Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
Don't forget our post-match phone-in. Lines are now open and the number you will need to dial is 020 7607 3200. If you're calling from outside the UK, dial +44 20 7607 3200
Full Time THERE GOES THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE: 3-0 to the Arsenal!
90
ARSENAL BREAK: Van Persie, Fabregas, Song and back to Van Persie who just can’t get a shot away
90
THREE MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
90
VAN PERSIE COULD HAVE HAD A HAT-TRICK: Fabregas plays a great ball to the back post to find the striker and, with the goal at his mercy, he just can’t get enough power on his header with his back to goal.
88
'EDUARDO, EDUARDO': Is the chant from the away fans...
87
VAN PERSIE NEARLY IN: Arshavin threads a great ball through to the Dutch striker who gets sandwiched by the two centre halves as he looks to make it four
86
ARSENAL IN SECOND GEAR: They win a few corners down by the right corner flag right in front of the Arsenal fans.
85
FABREGAS: I’ve just seen a stat: Fabregas passed today: 61 Completed passed: 51. Not bad eh?
84
MANCHESTER CITY IN MIND: The Arsenal players know they have a difficult game against Manchester City on Wednesday and have taken all the pace out of the game
83
Don't forget our post-match phone-in. Lines open on the final whistle and the number you will need to dial is 020 7607 3200. If you're calling from outside the UK, dial +44 20 7607 3200.
81
KEEP BALL: This is almost like a training exercise and the Arsenal fans are LOVING it. This is how the game should be played - a pleasure to watch
80
ARSENAL QUEUING UP: More fantastic football from the Gunners and with is first touch Arshavin forces a good stop from Foster at his near post
79
Substitution HOME SIDE MAKE THEIR FINAL CHANGE: Phillips on for Jerome
78
Substitution And Arshavin for Walcott
78
Substitution Here come those changes: Denilson for Wilshere
76
ZIGIC CAUSING PROBLEMS: Well, more problems than before.
75
BIRMINGHAM GOING LONG: All they do is pump balls up the giant frame of Zigic. A good header from Djourou clears the danger on this occasion
74
TWO PLAYERS STRIPPING OFF: It looks like Arshavin and Denilson are going to be introduced here
73
EXHIBITION FOOTBALL: This really is a pleasure to watch. Birmingham are chasing shadows at the moment as Arsenal are playing, what I think is, their best football this season
72
WALCOTT STINGS FOSTER’S PALMS: Song knocks a great ball over the top and Walcott beats his man again before drilling a low shot across Foster who makes a decent stop
70
FABREAGS GOES CLOSE: Van Persie lays the ball back for the captain who hits an effort just over
69
Substitution ANOTHER CHANGE FOR BIRMINGHAM: The big man Zigic is on for Bowyer. And I mean BIG...
68
BIRMINGHAM GETTING RIPPED APART: At Arsenal’s will at the moment…
66
THIS COULD BE ANYTHING: Arsenal look like they want more here….
65
WHAT FOOTBALL: Arsenal hold on to the ball for what seems like an eternity. Fabregas, Nasri, Fabregas, Nasri and then back to Fabregas who smacks a shot straight at Foster from close range. The ball cannons back off Dann, and then onto Johnson, and then over the line!
65
GOAL! - Roger Johnson 0 : 3 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: And it’s an own goal…. 3-0
62
WILSHERE BREAKS IT UP: That has been typical of him today. He has been outstanding in the middle
61
BIRMINGHAM FLAT: That goal has really knocked the stuffing out of the home players and supporters.
60
Substitution BIRMINGHAM CHANGE: And it's the former Arsenal man Hleb coming on for Beausejour
59
Does that goal seal it? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
58
Great football between Nasri and Fabregas creates a chance for the Frenchman outside the area he finishes expertly. The pair play a great give and go before Nasri curls his effort into the bottom-left corner
57
GOAL! - Samir Nasri 0 : 2 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Nasri makes it 2-0….
55
What have you made of Arsenal's start to the second half? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
53
NASRI BURSTS THROUGH: Foster has to be quick off his line to spread himself after Nasri tries to lift the ball over him. Great play from Nasri who used his pace to get away from Carr and create the chance
52
OH, WHAT A CHANCE FOR WILSHERE: Great football from Arsenal. Walcott beats his man before digging a ball to the back post where Nasri was waiting. First time he lays the ball back for Wilshere who volleys over with his left foot.
51
IT COMES TO NOTHING: A Birmingham defender heads the ball away. That was a slightly too flat
50
Yellow Card CYNICAL FROM DANN: Walcott looked to attack down the right before being blocked off. He is rightly booked and Arsenal have a crossing position with Van Persie…
49
CARR CLATTERS FABREGAS: On the touchline well inside the Arsenal half the defender only had one thing in his mind there, and it wasn’t winning the ball.
48
WENGER BACK OUT THERE: The manager makes his way back to his seat as the rain continues to pour down
47
EARLY HALF CHANCE: Walcott scuffs a ball across the face of goal and Van Persie sticks out a leg but just can’t keep it in
Kick Off BIRMINGHAM GET US UNDERWAY….
45
THE PLAYERS ARE BACK OUT: And we’re ready to go here…
45
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Half Time HALF TIME: That deflected Van Persie free kick, his first Premier League goal of the season, separates the two sides at the break.
45
BIRMINGHAM WITH THE BALL: But Larsson can’t get on the end of a long ball and that should be that at the end of this first half
45
TWO MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
44
SCUFFED FROM WALCOTT: Clichy does really well to get a cross in and with his left foot Walcott can’t get any power in his volley from 12 yards
43
UNLUCKY FROM WALCOTT: He does well to get to the byline and crosses well before Johnson heads away
42
FABIANSKI COMES A LOMG WAY: And claims a cross really well. He then instantly starts an Arsenal attack…
41
Have you been pleased with this first-half performance? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
40
DJOUROU DOWN: He gets clattered by a combination of two Birmingham players as he heads away a cross and lands awkwardly
38
THAT PENALTY SHOUT: I’ve just seen a replay and let’s just say we can count ourselves very lucky!
37
VERY LIVELY: After the initial lethargic start to the game that penalty shout has sprung the game into life
36
ALL HAPPENEING NOW: Arsenal fail to deal with another free kick and Johnson somehow manages to divert the ball over from virtually under the crossbar
35
GREAT CHANCE FOR VAN PERSIE: Fabregas slips in the striker and he gets it all wrong from barely six yards
34
HUGE PENALTY SHOUT: Birmingham send a free kick into the area and when it gets headed on Van Persie clears with what looks like an arm. The home fans are furious but the referee plays on
32
Yellow Card DJOUROU’S NAME TAKEN: Very harsh I thought. He and Jerome tussle as a ball gets played over the top and he is adjudged to have blocked him off. Yellow card
31
ARSENAL PRETTY MUCH IN CONTROL: The away side look very comfortable and, aside from the occasional free kick or corner, Birmingham have hardly threatened. The midfield has looked assured and the defence steady. Wenger will be delighted with his side so far
30
WALCOTT’S TOUCH LETS HIM DOWN: He gets inside Ridgewell and with a better touch would have been in on goal there
29
Should Arsenal push on and try and get the second before half time? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
28
SHOT IN ANGER: Fabregas lets fly from all of 30 yards and that one is high, wide and handsome.
27
Yellow Card RIDGEWELL BOOKED
27
OH, ROBIN: Very unlike him as his control lets him down, very badly. Nasri breaks with promise down the left and cuts inside before dinking a ball through to Van Persie who had made a great runs across the back four. With only the goalkeeper to beat the Dutch striker just couldn’t control it. What a chance!
26
THAT’S OUT FOR A THROW IN: Beausejour fluffs his lines with a half chance on the edge of the area as Arsenal fail to clear properly
25
JEROME DOWN: And Birmingham have a free kick in a crossing position…
24
RAIN POURING DOWN: It doesn’t look nice out there!
23
HANDBAGS: Between Nasri and Larsson, and I mean handbags.
21
CONFIDENCE ON THE BALL: Typical Arsenal this is. Birmingham can’t get near the ball.
20
FABIANSKI CLAIMS A CROSS: Gardner sends a low ball towards Jerome in the area and the goalkeeper has to be quick off his line to fall on the ball
19
BIRTHDAY BOY: Wilshere is celebrating his 19th birthday today by the way. He has started well and along with Song the pair are starting to dominate the midfield duel
18
FINE SAVE FROM FABIANSKI: Larsson with a wonderful free kick from 20 yards and the Pole sticks out a strong right hand to divert the ball wide.
16
ARSENAL STARTING TO CONTROL THINGS: The home fans are getting on the referee’s back and their team’s back as Arsenal move the ball about brilliantly
15
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13
Van Persie won a free kick right on the edge of the area and dusted himself off to take it. His effort deflects off Bowyer in the wall and that diverts the ball past the outstretched left hand of Foster into the Birmingham goal
13
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 0 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Van Persie makes it 1-0……
10
SMART SAVE BY FOSTER: Nasri lays it back to Van Persie who curls one straight at Foster who makes a good stop low to his left
10
VAN PERSIE FANCIES IT….
9
FREE KICK ARSENAL: Arsenal have an indirect free kick in a VERY dangerous position. And by the way it is INSIDE the area after the linesman flagged for a backpass
8
Yellow Card AND HE IS RIGHTLY BOOKED: I’ve just seen a replay and that was a shocking challenge. The pair went for a 50/50 and the Birmingham player led with his studs and is rightly given a yellow card. Fabregas limps off but he should be OK to continue
7
STRONG TACKLE FROM JOHNSON: Fabregas is down and holding his ankle. The Arsenal players aren’t happy and rightly so. Especially after what happened here a few years ago.
7
THUMPED BY VAN PERSIE: Straight into the wall and Birmingham clear
6
ARSENAL KEEPING THE BALL: That’s the Gunners best spell of possession so far. Fabregas, making his 200th Premier League appearance by the way, wins a free kick 35 yards from goal
5
TACTICS: Walcott on the right and Nasri on the left as we expected. Song and Wilshere holding with Fabregas further forward.
4
FIRST CHANCE OF THE GAME: Walcott runs at Ridgewell and fires wide of the near post from a tight angle
3
NOT A SEAT TO BE HAD: In the Arsenal end anyway. The away end is PACKED
2
FABREGAS GOES DOWN: Right on the edge of the Birmingham area but the referee doesn’t want to know and he is told to get to his feet
1
EARLY BALL FORWARD: From Clichy, but no-one can get on the end of it and Foster claims
Kick Off AND WE’RE UNDERWAY: Van Persie and Fabregas get things going...
Don’t forget to send us your thoughts. Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
PLAYERS ON THEIR WAY: Arsenal in their traditional red shirts with white sleeves, white shorts and red socks. As I mentioned earlier the Arsenal fans are making a lot of noise and it’s making for a cracking atmosphere in the stadium
MUST WIN? Both Manchester clubs and Tottenham have won already today meaning it’s getting even more congested at the top of the table. Three points would be very nice this evening I think you’ll agree
THE AWAY FANS MAKING THEMSELVES HEARD: Arsenal supporters have travelled in their numbers and are making a lot of noise at St Andrew’s.
Robin van Persie will lead the Arsenal attack as Marouane Chamakh drops out of the squad completely.
Abou Diaby misses out with a calf injury. Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy start with Sebastien Squillaci and Emmanuel Eboue among the substitutes.
Samir Nasri, Alex Song, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas come into midfield as Tomas Rosicky, Denilson and Andrey Arshavin drop to the bench.
So the boss makes eight changes from the side that drew with Wigan
What do you make of the starting XI? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline.
The Arsenal team is in and here it is: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Song, Wilshere, Van Persie. More to follow...
I will bring you the teams as soon as I get them...
What are your thoughts ahead of the match Arsenal fans? What team do you think the boss should pick today? Would a draw be the end of the world? And tell me… Can 2011 be Arsenal's year? Email us via www.arsenal.com/studio, use the 'Facebook Chat' tab to interact with other fans or Tweet us via @ArsenalTVOnline. Don't forget our post-match phone-in. Lines open on the final whistle and the number you will need to dial is 020 7607 3200. If you're calling from outside the UK, dial +44 20 7607 3200.
The MatchDay Show gets underway at 5.00pm (UK time) with highlights of Wednesday’s Premier League draw with Wigan, the best bits from Arsène Wenger’s pre-match press conference and all the breaking team news.
St Andrew’s hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Arsène Wenger and his side in recent years but after Wednesday’s draw with Wigan and Manchester United’s victory this morning – that needs to change this evening.
Happy New Year one and all! However you said goodbye to 2010 last night, I think you’ll agree there’s no better way to welcome in 2011 than by watching the Arsenal on a Saturday.
I'm Giuseppe Muro and I’ll be bringing you minute by minute updates of today’s game.
Good evening everyone and welcome to Arsenal TV Online’s MatchDay Show!
Birmingham City
01 FOSTER, Ben
02 CARR, Stephen
14 JOHNSON, Roger
16 DANN, Scott
06 RIDGEWELL, Liam
22 BEAUSEJOUR, Jean
15 HLEB, Alexander (60)
08 BOWYER, Lee
19 ZIGIC, Nikola (69)
08 GARDNER, Craig
16 FERGUSON, Barry
07 LARSSON, Sebastian
33 JEROME, Cameron
09 PHILLIPS, Kevin (79)
33 TAYLOR, MAIK
28 JIRANEK, MARTIN
18 FAHEY, KEITH
15 HLEB, ALEXANDER
09 PHILLIPS, KEVIN
19 ZIGIC, NIKOLA
38 DERBYSHIRE, MATT
Arsenal
21 FABIANSKI, Lukasz
03 SAGNA, Bacary
20 DJOUROU, Johan
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
22 CLICHY, Gael
04 FABREGAS, Cesc
08 NASRI, Samir
10 WILSHERE, Jack
15 DENILSON (78)
25 SONG, Alex
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (78)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
01 SZCZESNY, WOJCIECH
27 EBOUE, EMMANUEL
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
15 DENILSON,
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
17 BENDTNER, NICKLAS
