Wenger : Robin can do the same in 2012

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Robin van Persie to maintain his sparkling form in 2012. The Dutch striker was the Gunners' hero yet again yesterday as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at the Emirates Stadium, meaning he fell just one goal short of Alan Shearer's record of 36 goals in a calendar year.

His remarkable prolificacy has been one of the few bright spots in a frustrating year for Arsenal. And Wenger expects his captain to carry on scoring, providing he avoids the injury problems that has forced him to miss periods of previous campaigns.

"He can continue because he is the right age," Wenger said. "Touch wood, he can repeat the same amount of games, and nothing is impossible. I don't know why it changes at midnight at the end of the year."

QPR frustrated Wenger's team for an hour, but the winner came when Shaun Wright-Phillips lost the ball and Andrey Arshavin slipped it through for Van Persie to drill home.

"Robin scored the goal again that got us the points against a good QPR side," Wenger added. "They are one of the good sides we have seen this year."

Nothing is impossible. I don't know why it changes at midnight at the end of the year.

Arsene Wenger on the chances of Robin van Persie scoring as many goals in 2011

After a disappointing start to the season, Arsenal's defeat of QPR, coupled with Chelsea's loss at home to Aston Villa, enabled them to finish 2011 in the top four. And they were given more reason to celebrate as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, second and third respectively, dropped points on the same day.

Wenger said: "I give credit to these players, they have been 17th and 18th in the league and no-one talked, they just focused and there is formidable spirit. We have still room for improvement but it is a good basis."

Wenger eyes left-back, Frimpong set for Wolves loan

Wenger will be looking for short-term cover at left-back after a calf injury for Thomas Vermaelen. "It is serious enough not to play [against Fulham] on Monday or at Leeds," revealed the Frenchman.

"We have three left-backs out. Francis Coquelin did well but he is a central midfielder. Kieran Gibbs is not too far, three weeks, but it is stupid to drop points because we don’t have a left-back."

Wenger also confirmed that Emmanuel Frimpong will be loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers. "He needs practice because he needs the rhythm of games," he said. "Mick McCarthy told me he has a good chance to play.

"I have as well Coquelin who can play in this position. One of the two had to go and Frimpong had a good opportunity at Wolves."

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Van Persie sends Arsenal through

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Robin van Persie continued his brilliant scoring form as Arsenal beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Emirates Stadium to reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League again.

The Dutchman, who passed the 30-goal mark for 2011 with a double at Norwich on Saturday, repeated the feat tonight. He headed home following an excellent run and cross from Alex Song five minutes into the second half, and then swept home after a flick-on from a corner as the Gunners clinched top spot in Group F.

Arsenal were, though, made to work hard by an industrious German side, who lost playmaker Mario Goetze to injury after less than half an hour, and grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through Japan forward Shinji Kagawa. Jurgen Klopp's team were well organised, having come into the European tie on the back of a 1-0 league win at Bayern Munich, which cut the deficit at the top of the Bundesliga to just two points.

Cheered on by a vocal travelling support of some 8,000, Dortmund - unbeaten in six games, winning five - settled quickly. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski - a reported target for Liverpool - stretched the Arsenal backline, with Kagawa forcing a low save from Wojciech Szczesny.

It was nearly 20 minutes before the home side mounted a serious attack, with Aaron Ramsey's pass sending Theo Walcott away down the right. Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller was out quickly to make the block.

There was then a delay after Thomas Vermaelen and Sven Bender collided when they challenged for a 50-50 ball, with the Dortmund midfielder falling awkwardly and eventually needing to be carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Moritz Leitner.

Dortmund were forced into another unplanned change when much-hyped 19-year-old Goetze, who scored the goal that saw off Bayern and who has been linked with a £30million move to Arsenal, limped off and Croatian Ivan Perisic came on.

Walcott continued to be the main outlet down the right for Arsenal, and he was correctly flagged just offside from Van Persie's pass as he ran through to tap the ball into the net. The Englandman turned provider when he drilled in a low ball across the six-yard box, which Weidenfeller palmed away just as Van Persie looked set to pounce.

Dortmund continued where they had left off at the start of the second half, as Per Mertesacker hacked the ball behind for a corner. However, the Gunners had the lead after 49 minutes. Song charged down the left, before barging his way through three defenders with no little skill and chipping the ball towards the far post. Van Persie arrived on cue to send in a downwards header, which Weidenfeller got a hand to, but could not keep out as the frontman made it 16 goals for his season.

After Dortmund rallied, Arsenal had a great chance to double their lead as Ramsey's toe-poke put Gervinho clear. Although the Ivorian forward rounded the goalkeeper, he had allowed covering defender Mats Hummels enough time to knock the ball behind.

As the match entered the final 20 minutes, Gervinho was replaced by on-loan Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun as Wenger looked to protect his side's lead. Walcott was also withdrawn in the latter stages, giving Abou Diaby the chance to make a welcome return from another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

Van Persie made sure of victory after 87 minutes when he swept home unmarked at the far post following Vermaelen's flick from a corner. Dortmund then gave their excellent supporters a consolation goal when Kagawa shot home from close range in stoppage time.

With Olympiacos winning in Marseille, the Germans mathematically still have something to play for in their final group match, but they most likely face the prospect of Europa League football at best. Arsenal, though, can head to Athens next month safe in the knowledge that qualification and crucially top seeding for the last 16 is assured - which means there will, for now at least, be no chance of another clash with the likes of Barcelona.

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