European Champions' League - Matchday #4

Slavia Prague 0
Arsenal 0

In the driving rain in Prague, Arsenal achieved the objective they target for the evening, and that was to ensure qualification to the knock-out round of Europe's premier club football competition.

Against an opponent they thrashed 7-0 a fortnight ago, the Gunners had to work hard as the home side displayed their determination to avoid a similar score-line would not recur in front of their own fans.

With a line-up bearing more resemblance to the Carling Cup side, Arsenal did not get to play their usual crisp passing game due to the continuous pressure by Slavia players who did not let them settle whenever they have possession of the ball.

Instead, it was Slavia who posed more threats to Manuel Almunia's goal with the only attempt on target for Arsenal was a weak header by Manu Adebayor with five minutes of the match to go.

The pairing of Niklas Bendtner and Eduardo did not get much opportunity to breach the home defence which counted on numbers to starve the pair from any space to test Michal Vorel, who was making his Champions' League debut for Slavia.

Alex Song was paired with William Gallas at the centre of defence while Brazilians Denilson and Gilberto Silva were entrusted with the responsibility of being the midfield dynamo. Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott began the game on the flanks, supported by Gael Glichy and Lassana Diarra respectively.

Diarra really impressed me with his display so far and I believe that he is pushing hard for a place in the starting eleven, whether down the right flanks or in the middle of the field. However, the same could not be said about Song, who had a mixed outing.

Almunia continued to impress people and hopefully the blip against Manure would be just that, just a blip on an otherwise good outing so far for the Spaniard.

In the end, congratulations all around to Arsene Wenger who had ensure progress to the next round. Thus he would be able to do more rotation in the remaining Champions League group matches against Steaua Bucharest and Sevilla.

Well done!

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