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Arsenal may welcome back Manuel Almunia, Johan Djourou and Emmanuel Adebayor for the visit of Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The Spanish keeper (ankle) and the Swiss defender (knee) came back to training on Thursday while the Togolese striker (hamstring) is set to join in on Saturday.
However, on the downside, Robin van Persie (groin) will be out until at least the trip to Portsmouth next week, meaning he misses the Champions League Semi-Final first leg. Gael Clichy (back) is NOT ruled out for the season but he is sidelined until at least the return game against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on May 5.
“From Tuesday night we are quite safe,” Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday. “We will rotate a little bit again but we have no major injuries from Liverpool.
“Manuel Almunia was in full training today and we’ll see how he responds. Djourou was in full training also so we’ll see how he is too. Both could come back into the squad. It is not enough training to say [for sure] yet we need 48 hours more.
“Emmanuel Adebayor should come back into the training on Saturday. He could be in the squad.
“But Robin van Persie is definitely out for Sunday and for Manchester United.
“Gael Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game. He has a scan on Monday. We’ll go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week.”
Wenger also confirmed that William Gallas (knee) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring tendon) will definitely miss the rest of the season.
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Arsenal will be without Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for the trip to Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Dutchman picked up a groin problem in the FA Cup Semi-Final defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. His Togolese strike partner is rested because Arsène Wenger does not want to gamble on his tight hamstring.
On the upside, Bacary Sagna is back after sickness. But, at his press conference on Monday afternoon, the Arsenal manager was unsure if the right back would start or not.
“From Saturday we have lost Robin van Persie, who has a little groin problem,” said Wenger.
“Emmanuel Adebayor is rested. He has a little hamstring alert and we don’t want to take a gamble on him.
“Bacary Sagna is back in the squad we’ll decide if he can play tomorrow.”
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Robin van Persie has warned that Arsenal have no time to dwell on their FA Cup Semi-Final defeat.
The Dutchman was on the losing side on Saturday as Chelsea struck late to end Arsenal's hopes of a Wembley return in May. Van Persie's woes were compounded by a groin injury which forced him off with 15 minutes remaining and could sideline him for tomorrow's trip to Liverpool.
Arsenal.com will have the latest injury news on Monday afternoon but, whether or not Van Persie plays at Anfield, he knows that Arsenal must pick themselves up quickly with seven games packed into the next 25 days.
"We have to look game by game, because if you look at the schedule from now until the end of the season, it makes you a bit dizzy because we have big games every three or four days," he said.
"We still have two targets now - that is the Champions League Final and to finish fourth, or even third in the league.
"We are disappointed, but we need to get our stuff together and fight for the other two titles. We have to play the game against Liverpool on Tuesday now, whether you are happy or if you are not happy.
"It is the Premier League and we need those points, but I am confident because we have strong characters. Every experience makes you stronger, a good one and definitely a bad one."
Van Persie also defended Lukasz Fabianski after the Arsenal goalkeeper was criticised for his part in Chelsea's winning goal at Wembley.
"Lukasz is a fantastic keeper," said the Dutchman. "He is really brave and is strong mentally. He knows exactly what he wants, so I am not worried about him at all."
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Didier Drogba's 84th-minute winner put Chelsea in the FA Cup final and kept alive interim manager Guus Hiddink's hopes of an unlikely treble.
Drogba struck at the end of a poor semi-final when he beat Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to Frank Lampard's long ball and rolled the ball home.
The Gunners had taken an early lead through Theo Walcott's deflected shot but had struggled to live with Chelsea from that moment.
Florent Malouda levelled before half-time with a low shot that beat Fabianski at his near post and, although the Gunners dug in after the break, Chelsea probably deserved their victory and a return to Wembley in the final on 30 May.
As a spectacle, this game did not come close to the drama and intensity of the Blues' last outing - their midweek 4-4 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge that saw them reach the Champions League semi-finals with a 7-5 aggregate win.
But Hiddink, whose side also remain with an outside chance of snatching the Premier League title, will not mind one bit after seeing his side put on a performance of power and patience to progress.
The early moments of Chelsea's display here was reminiscent of the way they began against Liverpool on Tuesday, as they were clearly second-best to an enterprising Arsenal side that threatened whenever they came forward.
But, even when they were in the ascendancy, Arsene Wenger's side looked uncertain at the back and Chelsea were twice gifted chances in the opening 15 minutes.
Arsenal's first error saw Fabianski lose out to Drogba when he came out of his area to clear an innocuous looking long ball and the Polish goalkeeper was grateful that Kieran Gibbs was fast enough to chase Drogba's header and hack clear.
Another mistake seconds later saw Emmanuel Eboue give the ball to Michael Ballack, who released Drogba - but the Ivorian was forced wide by compatriot Kolo Toure and the chance was gone.
Given they were so shaky at the back, attack was clearly the best form of defence for Wenger and it was a policy that paid off after 18 minutes.
Emmanuel Adebayor played in Gibbs, who had been tearing forward from left-back all game, and Walcott met his lofted cross at the far post with a first-time shot that clipped Ashley Cole's hand and flew past the stranded Cech.
The goal was a just reward for Arsenal's attacking endeavour but their defensive fragility meant it never looked even remotely like being enough to guarantee victory.
Chelsea's response was almost immediate, with Cole setting up Malouda to fire in a rasping low shot that beat Fabianski but also the far post.
But Hiddink's men did not have to wait long for an equaliser, which came in the 33rd minute when Malouda expertly took down Lampard's hoisted pass before cutting inside Eboue and beating Fabianski at his near post.
By then, the Blues had long since taken a hold on the game in the middle of the park and they should have gone on to take the lead before half-time.
With Arsenal at sixes and sevens, Nicolas Anelka stole the ball from Abou Diaby inside the Gunners' penalty area and turned to thump a shot against the post.
Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott celebrate
Arsenal were unable to use Walcott's early strike as a platform
Wenger's side did improve after the break but, with Adebayor almost anonymous, they lacked a presence in attack and, in truth they were out-muscled all over the field.
It was only on the break that Arsenal looked dangerous and they went close to regaining the lead against the run of play when Walcott's cross just eluded Robin van Persie at the far post.
Chelsea were hardly creating stacks of chances either but they still looked the most likely to snatch victory from what had become a scrappy encounter, particularly because of Drogba's industry and energy up front.
The Ivorian finally got his reward for an impressive performance six minutes from time when he latched on to another high ball by Lampard, rounded the stranded Fabianski and slotted into an empty net.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Walcott, Fabregas, Diaby, Denilson (Nasri 86), Van Persie (Arshavin 75), Adebayor (Bendtner 83).
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Vela, Ramsey, Song Billong.
Booked: Denilson, Toure.
Goals: Walcott 18.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Anelka (Kalou 82), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Carvalho, Di Santo, Mikel, Belletti, Mancienne.
Booked: Ivanovic, Ballack, Drogba.
Goals: Malouda 33, Drogba 84.
Att: 88,103.
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
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Robin van Persie knows that tiny margins will decide Arsenal’s success or failure in the “massive six weeks” to come.
The Dutchman helped his side into the Champions League Semi-Final in midweek with a goal in the 3-0 win over Villarreal and victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday would see them reach the FA Cup Final.
But although Arsène Wenger’s side have put themselves in a position to win silverware, Van Persie believes total concentration will be required to complete the job.
“It is a massive six weeks – unbelievable,” he said. “Over the last two and a half months we didn't have massive games - a few occasionally.
“But we have had a massive game against Villarreal now there is a massive game against Chelsea and then Liverpool. We have Manchester United three times in six weeks, Chelsea two or three times, Liverpool once. I can't wish for more.
“But we know the differences will be very small in winning and losing. Look at John Terry in the Champions League Final last season. He was so unlucky to miss the penalty but that meant Man United were the winner.
"When you are in the Final it comes down to little things. It's up to us to come there. We can call ourselves one of the best four teams in Europe and that is about right. Now we want to move on and win it. Definitely.”
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Everything Guus Hiddink touches turns to gold. That’s the opinion of Robin van Persie.
The striker has kept a close eye on Stamford Bridge ever since his countryman was appointed as Chelsea’s interim manager earlier this season.
And, ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup Semi-Final with the Blues on Saturday, Van Persie spoke of his admiration for the ‘Midas’ manager.
“He is unbelievable. Everything he does turns to gold,” the 25-year-old said. “The first thing I thought when he came was 'oh no', Chelsea are still in the FA Cup and Champions League and he will win something.
“When I saw him two years ago in Holland, because we use the same physio sometimes, I asked to see his hands. He said 'yes, why?' I said that everything he puts his hand on turns to gold. He was laughing. He is fantastic.”
Van Persie scored both goals when Arsenal came from a goal down to narrowly beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November and the Dutchman expects another close encounter at Wembley.
But, like many, the Dutchman admitted to raising an eyebrow at Chelsea’s recent defensive travails.
“In the last two games they conceded seven goals,” Van Persie said. “It's a bit much but they have fantastic strikers and covered everything up. If you look at Drogba, he is back again. He had some problems with his body and was injured for a while but he is back on track again and looks really sharp.
“Of course earlier in the season we showed we can do that damage against them. It will be a tight game again. They will play 11 fantastic players and we will also do that. We are both not scared to play. For me personally it will be a fantastic experience to play at Wembley because it will be my first time there. I'm looking forward to that.”
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Arsenal produced a dominant attacking display to beat 10-man Villarreal and set up a Champions League semi-final showdown with Manchester United.
Theo Walcott scored an early first goal, collecting a Cesc Fabregas flick before running clear and chipping in.
Emmanuel Adebayor put the hosts firmly in charge, producing a neat finish with the outside of his right foot.
Sebastian Eguren was then sent off for disputing an Arsenal penalty that Robin van Persie scored to seal the victory.
In 2006 Arsenal faced Villarreal in a Champions League semi-final and after securing a 1-0 first-leg advantage would have paid for their defensive approach to the second leg had Jens Lehmann not saved Juan Roman Riquelme's last minute penalty.
Partly due to this chastening experience, and partly because of the loss of a number of key defenders through injury, Arsene Wenger decided attack was the most effective form of defence.
From the off, Arsenal bit into tackles, were the first to loose balls and sought to release the superb Walcott down the right at every opportunity.
Every time the England winger received the ball he threatened to embarrass the Villarreal defence, in particular his marker - the Spanish international full-back Joan Capdevila.
It was a break from Walcott that created the Gunners' first chance.
His initial cross evaded Van Persie in the box but Fabregas was able to collect on the opposite wing and find the Dutch striker with a cross, which he headed over the bar.
Walcott's next contribution to the game was even more significant.
Emmanuel Eboue's forward pass was flicked on by Fabregas into the path of Walcott, who bore down on goal and lured out Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez before exquisitely chipping the ball over him to reward his side's initial endeavour.
For all the talk of Arsenal's defensive fallibility in the absence of William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Manuel Almunia and Gael Clichy, it was the Spaniards who were vulnerable.
It would be simplistic to blame the absence of influential midfielder Marcos Senna from the Villarreal side when so many of his team-mates' performances were lacking.
In one incident Gonzalo Rodriguez twice plunged his side into trouble.
His needless foul on Adebayor on the edge of the box gave Van Persie the chance to strike a free-kick that Lopez could not hold and Adebayor's follow-up header was almost knocked over the line by the defender before he finally cleared.
The start to the second half was not quite as frenetic as the first but this did not prevent Arsenal from seizing their opportunity to take firm control of the tie.
Van Persie picked up the ball in the Villarreal half and drove forward before neatly playing in Adebayor whose finish, with the outside of his right foot, was too good for Lopez.
Arsenal's control of the tie was converted into certain qualification nine minutes later.
Walcott dribbled into the box from the right and drew a rash challenge from Diego Godin, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
The Villarreal players protested vociferously, pointing out that the linesman had not signalled for a penalty.
Referee Wolfgang Stark took exception and brandished a second yellow card to Eguren, resulting in his dismissal.
Unperturbed by the raised emotions of the opposition, Van Persie strode up and fired in the penalty to the left of Lopez.
All three goalscorers were substituted soon after and rightly received a standing ovation.
Two of the replacements - Nicklas Bendtner and Abou Diaby - combined late on to almost score the Gunners' fourth but the latter flashed his shot across goal after being fed by the former.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Walcott (Denilson 77), Song Billong, Fabregas, Nasri, Adebayor (Bendtner 83), Van Persie (Diaby 77).
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Eduardo, Vela, Ramsey.
Booked: Silvestre, Gibbs.
Goals: Walcott 10, Adebayor 60, Van Persie 69 pen.
Villarreal: Diego Lopez, Angel, Rodriguez, Godin, Capdevila, Cani (Pablo 70), Eguren, Bruno (Nihat 64), Fernandez (Ibagaza 64), Pires, Rossi.
Subs Not Used: Viera, Llorente, Javi Venta, Fuentes.
Sent Off: Eguren (68).
Booked: Eguren, Cani, Godin.
Agg (4-1)
Att: 58,233
Ref: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
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Robin Van Persie has given Arsenal a huge boost ahead of their four days of destiny by revealing he is ready to sign a new deal at the Emirates.
Van Persie, 25, turned down Arsenal's first £65,000-a-week contract offer and demanded assurances about the club's ambitions after going four years without a trophy.
But he said there is a "big chance" he will stay just as Arsenal begin their two-pronged assault on silverware, having not won anything since the 2005 FA Cup.
The Gunners are favourites to progress from tomorrow's Champions League quarter-final with Villarreal and then face Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final showdown.
Arsene Wenger has insisted contract negotiations are postponed until the end of the season to allow players to focus on the push for glory.
Van Persie said: "We've had a couple of meetings now in a really positive atmosphere. The main thing in these things is whether you both have the intention to 'extend' but the way I see it is that we both have the intention to extend so there's a big chance that I will stay.
"We are talking about a new deal, not now because as I read in the paper, the boss doesn't want us to speak about it anymore. That's his opinion, no problem with that. We'll wait.
"We'll go on with the meetings at the end of the season. I have a deal here, I do respect that and what happens after my deal I don't know because we're still talking."
Van Persie, who has 15 months left on his contract, is fit to return to Arsenal's starting line-up against Villarreal tomorrow night after a groin injury. That's a huge boost for the Gunners who are without Johan Djourou, Manuel Almunia, William Gallas and Gael Clichy.
Van Persie is confident Arsenal can finish the job against Villarreal after Emmanuel Adebayor's priceless equaliser, and away goal, in the first leg.
He said: "Villarreal played very well in the first half, they passed the ball well, full of confidence and then with Ade's goal things changed. That goal made a big difference.
"I don't really mind who comes through from Porto and Manchester United. It's important just to focus on ourselves."
www.mirror.co.uk
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Arsenal recovered from an early Mido strike to stun Wigan with four second-half goals and collect an away win.
Mido volleyed in a deserved opener in a lively first-half display but Theo Walcott equalised on the hour after good work by Andrey Arshavin.
Mikael Silvestre converted a pass from Cesc Fabregas and Arshavin punished a shocking error by Jason Koumas.
Alexandre Song rounded things off for the Gunners by dancing through the defence to stroke home the fourth.
But the result was extremely harsh on a Wigan side whose defensive effort and all-round industry enabled them to more than match Arsenal's artistry for much of the game.
And boss Steve Bruce will also be unhappy after seeing Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs escape with a yellow card after he hauled down Antonio Valencia when clean through on goal.
The game started tamely enough with early long-range efforts from teenager Gibbs and Fabregas, but goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski - making his first league start of the season - was at fault as Wigan went in front thanks to some Mido acrobatics.
Ben Watson's inswinging corner had Fabianski flapping and after a towering header from Emmerson Boyce, Bacary Sagna only half-cleared the ball to Mido, who reacted brilliantly to crash the ball home.
With Wigan continuing to press forward, the frown on the prowling Arsene Wenger grew deeper as he watched defender Johan Djourou limping off to be replaced by Silvestre.
In the final seconds of the first half, Watson curled a free-kick onto the post, but the decision that led to the kick left the Wigan players incensed as they walked off at the interval.
With Valencia clean through, Gibbs wrestled the midfielder down and it appeared that only the nearby presence of Silvestre discouraged referee Alan Wiley from pulling out the red card.
Mido had to be substituted after 58 minutes following a collision with Fabianski and Arsenal were level only seconds later.
With the ball caught between Arshavin's legs, the Russian somehow managed to hook the ball through to Walcott who crashed the ball into the top corner of the net for his first goal since October.
The game then turned on its head as Fabregas threaded the ball through to substitute Silvestre from the left and the French defender side-footed in from the six-yard line.
Wigan's defence wilted and Arsenal made it three when Arshavin poked the ball into the far corner after the careless Koumas played it straight to him.
And worse was to come for the home fans in the final minute as Song breached a static defence to complete Wigan's misery.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Watson (Koumas 85), Brown (De Ridder 78), Rodallega, Scharner, Mido (Kapo 58).
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kingson, Sibierski, Edman.
Booked: Brown, Boyce, Bramble.
Goals: Mido 18.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Djourou (Silvestre 35), Gibbs, Walcott (Adebayor 68), Denilson (Van Persie 63), Song Billong, Arshavin, Fabregas, Bendtner.
Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Nasri, Vela, Eboue.
Booked: Gibbs, Van Persie, Song Billong.
Goals: Walcott 61, Silvestre 71, Song Billong 90, Arshavin 90.
Att: 22,954
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has been ruled out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at Villarreal with a groin injury.
Van Persie picked up the injury while away on international duty with Holland and subsequently missed the 2-0 win at home to Manchester City at the weekend.
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After his performance against Hull City at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie has been voted the ‘E.ON Player of the Round’ for his efforts in the last-eight clash.
Nick Barmby had given the Tigers a first-half lead, but the mercurial Dutchman equalised for the hosts and put in an all-round impressive display as a late header from William Gallas secured Arsenal a Semi-Final tie against Chelsea on 18 April.
Van Persie received 39 per cent of the vote, ahead of Louis Saha, Didier Drogba and Carlos Tevez.
The four names were selected by a panel which includes Mark Clemmit of Radio Five Live, Howard Wheatcroft of the Daily Star, FA Cup hero Ricky George, ITV pundit Andy Townsend and E.ON Managing Director Graham Bartlett.
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