before sending an exquisite shot arcing past Brad Friedel into the top right-hand corner

Henry goal v Blackburn - 13 january 2007
Uploaded by Richie2710

At 2-0 the game was over - and if anything it was Arsenal who were more likely to get the third.

Next up is Manchester United's visit next weekend, then three cup games as we face Spurs in two-legs of the Carling Cup semi, and Bolton in the FA Cup.

Busy times ... but who cares when you're winning eh ?
;-)

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Carling Cup Q/Final : Liverpool 3-6 Arsenal

Wow! I don't think that anyone expected that result.

I was very surprised to see that Rafa Benitez made so many changes to the Liverpool team - especially after he'd been recently telling the press that Liverpool don't have much strength in depth ...

... but perhaps he just wanted to prove his point ?!!
;-)

Here's video highlights of the match ..

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FA Cup 3rd Round : Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal with Video

OK - so depsite my fears and my diatribe on the FA Cup - I tuned into this game ... and I must say that by halftime I was feeling a lot better about the competition.

Liverpool dominated the first 30 minutes or so in terms of possession but the Reds really do lack and out-n-out striker in the style of say Ian Rush, Michael Owen or even Robbie Fowler.

Instead they have Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt and it would be fair to say that they were pretty quiet during the whole period - seemingly not brought into play by that system that Rafa Benitez prefers.

Then Tomas Rosicky appeared on the scene and wham bam - thank you maam - Arsenal were into the HT break 2-0 up.





In the second half Liverpool huffed and puffed - and did grab a goal back with this effort from a corner ...



This wound Liverpool up but their tactics were one-dimensional (perhaps because they'd scored from a corner) and Liverpool spent 20 minutes bombing in cross after cross after cross ... without getting any reward

And with 7 minutes left Thierry Henry showed that the extended break has done him the world of good as we zoomed past a slow-motion Jamie Carragher and then wound threw the rest of the Liverpool defence to score and sew up the game.



Arsenal came - they saw - and they scored three goals which is as many as Liverpool had conceded in all 11 home games this season.

That was enough to knock the holders out of the Cup - and put Arsenal's name into the 4th round draw.

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Arsenal 6-2 Blackburn

... And THAT was a game to be added to the video archive of all Gooners - as the game summed up this current Arsenal side completely.

GOALS AT THE WRONG END.
Arsenal gave up a goal inside three minutes after Kolo Toure knocked over ex-Gooner David Bentley in the penalty area and Blackburn's Shabani Nonda put the visitors 1-0 up.

SLICK PASSING GOONERS.
That seemed to strike a nerve within Arsenal and the next 30 minutes we were treated to some of the slickest passing that I've seen in the Premier League as Fabragas Cesc pulled the strings and really made Arsenal play some beautiful stuff.

Surprisingly though Arsenal's equaliser came through the air, as Toure headed onto the crossbar and from a second corner Gilberto Silva was left free to head in from the back post. 1-1

Then Robin Van Persie and Adebeyor created a goal chance for Alexander Hleb who converted sweetly (2-1) and then Lucas Neill bundled over Van Persie for a home penalty which Adebayor stroked home. (3-1).

COASTING INTO PROBLEMS
The second half started well with Tomas Rosicky almost scoring when his effort was deflected onto the woodwork, but then Arsenal seemd to relax and Blackburn got back into the game - this time through an overhead kick by Nonda. (3-2).

Then Arsenal were grateful for the agility of Jens Lehmann who saved brilliantly from Pedersen to preserve the lead and it looked like it was gonig to be a nervous last 5 minutes.

GOAL RUSH SHOWS WENGER KNOWS HIS FOOTBALL
But Arsene Wenger does seem to know how to produce a side full of invention, and suddenly the Gunenrs switched back on to score three more goals in five minutes (plus injury time).

Van Persie started it with a great shot after running around several Blackburn defenders (4-2), before Arsneal and Cesc produced a magnificent move to set up Van Persie again (5-2), and there was even time for Mathieu Flamini to make it six, after he reacted to the rebound off a Cesc shot (6-2).

ALL WELL THAT ENDS WELL - THIS TIME
So Arsenal dish up a Christmas treat for all Gooners, and all neutral viewers, but in several patches they just seemed to drift off and on another day we could possibly have been cursing our luck and staring at a 3-3 draw !!

MERRY XMAS
All that remained was for the home fans to stream out of the stadium happy - and for Arsenal fans everywhere to remember to raise a glass (of French Claret?) on Christmas Day and toast what was - in the end - a hugely enjoyable match.

Have a great holiday period guys - see you all on Boxing Day.



Here's a video of the highlights (10 minutes or so).

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Wigan 0 - 1 Arsenal

Late Adebayor Strike Reminds Gooners of the Old Days.

There was a familiar chant last night, as "one-nil to the Arsenal" rang out, but it's been a while since this current crop of Gunners has heard it.

Arsene Wenger's skillful side moved back into 3rd place with a display of tenacity and resilience against Wigan - to suggest this young team in transition is rapidly toughening up.

This match was drifting towards its final minute still goal less, when the substitute Cesc Fabregas conjured a flash of genius to arc a sublime pass over the hosts back-line for Emmanuel Adebayor to gather.

The Togolese striker had missed two clearcut chances earlier but now the big man steered his shot accurately beyond the distraught Chris Kirkland and into the corner of the net to secure Arsenal's first away win in five attempts.

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