Arsenal vs. Partizan Belgrade, recap and player ratings (part 1)
Arsenal travelled to Serbia last night to play against Serbian League winners, Partizan Belgrade for the second fixture of 2010 UEFA Champions League.
Gunners led Group H of UEFA Champions League after demolishing Portuguese league champions, Braga 6-0, on the inaugural day of fixtures while Partizan Belgrade lost 1-0 to Shaktar Donestk.
Moreover, Arsene Wenger’s fringe and inexperienced squad was without some key players. Cesc Fabregas was out of action because of a hamstring injury.
Thomas Vermaelen was also absent in that trip as he was suffering from an Achilles injury. Arsenal was even without their number one choice keeper Manuel Almunia, who sustained an elbow injury last weekend.
Along with these players, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby didn’t travel to Serbia but ‘The Professor’ could easily afford wholesale changes with such a robust squad of attacking talent.
Arsene Wenger’s team continued their unblemished UEFA Champions League winning run for this season with a scrappy, somewhat ugly win over Partizan Belgrade.
The victory comes as a flowing relief after Arsenal succumbed to a shock 3-2 loss at home to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays English Premier League last weekend.
Arsenal manager had half an eye on the upcoming clash with English Premier League title holders and fierce rivals Chelsea FC which prompted Arsene Wenger to rest several vital players.
It showed with the Gunners looking lacklustre early on as their goal was hounded by a slanted Partizan attack due to some lethargic defending.
Despite The Black-Whites early domination of possession, they failed to capitalize as the Gunners took an early lead in the fifteenth minute through the much maligned Arshavin, who worked extraordinarily with young attacking midfielder, Jack Wilshere
in and around the area.
Arsenal then started to find their rhythm with a number of chances created but was unable to take advantage thanks to both poor finishing and strong keeping from the former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, Vladimir Stojkovic.
Undoubtedly, it was a very impressive performance from Partizan goalkeeper as he singlehandedly put all efforts to enable his to stay in the clash.
However, Belgrade was then gifted a penalty after a half hour mark. Brazilian young star, Denilson had been adjudged with a handball, which replays proved conclusive. Partizan attacker Cleo calmly took the penalty and scored it to level the game.
But that would loom as the last real bright spark of the night for Partizan as towards and after the break, the Gunners continued to dominate with their flowing attack.
The Moroccan international, Marouane Chamakh, was then fouled inside the area at the fifty-fifth minute mark, which resulted in the offending player receiving a straight red.
Unluckily, Andrei Arshavin failed again to engrave his name on the score sheet as his weak effort was perfectly saved by Partizan’s goalkeeper. Fortunately, the extra man was a mouth watering prospect for the Gunners as they began to regain their feet.
A well worked move by the Gunners in the seventieth minute created a heading chance for the Moroccan international in front of the goal. Chamakh was expertly able to head his side for another goal despite the gallant efforts of Vladimir.
Twelve minutes later, the new Gunners defender, Sebastien Squillaci scored his first and the decisive goal with a neatly placed header from Samir Nasri’s corner.
The Serbians Kings did attempt to stage a late fight back, winning a second penalty but like Andrei, Partizan’s attacker was unable to capitalize. The deputy keeper of Gunners, Lukasz Fabianski made an impressive strong save.
The victory over the Serbian giants ensured Arsenal to stay on top of group H as well as to reinstate some much needed confidence ahead of the encounter with fierce London rivals Chelsea.
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