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Slavia Prague vs Arsenal 7th November 2007 - Champions League Match 4 – Evzena Rosickeho Stadium Forget 7 nil. That was then, this is now. The Champions League is hard enough without having to play away from home to a team that you beat by seven goals only tow weeks before. They will be a different prospect. They will be out to prove that it was a freak result and that they are a good team worthy of their place in Europes elite competition, and we are complacent then we will get punished.  I am watching the match at home tonight on Sky Sports Extra and they mention that it’s Wengers 100th European Match in charge. That’s a lot of games in 10 years which also includes reaching two finals (European Cup and UEFA Cup). We only need a point tonight to reach the knockout stages as well, but I would expect us to win by the odd goal or two. Arsene Wenger mentioned in an earlier interview that he would besting some players tonight but he actually makes 8 changes from the team that started on Saturday. The team tonight is: Manuel Almunia William Gallas Gael Clichy Lassana Diarra Denilson Abou Diaby Alexandre Song Gilberto Theo Walcott Eduardo (Emmanuel Eboue 86) Nicklas Bendtner(Emmanuel Adebayor 76) When I look at the team I realise that actually we do have a strong squad. There are no star names, well not yet anyway, but some excellent players with a lot of experience for such young players.  I don’t know anything about the Prague team with the exception of their Captain Vladimir Smicer, the ex-Liverpool player. It’s a cold night and Arsene looks freezing on the touchline as he paces around trying to keep warm. Diaby starts the match very brightly and looks sharper than I have seen him for some time. It’s a quiet opening to the game with Arsenal controlling the possession in midfield with some silky passing. After 8 minutes Gilberto plays a long ball from our half towards Bendtner who is able to win the ball but with his back to goal he is unable to turn from pressure from the defenders but does win a free kick from near the corner flag. Theo takes the kick but over hits it as it flies past everyone and goes out of play for a Slavia throw in on the other side of the pitch. The first attempt on goal comes from Slavia Prague after 13 minutes from their first corner. The ball is hit into the box and deflected by a Prague player towards the near post but it’s an easy stop for Almunia. This shot gives the Prague players confidence and they have the best spell of the match as they control the next 7 or 8 minutes but don’t create any chances. After 20 minutes Arsenal haven’t created anything either. On 27 minutes there is still not even a glimpse of goal for Arsenal (or Prague to be honest) but the stats show our dominance having 62% of possession so far. 33 minutes gone and not a lot is happening. Prague are growing in confidence and are getting more of the ball and a few minutes Almunia has to make anther save, this time a finger tip save that stops us going behind. Gilberto is our best player but it’s a very poor game. It’s scrappy and neither team can break down the other. The half time whistle blows on what has been a non-event. Half Time It’s pissing down in Prague now too which is not going to improve the match. It starts just like it ended, scrappy. It’s cold there and Arsene Wenger has a blanket over his knees making him look like an elderly relative at a wedding! After 55 minutes there’s still nothing interesting happening. Prague are closing down Arsenal very well which is stopping us from playing but it’s at the cost of them attacking too. As the match reaches the hour mark Prague are having the better attacking play but are not close to scoring. We still haven’t had a shot. 70 Minutes…. Still nothing…. Almunia has to make another save in the 75tth minute. He manages to win the ball when in a one on one situation and there a big sigh, not of relief though. It was a yawn. STOP PRESS! We have a shot!! It’s in the 77th minute and comes from some good play around the area. The ball goes to Gilberto who whacks the ball towards goal. It is wide though and goes off for a goal kick. Eboue comes on for the last 10 minutes and plays right midfield with Theo moving in to a central striker position. Eboue has an immediate impact as he gives away a stupid free kick just outside of our area. The free kick is taken well and Arsenal are very luck as the ball is deflected wide by a Prague player.  Our first shot on target comes in the 85th minute but Adebayor heads straight into the goalies hands. I yawn again as the referee decides to play 5 minutes of injury time. Please no more. Overall it was a disappointing match. If it wasn’t Arsenal I would have stopped watching. The plus points are that we didn’t look like getting beat and that we had 65% of possession away from home in the Champions league with effectively our second team. We got the point we needed and we are now in the knockout stages. |
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