Sparta Praha 0 - 2 Arsenal

August 15, 2007 on 10:13 pm | In Arsenal FC, Matches Reviews 2007/2008 | posted by Block19er |

Arsenal took a brilliant lead away from this tough away Champions League Qualifier. It was clear from the first minute that it was going to be a physically tough night and Sparta were diving in with dodgy tackles from the outset.

Two Czech midfielders went into the book within the opening minutes, and how Repka (former West Ham) didn’t I don’t know. It totally upset the balance of play and Arsenal could not find a rhythm. It was Sparta who came up with the first chance and hit the post on nine minutes. Still more tackles flew in but the referee started to book Arsenal player for soft challenges. Flamini and Cesc were first into the book and Van Persie followed. The tackle Cesc was booked for was a 50/50 with Repka, who royally pissed me off, I am not sure who he thinks he is, Repka came off the worst in the tackle and had to be taken off minutes later. As he went off Repka threatened Cesc, I’m sure he was quaking in his boots, the old man has lost it!!

Cesc and Van Persie were the only two Gooners to have shots at goal in the first half, and they were weak, the second half was better from Arsenal.

A bit more patience in attack carved out chances, Rosicky put a lovely ball in to Van Persie, who swivelled but nobody could get on the end of his shot. As with Arsenal’s match on Sunday it was a defender who turned the game. Clichy this time picked the ball up and ran at the defence, he skipped around two Sparta players on 72 minutes, and slid the ball to Cesc who coolly chipped it into the net past the keeper. It was a deserved lead.

Again Arsenal scored in the 90th minute with a goal from Hleb. It was Sagna who sprinted up the wing and cut in, he had ran so fast, and was so tired, he could barely lift his leg to pass, but he did, into the path of Hleb who finished. 2-nil was a great result on the night and Sparta gave no signals that they could challenge the Arsenal, but this is the Champions League, and anything could happen.

Arsenal are just doing enough to win matches. That will do for now, confidence will build with results like this, the performances can wait. The positive is out midfielders are scoring goals.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Flamini, Cesc, Rosicky (Song 80), Hleb, Van Persie. Subs not used: Almunia, Senderos, Traore, Hoyte, Walcott, Bendtner.

GOALS: Cesc 72, Hleb 90

Yellow Cards: Cesc, Flamini, Van Persie

ATT: 19,586