Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations by coasting to a 4-0 victory over Austrian part-timers SC Neusiedl 1919.

English forwards Theo Walcott and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored before the break before substitutes Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Vela added second-half goals.

The Gunners are still yet to concede in their pre-season campaign so far.

Arsenal’s Starting XI

Almunia
Nordtveit – Djourou – Koscielny – Gibbs
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Emmanuel-Thomas – Arshavin

Samir Nasri had cleared a header off the line from the Austrian third tier outfit before Walcott opened the scoring after 28 minutes, blasting past home keeper Adolf Kaiser at the near post.

Thomas, looking to force his way into the Gunners’ 25-man Premier League squad, added a second two minutes later as he found the bottom corner following Kieran Gibbs’ cut back.

Arsene Wenger made seven changes at the interval and one of those was big money summer signing Chamakh who was tripped in the area just five minutes after coming on before getting up to calmly slot home the resulting penalty.

Vela made it four 14 minutes later as he lobbed the keeper after a neat through ball from Nasri, who along with Jack Wilshere, controlled the game in midfield.

SC Neusiedl were then awarded a penalty after a handball by Chamakh but Juray Skripec’s spot kick was poorly struck and saved by Vito Mannone diving to his left.

It means Arsenal have still yet to concede a goal in pre-season, having scored 11 in their three victories and they will now turn their attentions to the Emirates Cup this weekend with games against AC Milan and Celtic.

The only worry for Wenger was Johan Djourou, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, limping off in the first-half.

Highlights

A double from Samir Nasri and a goal from Henri Lansbury gave Arsenal acomfortable 3-0 win over Austrian side Sturm Graz at the UPC Arena.

French midfield maestro Nasri struck twice in the first half to put Arsenal in control before highly-rated youngster Henri Lansbury added a deserved gloss to the scoreline with a well-taken goal after the break.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger gave Marouane Chamakh his first start in Arsenal colours, the Moroccan having been introduced from the bench in the Gunners’ opening pre-season friendly against Barnet at the weekend.

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs

Fabianski
Nordtveit – Djourou – Vermaelen (c) – Traore
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

Subs: Szczesny (GK), Koscielny, Gibbs, Eastmond, Lansbury, Rosicky, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Fellow new signing Laurent Koscielny settled for a half-time introduction off the bench after having taken his bow in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Underhill, while the Gunners’ World Cup stars were given another night off, despite having joined up with the squad in Austria.

But it was Nasri who grabbed the attention of a decent-sized crowd at the ground formerly known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium with two first-half goals of some quality.

The Frenchman opened the scoring after 16 minutes, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the Sturm penalty area before taking a touch and firing low past goalkeeper Silvije Cavlina into the far corner.

He doubled the lead from a set-piece just before the break, getting the ball up and over the defensive wall to find the top corner with Cavlina nowhere near it.

At the other end, Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou enjoyed a relatively quiet half, although Imre Szabics did pose a latent danger, as Djourou nearly found out to his cost on 34 minutes. The former Hungary international played in Marvin Weinberger with a cute pass but Lukasz Fabianski was equal to his low drive.

Fabianski was replaced by fellow Pole Wojciech Szczesny as Wenger again rang the changes at the break. Having made 11 half-time substitutions at Barnet, he opted to make just seven this time, with Lansbury among the players entering the fray.

It took the 19-year-old just 12 minutes to make his mark on the game, after Jack Wilshere and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had combined to fashion a shooting chance. The midfielder showed remarkable poise as he waited for the keeper to make his move first and then finished coolly into the back of the net.

Three-nil up and the result was never in any doubt, although Sturm has passed up an opportunity to get back into the game just before Lansbury struck. Half-time substitute Mario Haas should have bulged the back of the net when a cross found him unmarked around the penalty spot but his effort was weak and easily dealt with by Szczesny.

Arsenal fashioned a number of other chances as they dominated the second half, notably for Lansbury, who tested the keeper from outside the box on 59 minutes, Tomas Rosicky from a similar position on 72 and then Koscielny with a header from a corner eight minutes later.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, another half-time replacement, put in an impressive 45 minutes and laid on two further chances as time ran out, but neither Armand Traore nor Theo Walcott could capitalise.

Next Up: Arsene Wenger’s men continue their preparations for the new campaign with a match against SC Neusiedl 1919 on Tuesday.

Highlights:

Arsenal strolled to a 4-0 win over fellow North Londoners Barnet in the Gunners’ traditional campaign curtain raiser at Underhill.

Fresh from his summer break, Andrey Arshavin opened the scoring after just 90 seconds before Jay Simpson added a brace to send Arsenal three goals to the good at the break.

Second-half substitute Samir Nasri completed the scoring in the 75th minute as the Gunners enjoyed a comfortable start to their preparations for the new Premier League season.

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs

Fabianski
Nordtveit – Koscielny – Vermaelen – Traore
Wilshere – Frimpong – Emmanuel-Thomas
Arshavin – Simpson – Rosicky

Subs: Szczesny, Mannone, Miquel, Djourou, Gibbs, Eastmond, Nasri, Henderson, Lansbury, Barazite, Walcott, Chamakh.

The Gunners looked capable of turning it on at will. When they did, they usually found a way through.

It took Arsenal just two minutes to take the lead, Andrey Arshavin skipping through the defence, playing a one-two with Tomas Rosicky, before rounding Cole with ease. It was almost embarrassingly easy.

Though Arsenal were without their World Cup stars, it was still an impressive starting 11 that the Bees faced up to.

Number two came on 16 minutes, Jack Wilshere teeing up Jay Simpson, who found the corner with a crisp shot from a central position.

Barnet’s first real effort came on 25 minutes, Glen Southam’s speculative drive finishing a couple of feet wide of the post.

But it was still the Gunners asking most of the questions and Arshavin almost found the net just before the break, his curling effort smacking against the home crossbar.

However, goal number three was not long in coming, Simpson tapping into an empty net on the stroke of half time after a fine move involving Arshavin and Wilshere.

Arsenal fielded a totally different side for the second half, with all of their subs replacing the starting 11.

One of those subs, Theo Walcott, almost struck instantly, Cole pulling off a fine fingertip save to deny him.

The Gunners had to wait until 15 minutes from time for their fourth.

Barnet sub Daniel Leach stepped on the ball and lost his footing, allowing Samir Nasri to steal in and tuck the ball past Cole.

Wigan scored three goals in the final ten minutes to come back from 2-0 down to beat Arsenal 3-2.

The Gunners appeared to be coasting to victory on the back of goals either side of half time from Theo Walcott and Mikael Silvestre, and with it hauling themselves to within three points of leaders Chelsea.

But after a run of eight defeats and a draw in the Premier League against Arsenal, Wigan added to their debut wins over Chelsea and Liverpool this season as Ben Watson, Titus Bramble and Charles N’Zogbia conjured an astonishing comeback — ending Arsenal’s slim title hopes in the process.

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs:

Fabianski
Sagna – Campbell – Silvestre – Clichy
Nasri – Eastmond – Diaby
Walcott – Bendtner – Rosicky

Subs: Mannone, Traore, Eboue, Merida, Henderson, Vela, Van Persie

Having bossed the first half at Wigan and missing several good chances, a slick through-ball from Bendtner freed Arsenal forward Theo Walcott in the inside right channel and the England speedster rode his luck to make his way goalwards and slip the ball past Kirkland.

Arsene Wenger’s side appeared to kill the match within three minutes of the restart as Mikael Silvestre planted home a Nasri corner for number two. But Wigan kept plugging away despite Arsenal have the majority of the play, and ten minutes from time they established a foothold in the game when former Crystal Palace duo Victor Moses and Ben Watson combined for the flame-haired midfielder to score.

Wigan threw the kitchen sink at Arsenal in the closing stages and, just like at Porto two months ago, Lukasz Fabianski was at fault for allowing the Latics to level as the Pole fumbled a corner and Titus Brambled gobbled up the opportunity with a simple header.

Then came Wigan’s unbelievable third to flatten Arsenal’s title challenge once again, as their reported Arsenal target and Player of the Season Charles N’Zogbia drifted from right to left across the Arsenal box before curling a beauty in off the far post for one of the most unlikely comebacks of the season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after the 3-2 defeat at Wigan:

“It is the most disappointing defeat of the season and the way we conceded, it was also the most disappointing. It is difficult to understand and accept, perhaps the players felt too much comfort but in football you must stay focused for 90 minutes and we were punished. We made mistakes and they took advantage, they were sharper in the final part of the game.”

Danny Rose hit a wonder-goal on his Premier League debut as Tottenham overcame Arsenal 2-1 in the North London derby at White Hart Lane.

Harry Redknapp handed the 19-year-old winger his first start in the league and his decision paid off when he hit a 30 yard volley past Manuel Almunia to give Spurs a half-time lead.

Wales youngster Gareth Bale made it 2-0 immediately after the break to stun Arsenal, but the introduction of Robin van Persie revived the Gunners with Nicklas Bendtner pulling a goal back late on.

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs

Almunia
Sagna – Campbell – Vermaelen – Clichy
Nasri – Denilson – Diaby
Eboue – Bendtner – Rosicky

Subs: Fabianski, Silvestre, Eastmond, Merida, Walcott, Eduardo, van Persie.

Victory would have taken Arsene Wenger’s side above Manchester United, however the defeat leaves them six points adrift of Chelsea and looks to have effectively ended their title dreams.

Arsenal began the game brightly and won an early corner from which Campbell had a fumbled effort cleared off the line by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

The home side took the lead after ten minutes though when Almunia’s punched clearance fell to Rose, who smashed a glorious 30 yard volley over the stranded Arsenal goalkeeper.

And Arsenal’s problems soon began to mount when Thomas Vermaelen was forced off with an injury and replaced by Mikael Silvestre.

Bendtner had a golden opportunity to level the scores when he was played through by Tomas Rosicky but his first touch was poor and he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Arsenal continued to dominate possesion, but they struggled to create with Tottenham’s midfield giving them little time and space.

And Spurs almost scored a second before half-time after a quick break put Luka Modric through on goal, only for Almunia to rush off his line and deny the Croatian.

The Arsenal goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Bale doubling the home sides lead immediately after the break though when Jermain Defoe picked out the Welshman who slid a cool finish inside the post.

Arsene Wenger introduced Theo Walcott in response but he had little joy down the right as Arsenal continued to struggle to get in behind the Tottenham defence.

Van Persie brought a cutting edge to Arsenal’s play in the final 20 minutes on his comeback from injury.

He was twice denied by Gomes but the Dutchman laid on a vital pass for Walcott to cross into the box where Bendtner was waiting to slide the ball into the goal and ensure a nervous finish for Spurs.

Tottenham managed to hold on though for their first victory over Arsenal in the league in 20 attempts.

A supreme individual display from Lionel Messi saw him net four goals as Barcelona came from behind to beat Arsenal 4-1 at the Nou Camp and progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Nicklas Bendtner had given Arsenal a surprise early lead, but after Messi had equalised two minutes later, he netted two more to complete his hat-trick before half-time.

Arsenal did well to halt the Spanish side’s dominance in the second half, but they could not prevent Messi capping the win with a fourth goal two minutes from time to set up a semi-final tie with Inter Milan.

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs

Almunia
Sagna – Silvestre – Vermaelen – Clichy
Nasri – Denilson – Diaby
Walcott – Bendtner – Rosicky

Subs: Fabianski, Campbell, Traore, Eastmond, Eboue, Merida, Eduardo.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger dealt with the absences of William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin by bringing in Mikael Silvestre, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott, while Barcelona boss Pepe Guardiola brought in Bojan for first-leg goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was injured before Barcelona’s weekend match.

The home side began the match on top, and instrumental playmaker Messi forced goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to force his fierce drive from the edge of the box past the post.

Arsenal were attempting to hit the Spanish side on the break without any success, and the Catalan club continued to dominate possession with Pedro Rodriguez and Messi both going close to opening the scoring.

However, a stunning break from Arsenal resulted in them taking a shock lead. Walcott was played clear of the Barcelona defence and although his unselfish pass across to Bendtner was weak, the Danish striker recovered from seeing his first shot saved to get up and tap in the rebound to put his side 3-2 up on aggregate.

That advantage was short-lived as Messi ensured Barcelona regained control of the tie. Silvestre saw his block from a Bojan effort fall straight to the Argentinean maestro, and he wasted no time in firing an unstoppable 20-yard shot into the top corner.

The equaliser enabled Barcelona to restore their early initiative and after Denilson was harshly cautioned for a coming-together with Messi, the forward recovering to dance around Silvestre in the penalty area before shooting into the side-netting from eight yards, but moments later, he put Barcelona ahead.

After Eric Abidal had seen his cross from the left blocked, Pedro produced a neat lay-off into the path of Messi, who calmly placed the ball past the advancing Almunia.

It was imperative that Arsenal did not fall further behind before half-time, but four minutes before the break, it was 3-1 as Messi completed his hat-trick. Seydou Keita headed the ball through to Messi and after sprinting through on goal, he scooped the ball over Almunia to net his seventh Champions League goal of the season and see Barcelona have one foot through to the semi-finals.

Second Half

The second half began with Barcelona again in control, with Messi inches from diverting a cross past Almunia, while Bojan sent a half-volley a yard wide of the post.

But after Arsenal had weathered that initial storm, they coped well with their opponent’s array of talent, and threatened more prominently in the attacking third without causing much concern for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

They finally created a decent opportunity midway through the half when Diaby escaped the offside trap to hit a fortuitous cross-field ball for the awaiting Tomas Rosicky, but the Czech midfielder blazed the ball over from 20 yards.

A goal for Arsenal would change the complexion of the game, but the Spanish champions nearly sealed the tie on 71 minutes when a quick free-kick found Pedro but after escaping the attentions of the Arsenal defence, he chipped the ball a couple of yards wide of the far post.

The Gunners were struggling to mount any type of sufficient pressure to make the final few minutes interesting, and Barcelona capitalised two minutes from minutes as Messi mesmerised the Arsenal defence and after seeing his initial effort saved by Almunia, he collected the rebound to fire under the Arsenal goalkeeper to cap a fine performance and set up a last four match with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Arsenal scored at the death against ten-men Wolves at the Emirates to cut the gap on league leaders Chelsea to three points.

The home side showed no signs of fatigue after their Champions League clash against Barcelona in midweek, with Theo Walcott picking up where he left off against the Spanish champions by running early proceedings against Wolves. The Arsenal winger was a constant thorn in Wolves’ side throughout the opening quarter of an hour, picking out Eduardo only for the striker to send an effort straight at Marcus Hahnemann, before playing in Bacary Sagna, who found his attempt similarly thwarted by the in-form Wolves keeper.

Arsenal started the second half looking like a team on a mission and Alex Song and Eduardo missed decent chances shortly after the break to put the home side ahead. Rosicky and Walcott once again found themselves creating the majority of the chances for Arsenal but Wolves continued to hang on in there and frustrate the London side.

Wolves’ task to keep an attack-minded Arsenal at bay was made even more difficult after 66 minutes, when Karl Henry picked up a red card for a lunge at Rosicky. A red card may have been a slightly harsh decision for what was a mistimed challenge but Arsenal made the most of their numerical advantage and continued to surge forward in numbers, with Rosicky forcing another decent save from Hahnemann just minutes after the sending off.

Wolves’ best chance of the game came from a corner, with the ball deflecting off the head of Sol Campbell and forcing Rosicky to clear off the line. As the game drew to a close, it seemed like Wolves were going to pick up the most unlikely point of the season at the Emirates, especially when Walcott missed a clear-cut chance from an injury time corner. However, in the final minute of the game, substitute Nicklas Bendtner made the most of an inch-perfect cross from Sagna, heading the ball past a helpless Hahnemann and sending the home fans into raptures.