Gunners Frozen Out in Moscow

Arsene Wenger was right about CSKA. They are a competent and dangerous side with an interesting blend of Russian efficiency and Brazilian flair and they will be delighted to have emerged from this game with a 1-0 victory.

In many respects, it was a below par performance from Arsenal, especially in the first 20 minutes, when they lacked their customary fluency and penetration and Cesc Fabregas in particular did not look sharp. At the back, Hoyte conceded too many corners and Djourou at times looked uncertain. The young Swiss defender was responsible for the free kick that led to CSKA’s winning goal and when the ball was touched square by Ignasevich to Carvalho, he then turned his back, allowing the Brazilian to thunder a shot past Jens Lehmann. It was a moment when thoughts turned to the old guard, because players of the calibre of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Nigel Winterburn would have thrown themselves at Carvalho and probably prevented the goal.

With Fabregas improving and Rosicky and Hleb bright and inventive, Arsenal began to look dangerous, but only until they entered the final third. Unfortunately, this was a day when Robin Van Persie was off his game and even when the Gunners did score, their efforts were disallowed. Gilberto was deprived by Toure’s offside position and more controversially in the 86th minute Spanish referee Gonzalez spoilt an otherwise unblemished performance by ruling that Thierry Henry had handled before scoring and promptly booked him, despite the absence of clear supporting evidence. It was a costly decision and it makes the return game at The Emirates more difficult than it should have been, but there is no doubt that Arsenal are capable of beating this side.