Sparta Prague 0-2 Arsenal – 15/08/07 – (Champions League Qualifier) 17 August, 2007

Perfect. The performance might not have been amazing but in games like these, goals and results matter. Goals from midfield through Fabregas and Hleb, and fantastic assists from full-backs Clichy and Sagna. Before the game I was going to get my shirt printed with Clichy 22 and tonight he proved again why I’m really starting to love this player (in the end I was too late and the shop was closed but I’ll get it done soon).

It was the same team that started again Fulham in that new 4-4-1-1 formation. The first half was very physical and we were getting pushed all over the park and the tackles were flying in. We knew exactly what we could expect from their captain Tomas Repka and he was living up to his reputation. Around about the half hour mark he committed a bad challenge Van Persie but Cesc Fabregas was having none of it. Next time Repka picked up the ball it was time for Cesc to give him a bit of retribution and the resulting challenge saw Thomas having to be subbed a few minutes later.

Not an awful lot happened in the way of chances in the first half but you’d have to say the home side were on top. They looked on form and they weren’t allowing us to play our football. However we had another 45 mins to sort that out.

The game started off again in the same pattern as we left it however 10 minutes in Sparta old boy Rosicky played a nice ball to RVP who’s neat shot was saved well. It took until the 72nd minute for our vital goal to come and it was Cescy boy who got it. Sparta were knocking about the ball in their area but Clichy decided he was having none of it and raced to intercept a pass. He went on a short run taking one a couple of players and then played a beautiful little lay-off to Fabregas who finished well across the ‘keeper.

It was the vital away goal we needed and this 1-0 would’ve been a great result for us. Sparta hadn’t given up though. Lehmann was called into action a couple of times and it could’ve easily have been 1-1. They were having the final attack of the game deep into injury time so they had quite a few players forward but they must’ve not done their homework on Arsenal, kings of the counter attack. Lehmann picked up the ball and saw Sagna free on the left. He threw it out to him and Bacary charged down the full length of the field. He played a brilliant ball to Hleb who was being closely marked but Alex’s finish was even better; a cute little ball across the goalie into the far corner that just trickled across the line. All this with a Sparta defender right at his feet. Did he mean it? Probably not to be honest but no one cares. 2-0 to Arsenal full time.

Sorry about the lateness of the report. I’ve got to go now; I literally have work in 6 minutes. Bye!