Arsenal 1 - 0 Man Utd

Welsh midfielder Ramsey scores through the outstretched legs of Michael Carrick, Arsenal , Man Utd, wallpaper, poster, photo

By Phil McNulty  Chief football writer at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal blew the Premier League title race wide open as leaders Manchester United were deservedly beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's winner early in the second half condemned United to defeat and leaves them only three points ahead of Chelsea with identical goal difference - and a meeting between the two to come at Old Trafford next Sunday.

Forced to rebuild his promising career after suffering a broken leg, Ramsey made the most of a chance to deputise for injured captain Cesc Fabregas with a goal that will have been met with almost as much joy at Stamford Bridge as it was in front of Arsenal's fans.

Victory was well-earned reward for their superiority against a United side that never looked like repeating the heroics of their Champions League semi-final first leg victory against Schalke 04 on Tuesday in Germany.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must have thought the fates had conspired against him when they were denied a clear first-half penalty after Nemanja Vidic handled Theo Walcott's cross.

Arsenal will keep fighting - Wenger

But the game concluded with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson angry at referee Chris Foy after substitute Michael Owen was hauled down in the area by Gael Clichy in the closing moments, only to have his appeals ignored.

It is a win that has probably come too late to revive Arsenal's own title aspirations, but one which gives Chelsea real hope that they can retain their crown if they can beat United next week.

Ferguson cut a frustrated figure throughout, a mood matched by his players as they rarely got to grips with an Arsenal side they have enjoyed so much success against in the recent past.

Arsenal lost Fabregas to a thigh injury sustained in training on Saturday - but his absence did not stop the Gunners dominating a first half that concluded with them nursing an acute sense of injustice.

Vidic, a central figure in every sense, was fortunate not to be punished for an uncharacteristic error after only three minutes.

In attempting to clear, he only succeeded in finding Jack Wilshere and was relieved to see the teenager pull his effort inches wide.

And Walcott could not keep a close-range shot under control as he stretched to meet Clichy's cross, sending it well over the top of Edwin van der Sar's crossbar.

United have had joy against Arsenal in the past by lying deep before striking with devastating effect on the counter attack.

And they almost delivered a sucker punch in the face of Arsenal's early superiority when Fabio da Silva burst into the area unmarked, but was unable to find Javier Hernandez.

Click to playPhelan disappointed with Man UtdArsenal, with justification, were furious just after the half-hour when Vidic clearly used his hand to direct Walcott's cross away from the incoming Robin van Persie - an offence missed by the officials.

England striker Wayne Rooney's main contribution had been a yellow card for fouling England team-mate Wilshere just before the interval.

He did show his enduring quality with a curling 25-yard free-kick after 48 minutes, but the previously unemployed Wojciech Szczesny was equal to the task with a diving save.

Arsenal finally got the goal they had merited after 56 minutes, Ramsey sliding a low finish into the corner of the net from Van Persie's incisive cut-back.

United, thoroughly out of sorts, replaced Anderson with Antonio Valencia moments before the goal.

They did muster a response, however, when Vidic rose highest from a corner to head just wide.

And in a belated show of urgency by United, Szczesny was then forced to save well from Nani after Rooney had driven deep into the Arsenal half in a bid to lift his team-mates from their slumbers.

With three minutes left Ferguson and United's players were reduced to a fury as Owen was brought down from behind by Clichy as he raced into the area.

Referee Foy, much to Ferguson's obvious disgust, was unimpressed.

It was Arsenal's last anxious moment before closing out a win that leaves the title potentially on the line when United confront champions Chelsea, who narrowly beat Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Man Utd

Welsh midfielder Ramsey scores through the outstretched legs of Michael Carrick

By Phil McNulty  Chief football writer at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal blew the Premier League title race wide open as leaders Manchester United were deservedly beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's winner early in the second half condemned United to defeat and leaves them only three points ahead of Chelsea with identical goal difference - and a meeting between the two to come at Old Trafford next Sunday.

Forced to rebuild his promising career after suffering a broken leg, Ramsey made the most of a chance to deputise for injured captain Cesc Fabregas with a goal that will have been met with almost as much joy at Stamford Bridge as it was in front of Arsenal's fans.

Victory was well-earned reward for their superiority against a United side that never looked like repeating the heroics of their Champions League semi-final first leg victory against Schalke 04 on Tuesday in Germany.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must have thought the fates had conspired against him when they were denied a clear first-half penalty after Nemanja Vidic handled Theo Walcott's cross.

Arsenal will keep fighting - Wenger

But the game concluded with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson angry at referee Chris Foy after substitute Michael Owen was hauled down in the area by Gael Clichy in the closing moments, only to have his appeals ignored.

It is a win that has probably come too late to revive Arsenal's own title aspirations, but one which gives Chelsea real hope that they can retain their crown if they can beat United next week.

Ferguson cut a frustrated figure throughout, a mood matched by his players as they rarely got to grips with an Arsenal side they have enjoyed so much success against in the recent past.

Arsenal lost Fabregas to a thigh injury sustained in training on Saturday - but his absence did not stop the Gunners dominating a first half that concluded with them nursing an acute sense of injustice.

Vidic, a central figure in every sense, was fortunate not to be punished for an uncharacteristic error after only three minutes.

In attempting to clear, he only succeeded in finding Jack Wilshere and was relieved to see the teenager pull his effort inches wide.

And Walcott could not keep a close-range shot under control as he stretched to meet Clichy's cross, sending it well over the top of Edwin van der Sar's crossbar.

United have had joy against Arsenal in the past by lying deep before striking with devastating effect on the counter attack.

And they almost delivered a sucker punch in the face of Arsenal's early superiority when Fabio da Silva burst into the area unmarked, but was unable to find Javier Hernandez.

Click to playPhelan disappointed with Man UtdArsenal, with justification, were furious just after the half-hour when Vidic clearly used his hand to direct Walcott's cross away from the incoming Robin van Persie - an offence missed by the officials.

England striker Wayne Rooney's main contribution had been a yellow card for fouling England team-mate Wilshere just before the interval.

He did show his enduring quality with a curling 25-yard free-kick after 48 minutes, but the previously unemployed Wojciech Szczesny was equal to the task with a diving save.

Arsenal finally got the goal they had merited after 56 minutes, Ramsey sliding a low finish into the corner of the net from Van Persie's incisive cut-back.

United, thoroughly out of sorts, replaced Anderson with Antonio Valencia moments before the goal.

They did muster a response, however, when Vidic rose highest from a corner to head just wide.

And in a belated show of urgency by United, Szczesny was then forced to save well from Nani after Rooney had driven deep into the Arsenal half in a bid to lift his team-mates from their slumbers.

With three minutes left Ferguson and United's players were reduced to a fury as Owen was brought down from behind by Clichy as he raced into the area.

Referee Foy, much to Ferguson's obvious disgust, was unimpressed.

It was Arsenal's last anxious moment before closing out a win that leaves the title potentially on the line when United confront champions Chelsea, who narrowly beat Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger calls on players to 'give every drop of blood' in Premier League title-chase

The Gunners boss has rallied his squad to bounce back from Sunday's draw with a win against Tottenham adding that they must show the 'mental dimension' to play for the club

by watchersNplayers

20 Apr 2011 08:25:00

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal(Getty Images)

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has rallied his players to 'give every drop of blood' to stay in contention for the Premier League title ahead of Wednesday's crucial match against bitter rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners were left bitterly disappointed on Sunday after conceding an injury time equaliser to Liverpool as they aim to catch leaders Manchester United, who are seven points ahead following Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

And after exiting the Champions League and losing the League Cup final, the pressure is firmly on Wenger's teamto get back to winning ways with six games left to play in the league.

He told Arsenal TV Online: "We want to continue to develop, stay in the top four and, after, get close to Manchester United to still have a chance to win this Premier League.

"I still believe it is absolutely important, essential that we give absolutely every drop of blood to do it."

Wenger reflected on Sunday's result and said he wanted his team to show the strength of character to bounce back with a win against Tottenham.

"It was difficult to swallow, the equaliser [against Liverpool], but you look forward and you want to put it right again in the next game - that is what our job is about," he added.

"When you play at Arsenal, you need to have the mental dimension to deal with that.

"We are on a 15-game unbeaten run and we want to continue that. Maybe, you never know, it will be a point that will be helpful at the end of the season."

The manager, who gave the interview on the club's TV channel after cancelling his press conference on Tuesday, said that playing Tottenham would give his side the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.

Mind games | Wenger has called on his young team to show mental strength

"We always play good games against Spurs, and played very well in September in the Carling Cup," he said.

"We will play our game, don't worry. We want to show we have the mental dimension to play for this club.

"The players want to show that and there is no better way to do that than against Spurs."

The Frenchman insisted, however that he had not set a points target for the remainder of the season.

He concluded: "Let's give absolutely everything to win this one. We are not in a period where we can calculate. I believe it is important that we give absolutely everything to win our next game."

Tottenham Star Rafael Van Der Vaart Says Inexperience Is Costing Arsenal

The Dutchman who has impressed in his first season at White Hart Lane believes Spurs can complete a historic double against their title-chasing north London rivals
By watchersNplayers



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Rafael Van der VaartTottenham star Rafael van der Vaart says a lack of experience is costing Arsenal in the biggest games ahead of Wednesday night's crucial north London derby.

The 28 year-old Dutchman who moved to White Hart Lane in the summer from Real Madrid said he feels confident that Tottenham could complete a league double of their arch rivals.

"Arsenal have a young team," he told talkSPORT. "That's the problem with a young team - once, you play fantastic, but in the other games, maybe the most important games, you drop points.

"They still have a fantastic team. It will be an open game. But we showed at the Emirates a few months ago that we can beat them.

Van der Vaart, who was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year prize won by his team-mate Gareth Bale on Sunday evening, said Spurs were keen on returning to top level European football next season.

He added: "It's not going to be easy. We have to win all our games and this is one of the most difficult games of the year. But we want to play in the Champions League next year."

The attacking midfielder inspired his team to a memorable 3-2 win at the Emirates in November.

Arsenal's title hopes fade after Liverpool's late, late equaliser

Dirk Kuyt scored an equaliser for Liverpool against Arsenal with the last kick of the game. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA

An often-vapid match became gripping far into stoppage time when each side converted a penalty, Arsenal took the lead in the 98th minute when Robin van Persie converted his slickly after Jay Spearing brought down Cesc Fábregas. At the very end, though, the hosts confounded themselves. Luis Suárez's free-kick broke to Lucas and although he presented no danger Emmanuel Eboué still barged him over. Dirk Kuyt struck home the penalty with the last kick of the game.

The folly of Eboué leaves Arsenal, with no games in hand, six points adrift of Manchester United in the Premier League. That will bring solace for Sir Alex Ferguson's side after their defeat in the FA Cup semi-final. This match had largely been listless and, penalties aside, it may be remembered for the head injury that saw the Liverpool captain, Jamie Carragher, carried off in the second half. Before the match had ended, however, it was reported that he had regained consciousness fully in the dressing room.

Few had pestered Arsenal with talk of the Premier League title in any case. That subject seemed inappropriate for a side that have been beaten three times on their own pitch, although people tend not to appreciate just how the they have atoned for such sins in away matches.

Arsenal were at risk early in the fixture when Spearing seemed to be fouled inside the penalty area by Johan Djourou after nine minutes. The referee, Andre Marriner, did not see a foul. Where the hosts were concerned, the moment that gripped the home crowd in the first-half was Laurent Koscielny's header against the bar following a Robin van Persie corner in the 16th minute.

The greatest concern for the visitors would, all the same, have been the collision between Carragher and team-mate John Flanagan that saw a brace fitted to the Liverpool captain before he was stretchered away after prolonged treatment. Sotirios Kyrgiakos took over in defence and Arsenal, in open play, continued to flounder in their efforts to prise open a line-up that became ever more secure, even if Van Persie did shoot against Reina in the 85th minute.