Gunners take derby spoils

Arsenal secured an emphatic 3-0 win over North London rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

Spurs will be disappointed after a frantic last few minutes at the end of the first half all but ended their hopes of a derby win, with Arsenal scoring twice in quick succession.

Bacary Sagna was allowed plenty of time to cross from the right touchline on 42 minutes as Robin van Persie got across the front of Ledley King to poke the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Just 11 seconds after the restart, Cesc Fabregas doubled the lead after pick pocketing Wilson Palacios and then surging past King to slide the pall past a helpless Gomes.

Final repeat in Carling Cup quarters

Holders Manchester United will face Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup next month, while Arsenal travel to Manchester City.
The match is a repeat of this year's final, which United won 4-1 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes at Wembley in March.

Chelsea - who saw off Bolton to reach the last eight - face another team from the north west as they bid to reach the semi-finals. Carlo Ancelotti's men take on Blackburn at Ewood Park.

And the draw, featuring eight teams from the Premier League, is completed by Portsmouth's clash with Aston Villa at Fratton Park.

I'm Gunner be best - Bendtner

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has ambitions to be the Premier League's top goalscorer and known as a world-class striker within five years.

The 21-year-old has had his fair share of critics for his goalscoring prowess in England since signing for the Gunners back in 2005, however the confident Dane has no doubt in his ability to succeed and prove people wrong.

"In my opinion I don't know why anyone would question me?" Bendtner told The Guardian.

Wenger and Benitez remain top of wanted list

Sources close to Real Madrid have said that Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger remain their two top targets to take over the managerial role at the Bernabeau.

The fact that Wenger has made it absolutely clear he will not leave Arsenal to join Real Madrid seems to have passed the Real Madrid heir achy by, that they consistently keep Wenger on their shortlist just shows how out of touch with reality they are.

Benitez is a different issue entirely and while he may have kept the tide at bay for a while after the victory over Man Utd, the events of the week previous to that win did show how vulnerable his position is.

But even Benitez would baulk at the idea of joining a sack happy club like Real Madrid, no serious top manager can consider a job at Real Madrid as a long term project and both Wenger and Benitez are not fly by night managers in it for one season.

It also shows that the current Real Madrid manager Manual Pellegrini job is extremely vulnerable if Real Madrid are already talking off the record to Spanish journalists, which is clearly happening now.

One thing is certain is that Madrid are prepared to throw huge sums around if it does help them secure either Wenger or Benitez.

Keeper Fabianski ruled out for three weeks

Lukasz Fabianski suffered a thigh injury in his comeback game against Liverpool on Wednesday night and will be missing for three weeks.

Speaking to TV Online immediately after the game all seemed well with the Polish keeper, who was playing his first match of the season following knee surgery. However, on Thursday lunchtime, Wenger revealed the 24-year-old had picked up a knock. The manager will now leave it until after Friday’s training sessions before deciding whether Vito Mannone or Manuel Almunia plays between the posts for the North London derby.

“We lost Lukasz Fabianski with a thigh injury,” said the manager. “He will be out for three weeks. Of course it is big disappointment because he has just come back from injury.

 “Also Wilshere (ankle), Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) and Rosicky (knee) will not be back for the game at the weekend. But we did not lose any players from last night.”

Wenger backs Gibbs for England role

England boss Fabio Capello made a personal check on Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs this week as he considers his left-back options for the World Cup.
Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are Capello's first and second choice in that position but injury to either of them for the tournament in South Africa would see England short of genuine contenders.

Capello watched Gibbs in the Carling Cup win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes his player is ready to make the jump from the Under-21s to England's senior team.

I hope to get a new Arsenal contract - Merida

Fran Merida is hopeful of securing a new contract at Arsenal and says the team has nobody to fear in the hunt for Carling Cup glory.

The midfielder scored his first Gunners goal on Wednesday night with a fearsome shot into the top corner to help Arsenal defeat Liverpool 2-1.

The 19-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season but the Spaniard has revealed he is looking to get a new deal after opening discussions with the Club.

"At the moment I am talking to the Club so I don't know what is going to happen," he said.

I hope to get a new Arsenal contract - Merida

Arsenal starlet Fran Merida was heading out on loan till Arsène Wenger’s change of heart

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger was poised to send Fran Merida, the 19-year-old who scored a sensational winner against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, out on loan for the season until an 11th hour change of heart because Merida has “too much quality”.
Merida, like club captain Cesc Fàbregas, was signed from the Barcelona youth set up to agree professional terms aged just 17, something that cannot be done in Spain until a year later.
He was ordered to pay a fee of around 3.2 million euro as compensation for “failing to meet the terms of a personal precontract” at the Nou Camp but has since established himself as one of the brightest prospects in an Arsenal squad decorated with youthful talent.

Eastmond is an intelligent player - Wenger

Arsène Wenger has praised the intelligence of Craig Eastmond after the 18-year-old made his Arsenal debut in the 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Londoner was one of the outstanding performers in last season's FA Youth Cup success.

He played at right back for the Gunners Under-18s and Wenger says some of the qualities Eastmond displayed saw him trialled in a midfield role against Rafa Benitez' side.

Young Gunners Beat Liverpool 2-1

While Arsenal have not lost at home for five seasons, the visit of Liverpool in the Carling Cup has a few of us wondering if that streak was going to come to an end. How would the young Gunners react against a tough opponent like Liverpool. After the performance last night, we should be have been “why are we worried”
Arsene Wenger’s young Arsenal side were impressive in beating Liverpool 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. This was not a lucky cup win. Arsenal deserved to win. They were the better team on the night.

Kroenke increases Arsenal holding

Arsenal director Stan Kroenke has moved a step closer to the threshold where he would have to make an offer for the entire stockholding of the club.

The US billionaire has bought a further 10 shares at £8,500 each, with his shareholding standing at 28.9%.
Mr Kroenke is the club's largest shareholder, ahead of Uzbeki tycoon Alisher Usmanov, who holds a 24% stake.
Mr Kroenke is nearing the 29.99% threshold that would force him to make an offer for the remaining shares.
Shares 'tightly held'

I can't wait for Liverpool game - Coquelin

Francis Coquelin is "really excited" ahead of the Carling Cup tie with Liverpool and hopes manager Arsène Wenger will continue to keep faith with some of Arsenal's younger players.

The Frenchman started his first match for the Gunners in the 2-0 third round victory over West Brom and is confident Arsenal can win again on Wednesday night.

"I'm really excited, I'm waiting for it," said the 18-year-old.

"We've got a chance. It's one game, anything can happen."

I am confident we can beat Liverpool - Traore

Armand Traore is confident Arsenal can beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup regardless of who plays on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman started at Anfield three years ago when a youthful Gunners side smashed six past a more experienced Reds line-up in the same competition. It is a result that gives the 20-year-old considerable encouragement ahead of this tie.

"We went to Anfield a few years ago and won 6-3," he said. "We had quite a young team except for Julio Baptista.

Arsenal let Arsene Wenger down against West Ham - Andrei Arshavin

Andrei Arshavin has admitted that he and his Arsenal team mates all felt they had let manager Arsene Wenger down after throwing away a two goal lead to draw with West Ham last weekend.
First half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas looked to have secured three points for Wenger's side at Upton Park and move them to within touching distance of league leaders Chelsea. But a converted set-piece, together with a penalty 10 minutes before full-time, saw West Ham draw things level and left Arsenal five points adrift of the league leaders.

Arshavin finally admits the players, including him let the fans down.

Well done Andre, you came clean, yes you didn’t have a good game, nor did Cesc and Billy was lucky not to give away a penalty, so apology accepted.

Clichy said they learned a painful lesson at West Ham and it won’t happen again, really, and what did you learn against AZ Alkmaar? Or doesn’t that count?

However, what let us down in that game is what lets us down so often, a poor team selection, playing good players out of position and the refusal to play great players in the position we play mediocre players.

Nasri set to start against Reds

Samir Nasri and Lukasz Fabianski could make their first appearances of the season when Arsenal host Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
Manager Arsene Wenger is expected to again send out a mixture of experience and youth in the fourth-round clash at the Emirates Stadium, with Philippe Senderos and veteran Mikael Silvestre likely to start in defence.

Arsenal boss issues warning to Gunners

Arsene Wenger warned his young Arsenal side cannot continue to miss "major opportunities" like at West Ham if they are to go on to deliver the Barclays Premier League title.

The Gunners had looked in complete control at Upton Park yesterday following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.

However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back when rookie Italian keeper Vito Mannone pushed a free-kick into the six-yard box, before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty after Alex Song was adjudged to have tripped the England striker.

Fabianski to get his chance against Liverpool

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must be spending long hours agonising over who to put between the sticks against Tottenham next week.

The former guaranteed Number One Manuel Almunia was left on the bench at the weekend, as Wenger kept faith with rookie Vito Mannone, who started the season as third-choice keeper.
But Mannone blew his performance with yet another mistake which allowed West Ham to get back into the game at 2-0 down. Wenger is not giving any clues away as to whether that means his faith will be restored in Almunia, but now both of them have to worry about the return to the squad of Lukas Fabianski.

We don’t care what other teams do - Clichy

Gael Clichy says he "does not care" about the results of the other Premier League title-chasers, preferring to concentrate only on Arsenal's performances.

While the Gunners picked up just a point away to West Ham on Sunday, Manchester United lost to Liverpool and Manchester City surrendered a two-goal lead to draw at home to Fulham. On the Saturday, Tottenham lost at home to Stoke.

Two Points Dropped

Arsenal threw away the chance of a fifth straight Premier League win as West Ham battled back to earn a 2-2 draw at Upton Park.
The Gunners had looked in complete control following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas. However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty.
Arsenal took the lead after when Abou Diaby fed Bacary Sagna on the overlap down the right. From Sagna’s cross, West Ham goalkeeper collided with his own defender leaving Van Persie free to slot into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season.

We are not being complacent - Wenger

Arsène Wenger refused to blame complacency for his Arsenal side allowing a second successive comeback on Sunday.

Robin van Persie and William Gallas seemed to have given the visitors an unassailable lead at Upton Park but goals from Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti drew West Ham level in the final 14 minutes. That came just five days after AZ Alkmaar had equalised deep into injury time when Arsenal were cruising to a third successive Champions League win.

West Ham was a major missed opportunity

Arsène Wenger has admitted the draw against West Ham was a “major missed opportunity” for his side.

The Gunners looked to be cruising to victory at Upton Park on Sunday until Carlton Cole’s header and Alessandro Diamanti’s penalty saw the hosts steal a point in the last 16 minutes.

After the match Wenger expressed his disappointment at the result and warned his team that repeats of the West Ham comeback could cost Arsenal in the Premier League title race.