Arsenal booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3–1 win over Partizan Belgrade at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the North London side finished in second place in Group H behind Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk who beat Braga of Portugal 2–0 in Ukraine.
Arsenal was expected to handily beat the minnows from Serbia, who had lost all five of their prior matches in the competition. But well into the second half, the outcome was still up in the air.
Two quick goals from Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri broke a 1–1 deadlock and eased the nerves at the Emirates.
Midfielder Nasri started off being his creative best with a few dazzling moves, but Partizan was hard to break down. The Serbs also threatened their opponents on the counterattack, although Arsenal dealt capably with their advances.
The break-through came when Arsenal captain Robin van Persie converted a penalty in the 30th minute after he was brought down in the area by Marko Jovanovic. That was the goal that Arsenal probably thought would propel them to a routine victory.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Partizan equalized. Forward Cleo turned and fired on net but his shot took a lucky deflection of Sebastien Squillaci’s boot and looped over a helpless Lukasz Fabianski.
The goal appeared to spark Partizan to life and Arsenal, knowing that a draw might not be sufficient to go through, were back on their heels. The handful of traveling Partizan fans started to make their voices heard in the cavernous Emirates Stadium.
Partizan played with nothing to lose but some poor defending would be their undoing.
In the 73rd minute, Bacary Sagna whipped in a cross that Partizan failed to clear. The ball was headed straight to substitute Theo Walcott, who volleyed it past Vladimir Stojkovic in the Partizan goal.
Just four minutes later, the game was sealed when Arsenal showed how nifty they can be in tight spaces.
Alex Song played a give-and-go with substitute Nicklas Bendtner before finding Nasri at the top of the 18-yard box. The Frenchman then faked a pass with the right foot before firing past Stojkovic with his left foot.
Sagna took a late red card after hauling down Partizan’s Aleksandar Lazevski who was clear in on goal. He'll miss the early part of the knockout stages.
Arsenal finish with 12 points from six games, three behind impressive Shakhtar impressively who won five of six group stage matches.
Arsenal will face one of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Schalke, or Bayern Munich in the knockout stages in late February.
Chelsea, in lime green uniforms, continued their poor run of form. They have one win in their last six matches in all competitions. But they had won their first five group stage matches and took first place in Group F, three points ahead of Marseille.
Nevertheless, the North London side finished in second place in Group H behind Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk who beat Braga of Portugal 2–0 in Ukraine.
Arsenal was expected to handily beat the minnows from Serbia, who had lost all five of their prior matches in the competition. But well into the second half, the outcome was still up in the air.
Two quick goals from Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri broke a 1–1 deadlock and eased the nerves at the Emirates.
Midfielder Nasri started off being his creative best with a few dazzling moves, but Partizan was hard to break down. The Serbs also threatened their opponents on the counterattack, although Arsenal dealt capably with their advances.
The break-through came when Arsenal captain Robin van Persie converted a penalty in the 30th minute after he was brought down in the area by Marko Jovanovic. That was the goal that Arsenal probably thought would propel them to a routine victory.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Partizan equalized. Forward Cleo turned and fired on net but his shot took a lucky deflection of Sebastien Squillaci’s boot and looped over a helpless Lukasz Fabianski.
The goal appeared to spark Partizan to life and Arsenal, knowing that a draw might not be sufficient to go through, were back on their heels. The handful of traveling Partizan fans started to make their voices heard in the cavernous Emirates Stadium.
Partizan played with nothing to lose but some poor defending would be their undoing.
In the 73rd minute, Bacary Sagna whipped in a cross that Partizan failed to clear. The ball was headed straight to substitute Theo Walcott, who volleyed it past Vladimir Stojkovic in the Partizan goal.
Just four minutes later, the game was sealed when Arsenal showed how nifty they can be in tight spaces.
Alex Song played a give-and-go with substitute Nicklas Bendtner before finding Nasri at the top of the 18-yard box. The Frenchman then faked a pass with the right foot before firing past Stojkovic with his left foot.
Sagna took a late red card after hauling down Partizan’s Aleksandar Lazevski who was clear in on goal. He'll miss the early part of the knockout stages.
Arsenal finish with 12 points from six games, three behind impressive Shakhtar impressively who won five of six group stage matches.
Arsenal will face one of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Schalke, or Bayern Munich in the knockout stages in late February.
Chelsea Blues
Didier Drogba returned to Marseille to face his former club. But the visit was not a fruitful one as Chelsea dropped their first match of the Champions League to Olympique Marseille 1–0. Brandao scored the winner in the 81st minute, which will no doubt pile further pressure on Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.Chelsea, in lime green uniforms, continued their poor run of form. They have one win in their last six matches in all competitions. But they had won their first five group stage matches and took first place in Group F, three points ahead of Marseille.
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