UEFA Champions League: Sporting Braga versus Arsenal - Half Time Report
Score line: Braga 0 Arsenal 0
Venue: Estádio AXA
Braga line-up: Braga: Felipe; Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Echiejile; Vandinho, Leandro Salino, Alan, Aguiar; Matheus, Lima. Subs: Artur Moraes, Mossoro, Madrid, Silvio, Hugo Viana, Anibal and Elton.
Arsenal: Fabianski; Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Gibbs; Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas; Bendtner. Subs: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Nasri, Vela, Song and Chamakh.
The first half of Braga versus Arsenal ended up as a goalless draw, as both sides failed to produce something extraordinary in front of the goal.
Although there were not many chances created by both sides as both teams’ defenders performed exceptionally well to keep clean sheets for their respective teams. Arsenal tried their level best to get a one goal thanks to Braga’s inspirational
keeper who kept visitors at bay.
It was quite an unfamiliar line-up of Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger decided to make seven changes from the last match. The skippers Cesc Fabregas started against the Portuguese Champions despite all speculation of him being dropped against
Braga. Moreover, Nicklas Bendtner started in place for Chamakh at the attack. Along with that, Theo Walcott also started on the right wing and Tomas Rosicky was also given his first start since September.
Kieran Gibbs took Clichy’s place at the left flank; who was dropped because of back injury. Emmanuel Eboue replaced Arsenal veteran right back Bacary Sagna.
The visitors started the first half on a positive node as their first attack on Braga’s goal came just after 2 minutes with Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky combining well in midfield to set up Nicklas Bendtner, who blazing out of box shot
was stopped exceptionally well by Braga keeper.
The first real chance from Sporting Braga came in the 20th minute as Braga’s talismanic forward, Lima, struck at goal on a volley from Matheus cross which Fabianski managed to block.
As the game wore on, the Gunners started to settle well in the game and the visitors began to create more chances in front of the goal.
Just five minutes after an half hour mark, Arsenal skipper played Theo Walcott through with a superb low cross but Braga keeper anticipated the ball and came on to make the interception.
Just a minute later, the home side managed to pull out another attack on Fabianski’s goal as Lima tried a long shot which went whiskers wide of the post.
Later in the dying stages of first half, Arsenal’s right back Emmanuel Eboue was shown a first yellow card of the match for his mistimed challenge on Alan.
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