Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal - UCL Match Report

An 86th-minute equaliser from Ivan Perisic denied Arsenal victory at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

For the majority of this Champions League Group F opener, Arsène Wenger’s side looked like taking all three points back to North London.

They soaked up significant pressure from the Bundesliga champions in the opening stages but fought their way back into the game and grabbed an all-important goal three minutes before the break when Robin van Persie lashed home.

After that, Arsenal defended deeply and doggedly while Dortmund were pretty but without penetration. Wenger, watching in the stands due to his UEFA ban, may have smiled at the irony of it all.

In the end, Perisic’s strike was not one of the home side’s more fluent moves, it was a speculative effort excuted with excellent technique. But it was perhaps the only way this organised, efficient Arsenal defence were going to be beaten this evening.

And, if Wenger’s men are disappointed with a point in arguably their toughest Group game, then it augurs well for the European adventure ahead.

Before kick-off, Wenger’s main decision had seen him opt for experience and guile over youth and power. Yossi Benayoun made his debut in the hole behind Van Persie when the manager could have pushed up Mikel Arteta and brought in Emmanuel Frimpong alongside Alex Song.

Like Gervinho, the Cameroonian was back after serving out his domestic suspension. Like many,Theo Walcott had thought he was banned after picking up a couple of yellow cards in the two legs against Udinese. However all disciplinary points were wiped clean for the group stages and the Englishman began on the right.

The BVB Stadion was a sight to behold as the teams kicked off. Normally 80,000 fans help to create one of European football’s most intense atmospheres. The capacity was reduced tonight as, for the Champions League, seats had to be installed to replace some of the terracing. However this was still an imposing arena in which the decibel level rarely deteriorated - even when the visitors were in front.

The opening quarter of the game was like the crowd - raucous and lively. In the fifth minute, Van Persie’s half-blocked shot fell to Gervinho. The Ivorian hooked an effort goalwards but Roman Weidenfeller blocked.

Immediately, Dortmund replied. Shinji Kagawa was denied by Laurent Koscielny on the edge of the area but his tackle only nudged the ball to Robert Lewandowski. With Bacary Sagna sprawling to recover, the Pole spotted Kevin Grosskreutz on the left. The 23-year-old had time to select a corner but hoisted his effort high over the bar. Wasteful.

Kagwaga went through and did likewise in the ninth minute. It was a clear chance but not as clear as the one Lewandowski spurned shortly afterwards.

Mario Gotze robbed Kieran Gibbs and his clever flick sent the Polish striker skipping across the area, past Wojciech Szczesny, to leave himself a shot from a narrowing angle. Fortunately he could only pick out the backtracking Sagna, who booted his effort off the line.

As at Udinese in the Play-off, this was an open game - perhaps too open given its magnitude. But Jurgen Klopp’s young side had won the German title last season with a bright, brave passing game. Like Arsenal, it was they only football they knew.

The hosts continued to hold the upper hand even when the game calmed down and Arsenal obtained a greater grip.

The visitors carved out a chance in the 33rd minute when Benayoun’s first-time ball freed Van Persie on the left. He went for his shot early and Weidenfeller touched the ball behind at his near post.

But Dortmund were still the more imposing presence with right-back Lukasz Piszczek looking to get forward at every opportunity. In the 38th minute, one of his centres saw Lewandowski head into the hands of Szczesny.

However, ,Dortmund pressure, Arsenal pace, was the recipe for a goal on the counter. Although speed of thought - not feet - was behind the visitors’ strike three minutes before the interval.

Van Persie slid in to push Sebastian Kehl’s weak pass to Walcott in the centre circle. The Dutchman then got up and sprinted forward in hope of a throughball. Walcott was on the same wavelength and Van Persie raced through before unleashing a venomous shot past Weidenfeller.

Dortmund pushed forward once more at the start of the second half however, before the hour, the only noteworthy effort was Kagawa’s blocked drive.

Naturally, Arsenal had been settled by the goal and were happy to let the home side play their game in non-threatening areas. They knew there was always a chance to counter.

That nearly worked in the 59th minute when Van Persie’s raking ball forward was controlled by Gervinho on the edge of the area with only the keeper to beat. However he stumbled at the crucial moment and Weidenfeller blocked his toe-poke.

The chance was the exception, not the rule. Dortmund were pushing back Arsenal but the visitors were digging in defensively this evening. Koscielny and Mertesacker were clearing the aerial danger and the excellent Song was winning possession on the floor.

The latter’s tackle on Gotze midway through the second half, with the young German in full flow and bearing down on goal, was exquisite.

In one way Arsenal were doing to Dortmund what had been done to them with regularity in the past - defending cleverly and allowing the opposition to play their passing football in front of them but, crucially, allowing nothing to go through them.

The one time the visitors were stretched going forward Piszczek raced onto Gotze’s pass and flashed a ball across the face of goal.

However they were nearly breached nine minutes from the whistle when Gotze’s corner fell to Subotic five yards. His shot thumped in to the grateful arms of Szczesny, a foot either side and it was all-square.

It seemed like Dortmund were spent and Arsenal would hold on. But it is just not going that way for Wenger’s men at the moment. Four minutes from time, Marcel Schmelzer’s free-kick was headed clear by Gibbs and Perisic swung his left foot at it. The ball flew into the top corner past the stranded Szczesny. Incredible.

In the final minute of normal time, the keeper made a crucial save from Lewandowski to preserve a point.

But Arsenal were worth at least that this evening.

Arsenal 1 - 0 Udinese - Match Report

Arsenal go to Udinese next week for the denouement of the Champions League Play-Off with a narrow but crucial 1-0 lead.

Theo Walcott’s fourth-minute strike decided a bright, pacy first leg at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Both sides had their chances in a match which, given its importance, was wide open. Despite losing a couple of defenders to injury, Arsenal’s backline remained resolute and secured a second successive clean-sheet.

And had Samir Handanovic not saved wonderfully from Walcott in the dying seconds, Arsenal may have stolen the tie.

However, as it stands, there is work to do in Northern Italy next Wednesday.

But by then Arsenal will have their captain back on the pitch and their manager back on the bench.

However, right now, their fate is in their hands. And really that is all you can ever ask for.

It may have been only the second competitive game of the season but it was one of the most important. Arsenal had been in the Champions League Group Stages every season since 1998-99.

It was one of Wenger’s proudest achievements but it was now expected.

This was the first game in the post-Fabregas era but the Barcelona effect was wider than that this evening.

Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Arsène Wenger were all suspended following the defeat at the Nou Camp in last season’s Knockout Round tie. Marouane Chamakh replaced the Dutchman up front meanwhile Walcott came in for Andrey Arshavin on the right. Tomas Rosicky recovered from his thigh problem to retain his place in central midfield.

This was Arsenal’s fifth appearance in the Qualifying stages and, in truth, the first four opponents had been easily dispatched. Despite losing their own star turn to Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez, Udinese were expected to be a different proposition.

And, despite suffering a nightmare start, they were.

In the fourth minute, Aaron Ramsey escaped down the right and whipped in a low ball to the near post where Walcott touched home.

The Englishman celebrated with a golf swing and certainly the early goal was like stroking your opening tee-shot straight down the fairway.

The rough would come a little later.

In the sixth minute, Walcott’s corner was nodded to the far post by Laurent Koscielny but Gervinho miscued from just a few yards out. The flying Thomas Vermaelen may well have drawn his attention.

At this point, Arsenal were bright, aggressive and looking for goals.

However, as we soon found out, so were Udinese.

In the 11th minute, Kwado Asamoah escaped on the right with the Arsenal defence stretched. Fortunately, Alex Song stuck out a leg to block the cross and smuggled away the danger.

Then Udinese won a free-kick on the left. It was 30 yards out but Antonio Di Natale tried his luck and, with Wojciech Szczesny beaten, rattled the bar.

There was a massive amount of money and pride resting on the next 180 minutes so you might have expected a tense, taught and perhaps negative affair. Not a bit of it.

The first 30 minutes were like the last 10 minutes of a blood-and-thunder FA Cup tie.

Udinese had to soak up pressure but were lightning on the counter with Asamoah their spearhead. On 26 minutes, Song was robbed on the edge of the visitors’ box and the Ghanaian sprinted almost 50 yards before seeing his shot beaten away by Szczesny. The rebound eventually found its way to Mauricio Isla on the edge of the box but Song, who had raced back to atone for his error, flew in to block.

The game lost some of it energy as we approached half-time. The only real opportunity came when Di Natale rippled the sidenetting.

Arsenal had to reshuffle at the break. Left-back Kieran Gibbs was forced off so Vermaelen moved out to the position he plays for Belgium. Johan Djourou came off the bench and into the centre-back position.

The Swiss defender’s first intervention was timely. He rushed in to deny Di Natale after Koscielny had given the ball away.

However minutes later Djourou had to limp off and 19-year-old Carl Jenkinson made his debut as a makeshift left back. It was his first competitive game since March 19 when Charlton had visited Dagenham and Redbridge.

It was a tough baptism for the Finnish Under-21 international and he learnt an early lesson when Isla forced his way past and fired a dangerous drive just beyond the far post.

Midway through the half Pablo Armero found space on the left and fired inches over the bar from distance.

Udinese had now taken control of the game. Their football was insistent and Arsenal were on the backfoot, defending at times with any part of the body they had available.

That did mean Arsenal had opportunities on the break. In the 69th minute, Ramsey’s pass split the Udinese defence and sent Walcott clear.

The Englishman tried to open his body to steer a shot in to the far corner. Unfortunately he scuffed his effort.

Szczesny threw himself to his left to bat away another free-kick from Di Natale. Giampiero Pinzi then rattled a stanchion.

But the best late chance fell to Arsenal. At the start of injury time, Gervinho slipped a clever ball to Walcott on the left of the area. The striker hit it first time but Handanovic fingertipped the ball past the post. A stunning - and vital - save.

Armero flashed a shot just over at the death but Arsenal had their goal and, just as importantly, their clean-sheet.

The advantage is a narrow one but it is significant.

** Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou suffered minor hamstring problems during the game and could miss Saturday's Premier League fixture with Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger: Referee killed Arsenal's game against Barcelona by sending off Robin van Persie

Arsene Wenger has claimed that even UEFA officials he spoke to were “shocked” by Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s red card against Barcelona.

In a strong attack on referee Massimo Busacca's handling of the match’s pivotal moment, Wenger accused the official of “killing” the tie - which stood at 1-1 on the night, 3-2 in Arsenal's favour on aggregate at the time - for dismissing van Persie in the second half.

The Dutchman received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away only a second after Busacca blew his whistle, which the Frenchman believes was an “embarrassment” for the sport and ruined the game as a spectacle for neutrals and football lovers.

“How can you kill a football game like that?” said Wenger in his post-match press conference. “Two kinds of people can be unhappy. Those who love Arsenal and those who love football. It is very difficult to understand his [Busacca’s] attitude.

“Anyone who has played football at a certain level, you can’t understand how this decision can be taken at this level. It is impossible. It ruined a promising and fantastic football match. What for? If it is for a bad tackle, fair enough.

“Frankly, it is embarrassing if you love the game. I just spoke to Uefa people and they are shocked as well. If you are neutral you will never understand a decision like that.

“We lost against a very good Barcelona side. Congratulations to them and good luck to them in the future. We have many regrets tonight because we didn’t like to lose the game like that.”

At that point, Arsenal had just scored the equaliser through an own goal from Sergio Busquets but a Lionel Messi double and a Xavi strike gave Barcelona a 3-1 win on the night and a 4-3 advantage over the two legs.

Wenger admitted he had confronted Busacca afterwards but did not hear what he wanted.
With a heavy dose of sarcasm, the Frenchman said: “He was receptive, not necessarily to my view. He must think that he made the right decision.

“I feel Barcelona is good enough to win in a normal way against anybody. We want to be given the chance to play a normal game here.

“I felt that Barcelona gave a lot in the first half. We were completely dominated, I agree with that. In the second half there was more balance and overall I was convinced we would have won this game.”

Wenger also had to endure the agony of seeing his hugely promising goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny leave the field early on after injuring his finger saving a shot from Dani Alves.

“He has a dislocated finger,” said the Arsenal manager. “We have to check the injury. I don’t know yet how long he will be out.”

Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal - Match Report

 

Arsenal are out of the Champions League.

The challenge came unstuck once again at Barcelona and once again at the feet of Lionel Messi.

The Argentinean maestro opened the scoring in first-half injury time and fired home the tie-clinching penalty in the 71st minute.

Inbetween those goals, Arsenal equalised when Sergio Busquets nodded into his own net and were then reduced to 10 men when Robin van Persie received a second yellow card for playing on after the referee has blown.

It was a highly controversial dismissal and it made the difference on the night. Xavi Hernandez levelled the tie soon afterwards and, a couple of minutes later, Messi’s penalty clinched qualification for the Spanish champions.

The statistics will support this result. Barcelona had two-thirds of the possession, far more shots, more corners, more everything. But that was always likely to happen.

Arsenal knew they had to perform wonderfully well to knockout the tournament favourites and have the key moments go their way.

Neither happened this evening but they pushed Barcelona harder than they had 12 months ago when Messi had scored all four goals in a tie that was dead at half-time.

This is disappointing but, yet again, Arsenal suggested they are stronger than last season.

And while this door has closed, their season is still alive.

The fitness of Van Persie had not even been mentioned by Wenger when he spoke to the media on Monday morning. It was ‘a given’ he was out with the knee injury sustained in the Carling Cup Final.

A few hours later he was on the plane to Spain.

On Tuesday evening he started up front.

Cesc Fabregas returned from the hamstring injury he collected against Stoke a fortnight ago to captain the side. Abou Diaby was chosen to fill the role left by the absence of Alex Song (knee).

Arsenal held that slender lead from the home game. But Barcelona had an away goal, an array of world-renowned talent and the backing of a noisy Nou Camp.

An injury-hit Arsenal had perished here last season after a Messi masterclass.

They were odds-on to go out again but this vintage seemed a little stronger than 09/10. However, this was the ultimate test.

The opening stages were cagey. Laurent Koscielny blocked Pedro as he prepared to shoot and held off Messi after he pounced on a misplaced pass from Johan Djourou.

The ball bounced out to David Villa but Jack Wilshere slid in to scoop away his low cross.

It was hardly pressure. But, as we approached the quarter-hour, Barcelona were taking control.

Arsenal had done little attacking while the home side were starting to chip away at the visiting defence.

In the 16th minute, Koscielny hauled down Pedro and was booked. Daniel Alves hammered the free-kick goalwards and Wojciech Szczesny gathered.

The Polish keeper immediately threw the ball out and called from treatment for what appeared to be a hand injury. He could not carry on and Manuel Almunia replaced him.

Now, the game was being played in the Arsenal half and that was no good at all for the long-term health of that one-goal lead.

It was no surprise that the chances started to flow.

Fabregas gave the ball away in midfield, Messi darted through but was dispossessed and Pedro curled an effort wide.

Just past the half-hour, Messi weaved beyond Djourou, Koscielny and Gael Clichy only for the Swiss defender to recover and hack the ball away as he looked set to score.

This was nothing more than we had expected. Barcelona were always going to have most of the ball and Arsenal were going to have to grab what they could on the break.

But it was still a strain.

Villa escaped from Djourou and slid a lame shot towards Almunia but, in the 35th minute, left back Adriano reached the byline and, from the tightest of angles, thumped a shot against the outside of the near post.

This had been billed as a battle between the best two footballing sides in the world but there was an edge to it too. Arsenal picked up all four bookings but there were guilty parties on both sides.

It had been a half of hard work for Wenger’s men. One in which the statistics showed they had enjoyed just 30 per cent of the possession.

However, it seemed that they had got through unscathed.

Then, three minutes into injury time, Messi struck.

Fabregas gave the ball away just outside the area. Andreas Iniesta collected and fed the Argentinean 12 yards out on the right of the area. He controlled it with one touch, flicked it up with another and managed to retain sufficient balance to hook it home with a third.

It was a wonderful finish but a body blow for Arsenal.

The visitors did not seem to have shaken the late goal from their system in the opening stages of the second half.

The game began, as it had ended, with Barcelona entrenched in the Arsenal half looking for openings.

However, Wenger had talked about the importance of belief pre-game. And it was that which grabbed a goal eight minutes in the second half.

Surrounded by three Barcelona players, Nasri won a corner on the left. Van Persie took it and, although Diaby went for it, the ball went into the net off the head of Busquets.

For perhaps the first time tonight, the Nou Camp was quiet. Except, of course, for a pocket of Arsenal fans right at the top of the stadium.

The tie was back in Arsenal’s hands.

But, after Villa’s stumbling shot was blocked, the pendulum swung back towards Barcelona.

Van Persie played on after the whistle had blown and took a shot on goal. Referee Massimo Busacca deemed it to be kicking the ball away and, effectively, time wasting.

He brandished a yellow card, the second of the night for the Dutchman, and he was off.

Villa went close again and Alves fired over. The red card had put the bit between Barcelona’s teeth. They had re-doubled their efforts and were asking serious questions of the Arsenal defence.

In the 66th minute, Messi sent Villa through but Almunia blocked well with his body.

But Barcelona had worked up a head of steam once more and that pressure would bring two goals in the three minutes. It was double damage from which Arsenal would not recover.

In the 69th minute, Iniesta sent Xavi through and he tucked away a shot past Almunia.

Shortly afterwards, Koscielny tripped Pedro and Messi scored from the spot.

Wenger brought on Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin in search of a goal. But Barcelona still looked the more likely to score.

Almunia blocked once from Messi and twice from Ibrahim Afellay. Then with five minutes left, Alves went clear but somehow stuck a shot past the far post.

There was a sniff of a chance for Arsenal late on when Wilshere, their stand-out player on the night, fed Bendtner in the area. But the stretching Dane could not quite convert and keeper Victor Valdes smothered the ball.

It was a half-chance, a stolen moment but typical of the ones Arsenal needed to convert in order to qualify.

The whistle blew shortly afterwards.

Arsenal were out but with more honour than last season.

Wenger - Defence will be key in Nou Camp

Arsène Wenger knows that Arsenal will need a flawless defensive display to fend off Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Frenchman takes his team to the Nou Camp this week for the decisive leg of a Champions League last-16 tie that his side leads 2-1 after a thrilling victory at Emirates Stadium last month.

Arsenal lost 4-1 in Barcelona last season to succumb 6-3 on aggregate in the Quarter-Finals but, on that occasion, Wenger was without two centre backs plus his strongest defensive midfielder, Alex Song.

Thomas Vermaelen will not be fit in time for Tuesday but Wenger should have more options this time and he thinks it could make the difference. Not that Arsenal will look to sit on their slender advantage.
"It will be very important for us to defend well because when you go to the most effective attacking team in the world, you want to have your best defenders available," he said.
"We will look to defend well and attack well. We are not a team that will refuse to attack, we know that.

"The challenge will be to find the right balance between having a team who can defend, as well as one that has a good opportunity, every time it has the ball, to go forward."

Wilshere - Beat Barca and we can win it

Jack Wilshere will leave for Barcelona on Monday afternoon confident that Arsenal can not only reach the Champions League Quarter-Finals but also win the tournament.

The 19-year-old midfielder has shaken off the bruises from Saturday’s draw against Sunderland is expected to start at the Nou Camp. Wilshere outshone some of his most illustrious Barca opponents when Arsenal won 2-1 against Barca three weeks ago. He is confident his side can complete the job against the Spanish champions.

"We know we can beat Barcelona,” said Wilshere. “We did that at the Emirates. If we beat them again we know we have a good chance of winning the tournament.

"We will go there with confidence but realise we have to defend well and hit them on the counter-attack.

"If we get a goal, they will have to come at us but we can win there.

"We do not want to go to Barcelona looking for a draw. It will be an open game and we will create chances. We are looking to score and then see what happens.

"We have shown we have the character to come back from a goal down against the best team in the world and are going there with a massive amount of confidence.

"Hopefully, we will have Cesc Fabregas back. Cesc is massive. He is our captain, our leader and great on the pitch.

"They have a couple of players out. But we know they have got great players in Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, so we will have to defend well."

Fabregas '90 per cent' for Barcelona tie

Cesc Fabregas is expected to pass a final fitness test on Monday morning and board the plane bound for Barcelona later the same day.

The Arsenal captain has been out with a hamstring injury since the 1-0 win over Stoke 13 days ago. Speaking before training on Monday, Wenger confirmed that Fabregas would be fit for the Champions League Knockout Round second leg if, as expected, he comes through a late examination.

Elsewhere there is mixed news. Jack Wilshere is fit after suffering a slight ankle injury against Sunderland but Alex Song (knee) is out.

“Fabregas will have a final test today,” said Wenger at his Monday morning briefing. “It is 90 per cent he will travel and be fit. It is vital for us because he is important in the transition between attacking and defending. He is also the leader of the team so we want him there.

“Alex Song  is completely out. He had a test on Sunday morning and it was negative. Wilshere will be fit.

“Everybody else who played on Saturday should be available.”

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas hopes to return in time for the Champions League second leg against Barcelona

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas remains hopeful of being able to play a part for his side, when they take on Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League tie between the two sides.

The Spaniard fell prey to a hamstring injury during the game against Stoke City last month, which saw the 23-year-old having to sit out the Gunners defeat to Birmingham City in the final of the League Cup.

The north London outfit's boss Arsene Wenger has already ruled out the midfielder for the game against Sunderland on Saturday, but the World Cup winning footballers appears to have other plans - which in turn would see him regain fitness ahead of the clash against Barca.

"I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain," Fabregas said, according to the Daily Mail.

"We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday.

"We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off [against Stoke]. I know when I can play. We have many games coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days."

We have beaten ‘the best side in football history’ - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas hails win over Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas believes that Arsenal have beaten the greatest team in the history of football, following their 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium.

The two sides met in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night, and the Gunners went behind to a David Villa goal in the first half before sensationally coming from behind to snatch a victory.

Robin van Persie scored from a tight angle after 78 minutes to put the game back on level terms, while substitute Andrey Arshavin - who had come on for Alex Song - scored the winner five minutes later.

And despite the victory, the 23-year-old midfielder is keeping his feet on the ground, insisting that the tie is not over yet.

"They don’t lose many games," Fabregas said, according to The Mirror.

"They are the best side in football history, in my opinion.

"But we have only played half of this tie. It’s a nice compliment to us, but that’s all. We have closed the gap on them from last year. We are one year older, we have less injured players."

Arsenal 2 - 1 Barcelona - Match Report

You must beat the best to be the best - and Arsenal are right on course.

Two goals within five minutes deep into the second half of this exhilarating Champions League encounter turned the tide towards Arsène Wenger's side on Wednesday night.

Barcelona were brilliant in the first half. David Villa prodded them in front and throughout the 45 minutes they wove a wonderful tapestry of passes. As in the Quarter-Final first leg 12 months ago, Arsenal looked lost.

Little really changed in the second half until, 12 minutes from time, Robin van Persie crashed home a cross-shot from an incredible angle. In the 83rd minute, Samir Nasri set up substitute Andrey Arshavin to slot home the winner.

It was a stunning comeback and almost certainly Arsenal’s greatest victory at Emirates Stadium.

Remember Barcelona's record-breaking run of 16 straight wins in Liga had only ended at the weekend. And this was only their second meaningful defeat of the season. Barcelona were reputed to be the best team in the world and they were bang in form.

Wenger’s men still have a mammoth task on their hands at the Nou Camp in three weeks time. But they now know they can battle with the best and win.

If they can complete the job in Barcelona, then who knows what they can do.

All eyes were on Arsenal’s No 8 pre-match. When the team-sheets came out Samir Nasri was listed in the team and not on the bench. It was his first appearance since limping off with a hamstring injury against Huddersfield on January 30.

The only other change was enforced. Bacary Sagna was suspended after his dismissal in the final minute of the final group game back in December. Emmanuel Eboue took up the right back role.

Emirates Stadium was a sea of flags as the two teams came out. The Club had put one on every seat and, as usual, the crowd responded wonderfully.

Arsenal may have played Barcelona in last season’s Quarter-Final but the novelty, nor the excitement, had worn off.

This was simply massive.

The early moments were more frantic than finessed. Everyone expected a reprise of that toe-to-toe slugfest last season – except this time the hope was that Arsenal would not take all the early punches squarely on the chin.

And they did not. In fact, they bossed the opening 10 minutes.

Theo Walcott was the spearhead. He sprinted through the midfield in the fourth minute before trying to set up Van Persie on the right of the area. The Dutchman was wrongly called offside.

Then the winger cut in from the right and a Fabregas chip found Van Persie momentarily free at the far post. The Dutchman hooked his shot goalward but Victor Valdes blocked.

Barcelona had been quiet until now. But having dampened Arsenal’s early spark they started to press and hold a higher defensive line.

It soon produced a clear chance. In the 15th minute, Lionel Messi was released by Villa to go one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny. The little maestro clipped his shot past the keeper but it drifted inches past the far post.

The chance was a reminder of Barcelona’s quicksilver capabilities – like anyone needed one.

By now the visitors had snatched control. Villa whipped in a dangerous cross from the right, Messi chipped a shot into the hands of Szczesny. Arsenal were giving the ball away and struggling to hold them off.

The home side needed a release – and, in the 25th minute, Walcott found them one.

After a Barcelona attack broke down, he sprinted clear and, with the visitors stretched, found Fabregas on the right of the area. His cross seemed destined for the head of the unmarked Van Persie at the far post only for Eric Abidal to nod the ball clear at the last second.

It was Arsenal’s best chance but it did not stem the tide. Quite the opposite in fact.

In the 26th minute, Messi scuttled past Alex Song in midfield and split the Arsenal defence to release Villa. The striker tucked away a simple shot through the keeper’s legs.

Arsenal had been picked apart.

The striker nearly grabbed an immediate second when Daniel Alves found him at the near post. Somehow Arsenal smuggled the ball away.

But Barcelona’s high line did leave them liable to the counter-attack when, on the rare occasion, they lost the ball. There was one example on the half-hour when Jack Wilshere, Arsenal’s best player on the night, strode forward to set up Van Persie. The Dutchman slashed his shot wide.

However these were snatched opportunities. Barcelona were bullying Arsenal with their passing, pressing and movement.

Seven minutes from the whistle, Messi bundled home a close-range header from Pedro’s pass. Thankfully he was flagged offside.

At half-time, there was a strange comparison to make with last season’s game.
Arsenal had been more over-run 12 months ago but this time they were trailing and, on the balance of play, it might have been worse.

Wenger clearly roused his side at the interval because they were better immediately after the restart. Wilshere had an effort saved by Valdes and Van Persie fired over. Territorially Arsenal were on top but they were not creating too much.

This time, it was Barcelona who were playing on the break. In the 56th minute, Pedro went clear and tumbled under the challenge of Koscielny. If it was a penalty then it was a red card too and, probably, game over.

Replays fully justified the referee’s decision to wave play on. Like Wilshere, the Frenchman had an immaculate night.

Nasri’s low cross towards Van Persie at the near post was slid away from danger at the last second.

However, we reached the midway point of the second half, Barcelona were once again turning the screw. Messi danced through only to see his shot blocked. Eboue returned the ball immediately to Andreas Iniesta who slid the Argentinean into space on the left of the area. He could only find the sidenetting.

In the 68th minute, Wenger withdrew Song for Arshavin. It was an attacking move but the Cameroonian had been on a knife-edge since receiving a yellow card in the first five minutes and Arsenal were struggling with 11 men let alone 10.

Nicklas Bendtner came on for Walcott 10 minutes later.

The game seemed to be drifting to its conclusion now. Barcelona were happy enough with 1-0 and Arsenal were struggling create anything close to a clear-cut chance.

Then lightning struck.

Gael Clichy clipped a nonchalant ball to Van Persie on the left-hand byline. The angle was impossibly acute and Gerard Pique was on patrol. However Vales had drifted away from his post and the Dutcman let fly. The ball kissed the near post and flew just inside the far. Stunning.

Like last year, an Arsenal goal suddenly belittled Barcelona. The home side flew into their task and, five minutes later, lighting struck again.

Nasri flew down the right and, with Barcelona undermanned, he showed sufficient poise to settle himself and pick out Arshavin at the far post.

Cool as you like, the Russian found the far corner.

Bendtner saw an angled shot batted away by Valdes. Szczesny saved similarly from Pedro at the other end.

The home held their nerve for a famous win. Barcelona were the more beautiful side on the night but Arsenal had the victory.

This was a turnaround in every sense.

Roll on the return leg.

No complaints, Arsenal in ideal condition

Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal are in ‘ideal condition’ to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Last season, the Frenchman had a number of injury worries going into the Champions League Quarter-Final first leg against the Spanish champions. Two of those, Andrey Arshavin and William Gallas, started the game but had gone off injured by the start of the second half. They missed the return rubber, along with Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song, and Arsenal were subsequently knocked out 6-3 on aggregate.

This year, however, the London side are in a different position. The treatment table is relatively clear, with Samir Nasri even set to return for Wednesday’s Knockout Round first leg tie at Emirates. Meanwhile confidence is high as Wenger’s men continue to gun for four trophies.

“The only thing I can say is we are in an ideal condition to face them,” said the Frenchman. “We cannot complain. We have the belief, the confidence and the players available. We are 90 per cent in February and that was not the case last year. I feel we are in an ideal position to face them.”

But despite being well-beaten over the two legs last season, Wenger baulked at the word ‘revenge’ in his pre-match press conference

“We just want to show how good we are,” he said. “We want to show the belief we have in our game, in our quality, more than looking at the past.

“We have practiced. We are determined, focused and we want to win this competition. We know we face the super-favourites of this competition but the only way to do it is to knock them out."

Nasri back in the squad, Rosicky returns too

Samir Nasri is in the Arsenal squad for the Champions League tie with Barcelona on Wednesday - but he may not start.

The French midfielder has been missing since injuring his hamstring against Huddersfield a fortnight ago. He is back quicker than expected and trained on Tuesday afternoon. However, after the session, Arsène Wenger was still cautious about re-introducing one of his most influential players this season.

“Samir is in the squad,” said the manager. “But the starting line-up will be decided tomorrow.

"He's recovered quicker than expected. I said it will be 21 days but it will be only 17 days. Everybody's absolutely adamant that he's completely medically available. It's down to me to make the decision.

"I will take no medical risk but it's good to have him in the squad.”

Elsewhere, Wenger has one midfielder out and one back.

“Rosicky is available,” said the Frenchman. “He's in the squad. But there's no Diaby. He has a calf problem. He did it with the French national squad against Brazil.”

Bacary Sagna is suspended after his sending off in Arsenal’s final Group H game against Partizan Belgrade. Emmanuel Eboue is expected to deputise at right back.

Arsenal's Abou Diaby: I would like to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has confessed that he would like to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona at a later stage in his career.

The French star was speaking to Don Balon about the prospect of facing Barcelona in next week’s Champions League last 16 tie, and said that he would eventually like to compete for a place at one of Spain’s big two.

He stated: “At some point I would like to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid, but I would prefer to play for Barca, because I prefer their style.”

Diaby also stated, however, that he is desperate to exact revenge on the Camp Nou giants for last year’s quarter-final defeat.

He continued: “We played them last season, and we found them at their highest degree of effectiveness, both individually and collectively. This year will be the same, so we know what to expect. Barca are a great team, and this year they are very strong.”

Finally, he understandably pinpointed Lionel Messi as the Spanish champions main man, but insisted that Arsenal could not afford to focus solely on him.

He concluded: “Messi is the best in the world. We all know that the Argentine is a great player who can make the difference at any time, but we cannot focus only on him.”

The 24-year-old midfielder last year revealed his hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or, while last week Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira hinted that he could follow in his footsteps and lead the London club and his country to glory.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Partizan Belgrade - Match Report

Arsenal took their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 11th straight season thanks to a 3-1 win over Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday.

Arsène Wenger’s side only needed a win to secure safe passage but it turned out to be a rather nervous night against the bottom side in Group H.

In fact, they could only breathe easily when Samir Nasri fired home the third 13 minutes from time.

Robin van Persie gave Arsenal the lead on the half-hour from the penalty spot but they failed to kick-on from there. Cleo’s 52nd-minute equaliser was hardly on the cards but it was always a danger.

Theo Walcott came off the bench to fire the home side back into the lead in the 73rd minute.

After Nasri’s goal, Arsenal should have cruised home but this was a not a fluent night at Emirates.

In the final stages, Bacary Sagna was sent off for a last-man foul on Aleksandar Lazevski.

Shakthar's win against Braga mean they have won Group H. That could present Arsenal with a problem in the draw on December 17.

But this was a night when Wenger’s side simply had to get through.

And they did.

The manager made three changes from the side that had squeezed past Fulham on Saturday. The most noteworthy was Van Persie, who came straight in as captain. It was only the Dutchman’s third start of the season and, interestingly, he operated ‘in the hole’ behind Marouane Chamakh.

Elsewhere, Denilson replaced Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs came in for Gael Clichy who had gone down with sickness.

It was mighty cold at Emirates Stadium this evening. Much had changed – including the season – since Arsenal had hit 11 goals in those massive wins over Shakhtar and Braga.

Defeats in the corresponding away games had left them needing to match the result of the Portuguese team in Ukraine to qualify. Braga were unlikely to win and Arsenal seemed a shoo-in against a side that were trying to avoid becoming only the 11th team to achieve zero points in a Champions League group.

It should have been straightforward for Arsenal but there was the potential of a nerve-jangling night.

And the first half-hour did not go to plan.

Although the home side were on top territorially, they created little. The closest they came was when Nasri tried to feed Van Persie at the near post.

Meanwhile the pacy Cleo was sitting on the shoulders of the Arsenal centre backs chasing long balls over the top and waiting for a mistake.

Then, in the 14th minute Gibbs turned his ankle in midfield. He tried to soldier on but only lasted 10 minutes. Emmanuel Eboue came on. But the right-sided defender was covering at left back and the move did nothing for Arsenal’s balance.

However, on the half-hour, Arsenal were thrown a bone.

Alex Song flicked Van Persie into space in the area and a rash challenge from Marko Jovanovic brought him down.

The Dutchman fired home from the spot. It was his first goal since the last game of last season.

Naturally the goal was a lift. Eboue’s quick feet took him past two defenders on the left and his probing cross was hacked over his own bar by Mladen Krstajic.

But they could not continue in that vein. Arsenal’s first 45 minutes this evening had been edgy and disjointed.

The opening minutes of the second half were better. Keeper Vladimir Stojkovic denied Chamakh and then Denilson's cross was deflected to Nasri, who thumped his shot high over the bar.

It seemed that Arsenal were finally getting going.

Then Partizan equalised.

The visitors worked the ball in from the right to Cleo just outside the area. He let fly and the ball took a crucial deflection off Squillaci to beat Fabianski.

It was only the second goal the Serbian side had scored in Group H – and that had been a penalty against Arsenal in Belgrade.

At this point, Braga were still drawing at Shakhtar so Wenger’s men were still through. But they seemed determined to take it to the wire.

Sagna’s cross drifted just beyond Van Persie at the far post and there was a glimpse of an opportunity when Stojkovic dropped a cross under pressure from Song. But they were only half-chances.

Midway through the half, Wenger made a change. Andrey Arshavin came off and Theo Walcott replaced him.

Arsenal were now building up some sort of momentum. When the substitute was blocked on the edge of the area, Van Persie’s free-kick was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Stojkovic. From the resulting corner Song curled an effort wide.

Arsenal were getting closer and they would soon make the breakthrough. In the 73rd minute, Sagna’s cross was nodded out straight to Walcott by Aleksandar Krstajic. The England international chested down the ball and fired into the far corner.

The relief was palpable and six minutes later the win was secure. Song danced through a couple of challenges and, after passing to Nasri, looked for the return. The Frenchman, however, dragged the ball back and fired low into the corner.

At the same time, over in Donetsk, Shakthar were taking the lead.

That killed off any chance of top spot. But, in reality, Arsenal still had a job to do here.

Five minutes from time, Sagna brought down Lazevski on the edge of the area. The right back was the last man and, unfortunately, had to go. Fabianski made a fine save from the free-kick from Radosav Petrovic.

It was a tough end to a tough night. But, despite it all, Arsenal are through.

GROUP H

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Shakhtar Donetsk	6	5	0	1	12	6	15
2.	Arsenal	6	4	0	2	18	7	12
3.	Braga	6	3	0	3	5	11	9
4.	Partizan Belgrade	6	0	0	6	2	13	0

Braga 2 - 0 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal must now beat Partizan Belgrade in the final game of Group H in order to be sure of qualification to the Knockout Stages of the Champions League.

Arsène Wenger's side are left playing brinkmanship after they slipped to defeat at Braga on Tuesday night.
Matheus sealed Arsenal's fate. With seven minutes remaining, the Brazilan broke through and kept his nerve to steer a shot beyond Lukasz Fabianski. With the final kick of the game, he held off two challenges to add a second.

The visitors were down to 10 men at the time - Emmanuel Eboue had been stretchered off and Wenger had used all his substitutes. In addition they had just been denied a seemingly clear penalty when Carlos Vela was tripped in the area.

After that thought-provoking defeat to Tottenham on Saturday, this was the last thing Arsenal needed.
There is comfort in the fact Belgrade have lost all their Group H games but it would appear that top spot is now gone given that Shakhtar only need a point at home to Braga.

It was another tough, tough night for Wenger's men.

The manager's team selection tapped into the slate-wiping mood that had followed the weekend defeat. He made seven changes in all.

Only Fabianski, Denilson, Sebastien Squillaci and Cesc Fabregas remained from Saturday's side. Five of the seven omitted went to the bench meanwhile Gael Clichy (back) and Andrey Arshavin (rested) missed out entirely. Robin van Persie was left in London to work on his fitness.

The scene inside the Estadio Municipal de Braga was slightly surreal. This two-sided ground is carved into a quarry with a sheer rock face behind one goal and a grassy hill behind the other.

Coupled with that, the home side were playing in red shirts and white sleeves - a look taken from a former President's trip to Highbury in the 1920s. Meanwhile Arsenal were in yellow.

All very odd.
Kieran Gibbs was the main attacking threat for the visitors in the first 15 minutes. In the opening seconds he reached the left-hand byline before crossing in the hope of finding Nicklas Bendtner at the far post. Moises cleared the danger.

In the eighth minute the Braga defender would head over the bar from Luis Aguiar's free-kick.

However Gibbs was still the focus. Aguiar headed another of his crosses clear and the full back forced Braga to scramble the ball away on a number of other occasions.

In the 18th minute Bendtner and Walcott set up Fabregas, who fired a shot over the bar.

On the half-hour, the captain saw his free-kick tipped over the bar by Felipe after Leandro Salino had fouled Eboue just outside the area. From the corner, Johan Djourou steered a shot wide at the far post.
To be honest, in the first 30 minutes there had been little pace or pattern about the game. But Arsenal had owned all the urgency and invention on display.

The game would pick up as half-time approached.

There was the merest sniff of a spark when Fabregas fed the scampering Walcott with a defence-splitting pass. The England winger beat Felipe to the ball but the keeper's sliding challenge cleared the danger.

Play switched to the other end and Lima's long-range snapshot forced Fabianski to dive full-length even though the ball went wide.

Eboue fouled Matheus on the left-hand touchline and Aguiar's free-kick was headed into the side-netting by Bendtner.

Five minutes before the break, Walcott broke clear and fired a shot beyond Felipe and the far post.

Suddenly, it seemed we had a game on our hands.

In the dying seconds, Bendtner was fouled 25 yards out and Fabregas thumped the free-kick wide. It was the final act of a largely forgettable first half but one in which Arsenal had been clearly the better side.

The second period started the same way, only this time Walcott missed the target with his free-kick.

Matheus dragged a shot wide for Braga in response but, once again, the game was settling into its altogether lethargic first-half groove.

It seemed that only a piece of individual skill or, more likely, a mistake, could provide the opening goal.

On the hour, the latter scenario nearly came to pass. Alan curled in a cross from the right and Squillaci could only nod his clearance to Aguiar, who fired a low shot inches wide of Fabianski's left-hand post. In the context of this tight game it was a massive moment.

Wenger sensed the need for change and brought on Samir Nasri for Fabregas, whose hamstring injury had made him touch-and-go to start. Chamakh replaced Bendtner soon afterwards.

Arsenal were still lively. Wilshere nearly dribbled his way through the entire Braga defence and Moises slid in to stop Rosicky's right-wing cross finding Bendtner at the near post.

But as the game went into the final 15 minutes, neither keeper had made a serious save.

That should have changed in the 78th minute when substitute Vela appeared to be tripped by Alberto Rodriguez in the area. But referee Viktor Kassai booked the Arsenal striker for simulation.

It got worse for Arsenal when Eboue was carried off with an injury and Arsenal were left a man short.

And then it got worse again.

The visitors pushed for the equaliser but were caught on the break with seven minutes left when Matheus broke through and steered his shot beyond Fabianski and into the far corner.

Wenger's men looked to find a way back but Matheus added a sparkling second on the break.

It was not a fair reflection on the game but matters are conspiring against Arsenal right now.

They need to turn the tide and quickly.

GROUP H

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Shakhtar Donetsk	5	4	0	1	10	6	12
2.	Arsenal	5	3	0	2	15	6	9
3.	Braga	5	3	0	2	5	9	9
4.	Partizan Belgrade	5	0	0	5	1	10	0

Clichy, Arshavin, Van Persie miss Braga trip

Gael Clichy has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League game with a back problem.

The Arsenal full back completed Saturday's North London derby but has not travelled to Braga.Kieran Gibbs is likely to deputise.

Arsène Wenger will also be without Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie for his team's penultimate Group H fixture. Both forwards have been rested and Van Persie will use the opportunity to work towards full fitness at the training ground.

"I left Clichy behind because he has a small back problem and we will take the opportunity to clear that out," explained Wenger before the squad flew out to Portugal on Monday.

"Arshavin [is not in the squad] because I want to give him a rest, he has played every single game recently and played for Russia on Tuesday night.

"And Van Persie [will not travel] so he can improve his fitness because he is back in the squad but is not 100 per cent fit at the moment - I mean his physical condition to fight in a top-level game.

"I think that [working hard on the training ground] is what he needs at the moment. If I take him to Braga and he is not 100 per cent and is on the bench and doesn't come on then it is a waste of time and for three days, so I leave him behind and he will take the opportunity to work."

Manuel Almunia (elbow), Abou Diaby (ankle) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) are still sidelined by injuries.

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 -1 Arsenal - Match Report

Suddenly Group H does not look quite so easy.

Before they travelled to Donestk, Arsenal had amassed 14 goals in three straightforward wins during this season’s Champions League adventure. Another tonight would have all but assured top spot.

However, Eastern Europe is always difficult for Arsène Wenger’s men. They took the lead this evening through Theo Walcott’s early breakaway, but Craig Eastmond nodded a free-kick past his own keeper and, on the stroke of half-time, Gael Clichy was robbed on the right and Eduardo caressed a shot into the far corner.

As at Emirates, the ex-Arsenal striker did not celebrate.

The visitors controlled the game after the break but the closest they would come to an equaliser was when Jack Wilshere hooked a shot wide in the opening minutes.

After five straight wins, defeat is always damaging. But this one can be redeemed. Shakhtar, the closest challengers to Arsenal, are now out of the way. Both teams are tied on nine points with Wenger’s men holding the advantage in the head-to-head.

If they win their last two games they will still finish on top.

Arsenal still have control of Group H but their grip has been loosened by defeat here tonight.

Wenger made a welter of changes to the side that had left it so late against West Ham on Saturday.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Andrey Arshavin (virus), Denilson (groin) and Alex Song (calf) were all back in London. Meanwhile Marouane Chamakh, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna were left on the bench.

As a result, Arsenal needed a new central midfield trio. Wenger brought in Jack Wilshere from suspension, Tomas Rosicky from Saturday’s substitutes bench and Eastmond from the Carling Cup side.

Nicklas Bendtner was the lone front man. Emmanuel Eboue and Johan Djourou came in at right back and centre back respectively.

Loyalty demands that any Arsenal fan must love Emirates Stadium more than any other football ground. But, in the eyes of this observer at least, the Donbass Arena is a tempting mistress. It is cavernous yet intimate, daunting yet inspiring – an awesome amphitheatre.

But, of course, the home fans made the atmosphere. The noise was intense as the two teams walked out and every early touch by the visitors was whistled.

In the opening seconds, Darijo Srna curled a free-kick into the midriff of Lukasz Fabianski and, just before Walcott scored, Dmytro Chygrynskiy saw a deflected header fly wide.

But while that was going on, Arsenal were settling to their task. They had already gone close when Nasri weaved inside and grazed the base of the post with a shot from 20 yards out.

And, from the corner that Chygrynskiy won, the visitors took the lead.

It was all so incredibly simple. The ball was half-cleared to Walcott, who clipped a pass to Wilshere. He knocked it back into the path of the scampering Arsenal winger, who turned on the turbo from inside his own half and slotted past the keeper.

It was his seventh goal in eight appearances (four starting and four as substitute) this season.

Suddenly Shakhtar were, once again, the side that had shipped five goals at Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago. The goal drained them of confidence and Arsenal had the upper hand. 

The home side needed belief from somewhere. And, in the 16th minute, they so nearly got it.

Luiz Adriano cut the ball back from the left-hand byline and Jadson’s goalbound shot hit Djourou at close range. The ball went back out to the left and, when it was returned into the middle, the same striker hit the post with a firm header.

Soon afterwards, Chygrynskiy’s stinging drive forced a fine save from Fabianski.

By now, Shakhtar had built up a head of steam and were starting to pin back the visitors into their own area. Arsenal’s defending had already got desperate by the time they conceded the equaliser on the half-hour.

Eboue brought down the tricky Willian on the left. Jadson swung over the free-kick to the near post and, though Chygrynskiy ran off claiming the goal, replays showed the ball had only brushed the head of the Shakhtar player but got a more significant touch from Eastmond.

The strike proved that Shakhtar are a confidence side. You can see that from the way they fell apart and Emirates and the invention they gained this evening having restored parity.

In the 33rd minute, Eduardo pass nutmegged Clichy and found Jadson in the area. His snap-shot was saved but, all of sudden, it was Arsenal who needed a rejuvenating glimmer of hope.

Six minutes from the break, Eastmond won the ball in the midfield, rode a challenge then spread the ball wide to Bendtner. His first-time touch found Walcott with only the keeper to beat but the England international was robbed by Srna before he could convert.

That was some form of response and, as half-time approached, it seemed that Arsenal would find the sanctity of half time on level terms. But there would be a sting in the tail.

Just before the whistle, Srna thieved the ball from Clichy on the right and fired a low cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Arsenal fans know all too well that is Eduardo’s territory. Almost inevitably, he sidefooted the ball beyond Fabianski and into the far corner.

As at Emirates a fortnight ago, he kept his counsel having hit the net.

Wenger did not make changes at the break and it seemed the game had altered little in the opening minutes of the second period. But then Arsenal fashioned two fine chances.

In the 53rd minute, Bendtner’s intended pass to Wilshere found Willian on the edge of the area. But the Englishman stole the ball back and, with time to pick his spot, scythed a shot wide.

Shortly afterwards, Rosicky’s dummy allowed Walcott to fire towards the far corner but it had insufficient power to beat keeper Andriy Pyatov.

The game was now a curious scene. As the mist came down in Donetsk as the crowd indulged in a joyous Mexican wave, meanwhile Arsenal were taking control.

In the 64th minute, Clichy hoisted a long ball forward and Sebastien Squillaci, who had stayed up after a corner, powered a header straight at Pyatov when he should have scored. Then Walcott tested Pyatov twice – once from distance, once with a curler.

However, while Arsenal were to have more of the chances and territory, Shakthar were ominous on the break. The pace of Jadson, Willian and Adriano had troubled Wenger’s defence all evening. They failed to test Fabianski in the third quarter of the game but it was not for the want of trying.

Having brought on Carlos Vela and Chamakh, Wenger made his third attacking change with nine minutes left. Jay Emmanuel Thomas for Walcott.

The Englishman set up the Mexican’s swivelling snapshot with five minutes left.

Arsenal piled forward until the final whistle but the closest either side came to a goal was when Olexiy Gai forced Fabianski to fingertip the ball around the far post.

A disappointing night for Arsenal.

GROUP H

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Arsenal	4	3	0	1	15	4	9
2.	Shakhtar Donetsk	4	3	0	1	7	6	9
3.	Braga	4	2	0	2	3	9	6
4.	Partizan Belgrade	4	0	0	4	1	7	0

Shakhtar Donetsk Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Just before kick-off on Wednesday night, Arsène Wenger will call for calm in the dressing room at the Donbass Arena and stress one vital point to his players.

Having garnered nine points and 14 goals from their first three Group H games, the Arsenal manager should be supremely confident of his side’s ability in Europe. At his pre-match press conference, he even proclaimed they were capable of winning anywhere on the planet.

No, Wenger does not need to chastise his side in this season’s Champions League. He just wants to warn them. The Frenchman has not been fooled by the 5-1 victory over Shakhtar a fortnight ago.

If Arsenal win in Donetsk and Braga fail to beat Belgrade then Wenger’s men will qualify as Group winners. Even if the Portuguese are victorious tonight, coupled with an Arsenal win in Donetsk, then they have to hammer Wenger’s men by seven clear goals at the end of November in order to overtake them. It is getting mathematical and academic.

In such circumstances, complacency sets in.“Yes there is a danger of that,” said Wenger.

“I will remind the players that Shakhtar are a good side that we caught maybe on a good day. They will try to get revenge at home and we have a good opportunity to qualify to directly from the group. We want to take this chance.

“If we take top spot you can ease off a little bit and of course treat the last two games with a more relaxed attitude. And sometimes that’s good when you need to rest a player before a big League game.

“But this game will demand a proper focus because Shakhtar are a good side with top quality. They have won the Europa League and certainly they have been hurt by what happened to them at Emirates. They will give absolutely everything. Don’t forget they played on Friday so they have all the needed preparation before this game.“I felt the first match was tighter than the score indicated. The pitch is good, so should be a good game because the two teams will attack.

“But as well we know can win anywhere in the world. We have done it before - we can win everywhere.”

Despite the call for focus, Wenger is not exactly treating this game as a cup final. He left behind Cesc Fabregas as a precaution. The captain felt his troublesome hamstring during the win over West Ham on Saturday and is not being risked. Andrey Arshavin (virus), Alex Song (calf) and Denilson (groin) are also absent.

That leaves the manager light in central midfield. Don’t be surprised if Craig Eastmond fills the breach in the holding role. The likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury have also made the trip. So, while this may be the Champions League, there will be a Carling Cup element to the bench.

The same was true when Arsenal last visited Donetsk a decade ago. The substitutes that night were Paolo Vernazza, Christopher Wreh, Alberto Mendez, Rhys Weston, Graham Barrett and Freddie Ljungberg and a veteran John Lukic. Only the Swede was a full first–teamer at the time.

That game was a dead rubber in a group from which Arsenal had already qualified. This game has more life, yet Wenger argues the class of 2010 hold a significant edge.“We are much stronger now,” said the manager at Tuesday’s press conference.

“Tomorrow we will have a very strong side, not comparable to the game played 10 years ago.

“Certainly we will face a team who will be up for it. Shakhtar are one of the strong sides in Europe, it will be an exciting game, no matter who is not here.”

Mircea Lucescu’s side lead their domestic League by five points and their heavy defeat at Emirates Stadium stands out like a beacon amid a run of 10 straight wins. They have been shut-out just once this season and scored the most popular goal of the night at Emirates Stadium when Eduardo hit the net.  As promised, the striker did not celebrate against his former employers.

“Shakhtar dominate their League and they have just beaten Dymano Kiev,” said Wenger. “They are an unbeatable team here, at least locally, but we have a chance to beat them, so let's try to get the best out of our performance.“I feel they will be a completely different side at home. They have good technical quality so that means if you let them get into a flow they can cause you many problems.”

A decade ago, the Shakhtar trip caused a number of logistical issues for the Arsenal party. These days the facilities at the Donbass Arena are among the best on the Continent in preparation for Euro 2012.

But of course the distance has not changed and, for Wenger, that is the reason for his side’s relatively poor record in this part of  Europe.“Yes well most of the time we played in Russia and Ukraine,” said Wenger. “And most of the time, when you go there, you play against very good teams.

“Also, if you have already qualified, it’s always very difficult. But when you have to travel far and it’s more demanding anyway.

“The only special preparations this time is a special plane for the players. We went only the day before the game so we need good conditions. Also we want to come back very quickly so we need a lighter travelling strain than usual.

“Overall we want to be a bit swifter and a bit more comfortable.”

That, of course, goes for qualification as well.

Arsenal 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk - Match Report

Arsenal took an almighty stride towards qualification to the Champions League Knockout Stages with a fabulous 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

Alex Song, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh got the goals in a game that had been billed as Group H decider but turned out to be a cruise.

Shakhtar, who arrived on a run of seven straight wins, had endeavour early in each half but defensive frailties always undermined their ambition.

An omnipotent Arsenal plundered goals as and when they needed them. It was a pleasing night all-round.

Even Shakthar’s late consolation drew hearty applause. Eduardo half-volleyed home from close range and, as he had promised, did not celebrate the strike.

You could not have blamed him if he had, Shakhtar can take little else from this evening.

Arsenal have gathered nine points and 14 goals in their first three group games. They could secure top spot in Donetsk on November 3.
At this rate it is only a matter of time.

The main news pre-match was the return of Fabregas. The Arsenal captain had not been seen since injuring his hamstring in the act of scoring at Sunderland just over a month ago.

Wenger had spent last night mulling over the return of the Spanish midfielder. In the end, he decided against leaving him on the bench. However his inclusion left Abou Diaby among the substitutes.

Tomas Rosicky replaced Emmanuel Eboue numerically but actually played on the right. Samir Nasri took the Russian’s regular role on the left wing.
Before tonight, these two teams had taken six points out of six in Group H. And the first 15 minutes suggested both sides were facing higher standard opposition.

Shakhtar were as neat and tidy as their reputation had suggested. As a result, Arsenal lacked their usual incisiveness.

In fact they needed a bald-faced mistake to take the lead.

In the 18th minute, Nasri’s flashing cross was touched past the far post by the Shakhtar defence.

Chamakh nodded on the corner and, under little pressure, keeper Andriy Pyatov dropped a regulation catch. Johan Djourou stabbed the ball from under him and Song flicked the ball over the line.

Arsenal’s 1-0 lead had been not so much stolen as smuggled.

In the 25th minute, they nearly registered a much more authentic strike. Rosicky sand-wedged a ball to Chamakh, whose nod down was leathered goalwards by Nasri. This time Pyatov made the save.

Rosicky had a half-shout for a penalty soon afterwards. Had that been given and converted, Shakhtar might have been sunk. The Ukrainians seemed to lose their nerve after conceding the goal. Mentally they were there for the taking but Arsenal did not take charge.

Four minutes before the break Henrik Mkhitaryan’s deflected shot looped over the bar. It caused Lukasz Fabianski a worrying moment as did the subsequent corner. But given that is noteworthy, in reality, Donetsk were offering little.

And, a minute or so later, they were 2-0 down. Song exchanged passes with Emmanuel Eboue on the right and sent a deflected cross into the middle. Nasri cushioned the ball past Darijo Srna to create space for himself and then blasted home. It was his sixth goal of the season in only his ninth game.

Shakhtar made one change at the break but it was Douglas Costa and not the one for which the Arsenal fans were calling – Eduardo.

In the opening seconds, Mkhitaryan’s penetrative throughball released Luiz Adriano but Fabianski stood his ground to make a fine save.

There seemed to be more purpose about the visitors in the second half. And were just about to add to their firepower with Eduardo when Arsenal got their third.

Nasri curled over a free-kick from the right and Adriano tussled Djourou to the floor. Fabregas’ penalty was unstoppable – high and into the top corner. He then revealed a T-shirt wishing his mother a Happy Birthday.

The goal was the captain’s last meaningful touch. He was brought off for Denilson.

As the Brazilian waited to come on he shared a brief hug with Eduardo. The Croatian replaced Adriano seconds later and was greeted with rapturous applause.

It lightened the mood of the home supporters but did nothing for the lethal ambition of the team they were supporting. In the 66th minute, Wilshere raced onto Chamakh’s touch, exchanged passes with Rosicky and lifted his shot over the advancing Pyatov.

Shakhtar were now shell-shocked. They had been punished punitively this evening and it was not over yet.

In the 69th minute, Nasri scooped a pass over the visiting defence to the unmarked Chamakh. The Moroccan was so clear he could not believe he was onside but replays proved that was the case.

He gathered his senses – and the ball – before slotting home his sixth goal of the season.

Arsenal were now in party mood. Substitute Theo Walcott, seeing his first action since August 28, tried to arrow one in the top corner.

Eight minutes from time, Shakthar grabbed a goal.

Jadson hooked a high ball into the area from the right wing and Eduardo beat Fabianski from close range. It was a quality finish, the type that had first attracted Wenger's attention back in 2006.

He kept his word and did not celebrate the goal. The Arsenal fans repaid respect with respect.

The strike also threw up a notable question – was the first player to score at Emirates with three different clubs?

Costa tried a curler at the end. But the game had long since been lost.

Eduardo took time out to applaud the fans at the final whistle. Again, they responded in kind.

His smile suggested he was happy to be ‘home’ even though his new side had been swept aside on the night.

GROUP H

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Arsenal	3	3	0	0	14	2	9
2.	Shakhtar Donetsk	3	2	0	1	5	5	6
3.	Braga	3	1	0	2	2	9	3
4.	Partizan Belgrade	3	0	0	3	1	6	0

Partizan Belgrade V Arsenal - Match report

   1 Partizan Belgrade      -                 3 Arsenal

Arsenal took a giant stride towards the Knockout Stages of the Champions League with a 3-1 win at Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday night.

After a sticky start, Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have taken control when Jack Wilshere provided a wonderful assist for Andrey Arshavin to score in the 15th minute. However they were pegged back just after the half-hour when Denilson handled in the area and Cleo slotted home from the spot.

Arsenal should have regained the lead 10 minutes after the restart when Marouane Chamakh was hauled down by Marko Jovanovic. The defender was dismissed but Arshavin saw his penalty saved by Vladimir Stojkovic.

However, 19 minutes from time, Chamakh pounced to nod home after his own header had come back off the bar. And in the 83rd minute, Sebastien Squillaci grabbed his first Arsenal goal by steering a home a header from Samir Nasri’s cross.


The finale may have been much more nervy had Lukasz Fabianski not turned aside Cleo’s late penalty.
However, in truth, this was an Arsenal victory with something to spare.
A game of three penalties leaves Arsenal with six points out of six in Group H. They are tied with Shakhtar at the top. Braga and Partizan have yet to get off the mark
With Chelsea in mind, Wenger shuffled his side this evening. As a result the Gunners were not 100 per cent fluent or watertight but, in a difficult atmosphere, they did more than enough to deserve the victory.

If they do the same in similar circumstances at Stamford Bridge, then Arsenal’s season will be right back on track.

Before kick-off, Wenger made a whopping six changes from the side that had lost to West Brom on Saturday. 



The headline alteration saw Fabianski take the gloves from the injured Manuel Almunia (elbow). Elsewhere, Kieran Gibbs replaced Gael Clichy on the left of the defence and Johan Djourou came in for Laurent Koscielny in the middle. It was the Swiss defender’s first Champions League appearance since he started against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in the Semi-Final second leg on May 10, 2009.

Wilshere and Denilson were brought into central midfield while captain Tomas Rosicky was on the right.  Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue dropped to the bench but Abou Diaby was out with a recurrence of the ankle injury he first collected against Bolton on September 11 but had tweaked against West Brom at the weekend.

The Stadion FK Partizan was the expected pot-boiler pre-game. The home fans took their seats early and sang very, very loudly. 
A number of partial power failures gave the prelude a sense of unease. But the game started in dim light then it gradually got much brighter.

The same could be said of Arsenal’s first half-hour. 
The visitors were under the cosh in the opening stages. In the eighth minute, Cleo broke clear on the left with Squillaci in pursuit. The Brazilian-born striker reached the corner of the six-yard area but dallied enough for the Frenchman to catch-up. Cleo tried to feed a ball back into the path of Nemanja Tomic but Denilson scuffed it away from his feet at the vital moment.

A minute later Pierre Boya stretched a toe onto the ball as Squillaci tried to shepherd a header back to Fabianski. Fortunately the keeper recovered.

In the 12th minute Cleo profited on a slip by Djourou and fired wastefully over the bar.
The Arsenal goal was receiving much more attention so Arshavin’s opener was somewhat of a surprise. But its quality was exquisite. 


The Russian collected the ball in midfield and found Wilshere before racing into the area. The Englishman was surrounded and seemed to have lost control. However he backheeled the ball back into the path of Arshavin, who drilled it low past Vladimir Stojkovic.

The goal quelled Partizan’s early appetite for attack and suddenly Arsenal were on top.
Wilshere and Arshavin nearly combined for a second in the 24th minute but the Russian was denied by a fine save from Stojkovic.


In fact only the former Wigan keeper stopped Arsenal killing the game by the half-hour. Two minutes later he rushed out to deny Rosicky after Arshavin had prodded him through.


The Russian then clipped a shot over Stojkovic only for defender Jovanovic to hook the ball to safety.
Having been caught cold in the opening minutes, Arsenal suddenly seemed to be strolling.

And then they tripped up.

In the 33rd minute, the visitors half-cleared their lines and the ball fell to Radosav Petrovic on the left. His tossed a cross to the edge of the area and Denilson was adjudged to have handled. Cleo sent Fabianski the wrong way from the spot and, quite unexpectedly, a game that Arsenal seemed to be killing off was alive again.

Having got back on level terms, Partizan tried to press home their advantage. The visitors had been knocked off their stride by the equaliser but were happy enough to see off the half so they could regroup.

To be honest, Arsenal were still working their way back into the game when they were given the perfect opportunity to regain the lead in the 55th minute. Arshavin sent Chamakh clear through the middle and he was hauled down by Jovanovic just inside the area.
The referee pointed to the spot and then gave a red card to the Partizan centre back.

Having seen Rosicky miss at Sunderland and with Nasri, who had converted twice at Tottenham, on the bench, Arshavin stepped up.

His effort had power but was straight at Stojkovic. The keeper saved with his legs.
It was another blow to Arsenal but they still had that numerical advantage and set about making it pay.

In the 67th minute, Wilshere wriggled clear from his marker and darted into the area. Only a perfectly-timed challenge from Mladan Krstajic stopped him going through on the keeper.
A couple of minutes later, Arshavin’s bobbling shot was plucked out of the air.

It seemed that Arsenal had found some fluency again – and they proved it in the 71st minute. Rosicky sent over a hanging cross from the right to Chamakh at the far post. The Moroccan planted his first header against the bar and reacted first to nod home the rebound.

It was a traditional English centre-forward’s goal. Albeit from a player of African descent who was raised in France.

With seven minutes left, Squillaci popped up at the near post to nod in a corner from substitute Samir Nasri. That seemed to be that.

However seconds later, Gibbs clipped Ivan Stevanovic on the right of the area and referee Wolfgang Stark awarded another spot-kick.

Cleo stepped up once more but this time Fabianski flung himself to his right to turn the ball around the post.

In injury time, the Pole made an even better stop from Ivica Iliev.

A satisfying night for Arsenal and a solid boost of confidence before Sunday’s massive match at Stamford Bridge.