Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal 2 Birmingham 1: Jack Wilshere sees straight red but Gunners' get title bid back on track
Arsenal got their Barclays Premier League campaign back on track with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Birmingham - but had Jack Wilshere sent off in stoppage time for a rash challenge.[LNB]The Blues took a shock lead through Nikola Zigic after 33 minutes as once again the Gunners - who had lost their past two league games before the international break - failed to make the most of early possession.[LNB]However, Samir Nasri levelled with a somewhat controversial penalty just before half-time, before Marouane Chamakh slotted home a well-taken effort two minutes after the restart which proved enough for all three points.[LNB]The win was soured late on, however, when England teenager Wilshere showed his immaturity with a reckless challenge on Zigic which earned him a straight red and a three-match ban.[LNB] Marching orders: Jack Wilshere is shown a straight red by referee Martin Atkinson after his late challenge on Nikola Zigic (floored)[LNB] [LNB]Defeat at Chelsea last time out hadleft Arsenal some seven points off the pace, and manager Arsene Wengerhad called on his team to produce a strong response from kick-off.[LNB]It was almost that as Chamakh wentclose after just four minutes following a neat one-two with Wilshere onthe edge of Birmingham's box, but Stephen Carr blocked his side-footeffort.[LNB]Arsenal suffered a shock 3-2 defeatagainst West Brom in their previous match here last month - and therewas more frustration for the home supporters during the firstquarter-of-an-hour following some resolute defending by Birmingham.[LNB]On 17 minutes, Sebastien Squillaciheaded in Samir Nasri's chipped free-kick from the right wing, but theoffside flag was quickly up.[LNB]Arsenal were presented anothergolden opportunity on 24 minutes when a soft back pass from formerArsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson in his own penalty area giftedGael Clichy a free shot at goal from 10 yards, but the full-backdragged his shot wide of the far post.[LNB] Despairing dive: Birmingham's Ben Foster is helpless as Marouane Chamakh rounds the keeper to put Arsenal 2-1 up[LNB]Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianskihad not really been troubled, but needed to be alert to collect aninadvertent backward header from Emmanuel Eboue, which was set for thetop corner, after a free-kick into the Arsenal box.[LNB]The Blues, however, continued tolook dangerous from set-pieces and it was no real surprise when thevisitors went ahead after 33 minutes.[LNB]A throw-in was fed back to KeithFahey, and his sweeping cross was met by Zigic, who got up above JohanDjourou to power a header back into the bottom corner for the Serbian'sfirst Premier League goal.[LNB]Birmingham almost snatched a secondwhen Roger Johnson knocked the ball back across the six-yard box, butFahey blazed over as he got in the way of Zigic.[LNB] [LNB] Level pegging: Samir Nasri makes no mistake from the spot after Chamakh was felled in the area[LNB]Arsenal were then handed a lifelinefive minutes before the break when Scott Dann clipped Chamakh'strailing leg and referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot.[LNB]Nasri made no mistake as he crashed in his fifth goal of the season.[LNB]The French winger, though, was soonin the referee's book for barging at Liam Ridgewell, although replayssuggested the card could easily have been red after leading with hisknee.[LNB]Tempers were boiling over ashalf-time approached, with Blues skipper Carr involved in a heatedexchange with the Arsenal bench and Chamakh looked to be on thereceiving end of an elbow from Johnson, but it went unpunished.[LNB]If there was a touch of controversyabout Chamakh's involvement in the equaliser, the Morocco strikerproduced the perfect response as he put Arsenal ahead just two minutesafter the restart.[LNB]Wilshere played the ball into theleft side of the penalty area, where Chamakh ghosted past Carr beforeholding off Dann as he rounded the goalkeeper to roll home his fifthgoal from a tight angle. Giant strides: 6ft 8in striker Nikola Zigic connects with Keith Fahey's cross to nod beyond Lucasz Fabianski[LNB]Arsenal soon settled into theirusual passing rhythm, as Birmingham suddenly found themselves chasingpossession for long spells, but were again guilty of taking too manytouches around the box when a more direct approach was required.[LNB]Wilshere did just that when charging into the left side of the penalty area before drilling an angled drive over.[LNB]Both substitute Tomas Rosicky andNasri tested Foster from distance while the introduction of Denmarkstriker Nicklas Bendtner for his first appearance of the season gaveArsenal a different option.[LNB]But it will be Wilshere's red cardwhich makes the headlines after he went in late on Zigic, and must nowserve a three-match ban.[LNB] Arsenal continue to keep tabs on Ipswich starlet striker WickhamBirmingham strengthen boardroom with Chinese business leaderPREMIER LEAGUE: How the afternoon's action unfoldedARSENAL FC
