Arsenal

Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry insists he has no regrets about snubbing Barcelona in the summer and furthermore is adamant he will see out his playing days at Emirates Stadium. The French superstar rejected the advances of the Catalan outfit following Arsenal's UEFA Champions League final defeat at the hands of Frank Rijkaard's side in May, ending months of fierce speculation about his future with The Gunners by committing himself to Arsene Wenger's ongoing project. Henry's decision to ignore the lure of Camp Nou has recently been criticised by none other than French legend Michel Platini, but the Gunners captain says he is happy with the choice he made. Indeed, Henry insists he will make the same decision again if he is the subject of a similar approach from the Spanish champions, with both his heart and future now firmly embedded at Emirates Stadium. \"Do I regret having extending my deal at Arsenal? No, I am keen to stay all life long at Arsenal,\" said Henry in L'Equipe. \"I am fine here, I could never play in any other English team. \"If an opportunity like Barcelona comes again, with all my respect for such a club, I will refuse. \"It was one of my last decisions of my career. \"I don't feel I have lost anything, I have no regret. \"Arsenal matches my ambitions, it could make some people laugh, but here in England there is a real culture - a love for the shirt. \"Players stay several years in their clubs. Once you have been adopted by the fans they show you real gratitude for your whole life.\" Henry also rejected suggestions that he has been let down by the Gunners hierarchy after their promise - made in May - to reinforce the squad to signal that the club's ambitions matched those of their World Cup-winning striker. The Gunners star instead believes that the additions of William Gallas from Chelsea and Julio Baptista from Real Madrid have galvanised The Gunners as they seek to end Jose Mourinho's monopoly of The Premiership. \"Did I feel betrayed considering the official promises of reinforcements if I stayed?\" Henry continued. \"No, I just asked myself some questions, the arrivals of Julio Baptista and William Gallas have comforted me. \"We have nothing to envy in other teams. We don't have the same group of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea but we don't have the same means too. \"Our team has been reinforced in defence and physically in attack, considering our means. \"To reply to your question, the officials didn't make me false promises.\" Henry has had a somewhat difficult start to the season - after suffering from under-par performances and making impassioned pleas to the club's supporters to show unity - and the striker admits he has not been up to his usual standards. After reaching both the UEFA Champions League final and World Cup final - without success - Henry believes a gruelling summer is still taking a toll on his body. \"I have had a mixed season so far, I am not in my best form,\" admitted Henry. \"It is never easy after a World Cup and moreover when you have played a Champions League final. \"It is true, I am not shining so far. \"I had no pre-season preparation, I started straight away and I pay for that now. \"The fans expect more from me, and I expect more too. \"I feel I have disposed of the World Cup on an emotional level, but maybe my body has not disposed of it yet.\"

William Gallas has spoken exclusively to skysports.com about life at Arsenal and how he has no regrets about moving across the capital in quitting champions Chelsea. In one of the most protracted and laboured transfers of the summer Gallas eventually left Stamford Bridge, where he had claimed back-to-back titles, to join compatriot Arsene Wenger in the deal that saw Ashley Cole move in the opposite direction. Whilst Cole has not, perhaps, quite yet recaptured his Arsenal form in the blue of Chelsea, Gallas has been a revelation at Emirates Stadium, first as a left back and more recently, in his preferred central defensive position. After a slow start to the campaign Arsenal have picked up in recent weeks and following convincing victories over both Manchester United and Liverpool, Gallas feels they are very much back in the hunt for the Premiership title. \"I think Arsenal can do something good this season,\" Gallas told skysports.com. \"We have to make good performances, like our victory against Liverpool. \"If we want to become a great team, we have to accumulate victories against all kinds of teams, the big ones and the less famous ones. \"Our victory at Manchester United has been a fantastic boost. \"It has permitted us to see we are good enough to compete with the best Premiership teams. \"We already knew we were capable of such performances, and doing it gave us so much confidence. \"There are 25 matches remaining, everything is possible. Next month will be decisive and we will see what will happen. \"This period is the most difficult for every team. If some lose points, we benefit from it and try to regain those we have stupidly lost at the beginning of the season.\" Having worked under both Jose Mourinho and now Wenger, Gallas is the ideal candidate to offer a perspective on two of English football's most idiosyncratic characters. The media may have painted a picture of discontentment on Gallas' part at Chelsea, as pre-season preparations were interrupted by talk of an acrimonious relation developing between Mourinho and his player, but the Frenchman has moved to silence such talk. Gallas insists he has the utmost respect for his former taskmaster, although he is also willing to concede he is revelling in playing his part in the brand of attacking football for which Arsenal, under Wenger, are famed. \"I knew Mr Wenger was a great coach,\" he added. \"I have talked to Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit who told me he was a great guy. \"That is very important to work with honest people because such people today are very rare in football. \"There are not a lot of people who are human, that is why the players want to come here. \"I just enjoy playing football with Arsenal, like I did with Chelsea. People try to make me say I was unhappy there, but that is wrong. \"I spent five good years with Chelsea, I played every match with the same joy.\"

Nice to see a \"big\" stadium that isn't Old Trafford. Now you know what we have had for years (strange that you have brung the Library with you...you are allowed to cheer your team)

Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham
Referee Graham Poll was at the centre of attention as two disputed penalties helped Arsenal beat Spurs in the first north London derby at their new ground. Arsenal led through a composed finish by Emmanuel Adebayor after he was played onside by Pascal Chimbonda. Chimbonda was then harshly adjudged to have fouled Tomas Rosicky and Gilberto Silva drilled home the penalty. Gilberto got another from the spot after Jermaine Jenas felled Robin van Persie, after the Dutchman had handled. The win extended Arsenal's unbeaten streak over their neighbours to 14 league games. It also maintained their run of always winning 3-0 in Premiership action at the Emirates Stadium after scoring the first goal. Poll attracted criticism for his performance in the recent London derby between Spurs and Chelsea. And while he looked to have blundered for Arsenal's two penalties, Tottenham did not deserve anything from a lacklustre performance. Their one and only moment of note came in the 11th minute. Steed Malbranque started a fine move down the left and almost finished it when Dimitar Berbatov worked an opening in the box but the French winger lashed his shot just wide of the post. But from that moment the game was all about Arsenal. The Gunners were close to their fluent best, with Adebayor's powerful running with the ball providing a worthy replacement for injured skipper Thierry Henry. He was given the benefit of a split decision by the linesman when Toure lifted the ball over the top and the talented 22-year-old Togo forward showed composure beyond his years to slot past Paul Robinson. Henry, who had earlier played down reports of a bust up with manager Arsene Wenger, was first off the bench to celebrate with his protege. The goal saw Arsenal grow in confidence, while Spurs seemed to slip even further into their shell. Martin Jol was far from impressed Johan Djourou should have finished off a whipped in Van Persie free-kick and Adebayor drilled at Robinson with team-mates better placed. Freddie Ljungberg was enjoying plenty of space down the right, with Spurs' exposed left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto finding the Swede and the overlapping Emmanuel Eboue too much of a handful. On the other flank right-back Chimbonda was having an equally wretched time. With Rosicky free on goal he lunged into a desperate last-ditch tackle and looked to have taken the ball cleanly. But Poll pointed to the spot and stand-in skipper Gilberto Silva gave Robinson no chance with a well-struck penalty into the bottom corner. If Spurs boss Martin Jol was furious with the officials about the first goal, frustration was the name of the game after a second decision went against his side. Re-enforcements were drafted in at half-time in the shape of Jenas and Young-Pyo Lee. Jenas finally brought a save out of Jens Lehmann just after the hour mark with a long-range shot and Aaron Lennon was crowded out when the rebound fell at his feet. But Jenas' contribution at the other end proved more decisive when he brought down Van Persie in the box and Poll again pointed to the spot. However, the official had missed a clear handball by Van Persie as he tussled with Jenas and Ledley King outside the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs: Almunia, Julio Baptista, Hleb, Hoyte, Walcott. Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Tainio, Malbranque, Keane, Berbatov. Subs: Cerny, Lee, Jenas, Defoe, Huddlestone. Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)

Wenger and Henry united over row
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has joined captain Thierry Henry in saying that there is no problem between them. Wenger said he was happy with his relationship with the French striker despite reports they had fallen out over Henry's injury problems. \"I sat down with Thierry on Monday to discuss his fitness and there is no problem between us,\" said Wenger. \"There is no problem between us, we have always had a strong relationship and that remains the case.\" Reports claimed skipper Henry stormed out of training on Friday after being told he would not play against Tottenham on Saturday. And Wenger had initially hinted the pair were at odds despite Henry insisting they did not argue. But Wenger continued in a statement: \"As you know Thierry keeps picking up niggling injuries which are down to fatigue. \"The medical team has now assessed the situation and although it's difficult to predict exactly, Thierry will be out for at least a few weeks as he needs time to recover. \"Of course I am aware of stories circulating in the media about out meeting last Friday. \"I just feel that it's important to reiterate that there's no problem between us, in fact, we have always had a strong relationship and that remains the case. \"I wanted to clear this up and end any further speculation as it is a pivotal week in our season.\" Henry had earlier told French newspaper L'Equipe he was frustrated at being told he needed to rest, but said he did not argue with Wenger and reiterated his desire to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career. \"I must stop for at least a month for the pain to go away, but I did not squabble with Arsene,\" said Henry, 29. \"Yes, I did get angry about it because I cannot help out my team on the pitch. It's something I find hard to accept. \"As for the club, they have the same ambitions as me. \"Regarding the recruitment in the summer, my confidence was not betrayed. I am at Arsenal for life. I will not go to Barcelona.\" As well as the Spurs game, Henry missed the previous weekend's trip to Bolton with a neck problem, but he has now revealed he is also suffering from a sore left thigh muscle. The striker led Arsenal to the Champions League final last season and then helped France reach the World Cup final. \"After 60 matches in 2006, there comes a time when your body tells you to stop and you have to listen,\" he said. Arsenal now look set to be without the striker for the Carling Cup and FA Cup matches at Liverpool and six Premiership games, including a game against Chelsea. However, Wenger says his squad will cope. \"We are not a one-man team. We have 20 good players and it's down to me to make a good team,\" said the Gunners boss. Rumours of a rift between Henry and his manager were fuelled by Wenger's claim that he would not sign any new players in January - a statement he repeated on Monday. That came shortly after Henry had said: \"The depth of our squad is nowhere near the others. Arsene will try and land a few bargains in January.\" Asked why Henry might have voiced such an opinion, Wenger answered: \"I don't know, you should ask him.\" Reports of Henry's alleged row with Wenger prompted an unnamed France international to tell a French Sunday newpaper that the striker is \"an enormous bighead who cannot take criticism\". Henry laughed off the report, but did reveal that he would prefer not to play on his own up front, as he has been recently. \"It doesn't bother me. I find it sad that someone has sunk so low,\" he said. \"One thing is true: I can be pig-headed. Sometimes, I feel that I am in the right even when I am wrong. \"But to claim that I wanted the power - no. To say that I wanted to play in a 4-5-1 - no. Everyone that knows me knows that I prefer to play alongside a team-mate (in attack).\"

Chelsea v Arsenal
Chelsea will recall Ashley Cole to face his former club after he was rested for the Champions League tie in midweek. Claude Makelele, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho will also return after missing the game, while keeper Carlo Cudicini is a doubt with a leg muscle injury. Arsenal defender William Gallas has not recovered from a thigh injury in time to face his ex-club and is out along with striker Thierry Henry (neck). Johan Djourou (hamstring) is fit but defender Kolo Toure is suspended. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: \"It is a big test for them and us. We are in good form and played well in our last two games - when we beat Tottenham and drew with Porto. \"These two results have given us confidence and we want to show that attitude on Sunday. \"We will give them a good game. We will go there and try to beat them and I believe we can do that.\"

Wenger asks fans to respect Cole
Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal's fans to \"respect\" former player Ashley Cole who is expected to be in Chelsea's team to face the Gunners on Sunday. Cole made an acrimonious switch to Chelsea in the summer after a saga that included a \"tapping up\" row and a savage attack on Arsenal in his book. \"We want Ashley to be respected like everybody else,\" said the Arsenal boss. \"He's done well for the club and has now chosen to play for Chelsea. That's not a problem for me. Wenger added: \"It's important Arsenal beat Chelsea on Sunday and don't focus on one player. \"Our supporters are disappointed he left the club, we can accept and understand that, but that should not stop them from respecting him.\" Meanwhile, Cole is fearing the worst at Stamford Bridge. The full-back said: \"I have to be honest with myself. I think I am going to get booed badly. \"I am very well aware that some fans are very angry.\" Arsenal eventually received Chelsea defender William Gallas, plus £5m in a transfer deadline day deal. The Frenchman will not play on Sunday because of a thigh injury. But supporters were further angered by the subsequent publication of Cole's autobiography, \"My Defence\", in which he declared he had been \"betrayed\" by the Gunners' offer of a £55,000 per-week contract. Cole's former Arsenal team-mate, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, turned up the heat ahead of the game when he insisted the defender should be criticised for his defection to Chelsea. He said: \"Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting. \"If he didn't, it would have meant that he wasn't an important player, but he was. He was a vital member of our squad and we enjoyed some major successes with him.\" Cole, meanwhile, still insists he did nothing wrong in making his move from his boyhood club. He said: \"Some people are going to agree with what I have done and some are not. But I didn't move for money. It was a point of principle. I didn't feel I was wanted. \"In any other job, if someone works for one company then goes to work for another it's not a problem. \"But if you do it as a footballer you are greedy and leaving for the money. I'm not going to say it's unfair because footballers have a great life. But it's not easy. \"I think I am going to get stick when I go back there. Yet if I stayed at Arsenal I was still likely to get abuse. \"All through last season I had to deal with it and it's made me stronger and hopefully it can keep making me stronger.\"

Injured Henry out until new year
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry will not play again until the new year. The striker has recovered from a neck problem but now has a hamstring injury. \"He has started his rehab,\" said Wenger, who will be without Henry for the Carling Cup tie against Liverpool and at least five league games. \"He's still not completely free with his hamstring but he's started to work. The neck problem is sorted, but the hamstring is the most troubling.\" Asked if Henry would be out until the new year, Wenger said: \"Realistically, certainly yes. \"I wouldn't set a precise timescale as it's difficult to predict but Christmas certainly we will miss him.\" However, chairman Peter Hill-Wood has insisted the Gunners do not rely too heavily on Henry. \"Thierry has not played all that much this season and the boys have proved that they can play whether he is with them or not,\" he told the club website. \"You miss a player of Thierry Henry's talent but the others have done well.\" Arsenal trail Premiership leaders Manchester United by 18 points. Hill-Wood added: \"We've had one or two disappointing results this season when we have drawn but we should have won. That would have put us up the table. \"However, they are a very young side and I am delighted at the way we have played our football, which has been hugely entertaining.\"

Wigan 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal claimed third place in the table after narrowly beating Wigan. The visitors were frequently troubled by Henri Camara, whose superb pass released Emile Heskey, who badly missed with his shot early in the second half. That sparked an Arsenal reaction, with Julio Baptista's shot saved by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland, while Emmanuel Adebayor went close several times. And with three minutes left, substitute Cesc Fabregas' pass released Adebayor, who poked the ball past Kirkland. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opted to leave Fabregas, along with Alexander Hleb and Robin van Persie on the bench, three players who had played so well in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. The absence of Fabregas was particularly felt with Arsenal's attacking movements lacking imagination in the first half, a period of play where Wigan were on top. The last time Paul Jewell's side played at home they were losing 4-0 at half-time to Liverpool, but this time the Latics were altogether more cohesive in attack and defence. Wigan's best player was Camara, who gave Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy all sorts of problems with his speed and footwork from the moment he delivered an early cross for Heskey. Camara had Wigan's best first-half chance, but under pressure from Johan Djourou the Senegal international's shot went wide. The second half was an altogether more absorbing affair. Camara played a wonderful reverse pass to leave Heskey with just Jens Lehmann to beat, but the Wigan striker embarrassingly miscued. That prompted Arsenal to retaliate, Adebayor releasing Baptista, whose shot was well saved by Kirkland. The Wigan goalkeeper saved his side for a second time when he came out quickly to deny Adebayor, who had been sent clear by Gilberto. Soon afterwards Theo Walcott overhit his cross and Adebayor was unable to connect with the ball as Arsenal carved apart Wigan for a third time. Wenger introduced Van Persie and Fabregas to try and press home Arsenal's advantage, but as those two players adjusted to the game's rhythm, Wigan came close to taking the lead. Josip Skoko's shot was only partially saved by Lehmann, requiring Kolo Toure to throw himself at the ball to block Camara's close-range effort from the rebound. With the game seemingly heading for a draw Fabregas sent a curving pass over the Wigan defence to the feet of Adebayor and the Togo striker made no mistake slipping past Kirkland. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wigan manager Paul Jewell: \"I thought we were terrific. They had a few chances in the second half - but I thought we played really well. \"People will say it was a great pass for the goal, but we lost concentration and switched off for a second. \"We paid the price, losing the game - which I didn't think we deserved.\" Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: \"It was a difficult game - Wigan were up for it. It could have gone for them but it went for us. \"We created chances but they had one or two and we needed to be strong to claim the three points. \"Sometimes when you play every three days you have problems getting into the game but it gets better.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wigan: Kirkland, Wright, Boyce, Hall, Baines, McCulloch, Landzaat, Skoko, Kilbane, Camara, Heskey (Johansson 67). Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Jackson, Cotterill, Todorov. Booked: Wright. Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Toure, Clichy, Walcott (Hoyte 89), Flamini (Fabregas 74), Julio Baptista (Van Persie 75), Silva, Ljungberg, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Hleb. Goals: Adebayor 88. Att: 15,311 Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Wenger fined for Pardew incident
Arsene Wenger has been fined and warned about his future conduct by the Football Association following his touchline spat with Alan Pardew. The Gunners manager pushed the former West Ham boss at the end of the November Premiership match which the Hammers won 1-0 with a late goal. Frenchman Wenger, who admitted the charge of improper conduct, was fined £10,000 for his aggressive behaviour. Pardew has denied the charge against him and requested a personal hearing. \"I got fined severely. I'm not happy with it but I said I regret it and I was over-reacting, so I accept the fine,\" Wenger reflected. The two managers had to be separated following celebrations by Pardew in the technical area after Marlon Harewood's winner. Wenger refused to shake Pardew's hand at the end of the match, and left without speaking to the media. Pardew, who was sacked as Hammers boss on Monday, issued his apology to Wenger after the victory. \"I apologise if I offended Arsene. If I was over-zealous in my celebrations, which I'm sure I was, I apologise fully to Arsene and Arsenal,\" he said. \"It was nothing personal, I was celebrating the goal. I've got great respect for him and that won't change. \"Nothing was said. Maybe he was angry at a couple of decisions and it was a physical game. We wanted to upset Arsenal, we wanted to win. \"He is a top guy and I really respect him. I thought I was entitled to celebrate the goal after a pulsating game.\"

Arsenal v Portsmouth
Arsenal are without William Gallas (thigh) and Tomas Rosicky (groin/hamstring). Captain Thierry Henry (hamstring) is unlikely to play again until the new year so Theo Walcott could be handed another run-out. Portsmouth have midfielder Pedro Mendes back from suspension but Kanu faces a late fitness test on a knee injury. Andy Cole (Achilles), Lomana LuaLua (thigh) and Benjani Mwaruwari (hamstring) are all out. Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Eboue, Djourou, Toure, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Baptista, Van Persie, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Adebayor, Almunia, Hleb, Hoyte, Flamini, Song, Senderos. Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Pamarot, O'Neil, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Taylor, Kranjcar, Kanu, Thompson, Hughes, Griffin, Douala, Koroman, O'Brien, Ashdown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp on his side's injury problems: \"We have just got to get on with it this weekend. \"Arsenal are a fantastic side, playing at a fantastic new stadium and with fantastic fans. But we are not just going to their new place to lie down. \"I know the rest of the players will give it everything as usual. They don't want to waste the great start we have made to the season.\"

Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth
Arsenal came from two goals down to earn a battling point against Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium. Noe Pamarot headed Pompey in front seconds before half-time and Matt Taylor doubled the lead immediately after the break with a looping volley. Frustrated Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was sent from the dug-out, but his mood improved when sub Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back after 58 minutes. Arsenal's comeback was complete when Gilberto Silva slid home on the hour. Arsenal gave Jeremie Aliadiere his first league start of the season, with Adebayor and Theo Walcott dropping to the bench from the midweek win at Wigan. It did not appear to dilute their threat in the early stages as Portsmouth relied on keeper David James and good fortune to stay on level terms. James blocked Robin van Persie's point-blank header from Emmanuel Eboue's cross as Arsenal pressed for a swift advantage. The Gunners suffered a blow after five minutes when Freddie Ljungberg appeared to injure a hamstring in a tackle and limped off, to be replaced by Walcott. Walcott was quickly into the action, beating Pamarot for pace before delivering a cross that was cut out by James. But Portsmouth grew in confidence and stunned Arsenal by taking the lead seconds before the interval. Taylor's cross was headed against the post by David Thompson, but Pamarot was on hand to bundle home the rebound. And they repeated the dose immediately after half-time to double their advantage, Taylor looping a left-foot finish beyond Jens Lehmann to add to his catalogue of outstanding goals. It added up to more frustration for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who was ordered to stay out of the dug-out for the second half after heated protests as he went down the tunnel at half-time. Arsenal's response was devastating, after Wenger sent on Adebayor for Aliadiere after 54 minutes. He had only been on for four minutes when he raced on to Walcott's cross to slam a powerful drive past James. And he was involved two minutes later when his cross caused confusion in the Portsmouth penalty area, paving the way for Walcott to set up Gilberto for an angled finish. Arsenal were rampant, and Van Persie should have put them ahead after a weaving run, but shot into the side-netting. Gilberto then shot inches wide as Arsenal took complete command after drawing level.

Thierry Henry has revealed that he may consider playing on for another five years. The Arsenal skipper was crowned France's player of the year by France Football on Monday and after picking up the award, Henry confirmed he may look to play on beyond 2010. The 29-year-old beat off competition from Franck Ribery, Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele to take the prize, but he is not looking to rest on his laurels. \"Maybe I still have four or five years left, I don't know,\" Henry, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring complaint, told France Football. Henry has admitted he may look to retreat into a deeper role in future years. \"I believe when my legs will be less fast, I would like to play just behind a forward,\" he added. \"I really have fun playing in such a position, because I can assist. \"You always see me smile when I assist or when someone else is scoring. The most important is that the team win.\"

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