Fenerbahce 2-5 Arsenal – 21/10/08 – (Champions League) 22 October, 2008

What an odd game. An explosion of goals gave us one of our best away wins in Europe and one of the most exciting matches I’ve watched.

It was an interesting line-up but it was what I predicted. Arsene went with the 4-5-1 giving the license to the midfielders to get forward. You’d think the 5 man midfield would be quite defensive but in fact we had plenty going forward. Nasri and Walcott provided the pace, skill and width, with Fabregas and Diaby making things happen in the middle.

About Diaby had an excellent game. This was his first start of the season but it was justified. He looked very confident and capable going forward and was causing the home side a lot of problems. I once used to think that he was our replacement to Vieira but as Gunnerblog points out he has become more of a Hleb-style midfielder. Well done last night Abou, more of that please.

The home support was tremendous as expected. They were making some noise hoping it might spur on their beloved Fenerbache. And they nearly got off the the perfect start when Almunia made a great close-range block after just 2 minutes.

You could tell right from early on that this was going to be an exciting game, so I wasn’t surprised we went 1-0 up in the 10th minute. It was a great instinct through ball from Fabregas to send Adebayor and Walcott completely in the clear. Theo left it for Ade who was in a better position to take the ball on and he kept his cool to slot it under the ‘keeper.

It was a great goal and well worthy of a few replays, but we nearly missed the second just 70 seconds later. It was the same scenario again, Cesc saw the through ball opportunity and Walcott was there again to get on it. This time though he was under a bit more pressure from the defense; he chose to try take it round the ‘keeper but his touch took it away from goal and with the defenders getting back it looked like a hard one for Theo to put away but credit to him for another skilled finish.

So 2-0 up with 11 minutes gone and we’re laughing. Just two minutes later Nasri missed an incredible chance to make it three. Diaby’s good work going forward on the left found Samir with a squared ball through the area. He was in a perfect position and in space but somehow it didn’t come off.

We had completely shocked Fenerbache and their now deathly silent fans. Every attack looked like a goal-scoring oppertunity.

The home side weren’t playing too badly, we just seemed to have some kind of confidence and flair that couldn’t be stopped. Fenerbache did get forward themselves and they got one back in the 19th minute. A low and powerful cross came into the area, Silvestre tried to get something on it but in the end only managed to stick it past Almunia. A bad goal to concede and I’m sure that’s not the way Silvestre imagined he would score his first Arsenal goal.

I was scared that goal might knock our confidence but it didn’t in the slightest. Only a couple of minutes later and we’d restored our two-goal lead. Diaby got onto a through ball in the box, controlled it well and blasted a show low into the far corner. Another well-taken goal.

3-1, and only 22 minutes gone! It was mental. And you knew there was more to come.

Every time there was an attack (for either side), you thought this could be another goal. Both sides we’re playing attacking football which allowed the opposition to pick holes on the counter attack. Our defence wasn’t playing well at all which nearly got us in trouble a few times, however Almunia was having his best game in an Arsenal shirt that I can remember and cleaned up the mess.

The Song/Silvestre partnership wasn’t working well. Song looked out of place and Silvestre looked lost. Every time Fenerbache attacked I was worried. Djourou had only just returned from injury so I can understand him not playing but I’d be very surprised if he didn’t replace one of them for this Sunday’s match against West Ham.

Half time came and it remained 3-1. There had been 20 minutes without a goal, what rubbish! Thankfully, Arsenal made up for it by scoring just 4 minutes into the second half. Fabregas took a free-kick from the right into a busy area and it flicked up above the heads.

Song saw it onto his foot and volleyed it into the back of the net. Another nicely taken goal and he looked really happy with his first goal since Anfield in the Carlin Cup a few seasons ago.

Before that goal there was still just the smallest of hopes that the home side might be able to get back in it, but Song’s strike finished the game off. 4-1 up and playing the way we were, it didn’t matter that there was 40 minutes left to play – it was game over.

With just over 20 minutes to go we somehow managed to not concede. Almunia found himself in a one-on-one situation and rushed out to block it. The danger wasn’t cleared though and Clichy and Eboue were tested with goal-line saves to keep our three-goal lead.

Abou Diaby was taken off a few minutes after that and left the field to a standing ovation from all round the stadium. He had another excellent game which he can do from time to time. Let’s hope he can keep this going. He was replaced by Aaron Ramsey who was also impressive for the remaining minutes.

With 10 minutes to go Fenerbache did get a consolation goal which they probably deserved. Guiza went clean through, Almunia came out and he was lobbed, 4-2. Guiza had a great game, he was all over the place and did deserve a goal, this was about his 10th decent chance so maybe if he’d converted some more this could’ve been a closer game.

Towards the end of the match Walcott and Adebayor were replaced with Vela and Djourou, and there was just time before the whistle for the other substitute to add the 7th goal to the game. Aaron Ramsey picked up the ball on the edge of the area and shot well into the far bottom corner. His first goal for Arsenal and a decent one too to wrap up a very good 20 minute cameo from the 17-year-old.

So 5-2 the final score and what a game. The front 6 did incredibly well, a good selection by Wenger. However, top marks must go to Diaby and Almunia. I don’t know whether the captains armband inspired Manuel on but he had an awesome game. He’ll be upset he didn’t get to keep the clean sheet but he couldn’t have done anything about the two goals conceded. Almunia’s been talking about the strange nature of the game here.

The only slightly sour note would be Silvestre and Song’s partnership but lets not get too worked up on that. It needs to be sorted but I’m sure it will before the weekend.

Otherwise, it was a fantastic performance and one to be proud of. Arsene Wenger was very happy with the way we played and Adebayor has called for us to go all the way; well if we play like that every step of the way then we might be in with a chance.

Right I better wrap this up because it’s getting rather long. Thanks for reading and I’ll speak to you in the week.