Robin van Persie wins back some Arsenal hearts

When Fernando Torres made a heartbreaking move to Chelsea his first match for the Blues was against his old team, but when Robin van Persie made a move to Manchester United he had to wait for around 3 months to face his old team.

Day 1:

Manchester United vs Arsenal

This was certainly one of the most highly anticipated fixture of the season, mainly due to the transfer saga of Robin van Persie. Arsenal have a very poor record at Old Trafford in the recent times and their last visit ended in an 8-2 win for United. They might have been hoping to turn the tables around with the new signings and the return of Sagna and Wilshere.

The action started very early in the 3rd minute when the man everyone had their eyes on Robin van Pesie opened the score for United. It was a very bad defensive error that gave away the goal out of nothing. Current Arsenal captain Vermaalen’s attempted clearance failed and he just knocked the ball into the path of the oncoming Van Persie. RVP did not need a second invitation as he drove the ball in. Out of respect for his old club he did not celebrate. A gesture that showed Arsenal fans that he might be a villain to them but he certainly owes Arsenal and Wenger a lot.

The score remained unaltered for a long time and in the 67th minute it was United who found the back of the net, this time through captain Patrice Evra. Evra headed the ball in after Rooney crossed the ball from the wing when he was passed the ball from the corner. Arsenal had dominated possession the whole time in the second half but failed to make the final move in the attacking third.

Then in the 69th minute another incident happened as Jack Wilshere was sent off for a se4cond bookable offense. He made a high tackle on Patrice Evra and walked off without protesting as there was nothing much debatable about it.

Arsenal now had a mountain to climb but tried their best and with the last kick of the ball in the game Carzola scored a brilliant goal to make it 2-1. The win put United on top of the table ahead of Chelsea. Arsenal are now 7th with 15 points.

Fulham vs Everton

In a battle of two equals the spoils were shared as the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Fulham took the lead in the 7th minute through a Tim Howard own goal. Everton fought back ferociously and their equalizer came in the second half through the inform Fellaini. The score was 1-1 in the 55th minute. Everton then took the lead in the 72nd minute and one again it was the giant Belgian who scored. The match looked like an Everton win until Sidwell scored the late equalizer for Fulham in injury time. Everton continue their good form in the league and are now 4th in the table with 17 points and ahead of West Brom on goal difference. Fulham are 8th with 15 points and behind Arsenal on goal difference.

Norwich vs Stoke

A sudden turnaround in Norwich’s fortunes saw them beat the strong defense of Stoke City. Norwich who had defeated Arsenal earlier and then Spurs last week in the League Cup look in fine touch. They took the three points courtesy to a late first half goal by Johnson in the 44th minute. Norwich are now 14th with 10 points and Stoke are 13th with a point less than Norwich.

Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Villa have found their way back after a disastrous season last year. They defeated Sunderland at home with a goal from the inform striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in the 57th minute. Villa are now 17th with 10 points and Sunderland are 16th with the same points but with one game in hand.

Swansea vs Chelsea

Chelsea went into the match without Suspended captain John Terry, injured Frank Lampard, Juan Mata and David Luiz. Fernando Torres and Ivanovic had completed their suspension in the league cup and were back in the team. Ivanovic played in his natural position at the center and young Spanish right back Azpilicueta played in the right flank. Chelsea took the lead in the 61st minute through a Victor Moses header. They were set to take the 3 points and go back on the top of the table, but Pablo Hernandez had other ideas in mind as he scored past Petr Cech in the 88th minute to give Swansea a point. Chelsea are now second in the table and point below United whereas Swansea are 11th with 12 points.

West Ham vs Manchester City

In a match City dominated for so long they failed to find the back of the net and continued their below par performance this season. City though are still unbeaten in the league. Barcelona are the only other team that is still unbeaten in the top 5 leagues in Europe. City had the bulk of the possession and the shots on goal but West Ham stopper ensured that the Hammers get at least one point against the defending Champions. West Ham are now 9th with 15 points and City are 3rd with 22 points and still very close to toppers United.

Tottenham vs Wigan

In a match where Spurs would have been expecting an easy three points things did not go their way as they succumbed to a second successive defeat this week. Spurs earlier exited the League Cup after losing to Norwich and now lost to Wigan by a single goal. Watson scored the only goal of the match in the 56th minute. Wigan are now 13th with 11 points and Spurs are now 6th with 17 points and behind both Everton and West Brom on goal difference.

Day 2

Liverpool vs Newcastle

Liverpool once again failed to capitalize on their dominance and failed to get the three points they deserved. Liverpool were on the attack right from the start and had some good chances but they either shot straight at Tim Krul or wide of the post. Which once again showed that they are a finisher away from a being a strong team. It was Newcastle who had the first Laugh as Ben Arfa dribbled past Jose Enrique and Raheem Sterling to give a cross which seemed to have gone wide. Yohan Cabaye who had received the ball volleyed an unstoppable shot into the net from a tight angle to give Newcastle the lead minutes before the first half. Newcastle had an early blow as James Perch walked off with an injury and had to be replaced by Simpson.

In the second half they had another injury concern as in form striker Demba Ba had to be substituted due to an injury. Liverpool continued from where they left and kept pushing for an equalizer. The goal eventually came in the 67th minute and what a goal it was. Jose Enrique saw that Suarez had an opportunity to go past the gap in the Newcastle defense and crossed the ball into the path of an attacking Suarez. Tim Krul was advancing towards him and Collocini was behind him and the odds looked against him. The Uruguayan with his sublime skill and control took the first touch to bring the ball in front of him and then took a brilliant second touch to take the ball past Krul and then pushed the ball into the net. Liverpool soon had a chance to go ahead when Suarez nutmeged past Colocini and gave one to Shelvey to just score into an open net. Shelvey decided to take it with his right leg instead of his left an eventually pulled the shot and Krul made an easy save. The match marked the 600th appearance for Gerrard in a Liverpool Jersey.

QPR vs Reading

In a battle between the teams at the bottom the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Reading had taken the lead but QPR equalized in the 66th minute to make it 1-1. QPR and Reading are both yet to win a League match this season.

Day 3

West Bromwich vs Southampton FC

West Brom who have been the surprise package this season once again showed why they are in the position they are now with a 2-0 win over the Saints. Peter Odemwingie scored a brace for the hosts as they moved to 5th in the table. Southampton are not last in the table with 4 points.

Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, EPL, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Norwich, QPR, Reading, Robin Van Persie, RVP, Southampton FC, Stoke, Sunderland, Swansea, Tottenham, West Bromwich, West Ham, Wigan