Arsenal

Benitez & Wenger rue postponement
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger believed their Carling Cup game should not have been postponed. Referee Martin Atkinson decided to call the quarter-final off due to heavy fog. Benitez said: \"I think we could play. \"You cannot change the decision. You must respect it but we don't agree.\" Wenger added: \"It's disappointing because the young players had a good opportunity to play. I think it would have been very interesting.\" With both teams involved in four competitions, no date has yet been given for when this Carling Cup tie can be played at Anfield. Liverpool and Arsenal are also due to meet in the FA Cup third round. Benitez added: \"Myself and Arsene Wenger tried to convince the referee that we could play, but it was impossible. \"The referee said that he could not see the different colours and that it would be difficult for the linesmen. \"But you could see both goals clearly from the centre-circle and the referee said no. I'm surprised because we felt we could play in those circumstances. \"The question now is that, if we draw against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, when can we play the game? Maybe we need to play both cup ties in the same game! \"If the FA Cup game is a draw, then they will maybe have to move the League Cup semi-final to fit this game in.\" Wenger said he would have happily played the match on Wednesday but there was not enough time to put everything in place. \"It is impossible in 24 hours to rearrange a game,\" he added. Referee Atkinson said he had endeavoured to get the game played but he had to consider not only his fellow officials and the players but also a full house at Anfield. \"We were informed at 1600 GMT this afternoon the conditions were quite bad and we got to the ground at 1650 GMT to have a look at it,\" he said. \"It is very misty and has been for the last three hours. We have been in the stands, looked round from different angles from a spectators' point of view and the weather is not getting better - you can't see some parts of the pitch.\"

Jewell warns Gunners off Baines
Wigan boss Paul Jewell has told Arsenal there is no way the club are willing to sell left-back Leighton Baines for £4m. Arsenal have been linked with a move for the England Under-21 player in the January transfer window. \"If he is being talked about as a future England full-back, then you can't get him for that,\" said Jewell. \"I'll never stop a player going to a top club, but I will at £4m. I've had no contact with Arsenal, but he will not be going for that amount of money.\" Jewell added: \"Obviously, we don't want to lose any players. Leighton is a very sensible lad, and I think he is a better off here at the moment.\"

Robin van Persie's late goal saw Arsenal claim a 2-1 win at Watford as The Gunners moved into third place in the Premiership by the narrowest of margins. Having won their last six Boxing Day outings, and with The Hornets rock bottom of the league, the game seemed to be there for the taking before kick-off, but Arsenal did not count on a fantastically spirited display from Adrian Boothroyd's side. Even after Arsenal took the lead on 19 minutes when Gilberto continued his hot streak in front of goal by heading in a corner, Watford were unwilling to let their heads drop and Tommy Smith soon replied with a nicely-taken equaliser. After Liverpool's slip-up against Blackburn earlier in the day it seemed as though a resolute performance from the Hertfordshire side would be enough to scupper Arsene Wenger's men's hopes of joining Bolton on 36 points, but van Persie's trademark effort on 83 minutes - his tenth of the season - saw The Gunners grind out a somewhat ill-deserved win. After edging tentatively into their stride in the first 20 minutes - with Cesc Fabregas and van Persie both going close - the Londoners claimed the lead and it was Gilberto who again proved to be a surprise deputy for the injured Thierry Henry as he took his recent tally to a remarkable six goals in eight Premiership games. After Tomas Rosicky's set-piece was flicked on by Kolo Toure, the skipper was waiting to nod home at the back post in a goal strangely reminiscent of the George Graham era in North London. Of course, most of their play was firmly in the image of Wenger, and with all their attacking focus came a vulnerability at the back which The Hornets managed to exploit just four minutes after the opener. Hameur Bouazza was the provider as his cross was flicked on inadvertently by Justin Hoyte, and Smith reacted superbly to steer a first-time shot past Jens Lehmann. Watford had already posed a threat before their shock equaliser and it was Ashley Young - who has a confirmed admirer in Wenger - who looked the most threatening player for the home side as he attempted to loft a shot over Arsenal's German keeper from the edge of the box. Indeed The Hornets could have equalised even earlier had Gilberto not produced a timely sliding interception just as Young was pulling the trigger in the box. As the first half entered its final ten minutes, and with Arsenal's creativity being stifled by a determined Watford performance, Emmanuel Adebayor volleyed high over the bar after using his chest to control a perfectly flighted ball from Toure. Fabregas also drilled an effort wide from a tight angle, but with Watford enjoying their fair share of possession Al Bangura fired another warning shot at The Gunners when he sent a half-volley just wide before the break. The only change at the break was injury-enforced, as Philippe Senderos replaced his Swiss international colleague Johan Djourou for Arsenal, and the visitors to Hertfordshire went in search of a much improved display as Rosicky saw his near-post effort palmed clear by Ben Foster. However The Hornets continued to frustrate Arsenal by preventing them playing in their favoured fashion, and Boothroyd's troops also began to deploy a tactic of antagonism in a bid to unsettle Lehmann. At the other end Foster kept his composure when Adebayor broke through on goal as he stuck out a foot to block a low shot from the striker, and, just a minute later, dived to his right to get a palm to Hoyte's effort. Watford were dealt a blow when the lively Bouazza was withdrawn due to injury after 69 minutes, with Damien Francis taking his place, and Wenger also opted to shuffle his pack with teenage sensation Theo Walcott on in place of Alexander Hleb. As the game entered the last 20 minutes Watford were even sensing a shock win as they continued to induce chaos in the Arsenal backline, and the home side were making a mockery of Wenger's claims that his side were still competing in the title race. Left-back Gael Clichy attempted to inject some urgency as he bombed forward on a thrilling run, but the Gunners defender was unable to produce the necessary finish as he lifted his shot high and wide. Wenger opted to bring Julio Baptista on in place of Rosicky, and The Hornets were no shrinking violets themselves as Boothroyd introduced another striker in Darius Henderson in place of Anthony McNamee. Arsenal's Brazilian forward almost made an immediate impact as he steered a shot just wide of the upright from the edge of the box, whilst Adebayor also wasted a good opening when he scuffed another chance wide. With seven minutes to go, and seeing their hopes of moving into third seemingly floundering, Arsenal found a saviour in van Persie as he latched on to Walcott's long pass down the right flank, skipped around Jay DeMerit and curled a trademark shot around Foster. The goal was certainly harsh on The Hornets as they suffered another unlucky defeat, but only a superb interception from Jordan Stewart at the back post prevented van Persie from claiming a second as Arsenal held on for the win that takes them into third place on goal difference.

Adebayor to miss match at Blades
Arsenal will be without in-form Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor for Saturday's trip to Sheffield United after he suffered a thigh strain. The news is a fresh setback as the Gunners are already missing Thierry Henry, who has a sciatic nerve problem. \"Johan Djourou is a bit injured but what is worse is that we lost Adebayor with a thigh strain,\" said manager Arsene Wenger. \"It is exactly the same but on the other leg. He is out for Saturday.\" Adebayor picked up the injury towards the end of the 2-1 win over Watford on Tuesday. The 21-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Monaco last January, had only just returned from a three-week lay-off with a thigh injury. Defender Johan Djourou also picked up a thigh injury but should be fit to play at Bramall Lane.

Arsenal v Charlton
Arsenal have nine players on the sidelines for the game against Charlton at the Emirates Stadium. They are Theo Walcott, Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Eboue, Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and Freddie Ljungberg. Charlton's Luke Young and Andy Reid could return for the game in London. Young (knee) and Reid (hamstring) have returned to training, while Amady Faye has recovered from the injury that has kept him out for the last two games. Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Baptista, van Persie, Almunia, Flamini, Aliadiere, Song, Lauren, Denilson. Charlton (from): Carson, Sankofa, El Karkouri, Fortune, Faye, Young, Hreidarsson, Traore, Ambrose, Hughes, Kishishev, Holland, Reid, Thomas, Rommedahl, M Bent, Hasselbaink, D Bent, Myhre, Fortune, Sam, Diawara.

Justin Hoyte has denied that Arsene Wenger does not give domestic talent a look-in, despite the defender becoming the first Englishman to score for Arsenal in the league for over a year. The Gunners' French boss has often been derided for his perceived favouritism towards foreign stars and Hoyte broke a long run without an English name on the scoresheet when he finished off a one-two with Thierry Henry in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat of Charlton. Indeed, Sol Campbell was the last Englishman to net for The Gunners in the Premiership with a brace in September 2005. However England Under 21 international Hoyte believes the presence of both himself and 17-year-old forward Theo Walcott in Wenger's squad proves that the Arsenal chief is willing to encourage domestic hopefuls despite his multi-national outlook. \"When you put an Arsenal shirt on, we are all playing for Arsenal,\" said Hoyte. \"Arsene Wenger does give English players a chance. Theo and I are here, and we are playing well. That is great for Arsenal. \"There are also other English players here and if you are good enough and the boss has faith in you, then you will play. \"The boss has shown that already and so it is just up to me and Theo to keep working hard so that we can keep our places in the team. \"It is just fantastic for me to score, full stop. It is all good for the team and it is a great result. \"When we all play everyone is playing for Arsenal. It does not matter what nationality you are, it does not matter where you are from.\"

Returning Henry hails Van Persie
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry believes Robin van Persie can become one of the best players in the Premiership. Henry returned from a five-week lay-off to inspire the Gunners to a 4-0 win over Charlton, but afterwards he was keen to praise two-goal Van Persie. \"He's shown ever since he arrived here that he is a scorer of great goals. \"He has the ability to be one of the best players in the league. He has matured a lot and he does stuff in training that I have rarely seen.\" Henry scored the opener against Charlton from the spot before setting up Justin Hoyte for the second. Souleymane Diawara's foul on the French striker allowed Van Persie to score the third from the spot before the Dutchman completely the win with a deft chip. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed Henry had stepped aside to let Van Persie take the second penalty. \"Van Persie has grown in confidence and presence and had a very sharp game tonight,\" said Wenger. \"He is on the list of penalty-takers and only the captain can decide if someone else is to take it. Thierry is number one, Robin is number three and Thierry gave it to him.\" Wenger was delighted to see his captain return and believes he can lift Arsenal in the second half of the season. \"He's in a good frame of mind now because he has been at the end of his physical and mental potential,\" he said. \"He is refreshed and has come back hungry and fresh. \"I'm convinced you will see a great Thierry Henry from now until the end of May. \"We have a lot to go for. Maybe in the league, we are very, very far behind but we want to do as well as we can. \"We go in the Champions League, we have the FA Cup on Saturday at Liverpool, we are in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup as well. \"A good Thierry Henry can make the difference in the big games.\"

Liverpool v Arsenal
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is fit to return after shaking off his recent groin injury. Bolo Zenden returned to training this week but is still some way from full fitness, while Mohamed Sissoko and Harry Kewell remain sidelined. Arsenal are without the suspended Cesc Fabregas, but Julio Baptista and Emmanuel Eboue return to the squad. Theo Walcott, Adebayor, Freddie Ljungberg, William Gallas and Abou Diaby remain on the road to recovery. Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Aurelio, Alonso, Bellamy, Kuyt, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Crouch, Fowler, Pennant, Paletta, Martin, Dudek, Warnock Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Gilberto, Flamini, Rosicky, Aliadiere, Henry, Almunia, Djourou, Hoyte, Denilson, van Persie, Baptista, Song.

Injured Eboue eyes Arsenal return
Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue says he hopes to recover from an ankle injury in time for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. The Ivory Coast defender's injury first flared up before Christmas and recurred during the FA Cup third round win over Liverpool on 6 January. "I've been injured since the Portsmouth game and when I trained I still felt it a bit," he told the club website. "But I hope to be back for Manchester United. I really, really want to play."

Portsmouth enter race for Lauren
Portsmouth have agreed a price with Arsenal for defender Lauren. The 29-year-old full-back is out of contract at the end of the season, and has attracted interest from West Ham. "It's a matter of where the player wants to go. West Ham are going to have a really hard try for him but so will we," said Pompey boss Harry Redknapp. "He may also have a few other clubs interested in him but players of his ability don't become available very often. I'd be delighted to get him." The Cameroon international, whom Arsenal are believed to value at £1.5m, missed the whole of 2006 after knee surgery, and has yet to play this season. But Redknapp said he was convinced Lauren would boost Portsmouth's push for European football. "I have spoken to both Sol Campbell and Kanu who were with him at Arsenal and they both rate him as top class," added Redknapp. "He is, and he would be a fantastic addition to our squad." Lauren joined Arsenal for £7.2m from Mallorca in 2000 and has made 241 appearances for the Gunners. But Lauren has fallen down the pecking order, with Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte ahead of him in the first-team reckoning.

Arsenal fought back from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at North London rivals Tottenham and the advantage in this Carling Cup semi-final. Arsene Wenger once again fielded his second XI but after initially finding North London rivals Spurs a tougher proposition than the Liverpool side The Gunners dispatched 6-3 in the quarter-final, Arsenal, inspired by Cesc Fabregas, produced a performance every bit as impressive. Julio Baptista's second half double turned the complexion of the tie after a first half which had left Spurs dreaming of a final meeting with Chelsea. Martin Jol's side made a superb start - wing whippet Aaron Lennon skipped past Armand Traore and Abou Diaby but Justin Hoyte cleared his dangerous cross. Dimitar Berbatov was next to fire a shot across The Gunners' bows, the Bulgarian played a give-and-go with Jermain Defoe but after cutting inside his shot struck the outside of the post. Arsenal were not without their own attacking contribution - Jeremie Aliadiere had slipped in Fabregas but, after rounding Paul Robinson, the angle beat the Spaniard - before Spurs drew first blood in the 12th minute. The culpable pair of Kolo Toure and Manuel Almunia left Lennon's cross to one another and Berbatov stole in for the simplest of headers from six yards. Despite the straightforward finish, Berbatov suffered a groin injury in the act of scoring and was replaced by Robbie Keane - the disruption would ultimately hamper Spurs. Spurs pressed for more - Defoe drew a save from Almunia and were given another helping hand 20 minutes in. Tom Huddlestone's free-kick was dummied by Michael Dawson and Baptista bumbled the ball in at his own near post. Aliadiere and Hoyte combined excellently but Dawson blocked the right-back's shot and Baptista - Arsenal's four-goal hero in the victory at Anfield - should have reduced the arrears right on half-time but misjudged Fabregas's corner and the danger was cleared. The second half began in scrappier fashion but if Spurs had bossed the first period, the second was dominated by the visitors. Where Spurs attacks had been incisive in the first half, they became tentative - Berbatov's replacement Keane proved an ineffective foil for Defoe - and Arsenal grasped the initiative. Dawson cleared off his own line after Fabregas's free-kick was flicked on, while Fabregas could not generate enough power in a header to beat Robinson after Baptista's deflected free-kick. The warnings went unheeded by Spurs and Arsenal found a route back into the semi-final in the 64th minute. A neat touch from the once subdued Theo Walcott, now released by Emmanuel Eboue's introduction on the right-hand side, fed Baptista who got the better of Dawson to shoot home. And The Gunners struck again 13 minutes from time. Fabregas's ball over the top beat the offside trap, Hoyte raced clear down the right and with Robinson in no-man's land, his cross found Baptista who slid home. Walcott wasted a glorious chance to claim the winner five minutes from time but Spurs were the ones left mulling over a missed opportunity ahead of the second leg next week.

William Gallas has been named in Arsenal's squad for the first time since November after finally shaking off a troublesome thigh injury. The French international could now make his long-awaited Gunners comeback in Saturday's FA Cup game with Blackburn after spending three months on the sidelines. Gallas picked up the injury whilst preparing for Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with Hamburg on 21st November and was initially expected to be absent for a few weeks. However, with their title challenge slipping away, the North Londoners attempted to rush the defender back to action on numerous occasions and saw their summer signing from Chelsea suffer setbacks in his recovery. Now Arsene Wenger is sufficiently convinced that Gallas has completely recovered from the injury and the international star could well appear at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal bid to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Both Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou have deputised for Gallas alongside Kolo Toure in the past three months, and vice-captain Gilberto even slotted into defence for Wednesday's extra-time win over Bolton.

Arsene Wenger will continue with his strategy of wrapping Theo Walcott in cotton wool, as he feels the teenager is under more pressure than Wayne Rooney was when he joined Manchester United in 2004. Arsenal chief Wenger raised eyebrows when shelling out a huge fee to sign Walcott from Southampton last season. The move caught the attention of former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson as the Swede opted to take Walcott to the World Cup finals. Walcott did not figure in Germany and he has struggled to find his best form in recent weeks, having looked particularly sharp at the start of the season. It is being claimed Walcott will have an operation on a shoulder injury after Sunday's Carling Cup final and Wenger is happy to continue with his patient strategy towards the 17-year-old. "We speak with him and try to not to put any special pressure on him," said Wenger. "It's even worse for Theo than it was for Rooney. "Rooney played first and then he got the headlines. Walcott had that for his first Premiership game. The expectation was already high. "At Arsenal we try to help him and we are patient. People are too quick in their judgments these days. If you don't do it immediately, they burn you. "They forget how old he is. He could be in the Under 17 team and yet he is expected to be the star for Arsenal." Wenger feels Walcott is currently struggling to come to terms with the pressure he is under. "At the moment, it has affected him," he said. "He is going through a patch when, with one spark, he will go higher up. "At the beginning of the season he was tremendous in training. He made a difference when he came on in the Premier League."

Arsenal blip leaves Wenger 'lost'
Arsenal's cup defeats over the last fortnight have left manager Arsene Wenger feeling "a bit lost". After losing the Carling Cup final to Chelsea, Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Blackburn and then the Champions League by PSV Eindhoven. "I'm a little bit lost at the moment," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "And it is a shock to the system as a club because it is the first time, although I am very busy planning for the Premier League." The cup defeats have left Arsenal focusing on trying to clinch a Champions League place for next season. Wenger's side are fourth in the Premiership, a point behind Liverpool but with two games in hand. "After such a disappointment it's difficult to pick yourself up again," said Wenger, whose side play Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday. "But, on the other hand, I know how proud they are and how much they want to show that they have quality and finish as close as possible to Manchester United and Chelsea." But Arsenal's bid to pip Liverpool to third spot in the league could be hampered by injuries and suspensions. Captain Thierry Henry has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of groin and stomach injuries, while the club have been hit by suspensions for Emmanuel Adebayor, Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure following the Carling Cup final fracas. However, despite feeling momentarily "lost", Wenger remains upbeat over his team's prospects. "I think 95% of things are good in our team but at the top level it is the 5% that makes the difference," he added. "As hard as it is to take, I feel there are a lot of positives and, although we have to correct some aspects, we can keep the basis of a strong team. "This team is growing and becoming stronger and stronger."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged by The Football Association with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute. The charge relates to comments made with regards one of the assistant referees in the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea. Towards the close of Chelsea's 2-1 victory at The Millennium Stadium, a fracas erupted between both sets of players, as Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure were sent off, along with John Obi Mikel of the opposition. Post-match and Wenger pulled no punches, claiming 'the whole system is not honest', when referring to the disciplinary procedures of The FA, in a statement that has not sat well with English football's governing body. Wenger also claimed the assistant whom referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off Adebayor was a 'liar', and it is for these comments that the Frenchman has been brought to book. "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute," read an official FA statement. "The charge relates to his media comments about one of the assistant referees in the Carling Cup final."He has until March 30 to respond."

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