Search This Blog

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Arsenal ease through to Champions League knockout stages with 2-0 win

Arsenal eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over R. Standard de Liege that ensured the London side finished top of Group H.

First-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson set Arsenal on their way to a convincing success which confirmed the north London side qualified for the last 16 as winners of the section with one game still to play.

Arsenal were temporarily down to nine men in the 33rd minute after a nasty clash heads of heads between Gallas and Arshavin as they both went for a Fabregas cross, and the Russian playmaker was still off the pitch a couple of minutes later when Arsenal went in front.

Vermaelen launched a long ball forward from just inside the Arsenal half, defender Landry Mulemo slipped over and Nasri scooted through to steer the ball past Sinan Bolat.

Further chances promptly came Arsenal's way when Nasri dinked the ball through for Arshavin, who sent a rasping shot just wide, while Fabregas had no better luck with an angled effort that rolled just beyond the far post.

The pressure paid off in added time at the end of the first half, when Denilson collected the ball from Kieran Gibbs some 25 metres out and struck a dipping shot that flew over Bolat's flailing arms.

Full match report on the UEFA website - hopefully with goals video to follow.
(videos usually posted after midnight following the matchday)

No comments: