Arsenal defend proud Semi-Final record

Arsenal will defend a proud record when they take on Manchester United in the last four of the Champions League.

The Gunners have reached the Semi-Final stage of European competitions on six occasions during their history and have won all six ties. Here's how they did it.

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2006
Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal, Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal win 1-0 on aggregate)

Kolo Toure's close range effort gave Arsenal a win in their final European fixture at Highbury and a priceless lead to take to El Madrigal for the second leg. On a tense night in Spain, Arsène Wenger's were below par but secured their place in the Final thanks to Jens Lehmann's late penalty save from Juan Roman Riquelme.

Villarreal 2006

UEFA Cup Semi-Final 2000
Arsenal 1-0 RC Lens, RC Lens 1-2 Arsenal (Arsenal win 3-1 on aggregate)

Dennis Bergkamp gave Arsenal a perfect start to this tie with a goal in the second minute of the first leg at Highbury. The Gunners could not add to that on home soil but Thierry Henry grabbed an away goal in France to tighten their grip on the tie. Pascal Nouma gave Lens a glimmer of hope but Kanu's late goal earned a win on the night and a place in the Uefa Cup Final.

RC Lens 2000

European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 1995
Arsenal 3-2 Sampdoria, Sampdoria 3-2 Arsenal (Arsenal win 3-2 on penalties)

An unlikely double from Steve Bould and a fine finish from Ian Wright earned a first-leg lead at Highbury but Vladimir Jugovic's brace kept Sampdoria right in the tie. Wright scored again in Italy but Arsenal looked to be heading out when Claudio Belluci's brace gave Samp a 5-4 lead on aggregate. But Stefan Schwarz's late free-kick forced extra-time and David Seaman saved three times in a penalty shoot-out to earn a famous victory.

Sampdoria 1995

European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 1994
Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal, Arsenal 1-0 Paris St-Germain (Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate)

David Ginola was on target for PSG in France but a fine finish from Ian Wright earned Arsenal a draw. The tension was almost unbearable back at Highbury but Kevin Campbell's early near-post header from Lee Dixon's cross settled the nerves. David Seaman made a handful of vital stops and Arsenal held on - although a yellow card for Wright would rule him out of the Final in Copenhagen.

Paris St-Germain 1994

European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 1980
Arsenal 1-1 Juventus, Juventus 0-1 Arsenal (Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate)

Arsenal were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in a bad-tempered first leg at Highbury and history was against them when they headed to Italy for the return - in 25 years of European competition no British side had beaten Juve on their own patch. With 15 minutes to go and the scores locked at 0-0, Arsenal were heading out so Terry Neill went for broke and threw on Paul Vaessen. The 18-year-old striker rewarded Neill's gamble, guiding a header past Dino Zoff to give Arsenal the lead with two minutes left.

Juventus 1980

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Semi-Final 1970
Arsenal 3-0 Ajax, Ajax 1-0 Arsenal (Arsenal win 3-1 on aggregate)

Ajax had the likes of Johan Cruyff, Rudi Krol, Wim Suurbier and Piet Keizer in their ranks but Charlie George inspired Arsenal to an emphatic first-leg win. He deceived the Dutch keeper with a long-range effort in the first half before Jon Sammels doubled Arsenal's advantage. George tucked away a penalty after George Graham was tripped to make it 3-0 and Gerrit Muhren's goal in Amsterdam was not enough to deny Arsenal a place in the Final.

Ajax 1970

DPMM FC VS SAF FC

Asalamualaikum guys~ Last night it was the top of the table clash between second place DPMM FC and table topper SAF FC... Last night's game could easily been the best game of DPMM FC i watched ever... Firstly because the stadium was 3/4 filled (ramai kali ah fans datang meliat)... Not just that, the atmosphere was truly stunning, i really felt like watching a japanese league match with all the DPMM FC flags waved all over the stadium and the sound of drums and airhorns... Football in brunei is really coming back to its glory years... last night's game also saw the first ever start for my favourite DPMM FC player, Abdel Hamid (wooo score kali ah~)... DPMM FC started the game very good, nice play from them, rarely loosing the ball and got their passing together very nicely... However, DPMM FC didnt really perform that well towards the last quarter of the game and eventually the conceded a goal through a free-kick right at the edge of the penalty box... Right there and then i thought that this game would end-up a dissapointing draw but thankfully the defense kept their composure and soaked up every SAF FC's attacking pressure... All in all it was a great game and well done to all the fans for the great almosphere... GEGAR~ GEGAR~ DPMM FC!!!!!

So guys, here are the pictures from last night's game... Enjoy =D

During the pre-match training...

The Refs having a chit-chat...



From L to R: Hakeem, Adi, Khaliq and Bang Dini...

LARI JANGAN INDA LARI!!!!

Rosmin, Ivan Jerkovic and Siarol Sahari stretching their legs...

DPMM FC's kitman, Ambotang Palatuwi...








Waiting for the ref to blow for kick-off...

Sairol Hj Sahari...

Sairol and Rene Kumar trying to get the ball...

DPMM FC's superb backline, Pg Sallehudin, Rene Kumar and Yusoff Salleh...

Pg Sallehudin, Captain Fantastic...

Wardun Yussof...

Abdel Hamid missed a great chance to put DPMM FC 1-0 up...

Celebration after Jerkovic's goal, 1-0!!!

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!

Sairol tackled...


Pg Salehhudin launching the ball forward...

Fans waving the DPMM FC flags... Rugged yo~

GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!! 2-0!!!! Hamid the scorer!!!

2-0 just 2 minutes after the start of the second-half...

Abdel Hamid fouled...

Pg Sallehudin watching the game from the sidelines after being sent-off for a tackle that never was... so sad... buyuk eh refnya ahh...

FT!!! Another 3 points in the bag!!! WOOOO!!!!



Wardun's relieved after winning the hard fought battle...


PHHHEEEEWWWWIIITTTT!!!! LOL =P

Oh yeah one more thing... Yesterday was Coach Simunic's birthday so HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY COACH!!!! the win over SAF FC was a great present for both Coach Simunic and the DPMM FC fans... WELL DONE COACH, PLAYERS AND FANS!!! Looking forward to the next home match...

FA Cup: Chelsea v Arsenal - Match Preview

How much would Arsène Wenger give NOT to be facing in-form Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the FA Cup Semi-Final on Saturday? The Ivorian has long-been Arsenal’s nemesis and famously destroyed their Carling Cup Final dreams with a two-goal blitz at Cardiff in February 2007. The 31-year-old averages nearly a goal a game against Wenger’s side and is bang in form having hit eight in his last 10 matches for Guus Hiddink’s resurgent Chelsea. But Arsenal could have signed him for just £100,000. That was at the start of Wenger’s reign in 1998 when Drogba was plying his trade in the French second division with Le Mans. A couple of short moves later, he was off to Stamford Bridge for £24 million. “When he was in Le Mans we watched him carefully,” the Arsenal manager admitted at Friday’s press conference. “We felt he might not be completely ready. But his value was £100,000. “All the French clubs watched him but nobody took him. It is a mistake but when you are in football everyone can understand it. "At the time Drogba was not ready. Nothing put us off, we just said we have to follow his progress and suddenly he was in Guingamp. Then he wanted to stay in France and Marseille was the club of his dreams. I think it still is. We didn't miss him because we didn't want [him]. We had Thierry Henry at the time.” Drogba is the archetypal late developer. He was a jobbing pro in the French League until his mid-20s before a stellar season at Marseilles enticed Jose Mourinho to make him one of his first signings at Stamford Bridge. Wenger conceded that Drogba has metamorphasised as a big-game player and certainly he proved to be the difference between the sides in that Carling Cup Final and the Community Shield two years earlier. “Drogba has always been a guy who raises with the challenges,” he said. “He is a guy who has a complete focus for 90 minutes on trying to be efficient. “You feel never in the game he drops in his focus and desire to win. You can see some strikers who swing in the game – it goes well, then they are suffering. With Drogba you always feel he has good focus. “He is a fighter and I believe that we want to make sure that we combat him. Certainly one of the keys tomorrow will be to keep him quiet. “But we have to consider that Adebayor can do the same to them, that Bendtner can do the same too. Also Drogba will play against Silvestre and kolo toure, who are strong defenders. “So I do not worry about Drogba tomorrow. Not at all. If he scores, he scores. But when we have the ball, they don't have it, and he can't be dangerous.” The defence that Drogba will face is not yet known. Bacary Sagna (virus), William Gallas (knee), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) are ruled out. According to Wenger, Kierran Gibbs has an 80 per cent chance of recovering from a groin problem he collected against Villarreal on Wednesday. Should he fail to recover, Alex Song will be brought into central defence and Mikael Silvestre will move out to left back. Lukasz Fabianski will keep goal on his 24th birthday and Andrei Arshavin is in the squad having been unavailable in midweek. Arsenal fans have raised their expectations over the past two months. Back in January, a top-four spot in the Premier League may have been the limit of their ambition but, with that all but assured, there is a growing belief that a trophy is eminently achievable. And the task ahead is pretty similar in both competitions. The final four of the FA Cup is Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton. The final four of the Champions League is Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona. So the standard is high and the pressure is on. Wenger’s renaissance side deserve credit for their revival but the fixtures ahead look much more daunting than those in their recent past. “But we relish that type of pressure,” Wenger insisted. “We want the pressure [of success] and are happy to have it. “I don’t expect any weakness from Chelsea, I just expect full strength from our squad. “Football is not predictable and it can change quickly from one game to another. They will try to defend well and attack well but I always focus on our strengths and the way we want to play the game. “We're on a good run, we know we can score goals so let’s go for it.” Stirring words from a manager who is justifiably confident.

• The tie has to be decided on the day. If it is level at full-time the game will go to extra-time and, if necessary, penalties.
• Arsenal’s appearance in the Semi-Final is a record-equalling 26th. Should they win they will have reached the Final for the 18th time, which would lift them level with Manchester United. Though the Old Trafford club have the opportunity to increase their tally to 19 on Sunday against Everton.

Wenger - My players have found the answers

Arsène Wenger believes that his squad have answered all the questions asked of them this season.

The manager put his faith in youth for the current campaign and the policy misfired when Arsenal lost five of their first 14 Premier League fixtures. The knives were out for Wenger and his players with accusations ranging from a lack of strength in depth to a lack of team spirit and desire.

Arsenal have responded to their critics in some style, reeling off 18 games without defeat in the League and advancing to the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup and Champions League. Wenger acknowledges that the media and fans were right to question him and his team – but he is satisfied that they have found the answers.

“I have been questioned but that is normal when I do a public job,” said the Frenchman.

“I never came out and said it's a complete scandal that people question me. I know where I want to go and I do it as I have the freedom to go where I want. I believe that if we turn things around it is a credit to the players because they have shown the mental strength to cope with the pressures on the
pitch.

“Now we are in the position where we just want to finish the job in the three competitions that we are in - that means secure a Champions League position, try to win the FA Cup and win the Champions League.

“No, no [it didn’t upset me when I was questioned]. Listen, like everybody I prefer it when people say I am good rather than I am rubbish. But I am long enough in the job to understand you cannot as well ask for people to say when you lose the games that you are absolutely fantastic.

"I just think as long as the basics at the Club are good and promising I can make a difference between the present and the future and take a distance with that.

"The present situation was not fantastic but I knew that the future for the Club will be very, very good. Why? Because we do not need to rely on anybody. We have a good young team. If you take this team and look how much investment it cost you will be surprised compared to the other teams who play at our level.”

wow

Susan, 48, of Blackburn, West Lothian, has gone from obscurity to worldwide fame in less than a week after her amazing Britain’s Got Talent debut.

So far, her performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables has attracted more than 16 MILLION hits on YouTube.

When Susan walked on to the Britain’s Got Talent stage, the judges and audience seemed more interested in her appearance than her voice.

Simon, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden rolled their eyes and raised their eyebrows when she told them she wanted to be a Broadway superstar like Elaine Paige.

But their scorn quickly turned to amazement when she started to sing.

Simon grinned as he admitted that Susan’s voice was “extraordinary”. Piers told her: “I am giving you the biggest ‘yes’ I have ever given to anybody.”

And Amanda added: “It was a privilege to listen to you.”

In the days that followed, Susan became a YouTube sensation. Even Hollywood A-lister Demi Moore admitted she was moved to tears when she watched her performance.

This is not the video of susan boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent as the video was not allowed to be embedded... This is her debut song for a charity CD back in 1999 "cry me a river"... To watch susan boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent just copy and paste the link provided here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY... ENJOY =D

Adebayor - We can beat anybody in the world

Emmanuel Adebayor believes that Arsenal can beat any team in the world on current form.

The Togo striker scored his fourth goal in three starts as Villarreal were brushed aside in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Arsenal’s 4-1 aggregate win set up a tasty Semi-Final clash with Manchester United but, in the more immediate future, Chelsea lie in wait in the FA Cup Semi-Final on Saturday.

Adebayor is bracing himself for arguably the two toughest tests of the season but he is backing Arsenal to prevail.

“I know Man United already and they know us, so it will be quite an interesting game for the fans and all the people who love football,” he said.

“We know it will be tough to play against them, we know how good they are, but we will be ready for that.

“The Chelsea game is first and our confidence is very high. We played quite well against Villarreal.

“We know how strong Chelsea are so we have to get the ball down and play our own football. But we showed we can beat any team in the world if we play our football.

“I was the main striker so it was important to get a goal on Wednesday. The three main forwards all scored and that’s good for our confidence.”

Walcott – Teams are scared of us right now

Theo Walcott thinks Arsenal are a team to fear in the Champions League.

The England star was in blistering form on Wednesday night and broke the deadlock with a delightful chip as Arsène Wenger’s side beat Villarreal 3-0 at Emirates Stadium.

That win was Arsenal’s eighth in their last 10 games and set up a mouthwatering Semi-Final against Manchester United. Walcott’s pace and trickery ran Villarreal ragged and he is hoping to have a similar effect on the European champions.

“Everyone is buzzing and that’s the feeling we want to get on the pitch,” he said.

“As soon as we walk on the pitch we want teams to be scared of us. That’s what we’re getting at the moment.

“We’ve got a great chance [of going through to the Final] and the result tonight showed that. Hopefully other clubs will be scared of us.

“It will be very difficult against Man United. We play them in the Premier League quite regularly and we do well against them but they are probably the best team in the world.

“We will find it tough but if we dig in and play like we did tonight I’m sure we will be fine.”

Pires - Those great fans did not forget me

Robert Pires was “touched and moved” by the ovation he received at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Frenchman was part of a Villarreal side well-beaten by Arsenal on the night but the Champions League tie also served as the “goodbye” the midfielder craved after ending a stellar six-year spell in north London in 2006.

He was cheered as he warmed up and, when walking off the pitch afterwards, Pires’ name rang around the stadium. It was clearly appreciated by former Gunner Pires.

“Personally, I wasn’t expecting such a warm and an amazing welcome from the Arsenal fans,” he said afterwards.

“It shows how great the Arsenal fans are and that they don’t forget their former players. I was really touched and moved by their ovation and the fact that they were singing my name.”

Pires had a decent first-half chance to level the match on the night - and the tie overall - but his shot deflected wide. However the 35-year-old believes Villarreal missed their opportunity last week in Spain.

And, despite the domination of English side, he says threat of the remaining La Liga side will be serious.

“We have some regrets from the first leg where we could have scored more goals and made a bigger difference,” said Pires.

“That’s where we missed the chance to go through. But tonight, Arsenal was too strong for us. Physically, we responded – something we didn’t do in the first leg - but they managed to score more than us.

“We have been saying for years now that the English League is the best in the world. They have their way of doing things and they always have [strong] results.

“England always have the same clubs in the last four of the Champions League which shows that the way they are playing football is, for me, the best but they should watch out for Barcelona.

“They are the only ones left that will try to break the English domination.”