We did our job; we beat Steaua in the hope that Seville would slip up in Prague. It looked good at half time when news came through that it was still 0-0, but it finished up 3-0 to the Spanish side and we finished the group in second place. The 13 points we achieved (a lot of which with a second string side) would’ve given us top spot in other groups but Seville did well to claim 15 points. That means we’ve got tough opposition waiting in the next round, we’ll play one of Porto, Barcelona, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Abou Diaby doesn’t mind facing a top team and neither do I. It’ll be good if we got Porto but last year we got the easier draw and lost to that team, PSV.

We fielded a very mix and match side, our two players returning to action, Van Persie and Diaby both started, as did Lehmann. Gallas & Senderos were paired as I though and it was Sagna and Traore at full back. Diaby (not a left winger) made his return at left midfield and was joined by Denilson, Song and Walcott. Van Persie started up front with Nicklas Bendtner.

We started really well and Theo Walcott especially looked exiting, powerful and hungry. He nearly scored inside 120 seconds thanks to a Van Persie through ball. We didn’t have to wait long for the opener though. Abou Diaby marked his comeback with a goal in the 8th minute. Sagna sent a sweeping ball in from the right and Diaby made contact with his foot to make it 1-0 to The Arsenal. It was a good finish by Abou.

Diaby nearly got another 4 minutes later with the help of a Bucharest defender. His long-range effort was deflected and looked like it was going perfectly in the top corner but their ‘keeper pulled off a fine save.

We were all attacking putting enormous pressure on the Steaua defence. Walcott was doing a fantastic job down the right. I was really impressed with him last night. Van Persie had a couple of decent efforts too.

Our second came three minutes before the break. Van Persie with some good skill on the edge of the box played in Bendtner who passed one player then slotted the ball in the back of the net. It was a good goal by the Dane who was also an impressive figure last night.

The second half wasn’t quite as good as the first. We were brilliant in the first half and were putting loads of pressure on Steaua. They were lucky to only be two goals down. Walcott might’ve a hat trick but now if he was more composed in front of goal.

We weren’t bad in the second half; we just didn’t seem to go for it as much. We started the half well. We had a few chances from corners and free kicks but nothing came of them. Van Persie was replaced by Eduardo in the 65th minute to a great reception. A fairly good come back for him and hell be looking to make an impression against Chelsea. Diaby and Sagna came off 10 minutes later, they were replaced by Eboue and Diarra. Eboue went in a right back and Diarra in the middle. All three subs didn’t really do a lot that I can remember.

Just before that second lot of subs the visitors got a goal back. A cross was whipped in and Zaharia headed in past Lehmann. The goal came at a bit of a shock but Bucharest and their fans loved it and they were now searching for an equalizer. Ovidiu Petre nearly got it when he hit a screamer from 30 yards. Luckily the swerve of it took it just wide but Jens was beaten.

We had a couple more chance before the end but it finished up 2-1 to us. The result didn’t matter in the end as Seville came out comfortable winners in Prague. However it does set up and exiting knockout round for us. I’m going to try and get to the away leg of the tie. The draw is made the day before the Spurs game on the 21st. I’m sure we’ll all be glued the TV for then.

But now we can concentrate on the league for a bit. We’ve got Chelsea on Sunday which’ll be a huge game for us. Match Preview to come tomorrow. COME ON THE ARSENAL.

Edit: Oh wait, match preview won’t be tomorrow, the game’s on Sunday. Match Preview on Saturday. Build up tomorrow!