Monday Fulham Stuff (28/11/11)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Wenger admits European hangover

Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal suffered a Champions League hangover after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by a battling Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

Thomas Vermaelen's own goal gifted the visitors, who had not won at Arsenal in 25 attempts, the lead on 65 minutes. The Belgian went on to redeem himself when nodding in from close range with seven minutes left, but the Gunners could not conjure up a winner.

Wenger believed his squad had shown "a bit of mental and physical fatigue" after their exertions in the midweek victory over Borussia Dortmund. He said: "You could see many players were on the fringe, and that we had not completely digested the Champions League game on Wednesday night."

He added: "We needed to dig deep, the circumstances in the game went against us because the moment when Fulham scored they were not crossing halfway a lot.

"We scored an own goal at a moment when it was all us, earlier in the season, we could have lost this game, but we came back. It is disappointing because we dropped two points, but at least it keeps our unbeaten run going."

The Gunners boss, though, insisted their European game should not be used as an excuse.

He said: "We gave a lot on Wednesday night, and it is a short amount of time to play again. But it is not an excuse, it is an explanation. We want to be in the Champions League, so we can not cry when we are tired. Our challenge is to win these types of games even when we are tired."

Fulham may have failed to improve their terrible away form with a rare win, but Cottagers boss Martin Jol feels his team can still take a lot of credit from their battling display.

He said: "A draw for us is a satisfying result. In the first half, we had 50/50 possession, with seven attempts on goal. But we could not play our football in the last 15 minutes. We tried to pass it and get it to the front players, but to get three points, you have to do a bit more."

Jol added: "Arsenal had played a difficult game in the Champions League this week, but you still have to work hard against them, because they have a winning mentality and showed that in the second half when they were 1-0 down, they did everything to score. But with their form over the past six weeks, a draw is pleasing for us."



http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-24014713-wenger-admits-european-hangover.do?

[WhiteJC]

 
EPL: Arsenal 1 Fulham 1

Arsenal's five-game Premier League winning streak came to an end on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at the Emirates.

Thomas Vermaelen scored at both ends in the second half, with an own goal after 65 minutes handing Fulham the lead before the Belgian international made up for his gaffe with a header past Mark Schwarzer with eight minutes remaining to level proceedings.

Arsenal started brightly and thought they were ahead after just four minutes when Robin van Persie found Andrei Arshavin with a through ball in the box which the Russian poked past Schwarzer only to be flagged for offside.

The visitors were giving Arsene Wenger's side space to work the ball and were nearly made to pay for this when Van Persie found Aaron Ramsey, who ran deep from the midfield, but his looping effort was tipped wide by Schwarzer.

Arsenal were always a threat, and should have taken the lead when Theo Walcott ran at John Arne Riise and outpaced him down the right. His cross found Ramsey in the middle but the Welshman blazed his effort over the bar.

Walcott caused more problems for Riise down the right moments later as he turned him inside and out before firing a powerful shot at goal which was well saved again by Schwarzer, who was busy in the opening 30 minutes.

But it was Fulham who came closest to scoring before the break when good build-up play by Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey saw Moussa Dembele put clear down the left but his shot was saved well by Wojciech Szczesny.

Arsenal began the second half with the majority of possession but as in the first period they lacked the clinical edge to carve out a clear chance in front of goal.

This gave Fulham belief going forward and they gave the Gunners a torrid time from set-pieces but Brede Hangeland and Dempsey could not quite direct their headers on target.

Wenger's side were looking to skipper Van Persie for inspiration and the Dutchman almost obliged as he dribbled round Hangeland before shooting at goal and beating Schwarzer, only for Chris Baird to clear the ball off the line.

Baird's intervention proved to be crucial as Martin Jol's side took the lead in the 65th minute when Vermaelen put the ball into his own net after Riise made a brilliant run to the back-post.

Riise met Danny Murphy's cross and tried to take control but was beaten to the ball by Vermaelen who turned it towards goal and the ball trickled into the right-hand corner of Szczesney's net.

The Gunners were jolted into action by going behind and if not for a great reaction save by Schwarzer they would have levelled, as the Australian clawed Joahn Djourou's header away from goal as it look destined for the net.

Arsenal finally got their goal when Vermaelen headed Walcott's pinpoint cross into the ground and past Schwarzer following a great run by the defender.

The Gunners pushed but could not find another way through the visitors' defence, and were denied a sixth straight victory in the Premier League.



http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/fulham-hold-gunners-149561

[WhiteJC]

 
Lack of squad depth begins to tell for Arsenal as Fulham draw slows recent momentum
Arsene Wenger will need to rotate his key men during the winter slog if team is to realise its ambitions this season, with the likes of van Persie too vital to leave out

In order to pull around an Arsenal season that was dying faster than the leaves on the trees, Arsene Wenger has relied upon essentially the same bunch of players.

Barring the odd nip and tuck to his team, usually the result of an injury, the Frenchman has ignored the concept of rotation and stuck with an approach more fitting of another era.


The net result has been a 10-match unbeaten run following the nadir of the derby defeat to Tottenham on October 2, but the profit of Champions League qualification and Premier League improvement has also come at a loss.

Wenger claimed in his post-match address that some of his players are so exhausted they are playing on the edge of their physical capabilities. "They are on the fringe muscular-wise," he warned.

As any of the supporters who came across Jack Wilshere carrying a bucket to collect money for Save the Children pre-match will have appreciated, over-exerting influential players can be a short-term solution that has long-term consequences.

The core of Wojciech Szczesny, Per Mertesacker, Alex Song, Mikel Arteta, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Gervinho and Robin van Persie has barely drawn breath either side of the most recent international break.

In stark contrast, the other three Champions League clubs, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have had the luxury of juggling their resources as autumn turns to winter and the slog of the festive season draws nearer.


At full stretch | The likes of van Persie are on the brink of picking up injuries

Rafael Benitez and Claudio Ranieri were tagged with tinkerer labels but neither could compare to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has a big squad and makes full and wide use of it. To a lesser degree Roberto Mancini and Andre Villas-Boas opt for the modern rotational approach.

Wenger has reckoned that he could not afford such a luxury while attempting to guide his team up the table at the same time as qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages for the 12th consecutive season.

Throw in the two-legged Champions League qualifier against Udinese and international matches and it has been a non-stop schedule for the regulars.

Wenger's only recognition of exhaustion has come with van Persie being rested from the starting XI for two Champions League home matches and the Premier League trip to Stoke City, in which the flying Dutchman came off the bench to win the game with two goals.

Simply put, the manager has no effective deputy for van Persie. His midfield has also been stretched to the limit during the absences of Wilshere and Diaby, who has made two welcome substitute appearances this week in his latest comeback from a prolonged absence.

The only reasonable conclusion to be drawn is that Arsenal do not have the strength in depth to challenge on all four fronts, as they tried in vain to do last season. Something will have to give.

Wenger has admitted that his team suffered so much emotional and physical fall-out from their January and February exertions last season, which included the League Cup heartbreak against Birmingham City, FA Cup replays and the last-16 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, that the players never recovered.

To avoid the team running out of gas as the home straight approaches this season, the Frenchman will have to juggle his resources more adeptly.

There is little room for manoeuvre in the Premier League, where a top-four position is the ambition in what could be the most competitive-ever fight between the top six, and although Wenger can field a weakened team in the final Champions League group match, something will have to give in the cups.

A last-eight home League Cup tie on Tuesday against Manchester City offers an opportunity to stop the trophy drought extending to seven years but Wenger has hinted that he will play a half-half team, mixing youth and experience.

The likes of van Persie, Arteta, Walcott, Song, Ramsey and Mertesacker are unlikely to figure, certainly from the start, as Wenger partly sacrifices perhaps his best chance of winning a pot.

Arsenal's squad badly needs beefing up. Even the most optimistic Gooner could not realistically argue otherwise.

In January, they will lose Gervinho, Marouane Chamakh and Emmanuel Frimpong, though not Alex Song, for the best part of a month to the African Cup of Nations.

Yet salvation arrives with the transfer window in five weeks' time. With around £55 million available to spend, Wenger has the means to significantly replenish a first XI that he says is running on empty.

Experience has taught him that in the modern era it is not possible to challenge for trophies with 15 players.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/27/2775632/lack-of-squad-depth-begins-to-tell-for-arsenal-as-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal Get The Point In The End

Arsenal 1 – 1 Fulham

0 – 1 Vermaelen o.g.(65)
1 – 1 Vermaelen (82)

Thomas Vermaelen provided a solution to the conundrum of who scores if Robin doesn't, a shame one of his brace was in the wrong net. It was scant reward for Arsenal in many senses but Fulham came to stifle and succeeded in doing so for long periods of the game. Had Arshavin not been flagged offside – rightly – in the opening minutes, things might have been different.

As it was, the episode signalled the start of a siege on the Fulham half. Zamora and Dempsey provided sporadic relief but in the same way that the Marseille was 'the morning after the night before' following Chelsea, this was the comedown following Dortmund. Arsenal were lethargic of thought. Their bodies may have been willing but the minds could not find the guile to create many clear chances. Walcott's early effort was all his own work; sprinting down the right before testing Schwarzer with a rifled low shot.

As half-time approached, the visitors had their moment to take an undeserved lead but Szczesny was equal to the challenge whilst Hangeland headed the resulting corner over the bar. Philippe Senderos will have remembered such quiet afternoons from his time in the Arsenal squad; he would not have expected such on his return to the club. As it was, Arsenal nearly snatched an interval lead when the much-maligned Per Mertesacker headed wide.

The second half was more of the same. Arsenal pressed but struggled to create. Dempsey failed to meet Murphy's cross with the goal at his mercy whilst van Persie outwitted Schwarzer but Baird cleared from the goalline. Arshavin and Santos briefly threatened before their chances evaporated.

The goal that was coming duly arrived with an Arsenal name on the scoresheet. Murphy persisted with his run into the Arsenal area, Riise knocked the ball down and the Belgian's attempted clearance saw the ball trundle into the corner of the net. Someone, somewhere is working out how to blame Mertesacker for that one.

Wenger decided to liven things up with Gervinho and Diaby entering the fray at the expense of Mertesacker and Ramsey. Arshavin would last another ten minutes before the Paris-bound Chamakh became the final throw of the dice. The Ivorian livened up proceedings, occupying the minds of the Fulham defence as the pressure grew for an equaliser. Djourou's header was well saved by Schwarzer whilst Diaby shot high, shot wide, sometimes both at the same time.

van Persie then blazed high and wide, proving himself to be as technically inept as he is lethal. The goal machine is human after all. Minutes later the scores were level as Vermaelen angled his run, meeting Walcott's cross to nod home from close range. Desperation ensued but not from the visitors, the hosts desire for a winner manifested in a lacklustre penalty appeal. It was entirely in keeping with the match.

This was a rerun of many opening games at The Emirates. Visitors stealing a lead, Arsenal equalising late in the game. A point gained is how it felt post-match; it still is and as such many who questioned the mental capabilities of Arsenal had their answer. A deficit was retrieved not surrendered meekly. Yet it is two points dropped against a struggling team. There will be more of those for teams around us; this is not the end of world despite what you may be told.

'til Tomorrow.


http://aculturedleftfoot.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/arsenal-get-the-point-in-the-end/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wenger plans Cup changes to flagging squad

Arsene Wenger is expected to make changes to his starting line-up for the League Cup this week after admitting tiredness played a part in dropping points against Fulham. Thomas Vermaelen earned a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium with his late header, after scoring an own goal to open the scoring in the Premier League clash.

Wenger believes his squad had not fully recovered from their midweek UEFA Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund when they booked a place in the knockout stages of the competition. "It was the sharpness of our mind, mental fatigue and physical fatigue," explained the Arsenal manager.

"Many players were on the fringe and had not completely digested the Champions League game. Wednesday to Saturday afternoon is short, the shortest you can get - but it’s not an excuse. It’s an explanation. We want to be in the Champions League so you cannot cry when you are tired. Our challenge is to win these types of games even when we are tired."

Arsenal face Manchester City next in the League Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, with Wenger ready to rotate his squad as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches. "Of course we are disappointed but overall we are still improving and hopefully we can show that again on Tuesday," he said. "I will have to change the team because some players are on the fringe, muscular-wise."

Wednesday to Saturday afternoon is short, the shortest you can get - but it’s not an excuse. It’s an explanation.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the tiredness his team were suffering

Vermaelen put through his own net when he tried to clear the danger after John Arne Riise was found in the penalty area. He then headed home eight minutes from full-time from Theo Walcott’s cross. "I believe he scored unfortunately because left-footed players refuse to use their right," Wenger said. "But he showed character. He senses the ball well and reads the game. The positive is that we have shown exceptional spirit and desire. Circumstances went against us, when they scored they didn'’t cross the halfway line. It’s disappointing because we dropped two points but our unbeaten run goes on."

Wenger believes his team would have lost this game to Fulham if they were playing earlier in the season, when Arsenal were struggling for confidence. "We could have lost this game earlier in the season," he said. "I felt you have to give credit to Fulham, they played well and their goalkeeper played well."

Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele earned the man-of-the-match award and manager Martin Jol is confident he will keep the player at the club when the transfer window reopens. The Dutchman said: "Moussa is happy with us. He has to develop a few qualities. He has quality on the ball and will develop others and become more efficient. He knows that. He showed against Arsenal and at the Emirates Stadium, what a player he is. If you go away from home and one of your players is man of the match it is always good. He is a gifted player."



http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1548558.html?cid=rssfeed&att=

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham ready to move for Rodallega
by DAN on NOVEMBER 27, 2011



Martin Jol has made Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega his number one target for the January transfer window, according to Dave Kidd in the Sunday People.

Fulham have struggled for goals during Jol's tenure – and with Andy Johnson no closer to signing a contract extension at Craven Cottage – a new striker is very much on the manager's radar. Rodallega is out of contract at the DW Stadium in the summer and, whilst Wigan would usually be reluctant to sell one of their key players, the Latics may be forced to accept a cut-price fee rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.

The 26 year-old has scored 22 goals in 104 appearances since joining Wigan from Necaxa for £4.5m in December 2008, but the Colombian international has failed to find the net this season.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/fulham-ready-to-move-for-rodellega/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Three major reasons why Arsenal failed against Fulham

By 1970"s Gooner

For the first reason I would agree with Wenger. The team did look jaded. Tiredness was very apparent to me especially in the second half where some of the players' energy did begin to fail them.

One example was Song who was replaced in midfield by Diaby and also Ramsey who was not himself yesterday.

The second reason I blame on Wenger.

His team selection included Arshavin. He should never start a game again for Arsenal. He has lost his spark and with it his passing, goals coring but also his defending. He hardly tracks back leaving his defender always exposed. He should be sold in the January window.

When Gervinho came in we looked far more penetrative. He should have started and we would have won the game in my opinion.

Lastly, people are wrong to compare Arteta with Cesc. It's Ramsey who has taken the Fabregas role but unfortunately he has his ups and downs.

He will eventually be a top player but at the moment he is lacking. And with this the team is lacking creativeness and that spark that Wilshere gives us. The team needed some creativeness to break the Fulham defence but he did not provide it.

Wilshere will when he returns and when that happens we will sweep the board.



http://arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/11/three-major-reasons-why-arsenal-failed.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal 1-1 Fulham: Devermination

I guess in the context of recent results and the form we've been in yesterday was something of a disappointment. Dropping two points at home can always be criticised but post-Champions League games against well organised, tough opponents are never easy. Just look at Man United.

The first half, well, the less said the better really. You could see the hangover from Wednesday night, we struggled to find any rhythm or momentum and the game was played at testimonial pace at times. Still, there were moments. Arshavin had the ball in the net but was marginally offside when it came through to him. Aaron Ramsey really should have done better after a great Theo Walcott run set him just inside the box but he shot over, and late on Per Mertesacker's back-header from a free kick drifted a foot or two past the post with the keeper beaten.

Anything good we did seemed to involve Theo Walcott and it continued in that vein in the second half. Lots of Arsenal possession nullified by a Fulham side set up to deny us space and to squeeze us into the middle of the pitch. The best chance of the half fell to Robin van Persie whose shot, after wriggling free in the box to find some room, beat Schwarzer but was cleared off the line by Chris Baird.

And just a couple of moments later Fulham scored. A diagonal ball into the box found the forward running Riise. My first impression was that it came back off his arm but quite what Vermaelen was trying to do with the clearance I don't know. It ended up not as a clearance but as a trickling shot on goal which crept in just inside the post. A freakish own goal really but perhaps a defensive situation we should have dealt with better.

The almost immediate response from Arsene was to take off Mertesacker and Ramsey, putting on Diaby and Gervinho in their places. And straight away the Ivorian made inroads into the Fulham defence, putting them further on the backfoot. Arshavin was replaced by Chamakh, I guess to have a different option up front, someone who could attack a cross.

In the end he was there when Walcott's cross came in from the right hand side but failed to make contact. Thankfully Thomas Vermaelen, obviously determined to make up for his earlier error, arrived at just the right time to head down into the ground and then into the Fulham net. There were some half-chances in the final ten minutes, and a vague penalty shout (seen them given but don't think it was a penalty really), but it wasn't to be and we had to settle for the draw.

Afterwards Arsene spoke about the Champions League game in midweek as an explanation for the lethargy of the Arsenal performance but refused to use it as an excuse:

We want to be in the Champions League so we cannot cry when we are tired. Our challenge is to win these kinds of games even when we are tired.

The positive again is that we have shown exceptional spirit, desire and refusal to lose the game. Overall if you look back at where we came from we have a long unbeaten run and of course we are disappointed because we dropped two points.

With hindsight you might say Arsene should have rotated a little bit more but then hindsight is good like that. Had he done that and we'd drawn the game, or lost, he'd be on a hiding to nothing for not playing his best players. I think he'll have been disappointed with the contribution of Arshavin. After challenging him to show his worth the little Russian's performance was pretty poor and was a clear indication of why he hasn't started a league game for over two months. On days like yesterday when you need everybody giving 100% you can't carry any passengers.

If he didn't start Gervinho then perhaps it was because he was in this 'red zone' where he's more likely to pick up an injury. You simply don't leave one of your best performers on the bench to be charitable to another player – and to be honest I think Benayoun can count himself a bit unlucky not to be involved ahead of Arshavin.

Defensively Fulham were very good and when you're lacking that 5-10% because of heavy legs then it becomes all the more difficult to break down teams like that. They offered little up the other end. Szczesny had to make one save from Dembele in the first half and other than that there was nothing, so we can count ourselves a bit unlucky to have conceded and conceded in such a fashion.

Nor can we ignore the physical effect of the Champions League game against Dortmund. If we're quick to praise the team for the effort they put in on Wednesday night then we can't ignore it on a Saturday. I think it's probably telling that our stand-out performance of the day came from Johan Djourou who came into the game with fresh legs. But for his crucial intervention in the last few seconds of injury time – when he prevented Clint Dempsey going through one on one with Szczesny in the box – it might well have been worse.

As for Vermaelen, I've long said we've missed his character as much as his presence as a defender. The team deserve credit for getting back into the game having gone behind,  but the fact it was the Belgian who refused to let his own goal decide the game speaks volumes about what he can bring to the side. That kind of determination and unwillingness to lose is great to see.

So, while dropping two points is always a disappointment I think the fact we've been unbeaten since Sp*rs – a run of 10 games now, wining 8 of them – remains a positive. The momentum might have been halted a little bit but there's still plenty of games to go this season to make up the points.

With the Carling Cup on Tuesday the manager is sure to rest the vast majority of the 'first team', giving more chances to the fringe players but, more importantly, making sure we've got plenty of energy for the trip to Wigan next Saturday.

Till tomorrow.



http://arseblog.com/2011/11/arsenal-1-1-fulham-devermination/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arseblog+%28Arseblog+-+It%27s+loving%27+excellent+-+an+Arsenal+blog%29

[WhiteJC]

 
One of those days

Online Ed: Two points dropped at home to Fulham

I'm not sure too many people would have been surprised by Arsenal's failure to beat Fulham yesterday. Many's the time a big midweek performance has been followed by a bit of a no-show, especially at home for some reason. Not sure if it would be fair to call it complacency or simple fatigue, but for spells of the match, Arsene Wenger's men appeared a little lacklustre, a little labored. Enough decent chances were created to have won the game, but they weren't going in.

To put in in perspective, Manchester United had disappointing results both in midweek and at home to Newcastle. Chelsea did poorly in Europe, but turned it around against Wolves. Manchester City lost on Tuesday night and it must be hoped do so at Anfield if only to preserve the achievement of the 'Invincibles' in 2003/04. All the top teams are suffering.

Some felt there was a bit of spark missing from the Gunners approach play, although we endured matches like this with Fabregas and Nasri were in the team. I am not going to read too much into a draw in which the opposition's strike was an own goal. It was just one of those things. The task for the team is to simply ensure they get it right next time. Draws – at least too many of them – can prove harmful. Better two wins and a defeat than three draws. In previous season run-ins, the Gunners have often paid the price for failing to gain all three points ,going right back to the earlier Wenger years. 2002-03 was especially painful, a title Arsenal should have won was sacrificed by the concession of winning positions at Newcastle, Liverpool, Villa and Bolton. In 1998-99, I shall always remember a cheap goalless home draw v Charlton in the earlier part of the season as being a key result that ultimately cost dear.

It is a weird thing how the concession of a goal can spark the team into life, as if the scores being level is somehow a more palatable situation than actually losing. But with three points for a win, it would be nice to see more of the kind of drive and urgency we witnessed in the last quarter of an hour a lot earlier in the game.

Arshavin was presumably selected because of Gervinho's seeming inability to convert chances. The latter's play as part of the Arsenal attack has generally been good, but obviously opportunities do have to be converted. Koscielny was on the bench but Djourou got the nod at right back. Defensively, he had a better game than he often does, but is obviously not suited to the full back role. Still, like with Koscielny there, he can partially compensate for Andre Santos' ventures forward by being more conservative and ensuring there are numbers back. The idea of at least one defensive minded full back may actually be no bad thing.

Santos has, justifiably, been given a lot of stick for his perceived lack of defensive ability. However, I am not yet at the stage where I have written him off completely. On one level, a pairing of Arshavin and Santos on the left hand side is the stuff of nightmares, but Fulham didn't really exploit the flank that much.

Fair play to the manager for making some bold substitutions and mixing things up a bit. Granted, it left the team a little vulnerable at the back, but it was a gamble worth taking. Abou Diaby showed some great ball control, but frustrated with his knack of holding onto the damned thing too long and eventually losing possession. Sometimes, you've just got to accept that you need to pass occasionally.

With the amount of added experience in the team, I'd hoped that we would not witness the traditional flatter post-big midweek performance I have referred to already, but it was not to be. Looking ahead, it is difficult to see a shadow Arsenal team disposing of Manchester City on Tuesday for reasons of quality of personnel. Additionally, Mancini seems to be able to slot in his back up players more seamlessly than Wenger. With the Carling Cup, in the days when there were more younger players fielded, the understanding seemed greater. With the more mix and match selections to give older squad players some game time, things do not seem quite so smooth. Part of the reason the club are charging so little to see a game that sold out easily is that, no doubt, the side Wenger picks is unlikely to surprise us by actually beating their opponents. Call me pessimistic, but it is very difficult to see progress to the last four in this one.

More important is Wigan next weekend. Arsenal can make up for the draw with Fulham by winning more frequently on the road, and the visit to the DW Stadium is a classic example of the type of match the Gunners should win, although so often they conspire not to. Let's hope the solidity they have gradually developed comes good on Saturday.



http://www.onlinegooner.com/article.php?section=editorial&id=338

[WhiteJC]

 
Schwarzer's heroics help Fulham to deserved point


Out of reach ... Mark Schwarzer can only look on as Thomas Vermaelen powers his
header into the net for Arsenal's equaliser. The Socceroo made several vital saves for
his side in their draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo: Getty Images

LONDON: A magnificent effort in goal by evergreen Socceroo Mark Schwarzer helped Fulham hold Arsenal on Saturday.

The Australian, who last week reiterated that he has no plans to retire, proved his value with seven saves at the Emirates Stadium. The first half included a flying dive to deny Alex Song and keep a clean score sheet at half-time.

Fulham went ahead in the 65th minute with an own goal from Thomas Vermaelen, who redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser in the 82nd minute.

Schwarzer's prowess again shone through in the dying passages of play, as he blocked a Johan Djourou header from close range.

''We ended up with a draw. We would have loved a win but I would have settled for a draw before the game and I will settle for that now,'' Fulham manager Martin Jol said.

If the result was frustrating for Arsenal, they can console themselves with the fact that it could have been a good deal worse.

Only a late tactical change by Arsene Wenger prevented the visitors from taking three points in a game that they appeared to have planned to perfection.

Fulham's strategy, based on shackling the rampant Robin van Persie, proved successful for long periods of the game.

They created little of their own in the early stages, but gradually began to assert themselves.

Moussa Dembele's wicked left-footed effort from 20 metres shortly before the break, capping a move started by Bobby Zamora's superb flick to Clint Dempsey, was a warning shot across Arsenal's bows.

Then midway through the second half came the bombshell. Danny Murphy played a long diagonal ball into the penalty area for John Arne Riise, making a long-range foray forward at full pelt.

The ball was excellent, Riise able to get ahead of both Theo Walcott and the poorly positioned Per Mertesacker to chest - or possibly, depending on which replay you watched, arm - the ball down.

Vermaelen got to the ball first, but at full stretch his touch was uncontrolled, sending it past a helpless Wojciech Szczesny and into the net.

Within seconds, Wenger had changed things. Aaron Ramsey and Mertesacker came off, to be replaced by Abou Diaby and Gervinho, with Song moving to centre-back and Andrei Arshavin redeployed to the centre of midfield. The move proved inspirational, Gervinho injecting a sense of urgency on the flank that Arshavin had lacked.

As the game approached its final minutes, van Persie laid the ball right for Walcott. Vermaelen who drifted into the area to meet the cross, placing a header past Schwarzer to atone for his earlier error.

Meanwhile, Schwarzer's international teammate Tim Cahill remains scoreless for Everton this season after the Toffees' 2-0 win over Bolton, with his goal drought now beginning to concern boss David Moyes.

''It's a worry,'' Moyes said. ''Since Tim was away at the [Asian Cup] tournament last year it's been tough and he's not quite back to where we would want him to be,'' Moyes told the Liverpool Echo.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/schwarzers-heroics-help-fulham-to-deserved-point-20111127-1o1da.html#ixzz1ez9sOa6R

[WhiteJC]

 
Positives for both managers after Arsenal draw with Fulham

Both managers took some positives from the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Fulham.

Football once again proved itself to be the most mysterious of games as Arsenal's winning run came to a shuddering halt at the hands of a brave and resilient Fulham.

Thomas Vermaelen was first villain then hero, scoring a disastrous own goal that threatened to give the visitors their first ever win at Arsenal, and then rescuing his side with an 82nd minute equaliser.

The point will feel a lot more valuable to Fulham than Arsenal, but the Gunners could reflect on a week that had also included Champions League progress with the feeling that it could have been worse.

Wins for Chelsea and Spurs might have seen Arsene Wenger's side slip behind in the race for top four places, but Arsenal still have the momentum of a run that sees them unbeaten for almost two months across three competitions.

They will attempt to continue that against Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with a formidable home record that sees them unbeaten in 11 games at the Emirates.

But Wenger may reflect that, having stated he would give chances to other players who had not started in midweek, his squad is perhaps not as strong as he had hoped.

In the end Wenger only made two changes from the side who had secured Champions League progression in midweek, with Johan Djourou coming in for Laurent Koscielny at right-back, while Andrey Arshavin replaced Gervinho on the left flank.

Fulham gave a start to their Costa Rican midfielder Bryan Ruiz on the left flank in place of Damien Duff, while Philippe Senderos continued at the back, making a return to his former club.

Many supporters had turned up at the Emirates expecting a cakewalk but Fulham, as Arsene Wenger had suggested on the eve of the game, are in a false league position. They have been playing a lot better than 15th place suggests.

Arshavin had an effort rightly disallowed for offside inside five minutes and then Aaron Ramsey drew an excellent fingertip save from Mark Schwarzer. The Aussie veteran looked set to be in for a busy night.

At the other end Fulham, with Moussa Dembele playing in behind Bobby Zamora immediately showed they would also be a threat. On 20 minutes, Zamora rolled Vermaelen and blasted a shot over the crossbar to warn the Gunners it would not all be one-way traffic.

Five minutes later Theo Walcott went on a blistering run, leaving John Arne Riise in his slipstream before cutting the ball back for Ramsey to fire over Schwarzer's goal.

But again Fulham hit back on the counter-attack, a rapid break ending in a booking for Andre Santos after the Brazilian had clearly handled an attempted through ball. Zamora protested so loudly he was also booked by referee Mike Dean for this trouble.

Fulham arguably had the best chance of the half when Dembele escaped inside the left-hand channel and let fly with a shot that Wojciech Szczesny parried behind for a corner.

Arsenal ended the half in the ascendancy when, after Dickson Etuhu was booked for a robust challenge on Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard got up to deliver a free-kick that was glanced inches wide by Per Mertesacker.

Fulham went in at the break satisfied though. The supply line to Van Persie had been effectively cut, and the Dutchman was getting very little change out of Senderos or Brede Hangeland.

The visitors knew that Arsenal would raise the intensity in the second half and they did immediately. Arshavin started to look more of a threat out on the left although it was Van Persie to whom Arsenal looked for the breakthrough.

Just before the hour mark he twisted and turned inside the Fulham box before drilling a shot goalwards that Chris Baird did well to block on the line. Moments later the Arsenal captain charged into the visitors' area again and went tumbling, but Dean waved away the hosts' penalty appeals.

The Emirates was starting to get a little restless, but the deadlock was about to be broken. But to the horror of the home fans, it was Fulham who scored.

Well, kind of. Danny Murphy chipped a pass into the Arsenal box and Riise attempted to run on to it, but as the ball broke loose Vermaelen's attempted clearance was scuffed low past Szczesny and into his own net.

After five straight league victories, Arsenal were staring down the barrel of a most unexpected defeat. They had 25 minutes to save themselves.

Wenger threw on Abou Diaby and Gervinho, and then later Marouane Chamakh, but Fulham were not looking too overstretched at the back, although they were grateful to Schwarzer for a superb save to stop a Djourou header, and then Van Persie pulled the trigger on his hitherto lethal left foot, but again missed the target.

With eight minutes to go the equaliser arrived. Walcott, whose delivery from the right flank had been a constant menace, curled over another inviting ball and although Chamakh missed it, Vermaelen arrived behind him to score with a bouncing downward header.

Arsenal had chances to win it, a big shout for a handball and Van Persie snatching at a chance right-footed when he had more time than he realised.

Nobody was blaming the Dutchman though, and Fulham had totally merited their point. In Zamora, they had the game's most threatening forward, outshining the Premier League top scorer.

Vermaelen's equaliser at least diverted a disastrous result for Arsenal. Like Manchester United earlier in the day, they had to accept that not every game can end in victory.

After the match Fulham manager Martin Jol said: "A draw is a satisfying result. We had 50/50 possession in the first half, it was pretty open. We had seven attempts on goal and they had seven attempts on goal. We kept but to get three points have to do a bit more, to score a second goal.

"You have to work hard against them, they have got a winning mentality, they were 1-0 down they did everything to score a goal.

"We had reasonable results away from home kept three clean sheets in last four matches, so we feel before game maybe a draw would be fine. They are a very good team at home, almost unbeatable."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "The positives are that we have shown excellent spirit and desire. We came back from a goal down but we have dropped two points and I thought we were unfortunate not to win the game.

"You have to give credit to Fulham, they have a team with a lot of international players and we knew that it was not going to be an easy game.

"We had a short space of time between our Champions League game on Wednesday and today. It is the shortest time possible. I am not using this as an excuse but as an explanation for today."

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Vermaelen, Mertesacker (Diaby, 68), Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey (Gervinho, 68), Walcott, Arshavin (Chamakh, 75), Van Persie.

Subs not used: Koscielny, Fabianski, Frimpong, Benayoun.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Ruiz (Kasami, 75), Zamora (Johnson, 78), Dembele.

Subs not used: Gecov, Hughes, Fei, Briggs, Etheridge.

Att: 60,043



http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/positives_for_both_managers_after_arsenal_draw_with_fulham_1_1138161?

[WhiteJC]

 
Our Kits



Looked great, no?



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/our-kits/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Arsenal ~ Player Ratings
by LORK on NOVEMBER 27, 2011

A good point and a much deserved one after a display which demonstrated our organisation off the ball and quality on it, but, as par for the course when you concede a goal in the last ten minutes, it was still a gutwrenching one, having looked like we actually would pick up all three. Even still, good performances all over the pitch.

Schwarzer – 8, made a couple of fantastic saves in the game from Ramsey and then Djourou. Schwarzer also recieved the ball quite often and played well in possession, plus he dealt well with crosses, I can't remember a mistake from him. Continues his impressive run of form

Hangeland – 7.5, had a very good game alongside Senderos marshalling van Persie. Stayed very tight to him which is exactly what you need to do to deal with him; if there's one attribute he doesn't have, it's pace. In the last twenty Hangeland perhaps let van Persie go  a little bit more but that's because he was pulling out on to Riise I think, and we didn't want Hangeland out of position incase of midfield runners. Also used the ball well, zipped it into feet when needed (including turning away from three or four Arsenal players in the first half when it looked like he was about to be crowded out) but also going long if he needed to as well. Wasn't really tested in the air, but certainly won the duel with Robin van Persie. He also covered Riise very well when he went forward.

Senderos – 6.5, had a solid game and didn't make any mistakes. Was even more determined than Hangeland to play the ball along the floor which was quite dangerous, he's not as talented or has as much awareness and it almost caused some real trouble. Maybe should have helped Baird a bit more when Gervinho was causing him problems.

Baird – 6.5, cruised through the game against Arshavin really and was only truly tested when Gervinho came on. However, Gervinho absolutely destroyed him, and I would have been tempted to take him off because it looked as if every time Gervinho ran at him Baird was coming off second best. Showed great anticipation to block van Persie's effort off the line.

Riise – 7.5, ranks alongside QPR as his best performance in a Fulham shirt. I was really worried about Walcott, who's flying at the moment, up against him but over the ninety minutes I thought Riise dealt with him well; he never let Walcott turn in behind him. A couple of times in the first half, he had a dodgy moment when Walcott burst passed him after running from deep, but on the whole Gervinho was the more troublesome winger, and he came on in the last 20 minutes. The cross for the equaliser came from Walcott, but I think that Riise can't really be blamed, Walcott wasn't in a particuarly dangerous position (it was a fantastic cross though) and if Riise had gone to close him down, there was alot of space behind him to expose. In possession he was neat, ventured forward sensibly and it was a fantastic run where he lost Walcott to get in behind the Arsenal defence off Murphy's wonderful pass.

Murphy – 7.5, produced the  most eye catching bit of Fulham play I think with the pass that picked out Riise for our goal. In space, he looked up, and played it perfectly over the defence onto Riise' s chest. When we had the ball he kept it moving well, never venturing forward too much so that he'd always be an option, and covered in defence very well too; one example was when an Arsenal player was burning down the right with Riise left upfield. Looked tired up against Diaby at the end of the game though, and didn't track Vermaelen for the equaliser.

Etuhu – 8, patrolled the midfield excellently. Sidwell's injury has offered Etuhu a chance to claim back a first team place – it was looking like only a severe Sidwell dip in form or European rotation would offer Etuhu a chance to play – and he has taken it with both hands, putting in two impressive  cases for man of the match awards two games in a row (away, nonetheless). As a strong Etuhu supporter, I'm quite smug at the moment. Firstly, his play in tight areas was very good, showing good awareness of players around him so he could take an appropriate touch and moving the ball with short (which was key, he is not a ball player, never pretends to be and so he should never be judged on it) one touch passes. He also performed a vital role protecting the back four, and one of the reasons van Persie was so quiet was because Etuhu shielded the space infront of him. When we had the ball Etuhu was often infront of Murphy and when we didn't he was often behind him, or was the central midfielder that closed down up the pitch, so certainly an all action performance. Will Sidwell replace him?

Ruiz – 7, at last, Ruiz's slow start is starting to fade. I thought at times Ruiz was class, he played the game at his own pace totally. Closed down by defenders he was so composed with the ball, working his way out of tight situations and keeping possession, and his passes were probing and intelligent. He tracked back well too, which he had to against a full back as offensive as Santos, although at times could have harried a bit more, and he doesn't have the tenacity that Dembele has to win the ball back from opposition. Hopefully that will come. Not sure why he was taken off, but he signalled to the bench that he wanted to be subbed,. He has a long term injury so maybe that's why

Dempsey – 6.5, I thought Dempsey could have done more to help Riise against Walcott in the first half; Djourou is never going to threaten offensively other than to be a spare player to pick the ball up, because he can't cross or run with the ball. In fact, I wonder if it was sensible for Jol to play him out there, the problem a fair amount of the time was that Dempsey came in so close to Zamora in the middle of the pitch that his side was left totally vacated when Arsenal countered, so I wonder if it was more sensible from that point of view to have played Ruiz out there, Dembele on the right and Dempsey behind Zamora. Other than that though Dempsey had a good overall game, good with the ball at his feet and almost threatened a last minute winner when he got on the wrong side of Djourou but Song covered well.

Dembele – 7, worked very hard, kept possession very well, looked consistently threatening, but he needs to work on his ball striking ability if he's going to shoot so much from outside the box.

Zamora – 7, had the better of Vermaelen throughout the game who got way too tight, letting Zamora do what he want when he was on him really. At times his touch was a bit heavy or he failed to anticipate a ball, but generally if a pass went up to him it stuck, and I think it was an injury which meant he was subbed, apparently he signalled to the bench.

~Subs~

Kasami – 6, he's a good character, good physical stature and shows alot of promise, but Kasami is still very raw. I hope he starts (with Frei too) in Holland, but for the Arsenal game he was beaten by Gervinho as much as Baird was.

Johnson – 5.5, when he came on we couldn't keep any pressure on the centre halves both in and out of possession; the ball didn't stay upfront so we kept getting pushed deeper and deeper, and when Arsenal had the ball AJ was so deep anyway that Song (who's good on the ball) and Vermaelen (who likes running forward) had free reign to do whatever they liked.

~lork



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/11/fulham-v-arsenal-player-ratings/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol satisfied with Gunners point

Fulham boss Martin Jol says he is satisfied to have come away from Arsenal with a point despite almost winning the game.

The Cottagers, who had not won away to the Gunners in 25 attempts, were on course for a surprise victory when Thomas Vermaelen put through his own net in the 65th minute.

It was the same player that rescued the draw for Arsene Wenger's men as he powered home a header with seven minutes remaining to extend Arsenal's impressive unbeaten run.

Jol was delighted to pick up a result from a fixture they had been written off in, although he accepts that the timing of the game couldn't have been better for the Cottagers.

He said: "A draw for us is a satisfying result.

"In the first half, we had 50/50 possession, with seven attempts on goal.

"But we could not play our football in the last 15 minutes.

"We tried to pass it and get it to the front players, but to get three points, you have to do a bit more.

"Arsenal had played a difficult game in the Champions League this week, but you still have to work hard against them, because they have a winning mentality and showed that in the second half when they were 1-0 down, they did everything to score.

"But with their form over the past six weeks, a draw is pleasing for us."


http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/jol-satisfied-with-gunners-point-1344053.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal 1-1 Fulham: Football Put Into Perspective

A few hours ago I planning to moan about our surprisingly lethargic performance yesterday, which saw us drop points for the first time in six Premier League matches. Instead, having just discovered the utterly shocking, saddening news about Wales manager Gary Speed, whinging about tired post-CL legs and own goals seems both churlish and inappropriate.

Instead, rather than complain about our first real hiccup since being beaten at White Hart Lane two months ago, I'd rather focus on the positives. While proceedings were played at a stifled pace for the first 45 minutes, I was just grateful to be back at the Ems in the same electric, shouty section I'd come to know as home last season. This was the first time I'd been in the North Bank since the 1-0 against Stoke in February. Y'know, the last fixture before the Game that Shall Never be Mentioned or Reflected Upon on Pain of... eh, weeping loads.

And what a slightly inebriated pleasure it was belting out renditions of 'He's five foot-four', RvP's 'He comes from Rotterdam' and, of course, 'Harry's going down'. Seeing as I buggered off to Scotland for eight months back in March, merely sipping in the atmosphere (and admittedly a couple of pre-match Gaymers) was enough to send me off into the crisp North London night happy. Obviously, Tommy V's late redemptive bullet header helped, too.

Twenty minutes before, our reasonably-sized Belgian had conspired to put us behind with a bizarre clearance into Szczesny's bottom corner while under pressure from John Arne Riise. Fulham were disciplined and energetic, narrowing our play and making it awkwardly congested for our midfield trio of Ramsey, Arteta and Song. Yet in the rare occasions they ventured into our final third, their most potent weapon was the plutonium-powered whinging of Bobby Zamora, who was in the ref's ear constantly until a yellow card sewed up his moaning mug. But for Vermaelen's cool, self-destructive finishing, they never looked like scoring.

Down to our opponents' first dangerous chance (oh déjà vu how this Arsenal team likes to seductively suck your face off), we were finally jolted into life for the final 15 minutes. This was in no small part thanks to the introduction of Gervinho in place of our ineffective Russian munchy box lover and the returning Diaby. The former's usual industry and speed had an immediate impact, driving Fulham back and giving our late attacks real impetus. It was our perma-crocked Frenchman who most impressed me, though. Aside from a couple of shanked shots, he kept the ball calmly under pressure and his first touch was particularly good for someone who's been injured since the end of last season.

The equaliser came thanks to yet another good cross from young Theodan of Islington. After a few exciting turbo runs in the first half, he cut an isolated figure for most of the second period. Still, his willing running paid off with just a little over seven minutes to play, when he got on the ball and spanked an incredibly inviting cross into the box, which Big Tom was only too happy to welcome with his cranium.

But for the alert work of Djourou we could have conceded again in injury time, with Clint Dempsey almost squirming through for a one-on-one with our Pole's goal. The big Swiss gave an assertive performance at right back all game and it was nice to see him recapture some of the form which saw him build a briefly effective partnership with Koscielny earlier this year.

So two points dropped, but we at least displayed the sort of frontal lobe Incredible Hulk-ness Arsene so loves to talk about in his post-match pressers. And in the light of football (and more importantly the Speed family) losing someone who was by all accounts a real gentleman in such bewildering, tragic circumstances, crying over two dropped points doesn't seem like much of a loss.

– DM


http://www.arse2mouse.com/post/13410883846?

[WhiteJC]

 
Etuhu pleased with Arsenal point

DICKSON Etuhu has urged his Fulham team-mates to build on Saturday's draw against Arsenal.

The Whites survived a late onslaught to earn a deserved point at the Emirates to climb up to 15th in the table.

And midfielder Etuhu insists Martin Jol's men need to now start taking points from the sides around them if they're to pull clear of the drop zone.

He said: "We're pleased with a point. We were tiring towards the end but stayed strong mentally and dug in for a draw.

"I think we deserved it as well, and we would've taken a point before the game. We always seem to play well here and it was another good performance from the boys.

"Now we have to get points off the teams in and around us because that will make a big difference.

"We played well against Sunderland and should've won that game but that's football. This result will give us a lot of confidence."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/11/27/etuhu-pleased-with-arsenal-point-82029-29853488/?#ixzz1ezCalqKh

[WhiteJC]

 
Woy would have been proud

Leading at the Emirates up to the 81st minute we gave the Gunners an almighty scare. Pity it was only a point, but Fulham found a way to stifle the hosts and fully deserved to draw


© Getty Images

Nobody, from pundits to passionate Fulham followers, were brave enough to predict that performance - including me. I should have known better in writing us off, football regularly turns round to make fools of us all. What a pity we couldn't bury that horrible statistic of never having won a competitive game at the home of Arsenal. But what a morale-boosting showing from the boys, and a priceless point to sneak us one place further away from the drop zone.

Stylistically we remain a million miles away from Jol's vision of total football, but the side showed guts, application and commendable professionalism in blunting Arsenal's recent turbo-charged rise up the table. Widespread narcolepsy for neutrals tuning in to the live TV coverage may well have set in before half-time, effectively reducing Wenger's wonders to our level however was just what the doctor ordered. Yes, it was Roy's Fulham of old, boring the opposition to death.

How did it all come to pass? Jol's inspirational team talk? Bryan's selection in the starting line-up? A freak alignment of the planets? Simple. We were playing in our true colours for the first time this season. Dump the all white please, I don't care what Kappa say - we are Fulham and we are 'the Black and Whites.' Mess with the footballing gods and you will be struck down!
Getting behind this out of the blue showing some interesting factors come to light. We've all spluttered at the inexplicable absence of our expensive summer signing, but Friday the truth finally slipped out. Ruiz has a knee injury. Fine. A pity, but nobody is expecting our athletes to go out and put themselves on the line for 90 odd minutes in the most competitive league in football. But I do have a question. If Ruiz has never really been 100% since hopping over the North Sea, why the hell has he been allowed to go out on international duty? I'm not saying we might have held out for that final 13 minutes had Ruiz still been on the park, but the boy knows how to keep hold of the ball, and how to use it. We lost something when he was subbed.

Secondly, and on the same theme, I reckon the club have been soft-pedalling on Bobby's fitness too. The big man has a hip injury. You clearly see him feeling it before our goal went in, and right after he was signalling the bench to come off. Could it be from putting his big frame out of alignment in trying to cushion impact on his ankle? We know he still gets an ache from it after Mr. Henry's calling card of September 2010. I can believe it too. I took a full-bloodied cricket drive onto the shinbone many years ago fielding close to the bat. As soon as the cold weather kicks in it to this day gives me a dull throb just to remind me.

What's the betting BZ does not take the field in Enschede Thursday? Ever since Sa did his hamstring in Poland a month ago, Jol's been working on the edge due to lack of cover in the striking department. The next transfer window can't come soon enough. Whether it's Gignac, Maynard, Rodallega or Kobe Bryant, Fulham badly need another target man up front! Especially with AJ on the way out.

The other factor to cloud our progress over the autumn has of course been the additional burden of Europa League games, lest we forget the crowded fixture list we've been forced to adopt since high summer. Arsene wasted no time bemoaning Arsenal's lack of appetite for our derby after their CL game with Dortmund in the week he felt had left the Gunners 'heavy legged.' Wenger was also honest in praising our side's efforts, while even the media for once gave credit to the shift Fulham put in, rather than concentrating on Arsenal's below par performance.

So we've avoided defeat in our last three away games. Not so bad for a side that doesn't travel. But it's still mainly draws we're accumulating, not victories, and with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all to come before we see Arsenal again in the New Year, precious points will still be hard to come by through December. At least we should see Kelly, Sidwell, Sa and Simon Davies off the list of crocks within the next 10 days.

In the run up to Saturday's late kick off I followed the Sunderland Wigan game on the internet. As I predicted last week, Wigan did a number on Brucie's woeful outfit. The result underlined what a major opportunity we passed up in not going for the win up there, and it's just a matter of time before Bruce becomes the season's first managerial casualty. Well done Wigan. They have a prospect in Irish striker Conor Sammon - just £600,000 from Kilmarnock - and I like the way Martinez wants his team to play the ball out from the back. I wouldn't mind seeing him in charge at the Cottage one day.

Call it a curse or a cracking awayday, we've a return with Twente Thursday night, and plenty are making the trip, so I'll catch you later in the week with a preview. They'll be tough opponents, just one league loss in the Eredivisie so far this season.

In the meantime, let's enjoy for a few days longer the notion we managed to do a better job on the Arsenal than Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund. COYW!

Twitter@fulhamphil



http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/11/woy_would_have_been_proud.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsène Wenger admits to fitness fears as Arsenal limp to Fulham draw
• Van Persie, Walcott and Ramsey 'on the edge'
• Martin Jol demands more from Bobby Zamora


The Arsenal captain, Robin Van Persie, right, would prove a huge loss to the club
if he suffers an injury. Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger admitted that the pounding in his temples was more than just a European hangover. The Arsenal manager, who ascribed a blunt performance to the rigours of the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund last Wednesday, suggested that his key offensive personnel were on the brink of injury breakdowns.

"Yes, I am worried," Wenger said. "We have a few players on the edge like [Robin] van Persie, of course, and [Theo] Walcott, who had a hamstring alert and [Aaron] Ramsey as well. We'll see how they respond to 24 hours' rest. Walcott's hamstring was picked up during the game but he should be OK. At half-time they said he's all right."

The trio have chequered injury histories but the concern feels most acute with Van Persie, whose form has been inspirational. He was denied his customary appearance on the score-sheet by Chris Baird's goal-line clearance in the 60th minute. "The defenders play behind the goalkeepers against us," Wenger noted drily, although Fulham's point was built on more than defensive resilience.

Wenger's ready acceptance that Van Persie was "of course" at the top of the list of players "in the red", according to performance data, betrayed the delicacy of the striker's situation. No one at Arsenal can countenance life without him and not only because his deputy is Marouane Chamakh. Van Persie has averaged 16 Premier League starts per season. Saturday's was his 12th this time out.

Arsenal's strength in depth will be tested by Manchester City, in the Carling Cup quarter-final at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, and the fear is that it could be exposed. Wenger said that, against City's intimidating second string, he would "change my philosophy a little bit", hinting at the selection of one or two regulars. But the imperative for him is to handle his stars with care.

"We have to consider the injuries we have," Wenger said. "We have red alerts on a few players. It will be easier for you to pick the Man City team because you can look in the stand [against Liverpool] and on the bench and you will see who plays on Tuesday."

Samir Nasri will be the occasion's pantomime villain. The City midfielder returns to Arsenal for the first time since his transfer, the motivation for which was spelt out by Stan Kroenke. The club's majority shareholder oversaw two major summer departures, with Cesc Fábregas's homecoming to Barcelona being followed by Nasri's move.

"I think you know that one of the players who departed had nothing to do with money," Kroenke said in an interview last month. "There was a specific personal circumstance that happened. Then, you could say that the other player departed for money."

"You want to respect players who have played for us," Wenger said, on the subject of Nasri's reception. "And that's what we expect. It's always more important to support our team than to be negative with the players from Man City."

Fulham were compact and threatening and Bobby Zamora pressed his claim to be England's finest back-to-goal No9. His manager, Martin Jol, however, wants more. Zamora has scored only three league goals this season.

"Steve Bruce was telling me how much he missed Darren Bent at Sunderland," Jol said. "Bobby is a different type. Darren Bent will be anonymous but score 20 goals. Not like Bobby or Andy Johnson. I hope he can be a bit more productive. You have to score more goals."

Fulham matched Arsenal for long spells and, on this evidence, they will have no fears at the wrong end of the table. Arsenal needed to show character and, according to Wojciech Szczesny, their ability to grind out ugly results.

The maverick Poland goalkeeper also raised a less than beautiful prospect before the Euro 2012 group phase draw on Friday. "I'm going to grow long hair if we draw England, like the Poland goalkeeper who played against England in 1973," he said, with reference to Jan Tomaszewski. "You should all remember him. I might need a wig, though, because there won't be enough time to grow it."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/27/arsene-wenger-arsenal-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Critics have got us all wrong, argues Fulham boss Jol

MARTIN JOL believes Fulham's away form has been unfairly criticised – and that home fortunes have been a greater cause for concern.

The own goal scored in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal was only the fourth the Whites have scored on the road this season and the only victory so far has come at Wigan.

But the Fulham boss has a far more positive take on the statistics.

"I feel that people are maybe not looking at us [correctly] all the time," Jol said.

"If you tell me we've had a lot of bad results over the last six years, I agree. I think we've managed to win eight games out of 100 away games.

"But the last four games, we had a 0-0 against West Brom and created eight chances. Against Wigan we won 2-0 and Stoke was the only match we lost – and that was only the last 10 minutes from two set pieces. Last week we had a 0-0 [at Sunderland].

"It's not great, but you can't say that we have bad results away from home."

Jol added: "I think this season we dropped too many points at home and couldn't score at the right times, but away from home, I think we're doing better and better."


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/11/27/critics-have-got-us-all-wrong-argues-fulham-boss-jol-64767-29853396/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger concerned over condition of Robin van Persie following Fulham draw
Another small dent has been inflicted on Arsenal's hopes of a top-four finish, but it is the collateral damage to key members of the squad that could yet be of greatest significance.


Changes: Arsene Wenger is expected to rest Robin van Persie (left) for Tuesday's Carling Cup match against Manchester City
Photo: REUTERS

Worryingly, Arsène Wenger named Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey as being "in the red" and "on the edge" following a tired performance on Saturday that ended their five-game winning streak.

Abou Diaby, who was playing his first Premier League match of the season, also suffered what Wenger hopes is only a minor muscular set-back following his long-term absence. Walcott has what Wenger called a "hamstring alert" but he completed 90 minutes and Arsenal are confident that there is no lasting injury.

What is clear, however, is that Wenger is now fearing for some of his star players, notably Van Persie, and will make significant changes for Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.

Wenger will be well aware of his prophetic words the last time he talked of someone being "in the red". On that occasion, he was referring to Jack Wilshere, who promptly suffered a stress fracture to his ankle and is yet to play this season. "We have a few players on the edge like Van Persie and Walcott, who had a hamstring alert, and Ramsey," said Wenger. "We'll have to see how they respond to 24 hours rest.

"It will be easier for you to pick the Man City team because you can look in the stand and on the bench [against Liverpool] and you will see who plays on Tuesday. We have red alerts on a few players but I will pick as strong a team as I can."

Wenger has generally looked to his academy and reserve team for the Carling Cup but, with City possessing such strength in depth, there will be a slight adjustment. "I will change my philosophy a little bit," said Wenger. "I've always said that I will play a team that has a chance to qualify. We will give them a game, don't worry."

There is certain to be specific focus on Samir Nasri, who refused to sign a new contract at Arsenal this summer and has more than doubled his wages by moving to City. Wenger has already suggested that Nasri's departure came down to money, but he hopes that the Arsenal supporters do not abuse the France midfielder.

"You want to respect players who have played for us and that's what we expect," said Wenger. "It's always more important to support our team than to be negative with the players from Man City. What is important is that we are united to win the game."
Wenger's concern about the current physical state of key players highlights questions over Arsenal's strength in depth, with Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh among the fringe players who were unable to make any impression on Saturday.

What was encouraging, though, was the collective determination to at least salvage a draw after Thomas Vermaelen guided an attempted clearance into his own goal.

With Chris Baird, who cleared one Van Persie shot off the line, epitomising Fulham's resilience, it was left to Vermaelen to atone for his earlier mistake and head the equaliser. "You can see that we are up for a fight," said Wojciech Szczesny, the Arsenal goalkeeper. "We've got more experienced players this season. We seem like we can come out on top of all the challenges. It's not as beautiful but we got there."

Fulham could feel justifiable satisfaction at the result. Brede Hangeland said: "I thought we looked like the old Fulham with the compact shape and being hard to break down."

The Fulham players had clearly also benefitted from a rare week off from a Europa League schedule that began back in June. "I had 13 days off in the summer so it feels like I've played for a year already," Hangeland added.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8918976/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-concerned-over-condition-of-Robin-van-Persie-following-Fulham-draw.html