Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen (No 5) celebrates after scoring the second of Arsenal's six goals

A summer of whispering doubt, silenced. Arsenal started this season apparently clutching desperately to their place at the Premier League’s top table, hoping against hope for a future that may never arrive. Within 41 minutes, it was evident rumours of their demise had been greatly exaggerated. Fighting for fourth? Threatened by the Eastlands oil billions? A club crippled by the forlorn hope of its stubborn manager? Arsène knows.

It is easy to get carried away at this time of the year. It is in mid-August when bold predictions are made. Yet it is no exaggeration to say that none of Manchesters United and City, Chelsea or Liverpool will come to Goodison Park and demolish Everton in as imperious a fashion as Arsene Wenger’s side.

The scoreline was, if anything, kind to David Moyes’s side. Denilson opened the scoring with a beautiful 20-yard shot from Cesc Fàbregas’s cut-back, Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas headed home unmarked from inviting free kicks and Fàbregas, deservingly, rolled the ball under Tim Howard after Robin van Persie set him clear just after the interval to complete the humiliation. He added the fifth with 20 minutes to go. The artistry of Wenger’s protégés, though, cannot be distilled into pure numbers.

The Frenchman’s revamped 4-2-3-1 formation purred, his attacking quartet interchanging positions and possession with effortless grace. Fàbregas orchestrated play and dictated tempo, inflicting the death by a thousand cuts which accounted for Everton’s defence. As the Spaniard milked the adulation of Arsenal’s travelling support after adding the fourth, his vanquished opponents stood awestruck.

Even amid the joy, Fabregas found time, after jauntily skipping through Everton’s midfield to add the fifth, to run to the bench and hold aloft a shirt bearing the name of Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol captain and Fabregas’s fellow Catalan who died of a heart attack last week. The Arsenal captain’s class extends off the pitch, too, it seems.

Behind him, Alex Song appears to have matured into the natural heir to the much-missed Mathieu Flamini, although that may, in fact, be unkind. Song is more elegant and more creative than the Frenchman.

The aspect that may have pleased Wenger most was the performance of Thomas Vermaelen, the new centre-back derided for a lack of height, who towered over every other player on the field. His reading of the game is expert, his tacking ferocious, his distribution flawless. He took everything Jo, Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill could throw at him. Arsenal’s fans sang his name inside the first 15 minutes. That may be some sort of record.

Had Manchester City been watching, they may have questioned why they want to pay £24 million for Joleon Lescott, who was helpless despite the unflinching support of a Goodison Park crowd who are desperate not to see him leave, when the Belgian international cost half that amount.

To suggest he was at fault for any of the goals would be to stretch a point, but his display was symptomatic of the general malaise which affected Everton here. Moyes suggested on Friday that the saga surrounding the England international’s future has “disrupted” the club. It sounded a cliché at the time, yet his players contrived to somehow bear out the truth in his statement. Moyes needs an end to the saga, and he needs it soon. The prospect of all that money for a player who is, while a fine defender, eminently replaceable, may be more appealing to the Scot this morning than it was 24 hours ago.

Arsenal scored a sixth goal after a shot from Arshavin hit the post and Eduardo tucked home the rebound. Everton managed a consolation through Louis Saha.

Moyes’ squad are a work in progress. Arsenal, on this form, are one nearing completion.

Man United 0-0 Arsenal

Committed: Wayne Rooney, centre fights for the ball against Arsenal's Denilson

Manchester United were today crowned champions of England for a record-equalling 18th time at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side might not have given Usain Bolt a goal to celebrate on his first visit to the Theatre of Dreams but the Premier League trophy will do as consolation after a goalless draw with Arsenal ensured Liverpool cannot now catch their north-west rivals.

After over three decades as the unquestioned kings of English football, the Merseysiders now have someone else to share the title with.

And, if Ferguson is to be believed it will not be long before the Anfield outfit lose it altogether.

While the first half ended with United still on course for the 11th league title of Ferguson's illustrious reign, Arsenal had every reason to be pleased with themselves.

After two dire displays that surrendered their Champions League semi-final with the Red Devils, plus a hammering on home soil by Chelsea, it was feared the Gunners would suffer yet another embarrassing mauling.

It surely could not be a coincidence that Andrey Arshavin's return from a combination of being cup-tied and contracting a flu bug coincided with Arsenal's return to form.

As Gunners fans search for reasons to be cheerful ahead of what will be another trophyless summer, the Russian playmaker is the main one.

Arshavin went on one mazy dribble from the left flank that would have opened United up totally had Jonny Evans not raced across to clear.

The former Zenit St Petersburg star was also the provider of a cross lone striker Robin van Persie might easily have steered into the net, rather than just over. However, the world's fastest man did not come to Old Trafford to watch Arsenal.

The hosts certainly started as if they meant business with Darren Fletcher almost sending Cristiano Ronaldo through inside the opening minute.

Yet, as time wore on, it seemed Ferguson's side were adopting a pragmatic approach to the situation, ensuring their goal was tight and secure, pushing forward in numbers only when really necessary.

The energy of Carlos Tevez helped in that regard. Sometimes it seems the South American is doing the work of two men. And, as the speculation over Tevez's future rumbles on, there is little doubt most United fans would want him signed permanently if at all possible.

It seems highly improbable though. And when he responded to his number 32 being flashed up as the man to be replaced by Park Ji-sung, the response, a little shake of the head and a two-handed wave to all four corners of the stadium, looked for all the world like a goodbye.

There has, of course, never been any discussion over Wayne Rooney. Had voting for the various player of the year awards been based on the last two or three months' form alone, Rooney would have been top of the pile.

The England striker has added an extra level of consistency to his game that truly deserves him now to be ranked if not at the very top of the game, then only just underneath.

Rooney stole in behind Bacary Sagna to head a teasing Michael Carrick cross wide after earlier having an effort deflected away by Kolo Toure.

On the brink of his 11th championship, Ryan Giggs curled a free-kick over and was then off target with a volley.

Ronaldo had an even better opportunity at the start of the second period after Tevez had failed to manage a shot after Carrick had supplied the cross, but did enough to nudge it into the Portugal superstar's path.

After offering his own sprinting guidance yesterday, Bolt must have thought Ronaldo would offer a fitting payment. Instead, he leant back and skied his shot into the Stretford End. In fairness, Bolt had chosen to come and watch his team on a rare day that they did not need to win.

For all the side issues surrounding Park's arrival, it suggested even less of an emphasis on attack, although Ronaldo did send one his trademark free-kicks whipping wide. It marked the end of United's attacking intent.

Fabregas and Van Persie had one last shot at spoiling the party. But with the trophy ready and the tickets sorted, it seemed a shame to stop it.

Arsenal 1-4 Chelsea

By the time Florent Malouda got the goal his fabulous performance deserved, Arsenal's supporters were already streaming for the exits, finished off for another season after finally losing the faith.

They were beaten by a team assembled for magic money, Arsene Wenger's latest barb at their big-spending neighbours after Chelsea handed out the mother of all beatings in Arsenal's backyard.

Gone backwards? More like gone at all levels.

Blues brothers: The Chelsea players celebrate Alex's goal

Key battles were not lost, they never even started. Mikael Silvestre versus Didier Drogba? No contest. Cesc Fabregas versus Frank Lampard? Forget it. Robin van Persie versus John Terry? An embarrassment.

It was a humbling experience for Wenger and his team, five days since Manchester United marched on to their territory and trampled all over them in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Once Alex scored with a header in the 29th minute, they were done for, the shattered confidence draining the life out of their tired little limbs, barely able to string a pass together as Nicolas Anelka, an own goal by Kolo Toure and Malouda's 86th-minute strike saw them off.

They have not lost this badly in a home league game since 1977, when an emerging Ipswich side turned over Terry Neill's team at Highbury, crashing four past the Gunners as the glory years began under Bobby Robson.

Judging by events of the past five days, Arsenal's golden era has also gone, consigned to the time capsule that was buried under the main entrance when Arsenal made the �350million move to the Emirates in August 2006.

They occupy fourth position in the Barclays Premier League this morning, where they will remain until the final ball of the season is kicked against Stoke City on May 24, readying themselves for what is becoming an annual date with the Champions League qualifiers.
Match Facts

After this they need a summer to recover, to recharge the batteries and remind themselves that playing for Arsenal remains a great privilege. Their supporters deserve better, certainly better than this.

For 25 minutes they gave it a go, with Theo Walcott the most threatening Arsenal player, bounding his way past Chelsea's defenders and even poking his England team-mate Ashley Cole in the eye, much to the delight of the home support.

With a new 50,000-a-week contract in the post, he needed to show more composure in the opening minute, blasting his effort over Petr Cech's crossbar when Robin van Persie put him through.

So far so good as Arsenal peppered Cech's goal, with Abou Diaby sending another effort wide and Walcott steering an inviting chance to the right of the post. It appeared to be game on until Fabregas clipped Drogba's heels, earning an inevitable booking after motioning to referee Phil Dowd that the most unpopular striker in the history of English football had taken yet another dive.

From Drogba's subtle free-kick, Chelsea took the lead when Alex rose above the pathetic challenge of Silvestre to plant an excellent header beyond the reach of Lukasz Fabianski in the 29th minute.

Arsenal looked for a leader, someone who could drag them back into the game but Chelsea, inspired by the mazy dribbles and the ghosting runs of Malouda, were unstoppable.

Anelka scored their second just before half-time. It was too easy for the former Arsenal striker as he set himself up on the edge of the penalty area, fizzing a shot with the outside of his toe which spun away from Fabianski and into his bottom left corner.

Stretch too far: Arsenal keeper Fabianski can't get near Anelka's swerving shot

Chelsea's supporters, still hurting from the perceived injustice against Barcelona on Wednesday evening, lapped it up, reminding the opposition-of last month's mismatch at Wembley when they met in the FA Cup semi-final.

It got to Arsenal's players, notably Toure when he sent Cole's cross at the start of the second half beyond the stranded figure of Fabianski, a pitiful sight for this once great defender.

The believers, the survivors still in the stands, were given hope when Nicklas Bendtner's header in the 70th minute beat Cech, a well-taken effort which met with the approval of Arsenal's dwindling support.

Moments later their hopes of a comeback were destroyed when Anelka's angled effort rebounded off the post and Malouda restored Chelsea's three-goal advantage.

That was the signal for Arsenal's supporters to desert the stadium, turning their backs on the team as Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink showed a playful side to his character by blowing kisses at them as they left.

After this, it might as well have been the kiss of death.

Kolo Toure Backs Young Gunners

Kolo Toure maintains Arsenal's youngsters will return stronger after being taught a Champions League lesson at the hands of holders Manchester United.

The Gunners' hopes of reaching the final in Rome were effectively ended after just 11 minutes at Emirates Stadium, where the holders raced into a 3-0 aggregate lead with two early goals.

Toure said: "Nobody was expecting a lot for us this season and we showed great spirit and we are really proud of what we have done.

Manager Arsene Wenger admitted it was one the most disappointing nights of his time in charge of the Gunners, whose last trophy came back in 2005 with the FA Cup.

Arsenal have secured fourth place in the Barclays Premier League following an unbeaten run of 21 matches, but another campaign which promised so much has failed to deliver. However, Toure is in no doubt the young squad will have learnt some important lessons after being exposed by the talent of Cristiano Ronaldo and England forward Wayne Rooney.

"We are not far behind those teams. We want to win and we will try to come back and be strong," declared the Ivory Coast defender.

"The only thing we can do at the minute is to just keep players, and if we can bring some more that would be fantastic.

"The spirit is good and we hope we are going to stick together and fight together again next season."

Toure is now fully focused on his future at Arsenal, having handed in a transfer request during January after a reported training ground bust-up with William Gallas.

"When you win trophies it becomes like a habit for you," he said. "This time we did not win anything, but when we get the first trophy, you will see more from Arsenal."

Fabregas backs Kieran to get over his slip and reach the top

Cesc Fabregas has backed 'devastated' Kieran Gibbs to recover from his Champions League nightmare and become an Arsenal great.

Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was left devastated by the slip (below) that handed Manchester United an early lead at the Emirates.

The 19-year-old left-back was playing in the biggest match of his young career last night, only for an unfortunate slip to present Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park with an early away goal. Before Arsenal could regroup, Cristiano Ronaldo drilled in an audacious 40-yard free-kick past Manuel Almunia to make it 3-0 on aggregate and effectively kill off the tie as a contest inside 11 minutes.

Gibbs, who came through the Wimbledon academy before joining Arsenal, has been thrust into the Gunners' starting XI following a back injury to Gael Clichy, but was withdrawn at half-time last night by manager Arsene Wenger.

The defender had a three-month spell on loan with Coca-Cola Championship club Norwich at the start of 2008, but this season has played in all competitions for the Arsenal first team - including an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley last month.

Fabregas has every confidence Gibbs can shake off this disappointment and follow in the footsteps of former Gunner Ashley Cole into the senior England team. 'Kieran has been amazing for us,' Fabregas declared. 'He has been so unlucky (against United). He was devastated at half-time, and that made me really sad because he is only 19 and this can happen to anyone. 'But he is a very strong guy and he will be a great player for Arsenal and England.'

Arsenal now have little more than pride left to play for - although an unbeaten run of 21 Barclays Premier League run has given them an outside chance of overhauling Chelsea, whom they host on Sunday, for third place.

Fabregas accepts the Gunners must do better if they are to fulfil their undoubted potential. 'It has been a difficult season, for a young squad like ours we did quite well,' said the Spain Euro 2008 winner, who missed a large chunk of the campaign because of a knee problem.

'We worked hard and were also in the FA Cup semi-final, playing against great teams, but we still have to improve a lot for next season. It is tough, but you have to stand up and look for the future. 'If we keep going and keep the team together, I am sure this team will have a lot to say in the future.'

Fabregas added: 'We are a young side, but we are strong, we have character and dignity. We need to be positive, to help each other and I am sure we will be okay against Chelsea on Sunday.'

Ten things you need to know about Anfield assassin: Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin put a huge dent in Liverpool's title charge by scoring four scores for the first time in his career in Arsenal's 4-4 draw at Anfield.

Here Sportsmail takes a look at Russia's star of Euro 2008, the man Arsene Wenger endured a torturous pursuit of in the winter and reveals 10 things you need to know about the man signed for £12million from Zenit St Petersburg.

From talented draughts player to one of the hottest properties in world football, here is all you need to know about the 27-year-old...

1) Andrey Sergeyevich Arshavin was born in St Petersburg - then called Leningrad - on May 29, 1981.

2) As a schoolboy, he showed great promise as a draughts player before turning his full attention to football.

3) While at university he wrote a thesis on sportswear production, but dismissed his decision to study for a diploma in fashion design as an opportunity to meet girls.

4) As a boy, he fell in love with the Barcelona team coached by Holland legend Johan Cruyff and had previously said moving to the Nou Camp would be his dream. Now he says he will probably be at the Emirates till the end of his career

5) Arshavin made his debut for Zenit St Petersburg when coming on as a substitute against Bradford at Valley Parade on August 2, 2000. The Russians won the InterToto Cup semi-final match 3-0.

6) He scored 71 goals in 310 games for Zenit, while for Russia he has scored 15 in 43 caps. With Zenit he won the Russian Premier League title in 2007, the League Cup in 2003, and the UEFA Cup, European Super Cup and Russian Super Cup in 2008.

Idols: Former Barcelona boss Johan Cruyff and a dream team of Nou Camp legends he put together for a friendly in 1999

7) Individually he has won a number of player of the year awards and was ranked the sixth best player in the world in 2008 for the Ballon d'Or - won by Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

8) Arshavin once stood for local elections in St Petersburg for the United Russia party led by Vladimir Putin (right) but withdrew his candidacy before a vote was cast.

9) The Communists of Leningrad group accused Arshavin of being a 'traitor' for his desire to leave the country. Berating him for 'putting up his body for sale for greedy Western clubs', they warned: 'If you want to sign for any Western team you will lose your spiritual connection to Mother Russia and Russians will never forgive you.'

A star is born: Andrei Arshavin scores past Edwin van der Sar as Russia beat Holland 3-1 at Euro 2008

10) Arshavin has a son and daughter with his long-term partner Yulia. Although they are not actually married, he calls her his wife. She recently revealed that she and her three-year-old boy Artem were almost killed in a hot-air balloon flight that went wrong in January.

Where it all began: Arshavin made his professional debut at Bradford's Valley Parade

Arshavin targets scoring five at United

Andrey Arshavin believes his four goals at Anfield show he was right to join Arsenal.

And the Russia star has warned Manchester United that he can top it by scoring five at Old Trafford.

The Russia star hit headlines across the world after scoring all his side's goals in the 4-4 draw at Liverpool on Tuesday night - a feat called 'poker' in Russian football parlance.

And he insists he would not have got the same exposure for a similar feat with former club Zenit St Petersburg.

The 27-year-old, who signed for the Gunners for £12million in February, told a Russian newspaper: 'I know that my goals were watched all over the world.

'That's more than enough to prove that I was right when I insisted on my move to the English Premier League. In Russia, if I scored not four but 24 goals in one game it wouldn't excite anyone outside the country.'

Asked what achievement could give him a greater joy, Russia's star of Euro 2008 said: 'Winning the Premier League, naturally. Or scoring five at Old Trafford.

'After Liverpool game my team-mates congratulated me and made a lot of jokes: "We'll do everything for you tonight! Do you want anything? Just say and we'll bring it running. Can we clean your boots? Or carry your bag?"

'On the plane back to London they signed the ball from the game and presented it to me.'

Arsenal travel to United on May 16 and Arshavin would love to spoil what could be the day that the champions collect their Premier League trophy again.

On target: Arshavin hits one of his four against Liverpool and celebrates below

But even bettering his four-goal haul would probably not impress his wife Yulia too much. Asked how he would keep his feet on the ground after his Anfield heroics, Arshavin said with a smile: 'I have a wife who will quickly put me back in my box.'

Newcastle 1 - 3 Arsenal

Toon in the dumps but Wenger's happy again

Arsene Wenger began and ended the evening with that famous sardonic smile; one which would not be out of place should it be captured in oils and hung alongside the Mona Lisa.

The Arsenal manager popped into the press room before the game to monitor the afternoon results. Just to be sure Manchester United had lost at Fulham and Chelsea were losing at Spurs, he checked all three tellies.
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TWO GOOD: Goal heroes Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner celebrate

You didn't have to offer him a penny for his thoughts - his slightly smug expression spared such extravagance.

'The other results provided us with a good opportunity - even if it is only a chance in a billion,' he said later. 'We are an improving side full of spirit and great quality. People don't realise how young we are - we had six players in the team between 20 and 22.'

If the news that Michael Owen had inexplicably been left on the Newcastle bench by Chris Hughton did not cause Wenger's grin to spread even further, it should have. His team's performance, full of free expression and style, certainly did.
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Wenger admitted he was surprised by Owen's omission. 'I don't know why. Maybe it was his physical ability,' he said. Whether it was bravery or foolhardiness, Newcastle's caretaker boss was taught a lesson in the folly of gambling when a situation cried out for the fourth highest scorer in Premier League history.

Referee Mark Halsey handed the home side an unexpected lifeline in the 23rd minute when he harshly awarded a penalty for Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia's challenge on Ryan Taylor. You could sense Owen twitch in the dug-out. But Obafemi Martins strode up to become Newcastle's fifth penalty-taker of the season - and Almunia would have more problems picking daffodils than he did saving what was little more than a pass back.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker hardly looked amused. Speculation is rife he took the news of his demotion badly, although Hughton insisted his decision had been received 'in a professional manner'. Owen's body language told a different story. Newcastle fans should make the most of him - he will not be around much longer.
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The hosts still gave as good as they got in a pulsating first half. Arsenal's defence resorted to panic measures and Kevin Nolan, returning for Newcastle after a three-match ban to make his 300th league appearance, went close to setting up Owen's stand-in, Peter Lovenkrands, in the 37th minute. But the ball hit the Dane on the backside bang in front of goal.

Newcastle needed superb blocks from Steven Taylor on Andrey Arshavin and Robin Van Persie to prevent certain goals, although he was lucky to be on the field for the second after a forearm smash on Arshavin in the 31st minute escaped the referee's attention. The second period was even better than the first.

Two goals in the space of 13 seconds set up the drama to follow. Nicklas Bendtner's header from a swirling Arshavin free-kick gave Arsenal a 57th-minute lead, but Martins cashed in on a William Gallas clanger to equalise.

Then two Arsenal goals in three minutes condemned Newcastle to at least a fortnight in the relegation zone, with Van Persie's slick passing providing both.

The Dutchman worked a superb one-two with Abou Diaby in the 64th minute before the French midfielder fired home. Then Samir Nasri benefited from Van Persie's spoon-feeding to squeeze the ball between Newcastle keeper Steve Harper and his near post.

If Harper was to blame for that, he redeemed himself with a series of point-blank saves as Arsenal, by now on a gluttonous rampage, could have doubled their tally. In between those Arsenal goals, Owen came off the bench as a 65th-minute replacement for the injured Taylor, but the damage had already been done.

Arsenal 4 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Andrey Arshavin opened his Arsenal account in a wonderful fashion as Arsenal beat Blackburn 4-0 and moved into fourth place in the Premier League.

The little Russian was credited with the opening goal after just 80 seconds. But replays proved that Theo Walcott’s low cross went in off Andre Ooijer’s back.

Arsenal dominated after that. However they were in danger of fluffing their lines once more. They created a host chances and missed them all, with Nicklas Bendtner particularly profligate.

But Arshavin dribbled past Danny Simpson to steer home a super solo goal in the 65th minute. The 25-year-old then set up Emmanuel Eboue for a tap-in two minutes from time.

The Ivorian only spent seven minutes on the pitch and would have an incident-packed cameo. In injury time, Carlos Vela was felled in the area and Eboue tucked away an excellent penalty.

Arsenal’s elevation into the top four may last less than 24 hours. But it places a little extra pressure on Aston Villa, who entertain Tottenham on Sunday.

But whatever the result, the Midlanders will be well aware that Wenger’s side are starting to get back to their regal best.

And Arshavin is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown.

This was the second of the three games in three different competitions over the course of six days. Therefore changes were expected in the Arsenal side.

In all there were four. William Gallas, Abou Diaby, Robin van Persie and Eboue dropped out. Johan Djourou, Alex Song, Arshavin and, making his first start in four months, Walcott came in.

While Arsenal had been winning at Roma on Wednesday, Blackburn had gone a long way to securing their Premier League survival with a 2-1 comeback victory at Fulham.

Despite that, their team selection suggested they would be delighted with a point at Emirates this afternoon. Jason Roberts was employed as sole striker ahead of a five-man midfield. Arsenal would need to use craft AND graft today.

There was a good feeling swilling around Emirates Stadium before kick-off. It was not just the success in Italy in the week it was Liverpool’s crushing win at Manchester United an hour or so before kick-off. Not that the result had a major effect on Arsenal, whose sole Premier League aim was a top four spot.

With that in mind, victory was essential today. Previous home draws had not been punished because Aston Villa were wobbling themselves. But, with games running out, Arsenal had to stake their claim.

The time was now and, for once, they would get a little help.

Having gone goalless in the last three Premier League games at Emirates Stadium, you sort of suspected an early goal might come this afternoon. It took just 80 seconds.

Bendtner showed excellent feet in midfield to send Walcott haring down the right-hand channel. The England winger cut the ball back into a ruck of players at the near post. Arshavin was prominent and was credited with the goal initially. However he ran off wagging his finger in denial, replays proved the final touch had come off the sliding Ooijer.

It was the just the boost Arsenal required. As at the Stadio Olimpico, fortunate things were coming on the back of hard work and quality. They looked to profit immediately.

Bendtner shot straight at Paul Robinson and then Arsenal had a shout for a penalty when Stephen Warnock barged over Walcott as he went through.

It was all Arsenal with Bendtner the lynch-pin.

But after El-Hadji Diouf was booked for a nasty looking challenge on Almunia, the visitors started to develop their game. And, in the 25th minute, Morten Gamst Pedersen climbed above Sagna to meet Djourou’s attempted clearance. His header forced Almunia into a desperate, backtracking tip over the bar.

However Blackburn’s rally would be brief. Sagna’s swirling, curling cross was nodded across goal by Bendtner. Then, nine minutes before the break, Nasri planted a 25-yard free-kick against the bar. The ball was hacked clear by the Blackburn defence and Bendtner’s touch allowed Nasri to fire goalward from 12 yards. Robinson’s block was enough to turn the ball behind but it was hardly convincing.

It was hard to think this Arsenal side had been scoreless at both ends for so long. While Wenger’s side were impish and inventive going forward they were hardly watertight in defence. Five minutes from half time an unmarked Aaron Mokoena swept the ball just over the bar from Pedersen’s corner.

Blackburn pushed forward in the dying seconds but their attack this afternoon was more cudgel than rapier. The nearest they came to breaching the Arsenal defence came in injury time when Almunia had to rush out and deny Pedersen.

The home side could have banished any such nervousness in the opening minutes of the second half if they had converted a couple of straightforward chances.

First Bendtner fed Walcott but the midfielder, 20 on Monday, dragged his effort wide. He returned the favour for an even simpler chance seconds later but the Dane sidefooted wide.

Before five minutes were up Robinson had saved well from Walcott and Denilson had seen a ferocious drive blocked by Ooijer.

Arsenal were stoking up the heat on Blackburn with all the chances seemingly falling to Bendtner. He nodded over just before the hour, fired wide just after and then, most profligate of all, dallied when sent clear by Walcott allowing Robinson to save.

Frustration was starting to simmer but Arshavin’s smashing strike relieved all the pressure. When he received the ball on the left in the 65th minute there was little on but he skipped past Danny Simpson on the byline and then, from the tightest of angles, lifted the ball over Robinson and into the far corner.

This one was definitely his.

Djourou nodded over from Nasri’s right-wing free-kick as Arsenal looked for a killer third. At the other end, Almunia clutched a low free-kick from Pedersen. The Spaniard’s handling has been immaculate since the turn of the year.

Bendtner’s work was nearly done but, just before he was substituted in the 80th minute, the Dane ended a trademark Arsenal break by thumping a shot high over the bar.

It had been a tough afternoon for the 21-year-old. He worked wonderfully hard for the cause but had missed a host of chances. Emirates was rightly generous in its support as he went off.

With seven minutes left Wenger brought on Eboue for Nasri. It would turn out to be an influential move. The Ivorian touched home in the 88th minute after Arshavin’ shot was parried by Robinson. Then, in injury time, Vela was clipped by Martin Olsson and Eboue scored confidently from the spot.

It was perhaps apt that Arsenal should end this game by converting a penalty.

Reaching the last eight in Europe is season's one ambition achieved. If they can stay in the top four, that will be another.

Arsenal’s season is ending on a high.

Wenger concedes Arsenal can't reach 'untouchable' United this season

Arsene Wenger admitted that Arsenal cannot catch Manchester United this season. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger has publicly written off Arsenal's hopes of regaining the Premier League title this season, acknowledging Manchester United as "untouchable" at the top, and conceded that his side's principal aim over the rest of the campaign is a top-four finish and qualification for next year's Champions League.

Arsenal progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup with Monday's comfortable 4–0 victory over Cardiff City, a game that saw Eduardo da Silva bolster the side's attacking options with a brace on his long-awaited return from injury, as they search for their first silverware since 2005. While the Gunners remain in contention in Europe – they play Roma in the first knockout phase of the Champions League next week – the team languish 12 points behind United in the Premier League and, critically, five adrift of Chelsea in fourth place.

"We're very consistent and on a very strong run," said Wenger after seeing his side extend their unbeaten sequence to 12 games in all competitions. "We missed scoring the goals that we're capable of recently, but are very consistent and promised ourselves that we'll give everything until the end of the season. Manchester United look untouchable because they're 12 points ahead and have a game tomorrow against Fulham they'll certainly win. Their results are very consistent.

"They win 1–0 and you think during the game that they may drop a point or maybe more, but they always manage to find somewhere the resources to win the game. If they win their game in hand they're 15 points in front, which means they need to lose five games. Say they lose one against us, then they still need to lose another four games. They haven't lost four games all season yet, but we'll try. I believe our basic target is to get into the Champions League."

Arsenal still have to play Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United before the end of the season and can make a real impact in the title race, though Wenger's sense of realism may reflect a private confidence that his side can flourish on the run-in to ensure a top-four finish. Eduardo was the first of a key group of players to return to the first team reckoning after injury, with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fábregas to follow.

The Spain midfielder expects to resume ball work towards the end of this month, with the Russia international Andrei Arshavin also in contention to make his mark with a likely debut against Sunderland this weekend following his £16m move from Zenit St Petersburg.

Eduardo said his goals against Cardiff made for "the best day of my life" and paid tribute to the club's fitness coach, Tony Colbert, for the support he had offered over a year-long recuperation from the horrific leg break and dislocated ankle he suffered at Birmingham City. "The second goal, I went to Tony," said the Croatia forward . "We worked so hard and he was like my second father. We spent a lot of time together every day, and I think this goal was special for him.

"It was a hard time but now I don't want to speak about the past. Last year, I was strong in my head. I was very positive thinking I will be back. I am now. I have to be because I feel I can play again like before. We have three or four months [left in] the championship – I am here to help Arsenal to be on top or in the first three. Now we are in the [fifth round of the] FA Cup, I want to get to the final and in the Champions League we want to go far."

Van Persie - Things are "not really working"

Robin Van Persie accepts things are ''not really working'' for Arsenal at the moment but has vowed the Gunners will soon get their campaign back on track.

Arsene Wenger's men survived the first-half dismissal of winger Emmanuel Eboue and injury to frontman Emmanuel Adebayor as they battled to earn a point in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, which finished goalless at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

It was the second successive match in which the misfiring Gunners had failed to find the net. Indeed, Arsenal have now scored just one goal in their last 360 minutes of action in all competitions.

A Premier League title challenge has failed to materialise, with Wenger's men now six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Van Persie - the club's leading scorer - accepts Arsenal's season has not gone according to plan lately, but he feels there are still reasons to be positive heading into the final 13 league matches.

''In the last three games we have had three draws and that is just not good enough,'' declared the Arsenal striker, whose last-gasp goal snatched a draw at Everton.

''It is six points missing - if we had those six points, but this is if, if, if. It is not really working. What can I say?''

Van Persie stressed: ''We are still creating the chances. Even with 10 men against Spurs we had a few chances. I am not really worried because we are still creating.

''Sometimes it is me to blame or a player to blame. Sometimes we are unlucky. Everybody can judge that for themselves.''

Wenger continues to believe his young squad have both the temperament and skill to become a major force once again.

With an unbeaten run now stretching to 11 Premier League games, albeit including six draws, Van Persie insists the shoots of recovery are already in place.

''We are working hard, but we know we are not there yet,'' said the Holland international, who has hit 13 goals so far this term.

''We are not scoring enough goals, we are not playing well enough - but everyone stays positive and we are trying to help each other.

''The basics are there, its just up to us to finish it off now.''

Striker Eduardo da Silva - on the bench at Tottenham following almost 12 months out because of a broken leg - is set to soon be back in contention for a start, while new signing Andrei Arshavin - also among the Arsenal substitutes at White Hart Lane - has yet to make his presence felt.

England winger Theo Walcott should be available again by the end of the month following shoulder surgery, with captain Cesc Fabregas hopeful he can return sooner than originally expected from a knee ligament injury.

With such talent waiting in the wings, Van Persie feels there is ''more to come'' from this Arsenal squad.

''Eduardo has been working really hard and everyone is just really happy that he is back. Hopefully he can play, the sooner the better,'' he said.

''Arshavin has looked good in training - they both have - so there is more to come. I really believe in their qualities.''

Full-back Gael Clichy suffered a nasty cut following a clash of heads with Tottenham forward Darren Bent late on in Sunday's game.

While the defender was withdrawn from the France squad for the midweek friendly against Argentina as a precaution, he is expected to recover in time for Arsenal's next match, which is not until next Monday when Cardiff come to the Emirates Stadium for an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

However, Togo striker Adebayor is set to be sidelined for around three weeks with a hamstring problem and so faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League last-16 clash against Roma.

Andrei Arshavin arrives at Arsenal

I am thinking of getting Andrei (or Andrey as the Arsenal website prefers) Arshavin to pick my lottery numbers. Yesterday, before any deal had been confirmed, he said: "Now I can say only one thing, that if I play for Arsenal, it will be at number 23." And just look at him now! Psychic.

Amid the smiles and photos there has been some controversies…

Arshavin has revealed that he doesn’t like some of his new team-mates. He said: "I like Arsenal’s style, I like Arsène Wenger as a coach, and I like some players in this team." Is that so? But you don’t like other players in his team?

And there has also been murmurs of discontent that snow supposedly held up the deal until 24 hours after an already extended deadline. Rumours that paperwork on Zenit’s side of the deal arrived late and that the deal should not officially have been completed have now emerged.

Meanwhile, Zenit Offside has ‘uncovered’ a picture of a young Arshavin dreaming if his future in Arsenal colours. Apparently, they are happy just to have the transfer saga over.

And we will leave this Arshavin-fest with one final thought: let’s hope that Arsenal’s new record signing lives up to the lofty levels of performance set by the previous incumbent… Sylvain Wiltord.

Arshavin joins Arsenal till 2012

LONDON (AFP) – Russia international midfielder Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St Petersburg has joined Arsenal till June 2012 for 12 million pounds (13.3 million euros), sources at the Premier League club said on Monday.

The Gunners are now merely waiting on the Premier League to sign all the necessary paperwork for the deal to be made official.

The fee was far from the initial asking price the reigning UEFA Cup winners wanted of 20 million pounds, but included a substantial performance-linked bonus.

Conflicting signals had been emerging from Arsenal's Emirates stadium and Russia throughout the day as the 1700GMT deadline came and went and a Zenit club spokesman had even said the deal had fallen through.

The deal apparently hit a last minute snag when Zenit demanded a portion of Arshavin's signing on fee.

But other Russia news agencies were reporting that a deal had been struck on a three-and-a half year contract.

Gazeta.ru site nnounced that Arshavin, one of the stars at Euro 2008, had passed his medical and was now an Arsenal player, inheriting the Gunners' number 13 shirt.

He will probably not make his debut for the Gunners for a few weeks because he will have to work on physical conditioning to adapt to the rigours of the English game.

The 27-year-old was a major revelation at the Euro 2008 tournament when Russia reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Spain.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has on many occasions spoken of his admiration for the player.

Andrei Arshavin Bio

Full Name: Andrei Arshavin

Birth Date: May 29, 1981
Birth Place: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Height: 1.72m
Weight: 62 kg
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Squad # 23



Andrei Arshavin finally won the move to a big club which he had craved for some time when signing for Arsenal on deadline day in February 2009.

It was a protracted "will he, won't he" move which went into extra-time before it was ratified by the Premier League.

Although he started his career as a right-sided midfielder he has emerged as an attacking, creative midfielder of supreme quality. Perhaps at his best playing just behind the strikers, Arshavin's time to play at the top level in European football seems long overdue.

Born in Leningrad, now Saint Petersburg, he signed for his hometown club as a youth but began his playing days at their "farm" club, Zenit-2, in the Russian second division. He was promoted to the first team in the 2000 season and made his debut, at this point a right-sided midfielder, against Bradford City in the InterToto Cup.

His international bow came in 200 2for Russia against Belarus, scoring his first goal the following year against Romania.

Arshavin was the Russian Footballer of the Year in 2006, the year before he helped them to their first Russian Premier League title since 1984, starting every game and scoring 10 goals along the way.

In 2008 he won the UEFA Cup with Zenit and was named Man of the Match in a 2-0 win over Rangers in Manchester. And a few months later he was part of the Zenit side which beat Manchester United in the European Super Cup.

It was at the European Championships that year that he really shot to prominence. He had been a vital figure in the side which ousted England to make it to finals in Austria and Switzerland but a red card picked up in the final minutes of the last qualifier against Azerbaijan threatened to derail his involvement as he was banned for the first two games of Euro 2008.

Arshavin was thrown straight into the side for the last group game against Sweden and was an inspiration, sealing victory in injury time, as Russia won 2-0 to make it into the quarter-finals. And if that performance was good then against Holland in the last eight he was world class, scoring one and creating another as they won 3-1 after extra-time.

Now with all eyes on Arshavin and talk of a move to Barcelona, he failed to shine in the semi-finals against Spain as Russia lost 3-0 and that seemed to end rumours of a move to the Nou Camp. The player was also strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur but Zenit's demands of a transfer fee over £20m ruined his hopes of a move.

Zenit failed to shine in the Champions League, and in the 2008 Russian league season, as the player became increasingly disillusioned at the club and was desperate to leave. He insisted he would not play for Zenit in the 2009 season.

Arsenal declared their interest at the start of the January transfer window and after a month long chase they finally managed to get hold of a player who has the ability to unlock a defence with a killer pass. He will hope to adapt to life in England quickly.

Andrei Arshavin says Arsenal move is close and lines up No 23 shirt at Emirates

Andrei Arshavin remains hopeful he will soon be able to pull on an Arsenal shirt with Zenit St Petersburg claiming a £15 million deal was completed before the transfer deadline - and even says he has been given a squad number.

The move for the 27-year-old playmaker has turned out to be the most protracted of the window, which was scheduled to close at 5pm on Monday - although with some special dispensation allowed following the adverse weather conditions.

It is understood an agreement between all parties over fees and personal terms were reached in time for the necessary paperwork to be submitted to the Premier League.

However, Arsenal have yet to confirm Arshavin is their player while the Premier League have revealed there are a number of transfers which are continuing to be examined and approved by its board because of administration delays caused by the severe snow which crippled London's transport networks.

Arshavin, though, has revealed on his personal website details of the completed deal should be announced later today.

Asked if he was now an Arsenal player, the Russian international said: "I think so. The negotiations came to a close and there will be details [on Tuesday].

"Now I can say only one thing - that if I play for Arsenal, it will be at number 23."

Unlike Arsenal, whose club policy is to never directly comment on transfer speculation, Zenit have chosen to publicly reveal details of the negotiations.

In another development, an article on the club's official website now maintains the deal has been completed, although they have credited a Russian news agency for the story.

"Zenit, Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin have concluded talks in London," the report on http://www.fc-zenit.ru reads.

"An FC Zenit source has informed Fontanka that the talks were successful, and Andrei Arshavin is moving to Arsenal. The signed documents have already been sent to the English Football Association [Premier League].

"A source close to the discussions has told Fontanka that the terms of the deal are financially suitable to Zenit.

"The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5million - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.

"In addition there is a further 500,000 Euros [£450,000] in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum.

"The overall sum of the transfer is around US Dollars 24m [£16.9m]."

Should those figures prove correct and the deal is ratified, then it would make the deal a transfer record for Arsenal.

Arshavin, who is reported to have been prepared to take a pay cut to join Arsenal, jetted into London yesterday for a medical to complete the deal, and is understood to have now returned to Russia to complete some personal arrangements before starting work at his new club.

Wenger has long been an admirer of the 27-year-old Russia international, who shot to prominence at Euro 2008.

While Arshavin could make his debut in Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham, given the Russian domestic season finished in November, the player is more likely to be allowed some time to build-up full match fitness.

Arsenal currently lie five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa after successive Barclays Premier League draws against Everton and West Ham.

Meanwhile, severe snow in the capital forced tonight's planned FA Cup fourth-round replay against Cardiff to be postponed, the tie now rearranged for Feb 16.

Arsenal face Arshavin frustration

Zenit rejected a £16m offer for Arshavin from Spurs in the summer

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg is being held up by the Russian club's demands, according to his agent.

The Gunners and Italian side Juventus have been linked with a £20m deal, but Dennis Lachter says Zenit want the fee to be paid in only one instalment.

He said: "They want the money in one go. They did it that way when they got Danny for £24m and they want the same.

"Many clubs are afraid of how Zenit and other Russian clubs do business."

Despite Zenit's stance, Lachter says he is still confident Arshavin will be leaving the club in the January transfer window.

"That is what is going to happen," he added.

"There are 10, 15, 20 teams who are interested in him. The question is can they afford him?"

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed Arsenal's interest in the 27-year-old who shone during Euro 2008.

"I am aware that Arsenal are interested but I don't know any more than that," said Dutchman Advocaat.

"I'm expecting Arshavin to leave. He's a top player and could play for any of the top teams in England."

"Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There's still more to come from him and people will see that."

The Russian season ended in November with unfashionable Rubin Kazan claiming their maiden domestic title, with the 2007 champions Zenit languishing in fifth.

In December, Lachter told BBC Sport that Zenit and the player, who was linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer, had agreed that he should find a new club in January.

"He will definitely move in January or the player and club will lose money," he said.

"Zenit and Andrei understand that it is time for them to part from each other."

But Lachter denied reports that the player had visited both the training grounds of Arsenal and Spurs on a recent trip to London.