Arsenal 2-1 Steaua Bucharest - Match
Report
Arsenals 2-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday night was
not enough to secure them top spot in Champions League Group H.
Arsène Wengers side could now face one of Europes major names in
the draw for the last 16.
A point in their last two European games had left the London outfit
playing catch-up on leaders Sevilla. The equation this evening was
to win themselves and hope the Spaniards slipped up at Slavia
Prague.
It looked good for over an hour. Goals from Abou Diaby and Nicklas
Bendtner allowed Arsenal to move into cruise control. Meanwhile
Robin van Persie looked excellent in his first start for two
months.
However just after Dorel Zaharia had headed Steaua back into the
game after 69 minutes at Emirates, Luis Fabiano gave Sevilla the
advantage in the Czech capital. Freddie Kanoute added another two
minutes later and Daniel completed the victory just before time.
Though Arsenal held on to their win amid Steaua pressure, they were
forced to settle for second place.
It was a disappointment but not a big one. The main job of Group H
was achieved two games ago when Arsenal secured their place in the
Knockout Stages. Their opponents will be decided on December
21.
But while Arsenal may face a major European force in the draw,
anyone taking on Wengers side will know they have precisely the
same problem.
The manager had made it apparent that there would be changes in his
starting XI for Matchday Six. However the extent was a little
surprising. We knew Jens Lehmann would play his first Arsenal game
since August 19. The immediate return of Van Persie and Diaby was a
little more surprising. Alex Song and Denilson were paired in
central midfield, Philippe Senderos came in behind with Armand
Traore at left back.
To illustrate the switch around, all seven substitutes were full
internationals.
Wengers thinking was clear. Pack the side with enough quality to
win the game but keep an insurance policy on the bench.
Emirates Stadium provided an almost eerie backdrop at kick-off this
evening. Travel disruption meant the ground was under-populated
when the teams walked out and a touch of winter mist only added to
the atmosphere.
However Arsenal were far from unsettled. Wengers side were in
control from the first whistle and never looked ruffled from the
moment they took an early lead.
After two minutes, Van Persie sent an exquisite through-ball into
the right-hand channel. Walcott raced on to it but pulled his shot
inches past the post. A couple of minutes later the 18-year-old
collected the ball 10 yards outside the area, weaved past a pair of
half-hearted challenges before thudding a shot over the bar.
The England winger was also involved in the opener after eight
minutes. He spread the ball wide to Sagna on the right. The
Frenchmans low, curling cross into the area was controlled with
one touch of Diabys long right leg. His second planted a shot
across Robinson Zapata and into the far corner of the net.
It was starting to become one-way traffic. In the 12th minute Diaby
nearly grabbed his second. His deflected drive from just inside the
area looked destined for the top corner again before Zapata threw
himself to his left to spectacularly turn the ball aside.
Steaua were trying to pressurise but it seemed that picking up one
point from their first five Group H has dented their confidence.
Their best chance of the half came on the quarter-hour when Nicolae
Dica fed Adrian Neaga on the right but Traore timed his sliding
tackle to perfection.
Van Persie saw a long-range drive deflected over as Arsenal
kicked-on once more but it was Walcott who was really catching the
eye. Before the half-hour the winger had escaped a couple of times
in the right-hand channel. His crosses floated dangerously across
goal however, on both occasions, no-one was on-hand to
convert.
But Arsenal were relentless. Van Persie curled an effort wide then
Traores marauding run down the left ended with a neat ball towards
Bendtner at the near post. Only desperate Steaua defending
prevented a goal.
The Dane did not have long to wait. Three minutes before half time
Song found Van Persie on the edge of the area. The Dutchmans
tantalising twist and perceptive pass gave Bendtner a little space
in the area. He hurdled one challenge and then planted a low shot
into the far corner. A cool finish on a chilly night.
Arsenal began the second half with a certain strut. There was a
sense of confidence and control in everything they did. Van
Persies fizzed a free-kick through a crowded area and narrowly
wide of the far post. Then, just before the hour, Zapata roared out
of his goal to deny Bendtner as he raced clear.
Van Persie made way for Eduardo with 25 minutes left. Almost
immediately, Steaua grabbed a goal. Substitute Romeo Surdu whipped
a hopeful cross in the area and Zaharia steered a header beyond
Lehmann and into the far corner. It was a shock and against the run
of play but it ignited the visiting team and their fans.
Lassana Diarra and Emmanuel Eboue came on. The Ivorians first act
was to hurry back as Steaua broke forward and clear Surdus driven
cross over this own bar.
Bendtner nearly forced a third when Zapata spilled his shot from
distance. But, at the other end, Ovidiu Petre sent a swerving
long-range effort inches past Lehmanns left-hand post with a few
minutes left.
Walcott and Eduardo went clear in the final minutes but Zapata
stood firm. Arsenal deserved to hold on to their win tonight and,
in most groups, 13 points would enough for top spot.
Just not this time.