The Super Outsiders visited the Yellow Submarine at Estadio El Madrigal with the now familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Mind you, the Yellow Submarine have never lost at home in the Champions League and held holders Manchester United to a goalless draw earlier this season. And for the first hour, the Gunners looked like they might live up to their gaffer’s expectation.
We didn’t play well in the first half and to make things worse, we lost Almunia and Gallas too. Just before the break, Arsenal won a corner. Cesc’s free-kick found the back of the net but the referee deemed that he took it too quickly and he got a booking for that. He was lucky not to get a second booking for bringing down Capdevila. Though he denied being spat on, he was at the receiving end of target of missiles from soft drink cans to coins from the home fans.
Then at the 68th minute, like his Saturday’s brace expertly supplied by the captain, Adebayor chested in Cesc’s long lofted pass and acrobatically bicycle-kicked the ball into the corner with his back to goal (so, three assists for Arsenal’s latest three goals from our little maestro midfielder and three goals from Ade). And we were back in business.
The result means there still isn’t an English team to have won at El Madrigal, and Villarreal are still unbeaten here in the Champions League. But Arsenal will be happy enough to leave Villareal with a slight advantage after a game of two halves.
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Arsenal’s Lukasz Fabianski on 7.00 (on 90 minutes). The Pole didn’t even have the opportunity to warm up before only his second Champions League appearance, but was still able to keep Arsenal in the match, making a magnificent double save at his near post only three minutes after replacing Almunia.
Two games down, five more to go. I reckon watching footie is much better than sex (but then again, what do I know). Right, Captain?
Oh and by the way, good job Porto. Keep it up!
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It’s taxing time now but I am happy to report that I have completed my online income tax filing. A bit later than last year though.
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