Arsenal vs Fenerbahce August 27, 2013

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Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal to finish the job when they host Fenerbahce at the Emirates on Tuesday bidding to qualify for the lucrative UEFA Champions League group stages.

The Gunners go into the second leg play-off clash in a dominant position following a 3-0 win in Turkey last week.

Second-half goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud boosted the Gunners' hopes of securing their place in Thursday's draw for the group stages for a 16th successive season.

UEFA Champions League playoff round, Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal vs. Fenerbahce 

Date: 7.45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013

Another season of UEFA Champions League football is almost secure.

The Gunners hold a 3-0 aggregate lead ahead of the second leg play-off after cruising to a straight forward victory in Istanbul thanks to goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud last week.

Arsene Wenger may also be tempted to field a weakened side against the Turkish outfit, with one eye on this weekend's north London derby with Tottenham.

After beating Fenerbahce last week in Turkey, Arsenal need only to see out the second leg successfully at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. With a 3-0 advantage in hand, the Gunners seem destined for a 16th consecutive season in Europe's most prestigious club competition.

The second leg is scheduled to kick off at 7.45 p.m. BST, or 2:45 p.m

It was just the morale-boosting performance Wenger was seeking following his side's 3-1 opening Premier League home defeat by Aston Villa.

Fulham vs Arsenal August 24, 2013

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The alarm sirens for Arsene Wenger's reign will be screeching if Arsenal lose back-to-back opening league matches for the first time since the inaugural Premier League season 21 years ago. If they surrender as meekly as they did against Villa then Fulham can record successive opening Premier League victories for the first time.

But the Gunners reminded everyone that they're not far short of being a really good team when they won handsomely at Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger has been overly-cautious in the transfer marker so far, but some of the criticism of him has bordered on the hysterical.

Fans have rightly been frustrated that big-name signings have been mooted yet no deals have been forthcoming. But it's not Wenger's fault that Liverpool wouldn't sell Luis Suarez. The Anfield club told me last week the Uruguayan was never going to move to the Emirates.

weekend, top up their Oyster cards, and get on the Underground for the 30 minute journey down to Craven Cottage, where Fulham awaits, well-rested after their Opening Day win at Sunderland.

With such a thin squad and a very short turnaround time, there's not a whole lot to say about this game, lineup- or tactic-wise, that we didn't see Wednesday; Kos is out, Flamini won't be signed in time for the game, and otherwise it's more or less status quo. Arsenal don't have a lot of options right now, so what you saw Wednesday is likely what you'll get Saturday.

The Cottagers made the perfect start to their 2013/14 campaign last weekend, with a 1-0 victory secured on the road at new-look Sunderland.

Martin Jol will be delighted to be off the mark away from home, but will also be aware that Fulham are historically stronger in front of their own supporters than they are on their travels.

They will hope that proves to be the case this weekend, with it important to establish, and then maintain, early momentum.

Arsenal will feel that they have the wind back in their sails following an impressive 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in their UEFA Champions League qualifier in midweek, but that success has only served to paper over old cracks.

Wenger remains firmly under the spotlight after failing to bolster his ranks this summer, and a 3-1 reversal at the Emirates on the opening day saw Gunners supporters make their feelings clear.

Speculation suggests it could be a busy couple of weeks in north London, with Arsenal likely to spend big before the window closes, but they need to ensure that they get things right on the field if events off it are to become less of a distraction.

Fulham vs. Arsenal 
English Premier League
Saturday, 24 August 2013
4.45AM PT/7.45AM ET/11.45AM BT

Arsenal vs Aston Villa August 17, 2013

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The more last season went on, the more impressive Paul Lambert's side were, and the addition of six more young new signings should only improve his squad further AND the supporters' belief in the idea of evolution through youth.
At 23, the exciting Bulgarian winger Aleksander Tonev is the oldest of Villa's new boys, and if, as expected, Shay Given departs this transfer window - there won't be a single player aged 30 or above in the squad.

As well as the incomers, seven of last season's team have signed new long-term deals this summer, with the persuasion of Christian Benteke to stay surely the most important signing of all. Will Arsenal fans be looking at him thinking what they could have had?

They have signed one player who's been likened to Benteke (20-year-old Frenchman Yaya Sanogo) - but that's it, just one player. You can understand some Gooners thinking it's 'groundhog season' again.
Bids for superstars like Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain show that Arsene Wenger is trying to strengthen with sizeable funds available, and the boss insists the club will be active in the transfer market until deadline day.

The bookies make Arsenal strong favorites to win this game but, I have a feeling this could be very tight.

Although Arsenal have had a reasonable pre season culminating in a 3-1 victory over Man City there is sure to be a hint of unrest over the lack of any, as promised, marquee signings.

Aston Villa on the other hand seemed to have invested wisely during the window with numbers and experience being added to the squad. This being topped off with Paul Lambert persuading star striker Christian Benteke to stick with the Villain’s for at least another season.

From the outside I see Villa progressing this season and finishing in the top ten, would be interested if their fans would be satisfied with that progress and a run in one of the cups. I won’t mention Bradford if you don’t!

I think there will be goals in this with both teams looking stronger offensively rather than defensively and with my Arsenal head I am tipping the Gunners to edge it by the odd goal.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

English Premier League
Saturday, 17 August 2013
7AM PT/10AM ET/3PM BT
Emirates Stadium, London