Arsenal

Arsenal still superior - Benitez
Rafael Benitez believes Arsenal are still better than Liverpool, despite the Reds' higher Premiership position. Third-placed Liverpool can open up a 10-point lead over the Gunners if they win at Anfield on Tuesday. But the Reds boss said: "We have more points but I'm not the kind of manager who says 'we're better than them'. "We are not better than Arsenal because we are ahead of them at the moment - but we are closer to them, as we are closer to Manchester United." Benitez added: "We need to maintain what we are doing and keep closer and even go ahead. "Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has done a very good job, he has experience and he likes to play good football, so you must have a lot of respect for this kind of manager and his team." Defeats in the FA and Carling Cups, together with inconsistency in the Premiership, have left Arsenal focusing on the Champions League as their only realistic chance of silverware this season. Midfielder Gilberto hopes the Gunners can repeat Liverpool's success last season, when they won the European crown despite struggling in the Premiership. "It's a similar kind of situation," said the Brazilian, whose side face Real Madrid in the Champions League. "Anything can happen in football. Liverpool last year didn't do very well in the championship but in the Champions League they won. "You can see all the time in football that if you are prepared properly, you can do something special. "It can change for us. We are fighting for a better position in the championship and we have another Champions League game in front of us and we can make everything different. "We can still make it a great season."

Bergkamp ready for Real encounter
Dennis Bergkamp has told manager Arsene Wenger he is willing to travel to Real Madrid for the first leg of Arsenal's crunch Champions League tie on Tuesday. The Dutch striker rarely plays in away European games because he is scared of flying but he has offered to make the 2,000-mile round-trip by road. "I am prepared to go but it's up to the boss," said Bergkamp. "I am just happy to play in any game but I can't talk about games in Europe when I am not even playing at home." Bergkamp, 36, has played 23 times for the Gunners this season, but 11 of those appearances have been as substitute. He missed Tuesday's Premiership defeat to Liverpool with a calf strain. Defeat to Real would leave Wenger's side with only the Premiership to concentrate on. But Bergkamp believes the Gunners can upset the Spanish giants. "It's important we get a goal in the Bernabeu," he said. "If we score then we know we have a great chance in the return leg at Highbury. If we can do that then we have a very good chance of going through." New signing Theo Walcott, 16, has also been tipped for a place in Wenger's squad to face Real.

Aliadiere makes Arsenal promise
Wolves striker Jeremie Aliadiere is desperate to make a success of his injury-interrupted Arsenal career when he returns to the club in the summer. The 22-year-old, whose Arsenal contract runs out in 2009, cut short his loan spell at West Ham to join up with Glenn Hoddle's Wolves in the Championship. Aliadiere told BBC Sport: "This has been a really hard time for me. "I don't think going on loan has been good for me. I want to stay at Arsenal next season and try to break through." Aliadiere added: "Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said to me he wants me to play to the maximum, even if it is in the Championship for three months, and to try to enjoy myself. "He told me that I had got another three years with Arsenal and said he did not want to let me go." The French Under-21 international joined the Gunners in 1999, making his first-team debut in the League Cup in 2002 and his Premiership debut at Anfield the following year. But his Highbury career has been hampered by injury and he missed most of last season with a knee ligament injury and a double hernia. "I have never thought of going back to France and I always think that if I hadn't had my injuries I would be playing for Arsenal now," he said. "I love Arsenal and just want to play for them. If Arsene Wenger hadn't wanted to keep I wouldn't have signed that new contract for three years. "I've been at Arsenal for seven years and if I could stay all my career I would be so happy." Aliadiere's absence from Highbury this season has been doubly frustrating because he has had to watch as Arsenal have been hit by a series of injuries to key players. "It is always like that when you not at the club, everyone is getting injured, and you think you might have had your chance. "And when you are at the club no-one gets injured and then you don't get your chance." In a bid to play regularly this season, Aliadiere moved north to join Celtic but made only two appearances as a substitute for the Bhoys before he signed on loan for West Ham. However, unable to break into the West Ham side, he moved to Molineux. Aliadiere remains mystified as to why his move to West Ham failed to work out. He revealed: "There are a few things I don't understand. I signed a loan deal in August with West Ham and a week after that manager Alan Pardew talked to me and told me he wanted to buy me permanently. After that he didn't really play me. "If he had told me he had a few strikers and if they were doing well, then I wasn't going to play, then I would not have gone there because I didn't want to take any risks. "I didn't want to waste a year." "I think there was something wrong, something strange there. Why did he sign me and never play me for six months?" On Tuesday Aliadiere will have one eye on the television as Arsenal face the daunting prospect of playing Real Madrid as they try to reach the last eight of the Champions League. "I really hope they are going to win," said Aliadiere. "They are not in a good period at the moment but I really hope they are going to do something good."

Beckham relishes Arsenal clash
Beckham on Arsenal David Beckham is looking forward to facing English opposition for the first time since his move to Real Madrid when they take on Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Wenger banking on Henry to shine
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes striker Thierry Henry may be the key to success in Tuesday's Champions League tie with Real Madrid. "We need a big performance from Thierry in Madrid, that's for sure," he said. "We can't afford for him not to have one but we also need a good team defensive performance." Wenger also said he will not hesitate to bring on 16-year-old Theo Walcott at the Bernabeu following his arrival at Arsenal from Southampton in January. The Gunners are without several first-team regulars, which means Walcott is set to be on the bench, even though he has yet to feature in the first team since signing his transfer. "I am not scared to put him in if it is needed," added Wenger. "I don't think he will start the game but I have not taken him to please him, I have taken him because if there is some space there he can come on and take advantage." The Gunners have struggled in the Premiership this season and are out of both domestic cups, leaving the Champions League as their only realistic chance of silverware. But although they head to Madrid as underdogs, Wenger believes his young team is close to clicking. "We face a different situation every time and in the end it is always down to you how much you believe you can do it. I believe we can do it," he said. "I feel we have the basis of a great team. We have a good team dynamic. "We are a little bit inexperienced at the moment but I believe we are growing up quickly and this team needs a big result." With Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole injured, Wenger is unlikely to name an Englishman in his side - while Real are set to feature both David Beckham and Jonathan Woodgate. Steve McManaman, who played for Real Madrid from 1999 to 2003, told Sir Stanley that Henry could benefit from a move to Barcelona. "A man of his ability, I think he would certainly benefit from playing alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco and young Messi," he said. "But in the end it will come down to him and whether he's happy at Arsenal." BBC pundit Alan Hansen believes that is the root of Arsenal's troubles this season. "All the best sides have an English backbone," he told Sir Stanley. "At Chelsea, you've got John Terry and Frank Lampard, while at Arsenal, they have a lot of foreign youngsters. "You've got to understand how to play in the Premiership: it's very demanding and every game's like a cup final. "Even against the bottom teams, they'll be putting their foot in and running you as close as they can. "Sooner or later, Wenger must start buying English again."

Gravesen hands warning to Arsenal
Thomas Gravesen has warned Arsenal they will face a more cohesive Real Madrid under their new coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro in Tuesday's Champions League tie. Lopez Caro became Real's caretaker manager in December following Brazilian coach Wanderley Luxemburgo's sacking. Midfielder Gravesen played infrequently under Luxemburgo but is back in favour. "With the new manager there is a fair chance for everyone," Gravesen told Sir Stanley. "We train like an English club, with a purpose to the games coming up." Gravesen, 29, added: "I'm very positive to my new manager and colleagues right now and if someone is preferred to someone else I don't think about it anymore." If the Dane features against Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie at the Bernabeu, it will be the first time he has played against English opposition since his transfer from Everton in January 2005. Like Arsenal, Real have suffered from inconsistent domestic form and the Champions League represents their best chance of silverware this season. Gravesen attributed Real's inconsistency to the club's demanding Far East tour during pre-season. "It was a fantastic tour and we played some nice games and it was doing promotion for the club but I think a lot of energy was left on its way," said Gravesen. "You also have to consider that every time we play a game, everybody wants to beat us because of our reputation." Arsenal have lost seven games away from home in the Premiership this season but Gravesen refused to concede Real were favourites to progress to the quarter-finals. "We're aware of what kind of force Arsenal are but we are not looking at in a way that we can do this or do that," he stated. "We know what our team can do and is capable of. We'll try and put that into force when we play Arsenal but we won't say Arsenal are a weak team or easy to overcome." Real have won the European Cup a record nine times and, at times, playing for the world's richest club has astounded Gravesen. He revealed: "There is pressure in every big club nowadays because there is so much to win and to gain by doing well. "But you can feel it when you arrive at a hotel and there are 5,000 people waiting for us to go inside." Since joining Real just over a year ago, Gravesen has become close friends with former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate. "Jonathan is a fantastic lad" said Gravesen - before jokingly adding: "He is from the north and likes gravy. He is easy to talk to and it always good to have someone that is learning a new language. "We are always annoying each other after learning a new phrase."

Henry praises team effort
super Arsenal Arsenal goalscorer Theirry Henry says the whole team contributed to their 1-0 win over Real Madrid(click link above) Thierry Henry struck seconds after half-time to give Arsenal a stunning Champions League win against Real Madrid in The Bernabeu. Henry shrugged off several challenges to steer a finish past Iker Casillas as Arsenal became the first British side to win at the famous Spanish stadium. Arsenal thoroughly deserved their victory, with Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes missing other good chances. David Beckham wasted Real's best two chances in the first half. Arsenal's display was in sharp contrast to their Premiership struggles as they dominated Real for long periods and left the Galacticos in the shade to take a giant stride towards the last eight. Arsene Wenger's under-strength squad performed with great maturity in the first 45 minutes and should have gone in at half-time with a healthy lead. Henry set up Reyes in the second minute and it took a fine one-handed save from Casillas to prevent Arsenal from grabbing an instant advantage. Real lost Jonathan Woodgate inside the first 10 minutes as he limped off with a hamstring strain - and it took a brilliant saving tackle from Robert Carlos to rescue the Spanish giants as Arsenal threatened again. Henry was the creator again, playing in Freddie Ljungberg, who rounded Casillas but was denied by the veteran Brazilian as he looked poised to score. And Henry should have given Arsenal the lead after nine minutes when he rose unmarked to meet Reyes' cross, but headed off target. Real finally posed a danger after 26 minutes when Zinedine Zidane's cross found Beckham, but his header was misdirected. And the England captain wasted a glorious chance to put Real ahead six minutes later when Ronaldo robbed Philippe Senderos to send Beckham clear, but Lehmann was quickly out at his feet. Arsenal got the lead their performance deserved immediately after the break when Henry surged past four Real challenges and punished the slack defending with a left-foot finish across Casillas. Real were struggling to exert any authority, and inevitably Raul was introduced in place of the ineffective Robinho after 62 minutes. And within six minutes he almost drew Real level with a flicked header from Beckham's free-kick that flew off target. Arsenal were still a danger, and substitute Aboud Diaby almost marked his entry with a goal after 89 minutes, but once again Casillas saved at his feet. Beckham almost created an equaliser for Ronaldo at the end of five minutes of injury time, but he failed to connect with an inviting cross. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real Madrid: Casillas, Cicinho, Sergio, Woodgate (Mejia 9), Carlos, Gravesen (Julio Baptista 76), Beckham, Guti, Zidane, Robinho (Raul 63), Ronaldo. Subs Not Used: Cobeno, Salgado, Cassano, Diogo. Booked: Cicinho, Casillas. Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Ljungberg, Hleb (Pires 76), Silva, Fabregas (Song Billong 90), Reyes (Diaby 80), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Walcott, Djourou, Lupoli. Booked: Silva, Reyes. Goals: Henry 47. Att: 80,000 Ref: Stefano Farina (Italy). .

Israel seeking goal with Arsenal
Arsenal football club has signed a sponsorship deal to promote Israel as a tourist destination from next season. The two-year, £350,000 agreement will see Israel being promoted on pitch-side billboards and TV screens at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal said it had cleared the deal with officials in the United Arab Emirates, whose national airline bought the naming rights to the new stadium. The United Arab Emirates does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. 'Sun and fun' Arsenal's managing director, Keith Edelman, announced the deal on Sunday after a meeting with Israeli tourism minister Abraham Hirchson. "We think football is a great product and we think it will assist Israel become a more popular destination," Mr Edelman said. Mr Hirchson said the tie-up would allow Israel to promote its tourism industry to millions of football-lovers around the world. It is thought that the agreement will enable Israel to use likenesses of Arsenal players in its own promotions. "The purpose is to broaden Israel's appeal to sun and fun-seekers," said tourism ministry spokesman Jonathan Pulik.

Cole suffers another injury blow
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole faces up to three more weeks out after picking up an ankle injury on his latest return to action on Monday. The England left-back limped out of Arsenal's reserve team clash with Tottenham after only seven minutes. Cole, 25, has played just over one hour of competitive football since October as he has struggled with a fractured right foot and thigh injuries. His latest injury is described by Arsenal as "a sprained ankle". Cole sustained a thigh injury in January on his return from a three-month spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot. He played 68 minutes for the reserves in midweek as he continued his bid for full fitness. But his latest comeback was ended by a firm but fair challenge by young Tottenham striker Andy Barcham in the game at Barnet's Underhill ground. Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia, who witnessed the incident told The Sun: "I am not sure exactly what happened or what the future holds. "Ashley is a very important player for the club but he went over on his ankle and it doesn't look good." A Highbury spokesman added: "He seems to have sprained his left ankle. "It is not a recurrence of the old injury. But there is no telling at this stage as to how long he will be out for." Arsenal will go to Fulham in the Premiership on Saturday without a recognised left-back as Gael Clichy is also out with a broken bone in his foot. Despite Cole's stop-start season, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is convinced Cole will show few ill-effects this summer. "He is a quick one to get in form, with the body he has," Eriksson said. "You would wait a long time to rule him out because he is maybe one of the best left-sided defenders in the world today."

Injured Cole out for three weeks
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects injured full-back Ashley Cole and fellow defender Sol Campbell to return to action by the end of the month. England left-back Cole, 25, limped out of Arsenal's reserve team clash with Tottenham on Monday. The Gunners boss said: "Ashley will be out for three weeks minimum because of an ankle sprain. But of Campbell, he added: "He is doing very well in training, I believe he'll be out for another two weeks maximum." Campbell, 31, has yet to play since the 3-2 loss by West Ham on 1 February - with an ankle problem sidelining him after being granted an extended leave of absence. Campbell injury real, says Wenger But Wenger is confident the centre-back will soon be match fit, telling Arsenal TV Online: "One week to get back to full training and another week to get back for a run-out in a game." Cole, who has played just over one hour of competitive football since October after struggling with a fractured right foot and thigh injuries, limped out of Monday's reserve game after only seven minutes. The prognosis, however, is encouraging, with scans confirming it was not ligament damage. "It is on the left foot and it is nothing to do with the surgery he had before, but it is still a pain that stops you from playing," Wenger added. However, the England defender will not be available for next week's Champions League second leg tie against Real Madrid.

Fulham 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal prepared for Real Madrid's visit in the Champions League in fine style, cruising past sorry Fulham at Craven Cottage. They missed a host of chances before Thierry Henry beat Tony Warner at his near post and Emmanuel Adebayor steered home a second shortly afterwards. Henry tucked in a Freddie Ljungberg pass to make it three with 12 minutes to go. And Cesc Fabregas finished a Mathieu Flamini cross for a fourth late on. The Gunners never really looked in danger of falling to their ninth away defeat of the season and it soon became apparent the Fulham defence was there to be unlocked. Fulham generated little to inspire confidence among the Craven Cottage regulars. Had it not been for an uncharacteristic piece of miscontrol from Henry when straight through and a couple of last-ditch tackles from Zat Knight, their goal would have been penetrated long before the 31st minute. Vassiriki Diaby, who impressed in the heart of the Arsenal midfield, knocked the ball through to Henry and the Frenchman was not going to make another mistake, although Tony Warner will have been disappointed to have been beaten at his near post. From that moment, they were in complete control and a second just four minutes later killed the game and precipitated an attacking masterclass from the Gunners. This time, Freddie Ljungberg played a perfect ball through to Adebayor, who slipped it past Warner before the Fulham keeper could move into a position where he could possibly save an effort. Knight and Moritz Volz had a heated argument containing some pushing and shoving as the teams went to the changing rooms at half-time, and they might have reflected that, as Henry stepped in to split them up, it was the nearest they got to the Frenchman all afternoon. It certainly didn't improve for the home side after the break as the Gunners created chance after chance. Adebayor somehow managed to knock the ball wide when Henry presented him with the simplest of opportunities and Warner had to react smartly to deny both Ljungberg and Alex Hleb. Ljungberg showed some neat footwork to create a chance for himself but Warner blocked his way again while, finally, Fulham offered something to trouble to Gunners, when Jens Lehmann had to dive to his left to save Steed Malbranque's long-range effort. However, the third goal arrived with 12 minutes left when Ljungberg played Henry through and he steered the ball across Warner and into the corner. To help reflect the dominance Arsenal enjoyed, Fabregas got on the end of Flamini's cross to increase the lead further with four minutes to go. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham manager Chris Coleman: "It was the worst performance we have had at home this season but that was the best display from an Arsenal team against us. "Thierry Henry put in one of the best performances I have ever seen and they sent out a warning sign to everybody else. "We have got no complaints because we were poor on the day. We didn't create any chances and they looked like scoring every time they came forward." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "I feel the team is developing well and we will gain some confidence but we need to be consistent. "We have shown a lot of mental strength recently and that is very encouraging. "Thierry was immense but I think the whole team played very well." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham: Warner, Volz, Knight, Goma, Rosenior, Radzinski, Elliott, Malbranque, Boa Morte, Helguson (John 61), McBride. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Bocanegra, Elrich, Niclas Jensen. Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Ljungberg, Diaby, Silva, Hleb (Fabregas 79), Adebayor (Bergkamp 72), Henry (Reyes 84). Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou. Booked: Diaby. Goals: Henry 31, Adebayor 35, Henry 77, Fabregas 86. Att: 22,397 Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Henry pleased with Arsenal defence(Vid)
Click here Arsenal's Thierry Henry prefers to focus on his side's defensive display in their 4-0 defeat of Fulham - and asks them to repeat it against Real Madrid.

Pardew questions Arsenal policy
West Ham boss Alan Pardew has hit out at Arsene Wenger for not fielding an English player in Arsenal's Champions League win against Real Madrid. "I saw a headline saying Arsenal are flying the flag for Britain," he said. "I kind of wondered where that British involvement actually was when I looked at their team. "It's important clubs, especially top clubs, don't lose sight of the that it's the English Premier League and English players should be involved." Pardew added: "Foreign players have been fantastic. We have learned from them and from foreign coaches. "But, to some extent, we could lose the soul of British football - the English player. "We have a young team at West Ham and we are proud we have so many Englishmen. "The soul of this team will remain with at least three or four English players as long as I am West Ham. I think that's important, I really do." Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "It's an English club but not an English success, it's probably a greater reflection of youngsters from France and elsewhere in Europe. "It's hard to say that it speaks volumes for English football when none of the players are homegrown." Taylor said of Arsenal's victory against Real Madrid: "It's tinged with disappointment. Arsene Wenger chooses the team and has got them through and the quality is there for all to see. "However, it would be more enjoyable if we saw Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell as part of it. "It's a bit odd to look for the silver lining being England's players being fresh for the World Cup."

Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard's dreadful error handed Arsenal a victory which keeps alive their hopes of a Champions League spot for next season. Seconds after Xabi Alonso's dismissal, Gerrard's back pass was intercepted by Thierry Henry, who rounded Jose Reina for his second goal. Henry's exquisite finish had given Arsenal a first-half lead. Luis Garcia levelled for Liverpool after Jens Lehmann could only parry Gerrard's thumping shot. As expected in a game of high-calibre football, Arsenal took the lead through a superbly crafted goal. Cesc Fabregas waited patiently on Henry's run and threaded the needle with his pass between Steve Finnan and Jamie Carragher for Henry to collect and run on to curl a shot around Reina. While Henry again proved himself the consummate goalscorer, Peter Crouch summed up Liverpool's woes in front of goal. Finnan picked out the unmarked Crouch perfectly with his inviting cross, but from eight yards out the England striker headed wide. Liverpool made a determined start to the second half as they pressed Arsenal high up the pitch. But they left themselves prone to Arsenal's pace on the break and, as the Gunners picked them apart at pace, Henry again found himself with only Reina to beat but this time he curled his shot inches wide. Henry surprisingly spurned another chance to wrap up the points when Aleksandr Hleb's pass picked out the Frenchman but Reina spread himself to save the shot. Liverpool worked hard and passed the ball well to get themselves back in the game but their lack of conviction and cutting edge in the last third left Lehmann largely untroubled. But the big German keeper was at fault as Liverpool carved out an equaliser. Arsenal were looking for a foul as Fabregas was roughed out of possession but the ball broke for Gerrard whose powerful shot was not dealt with properly by Lehmann. The Arsenal keeper parried the ball into the air and Garcia reacted first to head the loose ball home. Liverpool looked set to finish the stronger and Lehmann was relieved as Garcia's fearsome volley was partially blocked by Phillipe Senderos. But their world fell apart in the space of a couple of minutes. First Alonso was sent off for a second yellow card, and seconds later, Gerrard's back pass laid the ball on a plate for Henry who rounded Reina to score. Henry teed up Robert Pires as Arsenal looked to round off their win in style but he hit the post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Ljungberg (Pires 15), Adebayor (Bergkamp 67), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Song Billong, Djourou. Goals: Henry 21, 83. Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Kromkamp (Kewell 45), Hamann (Fowler 73), Alonso, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Crouch. Subs Not Used: Dudek, Morientes, Traore. Sent Off: Alonso (81). Booked: Alonso, Luis Garcia. Goals: Luis Garcia 76. Att: 38,221 Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

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