Arsenal will have their squad boosted following the return of Jack Wilshere from a troublesome injury.
The English star hasn’t featured for the Gunner’s since the pre-season of 2011 due to an ankle injury which required multiple surgeries to fully heal but Wilshere is now set to return after completing his first full training session.
Wilshere won’t be short of competition with Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and new boy Morgan Schneiderlin in great form but Arsenal boss Thierry Henry remains confident Wilshere can overcome his injuries and become a regular.
“The boy is special. Special to Arsenal, special to England. He’s a player of a generation potentially and I believe that if we are careful, he will shrug off the injuries and begin to shine again.
“He’s got a lot of work ahead of him to get into the side but he’s called Mr Arsenal by players’ and fans so that shows just how good he is.”
Bacary Sagna is also back following a lower broken leg sustained in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur last season and will return to the side following positive performances for the reserves.
“Bacary is vital for us. He’s got experience, class, everything you need to excel in our team so we will welcome him back with both arms."
For Optimum experience please listen to the song in this video. Skip to 0:25 and stop listening once you get to Ian Wright's part. Thank You.
NORTH LONDON DERBY
Ed Chamberlain – “Welcome to the live Super Sunday here on Sky Sports 2. We are here at the Emirates Stadium for today’s North London Derby. I’m Ed Chamberlain. To my left is the regular Gary Neville and former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp. Our guest today to balance things out is Ian Wright, one time Arsenal’s leading goalscorer. Ian, how do you rate Arsenal’s chances of silverware this season?”
Ian Wright – “It’s early days but they look good at the moment. Thierry has strengthened in areas Arsene Wenger failed to and we are starting to see the progress. Today’s game is vital for Arsenal. If they win, fair enough but if they lose, I think we’ll all be looking at just how they respond.”
Ed Chamberlain – “Yes. There’s clearly a lot at stake here. Two bitter rivals confront each other. Just how important is it for Tottenham to avoid defeat here Jamie?”
Jamie Redknapp – “Well, not only must they avoid defeat but I think they got to go for the win! Spurs are 7th; they’ve already dropped 12 points and find themselves 11 behind Arsenal. Andre Villas Boas is under pressure here so a win here could really kick-start their season. Spurs must be alert and play their football. They have a good chance because Arsenal had a tough time against Gladbach. The Germans got a lot out of them including a point so Spurs must take advantage.”
Ed Chamberlain – “Predictions Gary?”
Gary Neville – “Well the absence of Hugo Lloris could be decisive to the whole Spurs defence but Brad Friedel is agood keeper and should put them in order. Arsenal have been great so far but their defence is a little suspect so I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.”
Ed Chamberlain – “A huge game indeed. The team sheets are in. Let’s have a look at them.”
Ed Chamberlain –“There they are and a notable shock absence of Gareth Bale. Our commentators for today, Martin Tyler and Ray Wilkins will have more for us.”
Martin Tyler – “Yes and the general thought is that Gareth Bale sustained an ankle injury during training yesterday but that is yet to be confirmed by Spurs or anyone else. Moussa Dembele is moved upwards onto the left flank and the young German of British descent Lewis Holtby is giving the opportunity in the middle of the park.”
Ray Wilkins – “It’s a massive blow for Spurs because Bale is such a key player and a superb one too. It’s a good chance for Holtby however and I feel he may take this with both hands today against a great Arsenal midfield.”
Martin Tyler – “Yes and on that subject, one man who is back is Jack Wilshere who starts for the first time in the Premier League since May 2011. As the teams walk out, just how important can he be for Arsenal today?”
Ray Wilkins – “Well you just need to mention he’s the future of England and that will answer your question. He’s got a tough game here but he excels in being thrown in the deep end and will add bite to this Arsenal side. He knows all about London derbies and what it means to the fans so he could be key today.”
Martin Tyler – “Well the referee Neil Swarbrick has counted the players and we are underway at the Emirates Stadium for the Super Sunday North London Derby live on Sky Sports 2. A quick reminder that this game is also available on Sky Sports 2 HD and Sky Go on multi platforms.”
9 – Vermaelen with the clearance from Lennon’s cross goes high in the air, Sagna challenges Dembele to the ball and the Frenchman has been left in a bad state here. Referee stops play and Dembele escapes any sanction for that push but Sagna will be carried off for treatment holding his back.
10 – Dembele receives it out wide. He uses Sagna’s temporary absence to his advantage to advance up the field. The ball is played inwards to Holtby. To Defoe who swivels and FINDS THE NET!!!SPURS TAKE AN EARLY LEAD HERE AS DEFOE SMASHES HOME ON HIS LEFT FROM 18 YARDS.
45 – Bony. Oh that’s an exceptional long pass to Walcott who is free on the right. Walcott runs at Vertonghen. He goes out and back in for a layoff to CAZOOORRRRLAAAAAA!!!!! SANTI CAZORLA HAS LEVELLED IT JUST BEFORE HALF TIME.
Ray Wilkins – “MY WORD! What a finish from the little Spaniard. He controls it easily after great work from Walcott and knew exactly what to do before curling it into the top left corner. Great Goal!”
HT – Half Time at the Emirates. A beauty from Santi Cazorla cancels out Defoe’s opener to leave us at 1-1.
45 – The game resumes as Arsenal kick off.
52 – Lennon races away down the right as Dembele appears centrally. Dembele combines with compatriot Fellaini and squeezes it for DEFOE!!!SPURS ARE BACK IN FRONT!
Ray Wilkins – “Oh… No”
Martin Tyler – Defoe’s goal is chalked off here. The replay shows he was marginally offside so the linesman has got that one spot on!
72 – Jack Wilshere is being applauded from the home crowd here as Mikel Arteta replaces him. An OK game and he’ll accept the minutes graciously. Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain also enter for Podolski and Schneiderlin.
73 – Sandro works it with Fellaini, the Brazilian lines up a shot from Range!!! Szczesny does very well to get down low and push it wide.
89 – Vermaelen controls it for Arteta. Mikel Arteta with a cheeky dink for BONY!!!WHAT A SAVE BY FRIEDEL!!!
Ray Wilkins – MY WORD!!! Hoho is that the save that seals a point here for Spurs? Arsenal are having a good moment.
FT – It’s over here. Arsenal and Spurs evens as the Gunners drop to 3rd. Spurs also fall one place to 9th. Full Time, 1-1.
BARCLAYS MAN OF THE MATCH
SANDRO
"Geoff Shreeves has more reaction from both managers. From us, Goodbye."
Geoff Shreeves – “Yes, I’m here with Spurs’ boss Andre Villas Boas. Andre, how did you rate your team’s performance today?”
AVB – “We were solid I thought. We had many moments of positivity and we can build from here. A win would have been the optimum but I think we can come away from this match knowing we are not inferior to Arsenal who are 3rd.”
Geoff Shreeves – “What did you think of the offside goal?”
AVB – “I haven’t seen the replay but I think it was a valid goal. I have to look at it again but I’m convinced it was a goal and it would be a different story for us. One that we deserve.”
Geoff Shreeves – “Thank You Andre. A proud but upset Spurs boss as we are joined here by Thierry Henry. Thierry was it offside.”
Thierry Henry - “I don’t know. (Shrugs & smiles). Maybe ask the linesman or ref not me. I think it was.”
Geoff Shreeves – “What about the result?”
Thierry Henry – “Well I can’t ever be happy with a draw against Spurs. We went for it. Spurs defended to keep it level and succeeded but we can move on with a point. We played reasonably well but Spurs were a little stubborn so… Better luck next time.”
2013-06-04 22:01#109007Rablador :
Well that was the greatest update I have read in a long time, partly for the match, but mostly, mostly for the music xD
V Reading 0 – 4 Arsenal Wilshere (28, 38) Morrison O.G. (45) Oxlade-Chamberlain (58)
(Arsenal will face Cardiff at Home in the Quarter Finals)
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
ARSENAL’S EA SPORTS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
Scoring and creating for fun at times. Really positive player and a handful.
Thierry’s Verdict – “A good month again. Obviously I would have liked to have beaten Gladbach and Spurs but we looked good in both games. Can’t win them all.”
Robin Van Persie will be the centre of attention in this weekend’s title clash as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
The Red Devil’s star swapped Arsenal for the Premier League leaders, much to the anger of Gunners fans and has totalled up a staggering 18 goals in ten appearances this season.
The 29 year old had struggled massively from injuries at Arsenal and despite the support given to him by former boss Arsene Wenger, Van Persie still made the switch this summer, blaming Arsenal’s lack of ambition.
In a statement, the Dutchman said “I would like to thank Arsenal for everything they have given me in my period here but I have got new desires.
“My goal is to be successful and it has come to a stage in my career where I no longer agree with the direction the club is going and therefore will leave. Arsenal no longer matches my ambition.”
The reuniting certainly adds a bit of spice to the game but Gunners boss Thierry Henry is adamant to steer the limelight away from Van Persie.
“We have moved on. Arsenal has improved and the results back me up so we don’t need to pay attention to ghostly quotes or statements. Van Persie is gone and there are another 21 players that will take part.
“This will be a title clash between two giants of English football, not a Robin Van Persie documentary.”
Great results looks like you've got the squad firing on all cylinders! Just a comment about the style mate maybe have the scores the same style for Premier League and Champions League? Loving the overall style though mate so keep it up!
2013-06-05 00:02#109033k1rups :
Great results looks like you've got the squad firing on all cylinders! Just a comment about the style mate maybe have the scores the same style for Premier League and Champions League? Loving the overall style though mate so keep it up!
I would but I don't have all the kits and badges for certain teams so I decided to lay them out differently to seperate one competition from another. Hope it's not too confusing :S
V
Chelsea 1 – 3 Arsenal Mata (36) - Bony (42, 58) Walcott (90+3)
(Manchester United drop 3 points after losing 1-0 at home to Liverpool.)
(Wilfried Bony is out for 5 weeks with Shin Splints)
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Manager Movement West Ham United – Sam Allardyce – SACKED
Replaced by Gerard Houllier
Fulham – Martin Jol – SACKED
Replaced by Sam Allardyce
ARSENAL’S EA SPORTS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
WILFRIED BONY
With some important and fantastic goals, the Ivorian’s pace, strength and eye for goal is making him one of the most feared strikers in the league. His injury will be a blow and Olivier Giroud will have to eat his Weetabix in the morning if he is to take Bony’s spot.
Thierry’s Verdict “A solid month and I’m pleased we are back in the frame after losing away to United. We knew the Chelsea game was important and we are seeing the advantages now we are in touching distance of the leaders.”
2013-06-05 00:02#109033k1rups :
Great results looks like you've got the squad firing on all cylinders! Just a comment about the style mate maybe have the scores the same style for Premier League and Champions League? Loving the overall style though mate so keep it up!
I would but I don't have all the kits and badges for certain teams so I decided to lay them out differently to seperate one competition from another. Hope it's not too confusing :S
Ahh okay that makes sense mate fair enough tough loss to United but good win against Gala!
