Arsenal Tonk Villarreal & March Into Semi’s

UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final, Second Leg
Arsenal 3 – 0 Villarreal

Arsenal win 4 – 1 on aggregate

1 – 0 Walcott (9)
2 – 0 Adebayor (60)
3 – 0 van Persie (69 pen)

For a match that was between two teams who were reputedly of a similar techinical ability, it was remarkably one-sided, underlining perhaps just how much this Arsenal side is underestimated. Arsene asked that the supporters got behind the team in a fair manner. He got his wish, boisterous vocal chords opened in support of the team and a reception for Robert Pires that showed highly he is regarded.

The team matched the crowd’s response, Walcott ruling the right flank from the kick-off which given his opponent is a seasoned international for the current European champions indicates the dominance Theo held. It paid off within ten minutes as Eboue rifled a pass to Fabregas who deftly touched the ball into Walcott’s path, the youngster exquisitely lofting the ball over the advancing Lopez. It was a finish that an experienced centre forward would have been proud of and is a teaser for the potential that Walcott has in that position in years to come.

The advantage could have been doubled when van Persie’s free kick was parried by Lopez, Adebayor’s effort from the rebound blocked on the line by Gonzalo. Arsenal had reason to be frustrated by the defender still being on the pitch for twice in the preceding five minutes, he committed fouls that were worthy of a yellow card, the second scraping his studs down Song’s (I think) Achilles which could have been a straight red.

It was not all one-way traffic. Before Walcott’s opener, Godin lost his marker at a set piece and volleyed his shot into Fabianski’s chest. That was a rare moment of threat from the visitors. Given the absence of Sagna, a late withdrawal through a fever, the defence did extremely well with Toure  the only first choice defender on show. There were moments when things went awry but that happens with the strongest XI.

One reason that the performance was solid is Fabianski. His confidence from the start was total; he held Godin’s shot well and punched well, having travelled a fair distance from his line to make contact. On top of that, he minimised the gap between the area and the back four by patrolling the edge when the ball was in the other half, responding to threats to relieve some of the pressure.

The second half began with Villarreal on the front foot but that mini-revival was nipped in the bud when van Persie released Adebayor on the left side of the box, the ball nestling in the bottom right corner as Lopez advanced. At that point the tie was effectively over, a point confirmed less than ten minutes later when Walcott was brought down in the area. The ensuing melee around the officials resulted in Eguren being dismissed, presumably for dissent. van Persie confidently dispatched the penalty and Arsenal proceeded to coast to the semi-final.

There were a number of commendable performances. Eboue and Gibbs provided solid cover at the back whilst supporting the attack well. Silvestre and Toure were reliable in the middle. However, the game was won in midfield. Song was excellent, foraging for the ball well, his distribution for the most part, immaculate. Fabregas influenced the game in all areas, despite playing deeper. It was not as vibrant a performance as when he is pushed further forward but no less effective.

Walcott, for me, was the star. He had Capdevila on the ropes all of the time, even if the end product was not always there. I would defy anyone to run at that pace with the ball and deliver the perfect cross or pass every single time. Even when the Spaniards ‘double-teamed’ him, he was able to use the ball productively, a sign of his growing maturity. Nasri was not as startling on the left but nonetheless, prompted well, using Gibbs as an outlet and decoy in equal measure.

Up front, van Persie and Adebayor played to their usual high standards. The Dutchman was excellent when dropping deeper to collect the ball and the visitors defence were suitably wary of Adebayor following his efforts in the first leg. That is not to say that he strayed offside too often – to the direct detriment of colleagues on one occasion – but his game is played on the shoulder of the last defender where the margin of error is minimal.

All in all, an excellent performance and a confidence boosting victory. Keeping a clean sheet was vital in that respect, this season’s Champions League Hallmark if you like. More importantly, it breathes fire into their bellies ahead of the FA Cup semi-final this weekend. The big games are coming thick and fast which we are constantly told is what the players thrive on. The next month and a half will show how much that is the case. I, for one, am looking forward to the ride.

’til Tomorrow.