Literature Commission inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at Muscat Book Fair    Saudi Minister of Culture holds talks with his Costa Rican counterpart in Jeddah    Saudi Arabia cracks down on fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urges pilgrims to use official channels    Nammos Amala Resort to open soon with Saudi-Greek designs    Saudi Arabia completes 674 Vision 2030 initiatives, achieves 93% of KPIs as ninth-year milestone marked    MHRSD: 80% of recruitment offices are non-compliant with regulations    GACA chief chairs 16th meeting of the Steering Committee on aviation's strategy    Alkhorayef praises advancements in Al-Kharj food industries sector    At least 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza    Teenage girl killed in French school stabbing attack    Trump claims meeting with China after Beijing denies any trade negotiations    Police fatally shoot man at Toronto's international airport    Saudi Theater Commission launches its Work and Learn Project in UK    The season has begun — and one comment shook us all    Jennifer Lopez dazzles in Jeddah with a Formula 1 performance    Saudi Arabia open to expanded 64-team World Cup in 2034, says sports minister    Average life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to78.8 years    Super Max Verstappen scorches to pole with record lap in Jeddah    Film Commission launches 'Cinema' initiative to enhance content    Famed Philippine film star Nora Aunor dies at 71    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Arsenal back into top four
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 17 - 04 - 2014

LONDON — Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski struck twice in a labored 3-1 win over West Ham United Tuesday as the FA Cup finalist maintained its push for a Champions League place by moving back into the top four.
Germany international Podolski equalized before the break and capped a fine display with the third goal, after Olivier Giroud had put Arsenal in front 10 minutes into the second half, as Arsene Wenger's side worked hard to claim the three points.
The result takes Arsenal up a spot to fourth on 67 points with four games left, one place and one point ahead of Everton which has a game in hand against mid-table Crystal Palace Wednesday as the Champions League qualification race hots up.
West Ham's Matt Jarvis gave the resolute visitor a deserved 40th minute lead over a tired-looking Arsenal, which was taken to penalties by FA Cup holder Wigan Athletic in the semifinals Saturday, when he nodded home a loose ball in the area.
The home side's response was swift, though, and it leveled in the 44th when Podolski found space in the Hammers box and his precise, driven finish beat goalkeeper Adrian.
Frenchman Giroud, who has struggled to find his best form in recent weeks, made it 2-1 when he controlled the ball sublimely with his left foot before striking a low shot through Adrian's legs with his right after 55 minutes.
Podolski then blasted in his second after being set up by Aaron Ramsey's precise header from a Giroud cross to seal the win in the 78th minute much to the relief of the home fans.
“It was a hard-fought win and a very enjoyable win as we had to dig deep Saturday,” Wenger told Sky Sports. ““We were under absolute pressure to win the game, on top of that it was a derby and, after giving a lot on Saturday, it was difficult.
“Maybe we could have scored more, I was satisfied with the mental response of the team tonight, the focus tonight of the team was outstanding,” added the Frenchman.
Having led the Premier League for much of the season, Arsenal's capitulation since late January has been so drastic they have gone from title contenders to a side struggling to earn a place in Europe's elite competition.
Before the visit of West Ham it had picked up eight points from 21 while the form of Everton, which has won seven straight games including a 3-0 win over Arsenal earlier this month, means the Gunners face a real scrap to secure qualification.
The win ended a run of four league games without a victory for Arsenal and Podolski immediately turned his attention to the next league game at FA Cup final opponents Hull City Sunday as they aim for for a 17th straight Champions League campaign.
“The Champions League is very important and we must focus on the next game to ensure that we can qualify,” he told Sky Sports. “It was important to score before halftime and for us to get a win in a local derby.”
“The FA Cup is after the season, we leave it now and we focus on the Premier League because everyone wants to play in the Champions League. The atmosphere is amazing and it is important for the club,” Podolski added. — Reuters


Clic here to read the story from its source.