Arsenal wanted a desperate point on a chilling night at Emirates stadium, in North London against Partizan. Gunners played fearlessly as their manager asked for, and with a 3-1 victory, they marched to the next stage.
Dutch star Robin Van Persie started in a line-up with Chamakh upfront with him. For the Serbian side Partizan, it was only 6 Serbian players in the starting line-up. Partizan was counting on Brazilian-born threatening striker Cleo, who is also a top home
league scorer in Serbia.
Arsenal started with their typical game plan, short passes and dominated the possession. Chamakh’s early scare for Partizan was a header over the bars.
Early in the first half, Kieren Gibbs who started left back was injured, and substituted by Eboue, who generally is a right back but covered the left flank well. Wenger informed, "Kieran Gibbs has a twisted ankle, an ankle sprain. I don't know how damaged
his ankle is - he will have a scan tomorrow. He is unbelievably unlucky."
Soon after, in 30th minute Arsenal won a penalty after smooth silky passing. Van Persie, with the armband, last scored in May, earned the penalty, took the penalty and scored. With his obvious left foot strong shot, to the left corner of the goal,
Arsenal were in 1-0 up.
Arsenal started the second half with crisp and precise passion, which was delightful to watch. Early in the second half, in-form French star Samir Nasri got a decent chance, which was powered over the bars. Nasri was playing where normally Cesc Fabregas
would play.
Soon after, Cleo got a lucky deflection of Arsenal defender, Squallaci, that left keeper no chance, as the ball passed over his raised arm. The score was levelled and ripples of tension crept in Arsenal camp. Arsenal manager later confessed, "I was never
really nervous - worried, yes, because in football you can never say that you don't worry when you are 1-1."
In 66th minute, Theo Walcott substituted Andrey Arshavin for his third appearance of the season. Walcott known for his pace started to trouble opposition straight away.
Just into 10 minutes of his play, with a superb chest control, he took a shoot which grossed him a beauty goal. On a very cold night, gunner’s fans were dancing and singing after Arsenal went into lead again. Wenger was relieved as well, as the team apparently
looked in a comfortable position.
Soon after the goal, Nicklas Bendtner replaced Marouane Chamakh in 75th minute. It was last substitution for Arsenal and 15 minutes of normal time was still remaining.
Right after the Walcott’s goal, and Bendtner’s inclusion, Samir Nasri gave a double shock to Partizan after scoring his first goal of the match. This goal was absolute delight to watch and ensured that Arsenal went through. It was typical Arsenal move, with
purposeful passing in the box, and hitting the target. Nasri has proved himself in this season that he deserved a French start in the world cup earlier this year.
For another French Gunner, Bacary Sagna the match ended 4 minutes before the normal time. Sagna got a late red card in the match, after he tipped Partizan player right on the cusp of the box. A step in would have earned the opposition a penalty.
With the red card, referee gave a free kick right on the box, and the curling shot was well saved by Lukasz Fabianski. With the blockage of this free kick, soon after the whistle was blown, Arsenal players were seen raising their arms in joy and embracing
team-mates, knowing that they have moved ahead in the League.
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