Arsenal 1-1 Fulham

Arsenal missed the chance to close in on the top four with a draw at home against a spirited Fulham side. The first half was a fairly dull and uneventful affair, which perhaps said more about Fulham's determination and resilience than it did about anything to do with Arsenal, who had more than enough attacking weapons on display throughout the opening 45 minutes. Andrey Arshavin almost managed to set up Robin van Persie for an early Arsenal chance, the Russian forcing Brede Hangeland to swing out a leg to thump the ball clear just before Van Persie could pounce in the box from close range. Seconds later, Arshavin had the ball in the back of the net after a neat assist from Van Persie. Unfortunately for Arsenal, however, the midfielder was rightly flagged offside. Aaron Ramsey was the next man in a red shirt to attempt to grab the opener, the Welshman firing a shot on target that forced Mark Schwarzer into a fingertip save. Fulham's main early attacking outlet came in the form of Bobby Zamora, who showed his strength after the 20 minute mark, firing a shot on the turn just over the bar. Minutes later, though, Theo Walcott used his pace to break down the left, the Englishman setting up Ramsey in the box before watching on helplessly as the midfielder fired over the bar from close range. Hangeland proved that he's as much of an attacking threat as he is a defensive asset after the half hour mark, thumping a header just wide of the target, but Arsenal ended the half frustrated after failing to break Fulham's resistance. The second half provided more of the same, with Arsenal's attempts to make a breakthrough largely ending in frustration, and the Gunners were made to pay for their predictable attacking play when Fulham took a shock lead. The source of the goal was Thomas Vermaelen, the defender poking the ball past Wojciech Szczesny in an attempt to clear the danger away from John Arne Riise, who had made a magnificent run into the Arsenal box. Arsenal used the goal as the motivation they needed to press forward in numbers and with a real sense of urgency. Van Persie almost turned provider for their equaliser, the striker swinging a corner onto the head of Johan Djourou, whose header forced a great save from Schwarzer, but ultimately it was the same man who had scored at the wrong end who made the breakthrough; Vermaelen made a fine run into the box before firing a header past Schwarzer from a pinpoint Walcott cross. Despite a flurry of late Arsenal chances as the minutes ticked away, Fulham managed to keep their shape and clung onto a point that will go down much better in West London than it will in North London.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:ARSENAL 2 BARCELONA 1

Arsenal struck twice in five minutes late on as they staged a stirring comeback to beat Champions League favourites Barcelona on a night to savour at The Emirates.
Barcelona looked on course to take a precious lead into the second leg of this last 16 clash at the Nou Camp as they protected the first-half lead given to them by David Villa.
The Catalans wasted chances to strengthen their position, with Lionel Messi an unlikely culprit, leaving the door open for Arsenal to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive in spectacular fashion.
Robin van Persie equalised 12 minutes from time with a shot that somehow eluded Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes at his near post before substitute Andrey Arshavin sent Arsenal's fans into ecstasy with a crisp finish that gives them a slender advantage to take to Spain.

Arsenal were attempting to follow in the footsteps of arch-rivals Tottenham after their magnificent win against AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday - and they were not to be outdone as they made it a memorable 24 hours for north London in Champions League combat.
Arsene Wenger's side were intent on proving a point after losing 6-3 to Barcelona over two legs at the quarter-final stage last season - and they achieved their objective without sacrificing their long-held principles.
For all the talk of Arsenal attempting to make it a physical confrontation with the lavishly-gifted Barcelona stars, the Gunners continued to play their trademark passing game and reaped a rich dividend in a frantic finale.

Barcelona, ironically, looked in control as they game entered its final phase, but once Van Persie levelled the mood inside The Emirates helped sweep Arsenal to victory.
Coach Pep Guardiola will still be confident Barcelona can overturn a narrow deficit in the return, but Arsenal now have something to protect and will travel with the confidence this triumph will have given them.
Jack Wilshere was the symbol of Arsenal's development since these teams last met with a performance of composure that made a nonsense of his tender teenage years, while Arsenal's resilience and dogged determination as Barcelona dominated possession for lengthy spells met with Wenger's approval.
Wenger described it as "a special night" - and Arsenal's manager must take great credit for a relentlessly positive attitude on and off the pitch, introducing Arshavin for Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner for Theo Walcott even though his side were behind.

He insists Barcelona remain favourites to progress but Arsenal will feel they have applied pressure to Barcelona as they carry a weight of expectation into the second leg.
Arsenal were determined to guard against type of chasing they suffered in the opening half at The Emirates when the sides met last season - and this time around they more than held their own against the Catalan artists.
Samir Nasri's availability after a hamstring injury provided a real bonus for Arsenal and they started with admirable attacking intent. A wonderful moment of invention from Cesc Fabregas, lifting the ball over the Barcelona defence, forged an early opening for Van Persie but keeper Valdes was alert and made a crucial block.
Barcelona's response was the lacerating passage of play that has become their trademark. Villa sent Messi clear, but the little Argentine over-elaborated with a routine finish and not only guided his effort over Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny but wide of the far post.
It was a moment that was met with an audible gasp of relief around The Emirates - but it was the clearest indication yet that Barcelona were finding their feet after the intensity of Arsenal's start.
Andres Iniesta almost put Villa in on goal before Messi was again wasteful with another chance, tamely chipping into the hands of Szczesny despite having the time and space he usually relishes.
As the game swung from end to end it needed a desperate headed clearance from Eric Abidal as Van Persie closed in on Fabregas' cross, but the Barcelona pressure was mounting and the reward came after 26 minutes.
Messi, inevitably, was the creator with a pass that cut Arsenal open, leaving the lethal Villa to stride forward and score with typical expertise.
As Arsenal struggled to recover Szczesny did well to block Pedro at his near post before the Gunners broke the Barcelona stranglehold and Van Persie should have done better than to fire wildly off target when well placed.
Barcelona had the ball in the net before the conclusion of a thrilling first 45 minutes when Messi headed in after Szczesny blocked Villa but he was clearly offside

Both sides traded blows again as the second period unfolded, Barcelona appealing in vain for a penalty as Villa collided with Laurent Koscielny and Van Persie again testing Valdes from the edge of the area.
Messi had mixed brilliance with some uncharacteristic wastefulness in front of goal. He should have extended Barcelona's lead when he was released inside the area after 67 minutes but shot into the side netting.
Arsenal stuck to their task, despite Barcelona enjoying prolonged periods of possession, and they drew level with 12 minutes left. Van Persie's low shot from an angle carried pace and power, but Valdes was desperately at fault as he stood motionless as the Netherlands' striker's effort flew in at his near post.
Barcelona were suddenly rocking and Arsenal turned the tie on its head and, roared on by feverish backing on a thunderous night, scored the winner when Arshavin arrived on the end of Nasri's right-flank cross to steer a precise finish past Valdes.
Arshavin showed the other side of his game when a moment of defensive vulnerability almost let in Dani Alves in stoppage time - but Arsenal survived to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

ARSHAVIN TO LEAVE ARSENAL?

Andrey Arshavin has been offered an escape route out of Arsenal — by his old side Zenit St Petersburg.The Russian's form for the Gunners has been patchy this season, with reports suggesting he has become unsettled in London.Arshavin has scored just four goals in 22 Premier League appearances this term and faces stiff competition for a starting place from Theo Walcott.
And now Zenit sporting director Igor Komeev claims he is keen to re-sign the 29-year-old, who moved to the Emirates in a £15million switch two years ago.
He said: 'With Arshavin it is very simple — we would always welcome him back to the club whether that is now or in the future."However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he has no intention of letting Arshavin quit the Londoners.Wenger said: "He will not leave, I'm very happy with Arshavin. As far as I know, he and his wife are happy in London. I'm really happy with him."He is a great player. He is going through a period that's a bit difficult at the moment but he works very hard in training and I'm desperate to keep him."