2008–09 Arsenal F.C. season

The 2008–09 season was Arsenal Football Club's 17th consecutive season in the Premier League. This season Arsenal participated in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal
2008–09 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerArsène Wenger
StadiumEmirates Stadium
Premier League4th
FA CupSemi-finals
League CupQuarter-finals
UEFA Champions LeagueSemi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague:
Robin van Persie (11)
All:
Robin van Persie (20)
Highest home attendance60,109 (vs. West Ham United, 31 January 2009, Premier League)
Lowest home attendance55,641 (vs. Hull City, 17 March 2009, FA Cup)

Events
  • 5 May: Midfielder Mathieu Flamini agrees to a four-year contract with Italian club Milan, meaning he will leave Arsenal on a free transfer on 1 July.[1]
  • 23 May: Physiotherapist Neal Reynolds agrees to join Arsenal from Norwich City.[2]
  • 28 May: Arsenal are granted a work permit for striker Carlos Vela, who spent the 2007–08 season on loan to Osasuna.[3]
  • 3 June: Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann joins VfB Stuttgart on a free transfer.[4]
  • 4 June: Defender Bacary Sagna signs a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[5]
  • 9 June: Central defender/defensive midfielder Alex Song agrees to a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[6]
  • 9 June: Physiotherapist Gary Lewin agrees to leave Arsenal to become full-time Head of Physiotherapy for England on 1 August.[7]
  • 13 June: Midfielder Aaron Ramsey signs for Arsenal from Cardiff City.[8]
  • 20 June: Defender Gaël Clichy signs a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[9]
  • 11 July: Attacking midfielder Samir Nasri signs for Arsenal from Marseille.[10]
  • 16 July: Attacking midfielder Alexander Hleb signs for Barcelona from Arsenal.[11]
  • 17 July: Defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva signs for Panathinaikos from Arsenal.[12]
  • 30 July: Arsenal sign midfielder Amaury Bischoff from Werder Bremen.[13]
  • 9 August: Arsenal retains their Amsterdam Tournament Title after drawing 1–1 with Sevilla.[14]
  • 13 August: Arsenal start their European campaign by defeating Twente in the first leg of their 2008–09 UEFA Champions League Third Round Qualifying Round.[15]
  • 16 August: Defender Justin Hoyte signs for Middlesbrough from Arsenal.[16]
  • 18 August: Striker Emmanuel Adebayor signs a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[17]
  • 20 August: Arsenal sign Defender Mikaël Silvestre from Manchester United.[18] Silvestre becomes the first Manchester United player to join Arsenal since Brian Kidd in 1974 .[19]
  • 23 August: Arsenal suffer their first defeat of the season against Fulham by losing 1–0 from a Brede Hangeland goal.[20]
  • 27 August: Arsenal qualify for the group stages of the Champions League by defeating Twente 4–0 at the Emirates Stadium and 6–0 on aggregate.[21]
  • 1 September: Defender Kieran Gibbs signs a new contract with Arsenal.[22]
  • 22 September: Swiss defender Johan Djourou signs a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[23]
  • 27 September: Arsenal's second defeat at the Emirates Stadium was a 2–1 loss to Hull City who came back from an Arsenal lead early in the second half.[24]
  • 21 November: Sky Sports News and the BBC report that William Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following a verbal outburst against other players, however Arsenal FC refuse to comment.[25][26]
  • 24 November: Arsène Wenger announces that Cesc Fàbregas is the new permanent Arsenal captain, thus confirming reports that William Gallas has been stripped of the captaincy.[27]
  • 23 December: Arsenal captain Cesc Fàbregas is ruled out for 4 months with a ligament injury after colliding with fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso in a 1–1 draw with Liverpool.[28]
  • 5 January: Midfielder Jack Wilshere signs a professional contract with Arsenal.[29]
  • 3 February: After protracted transfer negotiations, Arsenal announce the signing of Russian international Andrey Arshavin for an undisclosed fee.[30]
  • 8 February: 350 days after suffering a broken leg and open dislocation to his ankle, striker Eduardo is named on the substitutes bench in Arsenal's 0–0 draw against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.[31]
  • 16 February: Striker Eduardo makes his first start in nearly a year in Arsenal's fourth round replay against Cardiff. He scores twice before being substituted in the 67th minute in a 4–0 win.[32]
  • 11 March: Arsenal progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Roma 7–6 on penalties after the tie was level at 1–1 after two legs.[33]
  • 14 March: Andrey Arshavin scores his first goal for Arsenal in the club's 4–0 Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers.[34]
  • 18 April: Amid various injuries in defence, Arsenal are knocked out of the FA Cup in a 2–1 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals.[35]
  • 21 April: 4 goals from man of the match Andrey Arshavin dents Liverpool's Premier League title hopes. The match at Anfield ends in a 4–4 draw.[36]
  • 5 May: Arsenal are knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, losing 4–1 on aggregate to defending champions, Manchester United.[37]
  • 8 May: Striker Theo Walcott signs a new "long-term" contract with Arsenal.[38]
  • 8 May: Striker Nicklas Bendtner is fined for "unacceptable" behaviour following nightclub disrepute after the Manchester United game. Bendtner apologised for his actions shortly afterward.[39]

Players

Squad information
N
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Since
 App
 Goals
 Ends
 Transfer fee
 Notes
1 GK Almunia32EU 2004 125 0 undisclosed[40] £0.5m
3 DF Sagna26EU 2007 89 1 2014[41] £7.5m
5 DF Touré (VC)28Non-EU 2002 (Winter) 326 14 undisclosed[42] £0.15m
10 DF Gallas31EU 2006 109 13 undisclosed[43] Part exchange with
A. Cole+£5m[44]
22 DF Clichy23EU 2003 187 1 2012[45] £0.25m
15 MF Denílson21Non-EU 2006 93 5 undisclosed[46] £3.4m
4 MF Fàbregas (captain)22EU 2003 231 29 2014[47] Free
17 DF Song21EU 2005 78 3 undisclosed[48] £1.0m
8 MF Nasri21EU 2008 44 7 undisclosed[49] £12m[50]
25 FW Adebayor25Non-EU 2006 (Winter) 142 62 undisclosed[51] £3m
11 FW v. Persie25EU 2004 177 63 2011[52] £2.75m
26 FW Bendtner21EU 2004 93 23 2012[53] Youth system
27 MF Eboué25Non-EU 2005 (Winter) 147 6 undisclosed[54] £1.54m
2 MF Diaby23EU 2006 (Winter) 98 10 undisclosed[55] £2m
14 FW Walcott20EU 2006 (Winter) 106 14 undisclosed[56] £9.1m
20 DF Djourou22Non-EU 2003 77 0 undisclosed[57] Youth system
12 FW Vela20Non-EU 2005 29 6 2010 £0.5m[58]
18 DF Silvestre31EU 2008 23 2 2010[59] £0.75m[59]
16 MF Ramsey18EU 2008 22 1 undisclosed £4.8m[60]
40 DF Gibbs19EU 2007 23 0 undisclosed[61] Youth system
21 GK Fabiański24EU 2007 26 0 undisclosed[62] £2.0m
23 MF Arshavin27Non-EU 2009 (Winter) 15 6 2012[63] £15.0m
19 MF Wilshere17EU 2008 8 1 undisclosed[29] Youth system
9 FW Eduardo26Non-EU 2007 35 15 2011[64] £7.5m
28 MF Bischoff22EU 2008 4 0 undisclosed[65] Free
24 GK Mannone21EU 2005 1 0 undisclosed[66] £0.35m
7 MF Rosický28EU 2006 61 13 undisclosed[67] £6.8m

In
# Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Team Source
16 MF Aaron Ramsey Cardiff City £4,800,000 13 June 2008 First-team [8]
8 MF Samir Nasri Marseille £12,000,000 11 July 2008 First-team [10]
28 MF Amaury Bischoff Werder Bremen Free transfer 30 July 2008 First-team [13]
18 DF Mikaël Silvestre Manchester United £750,000 20 August 2008 First-team [18]
23 MF Andrey Arshavin Zenit Saint Petersburg £15,000,000 3 February 2009 First-team [30]

Total spending: £32,550,000

Out
# Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
1 GK Jens Lehmann VfB Stuttgart Free transfer (Released) 3 June 2008 [4]
16 MF Mathieu Flamini Milan Free transfer (Released) 1 July 2008 [1]
13 MF Alexander Hleb Barcelona £11,900,000 16 July 2008 [11]
19 MF Gilberto Silva Panathinaikos £1,000,000 17 July 2008 [12]
31 DF Justin Hoyte Middlesbrough £3,000,000 16 August 2008 [16]

Total income: £15,900,000

Loan out
Squad # Position Player Loaned to Date Loan expires Source
DF Kerrea Gilbert Leicester City 11 July 2008 End of the season [68]
30 DF Armand Traoré Portsmouth 21 August 2008 End of the season [69]
6 DF Philippe Senderos Milan 26 July 2008 End of the season [70]
50 FW Jay Simpson West Bromwich Albion 31 December 2008 End of the season [71]
Spending

£32,550,000

Income

£15,900,000

Net expenditure

£16,650,000

Squad stats
No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupChampions League
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Manuel Almunia 4403200000120
2 MF Abou Diaby 36416+834+10005+21
3 DF Bacary Sagna 49034+10500090
4 MF Cesc Fàbregas 3332231000100
5 DF Kolo Touré 41126+31300090
7 MF Tomáš Rosický 0000000000
8 MF Samir Nasri 44728+163+2000101
9 FW Eduardo 430023000+20
10 DF William Gallas 366232410093
11 FW Robin van Persie 442024+4114+2400105
12 FW Carlos Vela 2962+1213+11342+60
14 FW Theo Walcott 35616+622+11009+13
15 MF Denílson 51336+13200011+10
16 MF Aaron Ramsey 2211+802+20304+21
17 DM Alex Song 48223+8140208+31
18 DF Mikaël Silvestre 23212+22201060
19 MF Jack Wilshere 810+100+20310+20
20 DF Johan Djourou 29013+2040206+20
21 GK Łukasz Fabiański 1805+1060302+10
22 DF Gaël Clichy 41130+110000100
23 MF Andrey Arshavin 1561262+100000
24 GK Vito Mannone 1010000000
25 FW Emmanuel Adebayor 371621+5101+10008+16
26 FW Nicklas Bendtner 501517+1493+22225+72
27 DF Emmanuel Eboué 44417+1134+11006+50
28 MF Amaury Bischoff 400+100+100+2000
35 MF Francis Coquelin [R] 1000000+1000
39 FW Rui Fonte [R] 1000000+1000
40 DF Kieran Gibbs 2106+205+10303+10
41 DF Gavin Hoyte [R] 4010003000
42 MF Henri Lansbury [R] 3000000+3000
43 MF Fran Mérida [R] 500+20003000
47 MF Mark Randall [R] 600+1000300+20
49 DF Paul Rodgers [R] 1000001000
50 FW Jay Simpson [R] [L] 3200001+2200

Source: Arsenal F.C.

Disciplinary record
N
 Pos.
 Nat.
 Name
 Notes
11 FW v. Persie 9 0 1
25 FW Adebayor 5 1 0
27 MF Eboué 3 1 0
22 DF Clichy 9 0 0
17 DF Song 8 0 0
8 MF Nasri 8 0 0
4 MF Fàbregas 8 0 0
2 MF Diaby 7 0 0
10 DF Gallas 5 0 0
3 DF Sagna 5 0 0
15 MF Denílson 5 0 0
26 FW Bendtner 4 0 0
5 DF Touré 4 0 0
40 DF Gibbs 2 0 0
20 DF Djourou 2 0 0
16 MF Ramsey 2 0 0
23 MF Arshavin 2 0 0
47 MF Randall 1 0 0
43 MF Mérida 1 0 0
12 FW Vela 1 0 0
18 DF Silvestre 1 0 0

Last updated: 24 May
Source: Match reports in Competitive matches
Only competitive matches
= Number of bookings; = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.

Start formations
Qnt Formation Match(es)
51 4–4–2 1–13, 15–29, 31–49, 52–53, 57–58, 61
8 4–2–3–1 14, 50–51, 54–56, 59–60
1 4–4–1–1 30[72]
Last updated: 24 May
Source:
Only competitive matches.

Club

Coaching staff
This was Arsène Wenger's 13th seasons with Arsenal.
Position Staff
Manager Arsène Wenger
Assistant manager Pat Rice
First team coach Boro Primorac
Goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton
Physiotherapist Colin Lewin
Fitness coach Tony Colbert
Chief scout Steve Rowley
Kit manager Vic Akers

Source: Arsenal FC

Kit

Supplier: Nike / Sponsor: Fly Emirates

Home
Home alt.
Away
Third
Goalkeeper 1
Goalkeeper alt.
Goalkeeper 2
Goalkeeper 3
Goalkeeper alt.
Goalkeeper alt. 2

Kit information

The completely new set of Arsenal kit was launched.

  • Home The home kit was rather controversial, as Nike ditched the white sleeves that the club was well known for. The shirt has a white wide stripe on each sleeve, flanked by two dark red, narrower stripes. It has a red V-neck collar which is the same colour as the primary shirt colour. The shirt is complemented by white shorts with a dark-red trim, and white socks with a red horizontal stripe. Red socks with white horizontal stripe were used in some away games. Arsenal revealed that the kit would be used for two seasons.
  • Away The away kit harps back to the glory days of the late 1980s which gave the strip a modern touch, where the shirts are yellow with navy sleeves and a red trim. The shorts are navy with red trim and the socks are yellow and blue. It featured red trimmings on the side of the strip.
  • Keeper The three goalkeeper kit, which were all based on Nike's new template, which in turn featured one conspicuous swirl on the kit. The main kit was grey, but the second kit was green/navy and the third kit black was available, should they be required.

Other information
The Emirates Stadium is the second largest stadium in the Premier League.
Chairman Peter Hill-Wood
Ground (capacity and dimensions) Emirates Stadium (60,432 / 105x68 meters)

Updated to match played 15 June
Source: Arsenal FC and www.footballgroundguide.com

Competitions

Overall
Competition Started round Final
position / round		 First match Last match
Premier League — 4 16 August24 May
Champions League Third qualifying round Semi-finals 13 August5 May
Football League Cup 3rd round Quarter finals 23 September2 December
FA Cup 3rd round Semi-finals 3 January18 April

Updated to match played 24 May
Source: Competitions

Premier League
Main article: 2008–09 Premier League

Final league table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Liverpool 38 25 11 2 77 27 +50 86 Qualification for the Champions League group stage[lower-alpha 1]
3 Chelsea 38 25 8 5 68 24 +44 83
4 Arsenal 38 20 12 6 68 37 +31 72 Qualification for the Champions League play-off round
5 Everton 38 17 12 9 55 37 +18 63 Qualification for the Europa League play-off round[lower-alpha 1]
6 Aston Villa 38 17 11 10 54 48 +6 62
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
  1. Since both finalists of the FA Cup (Chelsea and Everton) and the League Cup winners (Manchester United) qualified for the European competitions based on their league position, the sixth-placed team (Aston Villa) received a berth in the Europa League play-off round and the seventh-placed team (Fulham) received a berth in the Europa League third qualifying round.

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
38 20 12 6 68 37  +31 72 11 5 3 31 16  +15 9 7 3 37 21  +16

Last updated: 24 May.
Source: Premier League

Results by round
Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAH
ResultWLWWWLDWWDLWLLWWDDDWWWDDDDDWWWWWDWWLDW
Position914431444434345445555555555554444444444
Updated to match(es) played on 24 May. Source: Competitive Matches
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
16 August 2008 1 Arsenal 1–0 West Bromwich Albion London
12:45 BST Nasri  4' Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,071
Referee: Howard Webb
23 August 2008 2 Fulham 1–0 Arsenal London
17:30 BST Hangeland  21'
Murphy  72'
Teymourian  88'		 Report Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 25,276
Referee: Martin Atkinson
30 August 2008 3 Arsenal 3–0 Newcastle United London
17:30 BST Van Persie  18' (pen.), 41'
Fàbregas  52'
Denílson  59'
Nasri  90+2'		 Report  28' Coloccini
 52' Given		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,067
Referee: Rob Styles
13 September 2008 4 Blackburn Rovers 0–4 Arsenal Blackburn
15:00 BST Warnock  80' Report  8' Van Persie
 45+1', 81' (pen.), 90+2' Adebayor
 60' Denílson		 Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 23,041
Referee: Mike Dean
20 September 2008 5 Bolton Wanderers 1–3 Arsenal Bolton
17:30 BST K. Davies  14',  45+2'
Muamba  62'		 Report  26' Eboué
 27' Bendtner
 76' Song
 87' Denílson
 89' Fàbregas		 Stadium: Reebok Stadium
Attendance: 22,694
Referee: Steve Bennett
27 September 2008 6 Arsenal 1–2 Hull City London
17:30 BST McShane  51' (o.g.)
Sagna  76'
Gallas  90+4'		 Report  45' Ashbee
 62' Geovanni
 66' Cousin		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,037
Referee: Alan Wiley
4 October 2008 7 Sunderland 1–1 Arsenal Sunderland
15:00 BST Whitehead  41'
Richardson  65'
Yorke  73'
Leadbitter  86'		 Report  39' Clichy
 61' Touré
 78' Song
 90' Bendtner
 90+3' Fàbregas		 Stadium: Stadium of Light
Attendance: 40,199
Referee: Lee Mason
18 October 2008 8 Arsenal 3–1 Everton London
15:00 BST Adebayor  34'
Nasri  48'
Clichy  59'
Van Persie  70'
Walcott  90'		 Report  9',  87' Osman
 30' Lescott
 60' Hibbert
 65' Pienaar		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,064
Referee: Peter Walton
26 October 2008 9 West Ham United 0–2 Arsenal London
16:00 BST Parker  43'
Faubert  88'
Cole  90+3'		 Report  27' Fàbregas
 51' Clichy
 59' Song
 75' (o.g.) Faubert
 90+1' Adebayor		 Stadium: Upton Park
Attendance: 34,802
Referee: Phil Dowd
29 October 2008 10 Arsenal 4–4 Tottenham Hotpsur London
20:00 BST Silvestre  37'
Gallas  46'
Adebayor  64'
Van Persie  68'
Diaby  89'		 Report  13',  57' Bentley
 54' Assou-Ekotto
 59' Huddlestone
 67' Bent
 85',  89' Jenas
 90+4' Lennon		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,043
Referee: Martin Atkinson
1 November 2008 11 Stoke City 2–1 Arsenal Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 GMT Fuller  11'
Higginbotham  63'
Sidibe  68'
Olofinjana  73'
Cresswell  90+7'		 Report  40' Adebayor
 76' Van Persie
 90+4' Clichy
 90+7' Fàbregas		 Stadium: Britannia Stadium
Attendance: 26,704
Referee: Rob Styles
8 November 2008 12 Arsenal 2–1 Manchester United London
12:45 GMT Nasri  22', 48'
Gallas  27'
Sagna  40'
Clichy  51'		 Report  38' Evra
 66' Carrick
 90' Rafael		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,106
Referee: Howard Webb
15 November 2008 13 Arsenal 0–2 Aston Villa London
15:00 GMT Denílson  10'
Fàbregas  19'		 Report  44' Friedel
 55' Barry
 70' (o.g.) Clichy
 80',  81' Agbonlahor
 90' Sidwell		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,047
Referee: Mike Riley
22 November 2008 14 Manchester City 3–0 Arsenal Manchester
15:00 GMT Ireland  45'
Robinho  56'
Sturridge  90' (pen.)		 Report  87' Song Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium
Attendance: 44,878
Referee: Alan Wiley
30 November 2008 15 Chelsea 1–2 Arsenal London
16:00 GMT Djourou  31' (o.g.)
Terry  61'
Ivanović  85'		 Report  59', 62' Van Persie Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 41,760
Referee: Mike Dean
6 December 2008 16 Arsenal 1–0 Wigan Athletic London
15:00 GMT Adebayor  16'
Van Persie  83'		 Report  26' Palacios
 63' Figueroa		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,317
Referee: Steve Bennett
13 December 2008 17 Middlesbrough 1–1 Arsenal Middlesbrough
12:45 GMT Aliadière  29' Report  17' Adebayor
 47' Diaby		 Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 27,320
Referee: Peter Walton
21 December 2008 18 Arsenal 1–1 Liverpool London
16:00 GMT Van Persie  24',  66'
Adebayor  38'  62'
Sagna  70'		 Report  20',  42' Keane
 72' Carragher
 81' Lucas		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,094
Referee: Howard Webb
26 December 2008 19 Aston Villa 2–2 Arsenal Birmingham
17:15 GMT Barry  65' (pen.)
Agbonlahor  72'
Reo-Coker  77'
Petrov  82'
Knight  90+2'		 Report  24' Song
 36' Touré
 40' Denílson
 49',  51' Diaby
 77' Van Persie		 Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 42,585
Referee: Lee Mason
28 December 2008 20 Arsenal 1–0 Portsmouth London
14:00 GMT Gallas  81' Report  42' Hughes Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,092
Referee: Alan Wiley
10 January 2009 21 Arsenal 1–0 Bolton Wanderers London
15:00 GMT Djourou  80'
Bendtner  84'
Ramsey  89'		 Report  54' Mustapha
 74' McCann		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,068
Referee: Chris Foy
17 January 2009 22 Hull City 1–3 Arsenal KC Stadium
17:30 GMT Cousin  65'
Ashbee  81'		 Report  30' Adebayor
 71' Clichy
 82' Nasri
 86' Bendtner		 Stadium: Kingston-upon-Hull
Attendance: 24,924
Referee: Alan Wiley
28 January 2009 23 Everton 1–1 Arsenal Liverpool
20:00 GMT Cahill  61'
Arteta  70'
Hibbert  77'		 Report  27' Diaby
 36' Nasri
 90+2' Van Persie		 Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 37,097
Referee: Andre Marriner
31 January 2009 24 Arsenal 0–0 West Ham United London
15:00 GMT Diaby  22'
Vela  75'		 Report  56' Collins
 85' Neill		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,109
Referee: Steve Bennett
8 February 2009 25 Tottenham Hotspur 0–0 Arsenal London
13:30 GMT Modrić  36' Report  17' Eboué
 43' Clichy		 Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 36,021
Referee: Mike Dean
21 February 2009 26 Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland London
15:00 GMT Nasri  39'
Clichy  71'		 Report  38' Richardson
 79' McCartney		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,104
Referee: Alan Wiley
28 February 2009 27 Arsenal 0–0 Fulham London
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,102
Referee: Peter Walton
3 March 2009 28 West Bromwich Albion 1–3 Arsenal West Bromwich
17:30 GMT Brunt  7'
Koren  35'
Brunt  43'
Méïté  66'
Donk  81'		 Report  4', 44' Bendtner
 38' Touré		 Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 26,244
Referee: Steve Tanner
14 March 2009 29 Arsenal 4–0 Blackburn Rovers London
15:00 GMT Ooijer  2' (o.g.)
Arshavin  65'
Eboué  87', 90+1' (pen.)		 Report  21' Diouf
 35' Mokoena
 38' Khizanishvili
 76' Ooijer		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,091
Referee: Phil Dowd
21 March 2009 30 Newcastle United 1–3 Arsenal Newcastle upon Tyne
17:30 GMT Martins  58' Report  52' Gallas
 57' Bendtner
 64' Diaby
 67' Nasri		 Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 49,972
Referee: Mark Halsey
4 April 2009 31 Arsenal 2–0 Manchester City London
15:00 BST Adebayor  8', 49'
Touré  36'		 Report  21' Dunne
 45' Zabaleta
 45+1' De Jong		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,097
Referee: Howard Webb
11 April 2009 32 Wigan Athletic 1–4 Arsenal Wigan, Greater Manchester
15:00 BST Mido  18'
Brown  71'
Boyce  86'
Bramble  87'		 Report  45+4' Gibbs
 62' Walcott
 71' Silvestre
 83' Van Persie
 88',  90+2' Song
 90' Arshavin		 Stadium: JJB Stadium
Attendance: 22,954
Referee: Alan Wiley
21 April 2009 33 Liverpool 4–4 Arsenal Liverpool
20:00 BST Torres  49', 72'
Benayoun  56', 90+3'		 Report  36', 67', 70', 90' Arshavin
 61' Sagna		 Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 44,424
Referee: Howard Webb
26 April 2009 34 Arsenal 2–0 Middlesbrough London
13:30 BST Fàbregas  26', 67' Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,089
Referee: Chris Foy
2 May 2009 35 Portsmouth 0–3 Arsenal Portsmouth
15:00 BST Campbell  43'
Kanu  65'
Pamarot  79'
Davis  81'		 Report  13', 41' (pen.) Bendtner
 21' Arshavin
 56' Vela		 Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 20,418
Referee: Lee Mason
10 May 2009 36 Arsenal 1–4 Chelsea London
16:00 BST Fàbregas  27'
Bendtner  70'		 Report  28' Alex
 39' Anelka
 49' (o.g.) Touré
 86' Malouda		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,075
Referee: Phil Dowd
16 May 2009 37 Manchester United 0–0 Arsenal Manchester
12:45 BST Report  33' Van Persie
 45+2' Arshavin
 46' Fàbregas
 79' Song		 Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 75,468
Referee: Mike Dean
24 May 2009 38 Arsenal 4–1 Stoke City London
16:00 BST Denílson  4'
Beattie  10' (o.g.)
Van Persie  16' (pen.), 41'
Diaby  18'		 Report  31' (pen.) Fuller Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,082
Referee: Martin Atkinson

UEFA Champions League
Main article: 2008–09 UEFA Champions League

Third qualifying round
Main article: 2008–09 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds § Third qualifying round
13 August 2008 First leg Twente 0–2 Arsenal Arnhem, Netherlands
19:45 BST Janssen  22' Report  54' Denílson
 63' Gallas
 67' Van Persie
 82' Adebayor		 Stadium: Gelredome
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)
27 August 2008 Second leg Arsenal 4–0
(6 – 0 agg.)		 Twente London, England
20:05 BST Nasri  27'
Gallas  52'
Walcott  66'
Clichy  77'
Bendtner  89'		 Report  25' Wielaert
 33' Braafheid
 40' Tioté		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,583
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)

Group stage
Main article: 2008–09 UEFA Champions League group stage § Group G
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Porto 6 4 0 2 9 8 +1 12 Advance to knockout phase
2 Arsenal 6 3 2 1 11 5 +6 11
3 Dynamo Kyiv 6 2 2 2 4 4 0 8 Transfer to UEFA Cup
4 Fenerbahçe 6 0 2 4 4 11 −7 2
Source: RSSSF
17 September 2008 1 Dynamo Kyiv 1–1 Arsenal Kyiv, Ukraine
20:45 CET Nesmachniy  57'
Bangoura  64' (pen.)  71'
Vukojević  82'
Diakhaté  90'		 Report  64' Sagna
 88' Gallas		 Stadium: Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium
Attendance: 16,800
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain)
30 September 2008 2 Arsenal 4–0 Porto London, England
19:45 BST Van Persie  31', 48'
Adebayor  40', 71' (pen.)
Clichy  75'		 Report  83' Costa Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,623
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)
21 October 2008 3 Fenerbahçe 2–5 Arsenal Istanbul, Turkey
20:45 CET Silvestre  19' (o.g.)
Şahin  29'
Lugano  48'
Güiza  78'
Şentürk  88'		 Report  10' Adebayor
 11' Walcott
 18',  49' Song
 22'  22' Diaby
 90+4' Ramsey		 Stadium: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
Attendance: 42,619
Referee: Peter Fröjdfeldt (Sweden)
5 November 2008 4 Arsenal 0–0 Fenerbahçe London, England
19:45 GMT Djourou  22'
Van Persie  75'		 Report  19' Şahin
 47' Lugano
 72' Vederson		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,003
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
25 November 2008 5 Arsenal 1–0 Dynamo Kyiv London, England
19:45 GMT Van Persie  34'
Bendtner  87',  87'		 Report  17' Milevskyi
 32' Asatiani
 50'  89' Aliyev		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,374
Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)
10 December 2008 6 Porto 2–0 Arsenal Porto, Portugal
20:45 CET Alves  39'
L. González  51'
López  54'		 Report  52' Eboué Stadium: Estádio do Dragão
Attendance: 37,602
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
Round of 16
24 February 2009 First leg Arsenal 1–0 Roma London, England
19:45 GMT Van Persie  37' (pen.)
Touré  46'
Nasri  65'		 Report  13' Mexès
 25' Brighi
 42' De Rossi		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,003
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)
11 March 2009 Second leg Roma 1–0 (a.e.t.)
(1 – 1 agg.)
(6 – 7 p)		 Arsenal Rome, Italy
20:45 CET Juan  9'
Pizarro  28'
Motta  88'		 Report  49' Diaby Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 62,383
Referee: Manuel Mejuto González (Spain)
Penalties
Pizarro
Vučinić
Baptista
Montella
Totti
Aquilani
Riise
Tonetto 		Eduardo
Van Persie
Walcott
Nasri
Denílson
Touré
Sagna
Diaby
Quarter-finals
7 April 2009 First leg Villarreal 1–1 Arsenal Villarreal, Spain
20:45 CET Senna  10' Report  39' Song
 45' Fàbregas
 66',  44'Adebayor
 88' Nasri		 Stadium: Estadio El Madrigal
Attendance: 21,577
Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø (Norway)
15 April 2009 Second leg Arsenal 3–0
(4 – 1 agg.)		 Villarreal London, England
19:45 BST Walcott  10'
Silvestre  30'
Adebayor  60'
Van Persie  69' (pen.)		 Report  51' Cani
 44'  67' Eguren		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,233
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Semi-finals
29 April 2009 First leg Manchester United 1–0 Arsenal Manchester, England
19:45 BST O'Shea  18'
Tevez  32'		 Report Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 74,733
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)
5 May 2009 Second leg Arsenal 1–3
(1 – 4 agg.)		 Manchester United London, England
19:45 BST Nasri  69'
Van Persie  76' (pen.)
Adebayor  81'
Eboué  86'		 Report  8' Park
 11', 61' Ronaldo
 74' Fletcher		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,867
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

FA Cup
Main article: 2008–09 FA Cup
3 January 2009 R3 Arsenal 3–1 Plymouth Argyle London
15:00 GMT Van Persie  47', 84'
Bendtner  49'  22'		 Report  45',  53' Duguid Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,424
Referee: Mike Jones
25 January 2009 R4 Cardiff City 0–0 Arsenal Cardiff
13:30 GMT Report  42' Eboué
 90' Van Persie		 Stadium: Ninian Park
Attendance: 20,079
Referee: Martin Atkinson
16 February 2009 R4 Replay Arsenal 4–0 Cardiff City London
19:45 GMT Eduardo  20', 60' (pen.)
Bendtner  34'
Gallas  50'
Van Persie  89'		 Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 57,237
Referee: Mark Halsey
8 March 2009 R5 Arsenal 3–0 Burnley London
13:30 GMT Vela  24'
Eduardo  51'
Eboué  84'		 Report  49' K. McDonald Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 57,454
Referee: Chris Foy
17 March 2009 R6 Arsenal 2–1 Hull City London
19:45 GMT Van Persie  74'
Gallas  22',  84'
Nasri  90+5'		 Report  12' Barmby
 46' Halmosi
 62' Myhill
 66' Dawson
 78' France
 79' Manucho		 Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 55,641
Referee: Mike Riley
18 April 2009 Semi-finals Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea London
17:15 BST Walcott  18'
Denílson  72'
Touré  87'		 Report  34' Malouda
 38' Ivanović
 43' Ballack
 84',  85' Drogba		 Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 88,103
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Football League Cup
Main article: 2008–09 Football League Cup
23 September 2008 Third round Arsenal 6–0 Sheffield United London
19:45 BST Bendtner  31', 42'
Vela  44', 49', 86'
Wilshere  57'		 Report  62' Halford Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 56,632
Referee: Phil Dowd
11 November 2008 Fourth round Arsenal 3–0 Wigan Athletic London
19:45 GMT Simpson  43', 68'
Ramsey  69'
Vela  71'		 Report Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 59,665
Referee: Steve Tanner
2 December 2008 Quarter-finals Burnley 2–0 Arsenal Burnley
19:45 GMT McDonald  6', 57' Report  46' Randall
 90' Mérida		 Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 19,045
Referee: Andre Marriner

Pre-season
19 July 2008 Friendly Barnet 1–2 Arsenal London
15:00 BST Gillet  16' Report Simpson  64'
Barazite  73'		 Stadium: Underhill Stadium
Attendance: 5,358
22 July 2008 Friendly Szombathelyi Haladás 1–1 Arsenal Szombathely, Hungary
18:30 CEST Kenesei  24' Report Walcott  42' Stadium: Rohonci Street Stadium
Attendance: 13,000
28 July 2008 Friendly Burgenland XI 2–10 Arsenal Burgenland, Austria
18:30 CEST Foric  73'
Martna  90'		 Report Wilshere  1', 65' (pen.)
Bendtner  14', 19', 30', 37'
Vela  25', 33', 52'
Walcott  69'		 Stadium: Ritzing
Attendance: 3,200
30 July 2008 Friendly VfB Stuttgart 1–3 Arsenal Stuttgart, Germany
20:15 CEST Baştürk  51' Report Vela  58'
Bendtner  65'
Wilshere  73'
Djourou 		Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena
2 August 2008 Emirates Cup Arsenal 0–1 Juventus London
16:15 BST Djourou Report Trezeguet  38'
Chiellini 		Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Peter Walton
3 August 2008 Emirates Cup Arsenal 1–0 Real Madrid London
16:15 BST Adebayor  49' (pen.)
Eboué 		Report Guti Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,081
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
6 August 2008 Friendly Huddersfield Town 1–2 Arsenal Huddersfield
19:00 BST Berrett  75' Report Watt  79'
Barazite  87'		 Stadium: Galpharm Stadium
Attendance: 19,044
8 August 2008 Amsterdam Tournament Ajax 2–3 Arsenal Amsterdam, Netherlands
21:15 CEST Suárez  34'
Huntelaar  36'
Gabri 		Report Adebayor  66', 83'
Bendtner  73'
Gallas
Fàbregas 		Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Eric Braamhaar
9 August 2008 Amsterdam Tournament Arsenal 1–1 Sevilla Amsterdam, Netherlands
19:00 CEST Vela  4'
Senderos
Randall 		Report Chevantón  79', Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Referee: Ruud Bossen

Last updated: 9 August
Source: Arsenal FC

See also

References
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