Penalties Deny Arsenal Again (19/01/00)
Arsenal Too Good For Sunderland (16/01/00)
Kanu Will Play Insists Wenger (07/01/00)
Striker Problems For Arsene (05/01/00)
Arsenal Drop Points Away (04/01/00)
Leeds outclassed by Highbury Hotshots (28/12/99)
Keane Seals Victory For Coventry (27/12/99)
Arsenal 1-Wimbledon 1 (20/12/99)
Arsenal 3-Blackpool 1 (13/12/99)
Arsenal See Off Nantes. (9/12/99)
Wenger Approached by Japanes FA ? (04/12/99)
Arsenal Score Three at Filbert Street. (04/12/99)
Arsenal-Derby Match Report (29/11/99)
Arsenal-Nantes Match Report (25/11/99)
Arsenal-Middlesborough Match Report (20/11/99)
Two Sent Off In London Derby (07/11/99)
Arsenal-AIK Solna Match Report (03/11/99)
Arsenal held To 0-0 draw at Highbury (30/10/99)
- Viera gets six match suspension from FA (28/10/99)
Arsenal go out of Champions League (27/10/99)
Petit & Parlour sustain injuries at Wembley (27/10/99)
Arsenal Denied By Fine Goalkeeping
Leicester 0-Arsenal 0 (leicester win 6-5 on penalties)
Arsenal were knocked dramatically out of the FA Cup tonight after a classic cup match which had to be settled in the end in a sudden death penalty shoot-out. After the first match was drawn at Highbury the Gunners had to prove that they deserved to go through to the next round at the replay. And they nearly did only to be denied by penalties.
Arsenal had put Leicester under a great deal of pressure all throughout the game, chances falling to Davor Suker, Patrick Viera and Martin Keown. But they just wouldn't go in, Tim Flowers producing a double save from Patrick Viera's shot from close range and also diving to stop Martin's Keown's sweetly struck volley.Suker also managed to come close on a few occasions shooting over the bar from close range and also being denied a certain goal by Robbie Savage who headed the ball over the cross bar.
Extra time showed no signs of a goal with the thing to happen was the substitution of the injured Leicester goalkeeper Tim Flowers for Peggy Arphexad.
So the game once again for Arsenal had to be decided with penalties.Suker scored the first while the second for Lee Dixon was dramatically saved by the Leicester keeper. But luckily for Arsenal, David Seaman was up to the task of saving the final spot kick from Stefan Oakes.
picture from AFCi
www.arsenal.co.ukThe penalties then had to go to sudden death which is where Arsenal failed .After Patrick Viera put the first away it was left with Gille Grimandi to slot home the second one. The shot was put low to the right of Arphexad who dived the right way to push the ball around the goal.
Arsenal 4-Sunderland 1 (Henry 3, 81 + Suker 27, 32)
Arsenal went back to winning ways again with a superb victory over Sunderland. With Berkamp and Kanu both absent the pressure was left on the young Thierry Henry and the experienced Davor Suker. Both dealt with it very well impressing the manager with some superb goals.
The scoreline was opened as early as the third minute when Thierry Henry slotted one home. The best goal was to come next when Davor Suker seeing Sorenson slightly off his line lobbed the ball over a Sunderland defender and the keeper to land the ball into the far corner of the goal. Five minutes later Suker got his second goal turning in a cross from Henry. By this time Arsenal were cruising.
It was not till after half time that Sunderland got a goal when ex-Arsenal player Nial Quinn scored past Seaman.
But Sunderland were not to get any closer to Arsenal's lead when Henry turned Steve Bould in the area to slot one home.
Leicester Hold Arsenal To Draw
Arsenal 0-Leicester City 0 (Eadie sent off 81)
The ten men of Leicester held out to an Arsenal team who at the end of the match were coming close to scoring. The match itself proved to not have many chances, the only real chance for Arsenal was in the second half when Davor Suker produced a great left footed shot which equally was turned over the bar by the reserve Leicester goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad. The only other events were the ten yellow cards and one red that Mike Riley managed to produced in the match.It seemed that every challenge was rewarded with a yellow card. One of these yellows was given to Robbie Savage who produced a nasty tackle on Kanu who was luckily not injured by the challenge.
If Arsenal manage to win the replay they have an exciting fifth round draw away to Chelsea.
Kanu Will Go After Leicester Match
Nwankwo Kanu will play in Sundays FA Cup match against Leicester only if he is given permission from his country. Arsene Wenger will not play him if he is not given permission as they could face expulsion from the Cup. Nigeria face Tunisia on Jan 23 which would mean he would leave for the Nigerian training camp on January 10. But Fifa state that the tournament starts on Jan 22 meaning Kanu would have to leave this Sunday before the Cup match.
Kanu Doubtful For Cup Match v Leicester
Arsene Wenger looks certain to lose one of his star srikers for the FA Cup match against Leicester. Kanu has been called up by his country, Nigeria to play in the African's Cup which starts two weeks on Saturday. Wenger hoped the star could be allowed to play for his club this Saturday but the Nigerian FA are stating that a Fifa rule says that a player must be released from his club a minimum of two weeks before the tournament starts.
If the club refuse to release him the Nigerian FA will suggest that the club should be thrown out of the FA Cup.
The news will leave Wenger with only two experienced first team strikers, Henry and Suker for this Sunday's match as he has already lost Overmars due to an ankle injury as well as Berkamp.
Arsenal Left To Settle For Draw at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday 1-Arsenal 1 (Petit 40)
Third in the Premiership v Bottom of the premiership. The results should have been obvious. The First half was good for Arsenal. After some chances Petit was given the ball by a delightfull flick on by the tallented Kanu. The ball was placed straight through the legs of Pavel Srnicek with power. Thierry Henry had a chance to open the score sheet but seemed to fire it straight at the keeper.
In the 54th minute Ian Nolan supplied a deep cross at the far post to give Sibon a free header past the Arsenal keeper who had no chance.
Things could have got worst for the Gunners only for the post to save them after Alexandersson's shot.
The draw means Arsenal close the gap slightly on Sunderland and Leeds who both lost. Manchester United did not play.
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Leeds Left Standing In Highbury Battle
Arsenal 2-Leeds 0
Coventry 3-Arsenal 2 (Ljungberg 66, Suker 86)
After a draw at home to Wimbledon Arsenal were to be punnished even more when visiting a Coventry side who hadn't won against them for well over five years. Another very early goal by Gary Mcallister gave the home team a one goal lead although it had a good deal of luck with it as it flicked off Martin Keown's body to leave Seaman wrong footed. To make things work for Arsenal was the form of the two Morrocans, Hadji and Chippo who were playing very well. And it was one of these who was to score the next goal when Hadji placed a right footed shot round the England keeper.
In the second half Arsenal had to do something to put the pressure back on Coventry and they did that in the 66th minute when Ldungberg managed to smash the ball in from close range. But as Arsenal had got the goal they had wanted they through it all away again when Keane made it three.
A late goal from Davor Suker for Arsenal was not enough to give Arsenal a point which menas they stay at fourth.
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Arsenal 1-Wimbledon 1 (Henry 61)
Arsenal suffered a setback to their title challenge with a draw against Wimbledon at Highbury. The gunners were punnished as early as the 7th minute by a Carl Cort goal. After this things got out of hand. The once Arsenal striker John Hartson had words with Gilles Grimandi after having been caught late by the Frenchman only to also get involved with Petit.
In the second half the Gunners got their eqauliser when Thierry Henry added another goal to his Highbury collection. After missed oppertunities and terrific saves from Sullivan the final whistle blew leaving Arsenal to share the points.
Arsenal 3-Blackpool 1 (Grimandi 23, Adams 65, Overmars 89)
Arsenal booked a place in the fourth round of the FA cup with a 3-1 win against Blackpool tonight with a good display of goals which if it wasn't for the Blackpool keeper Tony Caig would have been much greater. He managed to keep out strikes from Henry and Petit until Arsenal's newly found goalscorer Gilles Grimandi got the ball and found the back of the net. This was his third goal in three game.
Blackpool had hardly got out of their half when they produced a shock equaliser just before half time when Clarkson got onto the end of a cross to guide it past Alex Manninger. The second half started with Arsenal determined to show they were the better side. Henry came close a few times but couldn't finish well enough to score. But when Arsenal need inspiration it usually comes from one of the old guard. This time it was to be Tony Adams who struck the ball from close range into the back of the net after many Arsenal players had missed it.Arsenal continued to go forward and didn't get a third until the 90th minute when overmars sneeked one past the Blackpool keeper.
Nantes 3-Arsenal 3 (Grimandi 24, Henry 31, Overmars 42)
Nantes fought back to earn a well deserved draw at home to the gunners but the arsenal went through 6-3 on aggregate due to their fine display in the first leg at Highbury. It was the home side which scored first with a free-kick from Antoine Sibierski. This seemed to wake Arsenal up who after a few more scares from Nantes (including the mistake by Lee Dixon which nearly gave the home team a two goal lead) settled down and let the inform Gilles Grimandi put one past Landreau. Thierry Henry was next when the trickery of Kanu put the ball over the Nantes defence to let the young Frenchman add another goal to his increasing tally this season.
As half time was approaching Arsenal put some breathing space between the score line when Overmars sped past the defence and place the shot past the keeper.
After half time Arsenal started off as they started at the beginning of the game. They deserved to be punished when in the 57th minute another shot from Sibierski found the goal. By now Nantes new that they could not win but restored some pride by equalising in the 77th minute.
Arsenal now look forward to the visit of Deportivo La Coruno who are currently top of the Spanish First division. The ties will be played on March 2nd and March 9th.
Leicester 0-Arsenal 3 (Grimandi 23, Dixon 53, Overmars 75)
Arsenal hit three to shatter Leicester who were outclassed totally. On paper the match showed to be much closer, Arsenal without key players and Leicester who were unbeaten at Filbert Street this season. But Arsenal showed that they have more depth in their squad than some peple may think. Gilles Grimandi, in the side for the suspended Patrick Viera opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from a corner.
In the second half Thierry Henry ran to the by line and with an easy side step went round Robbie Savage to put a low cross in the box which Lee Dixon (who was celerbrating his 400 th league appearence for Arsenal) managed to push past Tim Flowers.The score was completed when Marc Overmars shot the ball into the goal to silence the Leicester supporters.
The win meant Arsenal went top of the Premiership for a few hours yeaterday due to their match being played in the morning. They were demoted to second later on in the day when Manchester United beat Everton 5-1. They will drop down back to third tomorrow if Leeds beat Derby.
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Arsene Wenger rubbished reports today that the Japanese FA had made a fresh approach to him about the possibility of taking over as national manager for the 2002 world cup which is being held in Korea and Japan.
The last time Wenger was in charge of a Japanes side was with Grampus Eight where he had a very successfull time.
Young Guns Go Out In Penalties
Middlesborough 2-Arsenal 2
(2-2 aet; Middlesborough win 3-1 on penalties)
Arsenal lost to Middlesborough tonight in a thrilling match which was finally decided on a penalty shoot out.
It was Middlesborough who opened the score sheet when Hamilton Ricard scored. But Arsenal were not to be stopped by this and the in form Thierry Henry shot from 25 yards to make it 1-1. Arsenal young guns seemed to playing well and this was shown when they took the lead with a tap in from Suker after Schwarzer failed to hold the free kick from Henry.Henry's successfull game soon turned grim when he was judged to have handled the ball in the area. Ricard converted the spot kick and the match was halfed again to take into extra time.
Extra time failed to show a goal and the game went to a penalty contest. Arsenal were unlucky having missed one and having another one saved by Schwartzer.
Henry Scores Two to Send Arsenal Back to Third
Arsenal 2-Derby 1
Thierry Henry struck twice to take the lead against Derby and send Arsenal back to third in FA Carling Premiership. Arsenal were one nil down in the first few minutes when Dean Sturriges put the ball past Alex Manninger who was called into the starting lineup as a last minute replacement for David Seaman who pulled out at the last moment. The goal did not seem to pannick the Gunners who responded in the next ten minutes when Overmars ran past Rory Delap to send a cross in that Henry converted.
More chances came for Arsenal with Overmars, Grimandi and Henry coming close but it wasn't until after the half that Arsenal found the back of the net again when the in form again Overmars put a brilliant through ball to Henry who finished with his right foot.
The last twenty minutes Arsene Wenger brought on subs taking off Overmars, Berkamp and Henry. Even with these players off, Arsenal had such a dominating grasp on the game that Derby never came close to scoring again.
Arsenal were unlucky not to score anymore goals but the result means they keep the pressure up on Manchester United and Leeds who went back to the top of the Premiership with a late winner against Southampton.
3-0 Victory at Highbury Should See Gunners Through To Next Round.
Arsenal 3-Nantes 0
Two late goals from Dennis Berkamp and Nigel Winterburn sealed victory for Arsenal who would have been going to Nantes only with a one goal advantage.
Arsenal opened the scoring with a penalty from Marc Overmars in the thirteenth minutes after Kanu was brought down in the box. The penalty was nearly saved by the Nantes goalkeeper Landreau only to see it come in off the post. Just before the end of the first half Nantes had a chance which Hassan Ahamada who shot a low ball just wide.
The second half proved to be the opening for Arsenal when Nantes went down to tem men with Chanelet being sent off for a second bookable offence. The Gunners left it late however with Nigel Winterburn scoring a delightful left footed shot which lept into the top corner. Then in the dying minutes Berkamp was fed a ball by Overmars who curled it round the keeper into the bottom corner to seal victory.
The player who stood out most was Patrick Viera. He seemed to never stop battling. Arsenal will be missing their two midfield players badly in the following weeks with Viera continuing with his seven match ban in domestic games and also the likeliness of Petit being rested due to his knee injury.
Arsenal went back to winning ways on Saturday with a brilliant display against a tired Middlesborough. After losing their last Premiership match against Tottenham Arsenal needed a boost and they certainly got that at Highbury. Overmars was in devastating form all throughout the match and was rewarded with three superb goals. Also what was pleasing to see was the return of Berkamp on the scoresheet who scored two goals in the match, one a superb shot outside the area which left Marc Schwarzer clutching at thin air.
The display was not only brilliant but was vital if Arsenal were stay with Manchester United and Leeds in the League. It also boosts their confidence for the game against Nantes on Thursday in the Uefa Cup.
The win means Arsenal go up to third place above Sunderland who lost to Liverpool 2-0.
Arsenal lose Away To Tottenham
Tottenham stunned Arsenal yesterday with two goals in the first twenty minutes. The first goal from Tottenham was a chip by Leonhardson over the Arsenal defence which Steffan Iversen pushed past Seaman. The second goal came from a freekick by Tim Sherwood which left Seaman with no chance. Arsenal had to pick themselves up from this poor start and they did ten minutes later when Viera headed in to make the score 2-1 just before half time.
Arsenal came out in the second half with a belief that they could get an equaliser but this was not going to happen when Freddie Ljungberg got sent off for a headbutt. Even though Arsenal were down to ten men it took some fine saves from Ian Walker to prevent Suker who came on for Nwankwo Kanu and Marc Overmars an equaliser. As Arsenal searched for a goal in the last few minutes Martin Keown also got sent off for two bookable offences to leave Arsenal with no hope.
Arsenal said goodbye to the Champion's League this season with a 3-2 away win at AIK Solna. The match was quite even throughout with both sides threatening the oppositions goal. In the first half it was Arsenal who oppened the scoring with the Dutchman, Marc Overmars scoring from a cross from Emmanuelle Petit. But before half time Solna hit back with a goal to make it equal at halftime.
At the beginning of the second half Arsenal had a great deal of chances without much luck until Marc Overmars scored another one with help again from Petit. Four minutes later Kanu was up to his old tricks again managing to shake off defenders to supply a cross which Suker met at the far post. Solna did not give in and another goal from Andersson kept the pressure up on Arsenal but they could not find an equaliser and the game ended in a win for the Gunners.
Champion league Table/Back to Top
Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle at Highbury with many key players being rested. The two new signings at the beginning of the season, Davor Suker and Thierry Henry started for Arsenal and failed to make much impression on Newcastle who came to Highbury with a five man defense. Thierry Henry came close to scoring and Viera had a header from close range cleared off the line. Television replays later showed that the ball had actually crossed the line. At half time Wenger brought on Berkamp for Henry in an effort to put more pressure on Newcastle but even with his presence Arsenal still could not score.
The result means that Arsenal drop down to third place in the league with a possibility of going down to fourth if Sunderland beat Tottenham tomorrow.
Patrick Viera was handed his punishment today from the FA for his outburst last week at West Ham. The midfielder who reacted angrilly to being sent off spat at Neil Ruddock before being led away to the dugout by team-mates.
The suspension was also increased to seven games when Viera picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Gunners Go Out Due To Batistuta Goal
Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League last night by a stunning goal by Gabriel Batistuta. The Argentinian who had hardly had a shot at goal all of the match was fed a pass from Heinrich and with Winterburn challenging managed to put a right footed shot into the roof of the top left hand corner. The pace of the shot took it straight past Seaman who had no chance.The game was not helped by the Italians play acting especially in the case of Emmanuelle Petit who was booked by referee Michael Lubos for elboing a Fiorentina player when it was clear that he was just trying to get the ball off him to take a freekick.With only 13 minutes to go Arsene Wenger made a bold decision taking off Lee Dixon and replacing him with Davor Suker in hope that Arsenal could snatch a goal in the last ten minutes.
That nearly happened when a shot deflected off Kanu leaving Suker with a chance on his left foot. The shot smashed off the post giving Kanu a great chance. The Nigerian hit it well enough only to be stopped from a superb save from Toldo.
The defeat means even a win at next weeks match away to AIK Solna will not be enough to see the Gunners through to the knockout stages of the League.
Champion league Table/Back to Top
Emmanuelle Petit was taken off in the middle of the second half against Fiorentina with a suspected reaccurrence of a knee injury that has kept him out of the first team this season.Before being taken off Petit was playing well bringing more reliability to Arsenals midfield. The injury though could mean more weeks of rest for Petit who has had an unlucky start to the season.
Ray Parlour also suffered a knock last night and was seen leaving the pitch limping. Hopefully he will recover in time for the England match against Scotland in a few weeks time.
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Last revised: January 20, 2000.
