Although looking a little shaky at the back, Arsenal’s offense tore a disjointed and frail Fenerbahce back four to shreds in what proved to be a seven tally affair in Tuesday’s Champions League clash at the Sukru Saracolgu Stadium.
The Gunners had to do without their usual back line, as both captain William Gallas and Kolo Toure were sidelined with injury. Wenger chose to use Mikael Silvestre and Alexandre Song partnered up in the center with Clichy and Eboue on their wings, a combination which seemed vulnerable at times throughout the night. Also with noting, Abou Diaby started his first game of the 08-09 season after recently returning from injury.
The scoring started early as a laser-accurate pass from Cesc in the 10th minute cut through the Fenerbahce center-backs, springing Adebayor who calmly slotted home past Turkish international keeper Volkan. Then, not even 90 seconds later, Cesc played an almost identical ball to the speedster Theo Walcott, who deftly outmaneuvered Volkan and put home the second goal of the evening with an off-balance from a tough angle.
Arsenal’s sharp offense looked sure to score a third too, with Samir Nasri taking an outstanding ball from Diaby alone in front of net, but this time Volkan had an answer, charging at Nasri and deflecting the shot out of play.
Fenerbahce was not to be outdone however, as they would make the score 2-1 in the the 19th minute. A cross sent in from Daniel Guiza careened off a careless Silvestre and flew past a helpless Almunia, sending the Turkish supporters into rapture. The silence would quickly resume though, as only three minutes later, a thumping run at the defense by a crafty Abou Diaby left the last defender on the ground as Diaby found himself one on one with Volkan; making no mistake, Diaby blasted home another goal to put the game 3-1 in Arsenal’s favor.
Shortly after the intermission the goals kept coming, as Alexandre Song got on the score sheet in the 48th minute with a powerful volley inside the box resulting from a poor clearing attempt by the baffled Fenerbahce defenders.
The offensive flow finally slowed following the goal, save for a last ditch effort by Arsenal’s defenders to clear a goal off the line in the 67th, but Fener wouldn’t be denied again on their next opportunity, as a rabid Guiza sprang the offside trap and chipped over Almunia to take the game to 4-2 in the 78th minute.
The remainder of the game played out largely in Arsenal’s possession, who capped off the night with an injury time goal by 73rd minute substitute and 17-year-old prodigy Aaron Ramsey striking home the fifth of the night from outside the eighteen.
Arsenal’s other substitutes of the evening were Johan Djourou (84’) and Carlos Vela (86’).
Justin Barrie
