Disappointment in Moscow
Arsenal's thundering fightback came to a halt last night as a classy CSKA Moscow side outclassed the Gunners, winning a closely fought battle 1-0 in freezing temperatures.
The atrocious pitch hardly assisted Arsenal as they tried to implement their impeccable passing game on the Russians, who having started the game brightly, continued to harry and hassle Gilberto and Fabregas into mistakes.
The winning goal game from a 24th minute free kick, a rather soft award by the Spanish referee (not the last interesting decision of the night) the Brazilian Carvalho hammering a thunderous shot home from the edge of the box, a slight dip in trajectory meant that although Lehman was close to saving, the ball was past him and into the net before he could adjust.
Arsenal continued to press but to no real avail, Gilberto and Van Persie forging good chances as the half went on.
The second half continued along the same lines as the first, Arsenal being harried into making mistake, Vagner Love, when not throwing himself dramatically to the floor looking for fouls, was exceptional for CSKA and continually found space between Djourou, Toure Gilberto and Fabregas and caused many problems.
65 minutes gone and Mr Wenger looked to ring the changes, sadly he left Hleb on who was having a shocker, choosing instead to withdraw Van Persie, Djourou and Rosicky, with Clichy, Adebayor and Walcott replacing them.
Arsenal immediately looked more incisive with Fabregas' touch returning as the Gunners mounted attack after attack. Gallas and Toure mopping up nicely at the back as Arsenal pushed for the equaliser.
And it came from Henry only to be scandalously ruled out for handball, with Henry picking up a booking. Replays clearly show the mercurial Frenchman controlling with his stomach before slotting home past the impressive young Russian goalkeeper, the linesman apparently gave the decision, with none of the CSKA defence close to Henry even appealing for anything, they just looked dejected that Arsenal had grabbed such a late equaliser. Appaling decision but one which we hope will not be decisive in the long run.
Arsenal have three games in the group left now, CSKA and Hamburg at the Emirates and Porto away, qualification should be straight forward.
Away to Reading Saturday, get the padded helmet out Jens.
Predicition : A flourishing return to form for the Arsenal 3 points
The atrocious pitch hardly assisted Arsenal as they tried to implement their impeccable passing game on the Russians, who having started the game brightly, continued to harry and hassle Gilberto and Fabregas into mistakes.
The winning goal game from a 24th minute free kick, a rather soft award by the Spanish referee (not the last interesting decision of the night) the Brazilian Carvalho hammering a thunderous shot home from the edge of the box, a slight dip in trajectory meant that although Lehman was close to saving, the ball was past him and into the net before he could adjust.
Arsenal continued to press but to no real avail, Gilberto and Van Persie forging good chances as the half went on.
The second half continued along the same lines as the first, Arsenal being harried into making mistake, Vagner Love, when not throwing himself dramatically to the floor looking for fouls, was exceptional for CSKA and continually found space between Djourou, Toure Gilberto and Fabregas and caused many problems.
65 minutes gone and Mr Wenger looked to ring the changes, sadly he left Hleb on who was having a shocker, choosing instead to withdraw Van Persie, Djourou and Rosicky, with Clichy, Adebayor and Walcott replacing them.
Arsenal immediately looked more incisive with Fabregas' touch returning as the Gunners mounted attack after attack. Gallas and Toure mopping up nicely at the back as Arsenal pushed for the equaliser.
And it came from Henry only to be scandalously ruled out for handball, with Henry picking up a booking. Replays clearly show the mercurial Frenchman controlling with his stomach before slotting home past the impressive young Russian goalkeeper, the linesman apparently gave the decision, with none of the CSKA defence close to Henry even appealing for anything, they just looked dejected that Arsenal had grabbed such a late equaliser. Appaling decision but one which we hope will not be decisive in the long run.
Arsenal have three games in the group left now, CSKA and Hamburg at the Emirates and Porto away, qualification should be straight forward.
Away to Reading Saturday, get the padded helmet out Jens.
Predicition : A flourishing return to form for the Arsenal 3 points
posted by Matt at 1:27 PM
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