“Gunners” gloried to knockout stages of UEFA champions league
Arsenal wanted a desperate point on the chilling and freezing night, at Emirates stadium in North London, against Partizan. Gunners played fearlessly, as their manager had asked for and with a 3-1 victory, they march through the next stage. The Dutch star,
Robie Van Persie started in the line up, with Chamakh upfront with him. For the Serbian side Partizan, it was only six Serbian players in the starting line up. Partizan was counting on the Brazilian born, threatening striker Cleo, who is also a top home league
scorer in Serbia.
Arsenal started with their typical game plan, short silky passes and dominated the possession. Chamakh’s early scare for Partizan was a header over the bars. Early in the first half, Keiren Gibbs who started left back was injured and substituted by Eboue.
Eboue , who generally is a right back but covered the left flank well. Wenger informed, "Kieron 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 the 30th minute, Arsenal won a penalty, after smooth silky passing. Van Persie earned the penalty and scored. He fired a thunderous shot in to the left corner of the goal. Arsenal were in 1-0 lead.
Arsenal started the second half with crisp and precise passing, which was delightful to watch. Early in the second half, French star Samir Nasri got a decent chance, which was powered over the bars. Nasri was playing where normally Cesc Fabregas, seen in
crowd with fur jacket, would play. Soon after, Cleo got a lucky deflection of Arsenal defender, Squallaci.this left the keeper no chance, as the ball passed over his raised arm. The score was leveled and ripples of tension creeped in the Arsenal camp. Arsenal
manager 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 and this was his third appearance for the season. Walcott known for his pace, started to trouble the opposition ,straight away. Just into 10 minutes of his play, with a superb chest control,
he took a shoot which earned him a beauty goal. On a very cold night, Gunner’s fans were dancing and singing after this goal. Wenger was relieved as-well, as the team apparently looked in a comfy position. Soon after the goal, Nicklas Bendtner replaced Marouane
Chamakh ,in 75th minute. It was the 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. He scored his first goal of the match. This goal was an absolute delight to watch. this goal ensured that Arsenal is through. It was typical Arsenal
move, with purposeful passing in the box, and hitting the target. Nasri 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 four 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.
Tags: