A game that resembled a productive training session (Sparta Prague (h) reaction

The clock showed 6 minutes 54 seconds when Tomas Rosicky put the 3rd round qualifying tie beyond doubt. After this goal the game was put way beyond any doubt. Any nerves were settled and the Arsenal faithful were in for an easy night. It was a pity the players felt this way aswell. Sparta put up little or no fight at all and it almost became a training game for the lads in red. Arsenal played it around and at times became lethargic and allowed Sparta a rare venture forward. Otherwise it was a simple exercise of keep ball with the odd flourish into the opposition box. Unfortunately the players never moved out of first gear and a second goal didn’t really look on the cards.

Half time arrived with every Gooner in the Emirates Stadium sitting pretty with their overpriced drinks (which have got smaller and gone up in price) and hot dogs (aids dogs as my mate calls them). The second half started better with the home team pressurising Sparta into errors. However this didn’t last long and he routine passing became the main aim for the players. Only when Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor were brought on did Arsenal’s play increase in tempo and did we look dangerous going forward. Theo Walcott got a chance down the middle and Wenger gave Eduardo a chance to shine on the left of midfield – more on that later – while Adebayor partnered Theo. The game livened up in the final ten minutes and funnily enough coincided with a large chunk of fans heading for the exit with 13 MINUTES LEFT TO PLAY. Fabregas played Eduardo on the wing and he easily beat his man with a clever change of pace. Not only the creativity to beat his man but he had a cool head and great vision to pick out Fabregas who in turn found the bottom corner.

Denilson was brought on for a quick flourish and our last goal had a Brazilian feel to it. Denilson played a one-two with Adebayor and then picked out Brazilian born Eduardo with a perfect cross and the Croat found the far corner with a neat volleyed finish. The final whistle came and the Arsenal fans roared out one last appreciation as the players left the field.

What were the positives and negatives? Positives first: Theo finally showed what he can do. The 18 year old has blistering pace and when he uses it many will struggle. He did well to create the first goal and looked dangerous throughout the first half. Abou Diaby was brilliant in central midfield, mixing strength and power with skill and technique, no better than his nonchalant back-heel when running towards his own goal as last man. Eduardo was very good when he moved to the left. He looked lively and beat his man quite easily. He could be one answer to our lack of width. He also got his first competitive goal which will be a load of his mind.

The only negative was we were a little sloppy in defence against a very weak Sparta Prague side. T times we looked a bit shaky but it was no major problem.

We are now 12 consecutive games unbeaten and go into Sunday’s home match against Portsmouth with a lot of confidence.