UEFA Champions League, Arsenal vs Partizan, first half report
Score Line: Arsenal 1, Partizan 0
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: P. Tagliavento
Arsenal line-up: Arsenal:Fabianski; Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Gibbs; Song, Denilson; Nasri, Van Persie, Arshavin; Chamakh. Subs: Wojscez, Rosicky, Vela, Walcott, Wilshere, Eboue, Bendtner.
Partizan: Stojkovic, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Moreira-c26795, Jovanovic, Savic, Lazevski, Krstajic, Ilic, Babovic. Subs: Ilic, Stankovic, Brasanac, Davidov, Kizito, Iliev, Smiljanic
The first half between Arsenal versus Partizan Belgrade at Emirates stadium ended in favour of the Gunners, as they led by one goal to nil.
Referee P. Tagliavento awarded the home side a penalty for a foul on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380, inside the box. The penalty was exceptionally taken by Persie to give the Gunners a much needed lead before half time.
Arsenal should have already been in the next round of UEFA Champions League after a one hundred percent record from their opening three games of Group H. However, two consecutive away losses put Arsenal in a do or die situation.
Arsene Wenger played a 4-4-2 formation after a long time and Robin Van Persie was given his first start of UEFA Champions League almost after a year. The home side started the game with more attacking intent, as they needed goals to qualify for the next round.
However, the visitors, who have not won a single game in this group, were certainly playing for pride. Without a doubt, Partizan looked more comfortable during the starting moments of the match.
Although, Arsenal enjoyed more time on the ball, the Gunners failed to produce their high flowing passing. Moreover, Arsenal’s in-form player, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 was well covered by the two Partizan defenders, who did not allow the Frenchman to create any trouble for their defence.
The first half chance for Arsenal came in the 12th minute when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148’s cross from the right flank was connected by Chamakh inside the box but the headed effort from the Moroccan international was easily saved by visitors goalkeeper. Moreover, just after Arsenal’s first attack, Keirran Gibbs sustained an ankle injury and went out of the pitch on a stretcher. However, he came back to play few minutes before he was substituted by Emmanuel Eboue on the left flank.
Then right on the half hour mark, Samir Nasri played Arsenal skipper a short pass inside the box, which was well taken by Robin van Persie. As Persie tried to dribble inside the box, he was fouled by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marko-Jovanovic-c24184 to give Arsenal the penalty kick. The Dutch striker slammed home his left footed penalty into the right corner of the net. Partizan goalie guessed the right way but he had no chance of saving that as the ball went past him so quickly.
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