Arsenal 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk – 19/10/10 – (Champions League) 20 October, 2010

So our good start to the Champions League continues, from our first three games we’ve taken nine points, scored fourteen goals and conceded just two meaning we only need one more point from the group to secure our place in the next round. Early qualification from the group has become a bit of an Arsenal tradition in recent years and I don’t expect that to be broken in 2010/11.

Shakhtar were billed as our toughest opponents in the group but last night they were no match at all. In the first half they were very negative and didn’t offer much. We struggled to get into our top gear but still managed two goals in the first 45 minutes. The first came inside 20 minutes when their goalie dropped the ball from the corner and Song was there to put it in. He was a bit lucky not to fuck it up but it went in, in the end so you can’t complain. I just hope he doesn’t do silly flicks like that again at 0-0. Song was involved in the second too just before half time, his cross from the right took a slight deflection and with only Nasri in the box I was surprised it arrived to him and he finished well to double our lead. The away defence really should’ve dealt with that though and they were punished.

We weren’t really free flowing, constant-attacking Arsenal but we were certainly on top. Another chance that comes to mind was a ball over the top played into the box, which Chamakh got down and played to Nasri who had his volley well saved. Not a typical Arsenal move but a nice one all the same.

The away side got a bit of a kick up the arse at half time and came out flying with a much better attitude. One of their best chances of the game came in this spell when they got through in the left hand side of the box but Fabianski stood strong and made a block. Their raise of tempo woke us up a bit too which in the end worked in our favour; We were looking more dangerous in the second half and more ourselves but it took another Shakhtar defensive mistake for us to go 3-0 up. Adriano stupidly wrestled Djourou to the ground in the area defending a free kick and a penalty was awarded. Captain Fabregas stepped up and fired one high into the net. It was the last piece of action for both Adriano and Fabregas, Adriano was replaced by Eduardo Da Silva who came on to a standing ovation and Cesc was replaced by Denilson after an hour with the tie pretty much wrapped up. It was an easy run out for the returning captain, he looked a bit rusty at times but hopefully that will have done him some good before the trip to Manchester on Sunday.

The fourth and the fifth came soon after, Wilshere got no.4 and it was probably the pick of the goals. A lovely little passing one-two move with Chamakh and Rosicky ended in Jack touching the ball over the ‘keeper into the empty net. The 18 year old was man of the match again and was showing just how much we will miss him in this upcoming ban for the red card he received on Saturday. It’s great to see how he has made his push for the first team this year, he had an excellant pre-season but I never expected him to be one of the first names on the team sheets already. It astounds me how he isn’t getting picked for England because he’s pretty much one of our most creative players already. Well done Jack, keep it coming.

Goal no.5 was a bit of an odd one. A ball was lifted over the top of the defence for Chamakh but he and most other people watching thought it was offside, he almost stopped and even turned to look at the linesman before realising he wasn’t flagged and tapped the ball in. Turned out someone on the far side near the lino was keeping him on and it was a perfectly legitimate and hilarious goal. Hopefully he’ll learn his lesson to stick the ball away before looking to the line but you can’t really blame him. Awful ‘keeping again though, their goalie situation makes me feel a lot better about ours.

On the subject Fabianski didn’t do badly but didn’t have a great deal to do. He had that save at the start of the second half but that went straight at him really as his positioning was good. He was denied a clean sheet by Eduardo but I don’t think anyone will complain about that. It was a neat finish from the ex-Arsenal striker and received as much celebration and applause as the 5 Arsenal goals that proceeded it. The stadium announcer even got in on the act, “The Shakhtar goal scorer, number 11, EDDDDD..” …UARDO! It was a nice touch and at 5-0 up it’s alright to cheer an opposition goal now and again! If he scores the opener when we play them again in a couple of weeks I don’t think there will be as great a reception from the Arsenal fans that time!

So 5-1 it finished and a happy night for all. Well, all Arsenal fans. Not the very best of performances but it didn’t need to be, we were clinical and got the job done. A nice emotional return for Eduardo and he can fly back to Ukraine will all of Arsenal’s best wishes and support for the future. Except on 3rd November of course.

Next up it’s Man City away on Sunday. Build up to that one to come. Sorry for the disappearance recently, it’s good to be back. Thanks for reading everyone.